Author: Rabindra

The Rise of Farmland as a Secure, Long-Term Investment Choice

Vijay Chaudhary, chairman, Ram Rattan Group & Dalmia Ram Rattan

In recent years, farmland has increasingly caught the attention of investors seeking stable, long-term investments. This trend is driven by a variety of factors such as environmental and Social Impact, diversification benefits farmland offers, and its potential for value appreciation. According to an IBEF report, the Indian agriculture sector witnessed a major rise in investments between April 2000 and December 2022, thanks to a total foreign direct investment inflow worth USD 2,708.72 million. In this article, we will explore in depth the reasons why investors are increasingly turning to farmland as a stable, long-term investment.

 Diversification and Stability
Farmland investments offer diversification benefits that are attractive to investors. Traditional investment portfolios are typically composed of stocks, bonds, and real estate. Farmland, however, is often less correlated with these asset classes, providing a buffer against market volatility. During periods of economic instability or stock market fluctuations, farmland tends to maintain its value or even appreciate, making it a reliable hedge against inflation and economic uncertainty.
Moreover, farmland is a tangible asset. Unlike stocks or bonds, it cannot be easily manipulated or devalued by market sentiment or corporate mismanagement. Its intrinsic value is tied to its productive capacity and the land itself, offering a sense of security to investors.

 Appreciating Asset
Farmland appreciation is driven by economic factors such as inflation hedging, tax benefits, and income diversification. As an inflation hedge, farmland retains value and often outpaces inflation, protecting investors’ purchasing power. Tax advantages, including deductions for depreciation and property taxes, enhance returns. Moreover, global food security concerns and trade dynamics boost demand, while government subsidies and incentives support agricultural investments, ensuring steady income and long-term growth potential for investors.

 Environmental and Social Impact
Investing in farmland also aligns with growing environmental and social consciousness among investors. Sustainable farming practices contribute to environmental preservation, soil health, and biodiversity. Investors are increasingly aware of the importance of supporting sustainable agriculture to combat climate change and ensure long-term food security. This alignment with environmental and social goals can enhance the appeal of farmland as an investment.

Birla HIL Pipes redefines the PVC pipes landscape with TrueFiT leak-proof technology

New Delhi, 21 August 2024: HIL Ltd., a part of the US $3 billion CK Birla Group and a leader in home and building solutions, is setting new benchmarks with its innovative products in the pipes and fittings range, offering unmatched reliability and peace of mind to consumers.

Developed over years of research, Birla HIL Pipes feature the advanced TrueFiT™ leak-proof technology, guaranteeing protection against water seepage often caused by improper alignments and gaps in the plumbing system. It helps keep the walls beautiful and maintains the aesthetic harmony of living spaces, significantly reducing the need for frequent repairs and maintenance.

Speaking about this innovation, Mr. Akshat Seth, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer at HIL Limited, said, “Our innovation agenda at HIL focuses on creating solutions for everyday consumer needs. TrueFiT™ leak-proof technology is one such innovation designed to address the needs of today’s discerning consumers. It helps minimize the inconvenience of frequent wall repairs due to leakages in concealed plumbing fittings.”

Birla HIL Pipes are a dependable solution, as they can withstand extreme weather conditions, temperature fluctuations, and pressure changes. Additionally, their sturdy design and innovative engineering ensure a free flow of water by providing protection against chemicals, corrosion, abrasion and microbial growth.

Birla HIL Pipes offers a diverse range of pipes and fittings for domestic and commercial use including CPVC, uPVC, SWR, Silent, UGD and Foamcore, catering to every facet of modern living. In line with the company’s commitment to sustainability, quality, and compliance with international standards, these products are CFTRI, GreenPro, GRIHA, ISO, ISI, CIPET and ROHS certified.

Besides pipes and fittings, Birla HIL Pipes also offers a diverse range of water tanks. Made from LLDPE material, the water storage solutions are rust-free, corrosion-free, and resistant to fungal growth. The unique design with a ventilated threaded lid, prevents contamination of water, ensuring it remains fresh and safe for consumers’ use.

As a leading manufacturer of sustainable home and building materials, HIL has been offering innovative and high-quality products for the last 77 years.

Apollo Prostate Institute Launches South India’s First Water Vapour Thermotherapy for Enlarged Prostate

National, August 21st: The Apollo Prostate Institute has rolled out a unique treatment module to treat prostate cases under a single roof. Irrespective of whether the case is simple or complex or benign or malignant, the Institute has assembled all the modalities approved globally in one place, to treat the patient in the best possible manner. Most notable of them is the steam therapy for treating enlarged prostates, seen as a breakthrough process globally.

Water vapor or steam therapy is a novel treatment approach to treat the prostate and has been approved by FDA and has been recently launched in India. The Apollo Prostate Institute has taken the lead in the matter, marking yet another milestone in the hospital group’s continued commitment towards innovative practices.

Many men aged over 50 suffer from BPH (prostate enlargement) symptoms in India. It is also important to note that that nearly 7-11% of adults (less than 45 years of age) are also showing symptoms of BPH. Prostate is a non-endocrine gland situated between urinary bladder and urinary passage in all men. It starts increasing in size after 25 years and reaches its maximum during 45-50 years during which time people start feeling some urinary symptoms. Further it can grow as a hypertrophy (much bigger) or it can under atrophy (small) depending on the genetic make of that person.

There are various medical procedures to treat men with enlarged prostate varying from simple medications to various other methods like TURP, laser treatment, urolift, TUNA, TUMT, laproscopic procedures and robotics to mention the few. However, the new addition of steam therapy (water vapour thermotherapy) to treat prostate has overcome the pit falls and side effects of medications and prevents the complications of other major surgical procedures.

“We have taken a cafeteria approach to treat patients with BPH,” says Dr T Manohar, Chief of Urology services, Uro-oncology, robotics and kidney transplantation, Apollo Hospitals. “A cafetaria approach involves empowering patients to choose the treatment approach while informing them about the pros and cons of each system of medicine. Such an informed choice will improve the acceptability of medical interventions and the patient’s compliance to treatments.”

Water vapour therapy (REZUM) or steam therapy is done by injecting 0.45 ml of steam (under 100-113 degree C) for 9 seconds each into different areas of the prostate which are causing obstructions through a disposable device under mild sedation or local anesthesia. The procedure takes 10-15 minutes and the patient is discharged the same day. Rezum is a proprietary name invented by Boston Scientific, an American biomedical engineering firm. It is approved by FDA and was introduced to India in late January 2024.

Dr Manohar further added, “This novel technique has revolutionised BHP treatment, especially for young adults having side effects with medications, for those wishing to preserve ejaculatory and sexual functions and where anesthesia is contraindicated.”

The procedure has several advantages including prevention of sexual dysfunction and preservation of the ejaculatory phenomenon. Uday Davda, VP & Unit Head, Apollo Hospitals, Seshadripuram said “There is no removal of the prostrate, no use of any foreign body or minimal or no requirement of analgesics.”

The cutting-edge water vapour therapy has been successful in the USA, Europe and Asia Pacific countries including Australia, Japan, China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, etc. Manish Mattoo, CEO-Karnataka Region, Apollo Hospitals, said “It has marked its global presence with an adherence to international safety standards and we are proud to bring this proven method to India.”

Usually, the patient is discharged on the same day after the procedure and typically one feels improvement in urine flow starting from 3 weeks and maximum benefits are experienced at the 3-month stage.

Welspun One Acquires 22-Acre Land in NCR with JLL as Transaction Partner

New Delhi, 21st August 2024: Welspun One, an integrated fund and development management platform, in partnership with JLL, a leading global real estate services firm, is pleased to announce the successful acquisition of a prime 22-acre site along the Bilaspur-Tauru Road in the Gurgaon/NH-08 corridor. This transaction facilitated by JLL, represents a significant milestone in Welspun One’s strategy to expand its logistics park footprint in India.

The acquired land, situated in India’s most active logistics sub-market, is recognized for its strategic importance. According to JLL, the Gurgaon/NH-08 corridor boasts a total supply of 64 million square feet for Grade A & B spaces as of H1 2024, positioning it as the largest logistics sub-market in India, followed by Bhiwandi in Mumbai. Gurgaon/NH-08 sub-market witnessed a gross absorption of 3.7 million square feet in H1 2024, almost doubling the absorption recorded during the same period in the previous year (H1 2023). This significant increase in absorption underscores the robust warehousing demand in the region.

“This land transaction is unique in the sense that it’s a long lease of aggregated land from multiple private landlords – an emerging transaction typology in the country i.e. lease over outright,” said Yogesh Shevade, Head – Logistics & Industrial, India, JLL

The site is ideally positioned near existing major logistics parks, enhancing its appeal to tenants. Welspun One’s proposed development will complement the surrounding infrastructure, which includes notable tenants like leading 3rd party logistics players, e-commerce giants and retail players.

Mr. Anshul Singhal, Managing Director, Welspun One, stated, “This acquisition marks a significant step in expanding our footprint in one of India’s vital logistics corridors. By leveraging this prime location, we aim to create a cutting-edge logistics hub that will not only support our tenants’ operational efficiencies but also contribute to India’s broader economic growth. We are committed to developing world-class facilities that will enhance the region’s connectivity and drive industrial growth, further cementing our role in the nation’s logistics sector.”

Welspun One plans to invest INR 125 crore in this Bilaspur-Tauru Road project, which is expected to generate employment for 1200-1500 people. The project aligns with the company’s vision to create state-of-the-art logistics and warehousing facilities that cater to the diverse and evolving needs of businesses across various industries.

The Annual IC3 Conference & Expo 2024 to be held on August 28-29 in New Delhi

National, 21st August 2024: The IC3 Movement is set to host the Annual IC3 Conference & Expo on August 28–29, 2024 in New Delhi, India. This landmark event, being hosted at the Yashobhoomi, India’s largest convention and exhibition center, will bring together nearly 2,000 educators, school leaders, counselors, and representatives from universities from across the globe. The conference is a foundational initiative of the IC3 Movement that aims to empower every school to run a robust, fully functioning career and college counseling department.

The Annual IC3 Conference & Expo is a crucial platform for school leaders, counselors, teachers, university leaders, university admission representatives, and educational organizations to learn, connect, and build relationships. It fosters a collaborative dialogue that addresses the multifaceted aspects of student well-being, empowering the advancement of career and college counseling practices. This year’s theme, ‘From Competition to Competence,’ is intended to shift the focus from competitive metrics to building core competencies, fostering a mindset centered on intrinsic self-worth and well-being, and highlighting the transformative power of counseling.

The conference will explore key focus areas such as the role of counseling in holistic student development, the impact of technology on counseling practices, and the importance of mental health support in learning institutions. Eric Garcetti, U.S. Ambassador to India, will be the Guest of Honor, and Shri Sanjay Kumar, IAS, Secretary, Department of School Education & Literacy, Ministry of Education, Government of India, will be the keynote speaker.

Expressing his enthusiasm for the event, Mr. Ganesh Kohli, Founder, IC3 Movement, India shares, “Our mission is to ensure that every student has access to high-quality counseling that can lead to their holistic development. The Annual IC3 Annual Conference & Expo and our round-the-year regional forums that bring together education stakeholders are a testament to our commitment to building a counseling ecosystem. With this event, we are excited to showcase the progress we’ve made over the years and continue to work towards empowering institutions by supporting them in establishing a robust and fully functioning counseling department.”

In addition to the enriching discussions, the Expo will provide a dynamic platform for universities and institutions to showcase their student opportunities and highlight their educational breadth. This year, the Expo will feature exhibits from universities and organizations across 16 countries, including five country-specific pavilions—Study France, Austrade, Scotland, Japan, and Hong Kong—all under one roof. These pavilions will offer educators, students, and parents a unique opportunity to explore student-focused opportunities from these diverse regions.

As the host of this event, ATLAS SkillTech University will play a pivotal role in supporting
the initiative. Sharing her thoughts, Dr. Indu Shahani, Founding President & Chancellor of ATLAS SkillTech University, India said “I am truly honoured to be a part of this event. The opportunities this event presents to discuss and advance the practice of school counselling are invaluable. While I look forward to engaging with educators and other school leaders, I also strongly support the conference’s goals of enhancing counselling practices and ensuring that every student has access to the guidance they need in their formative years. It is a privilege for me to contribute to such a significant event that aligns with my own value system – a firm belief in the transformative power of quality education and counselling.”

Aerospike Partners with Mindgate Solutions to Strengthen India’s Digital Payment Data Infrastructure

India, 21st August 2024 – Aerospike, Inc. (“Aerospike”), a leading database solutions provider, and Mindgate Solutions, a pioneer in payments technology and transaction processing, are partnering to enhance real-time payment (RTP) systems for India’s financial services sector. This collaboration expands Aerospike’s category leadership in the payments market by providing fast, smooth transaction capabilities to customers worldwide.

As the digital payment landscape continues to evolve, consumers and businesses are increasingly relying on seamless, secure, and real-time transactions. Mindgate Solutions is at the forefront of this revolution, with over 7 billion digital payments processed monthly and approximately 50% of UPI transactions routed through some of its leading partner banks.

Aerospike’s real-time database delivers the high throughput, sub millisecond transaction response times, and massive scalability that modern digital payment systems require to enable a high quality customer experience. The integration of Aerospike with Mindgate’s comprehensive real-time payment solutions offers unparalleled efficiency and reliability to the payments sector.

Key Benefits of the Partnership

• High Resiliency: Reduces dependency on Relational Database Management Systems (RDBMS), ensuring uninterrupted service even during high transaction volumes.
• Cloud Agnostic: Offers multi-cloud and on-premises deployment options for flexible and scalable solutions.
• High Throughput: Enables higher transactions per second (TPS) to support the growing demand for digital payments.
• Low Latency: Provides better transaction response times for an enhanced user experience.
• Active-Active Geo-Distributed Application: Ensures continuous availability and disaster recovery across multiple geographic locations.
• Scale on Demand: Facilitates linear scalability to meet the increasing demand without compromising performance.

 Commenting on the partnership, Aveekshith Bushan, Vice President and GM, Asia Pacific and Japan, Aerospike, said, “We are thrilled to partner with Mindgate Solutions and support the rapid growth of India’s digital payment ecosystem. Our real-time data platform is uniquely positioned to handle the demands of modern payment systems through superior performance, high availability and extreme scale. Together with Mindgate, we are redefining the future of digital payments in India.

Since partnering with Aerospike, Mindgate Solutions has achieved significant milestones, including a remarkable 25% increase in transaction throughput. This collaboration has also enabled the seamless handling of billions of digital payments per month as mentioned above, further solidifying Mindgate’s position as a leader in India’s digital payment ecosystem.

“Partnering with Aerospike allows us to push the boundaries of what’s possible in real-time payment processing. With Aerospike’s high throughput and low latency database, we can offer our clients enhanced performance, ensuring faster and more reliable transactions. This partnership is a significant step towards building a robust digital payments infrastructure that will drive economic growth and inclusion,” said Mr. George Sam, Co-founder and Business Head at Mindgate Solutions.

With the Indian digital payments market poised for exponential growth, the collaboration between Aerospike and Mindgate Solutions represents a crucial milestone in the journey towards a more connected and digitally empowered India.

Moneycontrol Mutual Fund Summit to explore ‘How SIPs Are Empowering Bharat’

Mumbai | August 21, 2024: Moneycontrol, India’s number one business and markets news platform, has announced the 2024 edition of ‘Moneycontrol Mutual Fund Summit’. Scheduled to take place on 21st August 2024 in Mumbai, the summit will convene financial experts, industry leaders, and regulators to discuss the rapid growth of India’s mutual fund sector. This year’s theme, ‘How SIPs Are Empowering Bharat,’ highlights the growing impact of SIPs in driving financial inclusion across the nation. The summit will also host the Mutual Fund Distributor Awards to celebrate the sector’s achievements and encourage financial empowerment and inclusion across India.

Amarjeet Singh, Whole Time Member, SEBI will deliver the keynote address, setting the stage with his perspective on regulatory frameworks and their role in shaping the future of mutual funds in India. Other prominent speakers include Viswanathan Anand, Indian Chess Grandmaster; Radhika Gupta, MD & CEO, Edelweiss Asset Management; Swarup Mohanty, VC& CEO, Mirae Asset Investment Managers, India; Kailash Kulkarni, CEO, HSBC India Asset Management; Nimesh Shah, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, ICICI Prudential Asset Management; Ajit Dayal, Founder and Advisor, Quantum Advisors; Lakshmi Iyer, CEO – Investment & Strategy, Kotak Alternate Asset Managers; Rajeev Thakkar, Chief Investment Officer and Director, PPFAS Mutual Fund; Roshi Jain, Senior Fund Manager, HDFC Asset Management; Dinesh Balachandran, Head of Equity, SBI Mutual Fund, Ashish Gupta, CIO, AXIS Mutual Fund, Suresh Sadagopan, SEBI RIA, MD & Principal Officer, Ladder7 Wealth Planners; Misbah Baxamusa, CEO, NJ Wealth; Sanjay Chawla, CIO – Equity, Baroda BNP Paribas Mutual Fund and Akhil Chaturvedi, Chief Business Officer, Motilal Oswal AMC.

Speakers and panellists will discuss strategies for integrating new and first-time investors into the market, emphasising the importance of educating them about the risks and potential returns. Key topics will include setting realistic return expectations, navigating investors through volatile markets, and strengthening internal mechanisms to prevent fraud and make asset management companies more robust.

Speaking about the upcoming summit, Puneet Singhvi, CEO – Digital and President – Corporate Strategy, Network18 said, “The Indian mutual fund industry is reaching new heights, and with this platform, we aim to both acknowledge and fuel that progress. As India’s leading finance news platform, Moneycontrol is bringing together the country’s top financial experts to explore the influence of SIPs and the opportunities and challenges they present. We believe this gathering of industry giants will be instrumental in shaping the future of the sector.”

Avinash Kaul, CEO – Network18 (Broadcast) & Managing Director A+E Networks I TV18 added, “The growing Indian mutual fund industry holds immense potential, and to fully realise it, we need timely discussions and collaborations. At Network18, we are committed to driving the industry forward through meaningful conversations. The Moneycontrol Mutual Fund Summit is more than just a platform for knowledge sharing; it’s a catalyst for transformative dialogue, bringing together the brightest minds in finance to explore the future of mutual fund investments in India.”

The Moneycontrol Mutual Fund Summit is an annual forum that brings together industry leaders, leading financial experts, and regulators for insightful conversations about the current state of the Mutual Fund sector in the country. With insightful panel discussions and standalone sessions, the summit explores new opportunities for future growth of the sector in India.

SAWiT Expands Hyderabad Outreach to Equip 10 million Women with Generative AI Skills for Career Advancement

India, August 21, 2024: South Asian Women in Tech (SAWiT), a leading community focused on empowering South Asian women in technology, has made significant strides in its ambitious initiative to train 10 million women across India in Generative AI skills. As part of this nationwide effort, SAWiT is intensifying its outreach in Hyderabad, aiming to equip women in the region with the expertise needed to contribute to India’s technological and economic growth.

In collaboration with T-Hub and the Hyderabad Software Enterprises Association (HYSEA), SAWiT hosted a pivotal event in Hyderabad today, marking a significant milestone in its mission to upskill 500,000 women in the first phase of its program. The event brought together key figures from the tech ecosystem to discuss strategies for empowering women with cutting-edge AI skills, setting the stage for broader outreach across the country.

Prominent dignitaries in attendance included Sri Vidya Reddy (Chairperson, CII IWN Telangana), Srinivas Rao Mahankali (CEO, T-Hub), Priya Gazdar (Chairperson, FICCI FLO), Alexander McLaren (Public Affairs Officer, US Consulate, Hyderabad), Sita Pallacholla (CEO, WE Hub), and Jit Putcha (HYSEA, Managing Committee & Diversity Forum Leader, LTIMindtree). A key panel discussion titled “Advancing Skilling and Support for Women in AI” explored strategies to bridge the gender gap in AI. Additionally, a Google-led workshop provided practical training on deploying Generative AI models and exploring real-world applications.

According to a Nasscom report on India’s digital talent pool, Hyderabad ranks 4th with 13-14% of the nation’s digital talent. This underscores the city’s strategic importance in SAWiT’s nationwide initiative and highlights the critical role Hyderabad’s startup and corporate ecosystem will play in advancing AI skills among women, helping to close the gender gap in technology.

SAWiT.AI, the flagship program of SAWiT, is a collaborative effort with GUVI and is set to launch on September 21, 2024. The program, supported by an esteemed advisory council that includes Roshni Nadar Malhotra (Chairperson, HCL Tech), Samantha Ruth Prabhu (actor and women’s empowerment advocate), and Farzana Haque (Senior Leader, Tata Consultancy Services), will unfold in three phases: the SAWiT.AI Learnathon, SAWiT.AI Hackathon, and SAWiT.AI Festival.

SAWiT’s mission is part of a broader vision to unlock India’s $550 billion economic potential by increasing women’s participation in the workforce. Built on Kalido’s AI-driven platform, SAWiT provides women with opportunities for peer-to-peer learning, entrepreneurship, job readiness, and large-scale job placements. This initiative is poised to advance individual careers while driving India’s aspiration to become the AI capital of the world, capture the $1.3 trillion GDP opportunity, and climb the economic complexity index rankings.

Ahead of its premiere in India, Alien: Romulus crosses dollar110 Million globally on opening weekend

Ridley Scott’s iconic Alien franchise has continued to terrify and enthral audiences for decades. Alien: Romulus, the latest instalment from 20th Century Studios, has once again proven the enduring power of this sci-fi horror series, delivering a box office performance that has achieved a significant feat in its launch weekend. In its opening weekend, Alien: Romulus raked in a staggering $41.5 million domestically, securing its place as the second-highest-grossing debut in the entire Alien franchise. This impressive figure was further bolstered by an additional $66.5 million in international ticket sales, bringing the global total to a remarkable $108 million.

Alien: Romulus managed to capture the essence of what made the original films so terrifying while also offering a fresh and innovative take on the series. The film’s intricate plot, stunning visuals, and heart-pounding action sequences kept audiences on the edge of their seats from beginning to end. The phenomenal box office performance of Alien: Romulus is a testament to the enduring popularity of the Alien franchise. It also serves as a reminder of the power of well-crafted horror films to connect with audiences on a deep emotional level. As the film continues to expand its theatrical run, it is poised to become one of the biggest box office hits of the year.

Taking the phenomenally successful “Alien” franchise back to its roots, Alien: Romulus scavenges the deep ends of a derelict space station, where a group of young space colonizers come face to face with the most terrifying life form in the universe. The film stars Cailee Spaeny, David Jonsson, Archie Renaux, Isabela Merced, Spike Fearn, Aileen Wu in pivotal roles. Directed by Fede Alvarez who co-wrote the film with Rodo Sayagues, the film is based on characters created by Dan O’Bannon and Ronald Shusett. “Alien: Romulus” is produced by Ridley Scott and Walter Hill with Fede Alvarez, Elizabeth Cantillon, Brent O’Connor and Tom Moran serving as executive producers.