16, Dec 2023
Signature Global Foundation’s Project Pathshala Brightens the Future of Government Schools
Signature Global, a leading real estate developer in Gurugram, is making significant strides in community service through its CSR arm, the Signature Global Foundation. As part of their initiative, Project Pathshala, the foundation conducted a successful event on 14th and 15th December 2023 in two government schools in Gurugram.
Signature Global Foundation visited the Government Primary School in Basai, benefitting 700 students, followed by the Government Senior Secondary School in Basai, impacting 1539 students, to conduct a series of activities, including the distribution of study materials, renovation of schools’ infrastructure, providing drinking water facility, and more.
Project Pathshala actively promotes education in government schools across Gurugram and encompasses a range of community service programs aimed at enhancing education in government schools. Signature Global Foundation’s initiatives underline the company’s holistic approach to corporate social responsibility, creating a positive ripple effect in the communities it serves.
On this occasion Mr. Pradeep Aggarwal, Founder & Chairman of Signature Global group expressed his enthusiasm for the initiative, stating, “Our commitment to education and community welfare is at the core of Signature Global’s values. We aim to uplift government schools and provide a conducive learning environment through Project Pathshala. It was extremely delightful to come across so many students, help them in various segments, and provide them with better access to learning. The success of our endeavours in Naurangpur, Kadarpur, Gadoli Khurd, Nawada Fatehpur, Basai, and Kakrola motivates us to continue making a positive impact on the education landscape in Gurugram.”
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- By Rabindra
16, Dec 2023
OTTplay Premium Adds More Regional Flavor with aha Telugu & Tamil, Deepening Roots in the Market
National, 16th December 2023: India’s first AI-powered streaming, recommendation, and content discovery platform, is thrilled to announce the strategic on-boarding of aha, a dynamic addition to its premium content lineup “aha”, renowned for its high-quality Telugu and Tamil-language content, brings a unique flavor to OTTplay Premium’s platform. This collaboration enhances the diversity of available content while also playing a crucial role in strengthening OTTplay Premium’s presence in the regional market.
With an extensive array of exclusive Telugu & Tamil movies, original series, and engaging shows spanning various genres, aha Telugu & aha Tamil with OTT play Premium is set to captivate the audience with its diverse and culturally rich content. This partnership is a testament to OTTplay Premium’s commitment to delivering unparalleled entertainment experiences to its subscribers and strategically aligns with aha’s expertise in providing top-notch Telugu and Tamil-language content.
“We are pleased to announce the addition of aha Telugu & aha Tamil to the OTTplay Premium portfolio. This collaboration extends beyond content expansion; it represents a transformative shift in the essence of entertainment. This partnership transcends boundaries; it’s a fusion of quality, cultural resonance, and the sheer joy of storytelling. We are confident that this collaboration will not only redefine streaming experiences but also establish a lasting connection with our esteemed regional audience” said Mr. Avinash Mudaliar, CEO and Co-founder, OTT play.
Mr. Ravikanth Sabnavis, CEO of aha, said, “We are delighted to announce this strategic partnership with OTT Play, a pivotal step in our ongoing mission to become an integral part of every Telugu and Tamil household. In the dynamic landscape of digital entertainment, aha envisions itself not just as a leading Telugu and Tamil OTT App but as a cultural companion for families across regions. With OTT Play, we are excited to amplify our efforts and reach an even wider audience. OTT Play’s reputation as a key player in the digital streaming realm aligns seamlessly with aha’s vision, making them an invaluable strategic partner on our journey. Together, we aim to redefine the entertainment experience, ensuring our exclusive content resonates with viewers on a profound level. As we forge ahead, we are eager to share the excitement and joy that our content brings to the OTT Play family.”
OTTplay Premium subscribers can now enjoy a seamless transition to aha’s Telugu & Tamil content, exploring a wide range of options from blockbuster movies to critically acclaimed original series, all while tapping into aha’s expertise in delivering exceptional Telugu and Tamil-language entertainment.
The expansion of the content horizon ensures that OTTplay Premium continues to be a go-to destination for entertainment enthusiasts seeking variety, quality, and innovation. This exciting collaboration reflects OTTplay Premium’s dynamic approach to staying ahead in the competitive streaming landscape, fostering creativity and audience engagement.
16, Dec 2023
Chtrbox’s social media wing ChtrSocial wins mandate for health-snacking brand Gouri’s Goodies
16th December, 2023; Mumbai, India: Leading influencer marketing agency, Chtrbox’s social media marketing arm, ChtrSocial has bagged the social media mandate for Gouri’s Goodies, a trailblazer brand in the health-snacking industry. As a part of the mandate, ChtrSocial is responsible for driving the brand’s digital presence and engaging with the audience through innovative social media strategies. Along with social media marketing, their responsibilities include end-to-end production, seamless shoot coordination, thoughtful design elements, and expert management assistance.
ChtrSocial aims at establishing Gouri’s Goodies as a lifestyle choice, beyond just a snack brand. ChtrSocial conceptualized and recently launched the brand’s maiden digital campaign ‘Guilt-free with Gouri’ along with a complete packaging and website refresh to follow soon that will converse with it’s customers in the same tonality. Kickstarting this brand campaign, ChtrSocial has started off with humanizing the brand with the story and face of it’s founder Gouri Gupta serving the audience with a relatable recall-worthy identity and a channel to imbibe her persona in the thought-provoking edutainment content on ‘guiltless living’. The campaign emphasizes the brand’s commitment to making living more wholesome and enjoying every bit of it, just like their tasty guiltless goodies.
Speaking on the account win, Chtrbox’s Darshil Shah, Director, ChtrSocial, said, “We are on a mission to humanize brands and it is great to have clients onboard who are ready to invest their efforts alongside us for the same. We are excited to work closely with Mrs. Gouri Gupta and tell their story to the world. We are equally vested in her vision of the much-needed shift from mindless to guilt-free living and there couldn’t be a better way to spread that message than through Gouri herself.”
Speaking on awarding the mandate to Chtrbox and ChtrSocial, Gouri Gupta, Managing Director, Gouri’s Goodies, said, “At Gouri’s Goodies, we believe in the power of food to bring people together, and partnering with ChtrSocial allows us to extend that philosophy into the digital realm.
This collaboration is not just about sharing delicious treats; it is about creating a community that values shared moments, meaningful conversations, and the joy of connecting over a shared love for good food. The energy and excitement of the ChtrSocial team is something that we have always appreciated.
We are delighted to collaborate with ChtrSocial, an agency that shares our commitment to fostering meaningful connections. Together, we look forward to elevating the culinary experience, sparking delightful conversations, and building lasting connections through this exciting collaboration.”
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16, Dec 2023
Probus Insurance joins hands with Disney+ Hotstar for Pro Kabaddi League 2023
Mumbai, December 2023: After an overwhelming response during the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, Probus Insurance, one of the fastest-growing Insurtech brands, yet again joined hands with Disney+ Hotstar for Pro Kabaddi League 2023. Like their previous association, Probus will again be the exclusive partner for the Action Replay bug for Pro Kabbadi League Season 10, featuring their brand ambassador, Bollywood celebrity Hrithik Roshan.
Pro Kabaddi League is the most popular Kabaddi league in the world. In a testament to its widespread popularity, the PKL League achieved a staggering viewership of 435 million during its last season, resonating with a diverse audience from avid sports enthusiasts to casual viewers, making it one of the most-watched sporting events in the country after the IPL.
Rakesh Goyal, Managing director of Probus, said in the announcement, “We are thrilled to embark on this new journey with exclusive rights for the Action Replay Bug for Pro Kabaddi League this season. Probus has a strong local footprint of 800+ cities, serving 15000 pin codes, where most of our penetration is rural. With this tie-up, we aim to reach out to the rural belt, where Pro Kabaddi League is also making the sport an aspiration for the people in Tier 2 3 cities, touching diverse segments of the population. This is exactly where our brand ethos binds us together, boosting the purpose of this association.”
Dhruv Dhawan, Head – Ads at Disney+ Hotstar, said, “At Disney+ Hotstar, it is our constant endeavour to enable our advertisers to meet their business goals by leveraging our tentpole events. We are delighted to associate with Probus across our marquee sports properties, such as the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 and now the Pro Kabaddi League Season 10. We hope to continue to build on this association in the future as well.”
Probus’s online platform presents an array of insurance products, including motor, life, health, and SME. Having surpassed 1000 crore premium in the last year, the company has achieved a significant milestone. Aligned with IRDAI’s goals, Probus aims to expand into rural markets by deploying Bima Vahak, a specialized distribution channel, in every Gram Panchayat nationwide.
16, Dec 2023
Inauguration of M.L. Pendse Centre for Cancer Survivors and Symposium on Conflict Resolution Draws Legal Luminaries to Kaivalyadham
Lonavla, this Sunday, on 16 th December 2023, saw a bevy of legal luminaries make a bee line for Kaivalyadham, one of the world’s oldest Yoga Institute, to inaugurate the M.L. Pendse Centre for Cancer Survivors and Lifestyle Diseases, (Project Anand) and deliberate on an intense topic of Internal and External Conflict Resolution.
The Hon’ble Chief Justice of India, Dr. D.Y. Chandrachud inaugurated the M.L. Pendse Centre for Cancer Survivors and Lifestyle Diseases, which has opened in Kaivalyadham’s premises. He recalled the huge impression that was made on him by Justice M.L.Pendse, a very deeply respected and beloved judge of the High Court of Bombay. In his speech, he called Kaivalyadham an ‘oasis’ of greenery and simplicity in the landscape of our State, which needed to be preserved and emulated. He recalled his own experiences of being the caregiver for a cancer stricken family, and the need for their wellbeing and sustenance. He was deeply appreciative of Kaivalyadham’s scientific research, education, and contribution of yogic therapy to our society.
This Centre inauguration was accompanied with a very interesting symposium on ‘ Conflict Resolution, Internal and External’ . The Bombay Bar Association was the co -organiser of this Symposium, which was attended by more than 350 people, including judges, lawyers, doctors, chartered accountants, bureaucrats, mediators and other professionals.
Alongwith the CJI, Mr. Justice Abhay Oak, Judge , Supreme Court of India, Mr. D.K.Upadhyay, the Chief Justice of Bombay High Court, and retired Judges like Justice Srikrishna, and Justice Ramesh Dhanuka attended this inauguration. All of them spoke about how Yoga has personally helped them in bringing stability to their health, and bringing integrity to their decision making capacities.
Session 1 of the symposium focused on Creating Conducive Grounds towards Conflict Resolution.
This session was presided over by an illustrious panel- Justice Ramesh Dhanuka, Dr. Mahesh Karindikar, Neurosurgeon, Smt. Manisha Verma , IAS, and Dr. Ananda Balayogi , Yoga expert, moderated by Ms. Tanu Mehta, Mediator, all of whom shared their experiences and drew the attention of the audience to a mind boggling platter of perspectives. The session brought to fore the reality that we need to develop ‘empathy’ for any resolution with an adversary. Practices of Yoga, which help us see our own wholesomeness, and develops oneness of people, can help build empathy, was a thought that was well received by the audience.
Session 2 was about Bringing balance between the emotional mind and the rational mind.
Renowned scholars and professionals from diverse walks of life joined this session- Justice Mridula Bhatkar, Dr. Alok Sharma, neuro scientist, Dr. Birendra Saraf, Advocate General, Dr. Rajan Welukar , Academic, were the elite panelists and moderating the session was Advocate Mr. Ashvin Bhalekar.
Some very simple yet thought-provoking instances were put forth that laid emphasis on the balance of an emotional mind and a rational mind to make the best decisions of life. Examples were analysed from Mahabharat to Mahatma Gandhi, and from Israel to South Africa to examine the function of the primitive and the higher levels of brain and how yogic psychology can repair the balance
between these two minds in our brains.
Enabling self-reflection in law and in consciousness was the subject of discussion for session 3 .
The session had the entire room engulfed in deep thought and contemplation with the intelligent panelists- Justice B.N. Srikrishna, Dr. Bhushan Upadhyay, IPS, Dr. Praseeda Menon Psychologist Mr. Prathamesh Popat, Mediator, ably moderated by CEO Mr. Abdul Nasir Shaikh, presenting factual evidence drawn from personal experiences on the significance of reflecting upon self to be able to
achieve the desired outcome.
16, Dec 2023
Lenovo Launches New Hybrid Cloud Platforms and Services to Accelerate AI
● Lenovo unveils ThinkAgile Next-Gen Hybrid Cloud Solutions, featuring next-gen Intel Xeon Scalable Processors for enhanced AI performance and operational efficiency.
● Lenovo TruScale for Hybrid Cloud offers a versatile, scalable, and cost-effective AI performance-as-a-service solution.
Bangalore, December 16, 2023 – Today, Lenovo (HKSE: 992) (ADR: LNVGY) announced significant enhancements to its hybrid cloud platform, elevating its capabilities for AI applications. This includes new ThinkAgile hyper converged solutions and ThinkSystem servers that deliver accelerated performance, management, and efficiency capabilities, powered by the next generation of Intel® Xeon® Scalable Processors. Designed to help customers take AI from concept to reality leveraging existing IT architecture, the expanded platform is a critical next step for delivering a dynamic hybrid AI approach across public, private, and personal foundation models in order to enable AI for All.
The new Lenovo ThinkAgile hybrid cloud solutions are engineered to boost AI performance and build cloud agility by delivering more compute and faster memory to its market-leading portfolio when and where it is needed. Additionally, Lenovo Professional Services for AI and TruScale as-a-service offerings help customers simplify IT and accelerate AI with new integrated hybrid cloud for edge capabilities that quickly help businesses grow and only pay for what they need.
“This launch marks a step towards strengthening our commitment to AI for All. Our new Hybrid Cloud Platforms propel innovation and offer to create a faster, more flexible path to AI,” said Sumir Bhatia, President – AP, Lenovo ISG. “With up to 15 percent better performance, customers can leverage these solutions to reduce their IT footprint, achieve greater ROI, and deliver accurate business outcomes. These solutions are offered in a consumption model and seamlessly integrate with existing IT infrastructure for a dynamic hybrid AI approach.”
“In the face of escalating data generation and technology initiatives, the demand for advanced processing capabilities for AI workloads is becoming imperative,” stated Amit Luthra, Managing Director – India, Lenovo ISG. “As Indian businesses undergo IT modernization, Lenovo recognizes and is dedicated to meeting the need for enhanced performance to accelerate AI applications. Our Hybrid AI solutions offer a scalable pathway for AI implementations, presenting cost-effective models that align seamlessly with the needs of diverse businesses in India.”
The next generation of Lenovo ThinkAgile hybrid cloud solutions and ThinkSystem servers with 5th Gen Intel Xeon Scalable processors feature built-in AI acceleration with Intel’s AMX technology – increasing efficiency while supporting AI inferencing and training on models up to 20 billion parameters. Additionally, the portfolio provides a unique open architecture with advanced management, superior reliability, and end-to-end security to help companies of all sizes work across hybrid multi-clouds.
AI for Hybrid Cloud
To keep up with business growth, IT teams need edge-to-data center solutions and cloud services that are deployment ready, compatible with existing infrastructure, and built for complex workloads out of the box. Optimized for AI, Lenovo ThinkAgile HX, MX and VX are engineered, turnkey hybrid cloud solutions with the new 5th Gen Intel Xeon Scalable processors and open ecosystem of partners, including Nutanix, Microsoft, and VMware. The new ThinkAgile integrated hybrid cloud solutions offer industry-leading cloud software enabling new capabilities, faster backup and recovery, and reducing deployment time up to 75%.
Lenovo continues to expand its portfolio with ThinkAgile VX with VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) reference architecture, which enables enterprises to support hybrid cloud virtualized and containerized workloads. The new ThinkAgile MX450 Edge Integrated System with built in Azure Arc offers a compact solution that provides Azure cloud services and AI inferencing at the edge. Additionally, ThinkAgile HX AI for the Edge with Nutanix builds repeatable, scalable solutions to handle AI and machine learning compute or storage workloads remotely.
Lenovo partners with Intel to deliver the latest technology with support of their new CPU across the ThinkSystem portfolio of dense optimized, rack, and tower solutions. For compute-intensive workloads, Lenovo continues to extend its multi-node server capabilities with the SD530 V3, SD550 V3, and SD650- N V3 dense optimized servers powered by the new 5th Gen Intel® Xeon® Scalable processors enable customers to maximize processing power in half the space with up to 40% lower power consumption with Lenovo Neptune liquid cooling.
For enterprises, the robust Lenovo ThinkSystem SR650 V3 and SR630 V3 rack servers provide flexible configurations with optimized performance for AI workloads. For multi-site locations including branch offices and retail, the new Lenovo ThinkSystem SR250 V3 rack server and ST250 V3 tower server leverage Intel Xeon E-2400 processors with up to 21% higher overall performance to deliver flexible compute for the edge.
Enabling Cloud Agility
Lenovo is unleashing the power of AI to drive intelligent transformation in every industry – from pocket to cloud with purpose-built AI-ready devices, infrastructure, solutions, and services that empower industries, enterprises, and individuals around the world. Delivering the performance needed for accelerating AI applications, Lenovo TruScale for Hybrid Cloud offers as-a-service and fully managed on-prem data center solutions to flexibly create, shift, and scale capacity to fit changing business needs. Lenovo’s new TruScale Hybrid Cloud for Edge provides a cost effective, smaller configuration solution to support AI where needed and includes a self-service cloud management platform that allows more agility and control over data workloads.
In addition to its advanced hybrid cloud platform, Lenovo is helping customers accelerate AI implementation through its new Professional Services for AI. Powered by Lenovo’s vast knowledge base and global team of industry experts, the service is a single vendor solution that helps organizations make sense of AI and guides them through the most effective, end-to-end IT deployments that are tailored to achieve desired business outcomes quickly.
End users will also benefit from Lenovo hybrid cloud solutions with new Lenovo laptops that are leading the way in AI PC innovation, transforming how people work, play and connect with their PCs. With the latest ThinkPad X1 and IdeaPad Pro 5i, users can enjoy the most advanced PC experiences ever, powered by AI computing. These laptops feature Intel Core Ultra processors and high-performance Wi-Fi connectivity to accelerate AI PC tasks with speed and intelligence across local, public and private hybrid AI models.
16, Dec 2023
OML Entertainment Sweeps Indian Television Academy Awards with Triple Triumph in OTT Categories
Nationwide Release: 16th December 2023: OML Entertainment, a prominent Indian leading media and entertainment company, secured three prestigious awards at the Indian Television Academy. The accolades include Best Story for “Half Pants Full Pants” on Amazon Prime Video, Best Reality Series – OTT for Zakir Khan’s stand-up special “Tathastu,” and Best Anchor-Reality Series OTT for Zakir Khan’s acclaimed series “Farzi Mushaira” on Amazon MiniTV. The recognition solidifies OML Entertainment’s position as a leader in delivering top-notch content in the rapidly evolving landscape of digital entertainment.
Under the esteemed leadership of Anu Ranjan and Shashi Ranjan, the 23rd ITA Awards marked a resounding celebration, recognizing brilliance in the realms of Television, OTT, and Films. Held on December 10 and supported by the Ministry of Women and Child Development, this prestigious event witnessed the distinguished presence of Smriti Irani, Union Cabinet Minister, Government of India.
The event was a star-studded affair, with OML and Zakir Khan receiving significant acclaim from the ITA. Being nominated in multiple categories and winning these three titles in the OTT space, while sharing the stage with some of the industry’s best stories and talented individuals, reaffirms the impact and quality of OML’s evolving content that strikes a chord with the masses.
Half Pants Full Pants, ‘An OML Creation’, directed by V. K. Prakash, adapted from Anand Suspi’s eponymous book, Half Pants Full Pants, unfolds in a quaint South Indian town, offering a nostalgic glimpse into a time before the internet and mobile phones dominated our lives. The story revolves around 7-year-old Anand, fondly known as Dabba, and his well-mannered friend Giddi as they embark on heartwarming adventures, evoking a sense of longing for the simplicity and innocence of days gone by.
OML Entertainment is Zakir Khan’s talent management agency and produced Tathastu and Farzi Mushaira. The revered Indian artist won the best stand-up act for Reality Series – Tathastu which was structured into three compelling chapters—Paradise, Exile, and The Return. It intricately unfolds the Zakir Khan origin story.
This special stand-up act delves into the pivotal elements of his life, particularly emphasizing his profound connection with his late grandfather, the renowned singer Ustad Moinuddin Khan, and his journey from his upbringing in a joint family to his college days and initial career experiences, culminating in his foray into comedy.
He also won the Best Anchor-Reality Series OTT for the acclaimed series “Farzi Mushaira” on Amazon MiniTV. Farzi Mushaira is a poetic carnival of exciting and fun episodes, dealing with shayris(urdu poetry) on topics of rejections, hartbreaks, cheating, and candid confessions.
OML Entertainment was also honored to receive nominations at the Filmfare Awards this year. The recognition was a testament to the quality of the agency’s productions, with the following titles earning nominations in various categories: “Tathastu” for Best Series (Comedy), “Farzi Mushaira” for Best Series (Comedy), and “Half Pants Full Pants” also competing in the Best Series (Comedy) category. Additionally, the talented portrayal of the character Dabba in “Half Pants Full Pants” earned a nomination for Best Actor in the Series (Comedy) category.
Gunjan Arya, Spokesperson, OML Entertainment was quoted as saying, “We are grateful to have our work recognised at the esteemed ITA. From Half Pants Full Pants which was a true industry wide collaboration in our work with Anand Suspi who wrote the book on which it is based and VK Prakash bringing his distinct directorial experience to audiences, to Zakir’s standup special Tathastu that made audiences feel a wider range range of emotions than most other comedy specials – we are especially grateful to Amazon Prime Video for their partnership.
Furthermore, Farzi Mushaira as a format that Amazon MiniTV took a bet on where Zakir has showcased yet another laugh roller coaster that audiences have loved and adored him for, is a recognition of his sheer talent and auteurship as an artist. OML has always strived to create diverse and wholly unique entertainment experiences for fans, and we are humbled and proud to have the recognition of a platform such as ITA in our journey. We remain inspired to deliver more shows and formats in diverse genres and with interesting narratives alongside our partners that champion the content ecosystem.”
Known for its prominence in the entertainment industry, the ITA Awards served as a flagship event that shone a spotlight on exceptional talent and accomplishments. From captivating performances in fiction to groundbreaking strides in non-fiction, the ceremony acknowledged the outstanding contributions of individuals and shows within the industry. It was a night that celebrated the diverse excellence that continues to shape the landscape of Indian entertainment.
16, Dec 2023
Duolingo commits to UNHCR’s 15×30 pledge at Global Refugee Forum
PITTSBURGH — We are pleased to announce that representatives from the Duolingo English Test (DET) will be attending this year’s Global Refugee Forum at the Palexpo in Geneva, Switzerland, from December 13 to 15.
In line with our commitment to improving access to quality education for all, Duolingo is proud to endorse the UNHCR’s 15 by 30 pledge. This ambitious goal seeks to increase refugee enrollment in higher education to 15% by 2030. This commitment comes at a time when only 7% of refugees worldwide are able to access higher education.
As part of this endeavor, the DET has partnered with the UNHCR to launch the Duolingo University Access Program. This program aims to create improved pathways to higher education for refugee students. It offers one-on-one guidance and assistance with the university and financial aid application processes, as well as immigration and visa processes.
In order to celebrate these efforts, the DET took center stage at Times Square, New York to showcase this shared commitment of fostering educational opportunities and empowering refugees on their academic journey. In a spectacular display, billboards featured the faces of selected scholars, who embody resilience, potential, and the power of education. This epitomizes DET’s mission towards creating a brighter future through accessible and inclusive education.
As a part of this endeavor 25 high performing refugee students from India, Iraq, and South Africa have been able to get access to world class education across the world. As a part of this initiative two Rohingya students from India have been granted student visas in Canada, this is unprecedented and the first time visas like this have been granted. These brilliant students have the potential to be intellectual powerhouses at their future universities. To help ensure their successful outcomes, DET’s program director, Laura Kaub, in partnership with local UNHCR operations, has provided bespoke advice.
We are excited to announce that a second cohort of Scholars has recently been selected for the program. These students have already begun the process of exploring their best-fit university pathways for Fall 2024 enrollment.
Our commitment to the UNHCR’s 15 by 30 pledge, and the expansion of the Duolingo University Access Program, is a reflection of our mission to make education accessible to everyone. We believe that every individual deserves the opportunity to learn and grow, and we are committed to breaking down the barriers that prevent people from reaching their full potential.
16, Dec 2023
Modi Naturals Ltd. Receives Rs 240 Crore Ethanol Order From Iocl, Bpcl & Hpcl, Fuels Green Ambitions
New Delhi, 16th December 2023: Modi Naturals Ltd. (MNL) is pleased to announce a substantial order through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Modi Biotech Private Limited (MBPL). The company has successfully secured an order for 3.72 Crore Litres of ethanol, with an estimated value of approximately Rs. 240 Crores, from various Oil Manufacturing Companies (OMCs) including Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL).
This significant order aligns with the Ethanol Sugar Year (ESY) schedule, spanning November 2023 to October 2024, and will be fulfilled in four phases. Not only will Modi Naturals deliver on the ethanol requirements, but the byproducts generated during the production process will also be sold separately, contributing to additional revenues. This cumulative volume of 3.72 Crore Litres, combined with the byproducts from production, sets the stage for a remarkable Total Revenue potential of 275 Crores.
Commenting on this significant development, Akshay Modi, Managing Director of Modi Naturals Ltd., said, “We are extremely happy with the successful commissioning of our ethanol facility and the progress achieved thus far. This latest order marks a transformative moment for Modi Naturals, promising positive impacts on our balance sheet. Our immediate focus is on stabilizing plant production in the coming weeks, paving the way for Phase II expansion to maximize the facility’s full capacity.”
This substantial development underscores Modi Natural’s commitment to the renewable energy landscape and its active participation in the national mission of Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP). As outlined by the Government of India, EBP aims to reduce import dependence, save foreign exchange, boost the domestic agriculture sector, and provide crucial environmental benefits.
The company recently inaugurated its state-of-the-art ethanol distillery in Raipur, Chhattisgarh. With a robust production capacity of 210 KLD (thousand litres per day) and a 5.5 MW cogeneration power plant, this facility is poised to profoundly impact the biofuel landscape. The facility is planned to operate at 130 KLD in the first phase, with a capex of Rs 150 cr with a debt of Rs. 105cr.
Modi Biotech Private Limited (MBPL) and its parent firm, Modi Naturals Ltd., have a strong legacy of managing numerous enterprises and projects spanning four decades. To ensure the BioTech Plant’s smooth construction and commissioning, MBPL worked with industry specialists such as consultants, plant suppliers, and an experienced in-house staff.
16, Dec 2023
Kotak Mahindra Bank Associates with IIT Kanpur to Establish India’s First Fully Integrated School of Sustainability
Bengaluru,16 December 2023: The Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IITK) and the Kotak Mahindra Bank Limited (“KMBL”/ “Kotak”) today announced the launch of Kotak School of Sustainability – India’s first fully integrated school of sustainability at IIT Kanpur. The launch event was graced by Shri. Dharmendra Pradhan, Hon’ble Union Minister of Education and Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Government of India as the chief guest; Dr. Abhay Karandikar, Secretary, Department of Science & Technology, Government of India, and Shri. Nagendra Nath Sinha, Secretary, Ministry of Steel, as guests of honour; Prof. S. Ganesh, Director, IIT Kanpur; Mr. Prakash Apte, Chairman Kotak Mahindra Bank, Shanti Ekambaram, Whole-time Director, Kotak Mahindra Bank, C S Rajan, Independent Director, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Himanshu Nivsarkar, Senior EVP and Head CSR, Kotak Mahindra Bank and Mr. Kapil Kaul, Chief Executive Officer, IIT Kanpur Development Foundation.
Global warming poses a serious threat to our existence, manifesting in untimely natural calamities, pollution, and biodiversity loss. Research indicates irreversible ‘Tipping Points’ with rapid, harmful climatic changes. Realising this is an imminent existential crisis and that anthropogenic activities need to be environmentally sustainable; world leaders have been discussing in COP (Conference of Parties) meetings to come up with policies and actions that can lead to a sustainable future. The United Nations (UN’s) seventeen sustainable development goals address this challenge, crucial in densely populated countries like India. Urgent climate actions are needed to mitigate, adapt, and build resilience.
Despite the challenge, collaboration among policymakers, academia, businesses, and society offers opportunities for the mitigation, adaptation and resilience to climate change. In addressing the climate-driven sustainability challenge, educational institutions play a vital role. The UN emphasizes education’s role in promoting climate action, empowering people to understand and address climate impacts. Sustainability education and research require academic institutions to blend environmental science and clean technology-based approaches with social, economic and ecological aspects of sustainability. Institutions, through Education, Empowerment, and Engagement (3E), can lead climate action, empowering communities and conserving the natural ecosystem.
To address this challenge, IIT Kanpur and KMBL have come together to establish India’s first integrated School of Sustainability. KMBL is funding IITK through its CSR program to establish Kotak School of Sustainability with a vision to promote pedigree education, research, and outreach. Kotak and IITK believe that this School is poised to offer thought leadership solutions towards sustainability actions and prepare future generations to lead the cause of sustainable development. The School will bring together departments and centres of excellence at IITK with an aim to provide an enabling environment for collaborative research across multiple facets of sustainability. Kotak School of Sustainability will have dedicated centres of excellence covering different aspects of sustainability such as clean energy, environment, ecology, circular economy, climate finance, sustainable societies and policy.
The Kotak School of Sustainability will be led by tenured professors and leading industry experts from across the globe. The School is placed to run both undergraduate and postgraduate academic and skill-building programs in different themes of sustainability. The School will be housed in a green building in IITK’s main campus that will be platinum-rated with net zero practices on energy, water, and waste.
Shri. Dharmendra Pradhan, Hon’ble Union Minister of Education and Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Government of India, said “The National Research Foundation was set up to boost research and innovation through funding from industry and government. I thank Kotak Mahindra Bank for taking the right step and accepting the responsibility by contributing towards setting up the School of Sustainability. The Kotak School of Sustainability will give global leadership in the field in line with the history of IIT Kanpur and its alumni who are leaders in organizations across the world. The school will not only be about technology and economics, but will cover the A to Z of sustainability. This will be instrumental in helping India meet the ambitious target of net zero by 2070, as announced by our Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi ji.”
Prof. Abhay Karandikar, Secretary, Department of Science & Technology, Govt. of India, said, “Kotak School of Sustainability highlights IIT Kanpur’s commitment to offer a holistic approach to address sustainability challenges due to climate change. School’s mission are in sync with India’s National Missions related to sustainability. The school will help in developing a strong foundation for sustainable development to achieve a climate resilient economy and society and will support country’s climate action plans and national target to reach net zero by 2070.”
Shri. Nagendra Nath Sinha, Secretary, Ministry of Steel, said “Opening of a School of sustainability serves an important need of the Indian economy. The goal of Sustainability requires inter-disciplinary approach which this school offers while the solutions must be contextual. The school would be able to draw faculty, researchers, students, policymakers, and diverse stakeholders to attempt solutions to complex and seemingly intractable problems. I am looking forward to this institution significantly contributing towards the progress of the society and economy, benign to Mother Earth.”
Mr. Prakash Apte, Chairman, Kotak Mahindra Bank said, “We are delighted to announce the establishment of the Kotak School of Sustainability in association with IIT Kanpur. This association in line with our CSR vision to enhance the quality of life for communities through positive impacts on economic, social, and environmental parameters, aligns with India’s social development objectives and UN’s SDGs. We believe the creation of this School provides both Kotak and IIT Kanpur with a timely opportunity to create a legacy and work towards sustainability, the most important survival challenge we face today.”
Prof. S. Ganesh, Director, IIT Kanpur, said, “Sustainability has emerged as one of the foremost global challenges of our times which requires various stakeholders to work together and the role of educational institutes like ours is extremely crucial in this mission. Adding to many of IIT Kanpur’s path-breaking initiatives and with the generous CSR funding support from Kotak Mahindra Bank, Institute is establishing ‘Kotak School of Sustainability’ with the overall vision of providing thought leadership, developing concrete solutions toward sustainability actions, and preparing future generations to lead the cause of sustainable development.”
Ms. Shanti Ekambaram, Whole time Director, Kotak Mahindra Bank said, “As India continues on its growth path with aspirations to reach high middle-income status, our ability to exist and develop without depleting all of the natural resources will be a challenge that needs to be addressed. The Kotak School of Sustainability marks our commitment to contribute to growing India’s skilled workforce towards achieving the goal of long-term sustainable development including its net-zero target by 2070. The Bank’s CSR Project being implemented in association with IIT Kanpur will focus on enhancing home-grown capabilities to address sustainable development.”
Prof. Ashish Garg, Professor-in-Charge of the School, said, “The Kotak School of Sustainability aims to excel in sustainability education, research and innovation, technology development, entrepreneurship, and outreach. The key to the development of holistic end-to-end technology solutions for sustainable development will be school’s emphasis on synergistic integration of different aspects of sustainability for greater educational, scientific, technological, environmental and social impact.”
