2, May 2024
Tata Communications Continues To be Recognised for 11th Straight Year in Gartner Magic Quadrant

Mumbai, INDIA- 2nd May 2024 – Tata Communications, the global commtech (communications
technology) player, proudly announces that it has been recognised as a Leader in the 2024 Gartner® Magic
Quadrant™ for Global WAN Services for the 11th consecutive year. The evaluation from Gartner was based
on specific criteria that analysed the company’s overall Completeness of Vision and Ability to Execute.

During the course of the year, to enable global enterprises to become more resilient and future-ready, Tata
Communications empowered them to deliver elevated customer experiences — through enhanced
network performance, flexibility and availability. It also introduced new and innovative solutions like IZO™
Multi Cloud Connect and a ‘zero-base bandwidth’ option for WAN links. Furthermore, it provided
enterprises with the fastest and flexible ways to modernise their network with Cloud-Connect enabled,
‘Bandwidth-on-Demand’ offering speed, convenience and cost efficiency on a pay-as-you-go model. Finally,
Tata Communications further strengthened its internet services with proactive security at both enterprise
and branch levels.

“We appreciate this recognition by Gartner for the eleventh consecutive year and remain focussed to
deliver ‘future ready’ networks for delightful customer experiences. As the pace of innovation accelerates
towards the next generation of connectivity, we will continue to provide flexible network options that
serve a diverse spectrum of business requirements,” said Genius Wong, Executive Vice President – Core
and Next-Gen Connectivity Services & Chief Technology Officer. Adding, “Tata Communications leverages
its investments in innovation, contextual knowledge, and expertise in next-gen technologies to develop a
digital fabric of solutions which helps our customers realise their aspirations.”

As per the report, providers in the Leaders quadrant are performing well and maintaining a stable
organisation, with a clear vision of market direction. They deliver comprehensive portfolios of quality
network services across the broadest geographies and address the global networking needs of a broad
range of enterprises in terms of size, geographic distribution and vertical industry. Leaders shape the
direction of the market by extending their coverage, developing new class-leading capabilities and
commercial models, and deploying them at scale. According to Gartner, Leaders execute well against their
current vision and are well positioned for tomorrow.

2, May 2024
School of Business Management NMIMS Mumbai successfully hosted its 21st Convocation

Tuesday, 2nd May 2024: SVKM’s NMIMS School of Business Management (SBM) Mumbai recently hosted its 21st Convocation ceremony. This year’s Convocation felicitated a total of 770 students as they graduated from four programmes, namely the Ph.D., MBA, MBA (Human Resources) and MBA (Pharmaceutical Management) programmes.

Shri Somanath S, Secretary of the Department of Space, Chairman of the Space Commission and the Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation graced the event as the Chief Guest. Mr. Jagrut Kotecha, CEO of PepsiCo Inc. was SBM’s special guest and was conferred the Distinguished Alumnus Award 2024.

The Chief Guest was joined on the dais by Dr. Jayant Gandhi, Secretary of the SVKM Trust and Nominee of the Honourable Chancellor, SVKM’s NMIMS, who presided over the ceremony as also Dr. Ramesh Bhat, Vice Chancellor, Dr. Meena Chintamaneni, Pro Vice Chancellor, Dr. Ashish Daptardar, Additional Registrar, and Dr. Chandrima Sikdar, Associate Dean of Programmes and Student Learning Experience at SBM.

Addressing students at the event, Shri Somanath S. emphasized, “We must realise the potential of our nation and organise ourselves towards that. With the success of Chandrayaan 3, we have made a significant mark. It has made a huge impact not only in India but globally. This accomplishment at frugal costs talks of our engineering capabilities. We owe the ability of our space sector to 60 years of hard work and the guidance of visionaries. As India moves towards becoming the 3rd largest economy in the world, I strongly believe our mastery of technology will drive our nation to the top.”

Reminiscing his student days at NMIMS, Mr. Jagrut Kotecha shared, “Life has come a full circle today. Thirty years ago, I was part of a similar ceremony. NMIMS laid the foundation for my business and management acumen, moral compass, entrepreneurial spirit and hunger for learning. It is good to see that even today, these are still embedded in the programs. I urge each one of you to never stop learning, networking, and thirdly always do things the right way.”

In his inspiring address to the graduates, Dr. Ramesh Bhat, Vice Chancellor stated, “This day marks the beginning of an exciting chapter filled with infinite possibilities and opportunities. As you look forward to your future, it is important to remember the lessons you have learnt and the experiences that have shaped you. Always remember that wherever you go and whatever you do, your actions will be like your fingerprints – proof of where you have been and what you have touched. You are going out in the world with excellent NMIMS credentials. Let’s take the first step forward towards a future with courage, determination and a commitment to excellence.”

Dr. Chandrima Sikdar presented the review of the Full-Time MBA programs of the SBM. Dr Jayant Gandhi, Dr. Ramesh Bhatt conferred the degrees on the graduating students and Shri Somanath S. gave away awards to the meritorious students. The event also witnessed the release of the Roster of Events, Convocation Brochure, and NMIMS Management Review.

The academic year 2023-2024 was one of notable achievements for SBM. It became the first B-School in Western India to be reaccredited by the AACSB. It was ranked 83rd among the 100 Global B-Schools in the FT – Masters in Management 2023 Rankings and 21st as per the National Institute Ranking Framework 2023 (NIRF 2023). 2023 saw 166 companies visit SBM’s campus for the MBA program, 46 for MBA HR and 32 for MBA Pharmaceutical Management programs.

Research and collaboration were at the forefront in the academic year 2023-2024. Nearly 40 research publications were published in journals of national and international repute, with 9 papers published in ABDC A category journals. Special mention was made of goes to Dr. Sachin Mathur, Associate Professor and Dr. Mayank Joshipura, who published the highest impact factor paper for the year in a 12.5 Impact Factor journal.

The memorable convocation ceremony concluded with a Vote of Thanks delivered by Dr. Meena Chintamaneni. Quoting the late President of India, Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, she recalled, “He had said at one of our convocations, ‘If you imbibe four things – great aim, seeking knowledge, hard work and perseverance – success can’t elude you.’ Every graduate should remember this as they embark on their careers.” The Convocation ceremony concluded in the midst of cheer, excitement and optimism for the graduating students, as they transitioned to becoming SBM’s alumni.

2, May 2024
Woodward’s Gripe Water’s latest campaign focusses on making fussy mothers and fussier babies’ smile

Chennai, May 02, 2024: Woodward’s Gripe Water, a reputed Ayurvedic Formulation brand for babies, has launched its latest campaign celebrating the new mother and her baby.

Teal and Cyan Bright and Vibrant Product Feature Instagram Post

The new film celebrates this New Mother, her intelligence, and her discerning way of choosing the right products for her baby like Woodward’s Gripe water; which has been putting smiles on fussy & gassy babies for 170+ years by giving instant relief to stomach pain & acidity while ensuring baby growth. Now Woodward’s has taken the mantle to be the guardian of not just baby smiles, but also the smiles of discerning mothers.

While the formulation and the pack reflect the modern moms, Woodward’s created the new TV Commercial based on this insight. While today’s women are modern, independent, have access to the latest information, and are more aware, they are also caring and protective of their child’s well-being. They seek information to make their own decision.

Saket Govind, DGM TTK Healthcare, says, “With increased awareness and worldview, today’s mothers are becoming a lot more choosier on everything. They are willing to trust a brand only based on its transparency and how much it is willing to share the information she seeks.” He adds “Gone are the days when marketers could get away with tall claims. Today’s Mothers expect the marketers to walk the talk.”

Armed with this insight, Woodward’s created an improved ayurvedic formulation that is gentler as well as tastier & comes in a new Royal Blue pack. A brand-new pack reflects the ethos of the new generation of mothers. Woodward’s has successfully recreated the same magic but in a gentler, safer, and tastier ayurvedic formulation. The improved Woodward’s has been introduced recently and is being quickly adopted by the New Mothers.

2, May 2024
LPU organized 2nd International Conference on Networks, Intelligence and Computing

LPU organized 2nd International

Jalandhar: The School of Computer Application at Lovely Professional University (LPU) organized its 2nd International Conference on Networks, Intelligence, and Computing (ICONIC-2024) at the Shanti Devi Mittal Auditorium. Organized as Bartik 100, the conference marked the 100th birth anniversary of Jean Bartik, who was one of the original six programmers for the ENIAC- the first computer of its kind. She began work at the University of Pennsylvania, first manually and then using ENIAC to do so. Bartik and her colleagues developed and codified many of the initial fundamentals of programming while working.

Held in hybrid mode, the conference provided a common platform for scientists, researchers, academicians, industrialists, and students to assimilate the knowledge. LPU’s Pro-Chancellor Smt. Rashmi Mittal inaugurated the conference by releasing an abstract book. On this occasion, Mrs Mittal was accompanied by LPU’s Vice-Pro Chancellor Prof Dr. LR Gupta, and Austria’s Prof Dr Radu Prodan from the Institute of Information Technology, University of Klagenfurt.

The released book contains briefs about various computer applications that are to help the global society in innumerable ways. Some of the topics relate to predicting diabetes early; smart parking systems; lung infection prediction; malware detection, enhancing cyber security; recognizing human activity in ATMs; reality in breast surgery education; multiple eye diseases; hearing loss; and, many more

Dr Radu addressed the conference as a keynote speaker. While talking with the hundreds of students attending the conference from across India, Dr Radu talked about sustainable computing by illustrating all about new developments in information technology. A PhD in Computer Science from the University of Innsbruck, Dr Rado’s current research interests include parallel and distributed systems, cloud computing, high-performance scientific computing, and software tool optimization.

Prof Dr L R Gupta desired a definite road map for students to make them future-ready. He hinted that the biggest challenge before all is to standardize norms and regulations for generative AI (Artificial Intelligence) modes.

It was also shared that presently we all live in a digital world estimated to host around 4.5 billion Internet users and 10 billion of mobile connections 2.5 billion of data every day. Managing and extracting value from the sheer amount of raw data requires deep software analysis. The talks provided an overview on optimizing system software support for extreme-scale data processing applications. The focus stayed on social media, entertainment and streaming, engaging billions of people expected to grow to 4.41 billion in 2025.

2, May 2024
Marriott Bonvoy Unveils Exclusive Resort Escapes Offer

India, 2nd May 2024: Marriott Bonvoy, the award-winning loyalty program by Marriott International is excited to announce the ‘Resort Escapes’ promotion offering travellers rewarding benefits ahead of the holiday season. Whether you’re seeking the serene embrace of a mountain retreat or the captivating allure of a beachside escape, our selection of 45 hotels spans over 20 breathtaking destinations throughout South Asia, offering travellers the best deals and a host of unforgettable experiences.

With Marriott International’s diverse portfolio nestled amidst nature’s most captivating landscapes, the offer aims to invite travellers to embark on a journey of discovery and relaxation with the best limited-time deals.

Encompassing over 20 captivating locations, from Dehradun to Goa and Jaisalmer to Shillong, each destination promises unparalleled experiences and deep rejuvenation. Through this campaign, Marriott Bonvoy is poised to offer compelling deals that cater to various categories and needs of travellers be it- a solo lover of wanderlust to families and friends catching up on the good times, or couples in search of a romantic getaway.

The package entails:

· Daily hotel credit up to INR 2,000 per stay at select Marriott properties.

· Daily buffet breakfast

· A bucket of beer or a bottle of wine

· 20% discount on spa treatments

· Curated experiences at the hotel/ resort

· 50% savings for kids under 12 years of age

· *Earn 1000 bonus points per stay for Marriott Bonvoy® HDFC Bank credit card holders

Embark on a journey to a picturesque paradise at Courtyard by Marriott Mahabaleshwar, nestled atop the Sahyadri mountain range of Maharashtra. Offering an unparalleled escape for those craving luxury and serenity, our resort boasts breathtaking views of lush green valleys and mist-covered hills from its exquisitely appointed rooms, suites, and private pool villas. Whether you’re indulging in holistic spa treatments, venturing out to explore the surrounding beauty through trekking, strawberry picking, and nature walks, or looking for a special picnic in nature, Courtyard Mahabaleshwar is dedicated to crafting unforgettable experiences, where each moment is carefully curated just for you.

The resort campaign is catering to families and couples who are increasingly seeking properties that offer a multitude of amenities within their premises. With the changing seasons, these demographics are naturally inclined towards resort destinations. Whether it’s the summer break or school vacations, resorts provide an ideal escape for families, while couples seek out destinations year-round.

2, May 2024
Statiq Selects Dassault Systèmes’ 3DEXPERIENCE Works to Accelerate the Development of EV Charging Infrastructure in India

Dassault Systèmes(Euronext Paris: FR0014003TT8, DSY.PA) today announced that Statiq, India’s largest EV charging network, is using Dassault Systèmes’ 3DEXPERIENCE Works to develop reliable, accessible, and affordable EV charging infrastructure in India. Statiq can focus on developing innovative solutions to accelerate India’s transition to sustainable mobility.

This adoption is driven by Statiq’s need to overcome product development, design, and production-related challenges such as the lack of revision control and design validation, the lack of a single platform for multi-stakeholder collaboration, and difficulty in data segregation, tracking, and retrieval.

The use of 3DEXPERIENCE Works on the cloud helped Statiq in the rapid design, development, and review of EV charging solutions tailored for diverse customer requirements.3DEXPERIENCE Works is a portfolio of applications on Dassault Systèmes’ 3DEXPERIENCE platform, for SOLIDWORKS customers and small and mid-sized companies. The powerful and intuitive 3D product development solutions helped Static design and engineer engaging product experiences, and significantly reduced product development lifecycles by doing away with the need for extensive physical prototyping and testing.

Leveraging the 3DEXPERIENCE platform’s ready-to-use applications, the team seamlessly collaborated digitally, significantly reducing task completion time by 60%. With access to a data repository on the cloud, Statiq was able to streamline the data segregation process and share non-CAD data along with designs. The collaborative working environment offered by the platform enabled multiple stakeholders operating across time zones and locations to work in sync. Inbuilt revision control made multiple CAD iterations possible in real time, and the accuracy of the 3D models significantly reduced turnaround time and fabrication rework by identifying potential issues early on.

The mission of Static is to revolutionize the EV charging experience in India by building a network strong and reliable enough to usher in a new era of sustainability. The company envisages an India where a climate-conscious public leverages electric vehicles without compromising convenience or affordability. Statiq, through its range of products, aims to raise the bar of the EV charging ecosystem in India by improving accessibility to the future of mobility.

“3DEXPERIENCE Works on the cloud helped increase visibility and efficiency across processes, resulting in rapid product development and reduced operational costs. By leveraging the power of the cloud, enterprise-wide collaboration and data management have become seamless. This has streamlined our product lifecycle management process and significantly reduced market time for our range of affordable EV charging solutions,” said Vasu Goel, R&D Lead, Statiq.

“3DEXPERIENCE Works offers a virtual environment to design and develop engaging product experiences with powerful, intuitive 3D solutions accessible to any business. Leading engineers and designers trust our ready-to-deploy portfolioon the cloud to create, collaborate and deliver innovative products tailored to their clients’ requirements. Statiq has access to a wide range of easy-to-use applications that can help in the development of cutting-edge EV charging solutions that are accessible, reliable, affordable, and part of India’s transitional journey to sustainable mobility,” said Deepak NG, Managing Director India, Dassault Systèmes.

2, May 2024
The Yoga Institute announced Free Access to the Samattvam Yoga OPD in Honor of Dr. Jayadeva Yogendra’s Birth Anniversary

The Yoga Institute announced

2nd May 2024 The Yoga Institute, Santa Cruz, Mumbai. The Yoga Institute, the world’s oldest organized center for yoga, announced that the “Samattvam” Yoga OPD which was previously available at a nominal fee, would now be offered to the public for free. This announcement was made in honor of the auspicious occasion of Dr. Jayadeva Yogendra’s birth anniversary on 27th April 2024. The Samattvam Yoga OPD initiative was launched in 1984 and has since conducted more than 2500 sessions. These sessions have treated more than 75000 patients. With the removal of the nominal fee, The Yoga Institute aimed to make the transformative benefits of yoga more accessible to everyone. This was an integral objective of Dr. Jayadeva Yogendra’s vision of promoting access to Yoga and its manifold benefits to every member of society.

The Yoga OPD “Samattvam” offered a bouquet of holistic health and wellness services such as personalized medical consultations, individualized yoga consultations with experienced instructors, kriya, pranayama, and asana sessions. Sammattvam focused on holistic well-being, curated sattvic diet plans, in-depth lifestyle practices for stress management, measurement of vital body parameters, and overall health enhancement. With this initiative, The Yoga Institute sought to promote a healthier and happier community empowered with the knowledge and tools to incorporate yoga into their daily lives. In memory of Dr. Jayadeva Yogendra’s birth anniversary, The Yoga Institute invited everyone to experience the transformative power of yoga through the “Samattvam” Yoga OPD, now offered free of charge.

Dr. Hansaji Yogendra noted that making ‘Samattvam’ accessible to all was a fitting tribute to the humanitarian ethos and memory of Dr. Jayadeva Yogendra, who had dedicated his life to selfless service by advancing the practice and understanding of yoga. This version of Samattvam allowed the profound benefits of Yoga to become accessible to everyone.

Dr. Hansaji Yogendra is the Director of The Yoga Institute, Mumbai, and a globally acclaimed spiritual guru, wellness mentor, and thought leader. Her words, ideas, and life-long body of work in Yoga, wellness, and mindfulness have been the source of powerful change in countless lives. Dr. Hansaji J. Yogendra has been honored with the Bharat Gaurav Award at the UK House of Commons in the British Parliament in London for extraordinary contribution to, and excellence in, the field of yoga.

She has conducted more than 100,000 yoga sessions and has been honoured with the Prime Minister’s Award for her contribution to the field of Yoga. Dr. Hansaji has a prolific and commanding online presence on various social media platforms which connects with millions of viewers worldwide. She is also a published author and writer. She is on the board of numerous national and international committees devising yoga syllabi and yoga policy. Dr. Hansaji Yogendra has designed health systems, special techniques, health camp programs, and well-being modules that cater to a wide range of people across age, ethnicity, and gender. Her life is an example of commitment to social well-being. An epitome of grace and wisdom, she is a global symbol of peace, balanced living, and yogic living.

The Yoga Institute was established in 1918 by the venerable yoga guru Shri Yogendraji, also known as the Father of the Modern Yoga Renaissance. The Yoga Institute celebrated its centenary milestone on 25 December 2018. The 100th anniversary celebration of the Institute was attended by Shri Ramnath Kovind – Ex-President of India, M. Venkaiah Naidu – Ex- Vice President of India. Under the leadership of Dr. Hansaji J. Yogendra’s guidance, The Yoga Institute, Mumbai was awarded the Prime Minister’s Award, by the Honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in 2018.

The Yoga Institute is a non-profit organization and the oldest organized center for Yoga in the world. The Institute has a diverse legacy of pioneering work in the field of yoga such as the “householder yoga” movement, several social initiatives such as Annam Brahma (free meals for the underprivileged), free medical health camps, blood donation drive, wellness and mindfulness programs, yoga for armed forces and police, holistic health programs, yoga programs for the municipal and western railway staff, wellness programs and much more.

2, May 2024
Medica Superspecialty Hospital leads Eastern India in trauma care with successful inaugural ATLS course

 Medica Superspecialty Hospital leads

2nd May 2024 Kolkata: Medica Superspecialty Hospital, a leading healthcare institution in Eastern India, is proud to announce the successful hosting of its inaugural Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) course from 28th April to 30th April’24. This significant initiative aligns with Medica’s steadfast commitment to bringing the highest standards of healthcare to Eastern India. Distinguished external faculty members for the inaugural course at Medica included Prof. Dr. MC Mishra, ATLS Chair and Program Director of ATLS India, along with Prof. Dr. Vinod Jain, Head Surgical Sciences, Neera Hospital, Lucknow, National Course Director ATLS India; Prof. Dr. Amita Ray, HOD Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, MMC Medical College, Bihar and ATLS Senior Instructor, ATLS Educator India; and Dr (Brig.) Sanil Mohan, Head of Department, Department of Anesthesiology, Command Hospital (Eastern Command), Kolkata. Dr. Anirban Chatterjee, Senior Consultant, Hand & Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon & Faculty – DNB Orthopedics, Medica Institute of Orthopaedic Sciences, In-house ATLS Instructor, Member of ATLS Team, Medica Superspecialty Hospital; Dr. Kasturi H. Bandyopadhyay, Senior Consultant Anaesthesiologist, DNB Faculty & ATLS Instructor, Medica Superspecialty Hospital and Dr. Akshay Gadre, Consultant Anaesthesiologist, DNB Faculty, ATLS Instructor and ATLS Site In Charge, Medica Superspecialty Hospital were an integral part of the ATLS course at Medica. The course was impeccably coordinated by Mr. Smith Banerjee, ATLS coordinator, Medica, Kolkata and Mr. Joseph Antony, Nursing Team Leader and Supervisor Emergency Medicine, ATLS Coordinator Medica, Kolkata under supervision from ATLS India head office.

Conducted under the esteemed banner of the American College of Surgeons, the ATLS course equips healthcare professionals with essential skills for managing polytrauma victims, particularly during the critical “Golden Hour” following injury. Developed out of the personal tragedy experienced by Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. James Styner in 1980, the ATLS program has gained global recognition as a pivotal method for training frontline providers in trauma patient care.

The initiative to introduce the ATLS course in India was spearheaded by the Indian Society for Trauma & Acute Care (ISTAC) with support from the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and the National Disaster Management Authority of the Government of India. Since its inception at the Jai Prakash Narayan Apex Trauma Centre of AIIMS, New Delhi in 2009, numerous centers across India have embraced this training, significantly enhancing the preparedness of medical personnel to handle trauma cases effectively.

Dr. Anirban Chatterjee expressed, “The inaugural ATLS course at Medica Superspecialty Hospital marks a significant milestone in our journey. After a few years of effort, we’re proud to be the first hospital in Eastern India to host this course, joining 33 other centres across the country. This program holds profound significance as it equips physicians with the necessary knowledge and skills to deliver critical care to trauma patients. Through the ATLS course, doctors acquire vital insights and abilities to promptly identify and address life-threatening injuries amidst the intense pressures inherent in trauma care environments.”

While talking about the importance of the course, Dr. Kasturi H Bandyopadhyay, shared, “Our objective was to establish a dedicated trauma team for proficiently handling polytrauma cases within our hospital. Initiating this course marked our initial stride toward realizing this objective.”

Dr Akshay Gadre stated that, “Although limited to 16 delegates per course, as per ATLS guidelines and recommended instructor-provider ratio, we have received inquiries from Oman, Bangladesh, and Nepal, which we have enlisted for our subsequent sessions. Eligibility for participation mandates possession of an MBBS degree. Following the success of this endeavour, we have plans to extend our efforts to conduct the ATCN course, aimed at training nursing staff in proficient trauma care.”

Mr. R. Udayan Lahiry, Managing Director, Medica Group of Hospitals, told, “Trauma is a leading cause of death and disability all over the world. Trauma management can be improved by implementing a trauma care system that includes injury prevention, education, pre-hospital care, transportation, hospital care, and rehabilitation. If properly implemented, trauma system can reduce mortality by at least 10-15%. Training clinicians to manage trauma patients is an essential part of developing proper trauma systems. The primary end point of any clinical educational activity is its impact on improving health care delivery resulting in saving lives. At Medica, we have always reiterated on continuous education not only for our clinicians and nurses but also for all the caregivers of the region in the larger interest of the community we serve. We intend to initiate the ATCN course soon in our endeavour to address the trauma management holistically.”

Mr. Ayanabh Debgupta, Jt. Managing Director, Medica Group of Hospitals, shared, “Trauma globally results in six million deaths annually. Approximately 40 million people suffer permanent injuries each year, while up to 100 million experience temporary injuries. The UN and WHO/WHA highlight trauma as the primary cause of death among individuals aged five to 29 worldwide. Recent analysis conducted in Indian hospitals revealed that 58% of trauma-related deaths could have been prevented. Against this backdrop, the significance of the ATLS course is unparalleled, and it is imperative for all hospitals to establish trauma care teams to enhance patient outcomes.”

About Medica Group of Hospitals: Medica Group of Hospitals, one of the major chains of hospitals in Eastern India today, has built and managed numerous healthcare facilities across the Eastern region over the past few years. The group has footprints in West Bengal, Jharkhand, Odisha, Bihar, and Assam.

2, May 2024
IIM Sambalpur’s 8th Annual Convocation Witnesses Conferring Degrees to 236 Graduating Cohorts

IIM Sambalpur’s 8th Annual Convocation

Sambalpur, 2nd May 2024; IIM Sambalpur, one of the premier management institutions, achieved a significant milestone as the convocation ceremony witnessed the conferral of 236 degrees upon the 8th MBA batch (2022-24) and the first batch of Executive MBA (2021-23). The graduation ceremony also featured the recognition of outstanding academic achievements by Priya Pant and Roma Dash, as they secured Chairman’s Gold Medals for Scholastic Performance in the MBA and Executive MBA Programme, respectively. It was a matter of pride for IIM Sambalpur and a true testament to women’s empowerment to witness two female awardees receiving the first rank in the prestigious awards. Moreover, it is to be noted that out of the top 10 scorers in the MBA batch, 6 of them were from the reserved categories.

Mr. Chandra Shekhar Gosh, Founder, MD & CEO, of Bandhan Bank, presided over the convocation ceremony as the Chief Guest. Mrs, Arundhati Bhattacharya, Chairman, BOG, IIM Sambalpur, and Chairman & CEO, Salesforce India graced the occasion. Prof Mahadeo Jaiswal, Director, IIM Sambalpur, along with deans, faculty members, the graduating students, and their parents were present at the ceremony.

Mrs Arundhati Bhattacharya, Chairman, BOG, IIM Sambalpur and Chairman & CEO, Salesforce India, motivated the graduating students as they embarked on their professional journeys and said, “Self-management is paramount importance for achieving progress in all aspects of life and is the cornerstone of success. Without self-discipline, resilience, and the ability to navigate challenges with equanimity, one cannot truly master self-management.”Mrs Bhattacharya further said, “If you cannot lead in times of crisis or step back during periods of steady growth, then you have not yet learned to manage yourself effectively. And without this foundational skill, no amount of management lessons will lead you to success. Therefore, I urge you to reflect on the importance of managing yourself as you leave here today.”

During his keynote address, Mr Chandra Shekhar Gosh, Founder, MD & CEO of Bandhan Bank, shared insights from his life journey and discussed the Human Development Index and its components such as per capita income and education. He also highlighted the challenges faced by individuals at the grassroots level, exemplified by the need to borrow money at exorbitant interest rates due to a lack of access to affordable finance. Mr. Gosh also gave a piece of advice to management passing batch and said, “First, try to find the people who are the best fit for the job, rather than requiring everyone to be highly skilled.”

In the welcome address, Prof Mahadeo Jaiswal, Director, IIM Sambalpur, shed light on the achievements of the premier institute over 9 years and said, “This academic year at IIM Sambalpur has been remarkable progress towards the vision of becoming an institute of par excellence. The newly built campus witnessed the establishment of an i-Hub Incubation Center, the 9th Pan IIM World Management Conference, the 100 Cube Startup Conclave, tie-ups with international universities, the commencement of the Delhi Campus and the inauguration of the permanent campus of IIM Sambalpur, among others.” Prof Jaiswal further said, “This batch is graduating into an exciting era, while the Indian economy is booming. India’s current economic landscape has rich potential, for not only corporate giants but also startups funded by various stakeholders, including the government. India boasts over 98,000 startups and more than 110 unicorns, showcasing the vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem in the country.” Prof. Jaiswal imparted five success mantras to graduating students like embracing an owner mindset and not the corporate slave mindset, adhering to legal & ethical compliance, becoming problem solvers, taking calculated risks while maintaining professionalism, and learning innovation through technology.

During the Convocation Ceremony, out of 236 graduating students, 190 graduating cohorts received their MBA degrees, while 46 Executive MBA students graduated on this day. A total of five medals were awarded to the meritorious students of the graduating class. In the MBA program, the prestigious Chairman’s Gold Medal for Scholastic Performance was received by Ms. Priya Pant from Uttar Pradesh for securing the 1st rank based on the highest CGPA, and the Director’s Gold Medal for Scholastic Performance was awarded to Mr. Aditya Kumar from Bihar for securing the 2nd rank based on the second highest CGPA. The IIM Sambalpur Gold Medal for the best all-around performance, based on scholastic achievements, extracurricular activities, and institutional building activities, was received by Mr Devashish Malkani from Uttar Pradesh. Additionally, for the Executive MBA, the prestigious Chairman’s Gold Medal for Scholastic Performance was awarded to Ms. Roma Dash from Odisha, recognizing her as the 1st Rank holder with the highest CGPA, and the Director’s Gold Medal for Scholastic Performance was received by Mr Binaya Bhusan Panda from Odisha, who secured the 2nd Rank with the second-highest CGPA.

2, May 2024
Housing in Mumbai continues to thrive with strong April 2024 property registrations

Mumbai’s real estate sector is witnessing an impressive performance with property registrations for April 2024 expected to cross 11,500 units from 10,514 a year earlier. Notably, the current figures represent a 9% increase in registrations compared to the same period last year, reflecting a continuous positive outlook. This robust activity is projected to contribute over Rs 1,043 crore to the state exchequer, according to a report by Knight Frank India. The city’s property sector, under the jurisdiction of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), has consistently shown strong results, marking the fourth consecutive month where registrations have exceeded 10,000 units.

The majority of these transactions, about 80%, have been residential properties, underscoring the sustained demand for housing in the region. This trend is a clear indicator of homebuyers’ unwavering confidence in Mumbai’s real estate market, which has remained attractive to potential buyers.

April 2024 has also seen Mumbai record the second-highest number of property registrations for the month in the last 12 years, alongside the highest collection of stamp duty ever recorded for April. This surge in activity and revenue can be attributed to rising income levels and a positive attitude towards homeownership among Mumbai residents.

Here are the comments from the industry leaders on the robust registration numbers.

Mr. Prashant Sharma,

Mr. Prashant Sharma, President, NAREDCO Maharashtra

“We are witnessing an exceptional phase in the Mumbai real estate market, as evidenced by the robust property registration figures for April 2024. This activity, contributing significantly to the state exchequer, underscores the unwavering confidence that homebuyers have in our city. The consistent achievement of surpassing 10,000 property registrations for the fourth consecutive month speaks volumes about the dynamism and resilience of Mumbai’s real estate sector. It also highlights a strong and sustained demand for housing, driven by increasing income levels and a positive shift in attitudes towards homeownership. It is imperative for us to continue fostering an environment that encourages such positive trends, ensuring that Mumbai remains a preferred destination for investors and homebuyers alike.”

Mr. Pritam Chivukula

Mr. Pritam Chivukula – Vice President, CREDAI-MCHI and Co-Founder & Director, Tridhaatu Realty

“We are thrilled to witness the robust performance of Mumbai’s real estate market, as reflected in the April 2024 property registration numbers. This achievement not only demonstrates the unwavering confidence that homebuyers have in the Mumbai market, but also underscores the resilient demand for residential spaces in Mumbai. This is indicative of the vibrancy and allure of Mumbai as a prime location for both living and investment. The fact that April 2024 marks the second-highest number of property registrations for the month in over a decade, along with the highest April stamp duty collection in the same period, is a testament to the growing economic prosperity and the positive sentiment towards real estate investment in our city.”

Mr. Vedanshu Kedia,

Mr. Vedanshu Kedia, Director, Prescon Group

“We are witnessing a consistent uptrend in home sales over the past few quarters, signaling a positive trajectory for the housing sector. Factors such as rising income levels, heightened aspirations for an enhanced lifestyle, and the imperative desire for homeownership have all played pivotal roles and have been contributing factors for this uptick in home sales.”