2, Jun 2023
Cigniti Technologies Digital Engineering Services (DES) Appraised at CMMI® Development V2.0 Maturity Level 3
Mumbai,2nd June 2023 Cigniti Technologies Limited, the world’s leading AI & IP-led Digital Assurance and Digital Engineering Services company, has been appraised at CMMI® Development V2.0 Maturity Level 3 for its Digital Engineering Services. This significant milestone reinforces Cigniti’s commitment to excellence and sets new standard in the field of digital engineering.
The Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) is an internationally recognized framework that assesses an organization’s maturity and capability in various process areas. The Level 3 appraisal showcases Cigniti’s establishment of robust and standardized processes for managing and delivering digital engineering services, ensuring consistent quality and efficiency in its offerings. This certification is in addition to the existing CMMI-SVC V2.0 Maturity Level 5 certification for Cigniti’s software testing services.
Acknowledging the achievement, Srikanth Chakkilam, CEO of Cigniti, said, “We are happy to have achieved the CMMI Development V2.0 Maturity Level 3 appraisal for our Digital Engineering Services. This achievement is aligned with our mission to become a $1 Billion company. It lays a strong path to help increase the confidence of our customers in our ability to offer world-class digital engineering services on top of our existing market leading digital assurance services. We remain committed to leveraging our standardized processes and industry best practices to drive exceptional value for our clients and fuel our continued success. This is a firm step towards marching ahead in achieving our stated goals of growth and being a preferred partner of choice in helping customers accelerate their digital journeys.”
“This certification is a testament to our internal processes and reflects our dedication to meeting and exceeding client expectations. The CMMI Development V2.0 Maturity Level 3 certification benefits our clients by assuring them of our commitment to quality. It provides a more systematic, innovative, robust project management framework and risk-aware approach to project delivery. This certificate also serves as tangible proof of our competence to consistently deliver excellence, empowering our clients with the assurance that they are partnering with a trusted organization for their digital engineering requirements,” said Raghuram Krovvidy, Chief Delivery Officer, Cigniti Technologies.
Mr. Rajiv Shetye, the first SEI-authorized lead assessor in India for the CMMI, performed the appraisal using the latest version of CMMI Development Model V2.0. The appraisal evaluated various aspects of Cigniti’s digital engineering services, including requirements management, planning, technical solution, risk & opportunity management, and quality assurance.
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- By Rabindra
2, Jun 2023
Rachana Mistry from Star Bharat’s ‘Na Umra Ki Seema Ho’ shows her directorial skills for the upcoming sequence
Rachna Mistry, a talented actress and the lead of the show ‘Na Umra Ki Seema Ho’ on Star Bharat demonstrated her directorial skills by shooting a scene herself. Rachna Mistry, known for her significant roles in various serials, currently plays the lead role in the show, which has received positive feedback from the audience. The show features Iqbal Khan and Rachna Mistry as Dev-Vidhi, captivating viewers with their characters’ boundary-breaking love story. The couple’s on-screen chemistry has been so convincing that they have now tied the knot, defying social norms. What makes this particular scene special is that Rachna Mistry, the lead actress, took charge of shooting it herself. In a special conversation, she revealed the main reason behind this decision. It will be an enjoyable experience for the audience to see how Rachna excels in directing, in addition to her acting skills.
Rachna Mistry, who portrays the character of Vidhi in the show, shared her shooting experience, saying, “There was a scene in the show where my legs were supposed to be filmed while walking, but due to sunlight, the shot couldn’t be captured. If someone else had walked, I would have had to cancel the shot or shoot it myself. However, the camera was quite heavy, weighing about 25 kg, and I was concerned about damaging a camera worth lakhs. That’s when we decided that I would shoot the scene and handle the camera. I expressed my interest to the Director of Photography (DOP) and he asked me to feel the weight of the camera. After realizing that I could handle it, he trusted me and handed over the camera. I passed the test.”
She further added, “I have always enjoyed being in front of the camera, but that day, I realized the immense effort and hard work that goes on behind the scenes. It’s not an easy task, especially for the DOP who strives to capture the perfect shot while carrying the heavy camera on their shoulder. Everyone on the set, including myself, thoroughly enjoyed the moment.”
The upcoming storyline of the show promises to be captivating, with numerous twists and turns. The entry of Jai will test Dev and Vidhi’s relationship, presenting them with new challenges they must overcome to be together.
To witness this thrilling scene, don’t forget to tune in to ‘Na Umar Ki Seema Ho’ every Monday-Friday at 8 PM on Star Bharat.
2, Jun 2023
Toyota Kirloskar Motor Records Highest-ever Monthly Sales of 20,410 units In May 2023
Bangalore,2nd June 2023 – Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) achieves the highest-ever monthly cumulative sales of 20,410 units for May 2023 thus reporting growth of 110% over 10,216 units in May 2022. The company registered domestic sales of 1,9379 units and export sales of 1031 units of The Urban Cruiser Hyryder this month. TKM also witnessed a jump of 32% over April 2023 where the company had sold 15,510 units.
The positive trend continues as the company reported strong performance with a growth of 42% in the first five months of the Calendar year 2023 (January-May) by selling 82,763 units as compared to of 58,505 units achieved in the same period last year.
Sales Performance:
Timeframe |
May’23 |
May’22 |
% Growth |
Month-on-Month |
20,410 units |
10,216 units |
110% |
Timeframe |
January-May’23 |
January-May’22 |
% Growth |
First 5 months of CY |
82,763 units |
58,505 units |
42% |
Commenting on the sales Mr. Atul Sood, Vice President of Sales and Strategic Marketing at Toyota Kirloskar Motor said, “Toyota Kirloskar Motor has scaled a new high by reporting the highest monthly sales performance of 20,410 units. As we look forward, given the sustained momentum, we continue to be optimistic for the rest of the year by prioritizing the customers’ needs. We believe that the strong upward trajectory highlights the company’s customer alignment and ever-growing product popularity with the latest launches like Urban Cruiser Hyryder, Innova Hycross and the Hilux that continue to support the strong sales momentum in their respective segments. The popularity of Hilux, in particular, continues to grow and exhilarate customers all over India, thanks to its versatility and robust performance.
As a customer-centric company, we always strive to understand and exceed the expectations of our valued customers by continuing to implement diverse measures to take care of their needs and offer products that excel in quality, reliability and durability. In-line with this approach, we recently enhanced our production by implementing the third-shift of operations at our Bidadi plant from May 2023 which has greatly contributed to addressing the market’s needs. Apart from reduction of waiting period for delivery, this measure will also further allow us to contribute to the nation’s ‘Make in India’ mission and generating additional employment opportunities in the region. We take great pride in sharing that all our products are performing exceptionally well, reaffirming our customers’ satisfaction & strong confidence in us. Moreover, we are optimistic about the future and confident that our positive momentum will enable us to add in valued customers across the nation, thereby ensuring ‘Mass Happiness to All’ – he further added.
In line with its commitment to building lasting connections with customers, TKM recently announced the highly anticipated “Great 4X4 X-pedition”, designed to engage with the 4×4 SUV enthusiasts across India, by offering exciting and thrilling off-roading experiences. This flagship initiative aspires to connect participants with their sense of adventure and inspire more people to pursue their passion for adventure & motorsports. Set to be held across four zones (regional level – North, South, East and West), with a ‘Grand National 4×4 X-pedition’, this exclusive first event kicked off in the Southern zone, covering scenic locations and historical points of Bangalore–Sakleshpur-Hassan
Overview of TKM
Equity participation |
Toyota Motor Corporation (Japan) : 89%, Kirloskar Systems Limited (India) : 11% |
Number of employees |
Approx. 6,000 |
Land area |
Approx. 432 acres (approx.1,700,000 m2) |
Building area |
74,000 m2 |
Total Installed Production capacity |
Up to 3,10,000 units |
Overview of TKM 1st Plant:
Established |
October 1997 (start of production: December 1999) |
Location |
Bidadi |
Products |
Innova HyCross, Innova Crysta, Fortuner manufactured in India. |
Installed Production capacity |
Up to 1,00,000 units |
Overview of TKM 2nd Plant:
Start of Production |
December 2010 |
Location |
On the site of Toyota Kirloskar Motor Private Limited, Bidadi |
Products |
Toyota Camry Hybrid, Urban Cruiser Hyryder, Hilux |
Installed Production capacity |
Up to 2,10,000 units |
2, Jun 2023
Figaro’s Pizza Expands its Footprint with New Store Launches in Hyderabad and Delhi
Hyderabad, Telangana,2nd June 2023 Figaro’s Pizza, a renowned 40-year-old American pizza chain, which has partnered with Ichakdana Food Services in India as a master franchise, is thrilled to announce the opening of two new stores in India. The first store is located in the vibrant city of Hyderabad, at Kondapur, Telangana. The second store is situated in Kalkaji, Delhi, offering a delectable pizza experience to residents and visitors in these bustling cities.
Figaro’s Pizza, America’s most popular QSR, has garnered a loyal following worldwide with its commitment to delivering authentic flavours, high-quality ingredients, and exceptional customer service. With the new store launches in the pipeline in the next coming months, Figaro’s Pizza aims to continue its PAN India expansion, aiming to provide pizza enthusiasts with an unforgettable dining experience.
The Hyderabad store opening on June 2023, at the prime location of Hi-tech City Rd in Kondapur, promises to be a culinary hotspot for pizza lovers. Hyderabad’s vibrant food scene and tech-driven atmosphere make it an ideal location for Figaro’s Pizza to introduce its mouth-watering menu, which includes a wide variety of handcrafted pizzas, scrumptious sides, and indulgent desserts.
The second store, situated in the main market of Kalkaji, Delhi, brings Figaro’s Pizza’s signature flavours to the heart of the national capital. Known for its diverse culinary landscape, Delhi offers the perfect backdrop for Figaro’s Pizza to delight locals with its freshly made pizzas, rich in flavour and quality. Bringing their 40-year-old legacy to the city, Figaro’s Pizza’s cheesy delights are sure to enamour you with the very first bite.
“At Figaro’s Pizza, we are excited to open our maiden stores at two very prime location in the major Indian markets cape. We wish to expand our presence all across India and bring the unique pizza experience to even more customers,” said Ms’ Venus Barak, CEO of Fran Global, Market Entry Specialists that made Figaro’s Pizza India expansion possible. “Our commitment to using the finest ingredients, handcrafted dough, and exceptional flavours sets us apart. We are thrilled to invite the residents of Hyderabad and Delhi to savour our delicious pizzas and create memorable moments with family and friends. Meanwhile, we have new stores opening soon in other states for India to experience the surreal legacy brand pizza experience!”
Figaro’s Pizza has already signed 5 area developer rights in various states and regions in India and has been growing steadily through a very structured franchise & area developer network. New stores will soon open in Jalandhar, Punjab as well as in Jaipur, Rajasthan. With the aim to have 100 stores in India by 2025, Figaro’s Pizza is paving its path towards consistent growth, bringing its iconic delightful delicacies across the country.
2, Jun 2023
Stryder announces hottest deals on the coolest E-bikes this season
Mumbai,2nd June 2023: Celebrating the significance of World Bicycle Day and advocating sustainable transportation, Stryder, a wholly owned subsidiary of TATA International, today announced special limited-period discount offers on its cutting-edge e-bike collection. The E-bike sale will commence on June 3rd, World Bicycle Day, and will be available for a limited period only.
Stryder’s range of E-bikes now comes with discounts of up to Rs 5000 and free accessories worth Rs 2000. Customers can purchase these high-quality e-bicycles at unbeatable prices exclusively on Stryder’s website (www.stryderbikes.com).
Rahul Gupta, Business Head of Stryder, said, “With the rising momentum of green mobility in India and contributing to the government’s endeavour of attaining carbon neutrality by 2070, Stryder is dedicated towards delivering eco-friendly and sustainable mobility solutions. Whether you are a young professional or seeking a greener mode of transportation, our e-bikes provide a fantastic solution that brings joy to your ride.’’
Stryder’s latest offers on its E-bikes include the sleek ETB 100, which features an alloy frame and zoom that ensures a smooth and comfortable ride even on bumpy roads. Other models such as Voltic 1.7 and Voltic Go are also popular choices, boasting of LED consoles with 5 ride mode options with battery indicators, setting them apart from the competition.
With a range of up to 50km in Pedal Assist mode and a low running cost of just 6 paise/km, these electric bikes provide a superior riding experience at an unbeatable value. Plus, these e-bikes come equipped with a 48v Li-ion battery that quick-charges in 3 hrs, so that you can spend less time charging and more time exploring.
2, Jun 2023
RV University’s Teen Indie Film Awards 2023 winners announced
Bangalore,2nd June 2023 Teen Indie Film Awards (TIFA), a platform that recognizes and celebrates excellence, ideation and creativity in film production announced the nine films that bagged top positions in various categories across Politics, Censorship, and World Cinema Retrospective. TIFA is an annual platform for students from across the world to showcase their creativity and filmmaking skills. The second edition of TIFA was conducted at the RV University campus, with participation from more than 70 entries from across the world.
Prof. (Dr.) Piyush Roy Professor and Founding Dean School of Liberal Arts and Sciences emphasized, “What had started as an experiment with 25 films featuring majority submissions from RVU schools in Year 1, has become a global film festival in Year 2 with 70 entries from five continents, including ov 50 debut films. This has been possible courtesy our enthusiastic faculty mentors and student leads and volunteers from the School of Liberal Arts and Sciences and School of Design and Innovation. Thanks to the TIFA team, the festival is able to go beyond being another stimulating platform for student films to an all-around destination for thinking about cinema and its influence and opportunities today.”
The jury was graced by the presence of prominent film personalities comprising of Nandita Puri, Chairwoman, Om Puri Foundation, Christopher Dalton, film critic/essayist/festival advisor, Priyanka Sinha Jha, Author, Journalist and Co-Founder of Talkietive Content Creators and, Kabeer Khurana, Filmfare-nominated international film maker.
Priyanka Sinha Jha, Journalist, Author and Jury member, expressed her enthusiasm for engaging with young filmmakers, viewing it as a remarkable chance to connect. She highlighted, “Filmmaking is a multi-faceted endeavor, encompassing various disciplines. Being a liberal arts university, the session holds immense relevance for the students.”
Furthermore, she emphasized the significance of maintaining a balance between the established norms of filmmaking and an individual’s values as a creator, particularly for cinema students.
The themes were chosen to encourage thought-provoking discussions and highlight the diverse perspectives within the realm of cinema. The event featured an exciting agenda filled with panel discussions, screenings of student short films, and masterclasses conducted by renowned industry professionals.
Dr. Y.S.R. Murthy, the Vice Chancellor of RV University in Bengaluru, stated, “TIFA 2023 strives to facilitate networking between up-and-coming artists and industry experts, reviewers, and film enthusiasts. This interaction offers prospects for teamwork, evaluation, and guidance, empowering these artists to enhance their abilities and make a mark in the highly competitive realm of filmmaking. I extend my appreciation to the School of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the jury members, and the student organizing committee for their valuable contributions. I am also happy that TIFA23 has promoted Interdisciplinarity within RVU with enthusiastic participation of students and faculty members from different Schools. I compliment the Founder-Mentor and Curator, TIFA 2023 and Dean, School of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Dr. Piyush Roy.“
TIFA 2023 showcased the creative talent of young filmmakers through screenings of a selection of their short films. This provided emerging artists with an opportunity to exhibit their unique storytelling abilities and connect with a wider audience. Furthermore, the masterclasses conducted by seasoned professionals offered invaluable knowledge and guidance to aspiring filmmakers, helping them refine their craft and navigate the industry with expertise.
Full List of Award Winners –
- Best Film – Meiyu Song, Huzi, China
- Best Director – Konstantin Reber, Take Five, Switzerland
- Best Actor – Yashas Banakar, Teenage Short Film, India
- Best Story – Adya Reddy Yedulla, Kanasu
- Best Technical Achievement – Sumedh K., Anatma
- Special Mention – Andrew Tan, Banana Regeneration, Australia
- Best Film Essay & Documentary – Kk Rath: Celebration Of Life, India
- Best Ensemble – Far From Home, Spain
- Best Experimental Film – Kamya Sandeep Subramanya, The Carousel
The event also encountered the unveiling of the book authored by Priyanka Sinha Jha titled “Folk Tales from Bollywood” by Dr. Piyush Roy, Professor and Founding Dean School of Liberal Arts and Sciences and (Dr.) Dwarika Prasad Uniyal, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Development & External Relations), Founding Dean, School of Business and School of Economics, RV University.
The event also witnessed the signing of an MoU between Om Puri Foundation and RV University.
Speaking on the partnership between Om Puri foundation and RV University, Nandita Puri added, “The Om Puri Foundation was founded in the name of Om Puri. He has done a lot of iconic films such as Bharathi Ghoj, which is based on Pandit Nehru’s history of inducing some of my films. We wanted to partner with RV University as we feel it is important to bring history to the forefront of students of liberal arts, mass media, film and get a vibe of good cinema. Together, we aim to ignite a passion for cinematic excellence, enabling students to embrace the transformative power of storytelling.”
2, Jun 2023
First Look of The Summer I turned Pretty Season 2
MUMBAI,2nd June 2023 India: Belly used to count down the days until she could return to Cousins Beach, but with Conrad and Jeremiah fighting over her heart and the return of Susannah’s cancer, she’s not sure summer will ever be the same. When an unexpected visitor threatens the future of Susannah’s beloved house, Belly has to rally the gang to come together—and to decide once and for all where her heart lies.
Season Two of The Summer I Turned Pretty is led by showrunners Han and Sarah Kucserka. Han, Kucserka, Karen Rosenfelt, and Gabrielle Stanton serve as executive producers, along with Hope Hartman, Mads Hansen, and Paul Lee for wire. The series is a co-production of Amazon Studios and will.
Jenny Han is the No. 1 New York Times best-selling author of the To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before and The Summer I Turned Pretty series. Her books have been published in more than 30 languages. For television, she created two new series based on her books—Prime Video’s The Summer I Turned Pretty, which she executive produces and co-showrunners, and the Netflix series XO, Kitty, a spinoff of the To All the Boys universe, which she also executive produces and co-show runs. For the film, she executive produced all three films in Netflix’s global hit To All the Boys trilogy. Han lives in Brooklyn, New York.
2, Jun 2023
HDFC Bank Launches Mega Car Loan Mela in Central India and Maharashtra
Mumbai,2nd June 2023 HDFC Bank, India’s leading private sector bank, today announced the launch of a mega ‘Car loan Mela’ in Central India and Maharashtra. Over 650 bank branches across Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Northern Maharashtra, and Vidarbha, will host the car loan drive on June 2 and 3, in partnership with leading automobile brands and car dealerships. Car dealers will be present at the branches to showcase their automobile models and will allow customers to take test drives of the vehicles. The Bank would provide on-the-spot loan sanctions to eligible customers.
HDFC Bank provides a host of loans to all customers at affordable interest rates. The ‘Car-loan Mela’ is envisioned to provide customers easy access to automobile finance, especially in the SURU (semi-urban and rural) locations. The Bank will provide an end-to-end solution for processing loan requests with a variety of repayment configurations and minimal paperwork.
For the year ending 31st March 2023, HDFC Bank’s auto loan book size was Rs 1,17,429 crore. Last year, HDFC Bank introduced the ‘Xpress Car Loan’ facility, a state-of-the-art digital API platform that helps credit loans into accounts of dealers in about 30 minutes.
2, Jun 2023
Techwave earns prestigious President’s Volunteer Service Award for Exemplary Commitment to Community Service
Mumbai, 2nd June 2023: Techwave, a prominent global IT and engineering service firm, receives the prestigious “President’s Volunteer Service Award (PVSA)” in recognition of its unwavering commitment to volunteerism and community service. This esteemed accolade highlights our steadfast dedication, honoring our employees for their positive impact on communities globally and serving as an inspiration to others. It serves as a testament to our resolute dedication in confronting and effortlessly tackling the pressing challenges.
Techwave prioritizes volunteerism and community service, encouraging every Techwavian to contribute to the betterment of the community. One of our notable initiatives includes partnering with the Houston Food Bank and America’s Grow-a-row for a Seed to Table initiative. Techwavians actively participated in various stages of the food chain, such as planting seeds, harvesting crops, and distributing food to local families in need. We covered the associated expenses, including seeds, crop management, packaging, and transportation, demonstrating our commitment to making a difference.
In addition, throughout the year, Techwavians enthusiastically volunteered their time and effort to assist the Houston Food Bank in providing nutritious food to individuals in the Greater Houston area who are grappling with chronic health conditions as part of their Food for Change Program. During the challenging times of the Covid pandemic, Techwave launched the Feed the Frontline initiative, where our team personally showcased support to frontline workers and local Houston restaurants that were impacted by the uncertainty of the pandemic.
Speaking of the Celebration, Mr. Raj Gummadapu, CEO of Techwave said, “We are happy and delighted to be honored with the prestigious President’s Volunteer Service Award. This recognition truly humbles and honors our team at Techwave. It underscores our unwavering commitment to giving back and creating a positive impact in communities worldwide. We firmly believe that through the power of volunteerism, we can effectively address the pressing challenges our world faces today”
Adding to it, he said “Our employees have consistently demonstrated their passion and dedication by actively engaging in various community initiatives, volunteering their time and expertise to make a lasting difference. We take immense pride in our employees, whose efforts have transcended local boundaries, making a global impact and inspiring others to join our cause. Their dedication and passion have touched communities far and wide, serving as a catalyst for positive change.”
2, Jun 2023
Le Meridien Hyderabad appoints Faiyaz Ansari as the Rooms Division Manager
Hyderabad: Le Meridien Hyderabad is pleased to announce the appointment of Faiyaz Ansarias the Rooms Division Manager. A seasoned hotelier, Faiyaz will be responsible for room division operations and will be helping to scale up the property’s offerings for guests by creating a superior experience.
Faiyaz brings with him 20 years of extensive experience in the hospitality industry and a passion for delivering the highest standards of services. He attributes his success to meaningful collaborations with his team members, and his ability to develop strong guest relationships.
Faiyaz began his hospitality career in 2000 and has worked across various verticals in the hospitality segment. His last assignment was with DoubleTree by Hilton in Varanasi as the Rooms Division Manager.
Vaibhav Sagar, General Manager, Le Meridien Hyderabad, stated, “We are thrilled to have Faiyaz join our team. With his extensive expertise in the sector, he will offer a fresh perspective to the guest experience and implement strategies that deliver service to meet and exceed the needs and expectations of our guests.
Le Meridien Hyderabad is nestled in Gachibowli, the business hub of Hyderabad and is the most preferred option to stay for business as well as leisure guests.



