Author: Rabindra

Thump Celebration Marathon 2024 Witnesses Unveiling of Bangalore Stroke Center

Bangalore, December 4th, 2024: Bangalore Hospitals made a significant impact at the Thump Celebration Marathon 2024, held on December 1, 2024, by serving as the official medical partner. With over 4,000 participants competing in multiple categories, the event was a vibrant celebration of fitness, endurance, and community spirit.

Bangalore Hospitals ensured participants’ safety and well-being by deploying a dedicated team of 30 healthcare professionals to provide on-ground medical support, addressing injuries and emergencies during the event. The hospital also offered complimentary health services such as blood pressure checks, glucose monitoring, ECG screenings, and consultations with dietitians and physicians. Participants were further supported with a 10% discount on additional investigations and consultations, emphasizing the hospital’s commitment to promoting preventive healthcare and accessibility.

The marathon was inaugurated by Honourable Member of Parliament, Bengaluru South, Mr. Tejasvi Surya, who commended the event for its dual focus on promoting physical fitness and raising awareness about preventive healthcare, including stroke prevention.

A significant highlight of the event was the launch of the Bangalore Stroke Center by Bangalore Hospital Kengeri and Jayanagar. The center, led by Dr. Suhas, a consultant neurologist, is equipped to handle all types of stroke emergencies with cutting-edge technology and services, including thrombolysis within the critical 4.5-hour window, mechanical thrombectomy for advanced stroke management, 24/7 emergency neurology care, and in-house diagnostic facilities like a Cath Lab, 160-slice CT, and 1.5T MRI. The hospital also offers a 24/7 free ambulance service for stroke patients, ensuring swift and comprehensive care.

“Bangalore Hospitals is deeply committed to fostering community health through preventive care and health education,” said Dr. Abhishek Mannem. “The Thump Celebration Marathon perfectly aligns with our mission to inspire healthier lifestyles while highlighting the importance of fitness and timely medical intervention, particularly for critical conditions like stroke.”

To reinforce the importance of timely intervention, the Bangalore Stroke Center launched the “One Call Saves the Brain” campaign. For emergency stroke assistance,  Guided by the motto “Act FAST – Time Saved is Brain Saved!,” Bangalore Hospitals continues its dedication to saving lives and raising awareness about the impact of early stroke treatment.

Through its role as the official medical partner of the Thump Celebration Marathon 2024 and the launch of the Bangalore Stroke Center, Bangalore Hospitals has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting community health initiatives and providing accessible, high-quality medical care to the public.

One Health Assist Unveils #MissionFitPossible to Inspire Healthier Living

The brand has launched a new campaign, urging netizens to inculcate the habit of tracking their health because ‘prevention is always better than cure. In today’s fast-paced world, adopting healthy habits can feel like an uphill battle and the lure of instant gratification eclipses the promise of long-term benefits; many struggle to make progress due to time constraints, lack of motivation, and external challenges.

Inspiring healthier lifestyles, One Health Assist, the country’s first holistic health and wellness ecosystem, proudly introduces its exciting new campaign, #MissionFitPossible. Seeking to build awareness around the importance of wellness, the campaign presents a challenge that is literally one step at a time. With a simple goal to cultivate lasting habits like consistent health tracking, starting with daily steps and gradually incorporating broader wellness metrics of hydration, sleeping habits, mental wellness, and diet.

Leveraging the power of social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, Youtube, and ancillary platforms, the campaign encourages participants to share their progress using #MissionFitPossible. And, within 4 days of launch, the campaign has already garnered significant attention, surpassing 68,00,000 views across the internet already. With enthusiastic participation, #MissionFitPossible is well on its way to become a sure-shot success on adoption. Influencers across fitness, healthcare, and netizens have taken the challenge and are seen urging their followers to take that first step.

Karan Arora, Co-Founder, of One Health Assist said, “As a preventive-to-solutions platform, we firmly believe that people must take up their health journey through better lifestyles. We believe that this challenge will be able to guide them there.”

Davinder Bhasin, Founder, of One Health Assist, said, “This is our step to ‘inculcate a habit of tracking your steps and eventually health’. We believe by fostering a sense of community, #MissionFitPossible inspires collective encouragement as participants celebrate their goals and milestones together.”

Divya Dixit, Chief Growth Officer, of One Health Assist, said, “The first step is always the hardest. With the #MissionFitPossible challenge, we’re motivating people to take that initial step with the chance to win Coldplay concert tickets! We believe this campaign will inspire positive habits. Don’t get the FOMO, Join the fitness tribe.”

Designed to make fitness fun, accessible, and rewarding, this dynamic initiative is asking participants not only to reap the benefits of improved health but also to get the chance to win exclusive Coldplay concert tickets, adding an element of thrill to their wellness journey.

Read Campaign Details here:

Participants are encouraged to:

• Walk 10,000 steps daily, tracking progress through any fitness app and sharing their step count on Instagram, tagging @one_health_assist.
• Nominate three friends to join the challenge, creating a supportive and motivating network.
• Follow additional wellness tips for holistic health, such as getting 8 hours of sleep, drinking 3 liters of water daily, spending quality time with loved ones, and maintaining balanced meals.

Terms & Conditions

• Duration: November 25, 2024, to January 9, 2025.
• Eligibility: Open to Indian residents with no purchase necessary.
• Winner Selection: Based on consistent participation and completion of the challenge.

Target Audience

This campaign is designed for health-conscious individuals, fitness beginners, and anyone looking to make small changes toward a healthier lifestyle. #MissionFitPossible seeks to cultivate a vibrant, Instagram-driven wellness community, reaching those who are active on digital platforms and interested in self-improvement.

GoodLives Secures Rs. 1.1 Crore in Pre-Seed Funding to Transform Workplace Mental Health Solutions

New Delhi, 3rd December, 2024: The creative AI-powered platform for mental health and wellness, GoodLives, has announced that its ₹1.1 crore pre–seed financing round has closed successfully. With strategic contributions from IIM Lucknow, Rabindranath Tagore University (RNTU), and industry veterans Anupreet Singh, Deepak Motwani, and Abhishek Hota, Build3, a well-known social impact accelerator, led the round. For GoodLives, this investment represents a significant turning point in its mission to reimagine mental health care for workplaces in India and the USA.

GoodLives, which was founded by IIT Kharagpur graduates Sakshi Shah and Lawrance Bamania, has quickly become a game-changer in the mental health industry. With the help of AI-powered do-it-yourself workouts and expert therapy, the platform offers individualized and effective holistic health solutions. With a particular focus on large and mid-sized corporations, GoodLives is committed to enhancing employee engagement and wellbeing through tailored programs. The startup’s goal of making a positive social impact is furthered by providing a free community platform that reaches those looking for easily accessible tools and information for managing mental health.

In a statement, co-founder Sakshi Shah said, “This funding round underscores the growing importance of mental health in workplace culture. With this investment, we’re equipped to expand our reach and elevate our offerings, ensuring mental health support is both accessible and effective for all.”

Co-founder Lawrance Bamania added, “Mental health is not just a personal mission for us; it’s a societal necessity. We aim to make mental well-being as integral to workplace culture as physical health. This funding enables us to move closer to that vision, driving meaningful change at scale.”

To ensure a smooth and significant user experience, the money infusion will be wisely used to improve the platform’s features and functionality. In order to reach a wider audience, GoodLives also intends to expand its activities and enter new markets. Through its programs, GoodLives has already raised awareness of mental health issues among more than 5 million people. Notably, the business has started a ground-breaking LinkedIn campaign to de-stigmatize discussions around mental health, and it has received a lot of praise for its creative awareness-raising strategy.

Black Friday Sales Volumes Up 17% over last year: Unicommerce

3rd December 2024, Mumbai: Unicommerce, one of India’s leading e-commerce enablement SaaS platforms, record a 17% jump in order volumes in this year’s Black Friday sales (27th Nov. – 30th Nov 2024) over last year’s equivalent sales (22nd Nov. – 25th Nov ‘2023). The gross merchandise value (GMV) also grew by over 24% during the same period.

Some of the categories that saw an increase in order volumes included beauty, wellness & personal care products with over 34% growth as compared to that during last year’s sales. Products that were most in demand during this period were perfumes, deodorants and makeup items. Fashion & accessories recorded an over 20% YoY increase in e-commerce order volumes this season, with kids apparel, travel accessories and toys & baby products taking the limelight.

FMCG & agricultural products also witnessed over 34% YoY increase in order volumes pointing to high demand for plant nutrition items and healthy eatables. The health & pharma category recorded over 50% growth in order volumes, with health devices, nutraceuticals & supplements being the category highlights

The home decor segment, which has emerged as a mainstream category across e-commerce over the last few years, saw over 40% YoY growth in order volumes during the sale. This was led by decorative items and furnishing products.

Both brand websites and marketplaces recorded similar growth during the Black Friday sale this year. Brands recorded an uptick of over 17% in order volumes compared to last year whereas marketplaces observed over 18% growth during the same period.

Another interesting aspect of this year’s Black Friday sale event was the rise of average order value. Wearables saw a growth in AoV by over 200% during this period. Other items and categories that witnessed higher AoV growth included computers & laptops and fashion & accessories with over 25% increase in AoV for each category. Other segments including home furniture and home furnishing items also saw higher AoV of over 24% and 28% respectively during the Black Friday sale this year as compared to the last year.

The Black Friday sale has become an important part of India’s yearly cycle of e-commerce sale events and consumers actively wait for exclusive discounts offered by brands and e-commerce platforms during this period. Unicommerce analysed over 10 million order items processed through its platforms during the sale period of both the years to analyse the numbers.

“Every year, Black Friday sales act as a good closure to the year’s e-commerce sale events. As we continue to see rising consumer demand, these insights provide a broad picture of the evolving e-commerce industry in India”, said Kapil Makhija, MD & CEO of Unicommerce.

With a 930 Mn+ annual transaction run rate, 3550+ clients, 8800+ client warehouses and 3150+ client stores, Unicommerce works with India’s marquee brands, leading marketplaces, and logistics service providers to technologically enable end-to-end management of their e-commerce operations. Beyond India, Unicommerce also serves clients in the Middle East & Southeast Asia.

Mother Dairy Signs up as Exclusive Distribution Partner of Bharat Organics

Mumbai, 3rd December, 2024: Mother Dairy, India’s leading diversified food company and a wholly owned subsidiary of the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), has signed up with “Bharat Organics” as the exclusive distribution partners for their range of organic staples to the Delhi NCR market.

Under the initiative Mother Dairy will ensure distribution of packed and certified brand ‘Bharat Organics’ produce for consumers across NCR through its network of booths across the region. The collaboration marks the launch of ‘Bharat Organics Atta’ and ‘Bharat Organics Sweetener (Jaggery)’ in the NCR market. The ‘Bharat Organics Atta’ is made from 100% certified organic grains, ensuring exceptional purity, freshness, and a naturally wholesome flavour. Complementing this, the ‘Bharat Organics Sweetener (Jaggery)’ is a healthier, natural alternative to conventional sugars, catering to the growing demand for sustainable and nutritious food options.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Manish Bandlish, Managing Director, Mother Dairy, said: “With this partnership, Mother Dairy aims to build a healthier and more sustainable India. By combining NCOL’s expertise in organic farming with our extensive distribution network and deep consumer trust, we are uniquely positioned to bridge the gap between premium organic products and affordability. This launch reinforces our commitment to making high-quality, organic staples accessible to every consumer, empowering families to embrace healthier lifestyles.”

Mother Dairy has entered into an MOU with NCOL to distribute the ‘Bharat Organics’ brand across multiple channels and geographies. Aligning with its commitment to consumer well-being and quality, the Bharat Organics range will be made available at 300 Safal stores and around 10,000 general trade outlets in Delhi NCR, as well as through modern trade and e-commerce platforms. The collaboration marks a pivotal step in democratizing organic food access while meeting the growing demand for nutritious and sustainable food options.

Shri Vipul Mittal, Managing Director of NCOL, added “Atta is just the beginning. Our vision is to offer an entire basket of organic staples that cater to daily needs while ensuring fair returns for organic farmers. The Bharat Organics brand will stand as a symbol of trust, affordability, and quality for consumers.”

The ‘Bharat Organics’ range is built on a commitment to sustainability and quality. Each lot undergoes rigorous testing for over 245 pesticide residues, ensuring the highest levels of safety and authenticity, while supporting organic farming practices that promote environmental health and farmer welfare.

Business Leaders Highlight How Technology Has Permanently Transformed Business Travel, Says IWG’s Hybrid Horizons Report

03^rd December, 2024: The latest business leader research from International Workplace Group, the world’s largest provider of flexible workspace with brands including underlines the changing nature and frequency of business travel. The International Workplace Group report highlights how business executives are prioritising strategically important meetings for corporate spend, while routine meetings between global participants are taking place largely online using the available technology, amidst rising costs, environmental concerns and geopolitical uncertainty.

The study among more than 500 business leaders highlighted that the rapid development of digital infrastructure means functional meetings can now be held online. More than three quarters (77%) of business leaders say technology has enabled them to continue to conduct pure ‘business as usual’ meetings virtually to drive efficiency.

That’s not to say business travel has been made redundant by hybrid working. In fact, the majority (87%) of CEOs firmly believe that technology will never replace the value of strategically important face-to-face meetings, and business travel will invariably play a crucial role in strengthening relationships and when signing key commercial deals.

The rising cost of business travel

A third of business leaders cited escalating costs as an influential factor for their post-pandemic travel decisions. Research into the cost of business travel by Harris Williams found that airfares had risen by 38% when compared to pre-pandemic prices and hotel costs had risen by at least 82%. With an expectation of continued growth in 2025, 77% of CEOs noted that the ability to host meetings virtually enables them to reduce the number of business trips, allowing for a focus on crucial face-to-face meetings.

Geopolitical uncertainty

Looking at other macro trends, CEOs said that increasing geopolitical uncertainty had significantly impacted the nature of travel at their companies. One in five said that the current geopolitical climate has had a major impact on business travel, with changes in the global health landscape (19%) and visa regulations (19%) also influencing how they prioritise strategically important travel.

Environmental considerations

As companies look to reduce their environmental footprint, many are more considered in their approach to corporate travel. Three quarters (75%) of leaders said that the development of hybrid work and the adoption of online platforms has enabled them to reduce the number of environmentally unfriendly trips. For larger organisations facing greater scrutiny over their carbon emissions, corporate ESG reporting, and policies have led to leaders being more strategic with their travel plans.

Extending business trips to maximise efficiencies

Three quarters (75%) of corporate leaders said that business travel is now more efficient, and more than half (61%) say they tend to travel less but stay longer due to the availability of flexible workspaces enabling them to remain productive between meetings. A quarter (26%) now extend their travels to fit in additional meetings, reducing the need for short visits, whilst others (23%) have attended industry events or conferences to maximise their trips.

As leaders enjoy greater flexibility in their working patterns, 87% are spending the extra time to enjoy their destination and experience local culture. One quarter (24%) said they had actually combined a work trip with a holiday. In an encouraging move for the whole business, the benefits of travel and leisure are not exclusive to leaders – with 74% encouraging their employees to work from abroad to make the most of travelling, too.

Mark Dixon, International Workplace Group CEO stated: “Advancements in digital technology coupled with the rising cost of international travel, geopolitical uncertainty and environmental considerations mean the world of business travel has been transformed and we are unlikely to see a return to pre-pandemic levels.

“Executives are now prioritising travel for the most strategically important meetings such as major business deals or nurturing significant relationships with partners. For these types of occasions, technology can and will never replace the value of in-person transactions for the most valuable meetings.”

Adding to this perspective, Harsh Lambah, Country Manager – India, IWG, emphasized the role of hybrid working in optimizing business travel “Hybrid working has fundamentally transformed how businesses approach travel. At IWG, our extensive network of flexible workspaces across India and globally enables leaders and employees to remain productive, no matter where they are. This flexibility allows organizations to prioritize critical face-to-face meetings while leveraging technology for routine operations. By adopting this approach, businesses not only enhance efficiency but also achieve significant cost savings and align with sustainability goals. The ability to work seamlessly from anywhere is redefining the way business travel is planned and executed in today’s dynamic landscape.”

Vespa and Aprilia Scooters offer year-end merriment with benefits up to INR 13,000 in December 2024

Pune, 03 December 2024: Piaggio Vehicles Pvt Ltd, the 100% subsidiary of the Italian auto giant, Piaggio Group, has announced a bevy of benefits for their eternally luxe and stylish Vespa, as well as the sporty and high-performance Aprilia scooters. From 3^rd December until 25^th December 2024, customers can book a scooter of their choice at any Vespa and Aprilia dealership near them and expect benefits upto INR 13,000.

Mr Ajay Raghuvanshi, EVP, 2-Wheeler Domestic Business, Piaggio Vehicles Pvt Ltd said, “We’re excited to spread some festive cheer with our customers through this exclusive offer. Whether you’re a Vespa enthusiast or an Aprilia aficionado, there’s never been a better time to own your dream ride.”

As 2024 comes to an end, customers should rush to their nearest Vespa and Aprilia dealership anywhere in India and avail of the best prices for high end scooters of choice.