13, Jan 2024
Proptech Startup AirBrick Projects Aims for $3 Million Sales Order Book by the Conclusion of FY 23-24

New Delhi, 13th January, 2024 – AirBrick, a Tech-driven commercial Design and Build brand in India, is excited to announce its plans for future expansion and growth. With a commitment to seamlessly integrate artificial intelligence into innovative interior fit-out solutions, AirBrick is set to redefine the landscape of commercial interior Design & Build. Currently bootstrapped, AirBrick will soon be actively seeking funds in the market, starting from January to fuel its expansion initiatives and enhance its technological capabilities. The company envisions increasing its presence from the current 16 cities to 25 cities by the end of the fiscal year, solidifying its position as a nationwide leader in the industry.

AirBrick projects a Sales Book of $3 million and plans to diversify its product categories with a focus on design and build. The introduction of tech products, which form the core of the organization, will be executed in a phased manner to ensure a strategic and impactful launch.

Experiencing exponential growth since its inception, AirBrick has achieved a record sales order book of approximately $ 2 million in the last 9 months, underscoring its position as the fastest-growing tech-driven commercial design and build brand in India.

sanjeev bhandari

“At AirBrick, our mission is to revolutionize commercial interior design by harnessing the power of artificial intelligence. Our unique approach, integrating AI technologies with skilled design professionals, ensures that our clients receive not only aesthetically pleasing designs but also spaces that are intelligent, adaptive, and conducive to productivity,” said Sanjeev Bhandari, Founder & CEO, AirBrick.

As AirBrick gears up for this transformative phase, the company remains dedicated to pushing boundaries and delivering unparalleled solutions to its clients. The combination of AI expertise and design innovation positions AirBrick as an emerging player in the industry, offering solutions that not only meet but exceed the evolving needs of businesses in today’s dynamic environment.

13, Jan 2024
o9 Solutions Grows Annual Recurring Revenue by 47% in 2023

India, Jan. 13, 2024 – o9 Solutions, a leading enterprise AI software platform provider for transforming planning and decision-making, today reported that its annual recurring revenue (ARR) in 2023 grew 47% year-over-year. Q4’23 marks a new record for ARR added in a quarter, and is the 18th consecutive quarter of year-over-year ARR growth for o9. The growth was driven by marquee clients across multiple industries, including retail, consumer electronics, food and beverage, medical devices, and automotive OEMs, which demonstrates the power and flexibility of o9’s AI-driven Digital Brain platform for integrated business planning.

o9 Logo (large)

o9 also implemented 70-plus go-lives at numerous well-known brands across sectors, including soft lines, food and beverage, pharmaceutical, consumer electronics, automotive and more, allowing clients across the globe to benefit from the adoption of the Digital Brain platform to drive better planning and decision-making based on AI/ML technologies.

In July 2023, o9’s existing investors, led by General Atlantic’s BeyondNetZero, doubled down on the Company’s growth with an incremental investment that drove its valuation to $3.7- up from $2.7 billion since its previous investment round in January 2022. o9’s worldwide talent pool grew to more than 2,500 in 2023. The Company operates 17 offices worldwide, including new ones in Toronto, Canada, and Shanghai, China. o9 also intends to expand its presence in India with a new center of excellence (COE) in Hyderabad to develop world-class supply chain talent.

In addition to hosting its annual aim10x Global digital event, 2023 marked the year that o9 Solutions introduced a series of aim10x Live conferences in 14 cities with 135-plus speakers and more than 20,000 attendees.

Chakri Gottemukkala, Co-Founder and CEO of o9 Solutions.

Chakri Gottemukkala, Co-founder and CEO of o9 Solutions, said, “In 2023, o9 Solutions made incredible strides across the business, showcasing our continued commitment towards innovation and excellence. The continued growth and strong year-over-year results are a testament to the unparalleled value generated by the o9 Digital Brain Platform, enabling clients to improve decision-making. Looking forward, the o9 team will continue to focus on client satisfaction and help more companies digitally transform their supply chains.”

Other notable highlights in Q4’23 include:

  • o9 Solutions partners with Pandora to transform its integrated planning capabilities
  •  o9 Solutions partners with Canyon Bicycles to revolutionize its planning capabilities and dynamically adapt to consumer demand
  •  According to proprietary research from o9 Solutions, consumers’ perceptions of supply chain disruptions are shifting their purchasing behaviors.
  •  o9 received three best-in-class revenue growth management distinctions in POI’s 2023 Enterprise Planning Vendor Panorama Report
  •  o9 Solutions was ranked for the fifth consecutive year in the 2023 Deloitte Technology Fast 500™
  •  o9 signed the AARP employer pledge, recognizing the value of experienced workers.
13, Jan 2024
NGEL Inks MoUs with GSPC and GPPL during Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit

Mumbai, January 13, 2024 : NTPC Green Energy Ltd (NGEL) has executed MoUs with Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation Ltd. (GSPC) and Gujarat Pipavav Port Ltd. (GPPL) during the three-day Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit held at Gandhinagar. The summit was inaugurated by Hon’ble Prime Minister on 10th Jan ’24.

PIC- NGEL Inks MoUs with GSPC and GPPL during Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit

The MoU with GSPC was exchanged between Shri Gurdeep Singh, CMD, NTPC and Shri Milind Torawane, MD, GSPC in the presence of Hon’ble Chief Minister of Gujarat, Hon’ble Mnister of Finance, Energy & Petrochemicals, GoG, Dr V K Saraswat, Member, NITI Aayog and other senior officials and International delegates. The MoU aims for the blending of Green Hydrogen in the gas networks of GSPC and Green Hydrogen mobility by setting up of Green Hydrogen fuelling stations in Gujarat.

Other MoU with GPPL exchanged between GM-Hydrogen, NTPC, and MD of APM Terminals, Pipavav that aims to develop Green Hydrogen ecosystem including production of Green Ammonia at the land provided by GPPL for export and domestic market. It also aims to explore Pipavav Port as an anchor port by NGEL for exploration, development and operations of offshore wind farms in Gujarat.

NGEL is a wholly-owned subsidiary of NTPC and aims to be the flag bearer of NTPC’s Renewable Energy journey with an operational capacity of over 3.4 GW and 26 GW in pipeline including 7 GW under implementation.

GSPC is one of the largest gas trading companies of India, engaged also in exploration, development and production of oil and natural gas.

GPPL is one of the leading private ports of India promoted by A.P. Møller – Mærsk A/S which currently has the handling capacity of 1.35 million TEUs of containers, 4 – 5 million tonnes of dry bulk cargo, 2 million tonnes of liquid cargo and about 250,000 cars per year.

12, Jan 2024
ENGIE and Government of Gujarat join efforts to Drive Decarbonization & Renewable Energy Initiatives

Mumbai, 12 January, 2024 

ENGIE signs a MoU with the Government of Gujarat during the 10th edition of Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2024 to cooperate on a decarbonization program in the development of a renewable energy infrastructure in Gujarat, marking a significant contribution to Gujarat’s clean energy transition plans.

The MoU outlines exciting collaborative efforts, with a primary focus on renewable energy development. ENGIE, a leading low-carbon energy generation company, commits to a greenfield development of 2.5 GW of renewable energy projects across various locations in Gujarat by 2030, in addition to its ongoing development 400 MW solar project in Surendernagar.

engine press

Sharing his positive outlook, Mr. Amit Jain, Country Manager, ENGIE India, conveyed, “This strategic cooperation connotes our firm dedication to advancing sustainable energy solutions. Through this cooperation with the Government of Gujarat, our goal is to play a significant role in advancing the state’s renewable energy sector and thereby making substantial contributions to India’s overarching clean energy objectives.”

Commending the visionary leadership of Shri Bhupendra Patel, the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Gujarat, and highlighting the state’s resolute commitment to renewable energy, CM Patel lauded ENGIE’s notable contributions. Underscoring the importance of green initiatives, CM Patel articulated a forward-looking vision, aiming for a substantial 2.5GW by 2030

This MoU signifies an investment of Rs 17,200 crore along with creating 14,000 new jobs, reflecting ENGIE India’s commitment to contributing to the region’s socio-economic development.

The MoU signing ceremony was graced by Hon’ble Chief Minister of Gujarat along with senior officials from Government of Gujarat and ENGIE Group.

Both ENGIE and the Government of Gujarat view this strategic cooperation as a catalyst for advancing sustainable and clean energy initiatives, aligning perfectly with India’s ambitious goals for the energy transition.

The partnership extends beyond renewables, encompassing collaborative efforts in decarbonization initiatives, risk management capacity building for Gas/LNG trading, and exploring the potential centralization of ENGIE’s treasury activities in India at GIFT City (Gujarat International Finance Tec-City).

12, Jan 2024
Greenply Unveils Soulful Song by Udit Narayan “Humein Aage Badhna Aata Hai”

National, 12th January 2024: Greenply proudly announces the release of the heartfelt song “Humein Aage Badhna Aata Hai”, sung by the legendary Padma Bhushan awardee, Shri Udit Narayan, as the official anthem for the second season of Hindustan ki Shaan awards. The song, composed by acclaimed music composer Nilotpal Bora, captures the indispensable role of carpenters in designing beautiful spaces around us.

Greenply _Banner_Hindi_adapt-01

“Humein Aage Badhna Aata Hai” is a lyrical celebration of the indispensable role played by carpenters in shaping the spaces we occupy. The song encapsulates the spirit of growth within the carpenter and contractor community, highlighting their hard work and success. The resonating lines, “Humne badla hai khudko, humein badlav lana ata hai,” serve as a testament to the transformative journey undertaken by these skilled artisans. The accompanying video visually narrates the inspiring tale of contractors and carpenters, diligently working to bring the dreams of homeowners to life. Through the fusion of technology and inventive solutions, the craftsmen breathe life into the visions of these homes.

With Hindustan ki Shaan Season 2, Greenply is set to honour exceptional craftsmanship and spotlight outstanding contributions in interior design. The season promises to be a grand celebration, applauding hard work and skills of contractors and carpenters nationwide.

Going beyond recognition, Greenply aims to cultivate camaraderie within the carpentry community, fostering a space for the exchange of innovative ideas and practices. Hindustan ki Shaan awards is a tribute to the heartbeat of the interior design industry, exemplifying the brand’s unwavering commitment to recognizing and celebrating the tireless efforts of contractors and carpenters who embody a progressive outlook toward growth.

Mr. Manoj Tulsian, CEO & Joint Managing Director of Greenply Industries, shared his perspective on the launch, stating, “This song is an ode to the craftsmanship of the carpenter community that not only builds structures but also weaves stories. The second season of ‘Hindustan ki Shaan’ awards signifies our commitment to recognizing the unsung heroes of the interior design industry. It is our privilege to salute their unwavering dedication to their craft.”

To experience and celebrate the craftsmanship of carpenters, listen to the official song of Hindustan ki Shaan Season 2

12, Jan 2024
Anytime Fitness brings a Groundbreaking campaign ‘BE FIT FEST’

New Delhi — Anytime Fitness, a globally acclaimed fitness brand with a widespread presence across PAN India, proudly announces the launch of the second season of ‘BE FIT FEST’, an annual campaign of the Franchise organization. BE FIT FEST, initiated in 2022, has become a flagship event, bringing fitness enthusiasts together and promoting a healthy lifestyle nationwide.

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This year, Anytime Fitness is thrilled to kick off ‘BE FIT FEST’ in the New Year with a ground-breaking move, through the introduction of a powerful Artificial Intelligence video. This innovative step marks a significant milestone for the brand, positioning as pioneers in leveraging technology to promote fitness and well-being.

The AI-powered video focuses on bad choices that led humankind to the year 2042 when humans are unable to escape the matrix of ill health that they have created around themselves over the years. The target audience for this video is essentially the youth of the country. With an increasing fascination with technology, they have lost touch with reality and doing things more physically rather than virtually. This National Youth Day, Anytime Fitness aims to bring their attention to being a fitter version of themselves by making the right choices today for their future. Hence, the #YourChoiceYourFuture seems fitting for a campaign with a deep-rooted message.

Mr. Vikas Jain, MD, Anytime Fitness said, “BE FIT FEST aims to address the critical issue of diminishing physical activity among the youth of our nation, who are deeply immersed in the world of technology. The pervasive influence of digital content has led to a sedentary lifestyle, raising concerns about the long-term impact on their health and well-being.”

“Celebrating the spirit of National Youth Day, the core focus of our campaign is on the youth of our country, a generation that lives and breathes technology. An essential segment of our audience comes from the younger age group. Through an immersive AI video, we aim to create awareness about the importance of balancing digital engagement with physical activity and encouraging them to make smarter choices for their future. #YourChoiceYourFuture is the theme of the campaign as it emphasizes the pivotal role choices made today play in shaping a healthier future,” further added Mr Jain.

The immersive AI video featured in BE FIT FEST will explore the future of the human species, captivating audiences with a visually compelling and thought-provoking experience. Anytime Fitness invites everyone to join this journey through the link – to promote well-being, make informed choices, and shape a healthier future.

12, Jan 2024
Actress-Entrepreneur Sunny Leone Unveils India’s First AI Replica

New Delhi, 12th Jan 2024: Entrepreneur and actress Sunny Leone, in partnership with Advanced Generative AI leader Kamoto.AI, has achieved a remarkable feat amid the transpiring technological advancements in the entertainment domain. The Bollywood diva has become the first ever personality from India to come up with her official AI Replica, which was launched at an exclusive event in Mumbai on Wednesday. The landmark launch of Sunny’s AI Replica was attended by actress herself, Kamoto.AI co-founders Toshendra Sharma & Rohendra Singh, and scores of influencers, among others.

Kamoto.AI team with Sunny Leone

Elaborating on the disruptive AI advancement, Kamoto.AI Co-founder & CEO Toshendra Sharma said, “Technologies such as Generative AI have significant implications across key aspects of everyday lives as well as businesses around today. It is about time the stakeholders in the entertainment and film industries took cognizance of the same and leveraged technology with a steadfast approach to offer newer avenues to the loyal fan base across the country and even beyond. We are elated to kickstart this unique endeavour with Sunny Leone, who as an achiever has scripted several journeys of aspirations and achievements, and assure that many more such landmarks are already slated to be unveiled.”

Expressing her excitement over her official Interactive AI Replica, Sunny said, “Introducing my official AI Replica is a new beginning of sorts, and I would reiterate here that in this phase of life, I intend to delve into avenues that I haven’t explored earlier, and that help me grow, in both artistic as well as business aspects. I thank Kamoto.AI for introducing my official AI version and hope that it would ultimately help me create a better bonding and rapport with fans from across the country.”

Sunny’s AI Replica & Clone is interactive & trained on her voice and personal data to deliver personalized experience. The AI Clone aka AI Persona of the actress can be interacted via Chat or Voice Calls through Kamoto.AI’s AI Character Marketplace available at app.kamoto.ai. Besides this, one can avail Sunny’s Elite Club membership, which would come with many benefits. Some lucky subscribers of the Membership would also get the chance to meet the actress in person while some of the other winners would be felicitated with merchandise. The announcement by Kamoto.AI assumes significance in the wake of its bid to unlock new avenues of revenue generation through Advanced Generative AI technology. Merely with a few clicks & quick training via private data, Kamoto.AI enables the creation of a virtual AI replica of anyone while its AI Character Marketplace facilitates its monetization.

12, Jan 2024
75 Portraits of Shri Narendra Modi Unveiled in Unique Tribute

New Delhi/Bengaluru, 12th Jan ‘24 – In an extraordinary artistic endeavor, Dr. Avinash Kate, Dean of Shantamani Kala Kendra at Jain University, has created 75 emotion-filled portraits of Shri Narendra Modi, Hon’bl Prime Minister of India to celebrate the progressive leader and representative of the New India. These diverse portraits, reflecting the facets of Shri Modiji’s work, emotions and devotion for ‘Bharat Mata’, have been meticulously crafted on canvas using acrylic colors. A compilation of these portraits and a brief of Modi’s journey as the Primie Minister of India was also launched during the exhibition.

narendra modi

This unparalleled artistic feat is the first of its kind globally, with no other artist having created such an extensive series of portraits of a single individual in various forms. This achievement brought him global recognition as well as various records in international forums. Dr. Avinash Kate dedicated three months of tireless effort, working day and night, in what he describes as a meditative process. The project was indirectly guided by Vedamurthy, taponishtya Pandit Shriram Sharma, Acharya founder of Gayatri Pariwar, adding a spiritual dimension to the creation of these soulful portraits.

Talking about this special exhibition, Dr. Avinash Kate, Dean of Shantamani Kala Kendra at Jain University said, “The inspiring leadership and unwavering commitment of our esteemed Prime Minister have been a constant source of motivation for me. This collection serves as a depiction of his emotional journey, portraying him as a true ambassador of hope.” He further added, “I would like to express my gratitude to my mentors, Dr. Chenraj Roychand, Chancellor of JAIN (Deemed-to-be University) and Dr. Gani Rajendra Vijay Maharaj, Founder of Sukhi Foundation Parivar and a tribal Jain saint, as well as my family for their steadfast support throughout the execution of this unique project.”

Dr. Chenraj Roychand, Chancellor, JAIN (Deemed-to-be University) said, “The collection provides a unique glimpse into Dr. Kate’s inner imagination, capturing the essence of Shri Modi’s emotions, whose leadership has not only shaped the present but is paving the way for a future where India stands tall on the global stage.”

Prominent figures directly involved in the project include Sachin Sawant (Maharashtra Police, API), Dr. Chainraj Roychand (Chairman of Jain University), Shri Vishal C. (Director, Strategy and Development, JGI), and Dr. Gani Rajendra Vijay Maharaj (Founder of Sukhi Foundation Parivar, tribal Jain saint), among others. Additionally, the support and collaboration of several esteemed individuals have been instrumental in the realisation of this artistic endeavor.

Book launch event

The collection stands as a testament to the collaborative efforts and artistic vision of Dr. Avinash Kate, resonating with the spirit of unity, love for the nation, and a belief in India’s promising future on the global stage. The team has approached the PM office to display the same. The exhibition was held at the Constitution Club, New Delhi and was visited by a huge number of art enthusiasts.

For his commitment, dedication, and love towards society in the field of art, Mr. Kate has been acknowledged with many prestigious awards, honors, and records. Among them are world records, international records, Asia records, India records, the Limca Book of Records, etc.

12, Jan 2024
Varun Raveendran Joins Novotel Pune as Assistant F&B Manager

Novotel Pune is delighted to announce the appointment of Varun Raveendran as the Assistant Food & Beverage (F&B) Manager. Varun brings with him a wealth of experience in restaurant operations and a strong background in hospitality management. Varun Raveendra, Assistant FnB Manager, Novotel Pune

 Varun’s career journey has been marked by a commitment to customer satisfaction, effective leadership, and a keen understanding of F&B service. He holds an MBA in Marketing and Tourism, further supported by a B.Sc. (Hons) in Hotel & Restaurant Management from the Institute for International Management and Technology, Oxford Brookes University, United Kingdom.

 With a career spanning several renowned hotels, he has been a key contributor in his previous roles, serving as an Outlet Manager at Hyatt Hotel, Kalyani Nagar, Pune, and various other Novotel Hotels.

 Varun’s earlier experiences include roles at Novotel Hotel, Ahmedabad, Taj Rambagh Palace-Jaipur, and JW Marriott-Dubai, where he honed his skills in customer service, team management, and event coordination. In addition to his professional achievements, Varun has participated in various competitions, winning the second prize in the Mocktails making and Table Decoration Challenge competition in All Haryana Hospitality Ensemble 2012 and many more other training sessions.

 Varun‘s appointment as Assistant F&B Manager is set to contribute significantly to Novotel Pune’s continued success in delivering outstanding hospitality experiences. In his leisure hours, Varun takes pleasure in engaging with Basketball and computer games.

12, Jan 2024
WATCH! Shah Rukh Khan’s heartfelt speech as he wins CNN-News18 Indian of the Year 2023 title

New Delhi | January 12, 2023: Shah Rukh Khan has been named the Indian of the Year 2023 at the CNN-News18 Indian of the Year awards. The actor was present at the prestigious awards ceremony among other distinguished guests and accepted the honour from the esteemed jury. This marked Shah Rukh Khan’s first-ever media appearance since 2019.

In his heartfelt acceptance speech, he spoke about his career, box office and his consistent hunger for success, among many other things. The event witnessed Khan’s poignant words resonating with the audience, showcasing his enduring impact and influence not only in cinema but also in the hearts of millions across the nation.

The King Khan also delighted the audience by joining an a capella group on stage as they paid a tribute to him through renditions of his iconic songs.

mani ratnam

While on stage, SRK shared a candid moment with Mani Ratnam, renowned filmmaker and recipient of CNN-News18 Indian of the year – Entertainment honour, as he requested the ‘Dil Se’ filmmaker to make a movie with him again.

“Mani sir, what now?” he said, adding, “It’s all come out in the open now. I’m requesting you – I’m begging you – I’m telling you every time! Do a film with me, I swear, I will dance on top of a plane on Chhaiya Chhaiya, if you’d tell me.”

To this, Mani Ratnam said he will do a film with SRK when the actor buys a plane. To this, Shah Rukh Khan said, “Mani, the way my films are going…this plane is not far away. I’m coming!”