ORRA Fine Jewellery Relaunches A Bigger Store In Mangalore, Karnataka

* ORRA Mangalore store is now bigger and grander, offering a new look, new designs, and a larger collection for our customers.

ORRA, India’s leading diamond jewellery brand, is thrilled to announce the relaunch of its latest store in Mangalore, Karnataka. Spanning 3200 square feet, designed to deliver an exceptional shopping experience in the store showcasing ORRA’s signature collections, with a special emphasis on the exclusive 73-faceted ORRA Crown Star, India’s brightest patented diamond. The store also has a bridal lounge dedicated to providing  a personalized experience for bride-to-be’s.

ORRA’s new store offers a diverse selection of exquisite jewellery collections to cater to various customer preferences and meet increasing demand. Among these opulent collections, we have the prestigious 'ORRA Crown Star' collection, featuring the 73-faceted diamond, which holds an exclusive patent in India and represents the pinnacle of brilliance and exclusivity. The store also showcases the contemporary 'Aekta' Wedding Collection, including the Astra, Desired, and Platinum lines. Each of these collections has unique features and captivating designs that embody ORRA’s commitment to excellence and quality. Additionally, introducing Solis - Always on Shine, the latest addition by ORRA that is designed to keep you effortlessly chic and classy in your everyday routine. From boardroom meetings to casual brunches and intimate self-care days, Solis offers everyday diamonds for every moment of the week, starting at ?9,999*.

To elevate these cherished moments in a woman's life, ORRA embarked on a journey to craft a diamond that exceeds all expectations. 

“We are excited to relaunch our larger store in Mangalore, Karnataka. This expansion reflects ORRA’s dedication to providing an unparalleled shopping experience for our customers, whether they are looking for the perfect gift or selecting exquisite pieces for their special day,” said Dipu Mehta, Managing Director of ORRA Fine Jewellery. He further added, “We are proud to have completed 20 remarkable years in Mangalore. Thanks to the overwhelming support from our customers, we have now moved to a larger store to serve you even better. We eagerly await the opportunity to welcome you to our new location and continue to be a part of us”.

ORRA's commitment to craftsmanship and elegance is beautifully showcased through their collections, ensuring that every piece tells a unique story of love and celebration. ORRA is known for providing 100% certified jewellery with complimentary insurance* and free lifetime maintenance. The brand offers a lifetime exchange, buy-back, a seven-day return policy and our diamonds are conflict-free. Additionally, ORRA provides a 6-month upgrade facility, and all its jewellery is BIS Hallmark Certified.

As part of the store launch celebration, ORRA will offer inaugural discounts, special offers and an exclusive bridal lounge for customers visiting the new store. 

*        Up to 25% off on diamond jewellery (for a limited period) * 

*        0% interest on EMI facilities* 

*        100% exchange value on old gold jewellery*

*terms and conditions apply 

About ORRA:

The journey of a million gazes began in 1888 before it metamorphosed into ORRA. From sculpting and manufacturing diamonds to crafting and retailing the finest diamond and gold jewellery, ORRA has come a long way since its inception. Today, ORRA is one of India's finest diamond jewellery retail chains, having spread its glow with 91 stores in 39 cities and has consistently been at the forefront of design, leadership and product innovation with five global design centers. 

Master craftsmen who have inherited the centuries - old legacy of jewellery making, brilliantly cut Belgian diamonds, delicate designs in diamond jewellery, elaborate bridal sets in coloured stones, the 73-facet patented ORRA Crown Star, the one-of-its-kind ORRA store. These are just some of the facets that go into making ORRA—the Finest Diamond Destination. 

For more information, visit –  https://www.orra.co.in 

Unveiling Turkish Hazelnut In India: The Miracle Nut, Turkish Hazelnut, To Delight Health-Conscious Indian Consumers

Turkish Hazelnuts, celebrated as the ‘miracle nut,’ have been officially launched with a comprehensive four-year campaign in India by the Turkish Hazelnut Exporters Associations. The unveiling took place at the Turkish Embassy, New Delhi today, in partnership with the Nuts and Dry Fruits Council of India (NDFCI), in the presence of His Excellency Mr. F?rat Sunel, Turkish Ambassador, Mr. Hasan Osman Sab?r, Chairman at the Blacksea Hazelnut and Hazelnut Products Exporters Association, Mr. Gunjan Jain, President at Nuts and Dry Fruits Council of India (NDFCI), along with other dignitaries. This exciting collaboration marks a significant milestone for both Turkish Hazelnuts and the Indian nuts and dry fruits market. The aim of the launch is to introduce Turkish Hazelnut, a nutritious and versatile ingredient, as well as a healthy snack, enhancing both taste and quality in a range of culinary creations across India.

With a rich heritage in hazelnut cultivation, Türkiye produces 65% of the world’s hazelnuts. This efficiency is attributed to traditional methods and techniques that preserve the flavor and nutritional value of the nuts. Centuries of experience in hazelnut processing ensure high quality, with processing facilities meeting the strictest international food safety standards to deliver the finest product globally.

During the launch of Turkish Hazelnut in India, F?rat Sunel, Turkish Ambassador, said, “The launch of Turkish Hazelnuts, in the Indian market marks a significant milestone in the partnership between Türkiye and India. Our hazelnuts are not only a testament to Türkiye’s rich agricultural heritage but also to our commitment to quality and tradition. This initiative highlights the strengthening bilateral relations and opens exciting opportunities for further collaboration in the food and culinary sectors.”

Hasan Osman Sab?r, Chairman of the Blacksea Hazelnut and Hazelnut Products Exporters Association, emphasized the importance of the Indian market and detailed the strategy to boost the presence of Turkish Hazelnuts in India, stating, “We are thrilled to bring the miracle nut to India, a market that appreciates quality and flavor. Turkish Hazelnuts, have been enjoyed world over for thousands of years. We believe Indian consumers will embrace our hazelnuts for their exceptional taste and versatility. We are noticing a significant increase in demand compared to last year, with more people incorporating Turkish hazelnuts into their confectionery items. This trend is promising for Turkish hazelnuts, and we believe that India will become one of the top consumers in the next 10 years, as the country's culture is well-suited for this growth.”

The Turkish hazelnuts are best known for their sweet, exotic flavor and distinctive texture, but they feature a robust nutritional profile by offering optimal energy density, vitamins, dietary fiber and monounsaturated fats. They are also a naturally cholesterol-free food and are an excellent addition to a healthy, balanced diet. These nuts, packed with essential vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats, offer a satisfying and nutritious alternative to traditional snack options.

Expressing his gratitude on the collaboration, Gunjan Jain, President, Nuts and Dry Fruits Council of India (NDFCI) said, “We are excited to partner with Turkish Hazelnut Exporters Associations for the launch of Turkish Hazelnut in India. The demand for premium nuts is on the rise and these miracle nuts are poised to meet this demand. The addition of these high-quality nuts will not only diversify the range of nuts available to consumers but also significantly boost the Indian economy.”

He further added, “Our commitment is to bring the finest quality nuts and dry fruits to the Indian market. Their rich nutritional profile and versatility as a key ingredient in various culinary dishes will undoubtedly enhance the culinary landscape in India.”  

When incorporated into daily diets, Turkish Hazelnuts will provide Indian consumers with a delicious snack that supports overall well-being and contributes to a balanced, health-conscious lifestyle. With consuming only 25-30 g of these per day gives 100% of the recommended daily allowance (RDA) for vitamin E. They also offer numerous other health benefits, including boosting energy, nourishing skin, supporting bone and heart health, and being rich in vitamins and minerals.

Indian consumers will now experience the delightful world of these miracle nuts, conveniently available across modern retail outlets and e-commerce platforms.

About Turkish Hazelnut Exporters Associations:

Turkish Hazelnut Exporters Associations represents hazelnut exporters and processors in Türkiye, the world’s leading hazelnut producer country. The mission is to promote high-quality Turkish hazelnuts while emphasizing on their nutritional benefits and versatile applications. The aim is to connect people with the natural goodness and culinary potential of Turkish hazelnuts, supporting sustainable farming practices and enhancing consumer well-being with nutritious and delicious products. The Turkish hazelnut industry is proud to offer food companies a premium nut with superior quality and steady supply.

Edelweiss Life Records Its Highest-Ever Claim Settlement Ratio Of 99.23% In FY24

Underscoring its focus on customer centricity, Edelweiss Life Insurance has reported a Claim Settlement Ratio of 99.23% for the financial year 2023-24, the highest ever in company’s 13-year history.

Sumit Rai, MD & CEO, Edelweiss Life Insurance said, “Claim Settlement Ratio is an important marker of customer centricity; it is our ultimate moment of truth. It denotes whether the company will stand with your loved ones in their hour of need. We are extremely proud of this milestone, and it is proof that we are 100% customer obsessed.”

Through the years, the life insurer has been focused on improving the back-end processes including underwriting and advisory to enhance its Claim Settlement Ratio. It has brought down the overall TAT for claim settlement, and arrested incidences of bad claims through a meticulous fraud prevention process.

By driving a risk-conscious culture among its salesforce through Certified Risk Assessor (CRA) program, the life insurer has created pseudo-underwriters among its frontline staff to improve quality of customer acquisition. This includes identifying risk at sourcing or post issuance stage. The company has also brought down incidences of bad claims by leveraging AI & ML-powered fraud prevention model. 

“A bad claim is of significant concern to not only the insurer but also a genuine customer because they ultimately bear the financial burden of such activities. So, fraud prevention has been a focus area for us; we have leveraged automation and several other initiatives to identify and arrest such cases. In FY24, we saved nearly Rs. 143 crore through fraud prevention at sourcing and claims stages. We believe these are necessary steps towards offering the best customer experience – be it offering best solutions in the market or post-sale service – to our policyholders,” Rai said.  

The life insurer remains steadfast in its commitment to improve on its customer experience, especially at critical stages like claim settlement.

About Edelweiss Life Insurance:

Edelweiss Life Insurance (formerly Edelweiss Tokio Life Insurance) established nationwide operations in July 2011 with an immovable focus on protecting people’s dreams and aspirations. The company has been focussed on bringing innovation, simplicity, and a new-age approach to life insurance, aligned with the expectations of the customer today. It has been offering need-based and innovative life insurance solutions to help customers live their #zindagiunlimited. With a customer-centric approach, the company has been operating as a multi-channel distribution business to effectively serve its customers across the country. As of March 2024, the company has 109 branches in 88 major cities.

Awards:

The company has earned recognition from several reputed industry forums over the years. Here are some noteworthy awards:

·       Recognized as Great Place to Work for 4 consecutive years

·       Employee Excellence Award 2023 by The Economic Times

·       Golden Peacock Award 2023 for Risk Management

·       Most Trusted BFSI Brands in 2023-2024 by the Marksmen Network

·       GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title for collecting the highest number of pledges for organ donation in a single day

·       Won a total of 7 awards for the Organ Donation initiative, noteworthy among them were by Exchange4Media, Pitch BFSI Marketing Awards and Indian CSR Awards.

Convergence Of Technology Can Unlock Exponential Value: Nandan Nilekani At GFF, 2024

“There has been tremendous innovation in financial services around the world, in payments, in lending, in cross border transactions, data sharing, open banking, everything else. And we know this is happening around the world. In India of course we have the great example of NPCI and the amazing success they have had with UPI,” said Mr. Nandan Nilekani while speaking about the digital innovation that was revolutionizing financial services around the world over the last 30 to 40 years, at the Global Fintech Fest 2024.

One of the world’s largest annual fintech conferences, the Global Fintech Fest (GFF) is back with its fifth edition from August 28-30 at the Jio Convention Centre, Mumbai. The theme of this year’s conference is ‘Blueprint for the Next Decade of Finance: Responsible AI | Inclusive | Resilient’.

Global Fintech Fest (GFF) 2024 is presented by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), the Ministry of External Affairs, the Department of Financial Services (DFS), the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA). The conference is jointly organised by the Payments Council of India (PCI), the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), and the Fintech Convergence Council (FCC).

In his keynote address on ‘Finternet: Transforming Financial Services through Digital Innovation’, Mr. Nilekani underlined that the Finternet would empower people to participate in the upside of the economy and control all kinds of assets from user controlled to regulated and registered assets. He introduced the Finternet by adding that, “Convergence of technology can unlock exponential value.”  Mr. Nilekani threw light upon the concept of tokenization of assets in the digital world with the help of advances in cryptography and said, “The Finternet is a new approach to global finance which is defined by the three ‘U’s’ – it is user centric, unified, and universal – that is keeping the user at the centre and it has to be universal, that is it has to cut through asset classes of all types. The Finternet combines the best of the regulated world with the best that tokenization technology can offer us. It uses the basic construct of tokens and then enables universal interoperability and composability.”    

He closed the session with valuable insights on the importance of a universal infrastructure for financial services and continued with a demo of this new visionary Finternet architecture that aims to unify financial services with the support of advanced cyptography and tokenisation.

Philanthropist And Promoter Of RDB Group, Vinod Dugar Powers Fashion Entrepreneur Fund (FEF) As Investors And Promoter

Fashion Entrepreneur Fund (FEF) is pleased to announce that Mr. Vinod Dugar, Philanthropist and Promoter of RDB Group, is joining as one of the primary investors and promoters. Fashion Entrepreneur Fund had also recently announced substantial investments by marquee businessmen like Mr. Ravi Jaipuria, Mr. Gaurav Dalmia and from Bollywood veterans like Mr. Akshay Kumar and Mr. Karan Johar.

Mr. Vinod Dugar's contributions to the Indian ecosystem span across fashion, sports, and CSR, reflecting his commitment to holistic development. He has demonstrated exemplary work in the capacity of the Chairman of Jito Administrative Training Foundation (JATF) and nurtured talent in sports with the establishment of Inter Kashi Football Club. Mr. Vinod Dugar expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, “I have always championed the growth of new and young talent. India’s diversity is reflected in its youth pursuing careers in creative fields. Fashion Entrepreneur Fund offers not just financial backing but also essential mentorship to entrepreneurs across the fashion spectrum, encouraging innovation and supporting the broader fashion segment. Our goal is to create opportunities that empower young talents to achieve their dreams and contribute to the industry’s evolution.”

Talking about the association, an ecstatic Mr. Vagish Pathak, Chairman and Mr. Sanjay Nigam, Founder of Fashion Entrepreneur Fund said, “The Indian fashion industry has earned global recognition, with our unique textiles and craftsmanship admired worldwide. With the support of a leader like Mr. Vinod Dugar, FEF aims to organize and streamline the industry, providing essential mentorship and resources to help fashion entrepreneurs elevate their businesses to new heights. This partnership is a step towards creating a structured and dynamic fashion industry in India.”

About the Fashion Entrepreneur Fund (FEF):

Fashion Entrepreneur Fund (FEF), a groundbreaking initiative, fosters a collaborative ecosystem within the fashion industry. FEF is investing a substantial amount to empower individuals in the fashion sector, helping turn their aspirations into thriving enterprises. This pioneering venture studio aims to cultivate innovation and entrepreneurship, providing essential resources and mentorship to budding talents. By bridging gaps and offering support, FEF propels the growth and success of emerging businesses, enriching the fabric of the fashion landscape. With its robust foundation and visionary approach, FEF sets the stage for transformative change and sustainable growth in the industry.

Website Link - https://www.thefef.net/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/fashion_entrepreneur_fund?igsh=MXByNzR3Zmxzenl1Mw==

Quest Global Honoured With U.S. Embassy DEIA Excellence Award

Quest Global, one of the world-leading engineering services firms, is proud to announce that Sonia Kutty, Senior Vice President & Global Head of People and Culture, has been honoured with the prestigious DEIA Excellence Award by the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi. This recognition celebrates Sonia's exceptional commitment to fostering diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility within Quest Global.  Quest Global as an organization has always focussed on encouraging women in engineering.

Under Sonia’s leadership, Quest Global launched an exclusive recognition for women during the annual performance awards under the category ‘Women in Engineering Award’ which reinforces the recognition of key women at Quest Global who excel in engineering/technology and make a difference further inspiring other women engineers. Quest Global has also collaborated with the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) and NASSCOM to launch initiatives like "together," promoting community and allyship through a global resource group.  Sonia has also advanced accessibility measures, ensuring equal access to resources for all individuals.

In the past year, Quest Global achieved over 25% gender diversity and aims to increase female representation to 30% across all levels through targeted recruitment strategies and outreach programs, reflecting a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion.  As Quest Global has grown inorganically by 40-50% over the past three years, Sonia has been instrumental in assimilating organizations from different parts of the world with diverse cultures.  She leads a dedicated task force to run a 'hearts and minds' campaign to assimilate new organizations, embracing their culture and integrating it with Quest Global's, emphasizing the importance of maintaining an inclusive culture. 

Commenting on the same, Sonia Kutty said, " This award signifies not only my success but also the unified commitment of the entire Quest Global team. Our goal has always been to foster an environment that empowers our people to excel while also contributing to a fairer and more inclusive society. I am truly honoured to receive this recognition and remain devoted to advancing the possibilities in diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility."  "Sonia Kutty exemplifies the values of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility through her actions, initiatives, and unwavering commitment to creating a more inclusive and equitable workplace," said Ajit Prabhu, CEO and Chairman Quest Global. "Her leadership and dedication inspire others to follow suit and contribute to a more diverse, inclusive, and accessible environment for all."  “Diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility make organizations, companies, and governments stronger, smarter, and more creative,” said Eric Garcetti, U.S. Ambassador to India. “We are proud to honour eight exceptional individuals who have gone above and beyond in their commitment to advancing DEIA. Their dedication and impactful contributions have set a high standard and serve as an inspiration to us all”          

About Quest Global  Founded in 1997, Quest Global is one of the world’s leading engineering research and development (ER&D) services companies. Quest Global believes engineering has the unique opportunity to solve the problems of today that stand in the way of tomorrow. For more than 25 years, we have strived to be the most trusted partner for the world’s hardest engineering problems. As a global organization headquartered in Singapore, the team at Quest Global live and work in 18 countries, with 78 global delivery centers and offices, driven by 20,000+ extraordinary people who make the impossible possible every day. Quest Global delivers world-class end-to-end engineering solutions by leveraging our deep industry knowledge and digital expertise. By bringing together technologies and industries, alongside the contributions of diverse individuals and their areas of expertise, we are able to solve problems better, and faster. This multi-dimensional approach enables us to solve the most critical and large-scale challenges across the aerospace & defense, automotive, energy, hi-tech, med-tech & healthcare, rail, communications, and semiconductor industries.

“Need To Look At Narrowing The Inclusivity Gap” Shri. Dammu Ravi, Secretary (Economic Relations), MEA, At GFF 2024

"With the world GDP at USD 85 trillion, world wealth at USD 400 trillion, and USD 125 trillion in investment flows, there is a sense of dilemma that we have not addressed the ‘inclusivity’ gap, and this is a challenge in front of Governments across the globe. We need to look at, can Digital Public Infrastructure narrow this ‘inclusivity’ gap,” said Shri Dammu Ravi, Secretary (Economic Relations), Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India at the opening session of the Global Fintech Fest 2024. He was speaking at one of the world’s largest annual fintech conferences, the Global Fintech Fest (GFF), which is back with its fifth edition from August 28-30 at the Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai. The theme of this year’s conference is ‘Blueprint for the Next Decade of Finance: Responsible AI | Inclusive | Resilient’. 

GFF 2024 is presented by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Ministry of External Affairs, Department of Financial Services (DFS), Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA). The conference is jointly organised by the Payments Council of India (PCI), the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), and the Fintech Convergence Council (FCC).

Among other speakers at the session were Mr. Kris Gopalakrishnan, Chair - GFF2024, Co-founder Infosys and Chairman, Axilor Ventures; Mr. G Padmanabhan, Former Executive Director, Reserve Bank of India, and Ex-Chairman, Bank of India and Mr. Vishwas Patel, Joint Managing Director, Infibeam Avenues & Chairman, Payments Council of India.

“Globally while addressing the equality debate, there is significant interest around ‘inclusivity’, and we also need to be worried about the lack of significant progress on the sustainable development, and hence we need to think if fintech technologies will bring about the change in an accelerated manner. For a long time, India has been a ‘rule taker’, and we just abided by the western nations. But in the fintech revolution, India has an eminent role to play in ‘rule making’, as most of the digital technologies are made in India, and India should be at the forefront of taking the lead,” added Shri. Ravi.

Talking about how the next 10 years will look like and the future of the fintech industry, Mr. Gopalakrishnan, said, “Indian fintech industry has come a long way, combining emerging technologies, business models, innovation, and Digital Public Infrastructure. New technologies are emerging such as IoT, AI, ML, ChatGPT, voice recognition, etc., and every evolution of technology will require responses and how the fintech industry navigates this and maintains momentum. There is global collaboration to look at how we can leverage this new technology, and what we have been able to achieve in India. There is discussion around the responsible use of technology, ethical growth and the need to build trust with all stakeholders, and collaborations across borders with governments and we look forward to all these discussions.”

In his opening remarks Mr. Padmanabhan said, “The greatest achievement of Global Fintech Fest is bringing every stakeholder together to network, which is crucial for the development of any ecosystem.”

Concluding the inaugural session, Mr. Patel, said, “This event is an extraordinary gathering of visionaries and leaders who are seeking a future in financial technology. GFF has grown to be the largest fintech conference in the world and it is a testament to the vibrant community that drives innovation and transformation.”

The session also saw the launch of the report “Building Bridges for the Next Decade of Finance”.

Around 800 speakers, including policymakers, regulators, senior bankers, industry captains, and academicians, from India and various other countries will address more than 350 sessions over three days of the conference. Delegates are expected from over 100 countries.

GFF 2024 Highlights

3 Days | 7 Tracks | 11 Stages |300+ Exhibitors| 350+ Sessions | 800+ Speakers | 

For more information on the conference, live agenda and list of speakers visit the website: Global Fintech Fest 2024.