19, Feb 2024
SSBeauty Elevates the Beauty Experience with the Launch of its Next-gen Beauty Store

Bengaluru, 19th February 2024: Shoppers Stop, India’s premium fashion, beauty, and gifting omnichannel destination, expands the presence of its strategic pillar SSBeauty by opening its 11th store in India and one of the largest beauty stores in the country at T2 Bangalore airport, a destination like never before! The store spread over an astounding 3000 square feet is a ground-breaking venture boasting modern design and immersive experiences for customers.

SSBeauty Bangalore Store Image (6) (1)

The SSBeauty store is located at the departure lounge of the airport and showcases SSBeauty’s brand ethos of ‘Inspiring Elegance’. Beyond retail, the store is a sanctuary of indulgence and convenience. Whether it is a swift makeover for a meeting or a leisurely skin treatment while awaiting a flight or a luxurious pre-flight beauty haul session, SSBeauty‘s T2 store seamlessly caters to the diverse needs of today’s evolved beauty consumer

The SSBeauty T2 store includes a dedicated Treatment Room, offering indulgent facials and spas, providing customers with a luxurious and rejuvenating experience. Beauty enthusiasts can indulge in the latest nail trends at the Nail Bar, featuring a wide range of nail care and styling options. The store has a beautiful lounge that can help travelers shop and relax for their layovers making shopping simple yet rejuvenating.

The luxury beauty store will be home to power Brands like Dior, Givenchy, Guerlain, Shiseido, Jo Malone, Tom Ford, and many more. Adding to the excitement, Kiehl’s is set to open its first Shop-in-Shop store in India within the SSBeauty T2 Airport location, providing customers with access to the renowned skincare brand’s exceptional products.

Commenting on the launch of their new store, Mr. Biju Kassim, Customer Care Associate and CEO of Beauty at Shoppers Stop, said “Our flagship store at T2 Airport Bengaluru offers a vibrant world of glamour, designed for the contemporary, dynamic beauty enthusiast. This is not just any store, but a revolutionary step towards a new era of beauty retail. SSbeauty’s commitment to excellence is embodied in every corner of the store, from the opulent Treatment Room to the trendsetting Nail Bar and the chic lounge. Thanks to the visionary team at Bengaluru International Airport for partnering with us on this exhilarating journey.

“This opening which is our 11th in the country is an essential part of our travel retail expansion strategy and our location in the airport will allow discerning travelers to experience SSBeauty’s new store environment, latest product offerings and indulge in beauty services on the go” he added.

19, Feb 2024
The Foundation for the Idea of Transparency: The Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill, 2024

By- Prof. (Dr.) Amit Gaurav, Controller of Examination at Noida International University

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By enacting the Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill, of 2024, the government has shown remarkable initiative. This measure guarantees the consequences and punishments for the victims who use unfair methods during the public examination, endangering the people’s ability to have a credible and equitable ecosystem for the nation. The following are included in the measure that was presented to the parliament:

The scope of the bill is tests administered by several government bodies, such as the UPSC, SSC, Railway Recruitment Boards, and others; some of the well-known tests included by the bill are NEET, JEE, UGC NET, and UPSC CSE.

– Possible Extension: To increase the reach of the provision, the Central Government may inform additional authorities.
– Investigative Authority: Under the Act, officials holding positions equal to or higher than Assistant Commissioner of Police or Deputy Superintendent of Police shall investigate offenses.
– Penalties for Offenders: Unfair methods of operation can result in fines of up to ten lakh rupees
and sentences of three to five years in prison.
-Character of Offenses: All offenses covered by the Bill are cognizance-based, bail-free, and cannot be compounded.
– Service Provider Liability: Service providers that support unfair tactics run the risk of a four-year ban from conducting open tests in addition to fines of up to one crore rupees.
– Penalties for Officers and Institutions: Directors, senior management, or people in control of service provider organizations may face fines of up to one crore rupees and a three-to-ten-year prison sentence if they are found to be complicit in the crime. Criminal action carried out by individuals or organizations planning to falsify or influence public tests to obtain unfair advantage is referred to as organized crime.

– Covered Offenses: These include tampering with response sheets, assisting candidates without permission, disclosing private information, and interfering with test administration.
– Use of Premises: It is illegal to hide the use of unfair techniques, and public exams may only be conducted on licensed testing grounds.

Unjust measures at the college or school level can be stopped by educating the students about the possible implications and how they may impact their lives. Strict policies should be established and enforced, as this will help pupils avoid bad behavior and do well on
assessments.
With the largest population in the world, India is a major country with high stakes due to the intense pressure that can lead to bribery, inadequate oversight, insufficient monitoring, and a lack of ethical training. Additionally, and this is quite troubling, technological advancements make it easier for papers to be leaked electronically. These concerns highlight the need for increased monitoring and security during exams, as well as the encouragement of ethical education, to address socioeconomic disparities in education. Strictly prohibiting malpractices through law may also be advantageous.

19, Feb 2024
Fringes of Kolkata witness realty boom in 2024, say city realtors

Kolkata, 19th February 2024: Kolkata is witnessing rapid and persistent changes in housing patterns. People are strategically choosing their homes in diverse locations that cater to modern amenities and lifestyle preferences.

According to city realtors, presently places like Joka, Pailan, Madhyamgram, Barasat, Rajarhat, and New Town are a few localities that are witnessing maximum exposure, growth, and interest from end-users as well as investors. Some also mentioned that among the metros, the share of affordable segment homes in residential realty pie is the highest in Kolkata.

According to Anarock, a real estate consultancy firm, prices of residential properties in Joka have increased maximum by 24 % in the last three years, followed by Rajarhat, New Town, and areas near the EM Bypass by 19%, 14%, and 13% respectively. Incidentally, the Joka real estate market increase is driven by metro expansion and other factors, which include the upcoming Majerhat Metro station, which will provide a changeover to the Eastern Railway, which is expected to faster travel to Sealdah and Ballygunge, further enhancing Joka’s appeal.

These places continue to thrive because of being planned townships of Greater Kolkata having commercial complexes and IT parks – DLF IT Park 1 & 2, TCS – Gitanjali Park, Ecospace, and Candor Techspace in its vicinity. Further, the proposed Bengal Silicon Valley IT Hub planned to be set up on approximately 200 acres of land in a strategic location in New Town’s Action Area-II, near Eco-Park, has also added value to the residential areas coming up in these areas.

Elaborating on the same, the COO of Keventer Realty, Mr. B.P. Singh Roy said, “The importance of proximity to the airport, the burgeoning IT sector demand proximity, making locations like Newtown the undeniable choice for Kolkata’s discerning homebuyers in 2024. With its strategic positioning offering both connectivities to the airport and proximity to the IT hub including home-buying options for people with all income ranges, Newtown has become the most convenient area thus solidifying its status as Kolkata’s prime destination for dream homes in the future ahead.”

“At present, areas close to Kolkata like Joka, Rajarhat, Barasat, and Madhyamgram cannot be classified as outskirts due to the development of excellent infrastructure that provides effective connection and a variety of transportation options. The state is witnessing a rise in affordable housing. The available bank loan rates have also propelled the rise. The time has come for micro-market expansion, hence these places are witnessing a rise in residential quarters,” Mr Piyush Beriwal – Managing Director – of Jai Vinayak Group said.

Echoing similar views, Mr. Manmeet Singh, Ralty Consultant said, “It has been understood that realtors are getting affordable and sufficient area of land areas in these places, which is also justifying the construction cost as well as the selling cost. Post-pandemic there has been 20 percent rise in property buying.”

19, Feb 2024
Intellicus Wins the “Automation & Analytics Innovation Award”

Mumbai, India, 19th Feb 2024: Intellicus Technologies was awarded the prestigious Automation & Analytics Innovation Award at the BFSI Leadership Summit and Awards 2024 in Mumbai. The platform was chosen for its innovative GenAI capabilities designed to handle massive data workloads with exceptional speed and efficiency.

Intellicus from Kyvos logo

As GenAI adoption gains momentum, BFSI leaders need to modernize their existing BI stacks for a swift and seamless digital transition. Intellicus’ GenAI-powered analytics not only enriches enterprise data but also makes contextualized summaries available for complete data democratization. The platform facilitates unified analytics with sustained innovation at a speed never heard of before. Intellicus was recognized for offering a strategic advantage with its modern architecture, groundbreaking approach, and unparalleled performance, even in the most complex environments. Leading global financial enterprises trust Intellicus to modernize, simplify, and augment their BI operations.

The 3rd edition of the awards welcomed esteemed leaders from Banking, Fintech, Insurance & NBFC domains to share their thoughts on the recent wave of digitization, AI-based automation, data security, customer-centric approach, and the future of the BFSI industry. The event included insightful keynote addresses, panel discussions, poster presentations, talks, and exhibitions by distinguished speakers and partners.

19, Feb 2024
Global Indian International School, Noida Celebrates ‘Incredible India’

Delhi NCR: GIIS Noida recently celebrated its annual day with great pomp and show. The theme for this year’s celebration was Incredible India, showcasing the rich diversity and vibrant culture of the country. Students from pre-primary to 8th grade participated in various performances and cultural activities, mesmerizing the audience with their talent and enthusiasm.

The event was a visual treat for all the attendees, as the students beautifully depicted the different facets of India through dance, music, and drama. From traditional folk dances to modern interpretations of Indian art forms, the performances truly captured the essence of the country.

annual day

The esteemed chief guests at the event were Ms. Nalini Asthana and Ms. Kamlini Asthana, both Padma Sri Awardees from the Benaras Gharana of Kathak dance. Joining them was Dr. Priyadarshan Lakhawat, the Director of Academics NCHMCT under the Ministry of Tourism, and Colonel Abhishek Misra, an officer in the Indian Army commissioned from OTA, Chennai, Ms.Rajni Sekhri Sibal, Secretary Fisheries Govt. of India, Dr. Anshu Raina, MBBS, MD, HOD- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Together, these esteemed guests brought a unique blend of talent, experience, and honor to the event, making it a truly memorable and distinguished affair.

The principal of GIIS Noida, Mr. Ganesh Sharma, expressed his joy and pride in seeing the students showcase their talent and creativity on stage, he added “The Annual Day celebration was a testament to the incredible talent, hard work, and dedication of our students. I am immensely proud of every one of them for showcasing the diverse and vibrant culture of our incredible India.”

The entire two-day celebration was divided into four beautiful themes, each depicting the rich cultural heritage and diversity of incredible India. The first theme, “Abhinn Bharat Harmony in Diversity,” showcased the unity and harmony among the diverse communities of India. The second theme, “Taj Mahal ka Tender,” highlighted the exquisite beauty and grandeur of the iconic Taj Mahal. The third theme, “Bharat Darshan: Aladdin’s magical carpet ride,” took the audience on a whimsical journey through the enchanting landscapes and landmarks of India. Finally, the fourth theme, “India – The Shades of Time,” explored the historical evolution and cultural transformation of India over the centuries.

Through these themes, the celebration truly captured the essence and spirit of incredible India. Overall, the annual day celebration at GIIS Noida was a resounding success, leaving everyone in awe of the beauty and diversity of ‘Incredible India’.

19, Feb 2024
MongoDB Affirms Commitment to Sustainability Amidst Progress and Challenges in Climate Action

New Delhi, 19th February 2024: In a significant move towards environmental responsibility, MongoDB recently joined The Climate Pledge, aligning with numerous organizations committed to regularly reporting emissions and reaching net-zero emissions by 2040. This public affirmation underscores MongoDB’s dedication to a sustainable future. This holistic commitment involves reducing the carbon footprint through product innovation, incorporating renewable energy sources, and promoting sustainable commuting for employees. In 2023, MongoDB introduced a Sustainable Procurement Policy, resulting in a commendable 58% decrease in waste.

MongoDB’s strides in sustainability extend beyond pledges, with tangible actions taken in 2023. The company is committed to being 100% powered by renewable energy by 2026 and achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2030. This commitment encompasses reducing the carbon footprint through product innovation, adding renewable energy sources, and promoting sustainable commuting for employees.

The company has actively engaged in Virtual Purchase Power Agreements (VPPAs) to support renewable energy projects, contributing to the development of a solar plant in Texas and signing a new VPPA for solar panels in India. These initiatives align with MongoDB’s focus on reducing its carbon footprint, avoiding 13,000 tons of CO2 emissions annually, and promoting renewable energy sources. In addition to addressing energy consumption, MongoDB has implemented sustainable commuting practices, such as introducing electric vehicle commuting in India, an e-bike program in the Dublin office, and fostering a culture of biking to the office.

As part of MongoDB’s commitment to sustainability, 2023 also saw the introduction of waste tracking and landfill diversion efforts. The company aims to achieve 100% composting services across its offices in 2024, further reducing its environmental impact. Looking ahead to 2024, MongoDB renews its commitment to sustainability, recognizing both accomplishments and the need for continuous progress. The company remains resolute in its pursuit of a more sustainable future, contributing to global climate action efforts.

19, Feb 2024
House construction made easier: Find all building materials in one place at Wholesale prices

Vijayawada, 19 February 2024: Everyone desires to turn the dream of owning a home into reality. However, the escalating prices in the construction sector have become a burden for ordinary and middle-class individuals. Particularly, with the surge in the prices of sand, gravel, bricks, and cement, the dream of owning a house remains elusive for many. To build a house, one needs to procure all these materials, often having to source them from different places. Furthermore, individuals are inundated with the costs and demands of intermediaries, agents, and commissions. For the common and middle-class populace, acquiring all these materials at one place and, more importantly, at wholesale prices, is not a simple task. Many intermediaries and masons take their cut, leaving customers with the original price rather than the wholesale rate. To address this issue, a new emerging company called V Wholesale (Your One-Stop Shop) is launching soon in Vijayawada.

From tiles to paints all in one place!

Home construction materials such as Tiles, Granite, Italian products, Electricals, Electronics, Lights, Fans, Hardware tools, Wooden materials, Paints, Sanitary items, Plumbing supplies, Modular kitchen components, Home decor, Home furnishings, Sofas, Faucets, Sinks, and Gardening pots are all available at “V Wholesale,” your one-stop shop. Mr. N. Hemanth Kumar, the marketing manager of “V Wholesale,” stated that these products will be offered at the lowest wholesale prices in the store. Currently, there are very few stores in the country with such a comprehensive one-stop format for all home-building supplies, mainly located in cities like Mumbai and Delhi, Bangalore, and Chennai. However, with the initiative of Mr. Himansu R Mehta, CEO of “V Wholesale,” this store will soon be opening in Vijayawada.

Home delivery with Wholesale prices

Home builders will find all their home building supplies in one place at wholesale prices at the “V Wholesale” store. Additionally, there is the convenience of home delivery for construction materials to various areas, alleviating transportation concerns for construction workers. City residents have eagerly awaited such facilities for many years. The “V Wholesale” store will soon address the concerns of home builders, much to the relief of the construction industry. Analysts in the construction industry are praising “V Wholesale” as good news for common and middle-class people, builders, contractors, and architects.

19, Feb 2024
Pediatric Neurologist , Dr. Vykunta Raju K. N., Receives Prestigious Award for Outstanding Contribution to Child Neurology

Bengaluru, February 19, 2024: In a momentous occasion, Dr. Vykunta Raju K. N., Professor and Head of the Department at Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health, has been honored with the Outstanding Contribution Award for Child Neurology by the Association of Child Neurology, India (AOCN). Dr. Raju, with over 15 years of dedicated service in pediatric neurology, has played a pivotal role in the diagnosis and management of rare and neurological disorders.

The accolade comes as recognition for Dr. Vykunta Raju’s tireless efforts in advancing the understanding and treatment of rare diseases, particularly in pediatric neurology. Despite the challenges faced in the field, he remains committed to improving the lives of children and families affected by these disorders. Dr. Raju has published over 200 publications focusing on original reviews and case reports on rare disorders to enhance awareness, understanding prevalence, and studying epidemiological factors in the Indian population.

While expressing his happiness for the award recognition, Dr Raju, said, “I am feeling happy to receive this award. I have been working in pediatric neurology for the past 15 years, and we have done a lot of work. Though the recognition has come a little late, I still feel very happy on getting recognized for the work I have contributed. In pediatric neurology, you will be managing a lot of rare disorders, most of the time. In earlier days, these rare diseases were neglected and treated as cerebral palsy. But now, with improvement in genetics, we are able to diagnose these disorders. Arriving at the right diagnosis was a huge challenge in the earlier days. Compared to that, diagnosis is easier, but getting proper treatment is still an issue. Treatment is not available for many disorders; and even if it is available, the cost of the medicines is very high. So, most of our patients are unable to afford these treatments.”

Speaking on Rare Disease Awareness Month (February), Dr. Raju highlighted the importance of accurate diagnosis and the need for FDA-approved treatments, addressing the difficulties faced by patients, particularly in accessing expensive medications for some disorders like Spinal Muscular Atrophy. In most of the countries, these medications are made available mostly by Government funding. So, if it’s made available in India also, it will benefit both the children and their families.

19, Feb 2024
Arvind SmartSpaces sells entire released inventory for sale in the 1st phase of Arvind

Bengaluru, Feb 19, 2024: Arvind SmartSpaces Limited (ASL), one of India’s leading real estate development companies announced that it has sold out the entire inventory released for sale in the 1st phase of its residential plotted development project, Arvind Orchards in Devanahalli, Bengaluru, within 7 hours of launch. It consisted of more than 220 units valued at over Rs. 160 Crs. The project is housed under HDFC Platform 2.

Arvind Orchards is a one-of-its-kind orchard-themed plotted development nestled in Doddballapur Road, Devenahalli. This would be ASL’s second residential plotted township in Bengaluru with world-class infrastructure and amenities. Devanahalli is an established residential plotting micro-market near the Bengaluru International Airport and is home major economic hubs such as Aerospace SEZ and KIADB IT Park. This location enjoys excellent infrastructure connectivity which will be further enhanced by the upcoming Metro.

Arvind SmartSpaces entered the Bengaluru market in 2013 and has till date added 11 projects across different micro-markets in the city.

Commenting on the successful launch, Mr. Kamal Singal, Managing Director and CEO, Arvind SmartSpaces said, “We are delighted to have received an overwhelming response from the Bengaluru homebuyers once again. We have been able to create a strong presence in Bengaluru market with a focus on designs that are inspired by the evolving preferences of our customers. Such strong responses to all our launches including Greatlands, Greatlands-2, Forest Trails and now Orchards exhibits the trust reposed by homebuyers in the legacy of the Arvind brand.”

19, Feb 2024
Sports-Tech start-up, Push Sports, bags investment

National, 19th February: Push Sports, a Delhi-based sports-tech startup, focused on transforming the grassroots sports ecosystem through innovative, technology interventions has secured a significant round of funding on Shark Tank India, amounting to Rs. 80 lacs at 4 % Equity. The investment, led by renowned entrepreneurs Peyush Bansal, Co-founder of LensKart, and Vineeta Singh, CEO of Sugar Cosmetics, highlights the growing recognition of the company’s transformative impact on the sports education landscape in India. The startup is already raising a much larger seed round and is planning to invest the funds in building up its team and funding its expansion to new cities.

push sports

In a world where issues like obesity, diabetes, autism, and depression among school-going kids are on the rise, Push Sports is committed to establishing an ecosystem that provides structured sports education delivered by trained coaches across ten sports for children aged 3 to 19 years. Their gamified assessment tools motivate students to stay physically active and develop technical and interpersonal skills, fostering holistic development.

Push Sports is shaping up to be “India’s New Playground” by revolutionising the grassroots sports ecosystem by delivering structured sports education programmes through top-notch, qualified coaches, and innovative, technology-led interventions. With a mission to encourage active outdoor sports as the premier fitness option for children and young adults, Push Sports has positively impacted over 6000 children across 15 locations in India, to date and serves over 3000+ pay-to-play customers every month. Over the next two years, Push Sports aims to reach 25,000+ schools/kids with expansions planned in 6 cities.

The startup builds and manages sports arenas in key cities, offering online booking for recreational activities and professional sports training on a pay-to-play model. Push Sports aims to bring the transformative power of sports to every doorstep by offering a full-stack sports solution that revolutionises the way sports are experienced and accessed. Apart from academic institutions they have garnered strong interest from professionals who want to be their franchise owners.

“Our mission goes beyond just promoting physical activity; it’s about embedding a culture of sports within the educational framework to foster holistic development in students. We are dedicated to making structured sports education accessible, engaging, and in sync with the future of learning and parenting,” stated Puru Singh, Co-founder and CEO at Push Sports.

Speaking on the milestone, Parth Sharma, COO of Sports Baazi, an investor in Push Sports stated “As a board observer representing Baazi Games for PUSH Sports, I’ve had the distinct privilege of witnessing firsthand the transformative power PUSH has brought to sports education and training in India. Push Sports is not just revolutionising the way young athletes train and learn; it’s redefining the very fabric of sportsmanship, discipline, and accessibility in a country with a rich and diverse sporting heritage.”

As an exclusive strategic partner of Da One Sports, owned by Indian Cricketer Shikhar Dhawan, Push Sports is already making significant strides in various key locations across the country.