Author: Rabindra

Puravankara expands its Redevelopment Portfolio in Mumbai

Mumbai, September 13, 2024: Puravankara Limited  has acquired the redevelopment rights of a prestigious society — Miami Apartments at Breach Candy. Spread little over ~2,000 sq m of land, this marks the developer’s entry into the uber-luxury South Mumbai market, where rates (as per market sources) are estimated in the range of Rs 1,25,000 and Rs 1,40,000 per sq. ft.

Commenting on the strategic announcement, Ashish Puravankara, MD, Puravankara Limited, said, “Our entry into South Mumbai with the redevelopment of Miami Apartments at Breach Candy marks a significant milestone for Puravankara Ltd. This project showcases our commitment to delivering unparalleled luxury and reinforces our vision to create iconic living spaces in the most coveted locations. We are excited to bring our expertise to South Mumbai and redefine the standards of luxury living in this prestigious neighbourhood, while strengthening our presence in other markets.”

In addition, Puravankara has further extended its footprint in Lokhandwala, Andheri West, where it had previously (in November 2023) acquired redevelopment rights for two societies with land admeasuring around 3 acres. In addition to the above two societies, the company has now been selected as the preferred developer by a cluster of four societies with land admeasuring approximately 1.30 acres, creating a large development with an overall land area of around 4.3 acres. As per market sources, the estimated rate in the micro-market ranges anywhere between Rs 40,000 and 45,000 per sq. ft.

“The addition of new redevelopment projects in Breach Candy and Andheri West further strengthens our portfolio in Mumbai and highlights our growing role in the city’s real estate transformation. Our commitment to design excellence, transparency and adherence to timelines underscore Puravankara’s position as a trusted partner for society redevelopment projects. We will continue to focus on the acquisition of marquee assets in MMR and Pune.” said Rajat Rastogi, CEO – West & Commercial Assets, Puravankara Limited.

In Bengaluru, the company has signed a Joint Development Agreement (JDA) for a 1.95-acre land parcel at a prime location in the Electronics City micro-market. This land parcel, adjacent to the Purva Westend project, will have a saleable area of 260,000 sq ft. The project is approximately 100 metres from the Kudlu Gate Metro Station and enjoys easy accessibility to other social infrastructure like tech parks, hospitals and schools. Currently, the market rates for the locality are between Rs. 12,000 and Rs. 14,000 per sq ft.

Every tragedy made me a better and stronger person: Pooja Bedi, Film Star, Wellness Evangelist

Hyderabad, September 13, 2024…..FICCI Ladies Organization (FLO), Hyderabad Chapter oorganized an interactive session with Pooja Bedi, Film Actress, and wellness entrepreneur on the topic ‘Limitation to Liberation and Unlock your Inner Strength’ at Sattva Knowledge City Gachibowli.

Giving her opening remarks Priya Gazdar, Chairperson of FLO said today we will try to unravel how we can channel our inner strengths to go from limitations to liberation

Pooja was in conversation with Priya Gazdar.

Speaking Pooja gave invaluable perspectives that were powerful reminders of strength within us.

I give a hundred percent. Whatever I did I gave one hundred percent, even when I was going through the process of divorce. I don’t want to be miserable for 50 years for 12 years of happy married life. So, I got liberated, Pooja said

If a sculptor’s child can become a sculptor why can’t an actor’s daughter can become an actress? she asked. Why this question is asked mostly to film wallas?, she asked.

Speaking about relationships, she said, you can’t become a better woman by putting your man down. All are equal. Each must find their own space, she added.

For me, life is too short. And it is very beautiful. We take birth and die. And we do many things in between. It is a little journey. So, make it beautiful. You come into this world to experience the beautiful world. Don’t just exist. Live life to the fullest, she said.

In my life, nothing happened by chance or by accident. Whatever I am, it is planned. One thing led to another and brought me here, she added.

Your story is everyone’s story. Everyone has problems just like you. They are part and parcel of your life. But what you do with things that happen to you is your story. How you react to those events is your real personality. In life, my grandmother died. My favorite dog left us. I have lost a fatherly figure in my life. My mother expired in a landslide. My brother had a problem. Added insult to injury I was going through a divorce. I never cried. I carried on. I started my life from scratch. I built a wellness enterprise. Every tragedy made me a better person. It doesn’t matter what happened to you. What matters the most is how you respond, she explained to her 150-plus audience.

If you see good in a person, you will also see goodness in every person, she concluded her talk.

LCC Computer Education Celebrates Onam with Grand Festivities

Kochi September 12, 2024 : LCC Computer Education, one of the oldest and most renowned software training institutes, celebrated Onam with great enthusiasm alongside students, teachers, and non-teaching staff. The event named “Chilamboli 2024”, took place at BTH Bharath Hotel, Kochi, where the company CEO, Mr. Ramaswami, inaugurated the celebrations by lighting the traditional lamp.

The celebration featured a range of performances by both students and staff, creating an atmosphere of joy and camaraderie. The event culminated in an exciting tug-of-war competition, with the winning team receiving special prizes. Attendees were treated to a traditional Onam Sadhya, which added a festive spirit to the day.

Founded in Kochi in 1992, LCC Computer Education began its journey as a premier computer education center. Today, it has grown into one of India’s most respected names in computer training. With a curriculum designed through collaboration with industry-leading technology partners, LCC offers a diverse range of certification courses. Its expert academicians and certified faculties ensure students stay up-to-date with the latest technologies.

Tenable Introduces AI Aware: A Groundbreaking Proactive Security Solution for AI and Large Language Models

New Delhi, India, September 12, 2024 — Tenable®, the exposure management company, today announced the release of AI Aware, advanced detection capabilities designed to rapidly surface artificial intelligence solutions, vulnerabilities and weaknesses available in Tenable Vulnerability Management, the world’s #1 vulnerability management solution. Tenable AI Aware provides exposure insight into AI applications, libraries and plugins so organizations can confidently expose and close AI risk, without inhibiting business operations.

The rapid development and adoption of AI technologies in the past two years has introduced major cybersecurity and compliance risks that organizations must proactively address without established best practices. As a result, cybersecurity teams face significant AI-related challenges, such as vulnerability detection and remediation, containing data leakage and reining in unauthorized AI use.

According to recent Tenable Research, more than one-third of security teams are finding usage of AI applications in their environment that might not have been provisioned via formal processes. In fact, during a 75-day period between late June and early September, Tenable found over 9 million instances of AI applications on more than 1 million hosts. The cybersecurity risk of unfettered AI usage is compounded by the increasing volume of AI vulnerabilities. Tenable Research has found and disclosed several vulnerabilities in AI solutions, including in Microsoft Copilot, Flowise, Langflow, among others.

With AI Aware, Tenable transforms proactive security for AI solutions. Tenable AI Aware uniquely leverages agents, passive network monitoring, dynamic application security testing and distributed scan engines to detect approved and unapproved AI software, libraries and browser plugins, along with associated vulnerabilities, thereby mitigating risks of exploitation, data leakage and unauthorized resource consumption. The combined depth of these multiple assessment methods delivers the most complete detection of AI in the modern ecosystem.

“In an effort to keep pace with the sea change introduced by AI, organizations around the world ran full speed ahead, potentially bypassing countless cybersecurity, privacy and compliance red flags,” said Shai Morag, chief product officer, Tenable. “Perhaps more so than with any other new technology we’ve seen, there are many risk factors to consider, especially with rushed development and deployment. Tenable AI Aware empowers organizations to deploy AI confidently, ensuring their security measures keep pace with the rapid evolution of AI technologies.”

In addition to AI software and vulnerability detection, key AI Aware features available in Tenable Vulnerability Management, Tenable Security Center and Tenable One include:

• Dashboard Views provide a snapshot of the most common AI software discovered in the ecosystem, top assets with vulnerabilities related to AI and the most common communication ports leveraged by AI technologies.
• Shadow Software Development Detection illuminates the unexpected existence of the building blocks of AI development in the environment, enabling businesses to align initiatives with organizational best practices.
• Filter Findings for AI Detections enable teams to focus on AI-related findings when reviewing vulnerability assessment results. Combined with the power of Tenable Vulnerability Prioritization Rating (VPR), teams can effectively assess and prioritize vulnerabilities introduced by AI packages and libraries.
• Asset-Centric AI-Inventory provides a complete inventory of AI-related packages, libraries and browser plugins while reviewing the detailed profile of an asset.

10 Lakh Jobs Expected for Festive Season: Surge in Gig and Female Workforce – NLB Services

By-Mr. Sachin Alug, CEO, NLB Services

As the festive season approaches, all sectors in India are expected to see a sharp increase in demand for workforce. Many industries are gearing up for a rise in hiring, including retail, hotel, e-commerce, logistics, consumer goods, banking, financial services, and insurance (BFSI), and retail. Amongst these industries e-commerce will see the highest demand with 22% increase over last year.

Businesses are anticipated to take advantage of this period by launching new products and promotions as the holiday season continues through December. The e-commerce sector, in particular, is poised for a major surge in sales, driving a need for extra workforce and leading to an uptick in both temporary and permanent hires. These jobs will cover various supply chain roles, including warehouse staff, inventory managers, logistics coordinators, kirana partners, and delivery drivers. As a result, it is anticipated that on days of peak demand from customers, the demand for gig delivery riders on rapid commerce platforms will increase by 30%. Additional key drivers for increased hiring include consumer spending, seasonal business needs, economic indicators, and industry-specific trends.

Major metro cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, and Kolkata have seen a 15% rise in seasonal hiring compared to last year, while Tier 2 cities like Nagpur, Jaipur, Vadodara, Kochi, Vizag, Madurai, Lucknow, Gurugram, Chandigarh, Indore, Coimbatore, Surat, Bhubaneswar, and Bhopal are experiencing an even stronger growth ranging from 20% to 25%.

In terms of employment type, this festive season is also expected to bring a significant boost in job opportunities, with a 35% increase in both white-collar and blue-collar positions. Of these new roles, around 70% will be temporary to meet the seasonal demand, while the remaining 30% are likely to be permanent, offering more stable, long-term positions. The gig economy, in particular, is projected to experience a notable rise in female participation, with a 35% increase. Women are increasingly drawn to the flexibility and variety of roles available in the gig economy, including brand advocacy, beauty and grooming, online tutoring, domestic help, cab driving, and food delivery. Overall, the festive season presents a promising outlook for job seekers, especially women looking for flexible and varied employment opportunities.

Sachin Alug, CEO of NLB Services, emphasized the significant opportunities presented by the festive season, which enables both temporary and permanent workers to increase their earnings. He highlighted that roles such as delivery drivers, customer service representatives, tech support specialists, and freelance designers are expected to experience the highest demand. Salaries for these positions, currently ranging between ₹12,000 and ₹16,000, are projected to rise by 10-20% over the next 3-4 months, driven by the surge in demand.

Alug also underscored the surge in job creation during this period, recalling that last year saw the addition of approximately 500,000 temporary and gig jobs, primarily due to the festive and wedding season. This year, he anticipates even greater growth, with over 1 million temporary jobs expected. This rise is driven by factors such as booming e-commerce activity, the expansion of the gig economy, and heightened consumer demand during the festival season.

Baba Kalyani becomes the 2nd Indian to receive U.S.I.B.C Global Leadership Award

New Delhi, India: September 13, 2024, Today at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s U.S.-India Business Council (USIBC) India Ideas Summit and 49th Annual General Meeting, Babasaheb “Baba” N. Kalyani, Chairman and Managing Director of Bharat Forge, named recipient of the Global Leadership Awards. Each year, USIBC recognizes business champions from the U.S. and India who dedicate their work to advancing the bilaterial economic relationship and making significant contributions to catalyzing growth in the U.S.-India commercial corridor.

USIBC President Ambassador (Retd.) Atul Keshap said, “Baba Kalyani is an exceptional global business leader with a long-term vision to create the building blocks of critical infrastructure. As a recipient of the Padma Bhushan, Baba exemplifies the power and dynamism of an Indian entrepreneur who has dedicated his life’s work to transform India into a globally-competitive center for advanced manufacturing. While Bharat Forge is an established name in the global automotive and industrial sectors, Baba’s astute leadership and passion for technology-driven innovation is rapidly positioning the company as one of India’s largest defense manufacturers and at the forefront of driving India’s aspiration to become a net defense exporter. USIBC is honored to confer its 2024 Global Leadership Award to Baba N. Kalyani.”

In his acceptance speech, Baba Kalyani expressed his gratitude for the recognition and said, “I am humbled and greatly value this prestigious honor conferred upon me today. As the largest democracies, India and the United States share a strong global strategic relationship and we at Bharat Forge take pride in contributing to growing bilateral trade and enhanced business engagement between the two countries. As India lives up to the scale of its colossal economic potential, Bharat Forge will continue pushing the boundaries of innovation with AI, Industry 5.0 and advanced defense technologies and products. For decades, the USIBC has not only been Bharat Forge’s trusted partner in business, but also shares our commitment to free enterprise, fair trade, unlocking opportunity, and solving challenges in our countries’ economic relationship.”

Cleartrip records 150% growth in the Bus category

Bengaluru, 13 September 2024: Cleartrip, a Flipkart company, registered a phenomenal 150% growth in the bus category, since its launch in April 2023. This impressive growth highlights the strong demand for bus travel, especially from tier 2 cities. Riding on the opportunity in this category, Cleartrip has launched ‘Bus Pass’, an industry-first offering to make bus travel more affordable for its customers. Bus Pass, is a cost-effective solution, which aims to provide frequent bus travellers with significant savings and enhanced value-based offerings.

Consumer data on Cleartrip revealed that:

• The bus category sees the highest number of frequent travellers with 32% of users repeating their bookings in the
• last 3 months
• 15% of users book at least three times within three months
• Bus users are also highly value-conscious, with 75% of travellers using discount coupons while booking.
• Indore-Bhopal, Bengaluru-Hyderabad, Indore-Pune, Chennai-Madurai and Coimbatore-Bengaluru are top routes with high repeat bookings

Customers can purchase the Bus Pass for a fee of ₹150 while making a bus booking. Benefits of the Bus Pass:

• Customers will receive an immediate discount of ₹100 (in addition to availing other coupons) on their current booking for a minimum order value of ₹300
• With one Bus Pass, customers can make a maximum of 5 bookings at this discounted rate
• Customers can enjoy a cost savings of ₹500 with one Bus Pass
• Each Bus Pass is valid for 90 days from the date of purchase

Anuj Rathi, Chief Business & Growth Officer, Cleartrip, stated, “Over the last year, Cleartrip’s bus category has experienced a remarkable 150% growth, mirroring the booming consumer demand in this category. We are committed to building products powered by in-depth market research, aligning with our customers’ ever-evolving needs. The Cleartrip ‘Bus Pass’ will offer exceptional value and convenience to our user base. We aim to make travel affordable while strengthening our position as a trusted travel partner.”

Dr. Alka Kapur’s dedication to education lauded at Savitribai Phule Samman 2024

The 5th edition of the Savitribai Phule Samman, a significant event in the field of education, was organized by Indraprastha School Sahodaya and the Delhi Sahodaya Schools Complex. It was a resounding success, held at New Maharashtra Sadan, KG Marg, New Delhi. The event was dedicated to honouring the legacy of Savitribai Phule, a pioneering social reformer and advocate for women’s education in India.

Dr Alka Kapur, Principal of Modern Public School, Shalimar Bagh and President of Delhi Sahodaya Schools Complex, along with Dr Jyoti Arora Principal of Mount Abu Public School and President of Indraprastha School Sahodaya Complex, the Sahodayas were the driving force behind the event. It’s the 5th edition of the hard work of celebrating the contributions of both Presidents and also inspiring and acknowledging those who have made significant strides in the field of education.

In her address, Dr. Kapur shared her commitment to advancing education and contributing to national development. “It is a great honour to be part of an event that celebrates the remarkable legacy of Savitribai Phule,” said Dr. AlkaKapur, “I am deeply committed to furthering the cause of education in our country. The work we do today lays the foundation for a brighter, more equitable future. My dedication to this cause will continue as I strive to foster educational excellence and contribute to the development of our nation.”

The event featured Shri Harsh Malhotra, Minister of State in the Ministry of Corporate Affairs and Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, as the Chief Guest. In his keynote address, Shri Malhotra underscored the critical role of education and social reforms in shaping India’s future.

The guests of honour included Dr Biswajit Saha, Director of CBSE (Training and Skill Education). Dr. Saha praised Dr. Alka Kapur’s tireless efforts to promote quality education and her role in empowering young minds. He highlighted her innovative educational initiatives and their impact on improving educational practices and uplifting disadvantaged communities.

The Savitribai Phule Samman 2024 was not only a tribute to the enduring legacy of Savitribai Phule but also a celebration of today’s educational leaders who continue to inspire and uplift communities through their dedication and innovation.