Author: Rabindra

Hindustani Classical Recital held Surmandal paid rich Tribute

Hyderabad, 8th April 2024 .. Surmangadal in association with Telangana Tourism organized a Hindustani Classical Recital of Pt. Shubhendra Roa on Sitar and Vidushi Dr. Ashwini Bhide on Vocal, as a part of Morning Raaga at Jawaharlal Nehru Architecture and Fine Arts University(JNAFAU) at Masab Tank, Opp Mahavir Hospital, Hyderabad on Sunday.

Pt. Shubhendra Rao, an internationally acclaimed performer, composer, cultural entrepreneur and music educator enthralled the audience.

His relentless service in promoting Indian music has made him a highly respected figure in the field of music across the world. A protégé of Bharat Ratna Pandit Ravi Shankar, Pandit Rao has established himself “not only as a master of his instrument but also as a thinking musician” and “a musical bridge to many cultures. Internationally, he has performed at major music festivals and prestigious concert halls including the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts, Sydney Opera House, Salzburg International Music Festival, National Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing, and Theatre de la Ville in Paris. As a composer, Rao distinguishes himself by pushing the boundaries of classical music and creating music for artists across cultures. When Gods Meet and Apa Deepo Bhava was commissioned by Padma Vibhushan Dr Sonal Mansingh.

The New York Times described his composition, Yathra, as ‘movingly meditative’. His composition, Ekta, to honour German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s visit to India was described as ‘exemplifying the very best in the musical traditions of the East & West’. Leading magazines and newspapers like India Today, The Hindu, and Indian Express invite Rao to write articles as an expert on music and music education. A co-founder of the Shubhendra and Saskia Rao Foundation, he is working tirelessly to revolutionize music education in India. Together with his wife, Saskia Ra, who has authored India’s first-ever music curriculum for children, Sangeet4All, they are transforming the way music is taught in schools in India.

Vidushi Ashwini Bhide Deshpande, a celebrated Hindustani classical vocalist known for her nuanced and intellectually driven approach to music also performed and took audience by storm with his impeccable performance

Born in Mumbai, she comes from a musical lineage and initially trained within the Jaipur-Atrauli gharana tradition. Her curiosity for knowledge led her to pursue a PhD in Biochemistry, even working as a scientist for a time. However, music remained her true calling, and she eventually dedicated herself fully to the art form.

Accompanying Pt. Ram Kumar Mishra was Shri Tanay Rege on Tabla and Dnyaneshwar Sonawane on Harmonium.

Ramkumar Mishra is an Indian tabla player. He belongs to Banaras Gharana.

Tanay Rege is a disciple of Shri Praveen Karkare and Pandit Yogesh Samsi. A master in Music (MA) and scholarship holder of the Ministry of Culture, Citi NCPA, and CCRT (Central Government) he has performed solos at Prestigious Festivals all over the country.

Fascinated with the world of Swar and Taal right from his childhood days in Nashik, Dnyaneshwar was deeply drawn towards Indian music from the early age of five. Pursuing this inclination, he started training in Harmonium from the renowned Harmonium player Bapu Kulkarni of Nashik, for nearly eight years, gaining knowledge of basic playing techniques and structures of the Gayaki (Vocal music styles) in Hindustani Raag Sangeet.

India’s tax regime now simplified beyond recognition: Shri Ram Nath Kovind

NEW DELHI,8th April 2024: While conferring TIOL Fiscal Awards on India’s three extraordinary economists – Prof. Jagdish N Bhagwati of Columbia University, New York; Dr Vijay Kelkar and Mr N K Singh at a function here in the national capital, the former President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind while lauding India’s progress in streamlining taxation policy said, “The complex regimes themselves have been simplified beyond recognition. Now there are fewer tax lapses in process and taxation policy has become more predictable.”

Going further impact of tax process reforms, Shri Kovind said, “Investor confidence and ease of doing business has enhanced. The modalities of interaction between taxpayers and tax assessors have also undergone a tectonic shift in the recent past. All this has been made possible by leveraging technology and now the way forward will be increasing adoption of digital modes, of communication, and faceless tax assessment.”

The function was well-attended by the who’s who of the economics and policy world besides several Parliamentarians and a patroness of a media house.

Shri Kovind also praised the TIOL Knowledge Foundation for designing Fiscal Awards to encourage active policy work in the areas of tax, the use of digital technologies, and sound macroeconomic policies. He also appreciated TIOL for playing an active role in shaping and influencing appropriate policy decision-making and fostering dialogue among all stakeholders.

The Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, Shri Harivans Narayan Singh showered his praises on to three awardees and termed their contribution to the Indian and global economy and policy-making invaluable and unparalleled.

Delivering his Special Address, the Chairman of the 16th Finance Commission, Prof Arvind Panagariya, recalled the pivotal role played by each of the three honourees in shaping global trade policy and India’s fiscal policy journey which ensured vital micro-stability needed for high trajectory growth in the economy.

The noted trade economist Prof Jagdish Bhagwati, the recipient of TIOL Kautilya Global Award 2023, recalled his father’s legacy and fondly remembered his association with last year’s TIOL awardee former Prime Minister of India Dr. Manmohan Singh during a televised address from California.

While dedicating his Fiscal Award to the last four FMs of India with whom he had worked closely, Dr Vijay Kelkar called for the sharing of GST revenue with the Third Tier of the government. He noted that the urban economy requires much more efficient infrastructure and greater supplies of the local public goods. Unfortunately, urban local bodies are woefully short of the needed fiscal base to undertake investments for this vital infrastructure and for the supplies of needed high-quality public goods. Equitable sharing of the GST with the Third Tier will go a long way in strengthening the fiscal base of our urban governments and also to deepen democracy and governance at the grassroots level, he added.

Demanding a separate secretariat for the GST Council, Dr Kelkar emphasized that the time has come to simplify the GST rate structure. The GST rate structure designed 5 years back was largely to keep the effective rate of taxes to maintain revenue neutrality. This plethora of rates has made the Indian GST system unnecessarily complex, he added. He also urged the incoming government to undertake the GST reforms as early as possible.

“Out of the total countries who have implemented a GST or VAT, around 80 percent of those countries have chosen to have a single rate. A single GST rate for India has been an unmet goal, all along the discussions done before implementation. In fact, very early on in the GST debate, a single rate of 12 percent was recommended by the 13th Finance commission. The ages old tax policy of having a differential tax rate for “must have” and “nice to have” goods and services should be done away with,” said Dr. Kelkar.

Speaking on issues of fiscal policy for the 21st century in the Indian context, Mr. N.K. Singh, recipient of the TIOL Fiscal Heritage Award, made five profound points relating to fixation of fiscal norms, observed that long-term growth-fostering policies containing investment in infrastructure may deserve somewhat different treatment than one-size-fits-all, especially for fast-growing economies. He raised the point: What would be the ingredients in a post-pandemic world, which combines the virtues of growth with stability?

He concluded by saying: “We need a more robust fiscal and debt framework which is suitable in the Indian context, and at the same time meets global standards.” In this context, he emphasized the Prime Minister’s recent address to the RBI, in which he spoke of the virtues of growth and stability, and also pointed out that those issues of debt, both public and private, need informed decisions.

While praising Shri N. K. Singh’s role as the Chairman of the 15th Finance Commission, Dr. P. Thiaga Rajan, Minister for IT & Digital Services, Government of Tamil Nadu said that he differed with him on many issues as both come from different backgrounds and eras of fiscal challenges.

Former RBI Governor Dr. C. Rangarajan, Prof. Lord Nicolas Stern of the London School of Economics, and former US Treasury Secretary Mr. Larry H Summers also delivered their address virtually and heaps of praise on the awardees.

Justice Shiva Kirti Singh, former Judge of Supreme Court of India and the Chairman of Hon’ble Jury highlighted the challenges of selection and thanked his predecessor Late Justice Lahoti for laying out robust processes and structures for selection.

Expressing his happiness over honoring such towering personalities TIOL Knowledge Foundation Chairman Mr. Shailendra Kumar highlighted the enormous contributions of awardees and the deep impact they have left on Indian and global economics, law, and policy-making.

The event was attended by who’s who of economics, law, policy-making, and media including Dr. Montek Singh Ahluwalia, former Dy. Chairman of the erstwhile Planning Commission, Senior lawyer Mr. Harish Salve, Politician Shri K. C. Tyagi, Vice Chairman of Niti Ayog Shri Suman Bery, and Ms. Sobhana Bhartia, Chairman of HT Media.

Hyderabad Diva Dr Preethi Adusumilli, crowned Corporate Queen

Hyderabad, 8th April 2024 The reigning Mrs India Telangana, Dr Preethi Adusumilli has been crowned with the coveted Corporate Queen Mrs. India 2024 and Classic Mrs. India 2024 – crown winner; at a glittering ceremony hosted by Mrs. India Pageant; graced by the Who’s who of the fashion and glamour world, at Gurgaon last Sunday. Dr. Preethi Adusumilli, who represented Telangana state at the national pageant, was crowned Mrs. India Telangana Runner-up, in September 2023. Mrs. India is a revered title for married women, offering them a platform to express themselves, showcase their multifaceted talent, and demonstrate their exceptional multitasking abilities. Dr. Preethi Adusumilli was bestowed with the title of Corporate Queen, recognizing her outstanding business acumen and remarkable achievements in successfully partnering with internationally reputed makeover brands like DESSANGE Salon and Spa and Camille Albane.

Speaking about winning the title Dr Preethi Adusumilli, says, this prestigious recognition fuels my aspirations, empowering me to soar towards the realization of my dreams. I always aspired to do my bit for society by enhancing the lives of women and my profession coupled with this acclaimed recognition gives the impetus to skill the younger generation, especially those from tier 2 and 3 towns in makeover and grooming profession. I am establishing an Academy to fulfill this objective.

Dr Preethi is launching Sisiro Academy, a training institute to empower women into makeover and grooming professionals. Dr Preethi is embarking on the mission to impart world-class international standard training as well as certification to students from tier 2 and tier 3 cities to pursue global careers as a hair stylist, beautician, and in advanced cosmetology. These courses will be on offer at 50% of the market cost, with Sisiro Academy sourcing renowned e-trainers from across the globe. The course starts from simple online training to offline hands-on training in a world-class setup, with renowned trainers. The students will be trained in courses for dental assistants to skilled hair, skin, and makeup artists to advanced cosmetology courses, starting from 30 days course to 3 years diploma course. Sisiro Academy is launching the courses from May 1st, 2024, initially at Hyderabad. These students on passing out from the Academy can become entrepreneurs get placement in reputed salons or seek employment abroad. Sisiro Academy will offer the course free of cost for the first twenty students from impoverished families.

 Mrs. India Pageant, Dr Preethi said, the pageant had 13 rounds fiercely contested. They were not looking for models but role models. The entire contest was very hectic, starting from 6 am every day and some days went on till 2 am the next day. Every round of the contest I popularized things which were from Telangana. There was a talent round to showcase our talent, being a Bharat Natyam dancer who performed the Bharat Natyam dance. In another round promoted Kondapalli toys, so that our kids prefer India-made toys instead of imported toxic toys. There was a round devoted to food called the Food Connect, where I made ragi sangatti. In the costume round, I wore and promoted the Pochampalli saree. It was also an opportunity to connect with powerful multifaceted women on this platform from all over India. My advice to women is to come out of your comfort zone and pursue your dreams. Mother is the biggest model and role model for the family; therefore, she should conduct herself in such a way that she inspires the kids and family. There is a saying that behind every man’s success, there is a woman, but conversely, it is true that behind every woman’s success, there is a man, and my husband and family have been very supportive to me and played a key role in my winning the title, says Dr Preethi.

I brought the world’s largest brand in Salon industry DESSANGE Salon and Spa and Camille Albane, to India. They are the official partner for the Cannes Film Festival, which is attended by Aishwarya Rai, Deepika Padukone, and other Bollywood stars. I am the master franchise for both of these brands in India. We right now have the presence of this brand in 8 cities in the country. We are expanding these brands in tier 2 and tier 3 cities of the country through the franchisee model. We are also opening an academy to train professionals in hair styling, cosmetology, etc.; adds Dr Preethi.

Dr Preethi Adusumilli, born in Chennai and settled in Hyderabad is an artist, academician, serial entrepreneur, sports enthusiast, cultural ambassador, and philanthropist rolled into one. She has always been a go-getter and an achiever. She embodies the multifaceted persona of a Classical Bharatnatyam Dancer, Trained Cosmetologist, Gold medalist, and recipient of the Best Outgoing Student award. Additionally. Dr Preethi is a Specialist with an MDS in the prevention of Oral Cancer, boasting of a thriving professional practice. She served as a Professor across India and holds directorial positions at Dessange and Camille Albane Salons. Dr Preethi also revels in her role of a mother to 2 teenage kids. Success breeds success is the motto she strongly believes in.

A compassionate philanthropist who believes in giving back to society, Dr Preethi conducted more than 1000 free dental camps for the underprivileged in rural areas. She has promoted Pochampally sarees and Ragi Sankati dish of Telangana, apart from creating awareness about Kondapalli Bommalu on the National platform.

Dr Preethi took the opportunity to express her gratitude to Mrs. Mamta Trivedi, Regional Director, Mrs. India Telangana and Mrs. Deepali Phadnis, National Director, Mrs. India, for their support and guidance. She thanked all her friends and relatives who supported her throughout the journey.

Mrs. Mamta Trivedi, Regional Director, Mrs India Telangana, spoke about the efforts put in by Dr Preethi since her participation in Mrs India Telangana and congratulated Dr Preethi on her deserved achievements, making the state proud at the National level.

Maidaan Team Pays Homage to Syed Abdul Rahim And The Football Legends Before Film Release

Kolkata, 8th April 2024: As the clock ticks down, anticipation builds for the incredible story of Coach Syed Abdul Rahim- a man who defied all odds to leave a lasting legacy! Brace yourself as Ajay Devgn brings this captivating story to the screen in the eagerly awaited film, Maidaan.

With excitement mounting every second, the team of Maidaan, including director Amit Sharma, producers Boney Kapoor, and Arunava Joy Sengupta, alongside renowned Bengali actor Rudranil, arrived in Kolkata, The Heartland of Football. Here, every wall echoes Rahim Saab’s name, and every face lights up with joy upon hearing his revolutionary story. The team showcased special behind-the-scenes videos from the film, evoking a range of emotions and heightening the eagerness for the film’s release.

Rahim Saab’s football journey began in Hyderabad, but it was in the energy of Kolkata’s lively streets and historic football grounds where he discovered talents like PK Banerjee, Chuni Goswami, Pradyut Barman, Arun Ghosh and Jarnail Singh, laying the groundwork for India’s football revolution. As Maidaan’s team arrives in Kolkata, they pay tribute not only to Rahim Saab’s legacy but also to the city that played a pivotal role in shaping Indian football’s history.

The makers also organized a special screening for Arun Ghosh, D.M.K Afzal, and for the family members of Chuni Goswami, Pradyut Barman, PK Banerjee, Yousuf Khan, D. Ethiraj and Arumainayagam in Kolkata as they wanted to take their blessings before the release of the film.

Directed by Amit Sharma, Maidaan features Ajay Devgn as Coach Syed Abdul Rahim. The film also features Priyamani, Gajraj Rao, and Rudranil Ghosh.

Produced by Zee Studios, Boney Kapoor, Arunava Joy Sengupta, and Akash Chawla, the screenplay and dialogues are written by Saiwyn Quadras and Ritesh Shah respectively, Music is by AR Rahman, and Lyrics by Manoj Muntashir Shukla. The film is all set to release worldwide in theatres this Eid, 2024 on 10th April 2024 also in IMAX.

Unacademy Conducts Aarambh 2024

Bengaluru, 8th April 2024: Unacademy, India’s largest learning platform, hosted Aarambh 2024, the biggest event of the year for IIT JEE and NEET UG aspirants. The occasion celebrated the academic achievements of Unacademy’s top performers, with distinguished personalities in attendance including Kartik Aaryan, a popular Bollywood celebrity; Karan Johar, acclaimed filmmaker; Anupam Mittal, a visionary business leader; and Sania Mirza, a tennis icon.

Aarambh 2024 welcomed Unacademy’s IIT JEE and NEET UG toppers, alongside top Unacademy Educators, to celebrate the success of Learners and ignite inspiration among aspiring students nationwide. Unacademy unveiled several initiatives tailored for Learners aspiring to excel in IIT JEE and NEET UG examinations, including: –

● IIT JEE and NEET UG Plus Subscriptions for just ₹4999/- (valid for a limited period)

● 40%* off on admissions at all Unacademy Centres.

● Scholarships worth ₹10 crores for Unacademy top rankers under AIR 1000 in JEE and NEET UG examinations and ₹1 crore for AIR 1 in JEE and NEET

● Flat 50%* off on all Unacademy Subscriptions across categories

Unacademy’s announcement of scholarships and subscription discounts underscores its commitment to democratizing valuable educational resources for aspirants across India. Furthermore, Unacademy Educators empathized with Learners regarding mental health challenges associated with academic ambitions and provided guidance on mental well-being. As part of Unacademy’s commitment to mental health advocacy through quality educational advice, Learners received wellness kits and were informed about various career pathways for their future

Signature Global FY24 pre-sales grow 112 Percent to INR 72.7 billion

New Delhi,8th April 2024: Signature Global (BSE: 543990 | NSE: SIGNATURE), amongst the leading real estate development companies in India with a well-established brand in Delhi-NCR, achieved its best quarterly and annual pre-sales performance of INR 41.4 billion and INR 72.7 billion respectively with year on year growth rates of 240% for the fourth quarter and 112% for the full year. Company has significantly exceeded its guidance of INR 45 billion in FY24, due to successful launch of its first-ever premium housing project.

The Company’s collections in FY24 grew 62% to INR 31.1 billion again comfortably beating its annual guidance of INR 29 billion. Company achieved its best-ever quarterly and annual collection. Major contribution in sales came from sales realisation that soared 49% to INR 11,762 per sq. ft in FY24 compared to INR 7,886 per sq. ft in, FY23.

Net debt stood at INR 11.6 billion at the end of FY24 in comparison to INR 10.9 billion in FY23. There is a very marginal increase in net debt, however, it is on a much larger pre-sales which has more than doubled for the year.

Below is the operational highlights for the fourth quarter and full year ended March 31, 2024.

Commenting on the company’s performance, Mr. Pradeep Kumar Aggarwal, Chairman and Whole- Time Director, said “The Company’s pre-sales and collections growth in the last quarter is a testimony of its execution capabilities and the trust that it gets from the home buyers. In the last quarter, we launched our first project in the premium segment, which received an overwhelming response. On both fronts – pre-sales and collections, we were able to beat the guidance very comfortably and we are sure FY25 will also be the year of robust growth for the Company as we focus on expanding our footprints in mid-income and premium segments. We whole-heartedly thank all our customers for believing in our capabilities and ensure that their trust will never be broken as we deliver quality construction within given deadlines.”

Legacy Meets Luxury: TREVOC Announces Saif Ali Khan & Kareena Kapoor Khan as Brand Ambassadors

TREVOC, a leading name in Gurugram’s luxury real estate landscape, has marked yet another significant milestone in its journey toward redefining opulent living. The brand, known for its visionary approach and decades-long industrial heritage, proudly unveiled Bollywood power couple Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor Khan as its esteemed brand ambassadors.

By roping in Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor Khan, recognized as epitomes of legacy and luxury in the Indian film industry, TREVOC aims to strengthen its position as the go-to choice for those seeking unparalleled sophistication and comfort in their homes. The strategic collaboration underscores TREVOC’s commitment to offering innovative designs, state-of-the-art amenities, and sustainable living solutions, thereby reshaping the landscape of luxury real estate.

Mr. Gurpal Singh Chawla, Managing Director, TREVOC, expressed his enthusiasm about this collaboration, stating, “We are thrilled to welcome Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor Khan to the TREVOC family. Their iconic status and shared values resonate deeply with our brand ethos of blending legacy with luxury. With their association, we aim to elevate the living experience and continue our legacy of excellence in the real estate domain.”

Mr. Sehaj Chawla, Managing Director, TREVOC, shared his delight, stating, “TREVOC has envisioned to curate one-of-its-kind projects that not only offer comfort but are ideal of luxury. Collaborating with celebrities has not only stamped our vision towards luxury and legacy but has also helped us reach a broader section of society looking for luxury developments. Both the brand ambassadors are perfect examples of luxury and resonate with our Group’s vision.”

TREVOC, embodying the core values of ‘Imagine, Innovate, and Inspire,’ stands at the forefront of setting new benchmarks in the high-end residential infrastructure segment. With a legacy spanning over 75 years, the brand is committed to incorporating high-end amenities in its luxury projects to elevate the residents’ lifestyle. With a focus on key locations, including Golf Course Road, Southern Peripheral Road, and Dwarka Expressway, TREVOC remains committed to offering unparalleled quality and sophistication, setting new standards in the sector.

Samsung to Launch New Range of AI TVs in India on April 17

BENGALURU, India – 8th April 2024 Samsung, India’s largest consumer electronics brand, is gearing up to launch its new range of Artificial Intelligence-powered televisions on April 17, 2024.

The upcoming launch of AI televisions comes on the back of Samsung’s big AI-related announcements earlier this year. Samsung launched Galaxy AI for its smartphones with Galaxy S24 series in January, and Bespoke AI for its home appliances earlier this week.

Samsung’s Neo QLED 8K series, Neo QLED 4K series, and the OLED series are all likely to be powered by AI this year.

Samsung has also started taking early orders from consumers interested in buying its new range of AI TVs in India. Consumers can pre-order Samsung’s new AI TVs by paying INR 5000 on Samsung.com and the Samsung Shop app. Customers who pre-order Samsung’s new AI-powered TVs will be eligible for early access special offers on their purchase.

Consumers pre-ordering Neo QLED 8K Series (75 inches and above) can avail of benefits worth their purchase, while consumers pre-ordering Neo QLED 4K & OLED Series will get benefits worth their purchase.

Samsung’s new Neo QLED 8K TV delivers a premium viewing experience, personalized experiences, energy savings, and innovative features with ultra-immersive audio and powerful audio features.