24, Jan 2024
The Hinduja Family Secures Entrepreneur of the Year Award
Bengaluru, 24th January 2024: The Hinduja family and Mr. Gopichand Hinduja, Chairman of The Hinduja Group, a 110-year-old multinational conglomerate with a multi-billion dollar turnover, have secured the Entrepreneur of the Year Award at Spear’s Awards 2023. The grand event, held in the opulent ballroom of Landmark London, brought together luminaries from the wealth management, private banking, and property sectors to honor outstanding achievements in the past year. This award to the Hinduja family underscores their entrepreneurial spirit, commitment to excellence, and the successful fusion of history and modern luxury in The OWO Residences.
Under Mr. G.P. Hinduja‘s visionary leadership, the Hinduja family has not only reshaped global industries with ventures in hospitality, automotive, finance, energy, and healthcare but also set unprecedented levels of success. Their strategic guidance has left a lasting impact on the global economy, redefining industry standards across diverse sectors.
Expressing her gratitude for this achievement, Ms. Shalini Hinduja, the daughter-in-law of Mr Gopichand Hinduja chairman of the Hinduja Group remarked, “We are deeply grateful and humbled to have secured the Entrepreneur of the Year Award. For me, an entrepreneur is someone who takes risks in business and is willing to go against the odds. The acquisition of the Old War Office was exactly that, in light of where things are in terms of the economy. ‘Our initial tagline was: “Honouring the history and forging the future.” We needed things to be functional and achieve some level of modernity while keeping that link with the history of the building.”
Ms. Shalini Hinduja has played a pivotal role in spearheading this ambitious venture, marking the family’s inaugural foray into the hospitality sector. After a meticulous six-year renovation project, The OWO, now home to the UK’s first Raffles Hotel, opened its doors to the public last summer. The property boasts 85 uniquely designed residences and nine restaurants, setting a new benchmark for opulence in the heart of London.
The Hinduja Family, in addition to their notable business achievements, is dedicated to philanthropic endeavors through the Hinduja Foundation. Focused on education, healthcare, and community development, the foundation has positively impacted countless lives.
The Spear’s Awards 2023 celebrated 18 distinguished winners across categories like School of the Year and HNW Wealth Manager of the Year. Among the outstanding honorees was Charlotte Bobroff, executive director at J.P. Morgan Private Bank, named UHNW Wealth Manager of the Year. J.P. Morgan Private Bank secured top honors as the Private Bank of the Year – International and Grand Prix winner for Private Client Firm of the Year.
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- By Rabindra
24, Jan 2024
Quote on Pre Budget Expectations || Shoonya
By Ramneek Singh Ghotra, Chief Growth Officer, Finvasia Group
The previous budget introduced strong women-centric policies, including Free Skill Development, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, and Digital Skilling Initiatives amongst others. As we approach Budget 2024, I anticipate continued progress, emphasizing economic opportunities, social safety nets, and health-centric empowerment. I hope for a more robust focus on skill development, rural entrepreneurship, and improved access to capital for women. Strengthening social security, enhancing safety, and prioritizing accessible healthcare and financial inclusion will contribute to a more positive and empowered society.
24, Jan 2024
Pristyn Care’s co-founder Dr Garima Sawhney interacts with Honorable President Smt. Droupadi Murmu
Gurugram, January 24, 2024: Pristyn Care’s co-founder Dr Garima Sawhney interacted with President of India, Droupadi Murmu under the initiative of “The President of the People” at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. Many women founders and co-founders representing leading startups and unicorns also participated in the initiative, which aimed to establish a deeper connection with the citizens of the country and acknowledge their significant contributions to various fields.
Dr Garima Sawhney, co-founder at Pristyn Care, “I am honoured to be part of the initiative where I was invited by our Honourable President Smt Droupadi Murmu – 15th President of Republic of India, to interact and share my journey as a women entrepreneur. It’s a privilege to be recognized and given this platform to discuss the impact of startups such as Pristyn Care in empowering women in the entrepreneurial space. Heartfelt thanks to our President for this extraordinary opportunity. I am eager to contribute to the conversation on fostering growth and innovation and collectively inspire positive change. Let’s continue breaking barriers and creating a brighter future for women in entrepreneurship.”
During the interaction with women entrepreneurs, the President urged the women entrepreneurs to identify other enterprising women and think of new ways to support them in their journey of empowerment. She said that there are many women who dream of being financially independent, but they do not know what path they should take to achieve this goal. She said that their success should create a ripple effect so that we can hear such success stories from all parts of the country.
Startup India is a flagship initiative of the Government of India, intended to build a strong eco-system for nurturing innovation and startups in the country that will drive sustainable economic growth and generate large-scale employment opportunities
24, Jan 2024
CIO CHOICE 2024 Recognizes IceWarp India: Most Trusted Brand in Enterprise Email category
Mumbai, India – January 24, 2024 – IceWarp has been recognized with the CIO CHOICE 2024 Honor and Recognition as the most Trusted Brand by CIOs in the Enterprise Email category for the 6th time in a row.
Now in its 12th year, CIO CHOICE continues to be the most coveted recognition platform, recognizing ICT brands for their product/service excellence, innovative and customer-centric approaches as well as efficient delivery.
This prestigious recognition was presented at an exclusive felicitation ceremony, CIO CHOICE 2024 RED CARPET NIGHT, produced by CORE Media, KPMG as the Knowledge Partner.
This year, the CIO CHOICE 2024 Red Carpet Night brought together over 300+ CIOs and Digital Leaders from across the country.
CIO CHOICE is the “Seal of Trust” bestowed upon the ICT brands by the CIOs.
The winning brands of the CIO Choice Recognition are chosen based on a unique pan-India voting platform, wherein CIOs and Digital leaders nominate and vote for their most trusted and preferred brands, based on their own first-hand experience and top-of-the-mind recall. A distinguished Advisory Panel, comprising seasoned CIOs from across industry verticals, guides the entire process.
This year’s advisory panel consisted of 9 distinguished CIOS and Digital Technology leaders –
● Ayan De, Head – Enterprise Technology – HDFC Life.
● Kaustubh Dabral, Global CIO – Dabur India.
● Mahesh Ramamoorthy, CIO – Yes Bank.
● Narrottam Sharma, CIO – Jubilant FoodWorks.
● Saurabh Tiwari, CTO – PolicyBazaar
● Sumi Vivek, Chief Digital & Transformation Officer – Tata Electronics.
● Vinod Gopinathan, CIO – Ashok Leyland.
● Vipin Gupta, CTO – Starbucks India.
● VV Balaji, CTO – ICICI Bank.
Anoop Mathur, Founder of CORE Media said “Congratulations to IceWarp India for achieving the prestigious CIO CHOICE 2024 title. This accolade serves as a genuine testament to the brand’s dedication to delivering an elated experience to its enterprise customers. The significant trust bestowed up IceWarp India by India’s CIOs and Digital Leaders in the dynamic digital economy with evolving consumer trends is truly commendable. This accomplishment is particularly noteworthy in an era where technology is a driving force for business expansion, and we believe that the CIO Choice recognition rightfully spotlights them as a trailblazer.”
“It is an immensely proud moment for us at IceWarp as we get recognized by the CIO community again. Winning the CIO Choice Award for the sixth time in a row certainly gives us immerse confidence and motivation to work harder and create a benchmark in the Indian ICT industry” said Pramod Sharda, CEO, IceWarp India & Middle East. “This consistent recognition by a prestigious organization is attributed to our team’s persistence, dedication, relentless efforts, and sincere commitment to making IceWarp the preferred as well as a trusted brand for the CIOs across verticals. We are grateful and humbled by the award and look forward to a prosperous 2024” he added.
24, Jan 2024
Uday Startup Investment Program Fostering Entrepreneurship In Jammu & Kashmir
In a significant development, the Uday Startup Investment Program, organized by M/s SCHEAM India and FICCI FLO JK in association with Department of Commerce & Industry, Government of Jammu & Kashmir. The program is held at MIET, Jammu and has provided a platform for promoting startup culture and entrepreneurship in the Jammu & Kashmir region. The event featured an address by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Hon’ble MoS (Independent Charge) – Ministry of Science and Technology, and Minister of State for Prime Minister’s Office; Mr. Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar, Advisor to Hon’ble LG Jammu & Kashmir was the Chief Guest. The event received support from investment partner LetsVenture and other esteemed event partners.
Key Panel Discussion and Address
A panel discussion held during the event included several distinguished panelists, such as Mr. Punati Shridhar IFS, Chairman, Bamboo Society of India and External Monitor, Central Vigilance Commission, Govt. of India, Mr. Arun Kumar Manhas, Director, Department of Commerce & Industry, Mr. Khalid Jahangir, MD, JKTPO, Mr. G. Velladurai, Joint Director, Department of MSME, Govt. of India, Mr. Vikrant Dogra, Vikrant Dogra, Chairman,
Jammu & Kashmir Dairy cooperative federation limited (JKDCF) and Mr. Nikhil Gowda Kedambadi, who shared valuable insights into the startup ecosystem and entrepreneurship development in the region.
The virtual address by Dr. Jitendra Singh emphasized the government’s commitment to promoting the startup culture in J&K and the need for stakeholders and students to seize the funding opportunities available. Mr. Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar presented startup awards to four prominent tech startups with roots in J&K and commended the organizers for promoting grassroots innovation and entrepreneurship in the region.
Startup Ideation Competition
The event also featured a startup ideation competition for school and college students. The winners of the competition were felicitated with cash prizes and certificates by Mr. R.R. Bhatnagar, highlighting the focus on nurturing young entrepreneurial talent in the region.
“Scheam India is committed to investing in promising and dynamic regions within our country. The state of Jammu and Kashmir, with its wealth of talented individuals and entrepreneurial spirit, has captured our attention. Through our Uday Nayi Umeedon Ki shuraat program, we have had the opportunity to witness the emergence of innovative and potentially impactful start-up ideas. We firmly believe that our involvement will significantly contribute to the growth of the region’s start-up ecosystem. We are dedicated to being a catalyst in Jammu and Kashmir’s economic development and plan to organize further initiatives that will continue to nurture and support the region’s budding entrepreneurs. We are confident that our efforts, along with the incredible potential we have witnessed, will add significant value to the region’s start-up community. This is just the beginning of a long-term commitment to fostering economic growth and opportunity in Jammu and Kashmir. Scheam India is excited to be a part of this journey and looks forward to the positive impact we can create together.” Says Nikhil Gowda Kedambadi Director Scheam India
Investment Opportunities and Milestones
SCHEAM India, along with its investor partners, selected 5 startup ideas and provided investment contracts to them, in collaboration with LetsVenture, showcasing the growing investment opportunities for startups in J&K.
“Initiatives such as the entrepreneurial programmes organized by Scheam India and FICCI Flo are a welcome catalyst for sparking entrepreneurship in Tier II/III cities. This is especially crucial for students in Ladakh and Jammu & Kashmir, as it provides them with the opportunity to explore and develop their entrepreneurial skills. Additionally, the growing number of startups from smaller centres on LetsVenture, India’s largest Angel Fund AIF, is a testament to the increasing innovation and entrepreneurial spirit in these regions.
These startups are not only building novel companies but also successfully raising capital from a variety of sources, including angels, corporate venture funds, and mainline VCs. Overall, these initiatives and the growing presence of startups from smaller centres demonstrate the potential and untapped entrepreneurial talent in Tier II/III cities. It is essential to continue supporting and nurturing this talent to further drive economic growth and innovation in these regions. This is a great step towards creating a more inclusive and diverse entrepreneurial landscape in India, and one that should be celebrated and encouraged.” Says Suna Dehnugara, Lead Private Market Expansion , Lets venture / Trica
24, Jan 2024
Scaler appoints Tapan Jindal as their Chief Financial Officer
Mumbai, 24th January 2024: Scaler, one of India’s fastest-growing tech education start-ups, announced today the appointment of Tapan Jindal as the chief financial officer at InterviewBit and Scaler. In his new role, Tapan will assume overall responsibility for the organisation’s financial health and growth.
Tapan’s immediate focus will be to spearhead corporate strategy and financial operations. He will also closely collaborate with existing teams to strengthen the overall financial framework and restructure specific systems to prepare the company for its next phase of growth and achieve profitability.
Abhimanyu Saxena, Co-Founder of InterviewBit & Scaler, said, “At Scaler, we are committed to providing the best possible tech education experience available to aspiring engineers and software professionals in the country. To ensure we can achieve this critical nation-building mission, it is imperative that we work with the brightest minds across all business verticals. With that in mind, we have over 1600 people who work with us, and all are equally committed to our vision statement. The next few years are very crucial in our journey. While we have created a solid foundation with our product offerings, we want to strengthen our bottom line and attain profitability. Tapan is perfectly positioned to help us in our endeavour. We are excited to work with him as we continue building the best tech education company to come out of India.”
With close to 20 years of experience, Tapan has worked across diverse sectors within the country’s financial industry, including investment banking and corporate finance for both large conglomerates as well as new-age start-ups, including SugarBox Networks (Part of Zee Entertainment Group), Baazi Games, Den Networks and CarDekho Group, which includes Insurance Dekho and Rupyy.
Tapan Jindal, CFO at InterviewBit and Scaler, said, “Education is close to my heart, and having run an education venture early in my career, I feel Scaler is my new home. It is an exciting time to join the young brand as it continues to make solid progress. I look forward to building momentum and delivering on their growth strategy. We will endeavour to strengthen the financial and governance practices as we work towards creating a globally admired tech education company out of India.”
The year 2023 saw Scaler achieve positive cash flow and were also profitable in the JAS (Jul-Aug-Sep) quarter. The aim for the year 2024 is to maintain this over the next few quarters and lead to annual profitability. While several ed-tech and start-up brands let go of employees and shrunk their existing operations, Scaler was able to post such promising growth without reducing its headcount and rolled out several initiatives, such as the GPT-4 powered AI teaching assistant that not only enhanced learner experience but also aided in cost efficiency.
Scaler partnered with NSDC and joined the #SkillIndia mission to help the country meet its growing demand for Software Development Engineers, Data Scientists, and Machine Learning specialists through its unique and effective upskilling programs. Scaler launched Scaler Topics, a gamified free learn-to-code platform that can provide quality technical content for anyone interested in software-related subjects. Scaler also introduced its ambitious undergraduate program, the Scaler School of Technology, early in 2023, and the program saw phenomenal uptake, with over 54,000 applications coming in for its first batch. Scaler’s upskilling programs – Scaler Academy and Scaler DSML – also saw significant growth, with the brand aiding over 30,000 working professionals with their career goals.
24, Jan 2024
Alvarez & Marsal India Deepens Its Local Market Commitment
New Delhi, January 24, 2024 : Leading global professional services firm Alvarez & Marsal (A&M) announces the appointment of Himanshu Bajaj as Managing Director and A&M India Country Co-Leader alongside Managing Director Vikram Utamsingh. Mr. Bajaj’s joining advances A&M India’s strategic capabilities and talent expansion and helps further opportunities for clients to capitalize on the market’s continued projected growth.
With more than 20 years of consulting and business experience, Mr. Bajaj has worked across numerous industries at the strategic and operational level. He has led multiple engagements including operational transformations, end-to-end value enhancements, along with sales and marketing optimization strategies, such as go-to-market and trade efficiency improvements. Mr. Bajaj advises clients, across all verticals, on driving large-scale business transformations through accelerating business growth and enhancing profitability.
Bryan Marsal, A&M’s CEO and Co-founder, said, “Himanshu’s appointment demonstrates the firm’s continued commitment to investing in people, achieving scale, and positioning for growth in support of clients in India and around the world. A&M India’s expanding talent base and offerings align with our operational heritage, enhances our integrated platform, and represents the next phase of our global strategic growth plan.”
Mr Utamsingh said, “We are growing our firm in India to meet a high level of demand and expanding our transformation and digital capabilities across sectors. We expect to double the number of India-based Managing Directors over the next 24 months. I am delighted to welcome Himanshu and look forward to jointly leading our India business.”
Luis de Lucio, Managing Director and head of Growth Markets said, “Connecting worldwide talent to critical markets is a key market differentiator for A&M. Adding Himanshu to our team aligns with our strategy for leveraging the innovation, growing consumer demand, rising per capita income levels and strong investment incentives we see across India. Himanshu’s expertise bolsters our ability to help corporates, private equity (PE) firms, and organizations find solutions to complex problems such as growth acceleration, supply chain management, and manufacturing alternatives. Our plans are ambitious. Our India team is expanding and at the ready.”
Prior to joining A&M, Mr. Bajaj served for 16 years as Senior Partner at Kearney and Asia Head of Consumer and Retail Practice where he led complex transformation and value enhancement programs in Asia, EMEA and Africa. Following that he served for two years as CEO of Byju’s Tuition Centre (BTC).
Mr. Bajaj noted, “Over the next several decades India will experience tremendous growth and become the leading market for corporate and investment activity. As established and early-stage organizations, across multiple sectors, seek significant value creation they will require support solving for complex strategic and operational problems. A&M’s operational heritage combined with its breadth of offerings, including corporate finance and restructuring, financial due diligence and disputes and investigations, is a key market differentiator. The firm’s mix of industry operators and career consultants provide the springboard for driving growth and maximizing value.”
Mr. Bajaj earned a bachelor’s degree in engineering from Delhi College of Engineering, a master’s in business administration from IIM Ahmedabad and holds a CFA from AIMR, CFA Institute, US.
24, Jan 2024
TDP National General Secretary Nara Lokesh’s Birthday Celebrations Held Grandly
‘Nara Lokesh’s life is an example for today’s youth and he got the honour of becoming a leader from the people through hard work and perseverance’, says Unnam Nalini Devi
The birthday celebrations of TDP National General Secretary Nara Lokesh were held grandly in Kandukuru under the leadership of the constituency leader Unnam Nalini Devi. The occasion featured a spectacular cake-cutting ceremony along with the leader distributing clothes to sanitation workers in Kandukur.
Subsequently, Unnam Nalini Devi stated that Nara Lokesh’s life serves as an ideal for today’s youth. She emphasized Lokesh’s journey, earning the honour of becoming a leader through hard work and perseverance. Treating the people of the state as his family, she highlighted Lokesh’s remarkable 3,200-kilometer march to understand public problems. As the national general secretary of the party and the architect of the Workers’ Welfare Fund, Unnam Nalini Devi revealed that Nara Lokesh has consistently supported activists, ensuring their welfare and backing thousands of them.
She further added, ‘As the Panchayati Raj Minister, Lokesh implemented numerous development programs in villages, including the construction of 23 thousand kilometers of CC roads and distribution of LED bulbs. Moreover, as the Minister of IT, he attracted investments and companies, creating employment and job opportunities for the youth.’ Unnam Nalini Devi expressed confidence that the TDP will emerge victorious in the upcoming elections. The event saw participation from local Telugu Desam Party leaders and sanitation workers participate in this program.
24, Jan 2024
Dil Mein Baji Guitar Song Celebration of Tips Films and Kumar Taurani’s first Marathi film
Bengaluru, January 24, 2024: Tips Films Ltd., a powerhouse in the world of entertainment, is thrilled to announce its grand entry into the Marathi film industry with the upcoming release, “Sridevi Prasanna.” This captivating venture features the dynamic duo of Sai Tamhankar and Siddharth Chandekar, promising an on-screen chemistry that has left audiences eagerly anticipating their collaboration.
Directed by the exceptionally talented Vishal Modhave, “Sridevi Prasanna” marks his debut in the director’s chair, promising a fresh perspective and a cinematic experience that will resonate with audiences across Maharashtra.
The heartwarming narrative of “Sridevi Prasanna” is skillfully penned by the talented Aditi Moghe. Her masterful storytelling promises to touch the hearts of viewers and leave a lasting impact.
Adding to the creative excellence of “Sridevi Prasanna” are the accomplished Creative Producers, Neha Shinde and Avinash Chate. Their invaluable contribution ensures that the film not only meets but exceeds the highest standards of quality and creativity.
Kumar Taurani, MD and Chairman Tips Industries Ltd., shares his enthusiasm about the Marathi film industry entry, saying”As we step into the world of Marathi cinema with ‘Sridevi Prasanna,’ Tips Films Ltd. is dedicated to bringing captivating stories to the forefront. This marks the beginning of an exciting journey, and we are thrilled to contribute to the rich tapestry of Marathi cinema”
Sai Tamhankar, thrilled about “Sridevi Prasanna,” expressed, “This is one of the most fun dance numbers that I have gotten to do after a very long gap. My fans are going to be really excited and I am looking forward to see how they receive this and I can’t wait for them to watch the song”
Siddharth Chandekar shared his enthusiasm, stating, “Being part of ‘Sridevi Prasanna’ is like unlocking a new chapter in my artistic journey. Excited to contribute to the vibrancy of Marathi cinema!”
24, Jan 2024
IndiaFirst Life Insurance Strengthens Key Leadership Roles
New Delhi, 24th January 2024: IndiaFirst Life Insurance Company Ltd (IndiaFirst Life), one of the fastest-growing private life insurers in the country has further strengthened its key leadership. With Sunder Natrajan taking charge as the as the Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO), IndiaFirst Life has appointed Amrish Maheshwari as the new Chief Risk Officer (CRO).
Commenting on the leadership announcements, Vishakha RM, MD & CEO, IndiaFirst Life, said, “I am happy to announce the strategic leadership appointments of Sunder Natrajan as our CHRO and Amrish Maheshwari as the new CRO. Their proven expertise and dedication align seamlessly with our vision. Together, we embark on an exciting journey to further elevate our organizational excellence.”
Sunder, who was the Chief Risk Officer at IndiaFirst Life, has taken on the important role of the Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO). His strategic insights and diverse experience make him well-suited to lead IndiaFirst Life’s human resources initiatives, aligning them with the company’s overall growth objectives. Sunder is now responsible for talent management, performance management, organisation development, training, infrastructure, and procurement.
Amrish brings a wealth of experience to oversee the risk management, internal audit, and information security functions. He will play a pivotal role in further strengthening IndiaFirst Life’s commitment to sound risk practices. Amrish is dedicated to fostering a strong risk management culture, enhancing the Environment, Social, and Governance (ESG) function, and implementing robust information security protocols.
Sunder Natarajan, Chief Human Resources Officer, IndiaFirst Life, said, “I am thrilled to lead the human resources function at IndiaFirst Life. It is a privilege to shape the company’s people strategy and foster a Happy-Passionate-Connected culture. With a sharp focus on our #PeopleFirst philosophy, we constantly endeavor to C.A.R.E. for our employees while creating a great place to work for each of them.”
Amrish Maheshwari, Chief Risk Officer, IndiaFirst Life, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “I am honored to join IndiaFirst Life Insurance as the Chief Risk Officer. It is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the organization’s risk management strategies, augment good governance, and enhance its resilience in a dynamic market environment.”
IndiaFirst Life is confident that the wealth of experience and leadership qualities that both Sunder Natarajan and Amrish Maheshwari bring, will significantly contribute to the continued success of the organization.
