Author: Rabindra

Gen-Z explore old world delicacies

New Delhi, October 18th, 2023: Social entrepreneur and Modern School student, Eakam Sayal, held a food walk exploring the cultural richness and diversity of the heart of Delhi, in collaboration with Mansi @ThisFoodieRecommends, a veteran curator of heritage site visits and food tours. Through his campaign, Grub-aMaze, Sayal works with micro and small food vendors in and around Delhi to support their businesses with services like advertising, marketing, branding and product promotions through CSR partnerships.

The Grub-aMaze Food Walk aims to increase footfall for these micro and small food vendors. As a young entrepreneur, Sayal hopes that curating such guided tours for his Gen-Z peers will put these food vendors in the social media spotlight and create a new target audience for them. Following the trail of culinary explorations, here is your map of 8 must-try foods.

In the Mughal era, Chandni Chowk became a busy trade centre where the European, African, Persian, Turk, Mongol and Asian merchants, and mercenaries visited, leaving behind traces of their culture. These traces are evident in the lifestyle, the commodities and especially, the food.

Kuliya ki Chaat at Hira Lal Chat Corner

A seasonal fruit and vegetable spread, of which, some are scooped in the middle creating containers or “kulle”, that is filled with other fresh-cut produce, seasoned with lemon juice and spices

Fruit Sandwich at Jain Coffee House

A mango centre in soft slices of bread highlights freshly baked bread brought by the English and the Japanese’s unique fruit sandwiches.

Mutton Biryani at DilPasand Biryani Point

From Persia to the plate, it comes with slow-cooked meat options, with its long grain basmati rice cooked in the meat’s own fat.

Shammi Kebabs at Bhaijaan Kebabs

First prepared for a Nawab who lost his teeth, the soft melt-in-the-mouth meat patty is spiced with cumin, coriander, ginger and black peppercorns.

Butter Chicken at Aslam’s

From a pop-up meat store 3 decades ago, to now a 3 story building, their “butter chicken” features a skillfully grilled tandoori chicken marinated with a secret spice rub, served in a butter sauce.

Shahi Tukda at Cool Point

The Mughal way of using leftover bread is now used to create this famous deep friend sweet treat topped with nuts, spices and saffron.

Shahi Sheermal at Haji Nadeem

Milk, sugar, ghee and saffron are infused into the toasted flatbread eaten as is or with variations with toppings of dried fruits and nuts.

Kulpe/Chuski on the go

A summer cooler using the Japanese way of shaving ice and drizzling syrup is widely available at every corner.

Eurobond launches Zinc Panels, its latest product in partnership global architectural leader Rheinzink

October 18th, 2023, India: Eurobond, a vanguard in reshaping the Indian Façade Panel market today announced the launch of its latest cutting-edge product for Facades, Zinc! For the development of this game changing innovation for the industry, Eurobond has partnered with Rheinzink, a renowned global authority in championing sustainability and longevity within the architectural domain.

Gracing the occasion with their presence were, Mr. Vinayak Bhoir and Mr. Vishal Sutar from VRU Facade Engineering Pvt. Ltd. Mr. Rakesh Morudkar and Shrirang Prayagkar from from RSM Design Solutions, and Mr. Omkar Patil from Avanate Facade (Axis Facade).

Rajesh Shah, Chairman and Managing Director, Eurobond remarked saying, “From the time the company has started, it is our belief that we can bring the best of India to the world and also bring the best of the world to India through meaningful collaborations with best-in-class companies. To work towards accomplishing this vision, we are proud to announce our partnership with exclusive partnership with Rheinzink, a global market leader in zinc. Post sourcing the zinc from Rheinzink, Euronbond will manufacture zinc panels for the India market. Today, as India’s only listed ACP company on the NSE, our company is constantly focusing its efforts on building the best-in-class product portfolio for the benefit of our customers. I am confident that this collaboration with Rheinzink along with the investments being made into expanding our production capacity as well as importing of new machinery for our colour coating line will go a long way towards achieving our ambitious goals. One of these goals is of reaching a revenue target of INR 700Cr. in the next 3 years, and we’re taking all the necessary steps to realise these goals.”

Sven Agten, CEO, Asia-Pacific, Rheinzink said, “Rheinzink is very very happy and honoured to work together with a very good company like Eurobond. As companies we both strive for excellence and innovation and this makes Eurobond a perfect partner for Rheinzink. We are very excited about our partnership with Eurobond because India is a very exciting country with growth possibilities that fit very well with what we are trying to accomplish. The cooperation between Rheinzink and Eurobond has been very good right from the first day and I am confident that this partnership will grow and stay strong over the next 20-30 to even a 100 years. Rheinzink believes that India is a very good growth and positive market and we do know that long-term future growth will be heading towards the East and India will be a very central part of that. And we are very happy that we are playing a part in the growth and development story of India.”

Rheinzink has a remarkable legacy spanning over 175 years and are the world’s foremost and premier manufacturer of Architectural Zinc. Renowned for their relentless pursuit of excellence, Rheinzink has left an indelible mark on iconic projects across the globe. What truly makes this collaboration unique is the innovative approach encapsulated in the patented process and the 3P model of advanced sustainability.

Zinc, at its core, is a naturally sustainable material, making it an ideal choice for environmentally conscious projects. As organisations that champions sustainability and efficient manufacturing processes, the manufacture of Rheinzink’s Zinc Panels have been made with a patented Pre-Patina process along with using responsibly sourced raw materials from Scandinavia, which have resulted in an impressive 50% or 36,000 tons of reduction in CO2 emissions. A noticeable trend in the facade panel market is seeing the use of zinc gaining in popularity when it comes to building sustainable infrastructure and buildings.

However, the heart of this product is the proprietary natural pickling process which serves to not only enhances the quality of the Zinc but also underscores the commitment to sustainable and eco-friendly manufacturing practices. The unique blend of durability and aesthetic appeal makes using zinc an eco-conscious alluring choice. The growing demand for zinc cladding in emerging markets is driving up its market price, while trends like pre-weathered zinc and colored coatings go a long way in also enhancing its appeal.

Inauguration ceremony of Hazra Park Durgotsab celebrating 81st Year with its theme as Teen Chakar Golpo

Kolkata, 18th October 2023: Every year, Hazra Park Durgotsab surprises the audience by bringing forward new ideas. This Puja of South Kolkata has come up with an eye-catching theme ‘Teen Chakar Golpo’ (Tale of 3 Wheels) this time. Hazra Park Durgotsab which turns 81 this year is celebrating with a theme related to a chauffeur of an autorickshaw – “Teen Chakar Golpo” which was inaugurated by: Janab Firhad Bobby Hakim, Hon’ble Mayor of Kolkata; Sri. Sovandeb Chattopadhyay, Minister of Agriculture, Govt of WB; Sri. Baiswanor Chatterjee, MMIC, KMC; Sri. Sayan Deb Chatterjee, Joint Secretary of Hazra Park Durgotsab Committee & many other eminent personalities.

Kolkata, the City of Joy, which used to be somewhat easy-going in the past, is ever-changing and constantly evolving at present, to keep pace with the extreme dynamism across all borders in this contemporary world. We are thus living now in a fast-paced city with our ardent desires in mind and we have not learned to step back. While autorickshaw drivers are juggling different roles as a parent, a spouse or a son, another important role – that of a chauffeur of an autorickshaw with three wheels. They earn a meagre amount of toiling day and night, but they know how to keep their parents and children happy with all that they have. But, every night, while sleeping on their torn blankets they cannot refrain themselves from dreaming about earning lakhs someday

Speaking to the media, Sri. Sayan Deb Chatterjee, Joint Secretary of Hazra Park Durgotsab Committee said, “We have a negative feeling about auto drivers. But we never want to know about their daily struggles, the difficulties, their family life, their ambitions and dreams. The pandal recreates the auto stand, surrounded by local buildings, auto parts etc. From the familiar role of auto drivers competing against each other to net passengers and haggling for exact fares, we present their humane side, working 24×7 to feed their families while juggling roles as a parent, a spouse or a son. Though their daily earnings are meagre, they try to keep their families happy and put in all that they can for the good education of their kids. We have also depicted their stories in voice-overs.”

Who would like to listen to this tale of three wheels of ours? We are called by various names by the passengers who take a ride in our vehicles – uncle, auto, dada and so on…. We will drive through the city streets and the alleys defying severe weather conditions and keep on transporting passengers from one place to another indefinitely whether you all admit our commitment to our job or not. This festive season the auto rickshaw drivers will be on their way with the immense love and support extended to them by the Hazra Park Durgotsav committee.

Join the Jalsa: Paytm Insider’s Navratri Campaign Fuelled By Extensive Strategic Marketing Initiatives

Mumbai, 18th October, 2023: Paytm Insider, India’s leading entertainment platform, launches ‘Join The Jalsa’ – a campaign featuring a vibrant array of Navratri events. In an effort to supercharge the festivities and forge deeper connections with the audience, the platform has embraced a holistic marketing strategy. By synergizing outdoor, on-ground, and digital marketing initiatives, they are committed to curating an unforgettably vibrant Navratri experience, ensuring ease of purchasing tickets and the ultimate festive atmosphere.

After last year’s mega response, the platform has expanded its offerings across multiple venues and cities, exclusively ticketing for some of the biggest Navratri and Garba events in key cities. The platform showcases a line-up of riveting live events and experiences in Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Surat, Pune and Bengaluru for its Navratri campaign. Mumbai & Ahmedabad have been witnessing the highest traction in ticket sales, with the festival revellers attending in large numbers.

Moreover, Paytm Insider is not leaving any stone unturned to light up this Navratri with an array of promotional activities across the vibrant cities of Mumbai and Ahmedabad. They have strategically taken over 11 hoardings at prime locations in Mumbai (which includes Andheri, Malad, BKC, Bandra and Goregaon), 6 hoardings in Ahmedabad (including Gandhinagar, Bopal, SG Highway, and Satellite) and a few print ads in regional papers like Janmabhoomi, Bombay Samachar and Gujarat Samachar.

The platform is also live with digital screens and kiosks in residential societies of Mumbai & Ahmedabad, targeting over 500 homes. The kiosks are placed to offer a seamless ticket purchasing experience right at the patron’s doorsteps.

Furthering their outreach, Paytm Insider has engaged with corporate entities by deploying 40 screens in Mumbai at offices located in BKC, Lower Parel, Andheri and Borivali. To tap into the music and podcast listening audience, Paytm Insider has strategically tied up with audio streaming aggregators like Spotify, Jio Saavn, Wynk, and Zeno to promote events on their platforms. To amp up the festivities, their digital tie-ups with pages like Whats Hot Mumbai will ensure that festival enthusiasts never miss out on the popular Navratri events. But that’s not all! The platform has activated BTL initiatives with scan-and-buy posters, promotions at colleges near key events, campaign posters on auto rickshaws and much more, creating a holistic consumer centric experience for ease of purchasing Navratri tickets.

Paytm Insider’s Business Head, Varun Khare expressed, “We’ve kicked things up a notch this year by bringing you an epic roster of events through our ‘Join The Jalsa’ campaign. Our goal was to elevate the Navratri experience, making sure there’s something for everyone. And when it comes to marketing, it’s not just about spreading the word, we’re all about making it super easy for you to snag your tickets hassle-free.”

Paytm Insider has a line-up of some of the best Navratri celebrations happening across the country. Get your tickets on Paytm Insider now and ‘Join The Jalsa’, where India dances to Navratri’s rhythm!

Honeywell Unveils Breakthrough Enterprise Solution to Help Organizations Mitigate Evolving Cyber Threats

INDIA, Oct. 18, 2023 – Honeywell (Nasdaq: HON) launched Cyber Watch, a breakthrough enterprise solution designed to help organizations better identify, mitigate and manage the latest Operational Technology (OT) cyber threats.

“Everyone from the plant manager to the CISO is a line of defense against the next cyberattack. No company wants to be a frontpage headline as the next victim of a ransomware attack. We know hackers are lurking – waiting for months or even years – to strike,” said Kevin Dehoff, president and CEO, Honeywell Connected Enterprise. “Our industry-leading technology, supported by Honeywell’s deep domain experience in critical infrastructure, is designed to empower leaders and workers to stop an attack before it happens, from detection to remediation to response.”

According to findings from Forrester Research in 2023, almost three-quarters of organizations reported one or more data breaches in the past 12 months. Additionally, there has been a 140% year-over-year increase in attacks on industrial organizations.

“Understanding vulnerabilities and gaining insight at both the site and enterprise level will help enable faster and more informed decisions to better defend against cyberattacks, reduce potential downtime and create a safer environment for our employees,” said Chase Carpenter, Honeywell chief security officer.

Cyber Watch, part of the Honeywell Forge Cybersecurity+ Suite, is being demonstrated at this week’s Honeywell Connect, the premier software symposium for industrial companies. Attendees can also experience an enhanced version of Honeywell’s powerful Cyber Insights technology.

Honeywell Forge Cybersecurity+ Suite is designed to uncover security weaknesses within an organization’s OT environment by providing specific insights into vulnerabilities, configuration issues and compliance gaps at both the site and enterprise level, with the objective of improving overall resiliency.

Influencer Marketing Report 2023 Launched

Chennai, 18th October 2023. The Influencer Marketing Report 2023, one of the definitive reports on the Influencer Industry was released today. Influencer.in, one of the fastest growing influencer platforms in the country and an initiative by Social Beat is releasing this Industry report for the third year running. The Influencer marketing report presents a comprehensive look at the industry providing insights on Influencer Marketing and its trends. The report for 2023 was compiled basis over 500 + survey responses by Indian content creators, and over 50 marketers in the June to August period of this year. The report offers actionable insights for brands intending to include influencer-marketing in their marketing mix.

One key revelation included the increasing popularity of Short-Form Videos with over 92% Influencers preferring generating content using this medium with You Tube Shorts emerging as the preferred platform for content creation. This reflects broader social media trends towards quick, visually engaging content.

Over 77% of respondents said that Influencer marketing is a ‘must-have’ component of their digital marketing strategy. Instagram remains supreme as the most popular platform for Influencer marketing with You Tube shorts emerging as the preferred format of content in this platform.

Brand spends on Influencer marketing remains low with most apportioning only 5-10% of their marketing budgets to this medium

Highlights:

• 61% of brands prefer to work with micro creators over celebrities as they are often seen as being more authentic and relatable to their followers, which can make them more effective at driving engagement and sales.
• While macro-influencers and mega-influencers are also popular, they tend to be more expensive to work with. If you want to reach a large audience quickly they’re a good option, but may not be as effective at driving engagement as micro- and mid-tier influencers.
• Short-Form videos and Authenticity drive Influencer Marketing in 2023. The survey revealed 92% of Influencers preferred content using short-form videos, a huge shift in influencer activations. You Tube emerged as the preferred platform for more than 51% Influencers
• Short-Form Video content like Reels and YouTube Shorts the most popular format among Influencers
• 80% of Influencers prefer long-term brand relationships.

Suneil Chawla, co-founder Social Beat and Influencer.in, said, “Our findings in the Influencer Marketing Report 2023 emphasize the significance of long-term relationships between influencers and brands. Building rapport and familiarity over multiple campaigns is a priority for 80% of influencers and is beneficial for brands. What is exciting is that Brands now have the opportunity of addressing specific audiences using niche influencers to reach them more effectively and, in a cost, effective manner.”

Arushi Gupta, Business Head, Influencer.in, said, “The Influencer Marketing Report 2023 provides insights on the evolving landscape of influencer marketing. It showcases the growing preference among brands for authentic connections with their target audiences through micro creators. As well as the graduation in sophistication with influencers using AI and other tools. Over 50% of creators use AI for content creation while around 33% use it for engagement and writing. Brands now have the opportunity to engage with select influencers as long-term brand partners to provide more specific content.”

Challenges

• 57.8% of the influencers surveyed feel that the most commonly cited challenge is that the budgets do not align with demands or expectations.
• 51% pf male influencers said brands were too focused on short-term goals and metrics rather than thinking long-term.
• Many also mentioned tight delivery timelines imposed by brands as an issue as this constrains creativity and quality.

Influencers are now actively seeking tools, including ideas and content creation using AI, to enhance their performance. Nearly half, at 48%, are in search of workflow optimization dashboards, while a substantial 46% are actively seeking tools to keep them well-informed about emerging trends. While 50% are using AI tools to generate content ideas.

Choosing the Right Size Home – A 2023 Perspective

– by Akash Pharande, Managing Director – Pharande Spaces

It’s festive season time again, and many Indians are seriously considering taking the plunge this time. But even after factoring in the pros and cons, there is one aspect of the home ownership journey that can cause confusion – namely, how big a home should you buy?

Of course, you’ve read the news and know that most Indian homebuyers are going in for bigger apartments now. One of the main reasons is that it makes more financial sense to go in for a ‘forever’ home right away instead of beginning with ‘starter’ homes and getting into the gradual upgrade cycle.

Each upgrade involves a new home loan, and the way home loans are structured, you are mostly paying the interest component for the initial EMI years. Add to that the hassle of fresh home loan applications and paying stamp duty on every upgrade, doing the whole thing only once is a very sensible option.

But choosing the right home size is not just about budget constraints; it’s about optimizing space for a comfortable life. How can you decide on what size of home works best for your family? Also, is this quest for bigger homes a purely Indian phenomenon, or is it worldwide?

Home Size Preferences – The Indian vs. Global Scene

In 2023, based on data from leading real estate consultants, 2 and 3-bedroom apartments dominate India’s urban housing market, constituting almost 65% of the demand. However, this contrasts rather sharply with the global scenario. Single-bedroom and studio apartments are gaining more traction in Western countries and also the densely populated cities in the East.

One might wonder why. The Indian homebuyer’s preferences stem from traditional joint family systems, the relatively newer preference for forever homes rather than starter homes, and the equally new need for home office space after the recent pandemic.

Though the trend of nuclear families is on the rise in India, even such families often look for an extra bedroom for guests or, potentially, aging parents. This is a cultural phenomenon which may be rather unique to India.

In the US, similar to what we are witnessing in India, there is also an increased preference for larger homes in suburban or rural areas post-COVID. In the UK, the trend was similar and was further encouraged by a stamp duty holiday in 2020. And somewhat similar to India, the UK witnessed a migration from urban areas to suburbs or countryside.

On the other hand, many of the major European and North American markets also saw a gradual shift towards minimalism and an emphasis on environmental sustainability. In India, this trend is primarily restricted to very expensive cities where functional smaller homes are becoming popular again.

But in overall industry terms, the highest demand in India is currently for bigger homes. So, what will you choose?

Do You Need a Bigger Home?

Glistening brochures and glamorous show-flats emphasizing spaciousness and luxury are definitely enticing. And apart form all the practical reason mentioned above, so is the social value of owning a bigger home. When it comes to deciding the right size of your home, consider your family’s current and future requirements. Also, reflect on whether a smaller but well-designed flat would meet your needs equally well. Often, smart designs matter as much as square footage.

Key Factors to Determine Your Ideal Home Size

Family Size and Dynamics: If you have a young family, planning for future needs (like an extra bedroom for another child or a play/study area) makes sense. If you’re nearing retirement, a smaller, low-maintenance home might be more appealing.

Lifestyle Preferences: If you entertain guests frequently, a larger living area or an extra guest room is useful. If you work from home, even in hybrid mode for a couple of days in the week, a separate work room becomes essential.

Financial Preparedness: Remember, bigger homes don’t just cost more initially; they also have higher maintenance costs.

Size Requirements at a Glance

– 2-bedroom flats are popular among young couples and small families. They strike a balance between affordability and adequate space.
– 3-bedroom homes cater to medium to large families, or those anticipating future expansion of their families.
– 4-bedroom homes and above cater to affluent buyers, large families, or those who prioritize luxury and space. However, the demand is relatively lower.

In metros like Mumbai, there’s actually an emerging trend for compact homes – smartly designed spaces that make the most of every inch. They’re economical and are a fit for the fast-paced metropolitan lifestyle. Also, prices in Mumbai are prohibitive when compared to neighbouring Pune or other cities like Bengaluru and Hyderabad. In these cities, buying a bigger home within a reasonable budget is feasible and desirable.

In Conclusion

Buying a home is a decision of a lifetime. Market trends provide insight but your individual needs must be given the most importance while deciding on the right size of home for your family. Let your unique requirements be the guiding light, so that you finally buy a home where your heart feels at peace and your family finds space to thrive.

About the Author:

Akash Pharande is Managing Director – Pharande Spaces, a leading real estate construction and development firm famous for its township projects in West Pune and beyond. Pharande Promoters & Builders, the flagship company of Pharande Spaces and an ISO 9001-2000 certified company, is a pioneer of townships in West Pune.