8, Mar 2023
Hungama hands the mic over to the ‘Women Game Changers 2022’ with the launch of a podcast series recounting their journey to success
Indis, 08th March, 2023: Hungama, India’s leading digital entertainment company, earmarked the occasion of International Women’s Day with the launch of its initiative ‘Women Game Changers’ in 2022. With the objective to create and curate an advisory panel of representatives from various segments of entertainment, the women chosen every year are propellers of change and lead by example. Coming back this year with a renewed spirit, to celebrate and encourage diversity with the hope of seeing more women breaking barriers and glass ceilings in the entertainment space, Hungama launches a brand new podcast series. The podcast is a deep-dive series with the ‘Women Game Changers 2022’ who share their success stories on a candid note that is a reflection of their journey to the path of success.
Carving a niche for themselves in a fiercely competitive environment, the platform was envisioned with a commitment to create a more inclusive environment in which women are encouraged, amplified and celebrated to inspire the next generations of professionals. Bridging the gap that comes with the lack of representation of women in leadership roles, the initiative is a stepping stone towards an actionable change. The Women Game Changers 2022 that included strong women like Rashi Chandra, Salone Sehgal, Saumya Iyer, Hiral Viradia, Kamakshi Khanna, Priya Saraiya, Dolly Rateshwar, Aabha Hanjura, Tess Joseph, Sukriti – Prakriti Kakkar and Deane Sequeira through their personal accounts will set to inspire women across the horizon in the latest podcast series.
Speaking about the initiative, Neeraj Roy, Founder & MD of Hungama Digital Media said, “At Hungama, we remain committed in our quest to create and expand our repertoire of game changers who serve as an inspiration to many and encourage a new generation of women to continue powering the cycle of change. With the launch of our new podcast, we hope that women are able to gather the confidence to chase after their dreams, growth, goals and aspirations. We look forward to fostering a community where women grow and cheer each other on their own individual journeys in a collective spirit.”
On 1st April 2023, Hungama will unveil the list of Women Game Changers for the year 2023 who are breaking the glass ceilings and building legacies in the entertainment sector across the categories of cinema, music and gaming.
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- By Rabindra
8, Mar 2023
18 days in ECMO at Medica saves the life of 5-year-old brave heart Aryav
New Delhi, March 08 2023: While the entire city is witnessing the Adenovirus claiming the lives of young children, Medica on the other hand is delighted to witness one such child going home, cured with ECMO support. After a month’s suffering from acute pneumonia caused by adenovirus, the proficient ECMO and Cardio-Pulmonary Critical Care team at Medica Superspecialty Hospital revived Aryav Suman a 5-year-old child, suffering from severe viral pneumonia affecting both lungs. Under the care of Medica ECMO team, headed by Dr. Dipanjan Chatterjee ECMO Physician, and Critical Care Specialist at Medica Superspecialty Hospital, Kolkata, gradually his lung compliance improved, he was taken off from ECMO after 18 days and finally discharged from the hospital on 2nd March 2023.
Aryav was suffering from a cough and fever for around five days and developed respiratory distress at his residence in New Alipore, Kolkata on 29th January 2023. His condition failed to improve despite initial medication, so his parents rushed him to a nearby nursing home, where his oxygen saturation level began to drop even with oxygen support. Given his condition, the hospital advised the child’s family to transfer him to another private hospital near EM-Bypass that has a specialised paediatric intensive care unit. However, despite receiving maximum ventilation support at the hospital, the child’s oxygen saturation did not improve. On 30th January at 2:00 am at night, Medica’s ECMO team was contacted by the private hospital for urgent admission of the child under Paediatric ECMO support.
The ECMO team took prompt action and examined him with a viral panel test, which revealed adenovirus and rhinovirus infection. In addition, the child had streptococcus pneumonia, which aggravated his condition. He was immediately put under VV-ECMO (Veno-Venous ECMO) support and was being closely monitored. After the initial revival, his tracheostomy (an opening created at the front of the neck so a tube can be inserted into the windpipe (trachea) to help you breathe) was done. He was taken off ECMO support after an 18-day battle between life and death. Following another 7 days, his oxygen support was also taken off as his saturation level improved.
After nearly a month in the hospital, the child was discharged and returned to the care of his family and friends with a very satisfying evaluation, on March 2, 2023.
Dr. Dipanjan Chatterjee who led the ECMO team, said, “Medica is the only hospital where we have the most advanced Paediatric ECMO facility, which can save many kids, suffering from adenovirus across the city and beyond. We are extremely happy that little brave heart Aryav has completely recovered from adenovirus through effective use of ECMO. The child was in a critical situation because the virus had affected both of his lungs, causing disability in breathing, despite oxygen support. However, paediatric ECMO support helped him in the gradual improvement of his lung and respiratory function. A case like this was only curable because of the prompt referral, timely intervention with ECMO, and meticulous critical care. We are grateful to his family for their support and equal participation in this long battle.”
Mr. R. Udayan Lahiry, Director, of Medica Synergie Pvt Ltd, said, “Medica has the largest ECMO program in this part of the world. We feel blessed to be able to help and assist people during medical emergencies. We wish the child a very happy and healthy life.”
Medica always believed in bringing world-class critical care and organ support treatment like ECMO and the Heart/Lung Transplant program, while revolutionizing the entire healthcare ecosystem in Eastern India.
8, Mar 2023
Dun & Bradstreet India Supporting Ondc to Foster the Growth of Msmes in India
Mumbai, March 8th, 2023: Dun & Bradstreet India has announced today it is supporting Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) to help its Network Participants along with sellers on the ONDC platform increase their visibility, expand access to global markets without going through multiple layers, find potential customers, and identify growth opportunities.
The Dun & Bradstreet D-U-N-S® Number will be freely available to Network Participants along with sellers on the ONDC platform. The D-U-N-S® Number will help MSMEs on the ONDC platform to build their credibility and to access global markets.
Dun & Bradstreet India will also offer value-added services including D&B D-U-N-S® RegisteredTM Solutions and D&B ESG Intelligence, at specially discounted prices to Network Participants and Sellers on the ONDC platform.
Promoting, aiding and fostering the growth of MSMEs in India is a priority for Dun & Bradstreet India. Speaking about the partnership, Avinash Gupta, Managing Director & CEO – India, Dun & Bradstreet said, “In India, more than 99% of businesses belong to the Micro, Small and Medium category and 94% of them are unorganized. Dun & Bradstreet surveys have revealed that market access is the biggest challenge to MSMEs scaling up their businesses. Dun & Bradstreet offers a host of solutions to empower MSMEs and help them scale and improve efficiency.”
Gupta expanded on how the D-U-N-S® Number can benefit MSMEs, “The D-U-N-S® Number is recognized, recommended, and required by over 240 governments, trade, and industry organizations around the globe. There are 2.5 lakh global and domestic customers who leverage the Dun & Bradstreet Data Cloud for decision-making. The D-U-N-S® Number will help MSMEs on the ONDC platform to build credibility and they will find it easier to get noticed globally, which will level the competitive playing field for them.”
Shri T Koshy, Chief Executive Officer, ONDC said, “In order to truly democratize the existing e-commerce ecosystem of the country, empowering the MSMEs holds the ultimate key. Our association with Dun & Bradstreet will enable ONDC-associated participants and sellers to build trust with stakeholders, access financing, and grow their businesses more efficiently”.
8, Mar 2023
mPokket witnesses 100x growth in women users by onboarding over 1 lakh female users in 2022
Bangalore, 08 March 2023: mPokket, India’s fastest-growing digital lending platform, has witnessed an astonishing 100x increase in female users in 2022. The digital lending platform has improved financial inclusion across the country, which has impacted the lives of aspirational millennials, especially women. The company onboarded over 1 lakh female users in 2022, the majority of whom are from tier 3 cities. 48% of the women are between the ages of 18 and 21 years; 30% are between the ages of 21 and 25 years of age.
Commenting on the growth, Mr. Gaurav Jalan, Founder & CEO, mPokket, said, “Over the past seven years, our female user base has grown enormously, and we are proud to have added more than 1 lakh new women users in 2022. We see this trend as a reflection of the rising financial independence of women across India, and the success of our platform in driving this financial inclusion, especially among young women in tier 2 and tier 3 cities in India. We will continue to leverage technology to empower our users, the aspirational youth of India, and assist them in realizing their full potential through financial inclusion.”
It’s noteworthy that more than 63% of mPokket’s female users come from tier 3 cities, with another 18% hailing from tier 2 cities. The company has witnessed a sharp rise in demand for its financial products from tier 3 cities by boarding over 2,00,000 women users from tier 3 cities, followed by over 60,000 women users from tier 2 cities. mPokket’s services are increasingly in demand in central and southern Indian states like Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Maharashtra. The surge in growth can be credited to millennials and Gen Z who are embracing digital lending platforms for their financial requirements.
With more than 10 million downloads, mPokket has become one of the most popular mobile lending platforms in the country. The platform’s success can be attributed to its unique business model, which offers quick and hassle-free loans to students and young professionals. mPokket offers loans up to INR 30,000, with repayment periods ranging from 1 to 3 months. The platform is a popular option for students who require quick and easy access to finances owing to its user-friendly interface and speedy processing times. mPokket is positioned to contribute even more to the cause of financial inclusion and ensure that everyone has access to credit.
8, Mar 2023
Advantage Club rewards its members with a BMW Bike
New Delhi, March 08, 2023: Advantage Club, a global employee engagement platform, has launched its latest lucky draw competition with its campaign #JackpotJunction. The lucky draw offers a chance for participants to win exciting prizes, from a BMW bike to a 55″ LED Tv, Smart Watches, Headphones, and gift cards. The lucky draw is open for all the employees of the companies engaged with Advantage Club. The competition is live till April 20th, 2023, and the winners will be announced on April 21st 2023, on the website and app.
The lucky draw is simple to enter. Users can visit the “Redeem” section on Advantage Club Web/App and purchase a product of their choice. For every ₹1 spent, the user will get 5 A-Coins. With 1000 A-Coins, users can get 1 lucky draw ticket. The lucky draw is being held to allow participants to win outstanding prizes and rewards they would not find elsewhere. This competition will boost engagement among the employees and enhance their overall experience with their respective companies and Advantage Club.
The first winner of the competition will be awarded a BMW Bike, while the first runner-up & the second runner-up will be given a 55″ LED TV and Headphones, respectively. There are 50 prizes, and the remaining winners will be given either smartwatches or gift cards based on their rank. All prizes have been carefully selected to maximize the participants’ value and excitement.
Sourabh Deorah, Co-Founder & CEO, Advantage Club, said, “We are very excited to launch this lucky draw to help our customers reward their employees for their loyalty and support. We believe this competition will not only give the employees a chance to win some amazing prizes but also help us engage with them on a more personal level and build stronger relationships. The #JackpotJunction contest is part of our larger AC Raffle campaign, and we will also continue to organize more such competitions in the future.”
8, Mar 2023
India’s real estate sector sees progress in women’s workforce, but challenges remain a joint Naredco Mahi & JLL study reveals progress and challenges for women in India’s real estate sector
New Delhi, 8th March 2023 – A joint initiative of Naredco Mahi, the women’s wing of Naredco, and JLL has revealed insights into women’s workforce statistics in India’s real estate sector. The report was released on the sidelines of Naredco Mahi’s 2nd convention held in New Delhi.
The report found that women make up only 12% of the real estate workforce in India, with 15% lower pay than men in leadership roles. Only 2% of women hold executive-level positions in construction companies. To reach a $5 trillion economy, India needs to include more of its underrepresented women workforce.
The report highlights several areas where progress has been made, such as a greater focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion, the adaptability of women in the sector, and the entry of multinational firms. However, there are still challenges to overcome, such as unconscious biases, the gender gap, the glass ceiling, and the lack of women in leadership roles.
The report also includes survey inferences, with 80% of employees feeling that companies are working towards addressing the gender imbalance at senior levels. However, 75% of employees believe there is no focus on developing or fostering female leadership talent in-house, and 70% feel that there is still a need to bridge inherent and/or unconscious bias in hiring.
The joint study calls for upskilling and reskilling, structured interventions such as mentoring and sponsorship programs, building a more flexible and hybrid working model, improving safety and working conditions, and enabling more women to enter the workforce.
“Women participation has almost doubled in the last five years in the workforce of surveyed companies, pointing to positive reinforcement of diverse hiring,” said President Naredco Mahi Dr Ananta Rghuvanshi. “However, there is still much work to be done to ensure gender equality in the real eastate sector in Indira.”
“This study further states that only 2% of women hold leadership roles in construction companies, which needs to be addressed. Women constitute 33% of the workforce in India, compared to 67% of men. Employable women make up 52.8% of employable men, rwith the employability ratio increasing from 46.2% in 2021 to 50.3% in 2022.
Dr. Ananta S Raghuvanshi, Founder Member, and President of NAREDCO Mahi, observed that gender integration in real estate would prove to be an important milestone in the growth of the real estate sector in India. She recognized the contribution of women employees equally and felt that a skilled workforce in real estate is critical to achieving near-perfection in construction.
The joint insight underscores the need to address the underrepresentation of women in leadership roles and to include more women in India’s real estate and construction sector to enable India to reach a $5 trillion economy..
The 2nd NAREDCO Mahi Convention, featured panel discussions on various subjects such as Water Way to go – Jal Bachao Kal Bachao, Green Building and Sustainability, and Scale and Growth of Indian Startups etc. The convention was addressed by leading Real Estate players including Sanjay Dutt CEO & MD Tata Realty Infrastructure Limited
8, Mar 2023
Airbus wins order for two ACH160 helicopters in India
Atlanta, 08 March 2023: Airbus Corporate Helicopters has won an order for two ACH160 helicopters in India – the first sale of the type in the region.
The helicopters will be delivered with the ACH160 Exclusive configuration for business use by the customer who is an experienced helicopter operator. Under the terms of the contract, Airbus Corporate Helicopters will provide a turnkey solution to ensure a smooth entry into service of both the helicopters.
Olivier Michalon, EVP – Global Business, Airbus Helicopters, said “We are proud to announce this milestone contract for two ACH160 helicopters for our Indian customer. We thank them for their pioneering vision and I am confident that the entry into service of this helicopter will set a new benchmark for helicopter operations in India, especially for private aviation and premium charters.”
Airbus Helicopters is proud to be a key contributor to the Indian government’s ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ mission. “This new order – the first in India for any helicopter in the H160 range – further reinforces our commitment to the Indian market where already more than 120 Airbus helicopters are flying,” added Olivier Michalon.
The ACH160 is the latest member of the ACH family and is the world’s most technologically advanced helicopter, with 68 new Airbus patented technologies.
It provides 20% greater volume per passenger compared to previous generation medium twin helicopters and 35% larger windows than its competitors, resulting in the brightest cabin in its class.
The ACH160’s advanced air conditioning technology allows precise temperature control and optimal cabin air quality with highly efficient air exchange. In the ACH160 Exclusive version, mood lighting contributes to reduced fatigue.
8, Mar 2023
Indian Institute of Management Kashipur successfully conducted workshop at The Gurukul Foundation School Kashipur
Under the program HELP: Himalayan Education Learning Program a one day workshop to Train the Teachers on “Design Thinking Led Innovation at Schools” under the aegis of Ministry of Education was successfully conducted at “The Gurukul Foundation School, Kashipur” Jaitpur Campus through Navaashay- Design Innovation Centre,IIM Kashipur.
Prof. Kumkum Bharti and Prof. Smarak Smarjeet trained the teachers during the workshop. In this program, Teachers were told how they can make teaching work more interesting even by teaching in the traditional way and we must make some changes everyday in the continuous learning process. They said that there must be harmony between the teacher and the student. Students must be taken into the confidence that the Teachers are in the school only for them. Teachers should evaluate their teaching work every day and should be done in such a way that the children learn to apply the knowledge acquired from the teacher in their lives.
The best part of this workshop was that both the professors presented their point very briefly and in simple language. School administration and teachers who participated in this program were honored by giving participation certificates.
8, Mar 2023
Dr Agarwals Eye Hospital Conducts Free Eye Checkup for Women
Mumbai, 8 March 2023: In commemoration of International Women’s Day celebrated worldwide on the 8th of March, Dr Agarwals Eye Hospital, one of India’s largest networks of eye hospitals, is conducting free eye checkup camp for women of all age groups across all branches in Mumbai till March 31, 2023. For registration, contact 080-48193434.
The hospital has made special arrangements for screening for certain eye diseases and disorders that women are at a higher risk of getting, and the prevalence rate of which has seen a rise among women in recent times. Such issues include ocular manifestations of autoimmune diseases, dry eye, low vision, thyroid eye diseases, and refractive errors. Dr Agarwals Group of Eye Hospitals has also launched their new state-of-the-art Eye Hospital in Chembur.
Dr. Nita A Shah, Head – Clinical Services, Dr Agarwals Eye Hospital, Chembur, Mumbai, said, “Biological sex differences affect ocular structure, gene expression and other functions of eye that influence eye health. Pregnant women could develop gestational diabetes, a condition in which blood sugar levels become high during pregnancy, and some may develop diabetic retinopathy, vision issues caused by damage to blood vessels in the eye. Pregnancy can also cause dry eyes, and light sensitivity. Hormones in birth control pills can cause vascular changes, indirectly contributing to vision problems.”
Menopause and perimenopause, the time when the body makes the natural transition to menopause, usually accompany a dip in estrogens, a group of hormones. When estrogens drop, the oil glands in the eye produce less lubrication, causing dry eyes and blurry vision.
“About 80% of those affected by autoimmune issues are women. Eye inflammation is one of the many possible effects of autoimmune diseases such as lupus, psoriasis, Reiter’s syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, and uveitis. Graves’ disease, an autoimmune disorder, which results in overproduction of the thyroid hormone affects more women than men. Thyroid eye diseases affect 16 in 100,000 women, while only 3 in the male population of equal size” added Dr. Nita A Shah.
Dr Agarwals Eye Hospital will also conduct awareness sessions on the steps women have to take to minimize the risks of eye diseases that arise from factors exclusive to them: hormonal surges during pregnancy, menopause, and susceptibility to autoimmune diseases, among others. The month-long eye checkup and awareness campaign of the hospital throughout Mumbai would make women aware of the risks, better informed and would result in early diagnosis and early intervention for better eye health outcomes.
8, Mar 2023
DBS Foundation partners with Haqdarshak to enhance financial literacy for marginalised communities
Mumbai, 08 March 2023: DBS Foundation has partnered with Haqdarshak Empowerment Solutions (HESPL) to undertake a social protection and financial literacy programme aimed at marginalized citizens across India, including daily wage earners, domestic workers, farm workers, sanitation workers, micro-entrepreneurs. The programme will educate 2,00,000 beneficiaries (70% women) to build their digital and financial capacity to access relevant government entitlements and private financial services.
The programme is being implemented in 10 districts in Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana, targeting some of the most vulnerable populations in these areas. The initiative’s ultimate aim is to establish a basic social safety net for these citizens and empower them with digital and financial training to take charge of their lives and households.
Under this initiative, a brick-and-mortar centre called a Yojana Kendra will be established in select communities. Women agents will be identified and trained as Haqdarshaks to serve and support the community. This agent cadre will mobilize potential beneficiaries, from low-income families i.e. those with minimal access to social protection and financial services.
The support agents will conduct financial literacy training camps using audio-visual tools and easy-to-understand content in local languages. Beneficiaries will be screened with the Haqdarshak mobile app to determine their eligibility for welfare programs and the agent will provide end-to-end support to fill forms, collect documents, and register beneficiaries under social protection programmes. A helpline will be available for any queries or grievance redressal. The programme will be executed by 400 support agents, and there will be one supervisor for every 40 agents.
The financial literacy rate among Indian adults is the lowest compared to other major emerging economies, with only 24% being financially literate, according to a report by the Global Financial Literacy Excellence Center. This disparity is attributed to a need for formal training and awareness, as well as inter-state differences. Access to social welfare and financial inclusion services at the last mile is a critical challenge. According to a 2017 World Bank study, only 40 percent of Indians can apply for government services as they cannot afford the time and money to access them. The collaboration comes at a crucial time when marginalized communities continue to grapple with the economic impact in the wake of the pandemic.
Shoma Narayanan, Managing Director, Group Strategic Marketing & Communications, DBS Bank India, said, “As a socially responsible bank, we recognize the need to create impact beyond banking and to encourage solutions for a more inclusive world. Our partnership with Haqdarshak is a concerted effort to empower marginalized communities, particularly women, by providing them access to social welfare and financial tools, which will increase self-sufficiency and give them agency over their lives. We are also proud of Haqdarshak, which has scaled significantly as a Business for Good under the DBS Foundation’s Grant Programme, and shares our purpose to build a better future.”
Aniket Doegar, Founder & CEO, of Haqdarshak, commented on the partnership, saying, “DBS Foundation has been an early partner of ours since 2018. They have always put impact at the forefront and supported us, whether it was when Haqdarshak was a young organization, through the pandemic, or now, as we have achieved scale. For us at Haqdarshak, this is our largest project so far. We are excited about our impact footprint — we will be touching the lives of 2,00,000 citizens, the majority of them women, across disadvantaged sections of the community via digital and financial literacy training and by linking them to relevant welfare entitlements. We are grateful to the DBS Foundation for collaborating with us on this important program. We hope to grow our partnership manifold in the years to come.”
Haqdarshak aims to improve the lives of citizens and MSMEs by leveraging technology solutions to provide access to government welfare and financial services. With an extensive database of 7000+ state and central welfare schemes, available in 11 Indian languages through web and mobile channels, Haqdarshak offers features such as beneficiary onboarding, a customizable eligibility engine, and an end-to-end application workflow.
In 2018, as an early-stage venture, Haqdarshak received DBS Foundation’s Social Enterprise Grant for their digital platform. Again in 2020, in response to the pandemic, DBS Foundation reinforced its commitment to supporting social enterprises by awarding all its past grantees the Business Transformation and Improvement (BTI) Grant, empowering them to continue during an exceptionally difficult year. Haqdarshak utilized this grant to serve its beneficiaries and the wider MSME community through a new platform providing access to government-assisted schemes for registrations, documentation, and financing applications.
Earlier this year, DBS bank committed an additional SGD 100 million to further its efforts to improve lives in Asia. This would allow the bank and DBS Foundation to boost their support for purpose-driven businesses and contribute towards finding solutions to the region’s increasingly pressing societal issues.



