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Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India conducts a successful Road Safety Awareness Campaign at Pune

Pune, 26th April 2024: Road safety stands as the foremost priority of HMSI. To foster responsible behavior on the roads and contribute towards creating a more vigilant and safety-focused society, the company regularly organizes Road Safety Awareness Campaigns across diverse regions in the country. HMSI firmly believes that such campaigns encourage individuals to adopt safe driving practices, fostering a culture of caution and consideration on the roads.

Among various activities, one such campaign was recently organized in the city of Pune which left a notable imprint on the participants. Continuing its focus on educating young minds, HMSI witnessed the active participation of over 2500 school students and staff members at the premises of Army Public School.

HMSI underscores the necessity of teaching road safety principles to children from an early age, and thus, promotes the inclusion of road safety educational curriculum at both school and college levels. Understanding that young minds are receptive to learning, the company aims to empower the next generation with the knowledge and skills necessary for navigating roads responsibly. The road safety awareness campaign consists of highly interactive and engaging activities such as Road Safety Games, Safe Road Theory Sessions, Slow Bicycle Riding, Road Signage and Riding posture training.

Since its inception, HMSI has imparted Road Safety Education to nearly 5 Lacs individuals including children and adults in the state of Maharashtra, striving to promote Safe Riding an everyday habit for all.

Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India’s CSR Commitment towards Road Safety:

In 2021, Honda globally made a vision statement for the year 2050 where it will strive for zero traffic collision fatalities involving Honda motorcycles and automobiles. In India, HMSI is working in line with this vision and the Government of India’s direction of reducing fatalities to half by 2030.

One critical aspect of achieving this goal is inculcating a positive mindset towards road safety in our children by the year 2030 and continuing to educate them thereafter. Road safety education at schools and Colleges is not only to create awareness but to inculcate a safety culture in young minds and turn them into safety ambassadors. It empowers future generations to become responsible and significantly contribute to a safer society.

HMSI wants to be a company that Society wants to exist and is strongly focusing on Road safety awareness to all sections of society with unique ideas catering to each segment from school kids to Corporations and society at large.

HMSI’s set of skilled safety instructors conducts daily programs at our 10 adopted traffic training parks (TTP) across India and 6 Safety Driving Education Centers (SDEC) to make road safety education accessible to every part of society, and the initiative has already reached over 5.7 million Indians. HMSI’s National Road Safety Awareness program made learning fun yet scientific through:

SCIENTIFICALLY DEVISED LEARNING MODULE: Honda’s skilled instructors set the foundation with theory sessions on road signs & markings, driver’s duties on the road, riding gear & posture explanation and safe riding etiquette.

1. PRACTICAL LEARNING: A special training activity on Honda’s virtual riding simulator was executed for all to experience over 100 possible dangers on road before actual riding.

2. INTERACTIVE SESSION: Participants were given danger prediction training known as Kiken Yosoku Training (KYT) which helps in enhancing rider/driver’s sensitivity to danger and ensures safe driving behaviour on roads.

3. EXISTING DRIVERS HONING RIDING SKILLS: Students & school staff members who are already existing riders tested & honed their riding skills through slow riding activities and riding on narrow planks.

Celebrate Everyday with Fabindia

India,26th April 2024 Fabindia, India’s much-loved lifestyle brand, has launched their latest umbrella theme for the summer, capturing the mood of ‘Celebrate every day’. It’s about living in the moment, cherishing the hustle and bustle of daily life, whether be it for work or play, and all the little moments of our life.

This collection highlights gentle pastels to earthy shades, elegant craftsmanship, and the easygoing comfort we all need. It’s light, airy, breezy, and ready for summer! With capsule collections for different aspects of your wardrobe and home, they present 3 key offerings- Indian Summer, Elemental, and PLaY.

Elemental- Western Wear Summer’24

Showcasing the harmony between contemporary fashion and timeless traditions, earthy tones, fluidity, warmth, and breathable fabrics rule this campaign. With the ever-growing popularity of Fabindia’s western wear collection, this edit seamlessly integrates nature-inspired designs into contemporary Western Wear, with something for every style aesthetic. With each piece telling a story of artisanal crafts, women can explore a range of silhouettes for dresses, prints, and embroideries on shirts, tops, and more. Men can browse through a myriad of options for fabric, prints, and colors for their summer shirts.

Indian Summer- Ethnic Wear Summer’24

This collection encapsulates Fabindia’s most loved kurtas for men and women, saris, dupattas, and intricate jewelry. This is your summer diary, your everyday go-to essentials, it speaks to you on a day-to-day basis. It’s a take on familiar elements of summer reflected in comfortable ethnic wear. With motifs inspired by the Peepal tree and enchanting florals, light pastel shades woven in cotton are what you will find, with styles for the entire family.

PLaY by FabHome

Limitless possibilities! That’s the theme for your home this season. Play by Fabhome encourages everyone to embrace their inner interior designer, mixing and matching cushions, curtains, throws, bed linen, and table settings. Your home is your playground and every aspect of your personality should shine through. The collection caters to the ever-changing moods and aesthetics of your home during the summer.

Speaking about the ‘Celebrate Everyday’ collection, a Fabindia spokesperson said – “We want people to look at Fabindia as an everyday solution, not just for weddings, festivals, and special occasions, but as a one-stop-shop where everyone, from adults to kids, can find something they identify with every day. This collection has its own identity with inspiration taken from the moments we all experience every day, which is woven into its fabric. This makes it stand apart from the rest.”

Ecofy and Vidyut join forces to offer a subscription-based battery-as-a-service model

Mumbai, 26th April 2024: Ecofy, India’s leading green-only Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC), and Vidyut, a pioneering EV ownership platform specializing in making electric three-wheeler acquisition more affordable, today announced a strategic partnership aimed at revolutionizing the electric vehicle market and fostering sustainable transportation solutions. While Ecofy will finance the loan, Vidyut will offer a subscription-based battery-as-a-service model to ensure affordable EV solutions.

This collaboration marks a pivotal shift towards making EV ownership as accessible and seamless as that of conventional ICE vehicles. With a hybrid financing model that significantly reduces the cost of acquisition and introduces a pay-per-kilometer battery leasing model, Ecofy and Vidyut aim to make the adoption of EVs stress-free and risk-free.

Speaking on the partnership, Kailash Rathi, Head of Partnerships & Co-Lending at Ecofy, said, “This collaboration underscores our shared commitment to promoting sustainable mobility solutions. Ecofy has already made meaningful strides in the 3W EV space with its unique product and boasts partnerships with all top OEMs. As a dedicated green financier, we have been pioneering innovative and bespoke solutions to drive green penetration in the country. In line with this, by combining Ecofy’s expertise in green financing and Vidyut’s subscription model, we aim to democratize EV ownership in the country.”

Our battery subscription-based vehicle ownership model provides customers with a 30-40% cheaper alternative to traditional ICE vehicle ownership. This solution broadens access to electric vehicles by eliminating the necessity for significant upfront payments and providing flexible payment options based on usage, making EV ownership more accessible to a wider audience.

Xitij Kothi, Co-founder at Vidyut said, “We are excited to partner with Ecofy to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles and contribute to a greener future. Our subscription-based holistic ownership model aligns perfectly with Ecofy’s mission to drive positive environmental impact through sustainable financing solutions. Together, we aim to empower solo entrepreneurs and small businesses to make the transition to electric vehicles seamlessly.”

Between 2019 and now, India saw a notable surge in electric vehicle adoption across various segments. Passenger cars experienced a robust growth rate of 37%, capturing 3% of the market. The commercial vehicle sector witnessed even stronger growth, with electric three-wheelers commanding 65% of the market share. Two-wheelers also saw significant adoption, comprising 7% of total sales.

BOOTES, India’s first Net-Zero Company Awards PR Mandate to PRable Global

26th April 2024, New Delhi: PRable Global, one of India’s new-age PR agencies, has been awarded strategic communications and PR mandate from BOOTES, India’s first net zero company working towards Mr. Modi’s ambitious vision of achieving net zero by 2070.

The partnership is founded on a shared vision for technological innovation and sustainability. In this new collaboration, PRable

Global will implement comprehensive strategies to enhance BOOTES positioning as a forefront leader in the NetZero construction-tech industry.

India’s first Net-Zero company, BOOTES, is synonymous with innovation in India’s construction landscape, spearheading a paradigm shift towards sustainable Net-Zero infrastructure. The company is committed to revolutionizing the industry, one eco-friendly project at a time. In their quest for a greener, healthier Bharat, BOOTES is not just building structures but rather crafting a sustainable legacy. The company’s vision transcends traditional construction norms. As architects of change, they envision a future powered by 100% on-site energy generation, thereby reducing carbon footprints and operational costs. Their projects, like the Net-Zero Jhansi Library, Shrimad Bhagwat Geeta Museum, Haryana, Pradhan Mantri Sangralahaya, Delhi, 354 Hudson Street, New York, World Expo India Pavilion, Dubai, etc., spanning the length and breadth of India, echo their unwavering commitment to PM Modi’s vision of a Net-Zero nation by 2070.

Speaking on the collaboration, Deepak Rai, Managing Director BOOTES said, “We are delighted to have PRable Global as our strategic communications partner because of their strong capabilities across verticals. I am confident that our partnership will lead to increased awareness and appreciation of our brand presence.”.

Commenting on the mandate, Aman Singh Madaan, Founder at PRable Global, said, “BOOTES is a revolutionary company that is helping achieve India’s net-zero goals. We are excited to partner with them for PR. We believe that with our impactful tools and approach to media relations, we can showcase BOOTES’s ethos that is rooted in Aatmanirbhar Bharat.”

PRable Global will take on a pivotal role in positioning BOOTES’ as a market leader. With a history of successful collaborations with renowned brands like MG Motor, SEPC by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Big Boy Toyz, Intellect Design, Landmark, Muffin, Netmeds, Adrenaline e-Systems, Lectrix EV, Ankur Suman, and more, PRable Global brings a wealth of experience to further amplify BOOTES market presence.

Ransomware Trends and Shifts in the Cyber Threat Landscape

Arete incident response engagements and explores the rise and fall of ransomware variants, trends in ransom demands and payments, impacts on critical infrastructure, and what Arete expects to see in 2024.

Here are the key findings:

• · Arete observed threat actors continually evolve their operations to become faster, stealthier, and wealthier. These changes ranged from new methods to bypass security defenses to new techniques for exfiltrating and posting stolen data.
• · A ransom was paid in just 31.3% of engagements in 2023, driving threat actors to become more aggressive in negotiation techniques and demand notably larger ransoms.
• · Threat actors faced increased pressure from law enforcement, including the successful disruption of the Hive ransomware operation and a temporary ransomware takedown of ALPHV/BlackCat

Arete transforms the way organizations prepare for, respond to, and prevent cybercrime. With decades of industry experience, Arete’s team combines hundreds of investigative, technical, and cyber risk management practitioners with best-in-class data and software engineers. This elite team of experts provides unparalleled capabilities to address the entire cyber incident life cycle, from incident response and restoration to advisory managed security services.

Provident Housing Secures INR 1,150 Crores Investment from HDFC Capital, with a potential GDV of INR 17,100 Crores

Mumbai,26th April 2024: Provident Housing Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Puravankara Limited – one of India’s most trusted and admired real estate companies, announces a significant deal with HDFC Capital. The INR 1,150 crore investment marks a milestone in the company’s journey of growth and expansion.

This strategic collaboration will add 6.2 million square feet of new residential projects to the ongoing 14.8 million square feet with a combined GDV of INR 17,100 crores, which will be delivered over the next five to six years. Provident, a large-scale community developer, has so far completed 15.1 million square feet of projects across the country with a presence in nine cities, including Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Goa, Kochi, Mumbai, and Pune.

This partnership with HDFC Capital will help strengthen Provident Housing Limited’s commitment to leveraging alliances to capitalize on emerging opportunities in the real estate sector. With this investment, the company is poised for expansion, focusing on innovation, quality, customer-centricity, and sustainable project development.

Commenting on this investment, Ashish Puravankara, Managing Director, Puravankara Limited, said, “We are delighted to partner with HDFC Capital – an entity with a longstanding history of excellence. This deal reinforces the confidence of our institutional investors in the company’s corporate governance and the way we conduct our business. We stay committed to developing international quality homes, delivered on time with trust and transparency.”

Vipul Roongta, Managing Director & CEO, HDFC Capital, said, “HDFC Capital is committed to long-term partnerships with marquee real estate leaders like Puravankara with an excellent track record of development and delivery. Through our partnership with Puravankara, we will focus on meeting the increasing demand for high-quality homes for mid-income households in India.”

Mallanna Sasalu, CEO, Provident Housing Limited, said, “This strategic alliance with HDFC Capital marks a pivotal moment in Provident’s journey towards growth and acquiring larger market share. With HDFC Capital’s support, we are well-positioned to accelerate the development of new residential projects across India while delivering exceptional value to our customers and driving long-term shareholder value.”

Kunal Wadhwani, Principal Investments, HDFC Capital, said, “Our collaboration with Puravankara, a leading pan-India developer, helps address the significant demand for high-quality homes at affordable prices and is in line with HDFC Capital’s strategy of catering to the largely unmet demand in the mid-income residential segment.”

Neeraj Gautam, Group President of Finance, highlighted the importance of this investment, stating, “This marks a significant evolution in our investment strategy, signaling the beginning of larger partnerships and transactions that align with the overarching vision for the Group.”

Embarking on a new era: Indiatimes 2.0 redefines digital storytelling for modern youth

New Delhi, 26th April 2024: Indiatimes, the lifestyle brand of Times Internet, has long been hailed as the ultimate digital destination for youth. From the latest trends to timeless classics, the brand curates diverse content reflecting the preferences of today’s youth. With a fresh zeal to inform, educate, and empower the youth, Indiatimes embarks on a new content creation journey with Indiatimes 2.0.

The brand’s new avatar goes beyond mere information delivery; it aims to become a social-savvy brand and spark thoughts, ignite debates, and foster meaningful conversations. Indiatimes will buzz with a new style and format of content, blending humor and quirkiness with thought-provoking narratives. Debates, polls, contests, and tête-à-têtes with fan-favorite influencers on social media will place the audience at the center stage of India’s most happening scenes.

Abhijeet Anand, Business Head of Indiatimes, expressed his enthusiasm for this transformative journey, stating, “As the premier lifestyle platform under Times Internet, Indiatimes has always been at the forefront of creating trendsetting narratives that resonate with the nation’s youth. This metamorphosis marks our most thrilling chapter yet, as we strive to set new trends with unprecedented vigor to engage with our audience like never before. As we embark on the journey for Indiatimes 2.0, we have a robust pipeline of IPs (Intellectual Properties) centered around themes such as “Make in India” (showcasing India’s rich cultural heritage and innovation on a global scale), education and personal finance.”

The platform’s new coverage will deliver the latest stories from diverse fields such as lifestyle, tech, travel, personal finance, entertainment and auto. The sole commitment is to create unparalleled formats that directly resonate with Indian youth, placing them and their interests at the forefront of everything.

Job Hai partners with 100-year-old The George Telegraph Training Institute to empower students with employment opportunities

Delhi,26th April 2024 – Job Hai, a leading online recruitment platform, has announced a strategic partnership with The George Telegraph Training Institute, a renowned institution in the field of skilling and vocational training for over 100 years. This collaboration aims to bridge the gap between skilled students and job opportunities, particularly in the blue-collar sector.

The George Telegraph Training Institute has decades of expertise in skilled candidates in the field of Technicians, Paramedics, Mechanics, IT hardware, and the Beauty & Wellness space.

With Job Hai’s PAN India presence, The George Telegraph Training Institute will now be able to extend its reach and offer its skilled students employment opportunities from across the country, including hyperlocal opportunities. Students will also stand a chance to utilize Job Hai’s platform and connect with renowned brands to access better-paying jobs and better growth prospects.

The George Telegraph Training Institute will also be selecting the top cohort of highly skilled students matching certain eligibility criteria who will get an opportunity to be recommended for top jobs matching their profile.

In addition to job placements, Job Hai and The George Telegraph Training Institute will work closely to develop customized training programs, tailored to meet the evolving demands of the blue-collar job market. By leveraging Job Hai’s insights into industry trends and employer requirements, The George Telegraph Training Institute will enhance its curriculum to equip students with in-demand skills and certifications of the industry.

Mr. Sanjib Kumar Das, Executive Director at the George Telegraph Group said, “The George Telegraph Training Institute has been dedicated to empowering students with practical skills for decades, and our partnership with Job Hai marks a significant milestone in our journey. Together, we will not only expand our students’ employment horizons but also ensure they are equipped with the skills relevant in today’s job market”.

Job Hai will also enable The George Telegraph Training Institute to source candidates from its platform to fulfill the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) requirements of partner organizations, thereby fostering skill development and employment generation on a larger scale.

Roushan Bharti, Business Head, Job Hai said, “The blue-collar hiring landscape in 2024 is marked by strong demand for skilled labor, a shift towards tech-integrated roles, and a critical need for bridging the skill gap. Our partnership with The George Telegraph Training Institute aligns perfectly with these trends, enabling us to empower a new generation of blue-collar professionals with the skills and opportunities they need to succeed”.

The partnership between Job Hai and The George Telegraph Training Institute demonstrates their shared commitment to delivering value to both candidates and employers. By combining their expertise and resources, these organizations have the potential to reshape the blue-collar job landscape and drive a positive change.

Viksit Bharat: IP & Social Impact – Ms. Himani Pande, IAS

New Delhi, 26th April 2024: “Viksit Bharat 2047 is about empowering people, a thriving economy, a prosperous India, and a sustainable India. IP addresses all components of Viksit Bharat and Atmanirbhar Bharat. However, technology does not address every problem that we face today. We have to also think of the social impact our work has and not just focus on the economics, said Ms. Himani Pande Additional Secretary – Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Govt. of India at ASSOCHAM’s 2nd IP Leadership Summit and Awards.

The introduction of biometrics in the PDS system has reduced pilferage through ghost beneficiaries and made ration accessible across the country. It does not however solve all problems making it important to build in civic attention to innovations and IP. Just two percent of IP Grants are commercialized, and we are in the process of framing the IP financing framework to increase that number not just for the economics but also for the societal benefits.” said Ms. Himani Pande Additional Secretary, DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Govt. of India.

Prof. (Dr) Unnat P. Pandit Controller General of Patents, Designs & Trademarks (CGPDTM), Govt. of India, said “IP and innovation plays a crucial role in driving development and we are working to ensure that we offer IP-driven solutions that are developed, deployed and commercially utilized. The country needs to strengthen its IP position. Year on year we are witnessing growth in in IP filings. In FY 2023-2024, we have 90,300 patent filings which highlights the confidence of researchers in the Indian economy. There is enough traction on not just the development of a science or technology but equally on protection.”

Mr. Pravin Anand, Chairperson ASSOCHAM IPR Council and Managing Partner, Anand and Anand, said, “IP balances the old and the new, and values science as well as arts. Traditional knowledge has now been incorporated in the world of IP. Geographical indications and well-known trademarks rely upon long usage and base their strength on what is old. There have been tremendous changes in intellectual property in the past years. The need of the hour is to join hands in strengthening the IP law.”

Setting the context at the summit, Dr. Hemang Shah, Co-Chairperson ASSOCHAM IPR Council, India Engineering Lead, Qualcomm said, “We are witnessing a major rise of IP contributors in the country, large companies, domestic filers, start-ups, research and educational institutions. Looking at all the metrics, we have the right building blocks for Viksit Bharat by 2047. But to achieve that we have to make meaningful progress in terms of innovation and execution.”

Speaking at the summit, Dr. Louise Boisen, Counsellor – IPR, Danish Patent and Trademark Office said, “No country can solve every problem humanity is facing on its own. Technologies and solutions need to be transferred for greater impact. For the transfer to be a success, developers, and inventors need to be able to trust the IP system and that their intellectual property will be protected. This is important so that innovators can continue to invest in new solutions and recoup their investments to continue the cycle of innovation.”

Mr. Hiroyuki Nakano, Deputy Director, International Cooperation Division, Japan Patent Office said, “The high number of patents granted in the last year is a positive indicator of India’s technological competitiveness. Education in the field of intellectual properties is growing in importance around the world. Japan considers it a great honour to contribute to India’s capabilities in this field. More than 400 Indians have been invited to participate in training programs in Japan so far.”

Dr Jitendra Kumar, MD Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council, said “India has been the knowledge generator for the world but has never commercialized it. Today, the rate of intellectual property filing in India is more than the global average. IP is the bedrock of innovation. There are lot of undercurrents of growth, all we need is how we can take this opportunity and transform it into a real promise for the country.”

Several sessions on envisioning India as an IP leader and the role of AI in IP landscapes were also held. Key path breakers and achievers in the field were also recognised with leadership awards as part of the summit.