Author: Rabindra

Indian Racing Festival 2024 Anticipation Mounts with Exciting Drivers Line-Up Reveal for Indian Racing League

New Delhi, August 20, 2024: The Indian Racing Festival (IRF) is back with its biggest and boldest season yet, featuring Indian sensations Akhil Rabindra and Nikhil Bohra alongside Swiss great Neel Jani and multiple other leading motorsports talent from India and abroad, who will be gunning for glory with their city-based teams in the Indian Racing League, an integral part of the racing festival. As the world’s first gender-neutral franchise-based league, it will also witness female racers driving alongside their male counterparts in a high-adrenaline, five-round competition.

Leading the talented IRL lineup of 24 drivers including male and female drivers, split into six teams of four each will witness the likes of Akhil Rabindra and Neel Jani. Rabindra made history in 2019 as the only Asian selected by Aston Martin for their Racing Academy, later clinching the inaugural IRL title in 2022. Jani, a fan favourite from Switzerland, brings an impressive resume, winning the World Endurance Championship and the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2016.

Akhilesh Reddy, Chairman & Managing Director of RPPL, welcomed the new and the returning drivers back to the grid: “We’re thrilled to welcome our returning drivers and new competitors to the most exciting season of the Indian Racing Festival yet. As the premier showcase of top racing talent from India and beyond, we pride ourselves on delivering exhilarating action. With new teams, a night race, and a unique franchise-based format featuring both men and women racers competing on the same track, this season promises unmatched thrills. Building on the excitement of the past two seasons, we are solidifying our place as India’s premier motorsport event.”

Raoul Hyman, a successful British-South African driver, will be one of the returning faces in the IRL this season, alongside his partner from the previous year, Sohil Shah. In the IRL, two teammates share one car across five intense rounds, with the highest-scoring pair winning the Car Championship and the highest-scoring cars winning the Team Championship. Hyman and Shah had clinched the 2023 Car Championship by earning the most points.

Shah, one of the many promising Indian drivers vying for glory in the IRL, said: “The Indian Racing League is a testament to the excitement and passion for motorsports in our country. It’s amazing to witness and be a part of the budding motorsports scene in India. The grid here is extremely competitive, pushing each of us to our limits and showcasing the immense talent we have.”

The six teams will feature two Indian and two foreign racers, including one female. As such, six women racers will compete with their male counterparts on the same track, all whizzing around in their rapid Wold Thunder GB08s, the single-seater cars that can achieve a top speed of 240 kmph. This year, the returning Fabienne Wolhwend and Gabriel Jilkova, among others, will try to match Sarah Moore’s accomplishment from 2023, when she became the first female race winner in IRL history.

Wohlwend, who finished second twice in IRL 2022 and won the Team Championship, he will be participating this season too , said: “Participating in the Indian Racing League has been an incredible experience. It’s exciting to be part of the world’s first gender-inclusive franchise racing league, where everyone has a chance to shine. The spirit here is unmatched, driving us all to achieve our best. The growing popularity of the league among Indian fans is truly inspiring, too, and their support motivates us to push even harder.”

The IRL also serves as a thrilling stage for rising stars like Ruhaan Alva, who made history last year as the youngest race winner. Joining him are peers Shahan Ali Mohsin and Rishon Rajeev, fresh off their successes in the Formula 4 Indian Championship, and debutant Julius Dinesen, a 17-year-old prodigy from Denmark with a F4 title to his name.

The Indian Racing League starts at the Madras International Circuit on August 24-25, followed by India’s first-ever night race at the Chennai Formula Racing Circuit on August 31-September 1. Six teams will participate in the league, including newcomers Kolkata Royal Tigers (Kolkata); stalwarts Speed Demons Delhi (Delhi), Goa Aces JA Racing (Goa), Hyderabad Blackbirds (Hyderabad), and Chennai Turbo Riders (Chennai); and former champions Bangalore Speedsters (Bengaluru).

ISB and Telangana Government Collaborate to Build Capacity in Public Healthcare Leadership and Innovation

20th August 2024: The Indian School of Business (ISB), in partnership with the Government of Telangana today, launched a new Healthcare Management Programme, curated for senior leaders in the Commissioner of Health, Medical and Family Welfare Department (CHFW). This transformative one-year programme, developed by the ISB Max Institute of Healthcare Management and delivered by ISB Executive Education aims to enhance leadership and managerial capabilities, enabling effective management of public health institutions across the state.

With nine immersive sessions conducted at ISB Hyderabad campus, the programme will deepen participants’ expertise in healthcare management, drive innovation, and significantly enhance public health delivery systems throughout Telangana. Designed to meet the evolving needs of the healthcare sector, it will focus on developing leadership and managerial skills aimed at driving positive transformation in the administration of public health institutions and enhancing citizen-centric services. Participants will engage in industry study treks focussed on healthcare technology and innovation, along with action learning projects designed to drive meaningful impact in their respective fields.

The programme was launched at ISB Campus in Hyderabad in the presence of Hon’ble Shri R.V. Karnan, IAS, Commissioner of Health and Family Welfare and Mission Director, National Health Mission as Guest of Honor.

Shri R.V. Karnan said, “Public health remains a cornerstone of Telangana’s development agenda, we take pride in being one of the most recognised states delivering exceptional healthcare services. We have set up a solid base for healthcare development in 2022 and our new healthcare program in partnership with ISB is an extension of our commitment. We aspire to be exemplary in driving innovation and excellence in health management and will continue to take reformative and pathbreaking steps in our pursuit.”

Professor Sarang Deo, Operations Management Deputy Dean – Faculty and Research, Executive Director – Max Institute of Healthcare Management (MIHM), stated, ” ISB Max Institute of Healthcare Management has established a robust foundation in researching public health programmes, aligning with our core mission of adapting private sector management best practices to enhance public health outcomes. This has become increasingly crucial considering the evolving public health landscape, which demands greater responsiveness to patient needs and improved operational efficiency. We aim to contribute towards addressing these changes by training the public health workforce. We are collaborating closely with the Government of Telangana to help them achieve their goal of enhancing leadership and managerial capabilities, enabling effective management of public health institutions across the state..”

The programme offers an in-depth exploration of operations management, healthcare technology, and financial planning, all pivotal to enhancing public health outcomes. By blending thought leadership with practitioner-led industry sessions, participants gain invaluable insights into real-world challenges and solutions. Furthermore, the programme emphasises experiential learning through study treks centred on healthcare technology and innovation. It comprises action learning projects designed to empower healthcare professionals to make a meaningful impact in their respective fields.

CREDAI Telangana Announces STATECON 2024

Hyderabad: August 20th, 2024— CREDAI Telangana, the apex body of real estate developers in Telangana, dedicated to promoting the interests of the real estate sector and fostering professional excellence, announced STATECON 2024 – themed Telangana Going Global. The event aims to elevate Telangana as a global player, not competing with other Indian states. The conference will address various issues about the fraternity of builders in the presence of all stakeholders. The seminar will take place on 20th, August 2024 at HICC Hyderabad. Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri A Revanth Reddy is likely to inaugurate the conference. Around 900 member developers from across Telangana will attend the event. It will bring together industry leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders to discuss innovative strategies, emerging trends, and collaborative opportunities within the real estate domain.

STATECON 2024 will feature a range of sessions that will help accelerate the growth of Telangana as an emerging hub of technology and innovation, with a focus on infrastructure development, the creation of opportunities, and the skill upgradation of youth to compete globally. A series of sessions are planned at STATECON 2024 to delve on the opportunities and challenges to envisage the journey of going Global with a focus on the existing landscape, drafting a blueprint of success for the Real Estate sector, making the state a global investment destination, developing the roadmap of upskilling the youth to grab the opportunities, and building a sustainable, green and smart state.

Speaking on the occasion, Shri Murali Krishna Reddy, Chairman, CREDAI Telangana said, “CREDAI Telangana plays a crucial role in shaping the future of real estate development in the region through advocacy, policy dialogue, and industry collaboration. It is the voice of the real estate industry that collaborates closely with the government in the development of real estate policies and guidelines at both the state and national levels. Under the visionary leadership of our Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri A Revanth Reddy and his vision for 2050, the state is on the path of exponential growth with a multi-dimensional focus on the overall growth and development of the state involving improving the connectivity through an elaborate network of roads and regional rail network, attracting investments for development of dedicated industrial hubs by creating enabling policy framework, developing health infrastructure for present and future, use technology to ensure safety of citizens and set up a robust module for upskilling the youth to grab the opportunities in different industries. We are hosting STATECON 2024 to foster growth and innovation within Telangana’s real estate sector as we brace for the evolving needs of rapid development.”

According to Sri E. Premsagar Reddy, President, CREDAI Telangana, “The Hon’ble Chief Minister has outlined the vision to develop the state in the 3 ring structure, with the Core Urban Region up to Outer ring road (ORR) being the main catalyst for growth. The area between ORR and RRR will be developed as a semi-urban Region. It will help disperse the growth to Tier 2 cities with clusters for manufacturing, city-centric agriculture, and other add-on zones. These will be the epicenter of manufacturing hubs for global organizations with better connectivity with RRR. This will spread the growth across the state with adequate development of transit infrastructure, healthcare, etc. Defining the region beyond the RRR as the Rural Region will help the development of model villages with all facilities. This will trigger the requirement for building world-class real estate across the state opening new vistas for the industry. The initiatives of developing the ‘Musi river-front’ like other global cities will elevate Hyderabad as a Global City. Moreover, the 1st of its kind initiative to set up HYDRAA – a dedicated disaster response force will ensure proactive steps and improved preparedness to deal with unforeseen natural events. All these will have a positive impact in elevating Telangana as a global benchmark of governance and growth. STATECON 2024 is designed to enlighten and equip the member developers of CREDAI on a single platform and brace for the development which will not only be restricted to Hyderabad but will find tremendous opportunities across the state of Telangana.”

Sri. K. Indrasena Reddy, President Elect, CREDAI Telangana said, “The surge in demand and subsequent rise in real estate prices in Telangana is noteworthy. At CREDAI Telangana, we are collaborating with the government to establish a comprehensive set of rules and guidelines to streamline the industry, implement measures to identify, penalize, and remove unscrupulous elements, and address industry bottlenecks. The state government is working with a mission to make Telangana a $ 1 Tn economy in the next 10 years. This will be enabled by the 3 rings of development model. The key catalysts to this growth would be the development of Mucherla as a future city, and the manufacturing zones in the semi-urban region. The state’s focus on enhancing urban infrastructure and streamlining regulatory processes will support this growth, positioning Telangana as a key global player. This will positively impact the real estate landscape. STATECON 2024 is being organized to provide a comprehensive platform for dialogue and collaboration. The real estate sector is evolving rapidly, and this conference will be instrumental in shaping the future of our industry.”

Sri. G Ajay Kumar, Secretary, CREDAI Telangana said, “STATECON 2024 is being organized on the 20th of this month. We have dedicated sessions throughout the day about various dimensions of growth in the state and the opportunities that unfold for the real estate sector. Besides the Hon’ble Chief Minister, who will inaugurate the conference, other policymakers, and industry leaders across the country will participate in STATECON 2024 to share their vision and experiences to help our member developers network and define their blueprint for success. We will also unveil a report on ‘Telangana – Going Global’ with CBRE.”

Phenom Leads Landmark Environmental Restoration with Rejuvenation of Bakshikunta Lake in Telangana

Hyderabad, 20th August 2024: Phenom, a global leader in Intelligent Talent Experiences, today announced the successful rejuvenation of Bakshikunta Lake, Ameenpur, in the BHEL region of Hyderabad. This project, a cornerstone of Phenom’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, As the first company in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh to take up a lake rejuvenation initiative, Phenom sets a new benchmark in environmental sustainability. Partnering with Shri Anand Malligavad, known as the “Lake Man of India,” Phenom spearheaded the transformation of Bakshikunta Lake into a thriving, ecologically balanced water body.

The inauguration event saw the presence of Chief Guest Shri Arekapudi Gandhi, MLA of Serilingampally, alongside other distinguished Guests of Honour such as Mr. Shiva Kumar Naidu Killu, IAS, Commissioner for Lakes, Mr. Mahe Bayireddi, Co-Founder & CEO of Phenom, Mr. Hari Bayireddi, Co-Founder & COO of Phenom, and Smt. Manjula Raghunath Reddy, Corporator of Chandanagar.

Shri Arekapudi Gandhi praised the initiative, stating, “The restoration of Bakshikunta Lake stands as a powerful example of how collaborative efforts between government, industry, and community can drive meaningful environmental progress. This project not only revives a crucial natural resource but also sets the tone for future sustainable developments across the state.”

Emphasising the Phenom’s broader mission, Mr. Mahe Bayireddi, Co-Founder & CEO of Phenom said, “At Phenom, we strive to make a lasting impact that transcends business goals. The restoration of Bakshikunta Lake represents our unwavering commitment to conserving natural resources and elevating the quality of life in the communities we serve. We are proud to contribute to this pivotal environmental initiative.”

Echoing this sentiment, Mr. Hari Bayireddi, Co-Founder & COO of Phenom, added, “Our vision extends beyond innovation in technology; it includes driving sustainability. By revitalizing Bakshikunta Lake, we hope to inspire others to take similar initiatives that contribute to the collective wellbeing of our planet.”

Reflecting on the project’s significance, Shri Shiva Kumar Naidu Killu, IAS Commissioner for Lakes, said, “The Bakshikunta Lake rejuvenation demonstrates how corporate initiatives aligned with government support can deliver transformative environmental outcomes. This is a vital step toward building sustainable urban ecosystems for future generations.”

Shri Anand Malligavad, whose expertise was instrumental in the project, noted, “Restoring Bakshikunta Lake showcases the powerful results of prioritizing ecological restoration. This project serves as a model for how community driven efforts, supported by corporations like Phenom, can lead to the revival of natural ecosystems.”

The rejuvenated lake now stands as a vital water source for the surrounding community, which numbers around 1,00,000 people. The project also included the construction of a children’s play area, further enhancing the lake’s impact on the local population. The support from GHMC, the Telangana government, and local residents was much appreciated and crucial to the project’s success.

Today, the rejuvenated Bakshikunta Lake stands as a vibrant ecosystem, home to diverse flora and fauna, and a critical water source for local communities. Phenom’s steadfast dedication to sustainability continues to lead initiatives that foster environmental stewardship, ensuring positive, long-term impacts on both nature and society.

ASSOCHAM organizes a special book launch of “Power within the Leadership Legacy of Narendra Modi”

Mumbai, 20 August 2024: ASSOCHAM today organized a special book launch of “Power within the Leadership Legacy of Narendra Modi”. The book authored by Dr. R Balasubramaniam, Member HR, Capacity Building Commission, Government of India explores how Modi’s remarkable vision to expedite progress, as well as indigenous knowledge and ancient wisdom, has shaped global leadership in the modern day.

Talking about the book, Dr. R Balasubramaniam, Member HR, Capacity Building Commission, GoI said, “The book is the result of the hard work of several people. I would like to thank all of them, my excellent set of researchers and everyone who has helped me turn the manuscript into a book. As a trained physician I just left mainstream medicine and went away and lived the best years of my life living in the forest with the people I love the most, the indigenous communities, living like them, with them, amongst them has been the greatest learning of my life and very frustrated that the policies that these people are getting subjected to with no understanding of how our rural communities and tribal communities live.”

“One of the best advice I have received as an activist is to bend the government, but never break it. Because then you have a vacuum which nobody can fill. The rational being we need a stable, structured system to solve the complex problems, the wicked problems of the world. Today the world is a mess. And it’s a mess created by all of us. And therefore the answers have to come from us.” he added.

Addressing the august gathering Mr. Ashishkumar Chauhan, MD and CEO, National Stock Exchange of India said, “Dr. R Balasubramaniam’s ‘Power Within: The Leadership Legacy of Narendra Modi’ offers an inspiring look at the Prime Minister’s leadership journey, embodying the spirit of Viksit Bharat and Amrit Kaal. The book contrasts Western trait-oriented leadership with Indian practice-focused leadership, showcasing his relentless work ethic, communicative approach, and quest for self-discovery in service to others, while providing a roadmap for aspiring public servants.”

Mr Deepak Sood, Secretary General of ASSOCHAM, said, “The book is a timely reminder of what inspiring leadership can achieve. The growth and advances we have witnessed in recent years are an outcome of the leadership the country has. We are blessed with ancient knowledge and philosophy that can be our guiding light towards a developed nation, and this book has shown us how much progress we have made towards our goal.”

The book was launched by Mr. N Chandrasekaran, Chairperson of the TATA Group in the presence of eminent personalities like Shri Gaurang Das Prabhu, Spiritual Leader, Dr. Swati Piramal, Vice Chairman, Piramal Group, Prof. K. Ramasubramanian Professor IIT Mumbai and Adil Zainulbhai, Chairman, Capacity Building Commission.

ICICI Bank opens a branch in Cheepurupalli, Vizianagaram district

Vizianagaram: ICICI Bank has set up a new branch at Cheepurupalli division in Vizianagaram district. This is the first branch of the Bank in the division, and the fifth in the district. The branch is equipped with an ATM.

Mr. Manvendra Mor, Managing Director, Radhika Group, inaugurated the branch.

The branch offers a comprehensive range of accounts and deposits including savings and current accounts, fixed and recurring deposits and loans like, business loan, home loan, personal loan, auto loan and education loan along with remittance and card services. It also provides locker facility at its premises. It operates from 9:30 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. on Monday to Friday and on the first, third and fifth Saturdays of the month.

The branch also offers Tab Banking facility that provides nearly 100 services at the customer’s place by an employee through a tablet device. The services include opening of accounts and Fixed Deposit (FD), raising cheque book request, generation of e-statements and change of address, among others.

ICICI Bank has 260 branches, and 520 ATMs and cash recycling machines (CRMs) in Andhra Pradesh.

ICICI Bank services its large customer base through a multi-channel delivery network of branches, ATMs, call centres, internet banking, and mobile banking.

Mphasis announces appointment of Aravind Viswanathan as the Chief Financial Officer

Mumbai, August 17, 2024

Mphasis, an Information Technology (IT) solutions provider specializing in cloud and cognitive services, today announced the appointment of Aravind Viswanathan as the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) with immediate effect, pursuant to the resignation of Manish Dugar. Manish will be available for transition support, until end of the quarter.

Previously, Aravind was the CFO of Tanla Platforms, a listed leading CPaaS player in India, since April 2021. Prior to which Aravind spent 19 years at Wipro Limited, where he was responsible for handling Business Finance for the Strategic Business Units, Financial Planning & Analysis and Order-to-Cash processes.

“We are delighted to have Aravind as our CFO. His proven track record and extensive experience in technology services companies will be a great addition to our executive team. On behalf of Mphasis and the Board, I thank Manish for his leadership and contributions. We wish him continued success in his future endeavors,” said Nitin Rakesh, Chief Executive Officer, and Managing Director, Mphasis.

“I am excited and humbled to join Mphasis. As Mphasis continues to build momentum with their new gen tech-driven growth strategy, I will be focused and committed on delivering on our short- and longer-term financial objectives,” said Aravind Viswanathan.

“I am proud of what we have accomplished and honored to have worked with such a talented and dedicated team. It has been a privilege to be part of Mphasis’ journey, and wish the company continued success,” said Manish Dugar.

Aravind has won the CFO India Treasury20 awards in 2016 and 2017. He was also ranked amongst the Top 3 in the 2011 All-Asia Executive Team rankings in the Sell-side survey under the category of ‘Best Investor Relations Professional’ by Institutional Investors. In February 2012, Aravind was ranked among the top 10 IR Professionals in the country by Thomson Reuters India Investor Relations Survey.

Aravind is an alumnus of Indian Institute of Management Bangalore, where he completed his Post Graduate Diploma in Management and holds a Bachelor of Commerce from University of Madras.