Tata AIA Celebrates ‘Pledge To Protect’ Initiative In Bengaluru To Drive Insurance Awareness

Tata AIA Life Insurance (Tata AIA), one of the leading private life insurers in India, has reaffirmed its dedication to protecting lives with the launch of its ‘Pledge to Protect’ initiative in Bengaluru. This initiative is part of the company's ambitious goal to secure one lakh lives in Q4 FY25. 

On the occasion of Tata AIA’s 24th Foundation Day, the Tata AIA Agency team in Bengaluru, along with branches in Lavelle Road, Koramangala, Vijayanagar and Jayanagar, engaged nearly 200 consumers by our Head of Agency – Yogesh Anand, leaders, and agents in awareness sessions on life insurance. The initiative also included mega rally in Church street, Forum Mall and Vijayanagar Ashoka Pillar where employees and advisors distributed leaflets water bottles, Donated clothes and groceries to old age homes Additionally, at IT Park, the team connected with over 300 potential customers to spread awareness about financial security.

Amit Dave, Chief Distribution Officer - Proprietary Business, Tata AIA, said, “Life insurance offers much-needed financial security to people, including the vulnerable section of society. Therefore, the responsibility for creating this awareness rests with us all. Tata AIA is committed to advancing financial inclusion and financial security for Indians through the 'Pledge to Protect’' movement. We are committed to expanding insurance coverage in India, and Tata AIA will tirelessly work to reach our goal of securing 1 lakh lives in the January-March quarter.”

Under the Pledge to Protect drive, Tata AIA has undertaken diverse initiatives involving its 599 branches and over 1.43 lakh tied agents and employees across India. These include roadshows, jogger's park activities, housing society engagements and health camps. In addition to localising outreach, the Company will collaborate with local Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), Panchayats, and Self-Help Groups (SHGs), enabling it to educate and onboard individuals in rural and semi-urban areas.

Over 550 Tata AIA branches have already initiated the drive, engaging close to 70,000 agents, employees and customers.

Beyond insurance, Tata AIA is also fostering financial empowerment through Jagruti, a financial literacy initiative where employees volunteer to educate underprivileged communities about essential financial tools. With a structured training module available in Hindi, English, and regional languages, employees are encouraged to share their knowledge, ensuring that at least four individuals in their network gain the confidence to make informed financial decisions. More than 3,300 Tata AIA employees have already volunteered as part of this initiative.

About Tata AIA Life

Tata AIA Life Insurance Company Limited (Tata AIA) is a joint venture Company formed by Tata Sons Pvt. Ltd. and AIA Group Ltd. (AIA). Tata AIA Life combines Tata’s pre-eminent leadership position in India and AIA’s presence as the largest, independent listed pan-Asian life insurance group in the world, spanning 18 markets in the Asia Pacific region.

Tata AIA reported a total Premium Income of INR 25,692 crore for FY24, up 25% from FY23. The Company continues to rank among the Top 3 Private Insurers in Individual Weighted New Business Premium (IWNBP) with an IWNBP income of INR 7,413 crore. The Individual Death Claims Settlement ratio improved to 99.13%. The Company also achieved industry-leading Persistency performance (based on premiums), ranking #1 in four out of five cohorts.

About the Tata Group 

Founded by Jamsetji Tata in 1868, the Tata group is a global enterprise, headquartered in India, comprising 30 companies across ten verticals.

The group operates in more than 100 countries across six continents, with a mission 'To improve the quality of life of the communities we serve globally, through long-term stakeholder value creation based on Leadership with Trust’.

Tata Sons is the principal investment holding company and promoter of Tata companies. Sixty-six percent of the equity share capital of Tata Sons is held by philanthropic trusts, which support education, health, livelihood generation and art and culture.

In 2023-24, the revenue of Tata companies, taken together, was more than $165 billion. These companies collectively employ over 1 million people.

Each Tata company or enterprise operates independently under the guidance and supervision of its own board of directors. There are 26 publicly listed Tata enterprises with a combined market capitalisation of more than $365 billion as on March 31, 2024.

About AIA

AIA Group Limited and its subsidiaries (collectively “AIA” or the “Group”) comprise the largest independent publicly listed pan-Asian life insurance group. It has a presence in 18 markets – wholly-owned branches and subsidiaries in Mainland China, Hong Kong SAR(1), Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, Cambodia, Indonesia, Myanmar, New Zealand, the Philippines, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan (China), Vietnam, Brunei and Macau SAR(2), and a 49% joint venture in India. In addition, AIA has a 24.99% shareholding in China Post Life Insurance Co., Ltd.

The business that is now AIA was first established in Shanghai more than a century ago in 1919. It is a market leader in Asia (ex-Japan) based on life insurance premiums and holds leading positions across the majority of its markets. It had total assets of US$286 billion as of 31 December 2023.

AIA meets the long-term savings and protection needs of individuals by offering a range of products and services including life insurance, accident and health insurance and savings plans. The Group also provides employee benefits, credit life and pension services to corporate clients. Through an extensive network of agents, partners and employees across Asia, AIA serves the holders of more than 42 million individual policies and over 18 million participating members of group insurance schemes.

AIA Group Limited is listed on the Main Board of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited under the stock codes “1299” for HKD counter and “81299” for RMB counter with American Depositary Receipts (Level 1) traded on the over-the-counter market under the ticker symbol “AAGIY”.

Titan’s Happy Eyes In Collaboration With IVI To Benefit 37,000 Drivers, Making Indian Roads Safer

Titan Company Ltd & India Vision Institute (IVI), in collaboration with various stakeholders like Tata Motors, Namma Yatri, Tata Steel, and National Highway Infra Trust, have been leading a vision screening campaign since February 2025 for commercial vehicle drivers, enhancing road safety and improving vision health across India. The initiative has already benefited 22,000 drivers across four states and is expected to reach 37,000 drivers soon.

To mark the impact of this initiative, Titan Company Limited’s Managing Director, Mr. C K Venkataraman, distributed corrective glasses to beneficiaries at Bengaluru’s Attibelle RTO camp today. He was joined by Mr. Raghavan NS, CEO Eyecare Division; Mr. Sridhar NE, Chief Sustainability Officer, Titan Company Limited; Maj JJ Dominic, Head of CSR, Titan Company Limited; Mr. Vinod Daniel, CEO of India Vision Institute; and Capt. Baldev Singh, Head of Bangalore Elevated Tollway Private Limited (BETPL).

The program provides free vision screenings, prescription glasses, and referrals for further medical examinations where necessary. It is being implemented in Jharkhand, West Bengal, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu, including sites within Tata Group companies.

Raghavan N S shared, “For World Sight Day 2024, our goal was to make Indian roads safer. Following the successful launch of our campaign, we are committed to continuing this impact and reaching even more drivers. At Titan, we believe in driving meaningful change, and our partnership with IVI reinforces our commitment to supporting commercial drivers, the backbone of our economy. By providing them with essential eye care, we are working towards a safer and more secure driving environment for all.”

Vinod Daniel said. “With over 200 million Indians living with uncorrected refractive errors and studies showing that 60% of road accidents are linked to poor vision, ensuring clear eyesight is critical. Over 90% of driving decisions rely on good eyesight, making vision correction crucial to reducing fatalities and injuries on our roads.” "This collaboration with Titan Company Ltd will contribute to improving drivers’ vision and making our roads safer," he added.

Martial Volvo Cars Proudly Launched The Latest Volvo XC90 In Karnataka

* Priced at Rs. 1,02,89,900 Deliveries Commencing March 2025

Volvo Car India today unveiled the new XC90, setting an innovative benchmark for luxury SUVs. Priced at Rs. 1,02,89,900 (ex-showroom), the new XC90 showcases a suite of advanced technology and refined design elements, further elevating the award-winning and best-selling flagship SUV. The launch event was held at the Martial Motors Volvo Cars No. 34, Race Course Rd, Madhava Nagar, Gandhi Nagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560001 by Mr. Amit Kaloo, Regional Manager of Volvo India. The event was graced by the presence of Mr. Ritesh Reddy (Managing Director), along with Mr. Gopal Reddy and Mrs. Udaya Reddy (Directors) of Martial Volvo Cars Karnataka.

“This iconic SUV has long been a cornerstone of our success, and we are thrilled to unleash the new XC90 into the Karnataka market. The SUV embodies the pinnacle of Swedish luxury and design, seamlessly integrating innovation and safety, the hallmarks of the Volvo brand” stated Mr. Ritesh Reddy y, Managing Director, Martial Volvo Car India.

The Volvo XC90 facelift has launched in India at an ex-showroom price of Rs 1.03 crore. The refreshed XC90 SUV is slightly more expensive and packs several design and tech upgrades over the outgoing car.

The overall silhouette of the Volvo XC90 SUV remains similar to the outgoing model. However, many redesigned exterior styling elements are inspired by the all-electric Volvo EX90, including a revised grille with diagonal slats, slimmer ‘Thor’ hammer headlights, refreshed bumpers, darker tail lamps, and new alloy wheels (see table below for XC90 dimensions). If one opts for the air suspension, the ground clearance goes up to 267mm from 238mm. The new XC90’s cabin looks familiar primarily, but EX90 SUV-inspired bits are present here as well; for instance, the use of recycled materials for the upholstery, which is also in line with the automaker’s plan to use sustainable materials in its cars. Volvo has also fitted a larger 11.2-inch touchscreen in its flagship XC90 model; it runs on Google-based Software, allowing for over-the-air (OTA) updates. The Swedish car brand further claims that the resolution of the portrait-styled touchscreen has been improved.

Features such as a panoramic sunroof, wireless phone charging, a 360-degree camera system, a head-up display, memory seats, and an air purifier (with a PM 2.5 filter) continue to be offered with the updated model. 2025 Volvo XC90 facelift engine and performance

250hp 2.0-liter mild-hybrid petrol engine retained Under the hood of the refreshed XC90 is the same 2.0-liter mild-hybrid turbo-petrol engine, producing 250hp and 360Nm of maximum torque. Being AWD, the automatic transmission sends power to all four wheels, allowing the Volvo XC90 to reach 100kph from a standstill in 7.7 seconds.

TKM Successfully Concludes Women’s Day Celebrations Strengthening Commitment To Women Empowerment And Inclusivity

Reinforcing its commitment to empowering women and enhancing their representation within the automotive industry, Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) recently concluded two vibrant events commemorating International Women's Day 2025. The celebrations, conducted on March 12 and March 16 at TKM’s manufacturing facility in Bidadi, witnessed enthusiastic participation from over 700 women employees, demonstrating the company's dedication towards creating an inclusive and inspiring work environment.

The events showcased TKM’s continual efforts in nurturing talent and promoting work-life balance among its women employees. On March 12, a special session brought together over 250 women team members from various shifts, along with senior leaders, engaging them in meaningful discussions around the theme of “Work-Life Balance.” Prominent senior women leaders from within the company shared their valuable experiences and insights, guiding young talents to better manage their personal and professional responsibilities. Interactive quizzes and engaging activities created an energetic atmosphere and fostered camaraderie among participants.

Further, on March 16, the Women's Day celebrations scaled greater heights with over 450 women employees from TKM’s manufacturing shifts attending a larger event graced by chief guest Smt. R. Latha (IAS), Secretary, Karnataka State Commission for Women & Director, Directorate of Child Protection. Inspiring attendees through her personal journey, Smt. R. Latha shared her experiences of transitioning from a career at State Bank of India to becoming an accomplished IAS officer. Her encouraging words motivated employees to envision ambitious career paths and break traditional career stereotypes.

Speaking at the event, Chief Guest Smt. R. Latha (IAS), Secretary, Karnataka State Commission for Women & Director, Directorate of Child Protection remarked, “Empowering women isn't just about opportunities, it's about instilling confidence and inspiring them to set ambitious goals. I’m delighted to see Toyota Kirloskar Motor leading the way in creating an inclusive culture, serving as an exemplary model for the automotive industry. Such initiatives create lasting impacts by not only empowering women professionally but also contributing positively to society at large.”

The event also celebrated TKM’s diverse cultural heritage through performances by talented women employees, including singing, dancing, and Yakshagana—a traditional theatre form from coastal Karnataka. These activities reinforced TKM’s focus on fostering diversity, inclusion, and cultural exchange within the organization.

Speaking on the conclusion of these celebrations, Mr. G Shankara, Executive Vice President for Finance and Administration, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, stated, “We at Toyota Kirloskar Motor cherish and value the contributions of our women workforce. The enthusiastic participation we've witnessed across both events demonstrates our growing strength in gender diversity, inspiring us to further our goal of achieving 30% women representation by 2030. With initiatives like female-friendly workplace infrastructure, rehiring policies for women returning after career breaks, remote working opportunities, and our progressive sabbatical policy, we remain committed to continuously enhancing our inclusive workplace.”

These recent events underscore TKM’s broader initiatives currently underway, including the ongoing construction of the state-of-the-art P3 plant designed with female-friendly facilities, targeted to accommodate up to 30% women employees. Such strategic initiatives aim to attract, retain, and empower women in automotive manufacturing roles, further establishing TKM as a preferred employer in the industry.

With these celebrations and continued progressive policies, Toyota Kirloskar Motor reaffirms its unwavering dedication to championing women’s empowerment and setting industry benchmarks for gender diversity, equity, and inclusivity in automotive manufacturing.

HerKey Appoints Wasim Sayed As Vice President Of Growth And Marketing

HerKey India’s largest AI-powered platform for women professionals, today announced the appointment of Wasim Sayed as its Vice President of Growth and Marketing. In his new role, Wasim will lead strategic initiatives focused on driving user growth, enhancing customer acquisition, and strengthening brand positioning.

Wasim brings over 17 years of experience in digital and product marketing, having worked across growth-stage startups, unicorns, and Fortune 500 companies. With a strong background in scaling both B2B and B2C business units and a data-driven approach to growth hacking, he is well-positioned to contribute to HerKey’s mission of empowering women professionals.

Throughout his career, Wasim has played a pivotal role in optimizing go-to-market strategies, achieving sustainable revenue growth, and mentoring high-performing teams. His expertise in stakeholder management and product-market fit will be instrumental as HerKey continues to expand its offerings and impact within the professional development space.

Commenting on his appointment, Wasim Sayed said, “I am excited to join HerKey at a pivotal stage of its journey. The platform has already made significant strides in enabling women’s career advancement, and I look forward to driving innovative marketing and growth strategies to further this mission”.

Commenting on the announcement, Neha Bagaria, Founder & CEO, HerKey, said, “Wasim’s appointment comes at a time when organisations are increasingly prioritizing helping women advance their careers and increase their earning potential, making HerKey’s role in career enablement for women more relevant than ever.”

About HerKey

HerKey is India’s largest AI-powered platform, which helps women advance their careers and increase their earning potential. Founded in 2015 as JobsForHer, the platform connects over 5 million women with opportunities at 20,000+ companies, enabling them to learn from 2 lakh experts and expand their professional networks. Using AI and machine learning, it offers personalised career development through expert-led sessions, job opportunities, and networking. With a vision to support 30 million women, HerKey continues to scale its impact and was recognised with the *BusinessLine Changemaker Award 2023* in the Social Transformation category.

Website:www.herkey.com

HerKey SM channels            

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/herkeyformerlyjobsforher

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HerKey Official - https://www.herkey.com/profile/jfhadmin

Neha Bagaria, Founder & CEO - HerKey: Facebook | LinkedIn | HerKey.

The Perfect Coke Halftime @ ICC Champions Trophy Finals: Coke Studio Bharat Brings Holi To The Celebration

* Featuring performances from Vishal Mishra and dance troupe Quick Style

India’s spectacular victory over New Zealand in the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 became an unforgettable celebration as Coca-Cola India turned halftime into a spectacle like never before. Coke Halftime is about resetting, recharging, and making every moment count. Whether in sports or in life, it’s the pause that fuels what comes next—and nothing captures that spirit better than an ice-cold Coca-Cola.

And what makes this moment even better? Enter Coke Studio Bharat, a well-known IP that has given the world some iconic hits like “Khalasi” and “Magic”. This time, Coke Studio Bharat delivered yet another magical track, “Holi Aayi Re’. Inspired by the vibrant Holi celebrations of Mathura and Vrindavan, “Holi Aayi Re” seamlessly blended the soul of Indian folk with a contemporary sound, making it the perfect anthem for the festival. After its grand debut on Coke Studio Bharat, the track took center stage in a performance during Coke Halftime that added to the festive mood for millions of cricket and music fans.

Shantanu Gangane, IMX (Integrated Marketing Experience) Lead, Coca-Cola India added, “Our relationship with world class partners like ICC and on Coke Studio with musical genius Vishal Mishra puts us in a unique position where we can bring together the nation’s biggest passion points – cricket and entertainment. Cricket isn’t just watched—it’s lived. And Coca-Cola made sure halftime wasn’t a break, but a moment that kept cricket fans across the globe hooked onto their seats and screens. Vishal Mishra’s Coke Studio performance of the Holi Aayi Re during the Coca Cola Half Time of Champions Trophy finals made it a memorable event for cricket fans across the world.”

Anurag Dahiya, Chief Commercial Officer ICC said, “Coca-Cola wanted to create something special for the fans at the Final of the ICC Men's Champions Trophy 2025 and we saw an opportunity during the innings break to do exactly that. Coke Halftime was designed to bring energy into the stadium, and it delivered in style. Vishal Mishra's Holi Aayi Re from Coke Studio turned the stadium into a celebration. From the stands to the screens, fans were at the heart of it all - and their incredible response made the moment even bigger

With this unforgettable finale, Coca-Cola once again reinforced its commitment to making every shared moment more special, ensuring Holi and India's victory were celebrated in the most iconic way.

About Coca-Cola India:

Coca-Cola in India is one of the country’s leading beverage companies, offering a range of high-quality and refreshing beverage options to consumers. The company, in line with its vision of ‘Beverages For Life’ offers a wide portfolio of products which includes hydration, sports, sparkling, coffee, tea, nutrition, juice and dairy based products. In India its beverage range includes Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, Diet Coke, Thums Up, Charged by Thums Up, Fanta, Limca, Sprite, Maaza, Minute Maid range of juices and Honest Tea. The Company also offers hydration beverages including Limca GlucoCharge, Smartwater, Kinley, Kinley Copper, Dasani and Bonaqua packaged drinking water and Kinley Club Soda. Premium products constitute Schweppes and Smartwater. In addition, it offers a Costa Coffee range of tea and coffee. The Company is constantly transforming its portfolio, from reducing sugar in its drinks to bringing innovative new products to market.

The Company along with its owned bottling operations and franchise bottling partners has a strong network of close to 5 million retail outlets through which it refreshes millions of consumers across the country. It seeks to positively impact people’s lives, communities and the planet through water replenishment, packaging recycling, sustainable agriculture initiatives and carbon emission reductions across its value chain.

Globally together with its bottling partners, The Coca-Cola Company employs more than 700,000 people, helping to bring economic opportunity to local communities worldwide. Learn more at www.cocacolacompany.com and follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.

Apollo Hospitals Launches Revolutionary Apollo Joint Preservation Program In India

* A New Approach to Joint Care with Early Intervention and Personalized Treatment to preserve mobility and confidence

Apollo Hospitals launched its innovative Apollo Joint Preservation Program in India, that is set to revolutionize joint care across its network. This pioneering initiative focuses on early intervention and personalized treatment to help individuals maintain their mobility and confidence, all the while fostering a proactive approach to joint health. Present at the launch were Dr Sangita Reddy, Joint Managing Director - Apollo Hospitals, Dr. Brett Fritsch, Orthopaedic Surgeon, Arthroscopic and Replacement Specialist – Knee, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney and senior doctors from the Orthopaedic Department at Apollo Hospitals.

Designed to provide comprehensive, trust-based joint care, Apollo Joint Preservation Program is tailored to the needs of patients suffering from joint pain, arthritis, inflammatory conditions, and ligament injuries. By emphasizing active and healthy lifestyle habits, the program seeks to alleviate discomfort and potentially avoid the need for invasive procedures for as long as possible.

Congratulating the team at the launch of Joint Preservation Program, Dr. Sangita Reddy, Joint Managing Director - Apollo Hospitals said, “The Joint Preservation Program at Apollo is built around patient comfort and support, designed to benefit individuals of all ages who may not be aware of the treatment options available for joint pain or degeneration. Through this unique program, our team of specialists will focus on '3 Ts': Tailored advice, Treatment (both medical and surgical), and Therapies (including rehabilitation, nutrition, and alternative therapies). This multi-city initiative underscores our commitment to help people preserve their mobility and enhance their quality of life for long term. By prioritizing joint function optimization, we want to empower individuals to maintain an active lifestyle and continue doing what they love.”

The program allows patients to benefit from early diagnosis and customized therapies that can potentially delay or avoid major joint health issues. Patients who have been advised any treatment for their affected joints elsewhere, as well as those seeking their first consultation for joint pain, will now have access to a wide array of comprehensive treatment options.

Dr. Dr Rajashekar K T, Senior Consultant - Orthopaedician & Joint Replacement Surgeon, Apollo Hospitals, Bengaluru said, "The program is a breakthrough for patients seeking a safer, non-invasive route to regain mobility. By integrating advanced therapies like PRP and stem cell treatments, we are empowering our patients to take charge of their joint health without rushing into surgery. This innovative approach is a testament to our commitment to delivering personalized, effective care in Bengaluru." 

Highlighting how the program will be a unique solution for sports-related and degenerative joint issues Dr. Pradeep Kocheeppan, Senior Consultant - Orthopaedic Shoulder Surgeon & Sports Medicine, Apollo Hospitals, Bengaluru said, “At Apollo Hospitals, Bengaluru, we believe in transforming joint care by focusing on early intervention and comprehensive, tailored treatments. Our new program combines the latest in orthobiologic therapies with proven non-replacement surgical options to offer a renewed quality of life. The treatment will not only alleviate pain but also help our patients save the original functions of the joint.” 

By harnessing advanced Orthobiologic therapies alongside pioneering regenerative treatments such as Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy and cutting-edge stem cell applications, we empower patients to maintain and enhance their joint functionality. This bespoke approach not only aids in circumventing any major surgical interventions but also encourages a dynamic, active lifestyle, thereby ensuring long-term joint health and overall well-being. 

PRP injections will leverage the body’s inherent healing capacity to diminish inflammation and expedite joint repair. Regenerative therapies, including stem cell treatments, aim to rejuvenate cartilage and enhance overall joint functionality, while surgical strategies such as osteotomies will rectify alignment discrepancies, providing sustained relief and improved mobility. Additional surgical modalities will include arthroscopic and open procedures for chondral defects, meniscal repairs, ligament reconstructions, and procedures like Unicondylar Knee Replacement, which strive to preserve more of the natural joint architecture and function. 

Furthermore, patients will receive an extensive range of support services, encompassing physiotherapy, rehabilitation, nutritional counseling for weight management, and other adjunct therapies. This holistic strategy is designed not only to safeguard natural joint function but also to cultivate patient trust and sustained engagement with their healthcare provider, thereby facilitating a seamless transition to joint replacement when deemed absolutely necessary. 

With a spectrum of treatment options and support services now available through this Joint Preservation Program, Apollo Hospitals is committed to enhancing the quality of life for all while promoting a more active and fulfilling lifestyle.