Author: Rabindra

Governor Jishnu Dev Varma Performs Aarti for Goddess Durga at Sri Sri Durga Puja

Hyderabad, 10, October 2024: Hon’ble Governor of Telangana Sri Jishnu Dev Varma, performed the aarti to goddess Durga and participated in Pushpanjali and Devi Bhog, on the second day of the six day grand Celebrations of the Sri Sri Durga Puja 2024, being hosted by the Bengalee Cultural Association, Masab Tank, Hyderabad; today at Banjara Function Hall, Banjara Hills.

The Association which began its journey in 1984 with a few Bengali migrants, mostly on transferable jobs, joining hands to celebrate Durga puja, has blossomed into renowned organisation hosting Durga Puja and multiple cultural, literary and charity initiatives, while actively integrating with the local communities.

Performing Mata Puja and seeking her blessings for all of us is the essence of this celebrations, besides showcasing the rich traditions of Bengali culture. The Association is turning every stone to make this event memorable for the community. To bring the traditional and authentic Bengali flavour to the festivities, the Association has invited expert craftsmen and artists all the way from Kolkata, something being done for the first time by any Bengali association in Telangana, Ranjit Paul, General Secretary, Bengalee Cultural Association.

The artists specially coming from Bengal will enthral the audience with colourful and spellbinding entertainment and literary activities, till 13th October, 2024 as part of the 51st Year celebrations. The Association has lined up incredibly memorable and enjoyable festivities including Pushpanjali or floral tribute to Goddess to be held on everyday till 13th October, 24 from 9 am to 12 noon. Bhog will be offered to Goddess Durga between 1:00 pm to 1.30 pm, and lunch will be served in the form of Bhog Prasadam between 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm on all these days. The evening will begin with Sandhya Arati between 6.30 to 7.30 pm and will be replete with cultural programs, reputed artists and singers from Kolkata and Mumbai will be performing on the stage. On 11th October, Vedic snanam, puja, padma pushpa danam, deepam danam will be performed in addition between 6.24 am and 7.12 am. On Maha Navami on 12th October, Shree Durga Maha Snanam, Navami Puja, followed by Homam between 1.00 and 2.00 pm.

Bengalee Cultural Association is a premium club that aims at promoting fraternity, fellow feelings, friendship and cooperation amongst the Bengalees and other communities of the twin cities; Hyderabad and Secunderabad. The 51st glorious year of annual celebrations of Sree Sree Durga Puja by the association provides the best forum in fulfilling this goal. People from all communities, languages, and regions take part in this celebration that is a culmination of various cultural activities symbolizing the inherent unity of the country, says Sanjay Pan, Vice President, Bengalee Cultural Association.

On Vijaya Dashami on 13th October, the last day of celebrations, devotees in big number will participate in Dandiya with festive gusto, which will be followed by puja and floral offerings to the Goddess. Later women will participate in Sindoor Khela program followed by offering bhog. Women will apply vermilion to the Mother Goddess and later apply to their friends and other women. In the evening, Darpan Visarjan, the mirror will be immersed first, later Pratima Baran, the idol of Sri Sri Durga Maa will be taken in a procession from Banjara Function Hall to Hussain Sagar Lake for immersion.

The Bengalee Cultural Association carries a legacy of grandeur which encompasses rich Bengalee cultural traditions, history, opulence and a deep commitment to spirituality and entertainment, making the festivities most memorable. Outside of Bengal, the Bengalee Cultural Association celebrations rank among the best and most awaited, says Dr Trisheetaa Mukherjee, Executive Committee member, Bengalee Cultural Association.

As part of the 51st year Celebration Our theme is Mahavidya and women’s power are intricately intertwined in Hinduism, particularly within the ancient Tantric traditions. Mahavidya refers to the ten aspects of Divine Feminine energy that emphasize on women’s strength, spiritual growth, and self-realization. The ten powerful goddesses—Kali, Tara, Tripura Sundari, Bhuvaneshwari, Chhinnamasta, Bagalamukhi, Dhumavati, Matangi, Kamalatmika, and Shodashi—symbolize the multifaceted feminine energies like creation, protection, transformation, nurturing, intuition, and healing.

In its truest essence, these goddesses not only embody spiritual ideals but also represent the profound concept of Nari Shakti. We believe that women’s empowerment is all about respecting and honouring women as vital contributors to our family, society and the country. Acknowledging their strength and potential, fosters an environment of equality, nurturing a culture that values compassion, creativity, and resilience. While it is important to respect the need to respect women, it is equally important to recognizing their existence and the critical roles played by them in every individual’s life; both family and community life. Ultimately, the worship of the Mahavidyas celebrates this empowerment while emphasizing on the sacredness of feminine energy in the spiritual realm.

Sonnar Bangla Association organizes a Grand Sarbojonin Durga Utsav 2024 at Omaxe World Street

Sonnar Bangla Association organizes its 4th annual Sarbojonin Durga Utsav at Omaxe World Street, a grand celebration that will continue until October 13, 2024, at World Street, Faridabad. With the 18-foot idol of Goddess Durga handcrafted by artisans from Kolkata, the event is set to draw large crowds, with over 15,000 attendees expected daily, following last year’s tremendous success.

This year’s theme is the Dakshineswar Kali Temple, bringing a first-of-its-kind experience to Delhi NCR. Dakshineswar Kali Temple, located on the eastern bank of the Hooghly River in West Bengal, was built in 1855 by philanthropist Rani Rashmoni. The temple, devoted to Goddess Bhavatarini (a form of Kali), is associated with the renowned mystics Ramakrishna and Ma Sarada Devi. The replication of this iconic temple at the Durga Utsav brings a unique cultural and spiritual experience to attendees.

The event features daily rituals, including Pushpanjali at 10:30 AM and Sandhya Arti at 7:00 PM, followed by captivating cultural programs from 8:00 PM by artists coming from West Bengal. A community feast (Bhandara) will be served every afternoon. Notably, this year’s celebration will also showcase performances by renowned artists from West Bengal.

Mr. Jatin Goel, Executive Director of Omaxe Group, shared his enthusiasm, stating, “World Street is known for celebrating every festival with full energy and vigor. We warmly welcome everyone to join in worshipping Goddess Durga, a symbol of protection, strength, and the victory of good over evil. This Durga Utsav is a powerful reminder of the triumph of peace and prosperity. At this event, attendees can immerse themselves in the celebration of Durga Puja while also enjoying a shopping experience. Additionally, there will be numerous food stalls offering a variety of delicious dishes, allowing visitors to indulge in their favorite flavors.”

Mr. Goel added, “Omaxe World Street showcases a variety of global cultures but consistently leads in promoting our own heritage. Our goal is to carry forward our culture, making it renowned worldwide, while ensuring that future generations can appreciate and connect with it.”

With the much-anticipated Durga Puja celebrations about to commence at Omaxe World Street, the excitement is just beginning. Following this grand event, Omaxe World Street will host lively Dussehra and Diwali Carnival festivities, drawing large crowds and creating a vibrant, festive atmosphere. With this thrilling lineup, Omaxe World Street is set to be the ultimate destination for shoppers and families alike.

The 2024 Sarbojonin Durga Utsav promises a blend of devotion, tradition, and culture, creating an unforgettable experience for all attendees.

Standard Chartered to expand vision centre network under ‘Seeing is Believing’ programme across India

New Delhi, 10 October 2024: On World Sight Day, Standard Chartered announced plans to open 17 new vision centres across India, under its ‘Seeing is Believing’ programme, an initiative to eradicate avoidable blindness. The new centres will be set up across various districts, with the help of partner agencies, in the state of Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra, taking the total number of vision centres to 617 in the country.

Further, the Bank also announced the opening of an academy to train women to become optometrists. This new training academy in Samastipur (Bihar), aims to train 95 young women in the first batch to become optometrists, which will aid in transforming lives and increasing access to critical eye health services in this region. The academy in Bihar is the fourth overall after Delhi, Hyderabad (Telangana) and Madurai (Tamil Nadu). So far, more than 120,000 youth of which majority are women have been trained to promote primary eye care and build an eco-system that generates employment opportunities, fosters innovation, enables capacity building and training.

Standard Chartered’s ‘Seeing is Believing’ programme celebrates its anniversary on World Sight Day. Launched in India in 2003, the programme has reached over 15 million Indians, with a further commitment to take it to 18 million over next 3 years through strategic collaborations and initiatives.

Shared below are some additional highlights of Seeing is Believing programme

• 63 Futuristic Vision Centres – which offer teleopthamalogy (delivering eye care through digital medical equipment and telecommunications technology) helping patients save travel time and money
• 4 Eye Care Academies
• 2 Mobile Vision Centres
• 92 Lakh Patients screened at Vision Centres / Camps
• 37 Lakh cataract and other surgeries
• 50% Vision Centres are operated by women
• 90,000 Teleconsultations conducted
• 1,25,000 Candidates received employment opportunities
• 63 railway stations which aid people with visual disabilities by putting up braille focussed infrastructure

 Speaking about the efforts, Karuna Bhatia, Head of Sustainability, India, Standard Chartered Bank, said, “The Bank through the ‘Seeing is Believing’ programme has made significant positive impact in tackling avoidable blindness in the country especially in remote locations with more than 80% of the vision centres being self-sustaining. The Bank is strategically building capability in the eye healthcare sector through its futuristic vision centres and training academies while empowering women to become vision technicians. The other key strategic direction that this programme is taking is to eliminate blindness area by area. This programme exemplifies the Bank’s dedication to improving the lives of the people by putting in place a conducive environment based on creating awareness and providing access to world class primary eye care treatment through our programme partners.”

Rising Demand for Mental Health Support at Work: Employees Seek More, Employers Yet to Catch Up

October 10, 2024— On World Mental Health Day, the latest data from Indeed underscores the growing need for mental well-being in today’s work culture.

Shifting Trends in Job Postings and Employee Interest:

In the past year, Indeed job postings that mention mental health benefits, perks, or support—such as wellness programs or employee assistance—have dropped slightly by 3.5%. However, job seeker interest in these roles has surged by 14%, highlighting a clear disconnect between what employees are seeking and what employers are currently offering.

This disconnect can be attributed to several factors. First, employees are increasingly aware of the importance of mental health, driven by a more open dialogue around mental well-being. They seek roles that offer tangible support and benefits but are finding fewer options available. Additionally, the growing trend of remote and hybrid work has led to a lack of separation between work and personal life, with employees feeling pressured to stay connected outside of work hours, exacerbating feelings of burnout.

Moreover, while many employers recognize the importance of mental health, the implementation of supportive policies often lags behind employee expectations. A gap exists between acknowledging the need for mental health support and actively promoting it in job postings.

Work-Life Balance Under Pressure:

Rohan Sylvester, Talent Strategy Advisor, Indeed India said, “At Indeed, we know how important mental well-being is, especially in today’s always-on world. With work spilling into personal time, stress and burnout are real concerns. In fact, according to our recent survey, 88% of employees surveyed say they’re contacted outside work hours, and 85% even when they’re on sick leave or holidays. Many worry that ignoring these messages could hurt their career growth. However, 79% of Indian employers think a “right to disconnect” policy would be a step in the right direction.

Setting boundaries between work and personal life is more than a nice gesture—it’s essential for protecting mental health. By fostering a healthier work culture, businesses can not only reduce burnout but also show employees they care about their well-being. This will lead to happier teams and stronger retention.”

The Path Forward:

As we observe World Mental Health Day, businesses must prioritize the mental well-being of their teams. Providing employees with the space to disconnect is crucial for maintaining their health and happiness. Companies that champion mental health initiatives and promote a healthy work-life balance will cultivate more engaged and satisfied teams, leading to improved retention and a stronger workplace culture.

Signify inaugurates Global Finance Service Centre in Noida for Growth, Innovation, and Transformation

Noida, India, October 10, 2024: Signify the world’s leading lighting company, has officially inaugurated its Global Finance Service Centre (GFSC) Hub in Noida. This hub will engage over 250 employees, playing a crucial role in strengthening Signify’s business globally and in India.

Signify’s aim is to use this facility to continue steering ahead on its transformation journey, which includes centralized hubs for processes. Serving markets across the world, the GFSC will focus on accounting operations, Credit and Collection (C&C), Accounting, Reporting and Internal Control (ARIC), and Purchase to Pay (PTP). The new finance hub is expected to bring a host of benefits, creating employment opportunities and contributing to the overall economy.

Sumit Joshi, CEO & MD, Signify Greater India, commented, “The launch of our Global Finance Service Centre in Noida underlines our commitment to growth across the world with a dominant focus on the Indian market. It’s an affirmation of the rich talent pool and the conducive business environment that India offers. We believe this move will help nurture and develop the skills of our workforce, thereby contributing to the flourishing talent ecosystem in the country.”

“We are excited to inaugurate our GFSC in Noida, which will play a key role in supporting our global business services model. This hub represents our commitment to driving strategic objectives and contributing to our growth trajectory globally.” said Dibyendu Raychaudhury, Head of Finance, Signify Greater India.

Signify’s new office space in Noida is designed to foster creativity, collaboration, and innovation where employees can share ideas and work together. The GFSC features dedicated spaces for collaboration, co-creation, and relaxation, with stylish interiors and comfortable workspaces, ensuring employees work at their best, driving the company forward in its mission to create a better world through innovation and sustainability.

Celebrating Cinema: MAMI Mumbai Film Festival 2024 Joins Forces with Soho House Mumbai

Mumbai, October 10th, 2024: The Mumbai Academy of Moving Image (MAMI) is thrilled to announce an exciting collaboration with Soho House Mumbai as the Community Partner for the highly anticipated MAMI Mumbai Film Festival 2024, scheduled to take place from October 19th to 24th, 2024.

MAMI will host a robust Industry Programme that includes panels and screenings aimed at fostering creative dialogue and knowledge sharing for filmmakers, industry experts. To celebrate Indian and global cinema, community and culture at Soho House Mumbai from October 21 to 23, 2024.

This year’s industry programme will feature an impressive lineup of panels at Soho House that delve into topics shaping the future of cinema. Attendees can expect engaging discussions with emerging filmmakers and directors of the industry on varied topics including independent film distribution strategies, elevating production values, the transformative role of artificial intelligence in media and entertainment, and more. Other sessions hosted at Soho House Mumbai will also highlight innovative approaches to reviving audience engagement in theaters, effective co-production strategies, and sustainable filmmaking practices, all aimed at fostering a healthy conversation about the ever-changing film industry landscape.

Films shown at Soho House, Mumbai can be viewed from the comfort of their very own screening room, and will see the entire selection of South Asia Competition, which includes international festival winners as well as the latest works by reputed independent filmmakers, across genres of fiction, documentary & animation features.

Talking about the partnership, Deepti DCunha, Artistic Director of MAMI said, “We are delighted to collaborate with Soho House Mumbai, a creative hub that not only champions artistic expression but also serves as a vibrant meeting point for some of the brightest minds in the industry. By uniting industry professionals and thought leaders, we hope to ignite innovative ideas and foster collaborative solutions that will redefine the future of cinema, ensuring that it remains a relevant and powerful medium for storytelling.”

Kelly Wardingham, Region Director, Asia, Soho House, added, “At Soho House, we are elated to collaborate with MAMI Film Festival for its 2024 edition. This partnership reflects our commitment to supporting the arts and providing a platform for creative expression. We look forward to welcoming industry professionals and film enthusiasts to Soho House Mumbai, where we can collectively celebrate the transformative power of cinema and contribute to the evolving landscape of the film industry.”

RingCentral Secures PAN-India License for Fully Compliant Global UCaaS and CCaaS Solutions for Multinational Firms in India

Bangalore and Delhi, India & Belmont, Calif. – 10 October 2024 — RingCentral Inc., a global leader in AI-powered trusted business communications for companies of all sizes, today announced it has received the PAN-India license from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to operate across all 22 telecommunications circles in India. As the first cloud provider to deliver fully compliant Unified Communications as a Service (UCaaS) and Contact Center as a Service (CCaaS) solutions for India, RingCentral enables multinational organizations to connect their global offices with India branch offices for seamless communication and collaboration across messaging, video, and phone with Global RingEX Select. RingCentral’s RingCX provides companies with a simple to use, easy to deploy omnichannel contact center solution that delivers seamless, personalized, and high-quality customer experiences. When used together, Global RingEX Select and RingCX enable businesses to deliver exceptional customer service while optimizing workforce collaboration.

“Securing the PAN-India license marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for RingCentral in India as we continue to push the boundaries of global collaboration and customer experience,” said Sathesh Murthy, SVP of Engineering and GM India at RingCentral. “Our comprehensive cloud solutions, Global RingEX Select and RingCX, enable seamless communication for organizations with offices in India, as well as those looking to enhance their customer engagement capabilities. Our unmatched reliability, secure platform, and trusted solutions are a game-changer for multinational organizations looking to optimize their business communications and customer interactions.”

With the ability to cater to customers in all 22 telecommunications circles in the country, RingCentral is rapidly expanding its footprint to major metropolitan areas to meet customer needs. Global RingEX Select India connects teams across the globe with offices in India, ensuring secure and reliable connectivity and the ability to navigate the regulatory landscape so customers can focus on their core business operations.

“Before implementing RingEX, we struggled with a patchwork of local providers and outdated systems that hindered our productivity and collaboration. Using a fully compliant solution gives us peace of mind in that we will no longer worry about potential regulatory issues or service disruptions that could impact our operations in India,” said Philippe Bourdon, CIO at Mastech Digital. “The cloud-based nature of the platform means we can scale effortlessly as our team in India grows. The flexibility and easy-to-use capabilities of RingEX allowed us to bring effortless business communications to our operations in India within 10 days.”

Leveraging UCaaS and CCaaS together delivers transformative value for businesses. By streamlining workflows, reducing technology overhead, and providing a consistent experience across all touchpoints, using these solutions together not only improves operational efficiency but also fosters innovation in customer engagement strategies. Key benefits of Global RingEX Select and RingCX include:

● Fully compliant cloud phone: First fully compliant global cloud phone service in India that is backed by India Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) certifications.

● Reliable service: Ensures businesses operate at peak efficiency with 99.999% uptime, top-tier security, and seamless phone, message and video integration possibilities.

● Native omnichannel: Delivers seamless customer experiences across voice, video, 20+ digital channels, AI summaries, and unlimited domestic inbound and outbound minutes.

● AI-powered customer engagement: Assists contact center employees before, during, and after interactions with real-time guidance for agents, and automated scoring and monitoring for supervisors, ultimately resulting in superior customer experiences.

“Global RingEX Select and RingCX cloud-based architecture aligns well with India’s digital transformation initiatives, offering scalability and flexibility that traditional on-premise solutions struggle to match,” said Denise Lund, Research Vice President of Worldwide UC&C and Telecom at IDC. “As India continues to establish itself as a global hub for customer service operations, the two solutions provide rich capabilities with AI that any size company can quickly implement to benefit employees and customers.”

Lakshmikumaran and Sridharan advised Krsnaa Diagnostics on stake purchase in Apulki Healthcare

New Delhi, October 10, 2024: Lakshmikumaran and Sridharan advised Krsnaa Diagnostics Limited, a listed entity on its acquisition of 23.35% stake in Apulki Healthcare Private Limited. Apulki specialises in operating cancer and cardiac care hospitals in public-private partnership (PPP) mode.

The firm’s role included conducting legal due diligence on Apulki, drafting and review of transaction documents, and strategic advisory on tax implications.

 The corporate due diligence team consisted of Noorul Hassan, Partner, Shipra Verma, Principal Associate, Aishwarya Narasimhan, Associate and Krishna Chandak, Consultant.

 Additionally, Sameer Avasarala, Principal Associate and Aryashree Kunhambu, Associate assisted with intellectual property and data protection aspects of the due diligence.

 The transaction team was led by Noorul Hassan along with Shipra Verma and Kumar Panda, Principal Associate. Direct tax advisory was provided by Mr. Sudin Sabnis, Partner, Lokesh Gandhi, Associate and Deah Kapoor, Consultant.”

Merino Group Honoured with Prestigious Prithvi Award 2024 for Sustainability Leadership at ESG Conference

New Delhi, 10th October 2024 – In recognition of its unwavering commitment to sustainability and ground-breaking achievements in Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices, Merino Industries Ltd. has been awarded the prestigious Prithvi Award 2024.

Presented at the ESG Conference in New Delhi, the accolade was received by Shri Madhusudan Lohia, Director of Merino Industries Ltd., and Shri Rakesh Tirath, Advisor Corporate Affairs, Merino Industries Ltd; symbolizing Merino’s leadership in championing eco-friendly and responsible business operations. As one of the industry’s top honours, the Prithvi Award celebrates “Sustainability Icons,” highlighting organizations that are at the forefront of the global shift towards more sustainable and inclusive growth.

The award underscores Merino’s ongoing dedication to fostering a sustainable future through its holistic ESG initiatives. ERF, a not-for-profit organization established in 2021, aims to raise awareness and encourage the adoption of ESG principles across public and private sectors, spotlighting businesses that place sustainability at the core of their operations.

Merino’s journey to winning the Prithvi Award was shaped by its ground-breaking sustainability efforts under its flagship Nirmal Initiative. This initiative encompasses the company’s comprehensive approach to minimizing its environmental footprint while promoting renewable energy usage, water conservation, and carbon sequestration. The Nirmal program focuses on the five elements—energy (Analah), air (Vayu), soil (Bhūmih), water (Aapah), and waste (Khah), driving Merino’s sustainability agenda on a global scale.

A standout achievement in Merino’s sustainability portfolio during FY 2023-2024 is that, 74.6% of the company’s total energy needs, including both heat and electricity, were met through renewable and non-fossil fuel sources. This achievement significantly reduces Merino’s reliance on fossil fuels and aligns with India’s renewable energy goals. Biomass, BioGas and Solar Energy are non-fossil fuel/biogenic in nature, do not produce harmful GHG emissions like CO2 there by enabling a huge reduction in Carbon Foot print is achieved.

The company also produced around 95 metric tons of vermicompost, supporting the farming community engaged in contract farming with Merino. These efforts reflect Merino’s commitment to sustainability and its dedication to creating value from waste through circular economy principles, ensuring that no resource is considered waste.

Through its CSR initiatives, such as the Shri Hara Kasturi Memorial Trust, Merino has made significant contributions to education and healthcare. The free day-boarding school established by the company provides quality education along with three nutritious meals daily and essential school materials to more than 150 children from economically-deprived families. Additionally, the Yogakshema Scholarship Program, launched in 2018 in Kolkata, West Bengal, supports bright yet underprivileged students with a monthly stipend, covering their educational expenses.

In the health sector, Merino has successfully treated and cured 6,585 TB patients to date. During 2023-24, the company organized 14 health checkup camps in various villages, reaching 4,460 patients and raising awareness about tuberculosis, its causes, and prevention.

These initiatives reflect Merino’s commitment to advancing India’s green economy, promoting responsible business practices, and improving the quality of life for communities in need.

Shri Madhusudan Lohia, Director of Merino Industries Ltd., shared his perspective on the company’s achievement: “At Merino, sustainability is not just a goal – it is a core value that shapes everything we do. This recognition is a testament to our dedication to building a greener, more equitable future, not only for Merino but for the entire planet. The Prithvi Award strengthens our resolve to continue on this path, driving innovations that protect our environment while fostering growth and progress.”