8, Jan 2024
THE BUBBLES OF MEMORY His Excellency Governor of Bihar Sri. Rajendra Arlekar
Bangalore 8, 2024: His Excellency Governor of Bihar Sri. Rajendra Arlekar launches THE BUBBLES OF MEMORY penned down by former secretary, Goa Legislature and retired secretary & Karnataka Legislative assembly secretariat Sri. TN Dhruva Kumar. Chief Guest Sri. Basavaraj Horatti – chairman Karnataka legislative council, Sri Vivek subba Reddy, president – Advocates Association and Sri. CS Shadakshari – president – NGO’s Association were present at the time of book release.
This book titled was released by the governor of Bihar, in the presence of a galaxy of leaders talking to August gathering governor of Bihar in his presidential address said this book is most wanted for every legislature student to understand the life of Karnataka legislature. He praised Mr. Dhruva Kumar for having captured the most historic incidents of Karnataka assembly in his own style where real pictures will be reflected. Mr. Dhruva’s effort pending the parliamentary incidents is noteworthy.This book will definitely mark a new chapter in the Karnataka legislature.
Sri. Dhruva Kumar says “my Main inspiration to write this book was untold suffering during my tenure as additional secretary in Karnataka legislature and my ricketiest legislative experience which I had in Goa assembly secretariat …In order to reflect the transparency of my official life I have written it.
This book reflects the finest incidence of parliamentary importance and excellent reference to debating standards as well. The Author had vivid experience with all politicians of Goa and Karnataka.
Author has also recorded some of the important and enriching incidents that have happened in the Karnataka legislature…he has further mentioned the highest standard of debates in those days in a comparative analysis of present-day debates.
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- By Rabindra
8, Jan 2024
Samsung Opens Pre-Reserve for the Next Galaxy Smartphone in India
Bengaluru, India – Jan 8, 2024: Samsung, India’s largest consumer electronics brand, announced the pre-reserve of its next flagship Galaxy smartphone, which will be unveiled later this month. Pre-reserved customers will be eligible for early access and special offers on purchasing the new Galaxy devices.
Customers can pre-reserve the flagship Galaxy devices by paying a token amount of INR 2000 on Samsung.com, Samsung Exclusive stores, Amazon.in and leading retail outlets across India. Consumers who pre-reserve will get benefit worth INR 5000.
Since the introduction of the first Galaxy flagship, Samsung has been continuously enhancing and innovating the flagship experience for consumers. With the next generation of the flagship, offering enhanced devices based on years of rigorous R&D and investment, Samsung aims to further drive the latest era of Galaxy innovation and consolidate its position as the industry leader.
Samsung will unveil its next generation of flagship devices at Galaxy Unpacked on January 17 in San Jose, California.
8, Jan 2024
Celebrating Success, Creativity, and Social Impact: CASnival 2024 Takes Center Stage
Hyderabad, January 8th, 2024 – Oakridge International School, Gachibowli, welcomed the new year with zeal and enthusiasm as they successfully concluded the 7th edition of CASnival, an event that epitomizes Creative, Action, and Service (CAS) in student activities. The event attracted 2500+ attendees, making it a remarkable chapter in Oakridge Gachibowli’s commitment to nurturing creativity, talent, and entrepreneurship among its students.
The event was graced by the presence of the esteemed Chief Guest, Ms. Suma Kanakala, a renowned Indian actress, television presenter, and producer. Joining her were Mr. Roshan Kanakala and Manasa Chaudhary emerging talent in the film industry.
The CASnival, a unique blend of education and social impact, serves as a platform for students to set up their own stalls, becoming young entrepreneurs and showcasing their products to a diverse audience. Furthermore, the event takes a philanthropic turn, with proceeds being donated to support education, healthcare, and other noble causes, reflecting Oakridge’s dedication to social responsibility.
Roshan Kanakala said “From being the troublemaker of the school to being the chief guest of CASnival 2024. Life’s been a full circle. Honored and overwhelmed! This event holds a special place in my heart, and witnessing the creativity and enthusiasm of these young minds is truly inspiring.”
Suma Kamala quoted “it’s a very proud feeling to be here with my son here at CASnival today, I’m so proud of all the children working towards a better tomorrow, I really hope this initiative continues and we continue to make the world a better place”
The carnival, organized by a team of dedicated student volunteers from Oakridge, showcased a blend of creativity, talent, and entrepreneurship, promising an unforgettable experience for all attendees. Since its inception in 2016, CASnival has become one of Oakridge Gachibowli’s flagship events, fostering the development of future businessmen and entrepreneurs dedicated to shaping a better world.
Principal Dipika Rao expressed her enthusiasm, stating, “CASnival is an annual showcase of student initiatives towards supporting the community. This event is a testament to the creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurial spirit that Oakridge Gachibowli instills in its students. I am proud of the hard work and dedication shown by our students and young entrepreneurs in organizing this carnival.”
This year’s CASnival supported medical expenses for orphans (SDG 3), Government School initiatives (SDG 4), and Climate Action (SDG 13). Oakridge has proudly donated to NGOs such as Druvansh, Sarah Covenant Home, Extra Mile, and SAHI, underscoring its commitment to making a positive impact on the community.
The CASnival 2024 was also attended by Mr. Christopher Short (MD Nord Anglia Education), and Dr. Chinnababu along with Dr. Prameela, further adding to the grandeur of the event.
The impact of CASnival extends beyond its participants, influencing the broader global community as it fosters the spirit of change in all of its participants.
8, Jan 2024
First at Manipal Hospital Baner: 55-Year-Old Brain Dead Gives New Lease of Life to Four
Pune, January 8, 2024: The family of 55-year-old Sunil Nigade Ji from Satara, who was declared brain dead at Manipal Hospital, took the brave decision of donating his organs on Friday. The patient suffered a brain aneurysmal bleed at a local hospital in Satara, where he was put on a ventilator to maintain oxygenation. For further treatment was brought to Manipal Hospital, Baner, on January 3rd. Despite the best efforts of doctors, his condition continued to deteriorate, and he was declared brain dead on January 5th, 2024.
The medical team of critical care department & Transplant Coordinator Ms. Reshma Kulawade counselled the family about organ donation. After receiving consent from the family, the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO) was immediately informed. The officials from NOTTO quickly allotted the organs as per their waiting list. One kidney was allocated to a patient at Manipal Hospital, Baner, and the other was sent to DY Patil Hospital, Pune. The liver was sent to Shayadri Hospital, Hadapsar, and the heart was sent at MGM Hospital, Chennai. A Green corridor was created on January 6th, 2024 with support of Pune traffic police to transfer the heart.
Dr. Amit Dhakoji, Head of Neurosciences, Manipal Hospital, Baner, said, “We continued the mechanical ventilation and medical management to prevent an increase in brain swelling and seizures. On further evaluation, it was revealed that he is suffering from subarachnoid haemorrhage (Grade 4). Despite intensive treatment under the care of the neurosurgery and critical care teams, he could not recover and was declared brain dead on January 5th, 2024.”
Dr. Bhushan Nagarkar, Consultant and Head of Critical Care, Manipal Hospital, Baner, said, ‘The team worked closely with the patient’s family, providing them with the required information and support so that they could make an informed decision. The family agreed to donate heart, liver and both the kidneys of their patient. The heart, liver, and kidneys were retrieved by the Expert team of doctors and transported for a successful transplantation. The family saved the lives of four patients in critical condition and gave them a new lease of life.”
Dr. Anand Dharaskar, Consultant: Uro-surgeon & Transplant Specialist and his team performed the kidney transplantation for one at Manipal Hospital, Baner, Pune. Dr. Tarun Jeloka, Consultant Nephrologist & Head Renal Sciences & team supported the team during the entire procedure.
Dr. Sonal Dixit, Regional Head- Medical Service, Manipal Hospital, Baner, said, “The family’s decision to donate organs made a difference in the lives of others. The legacy of the donor will live on through the lives he has saved. Donating one’s organs is a gift of life; it is an opportunity to give someone else a second chance in life. We strongly encourage everyone to think about organ donation and to register as an organ donor. We can save lives if we work together.”
There is a wide gap between patients who need transplants and the organs that are available in India. 1.8 lakh people suffer from renal failure every year; however, only 15,000 renal transplants are done. An estimated 25,000 to 30,000 liver transplants are needed annually in India, but only about 2000 are performed. Similarly, of several thousand people who suffer from heart failure, only 200 get a heart transplant.
The noble act of organ donation highlights the pressing need for organ donations in India, as there is a significant disparity between patients awaiting transplants and the availability of organs. Increasing awareness and participation in organ donation can bridge this gap and offer hope to countless lives in need.
8, Jan 2024
Swecha AI Chandamama Kathalu
Hyderabad, 8th January 20204: Swecha released “AI Chandamama Kathalu”, the first-of-its-kind AI built for storytelling. Shobu Yarlagadda, Founder, Arka media works; graced the event as the chief guest and launched it to the public. Guest of Honor Ram Miriyala, Singer, composer; and Prof Gaurav Raina, IITM, Former Chairman, MPFI; Kiran Chandra, Founder, Swecha; Chaitanya Chokkareddy, Co-Founder & CTO, Ozonetel; Ramadevi Lanka, Director, Emerging Tech, Govt of Telangana; Prof K S Rajan, Registrar, IIITH; Kiran Kumar, Intel fellow & GM; Sasikant Vallepalli, Director, Tana Foundation; & Nagarjun Malladi, Vice President, Tech Mahindra; was present on the occasion.
The goal is to bring back the moral and ethical values embedded in “Chandamama Kathalu” using a new and creative AI approach. Thousands took part in this initiative, to contribute their time and effort, charting a path towards Telugu AI.
We are seeing the growth of AI, especially, that of Large Language Models (LLMs), such as, ChatGPT. These LLMs are trained on large amount (trillions of words) of raw text, typically, scraped from web. Consequently, they end up requiring immense amount of compute power and special hardware (GPUs) to learn patterns, so that they can produce coherent text. For instance, It takes nearly 6 crore rupees (700,000 dollars), just to run ChatGPT daily.
For AI to be accessible to every farmer, every rural teacher and every shopkeeper, AI should be developed for Indian Languages. Pondering on the this problem of creating AI in Indian Languages, Chaitanya (CPO & Co-Founder, Ozonetel), Kiran Chandra (Founder, Swecha) and Professor Gaurav Raina (Professor IIT Madras), got together in a breakfast conversation, and formulated an idea to build an AI solution for stories. To build a story oriented AI language model, we don’t need a large language model, which is very resource intensive; a small language model (SLM) should be adequate.
To develop an AI vision for India, we do not need a one-size-fits-all approach, rather, we need to build AI for specific needs of India, and, in this case, the model has to be built with storytelling in mind. For this model, Chandamama Kathalu was chosen as the source for data, these short stories, which are beloved by all Telugu speaking people are the perfect choice, as they instilled moral values for generations and developing an AI version of Chandamama would bring back these stories in a new form.
The stories available in scanned PDFs had to be digitised first. Normally, this would have taken months, but, though the contributions of Swecha community, in a little over 4 hours, more than 10,000 students and faculty across 30 engineering colleges helped proofread the digitally scanned and converted Telugu text from the old magazines. A total of 40,000 stories have been converted during this sprint. This dataset has been released for the public and is available on the internet for anyone to download and / or improve upon. This part of the effort was led by Kiran Chandra, who looked back at his earlier efforts – “This whole effort reminds me of the effort we put 20 years ago in creating the first Telugu Operating System, creating the font and the glossary. This seems a logical step in our journey towards democratizing technology and we shall continue to take up more work in this space.”
Once the data was collected, the next step was to train the AI model on these stories, so that it can then create new stories. Chaitanya led this effort, which required technology expertise and no dearth of burning midnight oil. After close to a month of intense effort, the project is now launched to the public. Chaitanya stresses that ‘this is only the beginning. The team is working on not just improving this, but also has ambitious plans for Telugu AI models.” Further elaborating on the importance of this effort, Chaitanya said “The success of the Chandamama Kathalu datathon proved that a volunteer driven effort for creating high quality datasets is possible.” These datasets, being open, can now ignite research in universities and startups. So we have a flywheel for AI for India. Swecha, Professor Gaurav Raina, from IIT Madras, and companies like Ozonetel/Alpes are showing that such a flywheel is possible. The core focus is to create a truly open AI ecosystem that serves the needs of India.
Stories of India, in Indian languages, for all Indians As the next step, Professor Gaurav Raina encouraged us to build this into something far bigger; into an Indian AI based language model, which can cater for stories of India, across all Indian languages.
Professor Gaurav Raina, commenting on the opportunity, said “Storytelling is central to our beliefs, and our values, and while it’s great to start with Telugu, the team has to help tell the stories across all Indian languages.”
Further, Professor Gaurav Raina adds, “I am really excited to work towards an Indian, storytelling AI based language framework. Let’s hope that the joy of chandamama stories also eventually finds an international audience.”
Our partnership with Professor Gaurav Raina will help us engage with researchers and students at IIT Madras to take this idea to a national level.
Y Kiran Chandra, Founder, Swecha Telangana.
8, Jan 2024
Vishwakarma Awards 2023 Honours Outstanding Student Innovations
Delhi, 8th January 2024: The prestigious Vishwakarma Awards, organised by Maker Bhavan Foundation and co-sponsored by WIN Foundation, Godrej Industries, Addverb, and Alkyl Amines, celebrated a grand culmination at eDC IIT Delhi, the official host for 2023. It recognised exceptional student innovations in the fields of water and sanitation, clean technology, and smart mobility. These awards, named after Vishwakarma, the god of architecture and engineering, aim to inspire and reward students for their contributions to engineering and technology that address real-world challenges.
The Vishwakarma Awards, an annual event, focus on encouraging students from Indian STEM colleges to develop scalable solutions that contribute to solving critical issues and bolster India’s economy. This year’s theme is centered on water and sanitation, clean technology, and smart mobility.
Hemant Kanakia, Chairman of Maker Bhavan Foundation and inventor and senior entrepreneur, said, “From my perspective, championing hands-on learning is crucial for students to evolve into effective problem solvers, I celebrate initiatives like the Vishwakarma Awards that recognise the inherent value of practical skills and hardware-building capabilities. The awards offer participants the guidance and mentorship of experts, guaranteeing that their solutions are not just imaginative ideas but well-informed and effective responses to pressing problems.”
Meher Pudumjee, Chairperson, Thermax India Ltd, said “I am impressed by the quality and diversity of the solutions that the students have developed under the themes of water and sanitation, clean technology, and smart mobility. These are some of the most critical challenges that our country and the world face today, and I commend Maker Bhavan Foundation for choosing them as focus areas for this year’s Vishwakarma Awards.”
Three Distinct Tracks
Water and Sanitation: Innovations addressing water scarcity, quality, access, and management, as well as sanitation and hygiene issues, were showcased. Sub-topics include purification of water, desalination, water conservation, low carbon footprint solutions, and measuring instrumentation.
Paresh Vora, Director of India Operations, WIN Foundation, said, “WIN Foundation is proud to champion the Water & Sanitation track at the Vishwakarma Awards. Access to clean water and sanitation is fundamental to human well-being and sustainable development and also critical for all living systems. The Vishwakarma platform provides enables young innovators to develop novel solutions to tackle these critical challenges and present these to members from industry, investment community, and others in startup ecosystem”
Wheels India Niswarth Foundation (WIN) is a non-profit US 501 c3 organisation, supporting innovations for sustainable social impact on (i) water and sanitation and (ii) maternal and child health.
Clean Technology: Student teams presented solutions focusing on carbon capture, reducing the carbon footprint, renewable power generation, and measuring and instrumentation, thereby contributing to sustainable and environmentally friendly technology practices.
Kirat Patel, Executive Director , Alkyl Amines, said, “Clean technology is not just a preference; it’s a necessity for a planet in need. Vishwakarma Awards, with its focus on Clean Technology, serves as a conduit for inventive minds to channel their ideas into impactful solutions. Alkyl Amines is excited to be part of this innovation ecosystem, supporting the exploration and application of clean tech concepts that have the potential to redefine industry norms and set new standards for sustainability.”
Alkyl Amines Chemicals Limited (AACL) is a global supplier of aliphatic amines, specialty amines, and amine derivatives.
Smart Mobility: Revolutionary solutions in satellite technology, unmanned vehicles (airborne or underwater with targeting capabilities), sensors for defence technology, and surface mobility were explored. These innovations aim to enhance transportation systems, reduce congestion, and improve road safety and accessibility.
The Vishwakarma Awards 2023 successfully concluded with the promise of fostering a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship among students, addressing critical issues, and contributing to India’s technological advancement.
Winners
Clean Technology :
Best Product Design:
Criteria: Visual appeal, Attention to Detail, Consideration of environmental impact and functionality.
Golden Plastics :
Rajdeep Singh Devra and Urvish Shah
“Revolutionizing 3D printing: Our innovative 3D printers use plastic granules or failed prints as feed, eliminating the need for expensive filaments. With our in-house designed print head technology, we design 3D printers for a greener and cleaner world”
Most Innovative Solution
Criteria: Scientific and Technical robustness, Importance of the problem, Feasibility and practicality, and user-fit.
Design Prototype of Bio-filter to Treatment of Carbon Dioxide Gas Exhausts :
Saunam Halder, Pranadipan Sahoo, Vedant Sanghavi, Aditya Gupta
“We aim to revolutionize the way air pollution is reduced by degrading air pollutants into cleaner and greener products instead of storing them like conventional air purifiers”
Smart Mobility :
Best Product Design:
ROV-Remote-Operated Underwater Vehicle:
Saket Joshi, Sanskruti Gondaliya
“It is a tethered robot that can explore aquatic environments and transmit data and video back to us. We can use it to inspect, repair, or sample underwater structures or ecosystems, or just have fun exploring the depths of a lake or ocean.”
Most Innovative Solution
SQUADRON: Heterogeneous Swarm Technology
Aryank, Anjali
“Implemented autonomous navigation and SLAM localization in swarm multi-rotors with coordinated motion, enhanced by computer vision, mapping algorithms, and efficient task-distributed decision-making.”
Water and Sanitation :
Best Product Design:
IoT enabled real-time Water Monitoring System with Remote Data Accessibility:
Satyam, Tarun Gangar
“Developed an IoT-enabled water monitoring system with GPS and multiple sensors (turbidity, TDS, oxygen, temperature, pressure), featuring an ESP32 microprocessor, hybrid power, AI readiness, and advanced data retrieval, suitable for diverse applications..”
Most Innovative Solution
Pushpak:
Mohit Kumar Gupta , Jatin Jain Anurag Meena, and Harishit Sharma
“We are using waste flowers from temples which are mostly dumped into water bodies and converting them into useful biodegradable Disposable cutlery items which have the potential to replace the already present non-biodegradable cutlery present in the market.”
7, Jan 2024
Takshasila IAS Academy Another Success in UPSC Civil Services Exam Komal Jain cracked UPSC- IRMS
Benz Circle, January 7, 2024 – Takshasila IAS Academy is proud to announce the outstanding achievement of one of its diligent students, Komal Jain who secured a coveted position in the Indian Railway Management Service through the UPSC Civil Services Exam. The successful candidate, a dedicated and resilient individual, had previously missed the rank by a mere 2 marks and secured a place in the reserved list.
Enrolled in Takshasila IAS Academy in 2017 for the Degree with IAS program, the student showcased unwavering determination and commitment throughout her academic journey. Today, she stands as a testament to the Academy’s commitment to nurturing excellence in aspiring civil servants.
The felicitation ceremony took place at Takshasila IAS Academy, Benz Circle, in the presence of a gathering of 300 students who eagerly congratulated and celebrated the achievement of their fellow aspirant. The successful candidate expressed her gratitude towards the Director of the Academy, Durga Prasad for providing unwavering support in all stages of the UPSC examination, including Prelims, Mains, and the Interview.
She acknowledged the guidance and mentorship provided by experts at Takshasila, including V.N. Vishnu IAS (retired) and Dr. Naresh, Additional Superintendent of Police (Excise), among others, which she deemed instrumental in her success. The student highlighted the productive nature of the guidance received from these experienced mentors.
During her interaction with the students, she emphasized the importance of consistency in preparation for the Civil Services Exam. The successful candidate shared her journey, stressing the significance of maintaining a focused approach since her undergraduate years, which she credited as the key to her success at such an early age.
In a generous gesture, Komal Jain took the time to clarify doubts and share insights with the aspiring civil servants present at the event. Her success story serves as an inspiration to all the students at Takshasila IAS Academy, motivating them to strive for excellence in their pursuit of a career in civil services.
Takshasila IAS Academy continues to be a beacon of success, nurturing and guiding aspiring individuals towards achieving their dreams in the esteemed field of civil services.
7, Jan 2024
Andhra Pradesh to play a significant role in Magniflex India’s Expansion Plan
Vijayawada, January 07, 2024: Magniflex India (Made in Italy), Europe’s leading mattress brand, with a rich heritage spanning 62 years and Italian roots, anticipates substantial growth in the dynamic state of Andhra Pradesh. Historically recognized for its affluence, the state has witnessed luxury brands establishing their experience centers in Vijayawada. There is a rise in demand for quality sleep-related products post-COVID-19. This trend has led to elevated investments in luxury mattresses and a commitment to a holistic lifestyle. Notably, the upscale mattress industry, exemplified by Italian brand Magniflex India, has seen a remarkable 40% year-on-year (YoY) growth with annual revenue exceeding ₹21 Crore. To bolster its presence, Magniflex India has now introduced the Ergo Tre Electric Bed and rolled out the Magniflex Investment Plan (MIP) for customers nationwide.
Commenting on Vijayawada’s market growth, Mr. Anand Nichani, Managing Director of Magniflex India said, “The luxury market in Vijayawada is exceptionally buoyant, with a noticeable shift in consumer preference toward high-quality and premium products with health benefits. This shift is driven by the increasing purchasing power of the people. In Andhra Pradesh, we achieved 28% growth in 2023, and we expect this to expand by over 30% in 2024-25. Our market expansion strategy targets emerging areas like Rajahmundry, Nellore, and Tirupati by March 2024, followed by potential areas like Vizag, Vijayawada, and Nellore. Recognizing the growing interest in premium mattresses among the younger generation, we are expanding our presence in the state.”
In the current consumer landscape, health is a priority in purchasing decisions. With this in mind, Magniflex India launched the Ergo Tre Electric Bed, a luxurious and functional product controlled by a handheld remote, and featuring ergonomic plates for tailored body support. This allows users to elevate their heads and feet, which in turn helps reduce the pressure on the spine. It also addresses issues such as back pain, snoring, acid reflux, sleep apnea, varicose veins, and swollen feet.
To meet the growing demand for quality mattresses in the state, Magniflex India has introduced the Magniflex Investment Plan (MIP), offering Equated Monthly Instalment (EMI) schemes starting at ₹3,535 per month across all its products, emphasizing the importance of investing in a quality mattress and enjoy better health.
Today, Magniflex India has a network of six franchises — four in Bengaluru, one in Ahmedabad, and another in Gurugram — and an extensive dealership network through around 89 stores across India.
Magniflex is committed to driving growth, fostering innovation, and ensuring customer satisfaction in South India’s dynamic landscape. The people of Andhra Pradesh, historically inclined towards opulent living, are exhibiting a growing interest in financial investments for comfort and luxury.
7, Jan 2024
Renault India and Bajaj Finance collaborate to offer attractive financing solutions to its customers
New Delhi, 07 January 2024: Renault India Pvt Ltd. (RIPL), the European car brand in India, has partnered with Bajaj Finance Ltd., the lending arm of Bajaj Finserv Ltd., one of the country’s leading and diversified financial services groups, to offer attractive and affordable finance solutions for its customers. The partnership will help Renault customers avail exciting car finance schemes with low rate of interest and hassle-free quick sanction of loans on purchase of Kwid, Triber and Kiger.
Under this partnership, Bajaj Finance Limited will provide Renault customers with customised retail finance schemes – with the introduction of Flexi Pay Scheme, digital-first experience, including up to 100% on-road funding, with turnaround time of 30 minutes through their STP Process and attractive ROI which is best in the industry. To ensure even greater convenience, the entire financing process will be enabled through a digital customer journey for loan disbursement process.
On this occasion, Mr. Sudhir Malhotra, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Renault India Private Limited (RIPL), said: “Renault India remains committed to provide unparalleled services and convenience to its esteemed customers. At Renault we are happy to announce our strategic collaboration with Bajaj Finance that opens up new array of schemes and choices for Renault car buyers. This will pave the way for affordable and accessible personal mobility solutions, catering to a diverse and valued customer base. This strategic alliance will undoubtedly elevate overall convenience and ownership experience of our valued customers.
Siddhartha Bhatt, Chief Business Officer, Bajaj Finance, added “Our digital-first approach and affordable solutions (Flexi Loans) enable us to make car buying incredibly easy and affordable for our customers. Our straight-through process is aimed at improving convenience and the speed of loan disbursement. We are delighted to join hands with Renault India to provide hassle-free and flexible financing solutions to customers for owning a Renault vehicle in a convenient manner.”
Renault India and Bajaj Finance are confident that this collaboration will strengthen their position in the market and reaffirm their shared mission of providing outstanding auto financing solutions to customers. Bajaj Finance is a technology driven NBFC, offering a comprehensive suite of financial solutions and focused on enhancing customer experience digitally.
6, Jan 2024
Abhishek Soni and Sheilah Jepkorir win the Freshworks Chennai Men’s and Women’s Full Marathon 2024
Chennai, Saturday, January 6, 2024: Abhishek Soni from Madhya Pradesh, won the Men’s full marathon and Sheilah Jepkorir won the women’s full marathon at the 12th edition of the event here today. The Freshworks Chennai Marathon 2024 powered by Chennai Runners saw over 20,000 enthusiastic runners participating across categories. This sea of runners were cheered on by an enthusiastic crowd that had gathered at various points along the route of the marathon early this morning from 3.30 am onwards.
The full marathon and twenty miler both started from Napier bridge today morning at 4 am and was flagged off by Dr. Jayanth Murali IPS (Retd) The Commissioner of Police, Greater Chennai, Mr. Sandeep Rai Rathore, IPS flagged off the 10 km run. Dr C Sylendra Babu IPS, flagged off the 10 k, Wheelchair runners. Mrs C Latha, Secretary Tamil Athletic Association, Joint Secretary Athletics Federation of India was also present.
A total of Rs. 20,00,000/- (Twenty Lakhs Only) was distributed as prize money this year to the winners in various categories. The 12th edition of the marathon comprised of runners who were professionals, passionate runners, teams from various corporates across Chennai, several important dignitaries from the corporate world and citizens participating for the first time ever. This year the Freshworks Chennai Marathon saw participation of over 35% women runners. The marathon also had runners who were visually impaired, blade runners, and wheelchair runners.
The Freshworks Chennai Marathon 2024 powered by Chennai Runners, was certified by AIMS (The Association of International Marathons and Distance Races), a worldwide association of the organizers of long-distance road running races. Chennai Marathon 2024 is also recognized by Abbott World Marathon Majors as a qualifier event.
In its 12th edition, the Freshworks Chennai Marathon 2024, powered by Chennai Runners, the largest running event in Chennai and the second-largest marathon in India, comprised of four events for men and women including, a Full Marathon (42.195 Km) – the flagship race of the event, the Perfect 20 Miler (32.186 Km), the Half Marathon (21.097 Km) and the 10 Km Run.
Like the previous edition, this year the Freshworks Chennai Marathon 2024 powered by Chennai Runners focused on increasing awareness of Type 1 diabetics and on raising funds for people with insulin needs.
Abhishek Soni, winner of the Mens Full marathon said, “I love running marathons. This is my 6th marathon. I came to Chennai only to run for this event. I am thrilled to win here today. I am very happy with the Chennai marathon. The facilities are good, we had a very good guide every step of the way. The volunteers were very nice and helped me. There were enough of water points and the weather was also very nice. I was motivated to run well and winning here is a dream for me.”
Partners
Freshworks Chennai Marathon 2024 powered by Chennai Runners brought together a host of Chennai-based brands as partners. Baashyaam as Lifestyle Partner, Sundaram Finance Group as Silver Partner, Chennai Metro Rail Corporation as Metro Partner, Apollo Hospitals as Medical Partner, CR Volunteers were the First Responders, Limca Sportz is the Hydration Partner and Unived is the Marathon Fueling partner. Freshworks Chennai Marathon 2024 was a zero-waste marathon with Urbaser Sumeet as a partner for recycling and waste audits.
Results
Winners
Full Marathon – Men’s
- Abhishek Soni – 02:34:11
- Sakthivel D – 02:36:23
- Vinoth – 02:38:44
Full Marathon – Ladies
- Sheilah Jepkorir – 02:59:58
- Brigid Jerono Kimitiwai – 03:02:09
- Bijoya Barman – 03:30:12
Half Marathon – Men
- Ramavath Ramesh Chandra – 01:12:10
- Balasubiramanian S – 01:12:41
- Monu Singh – 01:12:49
Half Marathon – Ladies
- Kavitha Yadav – 01:27:33
- Kirutika S – 01:28:55
- Lithanyasree S – 01:30:58
32Km (20 miler) – Men’s
- Simion Kiplagat Too – 01:56:57
- Nanjundappa M – 01:57:18
- Sivanantham S – 01:58:36
32Mm (20 miler) – Ladies
- Aasa TP – 02:22:03
- Pavithra Pavithraiyyappan – 02:27:26
- Geetha Visweetha – 02:35:11
10Kms – Male
- Asif – 00:31:12
- Ritesh Kumar – 00:32:19
- Sathish Kumar – 00: 33:52
10Kms – Ladies
- Priyanka C Chandrashekar – 00:38:53
- Anupriya M – 00:39:29
- Sowmya Selvan – 00:40:01
