Blue Dart Expands “EV Fleet For A Greener Future” On World Environment Day

In a strategic move towards fostering sustainability and reducing its carbon footprint, Blue Dart, South Asia's leading courier and integrated express package distribution company, unveiled an expansion of its electric vehicle (EV) fleet, now boasting over 480 e-vehicles (2,3 &4 wheelers combined). This initiative underlines Blue Dart’s commitment to environmental stewardship on World Environment Day, aligning closely with the company's ambitious goal to achieve net-zero carbon emissions.

The integration of EVs into Blue Dart's fleet is poised to yield substantial environmental benefits, with an estimated reduction of 15.05 tonnes of CO2 emissions per month. Blue Dart's proactive participation as a signatory to the 'Climate Neutral Now' (CNN) pledge by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) further underscores its commitment to global climate action. The company's Sustainability Roadmap emphasizes initiatives such as planting over 111,000 trees annually—a measure projected to offset more than 13,320 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually once these trees reach maturity.

Of the initiative Balfour Manuel, Managing Director, Blue Dart, said “Blue Dart is driving sustainable logistics in India, paving the path towards a greener future. By integrating electric vehicles into our fleet, we are poised to significantly reduce our carbon footprint and contribute meaningfully to environmental conservation. Our transition to a green fleet demonstrates Blue Dart's commitment to carbon neutrality and sustainable growth."

Blue Dart remains dedicated to delivering innovative solutions in its pursuit of innovation while upholding its environmental responsibilities. The company's adoption of electric vehicles marks a pivotal milestone in its journey towards long-term sustainability objectives, reinforcing its position as an industry leader committed to shaping a cleaner, greener tomorrow.About Blue Dart:

Blue Dart Express Ltd., South Asia's premier express air and integrated transportation & distribution company, offers secure and reliable delivery of consignments to over 56,000+ locations in India. Blue Dart is a provider of choice for its stakeholders due to its customer centric approach and aims to further strengthen this partnership. As part of DHL Group’s DHL eCommerce division, Blue Dart accesses the largest and most comprehensive express and logistics network worldwide, covering over 220 countries and territories, and offers an entire spectrum of distribution services including air express, freight forwarding, supply chain solutions, customs clearance etc.

The Blue Dart team drives market leadership through its motivated people, dedicated air and ground capacity, cutting-edge technology, wide range of innovative, vertical specific products and value-added services to deliver unmatched standards of service quality to its customers. Blue Dart's market leadership is further validated by its position as the nation’s most innovative and awarded express logistics company for exhibiting reliability, superior brand experience and sustainability which include recognition as one of ‘India's Best Companies to Work For’ by The Great Place to Work® Institute, India, ranked amongst ‘Best Multinational Workplaces in Asia’ by The Great Place to Work® Institute, Asia, voted a ‘Superbrand’ and ‘Reader’s Digest Most Trusted Brand’, listed as one of Fortune 500’s ‘India's Largest Corporations’ and Forbes ‘India's Super 50 Companies’ to name a few. Blue Dart’s Diversity and Inclusion initiatives have also led to it being recognized as one of India’s ‘Best Workplaces for Women’ in 2021 and ‘Best Organisations for Women’ in 2022 by the Economic Times.

Blue Dart fulfils its social responsibility of climate protection (GoGreen), disaster management (GoHelp) and education (GoTeach) through its GoPrograms.

The Indian Performing Rights Society Ltd (IPRS) In Collaboration With Swarathma

IPRS (The Indian Performing Rights Society Ltd.), the forefront organization in safeguarding music creators’ rights has recently teamed up with Swarathma, the acclaimed Indian folk-fusion band from Bangalore, for a multicity tour that is not just about delivering unforgettable music but also about championing sustainability. With a commitment to powering their performances with a portable clean energy system instead of traditional diesel generators, Swarathma is setting a new standard for environmentally conscious concerts. Meet the band along with the IPRS team this Saturday, 1st June at the Phoenix Marketcity Whitefield.

This tour is more than just a series of performances. In a groundbreaking collaboration, the Indian Performing Right Society Ltd. (IPRS) is partnering with Swarathma to promote sustainable practices within the music industry. This initiative aligns perfectly with IPRS’s ‘My Music My Rights’ campaign, aimed at empowering music creators in the digital world. Together, IPRS and Swarathma are poised to make a significant impact in key music markets and deeply engage with the creator community.

For creators, this tour offers a unique opportunity. IPRS will be hosting knowledge workshops in each city before the concerts, offering invaluable insights into music rights, royalties, and sustainable career development. These interactive sessions will provide a platform for creators to engage with the IPRS and Swarathma team, resolve their queries, and gain essential knowledge for building a successful career in music. The presence of Swarathma, an established band and IPRS member, will undoubtedly add great value, making these workshops a must-attend event.

Join this inspiring journey where education meets entertainment. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from industry experts, and be part of the initiative that’s reshaping the future of music. For more details on tour dates and workshop registrations, visit http://bit.ly/IPRSxSwarathma . Let’s create, learn, and sustain together!

When: 1st June 2024

Time: Workshop: 5:30pm | Performance: 7pm

Where: Bengaluru: Phoenix Marketcity Whitefield

About IPRS:

IPRS is the Music Copyright Society in India registered under the Copyright Act, 1957 representing the authors, composers, and publishers of music. It counts nearly 15,000 of India’s best-known authors, composers, and music publishers as its members. IPRS is authorized under the Copyright Act, 1957 to carry on the business of issuing and granting of licenses in respect of musical works and literary works associated with musical works assigned to it by its members. These revenues are collected and distributed to its members including the authors’ statutory royalties after deducting its administrative expenses for the exploitation of the works either by way of live performances and/or sound recordings through any medium except when shown as a part of a cinematograph film shown in a cinema hall.

OPPO F25 Pro Sees 46.2% Sales Increase Over F23 Pro During Launch Month

OPPO India announced that its F25 Pro—launched on February 29, 2024—recorded a 46.2% increase* in sales compared to its predecessor, the F23 Pro, during its debut month to make it a front-runner in the sub-INR 25K smartphone market. The OPPO F Series, known for its camera technology and innovative design based on proprietary technologies, has consistently earned consumer appreciation – and now, the success of the F25 Pro has propelled the series past the 10 million user milestone.

OPPO India also launched a digital campaign – #BornToFlaunt – to support the launch of the F25 Pro 5G with actress Shraddha Kapoor, cricketer Shreyas Iyer, and dance troupe Quick Style. The social media film achieved over 150 million views across digital platforms to outperform previous generation F Series campaigns in view rates and ad recall metrics. According to the YouTube Brand Lift Study**, the video demonstrated exceptional reach and engagement with a 11.49% increase in Ad Recall from February 22 to March 15, 2024.

Since its inception, the OPPO F Series has consistently set industry standards: The OPPO F1 Plus in 2016 boasted the world’s first 16MP selfie camera, the F3 Plus in 2017 introduced dual front snappers, the F7 in 2018 featured a 25MP AI-powered selfie shooter, the F11 Pro in 2019 showcased a unique triple-colour design, while in 2021, the F19 introduced OPPO's proprietary glow design in a striking gold color. The F21 Pro and F21s Pro, launched in 2022, showcased a fibreglass leather design and a micro-lens camera. The OPPO F25 Pro continues this tradition of innovation with its segment-first AI Smart Image Matting, 4K video recording on both front and rear cameras, ultra-slim 7.54mm profile, OPPO’s proprietary glow design, advanced 64MP triple-camera system, and IP65 rating. The device is available at mainline retail outlets, Amazon, Flipkart, and the OPPO e-store at INR 23,999.

* According to OPPO internal data

** Brand Lift Study is a tool used to measure the effectiveness of digital marketing campaigns by evaluating changes in consumer perception and behaviour.

LinkedIn Reveals Fastest Growing Jobs, Functions And Industries For Fresh Graduates In India

* Software Engineer, System Engineer And Programming Analyst Are The Top Jobs For Bachelor’s Degree Holders

For fresh graduates looking to enter the job market, LinkedIn, the world’s largest professional network, today revealed new data about the fastest growing roles, industries, functions and skills in India. LinkedIn data reveals that design, analytics and programming are the top skills for entry-level roles today.

Companies continue to embrace flexibility in 2024, with the trend toward more flexible working arrangements growing significantly. Solely on-site roles are declining by 15% and hybrid positions are surging by 52% for entry-level roles year-over-year. This shift provides fresh graduates with a wider range of work arrangements to choose from and pursue.

Utilities is the fastest-growing industry for young professionals with a bachelor's degree, as per LinkedIn's Career Starter 2024 report. Other top industries hiring fresh graduates include Oil, Gas and Mining, Real Estate, Equipment Rental Services, and Consumer Services. Additionally, those without a bachelor's degree have plenty of opportunities in the Education, Technology and Information and Media sectors.

LinkedIn's data reveals a diverse range of top jobs for professionals with different educational qualifications. Bachelor’s degree holders can explore roles like Software Engineer, System Engineer and Programming Analyst. A growing number of Masters holders are being hired as Software Engineer and Data Analyst. Those without a degree can find fulfilling careers in roles like Software Engineer, Secretary and Design Engineer. 

Regardless of educational background, various job functions are experiencing rapid growth. Ample opportunities are available for bachelor's degree holders in fields like Community and Social Services, Legal, Marketing and Media and Communication. For individuals without a bachelor's degree, there are also plenty of job opportunities across Education, Human Resources, Marketing and Media & Communication.

“Entering a tight job market can be tough, especially at the start of a career journey. Staying updated on industry trends and in-demand jobs, and exploring roles that might not seem obvious at first, can widen options. Many skills today are transferable across industries, and the rise of AI is creating more tech-related roles across various fields, leading companies to seek professionals with diverse educational backgrounds. These hiring trends reflect broader economic patterns like those in the energy sector. To expand their horizons, job seekers must keep strengthening their skills and networking with professionals,” says Nirajita Banerjee, LinkedIn Career Expert & India Senior Managing Editor.

LinkedIn’s tips for people beginning their job hunt this year: 

Showcase your skills on your LinkedIn profile to increase your visibility among recruiters. LinkedIn will also use the skills you list to match you with relevant job openings that you might not have been aware of before. 

Signal your interest in new job opportunities with LinkedIn’s Open to Work feature and complement this by posting your own content around relevant trends or reflections and engaging meaningfully with relevant content from potential employers. Your next employer might just be one comment away.

Think outside the box. A growing number of industries outside of tech are hiring for roles that require programming skills amid the emergence of AI. Keep career transition trends like these in mind as you seek out your next role as this will widen your pool of opportunities. Participate in LinkedIn groups related to your skill sets. This is a great way to network and find out more about the wider pool of opportunities available.

To help graduates improve their skills, LinkedIn is also releasing free LinkedIn Learning courses until 30 June 2024:

Job hunting for college grads

Turning an internship into a job

Professional networking for career starters

30-Minute Resume Refresh

Mastering common interview questions

Negotiating Your Compensation Package

Read LinkedIn’s 2024 Guide to Kickstarting Your Career to learn more about how fresh graduates can build a career in the fastest growing industries in India.

Methodology: 

To compile this report, data scientists on LinkedIn's Economic Graph team analysed millions of member profiles and job postings. Because protecting our members' privacy is our first priority, our data contains only anonymized, aggregated datasets that meet strict data quality thresholds. In the team's analysis, bachelor's grads represent members who received a bachelor's as their latest degree. Non-bachelor's grads are members who received a high school degree, associate degree or completed an apprenticeship as their latest form of training. The team primarily examined members who received a degree in 2023, calculated the share of members for each job title, industry and region, then ranked those by year-over-year growth. For remote job trends, the team compared the share of all jobs posted on LinkedIn that were listed as remote, hybrid or on-site in Jan./Feb. 2023 and Jan./Feb. 2024. Job seniority was provided by the job poster or directly inferred from the listing. The LinkedIn Hiring Rate (LHR) is the percentage of LinkedIn members who added a new employer to their profile in the same month the new job began, divided by the total number of LinkedIn members in a specific cohort. Company size was determined based on information from the company's LinkedIn page.

* Note: The LinkedIn Learning path linked in this article is unlocked for all members until June 30.

About LinkedIn:

LinkedIn connects the world’s professionals to make them more productive and successful and transforms the way companies hire, learn, market, and sell. Our vision is to create economic opportunity for every member of the global workforce through the ongoing development of the world’s first Economic Graph. LinkedIn has more than one billion members and has offices around the globe. www.linkedin.com / mobile.linkedin.com.

Happiest Health Acquires The B2B Corporate Wellness Business Of The Fuller Life To Expand Their Offerings Under The HappiZest Brand

* Arvind Krishnan assumes the role of President & CEO of Happiest Health's Wellness Division

Happiest Health announced the appointment of Arvind Krishnan to lead its Wellness Division as its President & CEO. This comes along with Happiest Health acquiring the The Fuller Life to expand its corporate wellness offerings. This business will be available to customers under the HappiZest brand name. This acquisition will help Happiest Health strengthen its offerings in the corporate well-being sector and expand its reach in the ever-growing wellness industry. Arvind is an IIM Calcutta alumnus and an engineering graduate from Mumbai and has over 25 years of experience. His professional journey includes pivotal roles in companies as diverse as indya.com, Kale Consultants,  and Amitabh Bachchan Corporation.

Speaking about the acquisition Davis Karedan, Co-Chairman of Happiest Health, said, “We are excited to have Arvind and his team join the Happiest Health family. This strategic move marks a significant milestone for Happiest Health as it extends its reach in the health and wellness industry. We admire their commitment to holistic wellness, which aligns with our vision of offering accessible and comprehensive health and wellness knowledge and solutions.”

Arvind Krishnan, President & CEO, Wellness Division, Happiest Health, said “We are delighted that our corporate wellness services are now combined with Happiest Health’s offerings and delivered under the brand name of HappiZest. We look forward to building a wellness business that is of value to individuals and companies across the country.”

Ashok Soota, Chairman of Happiest Health said, “The vision of Happiest Health is to provide comprehensive support for physical, emotional, financial, and social well-being. The focus will remain on holistic wellness, with an aim to empower individuals and corporate employees to lead healthier, happier lives by nurturing every aspect of their well-being.”

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, newly launched 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. 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 conveys its benefits to all.

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan & Aditi Rao Hydari's Timeless Cannes Glam With These Beauty Pictures

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Aditi Rao Hydari, made a breath-taking appearance at the Cannes Film Festival 2024, representing L'Oréal Paris’ ambassador. Their appearance at Cannes marked a special milestone as they walked the red carpet to mark L'Oréal Paris' 27th year of association with Cannes Film Festival.

Here’s how you can recreate Aishwarya’s look with accentuated eyes and soft matte lips –

1.       Luminous Base: Get the flawless, dewy canvas with a luminous base that creates a radiant glow highlighting your natural beauty. Aishwarya achieved a flawless complexion using L'Oréal Paris Infallible Fresh Wear 24 Hr Foundation and Full Wear More Than Concealer. It offered a fresh, youthful appearance, enhancing her overall look with a subtle, lit-from-within shine.

2.       Glamorous eyes: Flaunt your cat – eyes looks! To enhance the eyes, use L'Oréal Paris Panorama Mascara and define them with Infallible Grip Micro Fine Liner and Infallible Grip Upto 36H Gel Automatic Eye Liner. A touch of shimmering eyeshadow on lids and a soft highlight on the brow bone will add that perfect depth and allure to your gaze.

3.       Soft Matte lips: Complement your look with a beautiful soft nude lip shade with L'Oréal Paris Infallible Matte Resistance Liquid Lipstick in the shade 240 Road tripping. The shade that gave Aishwarya bold, long-lasting colour, expert definition, and coverage that actually stayed put throughout the day.

Here’s how you can recreate Aditi’s radiant and soft glam look:

1.       Radiant Skin: Achieve a luminous base with flawless coverage using L'Oréal Paris Infallible Foundation and Concealer. Aditi's chic yet effortless radiant complexion was enhanced with these essentials, offering a flawless canvas for her stunning look.

2.       Captivating Eyes: Define your eyes with drama using L'Oréal Paris Infallible Grip 24HR Matte Liquid Liner in Black, paired with L'Oréal Paris Panorama Mascara for extra allure. Aditi's glamorous gaze was accentuated with precision and depth, adding an irresistible charm to her overall style.

3.       Soft Matte Lips: Complete your look with soft matte lips using L'Oréal Paris Infallible Matte Resistance Liquid Lipstick in shade 105 Breakfast in Bed. Aditi's choice of this shade not only provided long-lasting colour but also doubled as a blush, adding a flush of colour to her cheeks.

Their breath-taking looks not only captivated the red carpet but also served as inspiration for beauty enthusiasts worldwide. Their effortlessly showcased the transformative power of makeup in enhancing one's natural beauty. With the right makeup essentials and a touch of confidence, we can all feel like stars in our own right, no matter where the day takes us. Let's make every moment a red carpet moment and celebrate our own unique beauty with style and grace.

NSDC And ILO Forge A strategic Partnership To Enhance Skill Development And Lifelong Learning

Furthering the Skill Mission, the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) under the aegis of the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE) and the International Labour Organization (ILO) today announced a strategic partnership to advance skill development and lifelong learning in India and globally. This collaboration aims to empower individuals across the globe, by equipping them with essential competencies and qualifications, thereby enhancing employability and sustainable economic growth.

The MoU was signed by Mr. Ved Mani Tiwari, CEO, NSDC and MD, NSDC International, and Mr. Sangheon Lee, Director, Employment Policy, Job Creation and Livelihoods Department, ILO, reaffirming both organizations' commitment to leveraging their strengths and expertise in talent development. This partnership is dedicated to developing effective policies, governance and financing structures which will enhance skill development both nationally and internationally. A key aspect of the partnership is the implementation of the Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH). This digital transformation will streamline skill development initiatives, enhancing their efficiency, accessibility, and global impact.

Lauding the partnership Shri Atul Kumar Tiwari, Secretary, Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Government of India said, “We are pleased that a key aspect of our partnership is the adoption of the Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH) and Governments, workers’ and employers' organizations in ILO’s member countries will be able to use SIDH to digitize systems, processes, skills delivery, and job matching, based on a cost-effective model. This digital transformation will enhance the efficiency of skill development initiatives, making them more accessible and impactful globally. At MSDE, we are committed to creating policies and platforms that support lifelong learning and continuous skill development for our talent to succeed nationally and globally. SIDH exemplifies this commitment, and this partnership reflects our shared mission to empower individuals through skill development avenues, across borders.”

"By combining ILO's expertise with our commitment to skilling, reskilling, and upskilling, we aim to empower individuals to navigate disruptions and create a sustainable future. Together, we will enhance skillsets and boost employability, driving impactful change in the evolving job market." he further added.

The partnership aims to facilitate public-private partnerships and knowledge exchange to enhance Sector Skill Councils (SSCs), develop micro-credentials, and promote Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) through a global knowledge sharing platform. By strengthening the comparability of skills and qualifications, digital tools will be developed and deployed to assess and compare the skills and qualifications of Indian workers with those required in potential destination countries, improving mobility and global employability prospects for Indian workers.

Speaking on the partnership, Ved Mani Tiwari, CEO, NSDC and MD, NSDC International said, "The MoU between ILO and NSDC is a significant milestone for Skills Ecosystem in India. This partnership will help build a pool of Indian youth for global opportunities as the partnership aims to align and benchmark Indian qualifications with global skills standards. India becoming a preferred destination for GCCs, opens opportunities for Indian youth to participate in remotely delivered knowledge work for the whole world. Government’s focus on skilled migration opens opportunities for those who want to emigrate to join international workforce. We are also excited to work with ILO to develop regional qualification frameworks such as South Asian Qualification Framework which will help youth from our neighbouring countries also. NSDC’s partnership will also help offer NSDC Digital’s services and offerings to member countries of ILO."

Speaking about the strategic partnership, Mr. Sangheon Lee, Director, Employment Policy, Job Creation and Livelihoods Department, ILO said, “We believe that by combining NSDC technological capacity and ILO standard setting functions, tripartism and global reach, we have the potential to significantly improve training access and quality globally. In this spirit, I am excited to embark on this new partnership with NSDC today. I expect this partnership will create a synergistic effect, amplifying our collective ability to lead the transformation of skills development, for greater social justice, not only in India, but globally.”

Promoting quality apprenticeships, work-based learning for employability and productivity, and the development of sustainable enterprises will be a cornerstone of this collaboration. By collaborating on data-driven approaches, ILO and NSDC aim to align skill development initiatives with the evolving demands of various industries.

In addition to policy development and data analysis, the partnership will prioritize the development and support of innovative learning programs. These programs will be designed to be flexible and inclusive, fostering adaptability among learners while ensuring that skills development remains relevant and accessible to all segments of society.

About National Skill Development Corporation

National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) is the principal architect of the skill ecosystem in the country. It is a unique Public Private Partnership (PPP) enterprise working under the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE), Government of India. NSDC was established to catalyse the skilling ecosystem for private sector participation and be the strategic implementation and knowledge partner to Skill India Mission to build efficient vocational training initiatives, empowering India’s youth. NSDC provides support to enterprises, start-ups, companies, and organizations that are creating an impact by offering a world of opportunities in futuristic skills to the potential workforce. The organization develops appropriate models to enhance, support, and coordinate private sector initiatives in skilling by offering funding support to eligible entities, concessional loans to the candidates along with other innovative financial products and building strategic partnerships.

About ILO

The International Labour Organization is the United Nations agency for the world of work. We bring together governments, employers and workers to drive a human-centred approach to the future of work through employment creation, rights at work, social protection and social dialogue.