Monthly Archives: March 2023

TVS Eurogrip Tyres rides on MS Dhoni’s sense of humour in IPL 2023 Brand Campaign

31 March 2023, India: TVS Eurogrip, India’s leading 2 & 3-wheeler tyre brand, has launched a comprehensive brand campaign with a series of ad films, bringing out the humorous best of M S Dhoni.

Leveraging the brand’s second year of partnership with IPL team CSK, the brand films have MS Dhoni sharing gripping stories from the field with his CSK teammates Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shivam Dube, Deepak Chahar and others. The films laced with humour, match Dhoni’s cricketing skills to specific unique attributes of TVS Eurogrip tyres.

Sharing details about the campaign, P Madhavan, EVP, Sales and Marketing, TVS Srichakra Ltd said, “As the IPL extravaganza returns to all cities across India after a gap of three years, we are excited to rollout a fresh brand campaign to mark our second year of association with Chennai Super Kings as Principal Sponsor. The nuances of our product features have been brought out well in the new films. TVS Eurogrip is all about high performance and the best tyre technology that gives riders superior confidence on the roads. Similarly, CSK is one of the most consistent and performing teams in the IPL arena. We are sure our continued association would lead to winning strides for both partners.”

The latest campaign is in line with the company’s ambition of building a youthful, vibrant brand that resonates with millennial and Gen Z Indian riders and aims to strengthen TVS Eurogrip’s positioning as “The Bike Tyre Specialist”. The ads focus on the high-speed stability, superior wet grip and anti-skid properties of the tyres and will be aired starting 31st March 2023, in sync with the start of the tournament. There is a complete surround programme planned for the on-air campaign across social media, traditional media like print and outdoor as well as on-ground activations.

Delta Honored with the ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year Sustained Excellence Award for the Sixth Consecutive Year

TAIPEI, March 31, 2023 — Delta, a global leading provider of power and thermal management solutions, today announced it was recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with the prominent 2023 ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year for Sustained Excellence award for the sixth consecutive year. The prestigious distinction
values Delta’s outstanding leadership in energy efficiency over the years, demonstrated by the indoor air quality (IAQ) energy savings achieved in North America by our wide portfolio of Delta Breez bathroom ventilation fans, which in 2022 alone, saved over 30.8 million kWh of electricity for U.S. consumers. By leveraging its own DC brushless motor technology, which is 70 percent more energy efficient than traditional AC motors, over 90 percent of Delta Breez fan models are certified by the ENERGY STAR program.

“As we accelerate historic efforts to address climate change, public-private partnerships will be essential to realizing the scale of our ambition”, said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “I applaud this year’s ENERGY STAR award winners for working with EPA to deliver a clean energy future that saves American consumers and businesses money and creates jobs.”

Kelvin Huang, President of Delta Electronics (Americas), said, “Being recognized with top-tier accolades consistently over the years, such as the ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year for Sustained Excellence, is an integral part of what makes Delta a world-class corporate citizen. Delta commonly invests 8 to 9 percent of its annual revenues into innovation and employs more than 10,000 R&D engineers in 73 R&D centers worldwide to enhance its core competence in high-efficiency power electronics and develop solutions that are contributing to the creation of smarter, healthier sustainable cities. Our growing capabilities in the U.S. are also a testament to Delta’s commitment to Americas’ sustainable future.”

Benjamin Lin, President of Delta Electronics India, said “We are thrilled to receive the ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year for Sustained Excellence award for the sixth year in a row. At Delta, we are committed to providing cutting-edge power and thermal management solutions that are both environmentally friendly and cost-effective. The recognition by the EPA is a testament to our efforts to reduce energy consumption and promote sustainability. We will continue to innovate and develop new technologies to support a more sustainable future for all.”

The ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year for Sustained Excellence not only values Delta’s ledership in energy efficiency over the years, but also its excellent commitment to training employees and educating customers on the benefits of the ENERGY STAR program and the certification of over 90 percent of our Delta Breez fans. Currently, Delta offers 97 fans in the U.S. that are certified to meet the rigorous ENERGY STAR energy efficiency standards, with some models exceeding the standards by up to 337 percent.

For decades, Delta’s fans and thermal management solutions have been leading the industry in enhancing the energy efficiency and productivity of a wide array of critical applications in the IT, telecom, industrial, automotive, energy, appliance, and consumer electronics sectors. By currently expanding its R&D and manufacturing capabilities in key
areas across the U.S., such as Texas and Michigan, Delta is increasingly contributing to the development and deployment of its IoT-based Smart Green Solutions for smart manufacturing and sustainable cities.

BIF releases a new study mentioning recommendations for the proposed Digital India Act

New Delhi, March 31, 2023 – Broadband India Forum (BIF), an independent policy forum and knowledge-based think-tank released a BIF-commissioned study on “Revising the Information Technology Act 2000” which has been prepared by xKDR Forum, a research and knowledge-based forum as a part of BIF’s Digital Dialogues series. The study report aims at providing recommendations for the revision of certain key sections of the proposed new Digital India Act. The Key highlights of the report were presented at the session which was followed by a panel of esteemed experts deliberating on various vital aspects concerning the revision of the Information Technology Act, 2000.

The Government of India is planning to replace the Information Technology Act, 2000 with the much-touted new legislation, Digital India Act, as part of a broader package of laws concerning the digital ecosystem. As we move towards a Digital India, it becomes imperative that the law promotes trust in the digital ecosystem. This requires careful balancing of multiple interests such as national security and public order, online safety, protection of fundamental rights, and promoting innovation.

In the released report, Rishab Bailey, Visiting Research Fellow, XKDR Forum highlighted how they have examined the proposed law in how it dealt with four focus areas – online censorship, intermediary liability, surveillance, and cyber security. An important takeaway was the need for improved institutional frameworks to be created – whether to deal with cyber security, establish processes for oversight of surveillance, or indeed, enable fairer content curation decisions and grievance redressal. This move is aimed at ensuring that India has a modern and comprehensive legal framework that is capable of addressing the challenges of the digital age.

The virtual session brought together experts from the Industry, Civil Society, and a Think Tank, to deliberate on the vital aspects of the Information Technology Act, of 2000, and to engage in discussion on various focal points of the proposed revised IT Act.

The Chief Guest, Dr. Rajat Kathuria, amplified that when a nation is racing towards becoming a $5 trillion economy in the coming years, the Digital Act should be able to provide a strong safeguarding framework and balance the interest of all concerned stakeholders.

Mr. TV Ramachandran, President, BIF, said “With over 850 million online users, India boasts of being the world’s largest digitally connected democracy. So, the need for a robust law provision to safeguard the evolving online landscape becomes a priority. We await the well-articulated evolvable digital law to replace the two-decade-old IT Act.”

Expectation on RBI Monetary Policy|| Signature Global (India) Ltd|| Colliers India

1. Mr. Pradeep Aggarwal, Founder & Chairman, Signature Global (India) Ltd

Over the past three quarters, the interest rate on home loans has risen to over 9%, representing a 40-50% increase from the historical low of 6.5% per annum. As a result, many home loan borrowers are feeling the impact of this significant increase in interest rates. Although there hasn’t been a significant impact on housing demand so far, any further increase in policy rates could push the home loan interest rate beyond the psychological barrier of 10%, which could have a substantial impact on buyer sentiments and affordability.

To mitigate the loss caused by the increase in interest rates, not only should the government restrict any further increase in home loan interest rates, but it should also encourage state governments to provide rebates on stamp duty.
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2.Vimal Nadar, Head of Research at Colliers India

Home loan interest rates are already at an alarmingly higher level of 9.5% and above in response to the increase in repo rates. While the rationale for another potential hike is being justified for inflation containment amidst a global gloomy environment, it is pertinent to evaluate its adverse impact on the real estate sector. With homebuyers already stretched on EMIs and loan tenures, a further hike in interest rate will hit them hard. The impact will be compounded in the current environment where the industry expects a lesser increase in income levels with housing prices remaining firm.

BharatPe Group partners with Women Entrepreneurship Platform to foster women entrepreneurship in India

New Delhi, March 31, 2023: BharatPe Group, one of India’s leading names in the fintech industry, today announced its partnership with the Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) with the objective of enabling women entrepreneurs across India in their journeys of self-reliance and business growth. The partnership aims to build a robust ecosystem that brings together women entrepreneurs from different parts of India and equips them with the required domain knowledge as well as the financial and technical know-how needed to fulfill their business goals. The core focus area will be facilitating the development of a first-of-its-kind aggregator platform that gives access to peer support, mentorship, networking channels, and a wide range of learning resources.

Launched under ‘BharatPe Cares’, a corporate social responsibility initiative by BharatPe Group, this partnership is in line with the Group’s brand purpose to empower lives through inclusive, innovative, and reliable fintech solutions. This specific initiative rests under the CSR program of PAYBACK, a BharatPe company.

According to the sixth economic census by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, women comprise only 13.76% of the total entrepreneurs in India, which is 8.05 million out of the total 58.5 million entrepreneurs. The figure indicates that women entrepreneurs need to be empowered so they can follow their dreams. With this in mind, the partnership aims to address the constraining barriers faced by women entrepreneurs across the landscape in India and facilitate a level playing field wherein women enjoy equal opportunities for growth.

Speaking on this announcement, Nalin Negi, CFO and interim CEO, BharatPe, said, “While India is a startup and unicorn hub, the share of women entrepreneurs in the country still remains low. I strongly believe that there is a huge untapped potential for unlocking entrepreneurship among women in India. WEP has an impeccable body of work towards driving women entrepreneurship in the country, and we are proud to partner with them on our shared vision of enabling women entrepreneurs to catalyze the growth of their businesses.”

Nalin adds, ‘As a homegrown fintech, our regular engagement with women solopreneurs and small business owners has helped us understand the challenges faced from their lens- the most important being lack of access to financial know-how, networking channels, mentorship and fundraising opportunities. Also, as per an industry report, women entrepreneurs in India can generate 150-170 million jobs by 2030, which is more than 25% of the new jobs required for the entire working-age population. Thus, driving women entrepreneurship would boost the economy through job creation, and is critical to building India as a US$ 5 trillion economy. Our partnership with WEP is aimed at facilitating the development of a plug-and-play digital infrastructure to address the existing gaps and aid the growth of women entrepreneurs.”

Commenting on the partnership, Anna Roy, Mission Director, WEP, said, “The entrepreneurial ecosystem in India is thriving but women-led businesses still need a lot of support to help scale businesses, and more so due to social biases. Women entrepreneurs across the country face an unfair disadvantage due to exclusion from networking channels and mentorship opportunities. Women entrepreneurship platform is a public private initiative that aims at providing a continuum of support to women entrepreneurs by leveraging the network of various stakeholders who are part of the ecosystem. The idea is to make these connect seamlessly across board, overcome information asymmetry and empower women by giving them the right information at the right time. With the partnership with BharatPe Group, WEP adds another important stakeholder to this vast and growing network of partner organizations that will help combine the effort of both the industry players towards leveling the playing field for women entrepreneurs as well as expanding the funnel to get more women to start their own enterprises.”

BharatPe will also facilitate the development of learning sources curated around specific sectors to support capability development and equip women entrepreneurs with the required domain knowledge to scale their businesses.

Goa Tourism and PATA India Chapter Announces First Ever Roadshow 2023 Across Europe

Goa, March 31, 2023: The Goa Tourism Department, in partnership with Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) India Chapter, is organizing its first-ever Roadshow across Europe. The roadshow will start on April 18th from Frankfurt, Zurich on April 20th, Vienna on April 24th, and will end in Paris on April 26th.

Hon’ble Minister for Tourism, IT & EC and Printing & Stationery, Government of Goa, Shri Rohan Khaunte, will lead the roadshow together with Shri Sanjeev Ahuja IAS, Secretary Tourism, Shri Pravimal Abhishek IAS, Director of Tourism, and the industry partners (sellers) which comprise registered tour operators, travel agents, hotels/resorts, airlines, and others.

Apart from its objective to ensure that Goa stands out as one of the best tourist destinations worldwide, the roadshow will also provide a platform for Goa to steer its tourism sector to greater heights.

The department also intends to position the state as a safe and all-around tourist destination by showcasing a wide range of ongoing tourism offerings such as offbeat, eco-tourism, sustainable, and hinterland tourism.

A major highlight will be the potential B2B meeting that Govt officials and sellers from Goa will hold with buyers from Europe that comprise industry experts and vendors from European markets.

The department will also focus on exhibiting the growing popularity of Goa’s Hinterland Tourism worldwide, such as Nature Hikes, Bike Rides, Heritage Trails, and Sightseeing Tours through the serene villages, forests, and waterfalls of Goa.

Hon’ble Minister for Tourism, IT & EC and Printing & Stationery, Goa, Shri Rohan Khaunte, said, “These roadshows are important networking events that enable us to showcase the diverse culture and heritage of our state. Stakeholders from Goa’s tourism industry, as part of the roadshow, will obtain exclusive access to the businesses that will be visiting the multi-city event.”

In the past, Goa has seen an increase in inbound tourists from European countries. Since 2017, nearly 1,30,600 tourists from the respective four countries have visited Goa.

Commenting on the same, Shri. Runeep Sangha, Executive Director at PATA India Chapter, said, “We feel proud and privileged to have partnered with the Department of Goa Tourism for their upcoming Roadshows across Europe. We aim to provide an engaging networking platform to showcase Goa and its unique history, rich culture, and updated tourism portfolio to gain new business scope for the tourism industry”.

E-bikes available in India under 35,000rs for the most budget and eco friendly commute

E-bikes are becoming very popular around the world. Especially in cities across the globe where traffic and pollution are major concerns. E-bikes not only help on keeping the environment clean but also helps us in leading a healthy lifestyle.

Global warming is a severe problem affecting the environment worldwide, primarily due to the excessive consumption of fossil fuels for transportation, which accounts for a fifth of global carbon emissions. As a result, many environmentally conscious people are looking for sustainable alternatives to replace fossil fuels. Instead, you can take advantage of battery-powered bikes to cruise through city traffic with ease. E-bikes can significantly lower the traffic on the roads, cutting down the time required to get to places. Consequently, you can also do your part in lowering air pollution and helping the environment.

Below is the list of e-cycles available in India at a budget-friendly price:

1. EMotorad X2

EMotorad launched its affordable range of e-bikes with the X2 priced at Rs 27,999, which is meant to trail through different types of Indian terrains. Along with removable batteries, an LCD display, and a multi-level pedal assist, it is also slated to receive IoT for tracking data which will also feature GPS and geo-tracking.

2. EMotorad X1

The EMotorad X1 is an economical e-bike for trailing through different types of Indian terr ins. It is priced at Rs 24,999 and features removable batteries, an LCD display, and a multi-level pedal assist. Along with other e-bikes, the X1, too, is slated to receive IoT for tracking data which will also feature GPS and geo-tracking.

3. Lectro C3

Hero lectro C3 is the best-selling electric cycle that comes at very pocket-friendly rates, it is priced at Rs 29,000 only in India. This electric cycle offers a range of up to 30km on a full charge.

4. Ninety One Meraki 27.5T

The Ninety One Meraki 27.5T is a budget e-bike by Ninety one cycles. The Meraki comes with a 250- watt motor that is powered by a lithium-ion battery. The battery can be charged fully in four hours and gives the bike a range of up to 25 km. The bike has a top speed of 25 kmph. The Meraki has a minimalist design and weighs 22 kg.Meraki comes with smart features like auto brake cut-off and electric key lock. Meraki features front suspension forks and huge 17-inch wheels for a smooth comfortable ride.

5. EMotorad X3

With a price tag of Rs 32,999, the EMotorad X3 fits in the affordable range of e-bikes by the brand. It is built such to endure different types of Indian terrains and features removable batteries, an LCD display, and a multi-level pedal assist. Additionally, it is slated to receive IoT for tracking data along with GPS and geo-tracking.

6. Lectro C5

Another model of hero which comes under its Lectro series is there C5. this is also another cost- efficient electric vehicle that cost Rs.30,999.

7. Hero Lectro C5E

The Lectro C5E is a great choice for those who are looking for an affordable and practical electric bike. The bike has a range of up to 30 miles and a top speed of 25 mph. The bike comes with a 36- volt, 5.8-Ah lithium-ion battery and a 250-watt brushless motor. Hero Lectro comes with huge 27.5 inches tires and dual disk brakes to ensure smooth riding and stopping in rougher terrain. It takes up to 4 hours to fully charge the battery.

8.Hero Lectro C6E 700

Hero Lectro C6E 700 is one of the few electric bicycles in India that comes with a 7-speed gear system at a price range of under 30,000 rupees. It comes with a sturdy 6061 Alloy frame, Anti Skid Pedals, Dual discs, and 7-speed gears to ensure stability and control. 7 paise/Km travel cost. Hero Lectro C6E 700 features a Lithium-Ion with a 5.8 Ah capacity. Best in segment water and dust resistance with 2 years warranty. It can give up to 30km of mileage with a single charge. It comes with quick-release front wheels and a saddle for easy repair or replacement

Spendings on cloud adoption witnesses surge in the new normal: Here’s what experts say

Opsio is a cloud-based managed services provider that offers a comprehensive range of services to businesses seeking to optimize their IT infrastructure. The company has established a reputation for delivering top-tier solutions that help organizations stay ahead of the curve in an ever-evolving digital landscape.

Opsio focuses on bringing in great innovation and technology to help its customers meet their business goals and demands. Opsio enables enterprises to benefit from the scale and pace of innovation of global infrastructure across multiple platforms, technologies, and services.

By leveraging its unique managed cloud services portfolio, Opsio helps enterprises relieve their own resources from operational heavy lifting, enabling their focus to be shifted towards core business development. Through the power of automation, modern technology, microservices, and containerization we help drive efficiency for your business now and into the future.

The company’s services are designed to help businesses leverage the power of cloud computing and automation to streamline their operations, improve scalability, and reduce costs. Some of its core offerings include cloud hosting, DevOps, infrastructure management, and security and compliance services.

Opsio works with customers from across various sectors including Ecommerce, Fintech, Travel, Wholesale/Retail, and Media/Entertainment.

Opsio builds dynamic solutions where the IT environment is adapted to real-time needs. The Company helps its customers reap the best in terms of competence, safety, security, availability, and cost-effectiveness. We are the expert, the advisor, and an independent partner who creates customized solutions independent of platform or cloud service.

Opsio also places a strong emphasis on innovation and staying ahead of the curve when it comes to emerging technologies. The company is constantly exploring new tools and techniques to improve its offerings and help clients stay at the forefront of their respective industries.

With a focus on customer service, technical expertise, and staying ahead of the curve, the company is well-positioned to continue growing and expanding its offerings in the years ahead.

Chain Se Sona: A Gold ETF Campaign by ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund

The fear of theft is a common concern among those who own physical gold in the form of jewelry, coins, or bars. Unlike other assets, gold is a tangible asset that can be easily stolen or lost. This fear can be compounded by the high value of gold, which makes it a desirable target for thieves. To mitigate the risk of theft, investors who own physical gold may choose to store it in a secure location, such as a bank locker. However, these storage options can be expensive and may not be accessible at all times.

This is where an alternative form of getting exposure to gold through Gold ETFs (Exchange-Traded Funds) becomes relevant, especially for those concerned about the risk of theft. Gold ETFs can provide a solution to the fear of theft and storage problems associated with physical gold ownership, thereby negating these risks. A Gold ETF is a type of investment vehicle that tracks the price of gold and trades on a stock exchange like a stock. It allows investors to own gold without physically possessing it.

One of the leading names in this space is ICICI Prudential Gold ETF. Investors can buy units of the offering which represent ownership in the underlying gold holdings. ICICI Prudential Gold ETF offers several other advantages over physical gold ownership. They are more liquid, making it easier to buy and sell gold quickly on the exchange. Investing in gold adds another asset class to your portfolio thereby diversifying your investments and may also help to reduce the overall risk.

At a time when gold prices are prevailing at higher levels, through our latest campaign, we wish to communicate to the masses that by investing in ICICI Prudential Gold ETF they need not worry about the safety aspect of their investment.

Our endeavor with this campaign is also to create awareness about Gold ETFs in general and their safety aspect. It is a prudent portfolio diversifier and is suitable for all types of investors – evolved investors, conservative investors, and aggressive investors.

Abhijit Shah, Head Marketing, Digital and Customer Experience, ICICI Prudential AMC said, “When it comes to investing or purchasing gold, the one aspect which concerns everyone is with regards to the safety of the gold at hand. By taking exposure to gold in the form of ICICI Prudential Gold ETF, gold units will be held in a demat account, thereby addressing the safety aspect effectively.”

The campaign will reach the masses via a TVC mainly broadcasted across digital channels like Hotstar, Voot, Zee5, Youtube, etc. in order to reach a wider audience.

Agency – 4M Worldwide Advertising Ltd.

Production House – Afternoon Films

Alembic Pharmaceuticals announces USFDA Final Approval for Brimonidine Tartrate Ophthalmic Solution, 0.15%

31 March 2023, Mumbai: Alembic Pharmaceuticals Limited (Alembic) today announced that it has received final approval from the US Food & Drug Administration (USFDA) for its Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) Brimonidine Tartrate Ophthalmic Solution, 0.15%. The approved ANDA is therapeutically equivalent to the reference listed drug product (RLD), Alphagan P Ophthalmic Solution, 0.15%, of AbbVie Inc. Brimonidine Tartrate Ophthalmic Solution is an alpha-adrenergic receptor agonist indicated for the reduction of elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension.

Brimonidine Tartrate Ophthalmic Solution, 0.15% has an estimated market size of US$ 97 million for twelve months ending Dec 2022 according to IQVIA.

Alembic has a cumulative total of 180 ANDA approvals (156 final approvals and 24 tentative approvals) from the USFDA.