Author: Rabindra

Zoya’s Design Celebration with Gauri Khan

16th July 2024  Delhi, India  Zoya, from the House of Tata hosted an evening celebrating the atelier’s storied legacy while raising a toast to its eternal muse, the Zoya Woman. The vibrant gala was hosted by Amanpreet Ahluwalia, Business Head of Zoya, with a showcase of the artistry of its exquisite creations. Celebrated designer Gauri Khan, a long-standing friend of the House, joined Zoya in embracing the spirit of the celebration.

“Zoya stands unwaveringly proud of its Indian roots and cultural legacy,” stated Amanpreet Ahluwalia. “Each Zoya creation seamlessly intertwines the richness of traditional Indian craftsmanship with a contemporary perspective and serves as a resplendent reminder to women everywhere that their true beauty lies in embracing their uniqueness.”

For this special evening, Zoya selected four exquisite collections of wearable art rich with meaning. Each rare creation, embodied the essence of the Zoya Woman, embracing her true self with grace and confidence.

Zoya’s ‘Rooted’ drew metaphoric inspiration from the resilience of rainforests, honouring the inner strength of the Zoya Woman, with a vibrant spirit. Inspired by the rich heritage of the eternal city, Zoya’s ‘Banaras’ captured her fascination for the city’s cultural splendour. Incorporating rare materials and ancient techniques, such as engraving and intricate enamelling, ‘Banaras’ paid homage to the city’s iconic rituals and landmarks, encapsulating their mystical allure in every piece. With a poetic narrative and exceptional gemstones, Zoya’s ‘Beyond – A Boundless Journey’, inspired by the majestic Indus river symbolized the feminine spirit as a force of nature, capturing the myriad stages of a woman’s existence. Zoya’s high jewellery collection, ‘Her Becoming’ created a revolutionary look in white diamonds inspired by ancient Ikat patterns. Featuring unusual stone cuts like Cadillacs, trapezoids and custom-cut baguettes the collection celebrated the Zoya Woman’s journey to self-realization, reimagining traditional silhouettes with contemporary flair while embodying the essence of modern femininity

“I am delighted to join Zoya in celebrating its iconic collections that narrate stories from India to the world. The atelier continues to redefine luxury jewellery for the modern era with its collections,” said Gauri Khan. “Whether it’s a statement necklace or a delicate bracelet, every piece speaks volumes about the woman who wears it – confident, fearless, and unapologetically herself.”

The evening at Taj Mansingh was an immersion into the iconic beauty of Zoya’s collections, celebrating the essence of the atelier’s design heritage and elegance. The warmth and camaraderie of the guests was evident in their shared love for the exquisite artistry inherent in Zoya’s masterpieces.

At the event Gauri Khan wore a magnificent necklace from Zoya’s ‘Her Becoming’ collection titled ‘A Radiant Revelation’ crafted with mastery and elegance. This necklace seamlessly weaves 738 diamonds with 132 diversely cut natural rubies. A 1.00 Ct radiant-cut solitaire sits at its heart, magnified by vertically aligned baguettes inspired by the ancient art of weaving Ikat. This high jewellery necklace is a testament to Zoya’s expert craftsmanship setting the delicate, square-set rubies, and sophisticated assembly of diamonds to ensure fabric like fluidity for a flawless embrace to any neckline.

Revolutionising Rubber: IRMRI and Emertech Unveil India’s First Blockchain-Enabled Certification

16th July 2024  Mumbai, Maharashtra, India  The Indian Rubber Manufacturers Research Institute (IRMRI) and Emertech Innovations Pvt. Ltd. are excited to announce the successful completion of India’s first initiative to incorporate blockchain innovations across the rubber sector. This groundbreaking project marks a significant milestone in the industry’s adaptation to digital technologies.

“We are thrilled to announce the successful completion of India’s first initiative to integrate blockchain technology within the rubber industry through our certification project at IRMRI,” said Dr. Rajkumar K., Director of IRMRI. “As a first step, the IRMRI Skill Certification Program will now issue blockchain-backed, QR code-enabled certificates, allowing for easy and efficient authentication of certificate details for our students. This pioneering effort not only sets a precedent but also promises to spearhead further blockchain projects, ensuring that IRMRI continues to lead in technological advancements that pave the way for industrial growth.”

Blockchain technology enhances the rubber industry by ensuring the verifiability and security of certification credentials and streamlining the validation process for skilled professionals. This innovation not only boosts the efficiency of credential authentication but also supports the industry’s growth by ensuring that qualifications are transparent and universally recognized.

The partnership with Emertech Innovations Pvt. Ltd. has been instrumental in achieving this technological breakthrough. Mr. Gaurav Somwanshi, Co-founder and CEO of Emertech Innovations, commented, “Our collaboration with IRMRI reflects our commitment to harnessing cutting-edge technology like blockchain to enhance the standards and verifiability of educational and professional credentials. This project underscores the potential of blockchain to transform not just the rubber industry but various sectors by ensuring transparency and trust in digital transactions.”

Emertech Innovations, known for its leadership in blockchain research and technological innovation, continues to develop solutions that push the boundaries of what is possible in various industries, including rubber manufacturing.

“We extend our gratitude to Emertech Innovations Pvt. Ltd. for the technological partnership in this groundbreaking endeavour,” Dr. Rajkumar added. “Their expertise has been crucial in the clinical execution of this project.”

The successful integration of blockchain technology into the IRMRI Skill Certification Program is expected to inspire similar innovations across other sectors, showcasing the versatility and potential of blockchain in enhancing industry standards and operational efficiencies.

Gender-forward Companies Take Center Stage at AmbitionBox Employee Choice Awards 2024 Awards

16th July 2024  Delhi NCR, India  AmbitionBox, India’s No. 1 platform for company reviews and salary insights has unveiled the list of India’s most gender-inclusive workplaces as part of the Top Rated Companies for Women to Work for 2024, rated by over 2.8 lakh women employees from over 50,000 companies across 16 categories. AmbitionBox Employee Choice Awards 2024 (ABECA) awards put a special spotlight on companies leading the way in creating inclusive environments for women in the workforce.

The importance of gender diversity in the workforce cannot be overstated. A recent OXFAM India Discrimination Report highlighted a staggering 22% gender pay gap for the same job roles, with men earning Rs. 19,779 on average while women earned Rs. 15,578.

However, positive change is underway. Data from EY reveals that women’s representation on corporate boards has increased from 6% in 2013 to 18% in 2022, reflecting a growing commitment to fostering inclusivity at the highest levels of leadership.

Mayur Mundada, Founder and Business Head of AmbitionBox, said, “AmbitionBox aspires to become the preferred platform for the Indian workforce, providing them with the means to explore potential employers and access genuine company reviews from their employees, fostering transparency and informed decision-making. With ABECA, we’re proud to recognise organizations driving positive change for women in the workplace.”

He further added, “What makes ABECA unique is its transparency – all reviews are anonymous employee submissions, truly capturing the experiences of those working in these cultures.”

Key Gender Inclusion Efforts by Top Winners:

JP Morgan is fueling female ambition and financial equity through their ‘Women On The Move’ initiative focused on recruiting, retaining, and promoting more women into senior leadership roles across the firm. The program also educates and empowers women clients and communities to take charge of their financial futures.

S&P Global sets an example with its holistic approach – from enhancing pay transparency and reducing gender gaps to investing in women leaders’ development. Their family-friendly policies like gender-neutral parental leave, menopause support, and expert-guided parental coaching are game-changers. The firm also provides gender affirmation surgery coverage, showcasing its commitment to inclusion.

Genpact has invested in focused talent programs like the ‘Women’s Leadership Program’ – a year-long course designed with Harvard Business Publishing. It offers mid-career women specialized learning opportunities to position themselves as future leaders.

HP leads the way with their Disha initiative. This impactful program empowers women through a six-month leadership development program. Disha graduates boast impressive results: nearly all (90%) remain with HP, transitioning vertically or laterally within the company. Notably, some have even pursued international opportunities with HP.

These statistics showcase the power of investing in your workforce. Initiatives like Disha foster loyalty, growth, and a competitive edge.

Synchrony sets a high bar for family-friendly benefits. They offer comprehensive year-round support, exceeding one-off initiatives. This includes fertility/infertility preservation coverage, surrogacy coverage, day care reimbursement for up to 5 children, mother care support as well as parental expense reimbursements. This commitment allows women to excel in their careers while having the financial security needed to manage their families.

Honoring the Strength Behind the Uniform: A Look Back at the Reach Group, AWWA Summer Exhibition, in Collaboration with IRRAH

16th July 2024  Gurgaon, Haryana, India Reach 3Roads, in collaboration with IRRAH, hosted a truly special exhibition that shed light on the remarkable women of the Army Wives Welfare Association (AWWA). IRRAH has been upholding the legacy of selfless service since 2015. Its motto, “Sunshine for Winners,” encapsulates its mission to support and empower deserving children and citizens, a mission beautifully reflected in the AWWA Summer Exhibition. The exhibition served as a platform to celebrate army wives’ strength, resilience, and unwavering spirit.

The exhibition aimed to bring their stories to life and offered a profound glimpse into the lives of the women who stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our soldiers. Their stories remind us of the strength and unwavering spirit in our military families’ hearts. While the summer exhibition may have concluded, the impact of these incredible women and the event continues to reverberate.

On the successful culmination of the exhibition, Mr. RaQesh Mutreja, Executive Director, IRRAH, expressed, “We are proud to honor the remarkable women of the Army Wives Welfare Association (AWWA) through our AWWA Summer Exhibition. Their tales, depicting their courage and commitment, serve as a beacon of inspiration to all. As the exhibition draws close, let us carry forward the legacy of these unsung heroes, whose contributions resonate far beyond the canvas of our admiration.”

Sony India Releases SEL2450G a Compact, Large Aperture F2.8 G Lens™ with High Performance Optics

16th July 2024  New Delhi, Delhi, India  Sony is pleased to announce the release of its new compact 35mm full-frame compatible α™ (Alpha™) E-mount lens, SEL2450G standard zoom with F2.8 maximum aperture over the entire zoom range. Despite its small and lightweight body, it achieves the high-resolution performance and beautiful bokeh that can be expected from a large aperture G Lens with F2.8. It covers a focal length of 24 mm to 50 mm, allowing you to capture everything from still images such as everyday snapshots, and portraits to video shooting, all in high quality but with a design that will easily fit in the smallest of kit bags.

Key features of SEL2450G

With the latest optical and mechanical design, the dimensions have been kept compact with a filter diameter 67 mm, maximum diameter of 74.8 mm, length of 92.3 mm, and weight of approximately 440 g.

Sharp and detailed images at all focal lengths are achieved thanks to the arrangement of four aspherical lenses and two pieces of ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass, so that aberrations such as chromatic aberration, are reduced, achieving high-resolution performance from the center to the corner. SEL2450G uses an 11-blade circular aperture which together with the optimization of spherical aberration provides the beautiful, soft, and smooth bokeh that is characteristic of the G Lens series. It has a minimum shooting distance of 0.19 m (AF) at wide end and a maximum magnification of 0.30 x (AF) offering high-quality close-up shooting.

The quality is evident through the AF (auto focus) whereby, equipped with two linear motors, it achieves high speed, high-precision, high tracking, and quiet focusing. It also supports high-speed continuous shooting with AF/AE tracking of up to 120 frames per second for the full-frame mirrorless camera Alpha 9 III(1). For those wanting a solid video performance, AF tracking is available for high frame rate 4K 120p or FHD 240p movie recording(2) where critical focus control is required, plus it supports in-body Active Mode image stabilization (3) for steady shooting while walking. It is also compatible with the focus breathing compensation on camera bodies, allowing for the high-quality video expression(4). Intuitive manual focus is achieved thanks to the adoption of linear response MF which allows smooth and superior image expression.

SEL2450G is equipped with user-friendly functions such as a customizable focus hold button, aperture ring, aperture click ON/OFF switch, and focus mode switch, offering high operability and comprehensive control. Plus, for further ease of use, they are designed to be dust and moisture-proof (5) with a fluorine coating which prevents dirt from sticking to the front surface of the lens.

Pricing and Availability

SEL2450G Lens is available across all Sony Centers, Alpha Flagship stores, Sony authorized dealers, ecommerce websites (Amazon and Flipkart) and major electronic stores across India.

Quadrant Performance Materials Launches EnviroSeal Platinum Series

McKinney, TX, July 16, 2024 — Quadrant Performance Materials (QPM), a leading manufacturer of spray foam insulation systems for the residential and commercial building envelope, announces the release of the EnviroSeal® Platinum Series. This updated product portfolio promises to revolutionize the spray foam industry with optimized formulations, focused on enhancing the applicator experience.

“We asked and listened to our customers’ feedback,” said QPM President & CEO Robert Jamieson. “Using that information, and with rigorous field trials, our R&D and Field Tech Teams have optimized our products to be even easier to use, better performing, and to deliver consistently higher yields.”

Introducing the EnviroSeal Platinum Series:

EnviroSeal OC Platinum
· Open-Cell Spray Foam
· Easy to Use: No Mixing Required
· Year-Round Formulation
· Wider Processing Parameters, Starting at 105°F
· Great Adhesion
· Increased Yield

EnviroSeal OCX Platinum
· Open-Cell Spray Foam
· AC-377 App. X Compliant – No Coatings, No Special Attic Hatch or Devices Required
· The Easy Solution for EnergyStar 3.2
· Easy to Mix
· Easier Application
· Increased Yield

EnviroSeal CC Platinum Max
· Closed-Cell Spray Foam
· HFO Blowing Agent
· High R-Value – Consistent 7.4 per inch at All Depths
· Smoother Finish
· Sprays Great in a Single Pass 1” to 4”

“The EnviroSeal Platinum Series is all about focusing on the applicator experience and optimizing our products to meet their needs,” added Cole Fletcher, QPM Technical Services Manager.

“We are committed to continuous innovation,” said Joey Lister, QPM Technical Director, “and to ensuring our products are the easiest to use and most consistent in the industry.”