27, Dec 2023
India to be the leading face of luxury brands in the world, say speakers at New 18 PH summit
The New18 PH event, L’ Aspiration Summit, held at JW Marriott, Chandigarh on Friday Dec 22, 2023 saw India’s erstwhile Royals Aaliya Sultana Babi, Mallyka Singh Dundlod & Siddharth Daspan, the scions of the Balasinor (Gujarat), Jhunjhunu (Rajasthan) & Jodhpur respectively, sharing stage with actors Jonita Doda, Aahana Kumra and Niharica Raizada and artist and collector, Shan Bhatnagar.
L’ Aspiration Summit is a unique initiative of News 18 PH, dedicated to the world of Luxury. In a world brimming with new opportunities, this is a celebration of ideas redefining the notion of luxury, straight from those who have lived it and are living it, those who embody a lifestyle that others aspire for. The summit is dedicated to tracking trends shaping lifestyles, aspirations and luxury in the world today.
The event was divided into six sessions, titled – Rethinking Luxury, Reviving Tradition, Redefining Royalty, Realizing Celebrity, Reimagining Talent and lastly Sufi Performance by Sufi Singers – Birender Dhillon & Shamsher Lehri, and offered a mesmerizing evening full of royalty, glitz and glamour.
Actor Jonita Doda, who was born in Chandigarh in a business family, revealed that she is an actor by accident. She said that she always wanted to be the first to do something in life, so she chose to do a 3D movie. She has acted in many Punjabi and South Indian movies. She talked about her experience of starting Chandigarh Fashion Week with her brother and how her dreams transformed through it.
Siddharth Daspan, a trained designer, who studied in Mayo and Italy shared his experience of converting his century-old royal house “House of Daspans”, Jodhpur into a place that offers peace and tranquillity to tourists, who want something out of the box. His house celebrates all forms of art through collaborations. He shared the details of his Soapbox initiative a series of artistic collaborations curated by him. Siddharth believes in brewing something new every day, from hosting an artist residency program to partnering with diverse performing artists and experimenting with culinary art.
Shan Bhatnagar, an Artist, Collector, Conservationist & a Maximalist interior architect, talked about his vibrant artworks that are a distinct take on the traditional temple art of Pichwai painting. Shan incorporates traditional Rajasthani embroidery and jewellery as embellishments in his paintings, which is a marked difference from the traditional style.
He shared his spiritual connection with his paintings. “Luxury is a state of mind”, he said while talking about Art as an investment.
Aaliya Sultana Babi, popular as Dr. Dinosaur and Princess Dinosaur, is the daughter of the Late Nawab Saheb Salabat Khanji Babi Bahadur of Balasinor and has dedicated her life to the preservation and conservation of the remarkable dinosaur site and fossils that exist in the region that she is from. She shared her experience of setting up a Dinosaur Museum in a small village in Gujarat, which took 27 years of hard work. She shared her story of how she got a Dinosaur egg, which she calls ‘Masala Anda’, from a village woman. She has nurtured the idea of Dino tourism.
Mallyka Singh Dundlod, the founder of A Baisa’s Adventures, talked about her first memory of horses and her love for Shekhawati culture. She revealed how she was introduced to the equestrian world by her father, Thakur Raghuvendra Singh Dundlod, who pioneered horse safaris in Rajasthan in 1980’s. He founded Dundlod Safaris to revive the indigenous Marwari breed of Warhorses and to share his passion with equestrians from all over the world. She divulged that the population of horses in India is on the rise, especially the Marwari horses, which are known for their endurance.
Aahana Kumra shared her experience in the field of acting. She talked about how actors who are from a “non-filmy” background must bear the brunt of nepotism. She believes that nepotism will stay in Bollywood.
She talks about how she was brought up by her cop mother and how she tried her hand in all sports. She explicitly talked about her journey from theatre to Bollywood and her experience of her first film ‘Lipstick under my Burqa’ which was a great success. She candidly talked about her phase of depression and how she overcame it.
Niharica Raizada, Actor & a medico scientist explained why she chose the Beauty pageant. She said that it’s the fastest way to connect with people. She believes India is a Diamond with a huge potential for development and this was the reason for her returning to India after her studies abroad. She said that Luxury brands are spearheaded by Indian faces these days and people are looking at India differently.
It was an evening with a difference. An evening when the royals shared the stage with India’s top fashion designers, collectors, artists and actors to discuss luxury, traditions and talent.
The L’ Aspiration Summit’s engaging panel discussions were moderated by News 18 India Editor Mr Jyoti Kamal.
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- By Rabindra
27, Dec 2023
KIIT World School celebrated Christmas
Gurugram: KIIT World School, Sohna Road celebrated the auspicious day of Christmas. The faces of all the children reflected boundless joy as they celebrated the festival. Sticking to their Community Outreach Program, the team visited a nearby school to share the happiness of Christmas. The event featured several exciting coloring and dancing competitions.
The event created a heartwarming experience, bringing smiles to both students and staff. By incorporating engaging activities, distributing certificates, giving thoughtful gifts, and surprising everyone with Santa’s sweetness, the occasion effectively embodied the spirit of the holiday season. It fostered a sense of community and spread cheer among the young minds. Children came dressed in red, white and green and sang Christmas carols and enjoyed playing fun games. They also prepared Christmas and New Year cards to wish season’s greetings to all their dear ones. A special assembly was conducted in which students recited poems, danced and shared their views about the festival.
Neelima Kamrah, Principal of KIIT World School, expressed her delight at seeing such enthusiasm in the children. She enlightened students to follow the path of brotherhood and humanity to maintain global peace, progress and prosperity. The program concluded on a joyful note with the festive spirit and invincible excitement among the students. She also gave information about some interesting things related to Lord Jesus.
27, Dec 2023
Leif Assurance Hires Construction Insurance Specialist
Gabe Smith brings extensive sales and management experience to the team
(St. Louis, Mo., Dec. 27, 2023) – Leif Assurance, a full-service insurance agency that exclusively handles construction insurance, recently hired Gabe Smith as a Construction Insurance Specialist. His responsibilities include selling multiple lines of insurance coverage to middle market and national accounts, generating new leads, and handling account renewals.
Smith has 10 years of sales and insurance experience. Prior to joining Leif Assurance, he was an insurance agency owner for five years. He previously served as a technology consultant, implementation specialist, and financial advisor for various national businesses. Smith holds certifications in Property & Casualty and Life & Health insurance and has a Bachelor of Business Management degree from the University of Texas at El Paso.
Leif Assurance, launched in 2022, offers actionable risk management, as well as data-driven pricing models to build the most accurate risk profiles so contractors are rewarded for safe job sites with earned insurance savings. Leif provides cost-effective and comprehensive insurance solutions for worker’s compensation, general liability, builders’ risk, inland marine, and commercial auto.
“Gabe has a diverse background that focuses on everything from management and digital marketing to communication and finance skills,” said Leif Assurance CEO JD Powers. “He will serve as an integral asset on our team where he will help strategically position our organization on a continuously successful path.”
Leif Assurance is the sister company of Powers Insurance & Risk Management and Valley Insurance Agency Alliance (VIAA), a cohesive family of more than 160 independent insurance agencies in Missouri and Illinois. Powers Insurance & Risk Management is one of the largest family owned and operated independent insurance agencies in the bi-state region. All three companies are located at 6825 Clayton Ave. For more information about Leif Assurance, call (314) 202-4200 or visit www.leifassurance.com.
26, Dec 2023
OYO partners with organisations supporting differently abled talent across India
Becomes accommodation partners of Khelo India Para Games, Para Kabaddi Impact Tournament and Divya Kala Mela
- OYO to focus on inclusivity in 2024 by providing equitable access to quality accommodation for differently abled individuals
- As part of this initiative, OYO recently partnered with Khelo India Para Games, Para Kabaddi Impact Tournament and Divya Kala Mela
- OYO to encourage its partner hotels to ensure wheelchair-friendly infrastructure, such as ramps, wider doorways
New Delhi, December 26, 2023. Global hospitality technology company OYO has announced that promoting inclusivity by focusing on providing equitable access to quality accommodation for differently abled individuals will be one of the focus areas in 2024. One of the key aspects of OYO’s initiative is to promote wheelchair-friendly infrastructure, such as ramps, wider doorways, and a staff which is trained to understand the needs of differently abled guests in its partner hotels.
The company has already taken decisive steps towards this by recently partnering with Khelo India Para Games and Divyang Kala Mela to provide specialized and accessible accommodation for differently abled players across India.
OYO is offering accommodation to approximately 150 differently abled artisans and entrepreneurs participating in the ongoing Divya Kala Mela across India. OYO has identified more than 200 hotels for these participants in different cities across India including Varanasi, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Patna, Surat, Nagpur, Ahmedabad and Shimla. The mapping of hotels has been done based on certain parameters such as ramp and lift facilities laid down by the authority.
OYO recently partnered with Khelo India Para Games 2023 in Delhi and provided accommodation to more than 1500 participants in 45 hotels across the city. As part of a larger partnership as an event management agency, OYO was also responsible for the catering and coordination for the games. OYO also deployed dedicated teams working in different shifts to provide round-the-clock assistance to all the participants.
Varun Jain, Chief Operating Officer, OYO expressed his enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, “At OYO, we believe in creating a world where everyone feels welcome. Through its extensive network of hotels, OYO aims to create a more inclusive environment for all guests, ensuring that individuals with disabilities have access to comfortable and convenient accommodations across India”.
OYO is also partnering with organisations such as Wheeling Happiness Foundation to reach out to a larger group of differently abled sportspersons. It recently offered accommodation to the participants of the national level tournament ‘Para Kabaddi Impact 2023’ in Gurgaon.
Elaborating more on the partnership, Padma Shri Dr. Deepa Malik, Co-founder, Wheeling Happiness Foundation said “As an advocate for inclusivity in sports, I stand firmly behind the crucial need for accessible accommodations for athletes with disabilities. Our partnership with OYO creates a more inclusive and empowering sporting landscape, where every athlete can thrive using their unique skills”.
This collaboration represents a significant step forward in promoting inclusivity in the hospitality sector. OYO’s efforts to prioritize the needs of differently abled guests reflect a broader commitment to diversity and accessibility, setting a benchmark for the industry to follow.
26, Dec 2023
Runaya and CFO Neha Bhandari Wins Great Managers Awards
Runaya and CFO Neha Bhandari Win “Top 50 Companies with Great Managers” and “Top 100 Great Managers” Awards Respectively
National, 26.12.2023, India: Runaya, a leading sustainable manufacturing venture, announced that it has been recognized as one of the ‘Top 50 Companies with Great Managers’ at The Great Manager Awards 2023. Additionally, Neha Bhandari, the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Runaya, has been recognized as one of the ‘Top 100 Great Managers.’
The Great Manager Awards, an initiative of People Business, aims to assist organisations in gaining a real competitive advantage through effective management. The vision is to foster an ecosystem of Great Managers across the country. Annually, the awards program identifies and rewards outstanding organisations with ‘Companies with Great Managers’ and acknowledges exceptional individuals as ‘Great Managers.’
The ‘Top 50 Companies with Great Managers’ underscores Runaya’s commitment to fostering a culture of effective leadership and management within the organisation. Runaya stands tall as the only manufacturing startup amidst 175+ renowned competitors. This recognition testifies the organisation’s exceptional managerial skills, coupled with a nurturing, supportive culture, reflecting its dedication to excellence and ongoing efforts to set industry benchmarks.
Neha Bhandari, the CFO of Runaya, has been recognized as one of the ‘Top 100 Great Managers.’ Her leadership and strategic financial acumen have played a pivotal role in contributing to Runaya’s success. Neha’s experience of more than 2 decades, in handling all key facets of finance roles and leadership skills has made her a standout manager in the industry.
Neha Bhandari, Chief Financial Officer of Runaya, expressed her gratitude, stating, “I am truly delighted to receive the ‘Top 100 Outstanding Manager’ award. This recognition is a testament to the collective effort of the entire team at Runaya. Our commitment to fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and excellence is validated by this prestigious award.”
Among other prominent winners at The Great Manager Awards 2023 are Jindal Steel, Tech Mahindra, PepsiCo, Bajaj, Myntra, Flipkart, Cairn Oil & Gas, Balco, Sterlite Copper and Vedanta Sesa Goa.
26, Dec 2023
myHQ by ANAROCK Partners With Awfis to add 100+ New Coworking Centers for On-Demand Day Passes
- Tie-up adds over 15 new cities to the flexi-workspace portfolio.
- Of 10.5 mn. sq.ft office space absorbed in Q3 2023 in top 7 cities, coworking accounts for approx. 20% share.
- Post Covid-19, 70% of Indian companies have adopted various kinds of coworking models.
Mumbai, 26 December 2023 – myHQ by ANAROCK, India’s leading platform for flexible workspace solutions, has entered a strategic partnership with Awfis, the country’s largest provider of agile office spaces, to give on-demand access to Awfis’s 100+ centers across the country.
Utkarsh Kawatra, Senior Director – myHQ by ANAROCK, says, “Under this collaboration, myHQ user base of 100,000 individuals, will now have seamless access to Awfis centers to book on-demand seats and meeting rooms across the country via the myHQ app. Our on-demand solutions are one of the most popular options for professionals who need to get work done in an enabled corporate setting on a short-term or occasional basis. They can book individually or together, a single seat or a meeting room, whatever they need.”
This unique collaboration will leverage the hugely increased post-pandemic pace of the Indian coworking industry. As per myHQ research, since 2017, an astonishing 25 mn. sq.ft. of coworking spaces have penetrated the top 7 cities of the country.
“Today, coworking represents a 21% share of the country’s entire commercial office space sector,” says Kawatra. “In Q3 2023, the top 7 cities have absorbed 10.5 million square feet of office space, of which coworking accounts for a approx. 20% share. The most vibrant coworking hubs in India are currently NCR, Pune, and Bengaluru – but the flex workspace trend is rapidly penetrating even Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities and towns.”
Description automatically generated Sumit Lakhani, Deputy CEO – Awfis, says, “We are excited to collaborate with myHQ for our mobility solutions. For us, this becomes another key source of helping a wider audience base experience our services. Our products have been carefully designed keeping in mind the evolving preferences of the new-age workforce and our pricing strategy ensures that people get elevated workspace experience in key micro-markets across cities at a very competitive price. This partnership aligns with our goal to maximize our reach to individuals and corporates across the country.”
Post the Covid-19 pandemic, 70% of Indian companies have adopted various iterations of flexible work models. Coworking spaces have thus become the go-to option for firms and their employees to accommodate their dynamic work approach. More than 50% of startups and fledgling firms with smaller teams find coworking an exceptionally cost-effective solution for hybrid work.
Coworking centers have become a very attractive proposition for businesses, especially startups and companies with smaller teams. The myHQ SaaS platform has already enabled such firms, as well as large corporates who have added flexible work to their traditional office approach, access to 1000+ centers across India.
26, Dec 2023
Neogen Ionics Forge Strategic Amassing of 65 Acres Land at PIP by Arete Group, Gujarat
National, 26th December 2023 – Arete Group, a leading industrial real estate player in Gujarat, announces an industrial land purchase of 65 acres at PIP (Payal Industrial Park) in Pakhajan, Dahej PCPIR, Gujarat by Neogen Ionics Limited. Neogen Ionics, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Neogen Chemicals Limited, has successfully completed the land acquisition as a pivotal move towards establishing a world-class Battery Materials facility on this expansive greenfield site.
The newly acquired land is dedicated to the manufacturing of cutting-edge battery materials, including 30,000 MT of electrolytes and 4,000 MT of electrolyte salts and additives in the first phase. Neogen Ionics aims to operationalize the electrolyte plant by the second half of 2025, catering to the growing demand from lithium-ion cell manufacturers in India and the expanding international OEM demand for Electrolyte Salts and additives.
Arete Group, through its flagship project PIP, aligns seamlessly with Neogen Ionics’ vision, offering a conducive environment for industrial growth and innovation. PIP, spread across 3,500 acres, provides plug-and-play land and infrastructure tailored to the specific needs of industries. The strategic location, with proximity to established industrial projects, complements Neogen Ionics’ strategic expansion plans.
Commenting on the successful land acquisition, Siraj Saiyed, Director of Arete Group, stated, “We are delighted to facilitate Neogen Ionics’ strategic move to establish a state-of-the-art Battery Materials facility at PIP. This collaboration exemplifies our commitment to fostering innovation and sustainable industrial development in the region. PIP is uniquely designed to support transformative initiatives, and we are enthusiastic about contributing to the success of Neogen Ionics’ visionary project.”
Anticipated to be operational in the second half of 2025, the facility signifies a major milestone in Neogen Ionics’ growth journey. Haridas Kanani, CMD, Neogen Ionics Limited said: “We are happy to conclude the land acquisition for our planned greenfield project at PIP dedicated to battery materials in a timely manner. As we advance in finalizing the design in collaboration with our technology license provider MUIS, we are well-positioned to commence operations in H2 of CY 2025. This ensures alignment with our domestic and global customer timelines, allowing us to uphold our first-mover advantage in the Indian battery material supply chain.
Arete Group, known for its commitment to providing comprehensive support, is poised to assist Neogen Ionics throughout the project’s lifecycle. This includes facilitating environmental clearances, regulatory approvals, plug-n-play infrastructure, and other tailored services to ensure the project’s timely and successful completion.
26, Dec 2023
Bata Joins Hands with South Asia’s Leading CLM Platform Easyrewardz for “BataClub” Loyalty Program
New Delhi, 26th December ,2023: Easyrewardz, South Asia’s leading end-to-end CLM & Loyalty solution provider announced that Bata, one of the largest footwear brands globally has leveraged “Zence” CRM solution stack by Easyrewardz, for the success of their multi-national “BataClub” program.
Founded in 1894, Bata has been at the forefront of making customer-centricity a reality with its motto of ‘going the extra mile’. Seeing that in the retail sector, the role of CRM has evolved into a vital necessity, and it stands poised for significant growth, Bata International is leveraging CRM solutions to provide an unparalleled shopping experience for its customers in geographies like Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore and Bangladesh, having over 20 brands and labels, such as Bata, North Star, Power, Bubblegummers, Weinbrenner, Sandak or Toughees.
The Footwear market in Southeast Asia is projected to grow by 5.18% (2023-2028) resulting in a market volume of US$20.78bn in 2028. – Statista
Soumya Chatterjee, CEO, Easyrewardz, said, Easyrewardz CLM stack helps transform customer engagement in the retail landscape. Our CRM & Loyalty solutions seamlessly manage the entire customer journey, from initial acquisition to continued engagement and retention offering an optimal shopping experience for Bata’s customers.
With the Zence CRM stack, we’ve equipped Bata International with advanced capabilities, providing a unified view of each customer across multiple locations. This enables personalised and attentive service, ensuring that every interaction with the brand is tailored to meet the unique preferences and expectations of Bata’s diverse customer base. We thank Bata for choosing us as their CRM and loyalty partners. This collaboration exemplifies our dedication to empowering retailers with cutting-edge solutions to navigate the evolving landscape of customer expectations and digital transformation.”
Bata International, leverages Easyrewardz Zence Loyalty solutions, seamlessly integrating various features to enhance customer engagement, utilizing LPaaS for crafting personalized loyalty journeys and fostering active engagement through WhatsApp.
Easyrewardz collaboration with Bata extends beyond conventional retail solutions as they have also played a pivotal role in establishing a program microsite for Bata. This microsite empowers customers with access to personalized dashboards, the ability to refer friends and family, and the opportunity to unlock delightful rewards and more.
Geoffroy Berthon, Global Customer Experience Director at Bata, said on the success of the program “Bata and Easyrewardz are thrilled with the introduction of the “BataClub” program. This initiative was designed keeping in mind the values on which Bata was founded over 130 years ago. As a global group, we believe in respecting different cultures, and thus we have a unique set of customers with diverse needs & expectations. We are delighted to have chosen Easyrewardz as our partner in this journey to improve Customer Lifecycle Management to delight and reward customers. This facilitates tracking customer visits, enhancing service experiences, and fostering loyalty through personalized offerings and delightful services.
As market leaders in the footwear retail sector, protecting our customer’s data and privacy is of utmost importance to us. Easyrewardz has been instrumental in ensuring the security of customer information through their end-to-end solutions, providing us with a 360° view of our customers’ profiles. Thank you to team Easyrewardz for their continuous support, we are eager to see this partnership grow and succeed.”
26, Dec 2023
Noise Celebrates Neeraj Chopra’s Birthday by Naming a Star After Him
26th December 2023: Noise, India’s leading smartwatch and connected lifestyle brand, pays a stellar tribute to their brand ambassador, Neeraj Chopra on his birthday. Celebrating the pride of the nation and his remarkable achievements in the field of athletics, Noise has named a star after the Golden Boy of India.
Neeraj Chopra joined Noise’s cohort of legacy brand ambassadors earlier this year and shares the synergy of national champions winning glory at a global stage. The campaign showcases celestial stars in the sky coming together to take different forms, symbolizing Neeraj’s milestones while underscoring his status as a gold star himself.
The beautiful tribute is more than a birthday wish. It is a way of paying homage to Neeraj Chopra’s incredible journey, his dedication to excellence, and the inspiration he continues to provide to millions across the country. As a brand that values the spirit of champions, Noise has truly expressed how much they value Neeraj Chopra as a face for them.
26, Dec 2023
The most loved mall of Ghaziabad marks a glorious 10 years of success
Gaur Central Mall in Raj Nagar celebrates a decade of retail excellence and to mark the festivities launched a 10 days Shopping Fiesta to thank its valued patrons and retail partners for their patronage and support in this eventful journey.
Starting from 21st December to 31st December shoppers will experience the festivities that are lined up for them where they will be able to make memorable moments with their family.
During the 10 days shopping festival, 10 highest shoppers will be announced and they will get curated hampers from the mall. Not just this, all shoppers who shop or dine for INR 2000 will receive special memorabilia and shopping vouchers.
“We are thrilled to celebrate a decade of success for our first lifestyle destination- Gaur Central Mall. It served as a catalyst in transforming the retail landscape of the posh Rajnagar District back then and continues to do so. It is the first and the only social hub in this catchment that has a strong impact on the community offering them the convenience of a seamless organized retail and entertainment under one roof. We take pride in nurturing our community of 25 million and growing. We are committed towards redefining and elevating these experiences.” said Sarthak Gaur, Director, Gaurs Group.
During Shopping Fiesta the mall also witnessed live appearances by Santa Claus on December 24th and 25th. The mall also offers exciting entertainment including toon character walks, magic shows, games, DIY paintings, Christmas carols, tattoo making, live musical performances, puppeteer engagements and a lot more.
Mall shoppers can also avail a complimentary coffee from Blue Berry by posting their picture perfect moments from the Gaur Central Mall on Instagram and tagging it @gaurcentralmall
