Author: Neel Achary

Racing into Thrills: Unveiling the Thriving Go Karting Culture in India

By Prasuk Jain, Managing Director, Snow World Entertainment

India has witnessed a remarkable surge in the popularity of adventure sports, and go-karting has emerged as a favorite among thrill-seekers and motorsport enthusiasts. Go-karting originated in the United States and gradually made its way to India, initially limited to exclusive clubs. However, visionary entrepreneurs recognized its potential and established dedicated tracks across the country, revolutionizing the motorsport landscape.

One of the driving forces behind go-karting’s popularity in India is its accessibility. Unlike other motorsports, go-karting offers an affordable entry point for enthusiasts of all ages. It provides an exhilarating experience for everyone, from children to adults, making it inclusive and exciting.

The phenomenal growth of go-karting tracks across India bears testament to the sport’s escalating popularity. Major cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, and Kolkata now boast world-class go-karting facilities that entice both novice racers and seasoned professionals. These tracks boast meticulously designed circuits, state-of-the-art karts, and stringent safety measures, ensuring an electrifying, secure racing experience. Moreover, many go-karting venues offer tailored packages for corporate events, team-building exercises, and even unforgettable birthday parties, further expanding the reach of the sport and transforming it into a social phenomenon.

Go-karting in India has evolved into a fertile breeding ground for budding motorsport talents. Realizing the immense potential of young racers, various karting championships and specialized academies have emerged, dedicated to identifying and nurturing promising talents. The remarkable success stories of Indian go-karting champions transitioning to international motorsport events have fuelled the aspirations of aspiring racers, inspiring a new generation to pursue their dreams on the track.

As the sport gains popularity, the competitive scene in India thrives. Karting championships and leagues provide a platform for racers to showcase their skills and compete against their peers, attracting a growing fan base and media attention.

The escalating popularity of go-karting in India reflects the nation’s appetite for adventure, speed, and motorsport excellence. With dedicated tracks and a democratized approach, go-karting has become a cherished and thrilling adventure sport across the country. As the industry continues to evolve, India’s go-karting culture is set to reach unprecedented heights, producing talented racers and captivating audiences with its adrenaline-fueled excitement.

Six top IHCL Hotels in Chennai win top honours at the IIHM-IHC London International Hospitality Day Awards 2023

Chennai – June 29, 2023: Top 6 IHCL Hotels in Chennai have been recognised at the 8th International Hospitality Day, organised by the International Hospitality Council (IHC) London, in association with the International Institute of Hotel Management (IIHM). The hotels have been recognised with ‘Top Hospitality Honours’ for their outstanding contributions in the hospitality industry as they have truly become a landmark for hospitality in the city – Taj Coromandel, Taj Connemara, Taj Club House, Taj Fisherman’s Cove Resort & Spa, Taj Wellington Mews and Vivanta Chennai-IT Expressway.

Individual Leadership Awards were conferred to Mr.Ian Dubier, GM, Taj Connemara; Mr. Ranjit Shankar, GM, Taj Club House; and Mr. Sumit Singh Deol, Hotel Manager, Taj Coromandel – for their exceptional contribution to the field of hospitality. As extremely passionate, dedicated and committed hoteliers, they have been creating new milestones for their hotels in the city.

Chennai with its rapidly evolving charisma as one of the country’s most discerning destinations for luxury experiences, got its first luxury address in 1974 with Taj Coromandel and the brand continues to be the custodian of fine living and hospitality over five decades. A quintessential landmark of this vibrant city, Taj Connemara has epitomised colonial brilliance through the centuries, from the ‘Imperial’ 1854 to Taj Connemara in 1984and continues to stand tall as part of Chennai’s glorious history. Built on the ramparts of an old Dutch Fort, Taj Fisherman’s Cove Resort& Spa is today a proud host to an eclectic mix of global travellers seeking most-unique and luxurious experiences. Taj Club House offers a modish retreat for business and leisure travellers and is truly an expression of contemporary styling. Taj Wellington Mews, a new luxury address in the IT Corridor of Chennai, is the first luxury service residence hotel in all of South Asia managed by an all-women team. Offering guests contemporary and refreshing hospitality, Vivanta Chennai-IT Expressway, located within close proximity to the East Coast Road, is well equipped to cater to both leisure and business travellers.

Two iconic restaurants, Southern Spice at Taj Coromandel and Beyond Indus at Taj Club House bagged honours in the Restaurants Category. Award-winning Southern Spice, the South Indian specialty restaurant, is truly a culinary destination for food connoisseurs and gourmands from across the world, while Beyond Indus serves an exotic fare from the Indus river provinces of Punjab, Rawalpindi and Sindh.

The 8th International Hospitality Day also recognised the best and brightest in the hospitality industry and six associates across the Hotels in Chennai were the proud recipients:

Jasmin Siddiqui, Guest Relations Manager, Taj Coromandel

Pavitra JS, Deputy Engineer, Taj Wellington Mews

Yusuf Kadar Khan. Duty Manager, Taj Club House

Saravana Kumar G, Restaurant Manager, Vivanta Chennai, IT Expressway

Kannan S, Guest Service Coordinator, Taj Fisherman’s Cove Resort & Spa

A Stephen, Catering Assistant, Taj Connemara

International Hospitality Day Awards, organised by International Hospitality Council(IHC) London,in association with the International Institute of Hotel Management (IIHM), a leading hospitality education institute headquartered in India, celebrates the heroes of the hospitality industry who have contributed immensely through their hard work, innovation and ideas.

transcosmos opens BPO Center Osaka Midosuji

transcosmos opens BPO Center Osaka Midosuji, a center which offers IT one-stop services

With an IT center serving bottom to upstream processes, enhances services to meet accelerating DX needs

[Tokyo, Japan, June 29, 2023]

transcosmos inc. hereby announces that the company has opened BPO Center Osaka Midosuji, a center which offers one-stop IT-related services from requirement definition, development, operations and maintenance, to data utilization.

As digital transformation (DX) accelerates, utilization of data, in particular a data-driven management approach, has become more important than ever in recent years. Given this trend, transcosmos BPO business unit has opened a center which offers comprehensive services for generating real data smoothly from requirement definition to data utilization at one-stop. By offering one-stop services from planning and designing, developing and testing, deploying to operating and maintaining systems and business processes at one-stop, transcosmos grasps client needs for their IT systems and business operations at an early phase. Based on the identified needs, transcosmos then develops new systems as well as optimizing existing packaged tools, and finally helps clients deploy and familiarize themselves with the new systems and processes. Building each process by combining cutting-edge technologies such as machine learning and AI, and interlocking and automating several processes together, transcosmos builds a framework with systems and business processes specifically designed for utilizing data. Ultimately, the framework enables clients to achieve total optimization.

■BPO Center Osaka Midosuji Overview
Address: HOMMACHI SANKEI BUILDING 21st floor, 4-3-9, Hommachi, Chuo-ku, Osaka city, Osaka, Japan
Number of workstations: About 160 (virtual workstations: about 160)
Business start date: July 2023
Service: IT outsourcing services
URL: https://www.trans-cosmos.co.jp/bpo/it-outsourcing.html

Equipped with virtual office tools, BPO Center Osaka Midosuji also offers a location-independent workstyle. Members log in to the center from locations in Japan and overseas as well as from home. The center accumulates and shares knowledge and ideas for making improvements from each location across the center network. Furthermore, the center functions as part of BCP (Business Continuity Plan), sharing operations across the centers. Utilizing 160 virtual workstations, team members perform their tasks from locations that best fit the nature of their work.

transcosmos will continue to offer services that underpin clients’ operational transformation by combining highly specialized services and the right technology. At the same time, the company will serve society in solving challenges through business activities while creating job opportunities in local communities.

Safety Insurance Group Selects One Inc to Provide Digital Claims Payments

-Implementing Digital Solutions Remain a Top Priority for Insurance in 2023-

FOLSOM, CA — {June 28, 2023} – One Inc, the leading digital payments network for the insurance industry, announced today that Safety Insurance Group (Safety) has selected One Inc’s ClaimsPay® to modernize the consumer experience and provide instant claims payment functionality to its customers. This partnership underscores the industry’s emphasis on digital payment solutions and eliminating physical check reimbursements. One Inc currently enables more than 240 insurance carriers to process over $51 billion in payments annually.

Headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, Safety provides a full range of property and casualty insurance products and operates exclusively in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine. As part of the company’s goal to provide industry-leading ease of doing business and maximum efficiency, Safety selected One Inc’s ClaimsPay solution to streamline its entire claims disbursement process.

Through One Inc.’s ClaimsPay platform, Safety customers will have the option to receive digital payments through popular payment platforms like Venmo and PayPal, in addition to direct payment options. With integrated mobile and web platforms, Safety seeks to provide customers with a modern claims experience that uses familiar mobile technology.

“Integrating One Inc’s ClaimsPay was a natural choice as we sought to innovate this vital area of our business,” said Steve Varga, Vice President of MIS. “We are focused on modernizing property and casualty insurance and are always looking for partners that deliver modern tools to improve the customer experience. Security, speed, and ease of the process are our top priorities, and ClaimsPay will help us meet and exceed those benchmarks.”

“Instant payments deliver a required customer value proposition and a competitive advantage to insurance carriers,” said Ian Drysdale, CEO at One Inc. “As Safety Group looks to prioritize efficiency, many insurers are eyeing their claims technology to provide digital infrastructure that can help them rapidly adapt to the ever-changing needs of customers and stay ahead of the competition. We are proud that leading carriers like Safety are choosing One Inc for claims payment transformation.”

About One Inc
One Inc is modernizing the insurance industry through a unified and frictionless payment network. Focusing only on the insurance industry, One Inc helps carriers transform their operations by reducing costs, increasing security, and optimizing customer experience. The comprehensive end-to-end digital payments platform provides expanded payment options, multi-channel digital communications, and rapid digital claim payments, even for the most complex insurance use cases. As one of the fastest- growing digital payments platforms in the insurance industry, One Inc manages billions of dollars per year in premiums and claim payments.

About Safety

Safety Insurance Group, Inc., based in Boston, MA, is the parent of Safety Insurance Company, Safety Indemnity Insurance Company, Safety Property and Casualty Insurance Company, Safety Northeast Insurance Company, and Safety Northeast Insurance Agency. Operating exclusively in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine, Safety is a leading writer of property and casualty insurance products, including private passenger automobile, commercial automobile, homeowners, dwelling fire, umbrella, and business owner policies.

Team “Black Justice” Launches Trailer at Press Club of India

# Acclaimed actor Mukesh Khanna lends his voice to ‘Black Justice’
# The web series aims to provoke thought and spark meaningful discussions on judicial issues

New Delhi, June 28, 2023 –

The highly anticipated trailer launch of the groundbreaking art web series, “Black Justice,” took place on June 27th at the Press Club of India in New Delhi. The event was attended by distinguished guests, including Ms. Neha Singh Rathore, a renowned Folklore Bhojpuri Singer who sang the Signature Song of “Black Justice,” and Dr. Kapil Kakar, the visionary producer behind this thought-provoking project. Mr. Mukesh Khanna, an accomplished actor who provided Dialogue Narration for the series, sent a Video Message as he was unable to join in person.

It is worth mentioning that this web series has already been nominated for 11 awards before its release, while in 2022, it emerged as the winner at the Blackboard International Film Festival and Moonlight Films International Film Fest (MWIFF).

“Black Justice” is a web series that talks about the crucial aspects of our society, offering a fresh perspective on pressing issues that resonate deeply with the interests of our country. The series has the potential to be a game-changer, addressing topics that affect our government, judiciary, and society as a whole. Under the brilliant guidance of Dr. Kapil Kakar, the writer and producer of “Black Justice,” the series has been crafted with an intent to shed light on these critical matters, provoking thought and encouraging discussions.

In his video statement, Mr. Mukesh Khanna expressed his heartfelt wishes to the entire team behind “Black Justice.” He acknowledged the potential of the webseries to bring about a positive change and commended Dr. Kapil Kakar for his profound storytelling and concept. Dr. Kakar said, it may not be Judiciary Files like Kerala File and Kashmir Files, but this Webseries has given groundbreaking reforms as a solution which is not difficult to implement. Reforms like Running courts in 2-3 Shifts which runs with additional Judges as it saves money on infrastructure and also generates employment. Mr. Khanna emphasized the impact of “Black Justice” and its ability to stimulate dialogue on the pressing issues faced by our society. His support further solidifies the series as a significant step towards social awareness and transformation.

Bhavin Wadia, the esteemed director of “Black Justice,” has a proven track record of delivering exceptional cinematic experiences. Having directed notable films such as “Marathwada” in 2016 starring the late OM Puri Ji and “Made Superstar” in 2017, Wadia brings his expertise and unique vision to this art web series, ensuring an immersive and thought-provoking narrative for the audience.

The lead actor, JP, is portrayed by the talented Vedish Zaveri, who is also set to grace the screens soon in the highly anticipated movie, “SARDAR,” where he portrays the iconic Sardar Patel.

The trailer launch of “Black Justice” marks the beginning of a journey that promises to captivate and inspire viewers with its poignant storytelling and powerful performances. As the series unfolds, audiences can expect an exploration of complex societal issues, urging them to reflect and engage in conversations that can bring about positive change.

Mr. Ashwani Upadhya, the Supreme Court Lawyer known for filing more than 50 PILs, also came out in support of the web series by addressing the media. Deepika Narayan Bhardwaj, the Award-winning Documentary Filmmaker, also addressed the media on men’s rights issues and parental alienation as portrayed in the web series, highlighting a helpless father’s fight for justice and access to his children. Additionally, Mr. Dhruv Kumar, a Supreme Court Lawyer and International Activist, previously a Journalist with BBC London, shared profound insights on judicial reforms with the media.

“Black Justice” promises to be a thought-provoking and socially impactful web series, shedding light on pressing matters that demand our attention and discussion. The team behind the series is dedicated to delivering an engaging and transformative viewing experience. Stay tuned for the release of “Black Justice” and join the conversation on critical societal and judicial issues.

Nourish You strengthens leadership, appoints Divya Gursahani as Chief Marketing and Communications Officer

28th June 2023; Hyderabad, India:

Nourish You, India’s leading superfood brand, today announces the appointment of Divya Gursahani as the company’s first Chief Marketing and Communications Officer. Divya’s appointment further strengthens Nourish You’s leadership team as it inches towards becoming India’s most loved superfood brand. Following the appointment, Nourish You will amp-up its marketing and communication initiatives, staying focussed on deepening awareness about superfoods and their benefits while positioning itself as the first start-up to introduce the concept of superfoods to Indian consumers. Home to high quality, category disruptive offerings, Nourish You’s Millet Mlk, Breakfast and Meal Mixes, Speciality Flours, and Superseeds have been crucial to the brands success in India.

Prior to Nourish You, Divya served at the content studio, By the Gram, and media houses including ELLE, and DNA. She was instrumental in developing campaigns for Netflix, Amazon, Apollo, Bumble, Tata CLiQ, and Nykaa in various capacities. As Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, Divya will spearhead the development and implementation of integrated marketing strategies, encompassing all of Nourish You’s product categories and consumer communication channels. Nourish You will focus on building a unique consumer experience, strengthen creative communication and design, and drive strategic market expansion under her guidance,

Speaking on the appointment and bolstering the leadership team at Nourish You, Krishna Reddy Co-Founder, said, “We welcome Divya as the Chief Marketing and Communications Officer to our growing team at Nourish You. Nourish You has played a pivotal role in India’s superfood story and we are sure that with her appointment we will be able to amplify our brand’s promise and drive consumer engagement, setting new industry benchmarks. We are certain that with her deep understanding of new age consumer insights and innovative approach to building digital and physical brand experiences, Nourish You will lead India’s superfood growth story through interesting and relevant storytelling.”

Speaking on joining Nourish You, Divya Gursahani said, “Nourish You has a powerful vision for the future of health and wellness in India. I am honoured to contribute to a brand that embodies such strong values and has established itself as a frontrunner in the superfood industry, with an exceptional growth trajectory. I look forward to working closely with the founding team as we march towards creating a positive impact for consumers, stakeholders including farmers and the industry at large.”

Divya will be based in Mumbai and will report to the founders office. Her appointment is effective immediately.

AWS extends the Think Big Space Program to two municipal schools in Thane to empower students with science and technology knowledge

THANE, MUMBAI; India | 28th June, 2023

Amazon Web Services (AWS) today announced the expansion of the AWS Think Big Space program in the Mumbai Metro Region by introducing it to two government-run schools in Thane, Maharashtra. The AWS Think Big Space is a focused program to enable students to cultivate an interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) disciplines. The program has been introduced to students of Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) School number 60 and number 112, to benefit more than 220 students in the age group of six to 15 years. This marks the 20th Think Big Space to be setup in India by the AWS InCommunities program, which aims to make a positive difference to communities, especially in regions where AWS builds and operates its global cloud computing infrastructure.

AWS Think Big Spaces are labs designed to provide students from underserved communities a place beyond the classroom to explore and cultivate an interest in STEAM disciplines. These labs encourage a hands-on approach, enabling students to tinker and explore so that they can think big to solve real-world problems. The program provides learners a STEAM-based curriculum, practical knowledge sessions, and advanced learning methods. Experts in the STEAM fields take part in the program, and use the learning materials to explain STEAM-related concepts to children. The program aims to develop a generation of students who can address challenges, think critically, and solve problems for the future through early inspiration and exposure to STEAM subjects.

Abhijit Bangar, Municipal Commissioner, Thane said, “We are truly delighted with the initiative taken by AWS in bringing the Think Big Spaces program to our municipal schools. It is a significant opportunity for our students to cultivate their interest in STEAM disciplines, and a step that opens doors to tremendous opportunities for our young learners. The program’s name itself is inspiring, as it encourages students to think big and dream beyond boundaries. We are grateful that AWS chose these schools among many options available in Thane to start this program, recognizing the potential and talent within our students. Together, we will empower our children to make the best use of this platform and foster their curiosity in the fields of STEAM.”

Saji P.K., Director of Data Center Operations, Asia-Pacific, Japan and China, AWS said, “AWS is committed to making a positive impact in the communities where we operate, and help bridge the learning needs of underserved and underrepresented communities. Our Think Big Space program provides the impetus for schoolchildren to explore topics like robotics and artificial intelligence, and apply their classroom learning. Educators tell us that this program spurs creative thinking and problem-solving capabilities in students, supplementing classroom lessons. We have also seen that students who actively take part in this program have gone on to showcase their science and technology ideas in state and national-level competitions, which give them immense confidence and unique opportunities to excel. We are pleased to introduce this program in Thane, and would like to thank the Thane Municipal Corporation for their support.”

The new program by AWS InCommunities in Thane adds to the multiple initiatives already undertaken by AWS in the Mumbai Metro Region to enable access of STEAM education in fun and interactive ways, such as the launch of the AWS Think Big Space in 2020, and the AWS Think Big Science Carnival in Navi Mumbai in March this year, where more than 2,000 school students from 50 Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation schools attended the finale showcasing innovative projects in agriculture and food safety, health and hygiene, environment conservation, renewal energy, and disaster management. AWS has previously invested INR 30,900 crores (US $3.7 billion) in the AWS Asia Pacific (Mumbai) Region between 2016 and 2022, which is estimated to have contributed more than INR 38,200 crores (US $4.6 billion) to India’s total gross domestic product (GDP), and supported approximately 39,500 full-time equivalent jobs annually in Indian businesses.

The initiatives under AWS InCommunities are focused on holistic community development, including the environment, people, and overall wellness. The AWS InCommunities program was first implemented in India in Maharashtra’s Navi Mumbai in 2018, before being extended to Telangana’s Rangareddy district in 2020. Since then, AWS InCommunities programs have focused on the development of sustainable communities by implementing impactful programs to protect wildlife and the environment, and bolster the local economy, essential education and health infrastructure, market linkages, connectivity, and other basic amenities.