3, Mar 2023
FAAD Network launches Kolkata office, hosts 1st Investor’s Meet-up

Kolkata, 3rd March 2023 –: India’s most prominent early-stage angel networks FAAD announces the launch of its regional office in Kolkata. The network, comprising 1600+ investors, recently hosted its 1st Investor Meet in Kolkata. Over 50 handpicked and serious investors attended the event held at The Saturday Club.

Three new age businesses including co-workingaggregator Stylework, HRtech We360.ai, and consumer brand Auntie Fung’s – presented their business pitch to the curated audience.

The Meetup held at the FAAD’s regional office in Kolkata, was led by Bikram Saraf and Rishi Nad. Both of them are startup enthusiasts and angel investors across various successful startups.

Kolkata is among the top ten startup hubs in India. With myriad investment opportunities, the city is rapidly growing as one of the leading startup investing ecosystems in India.

FAAD launched the Kolkata office to bridge the gap between the investment community and fledgling startups in the region. By helping early-stage investors find investible startups and entrepreneurs receive capital and network support, the network aims to foster growth and collaboration across the ecosystem.

FAAD Co-founder and Director Dr. Dinesh Singh, “FAAD is one of the finest go-to investor networks for pre-series A and Series A startups to build and grow their business ideas. With the launch of our Kolkata office the network wants to create value for both investors and startups in the eastern region by hosting networking tools and sessions for professionals to interact and gain insight into the startup ecosystem. These events are a great platform for aspiring entrepreneurs to grow their business ideas and receive the mentorship and financial assistance required for their success.”

FAADRegional Partner, Mr. Bikram Saraf,said, “We are delighted to expand our presence in Kolkata with the launch of our regional office. The city has immense potential for entrepreneurship and innovation, and we are excited to support and invest in promising startups in the region. The successful turnout at our recent Investor Meet is a testament to the growing interest and enthusiasm among investors in Kolkata. With our network of over 1600 investors, we are committed to fostering a thriving startup ecosystem in the region and beyond.”

Attendees had the chance to network with other investors, entrepreneurs, and financial experts to explore the potential of the startup sector in Kolkata. The meeting was highly successful and provided a boost to the startup culture in the city. With the launch of the Kolkata office, FAAD will be looking at hosting local investor meetups regularly to embrace serious investors in its ecosystem.

Recently FAAD has received approval of Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) for a category 1 INR 300 crore Alternative Investment Fund (AIF).

3, Mar 2023
Evera closed Pre-Series A round, raises $7 Mn USD

New Delhi3rd March 2023 – Evera- an EV Cab service provider, has marked the final closure of its pre-Series A funding round at $7 million. The company secured the investments in two tranches, initially led by IEG Investment Banking Group, Germany and later Direct Capital- subsidiary of Devonshire Capital, Thailand & Westova Global, Singapore came together in the closure of this round.

Evera has raised $7 million in total funding till date.

With this investment, the company aims to utilize the added funds to expand its EV cab services across the capital and expand technological advancements.

On the growth, expansion, and investment, Mr. Nimish Trivedi, Co-founder & CEO –Evera, said, “We are privileged to have a strong set of prominent global investors who believe in our mission of building sustainable commutes as it is a pressing need. We have already logged 10 million green kilometers in the Delhi NCR. The current investment will be utilised towards advancement of tech and expand our business to establish a bigger & stronger customer base. “

Mr. Arthit Narula (Partner), Direct Capital- subsidiary of Devonshire Capital commented on the funding and said “Having been a part of Armstrong Asset Management (Singapore) and successfully witnessed its journey, we are excited to invest in sustainable business. Transportation is one of the major reasons for environmental pollution, brands like Evera came with a strong agenda to make the environment pollution free. Cab aggregator is a growing market in India, also trending globally and we are investing in EV cab services which will definitely help us in investing in Greener tomorrow”.

Mr. Parag Solanki, (Partner), Westova Global also expressed his views and said, “Our investment in Evera reflects our view that sustainability and having a green and healthy planet is our priority. With the government introducing new policies and laying out a roadmap for EV firms, we firmly believe that this association will bear fruits that will benefit the masses.”

The company has recently partnered with GMR and started its services from Indra Gandhi International airport in New Delhi with the aim to build a sustainable tomorrow. Last year, Evera also signed the MoU with TATA Motors to increase its fleet size by 2000 EV cars.

3, Mar 2023
GreenLine Logistics signs LNG supply agreement with Baidyanath LNG

GreenLine BLNG pic

India, 3rd  March 2023: GreenLine Logistics (Green Planet Logistics Pvt Ltd.), India’s first and only LNG-fueled heavy trucking logistics company, has entered into an LNG supply agreement with Baidyanath LNG Private Limited (BLNG).

GreenLine Logistics has currently deployed its LNG fleet with leading cement manufacturers for inbound and outbound transportation of raw materials as well as finished products. The company plans to deploy ~1,600 LNG trucks by March 2024. These state-of-the-art LNG trucks, manufactured by Blue Energy Motors, reduce CO2 emissions by ~28%, translating to emission reduction of ~24 ton CO2 per truck per annum, compared to conventional diesel trucks. Over GreenLine’s planned fleet of ~1,600 LNG trucks by March 2024, this adds up to a significant reduction of 38,400 ton CO2 per year.

BLNG is building a network of LNG refueling stations on key trucking routes across the strategically placed Vidarbha district of Maharashtra.

Commenting on the association, Anand Mimani, CEO, GreenLine Logistics, said, “We are pleased to enter into this arrangement with BLNG for LNG supply for our heavy trucking fleets, enabling rapid scale-up of our operating routes for faster decarbonisation of heavy trucking in the region. As the preferred partner of many leading corporates for lower emission trucking, we are investing heavily to enable this transition. Given the higher order of magnitude of a range of toxic emissions from heavy trucking, it is crucial for corporates to focus on reducing emissions from this aspect of their business operations.”

Commenting on this initiative, Vaddadi Subbarao, CEO, BLNG, said, “Taking forward the initiatives by Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, for promoting LNG as automotive fuel for clean Nagpur and Vidarbha, we are delighted to enter into this agreement with GreenLine Logistics. This agreement provides us with an added impetus in our mission to create a wide network of these LNG stations across Vidarbha district. We look forward to enabling GreenLine’s mission of decarbonizing heavy trucking by ensuring uninterrupted LNG supply on its key trucking routes.”

GreenLine Logistics is on a mission to decarbonize heavy trucking in India and is paving the way for widespread adoption of LNG fueled long haul trucks by showcasing its immense advantages for corporates. GreenLine has collaborated with multiple organisations to create India’s first & only integrated green logistics ecosystem to make LNG trucking a reality in India.

3, Mar 2023
Pramerica Life Insurance appoints Pankaj Gupta as Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer

_Pankaj Gupta

Gurgaon, March 03, 2023: Pramerica Life Insurance Limited has taken a significant step towards powering its growth trajectory with the appointment of Pankaj Gupta as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer. The appointment has been approved by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) and the Board of Pramerica Life Insurance. Pankaj succeeds Kalpana Sampat, who was the previous MD & CEO.

As MD & CEO, Pankaj will be responsible for driving strategic growth-led transformation to bring Pramerica Life among the leading Life Insurance companies in India. Pankaj joins Pramerica Life Insurance from HDFC Life, where he was Group Head – Distribution Strategy & Alliances and was part of HDFC Life’s top Leadership team. He has also held senior leadership roles at Citigroup, ICICI Bank, and TCS.

Pankaj has around 27 years of experience in financial services across Distribution, Marketing, Operations and Technology & Digital transformation. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Technology from the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur and a Post Graduate Diploma in Management from the Indian Institute of Management, Lucknow.

Mr. Jairam Sridharan, Chairman, Pramerica Life Insurance Limited & MD, Piramal Capital & Housing Finance Ltd., said, “The Board is delighted to welcome Pankaj as MD & CEO. The sector has also witnessed a series of very progressive interventions by the regulator in recent times. At Piramal, we are very excited about these developments and are looking forward to building a great insurance business with our partners PFI.”

Mr. Pavan Dhamija, Director, of Pramerica Life Insurance Limited and Regional President, International Businesses for PFI, said, “Pankaj’s broad experience and track record of building and operating profitable businesses, combined with an enabling regulatory environment and strong alignment with Piramal, points to a future of sustained high growth for Pramerica Life. We look forward to Pankaj’s leadership, and as shareholders, stay committed to supporting Pramerica Life in the next exciting phase of its journey.”

On his appointment as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Pramerica Life Insurance, Pankaj Gupta said, “It is an honour to be appointed by the Board of Pramerica Life Insurance and to be entrusted with the responsibility of building a strong company. Life Insurance sector presents a long-term structural opportunity. The economic, demographic and regulatory drivers of the sector are compelling. With support from the Board and the shareholders, I look forward to working with my teams to create a thriving and sustainable franchise that is customer centric and works to deepen the penetration of Life Insurance in the country and contribute towards the mission of ‘Insurance for All by 2047’.”

3, Mar 2023
Amid rising lifespans, elderly care in India needs to be reinvented

New Delhi, March 3, 2023: Owing to better living standards and evolving healthcare in India, life expectancy has gone up significantly over the last few decades, resulting in the rise of the elderly population. India has nearly 138 million elderly persons, comprising 67 million males and 71 million females. Also, the proportion of the elderly population in India has increased to 10.1% in 2021 and is further likely to increase to 13.1% in 2031 reveals the ‘Elderly in India 2021’ report. [1]

The years 2021-2030 have been declared by the United Nations as the ‘Decade of Healthy Ageing’. And in the next few decades by approximately 2050, the ageing population in India is set to grow to about 330 million according to the LASI survey. Considering the growing need for geriatric care in India because of several allied factors involved, it is imperative to organise the fragmented elder care ecosystem.

On one hand, the shift in the demographic across the world has accentuated pressure on the already burdened care ecosystem. On the other hand, today, the elderly prefers to age within the comforts of their homes while remaining equally active contributors to their communities and societies. But to age, this way needs handholding which is primarily absent for numerous reasons. Though so many developed countries have started increasingly integrating the private sector into the community and home-based care models for the elderly to reduce the burden on the already stressed public resources, India lacks on this front.

To fill the massive gap in elder care in India, ELDERCARE (https://www.eldercare.co.in/) has emerged as a one-stop eldercare service provider with certain standout features. This is a proud partner for the elderly worldwide as it provides a comprehensive range of services for elders and their families. The company, consisting of a group of dedicated veterans, doctors and social work specialists, is committed to providing customised assistance for all the needs of seniors living away from home.

“Eldercare is committed to providing customized assistance for all your problems back home. The company understands the importance of providing trustworthy healthcare and security to our loved ones and is honoured to be able to do so. With a team of dedicated veterans, doctors and social work specialists, the company is committed to providing customized assistance for all the needs of elderly ecosystem,” said Dr A.K Kathuria, MBBS, MD, DHM (U.K), a geriatrician from the eldercare team.

Eldercare offers a wide range of healthcare services, including skilled nursing, administration of medications, medical tests, monitoring of health status, pain management, rehabilitation, and wound care. These services are directed towards bringing meaningful and healthy differences in the quality of life of elders.

In addition to its healthcare services, the company also offers physiotherapy to help overcome physical limitations such as difficulty in walking and problems with balance. Its counselling services are designed to deal with isolation, neglect, boredom and abuse. The company also provides emergency response services for trauma and critical care.

Eldercare also offers illness and hospital care services, including home visits by a psychological counsellor, physiotherapist, dietician, nursing assistant for minor procedures, dental treatment, and ambulatory support. The company provides medical concierge facilities, post-operative/post-trauma rehabilitation, bedridden care, pharmacy support, diagnostic support, and 24/7 emergency support.

The last few years have seen a lot of innovation in the health-tech industry in India. Moreover, to fill the existing gap in elderly care, we need to reinvent to the next level by leveraging technology to offer services such as hospital management systems, doctor discovery, home delivery of medicines, and now, more importantly, home healthcare services.

“To care for those who once cared for us is one of the highest honours. Our elderly population is an asset, and they are a rich source of lived experiences. However, we understand that age comes along with various challenges,” says Mr. Vishwas Tripathi, Chairman, Eldercare.

He also said that “Eldercare” is the pioneer in engaging veteran and ex-army officials in Elderly care services.

3, Mar 2023
Author-entrepreneur Ram K Sharma’s book Karma and You launched by Prabha Khaitan Foundation in Kolkata

Karma and You

3rd March 2023 -, Kolkata: How our actions or Karma affect the various aspects of our life was the crux of the interaction with author and entrepreneur Ram K Sharma at the launch of his book Karma and You: Create Your Own Destiny at a special function organized by Kolkata based non-governmental organisation, Prabha Khaitan Foundation (PKF).

The book was formally launched by the Chief Guest Mr Aroop Biswas, West Bengal Minister of Power, Housing, Youth Services and Sports, and Guest-of-Honour, Mr SanjivPuri, Chairman and Managing Director, ITC, in the presence of an august gathering of book lovers, literary enthusiasts, spiritualists and other dignitaries. The book release event, supported by Shree Cement Ltd as a part of their corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative, was hosted by ITC Royal Bengal.

Author-entrepreneur Ram K Sharma said, “My book touches upon every aspect of life or karmic situations. I have divided Karma into different aspects and tried to explain how it affects your family, children, relationships, business and everything.”

Though there have been many books on the subject of karma, the author, however, revealed that his book is experiential in nature – outcome of his long years of varied life experiences and hence a kind of life guide.

Conversationalist, Ms. Jyoti Kapoor of Ehsaas Women of Nagpur, engaged author Mr. Ram K Sharma – managing director of 100-year-old nature cure company Baidyanath – in a serious discussion that made the audience dive deep into a contemplative mood wondering how the wheel of Karma moved due the cause and effect of their actions.

“Literature and books take centre stage in our City of Joy. It is a pleasure to be a part of this book launch, I share a close association and bonding with PrabhaKhaitan Foundation and express my gratitude for organizing this amazing event. I congratulate Mr Sharma for writing a book full of wisdom, wonderful ideas, visions and new thoughts,” Mr Aroop Biswas said.

“Karma is a part of our daily life. As human beings, we work from morning to evening for our family and society and for ourselves. Unknowingly, our Karma affects us, our families, society, and even the country. Hence, we should always try to do positive things in all aspects of life. So, we should always try to uplift the condition of the society and the country,” said Mr Biswas.

Mr SanjivPuri, CMD, ITC, said, “A fascinating book that delves into a very difficult and complicated subject and explains it in simple terms from the author’s perspective. It speaks of timeless values and covers all the aspects of personal and professional spheres of life by introducing concepts of `Global Karma’ and `Corporate Karma’. I thank PrabhaKhaitan Foundation for organizing and enriching us with this wonderful event.”

Conversationalist Jyoti Kapoor’s free-flowing discussion was informative and insightful, the audience were introduced to various aspects of karma like family karma, spousal karma, corporate karma, karma for wealth, healing karma, karma and food, divine karma and so on – which the author has written at length in his book. The book is a ready reckoner and guide to lead one’s life through meaningful actions in order to get positive outcomes.

The organiser Prabha Khaitan Foundation is a non-profit trust founded by Late Dr PrabhaKhaitan in the early 80s – is dedicated to social, cultural and humanitarian causes promoting performing arts, culture, education, literature, gender equality and women empowerment.

3, Mar 2023
Setting a 2040 perspective; Indian Chemical Industry Marching to USD 1 Tn by 2040

Mumbai,3rd March 2023 -: Indian Chemical Council (ICC), the apex national body representing the Indian Chemical and Petrochemical Industry, released a whitepaper ‘India: The next chemicals manufacturing hub,’ at the Sixteenth Annual India Chemical Industry Outlook Conference and Exhibition held on March 1st and 2nd at Taj Lands End, Bandra, Mumbai, with McKinsey & Company as the knowledge partner for the event.

ICC released the whitepaper, at a crucial juncture when India has been a global outperformer in demand growth and shareholder wealth creation in the chemical sector over the last decade.

The whitepaper presented the 2040 outlook for the Indian chemical industry and benchmarks for India’s manufacturing competitiveness vs other key global chemical clusters. The whitepaper brought to light significant findings in potential challenges across various segments and the effective ways to tackle them. The report dwelled at length on the importance of global and local companies reflecting upon the resource allocation mix, the business model, and the overall business strategy. It also laid out winning opportunities for the Indian chemical industry to become the next chemicals manufacturing hub.

“Currently valued at around USD 220 billion, the Indian chemical industry is expected to touch USD 300 Billion by 2025 and reach the USD 1 Trillion mark by 2040, fuelled by growth in per capita income and consumption levels. It is predicted that demand for speciality chemical segment is expected to grow at a pace of over 15% CAGR. With 100% FDI allowed through the automatic route and tremendous headroom for growth, the Indian chemical sector is well positioned for receiving large FDIs from global MNCs, said Shri. Arun Baroka I.A.S., Secretary – Chemicals & Petrochemicals, Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers.

On the sidelines of the conference, a grand exhibition, has been organized to showcase the products and innovations in the chemical sector across various verticals. The Expo is a great opportunity for the companies to make new business connections, reinforce old ones, demonstrate technical capabilities, and learn what their peers are doing.

Meanwhile, the ICC has entered into an MoU with the Institute of Chemical Technology (ICT) in order to establish a “Center of Excellence.” The two institutions have agreed to cooperate and work together on multiple levels to identify key R&D areas for immediate and future requirements with a focus on MSMEs

Dr Srikar Reddy I.F.S., Joint Secretary of Commerce while delivering the key note address highlighted on the recent CEPA with UAE which will boost the Indian Chemical Trade. The

CEPA is expected to increase the bilateral trade in goods to USD 100 billion within five

years of the signing and increase trade in services to USD 15 billion.

Mr Nikhil Meswani, Executive Director, Reliance Industries, while delivering the Key Note address stressed on Sustainability which is no more a buzzword but an imperative. He outlined the importance of the responsible growth of Chemical industry with specific focus on how the “World of Oil to Chemicals should evolve in a sustainable manner”.

Mr. Erik Fyrwald, Global CEO of Syngenta, world’s largest Agro Chemical Company, gave insights on how MNCs are shaping their Global Play and Mr Chris Musso of McKinsey & Co., USA spoke on the “Global Chemicals scenario” and how it is inter-linked with an emerging economy like India, towards achieving the USD 1 Trillion mark.

Key features of the two-day conference included the “Model Factory in A Box” a tabletop factory demonstration presented by McKinsey and Company, showcasing its unique offerings in capability building, and an exclusive chat with Mr Nadir Godrej, CMD of Godrej Industries Ltd and Mr R Mukundan, MD & CEO of Tata Chemicals on Thinking Back and Looking Ahead.

Earlier, Mr Bimal Goculdas, President ICC and MD & CEO of DMCC Specialty Chemicals Ltd while welcoming the participants, said that the current edition of the conference offered a unique opportunity for everyone, whether it’s a CEO, business owner, a start-up, an entrepreneur, or simply interested in the latest trends and developments. The event provided a platform for networking, learning, and exploring new ideas and innovations.

He said that more than 100 CEOs, 80 CXO level speakers, 500 delegates from various parts of the world are attending the event.

Mr Rajen Mariwala Vice President, ICC and MD, Eternis Fine Chemicals proposed the vote of thanks.

3, Mar 2023
National Science Day: Vedanta invites students to experience the ‘Science of Aluminium’

New Delhi;3rd March 2023 – On the occasion of National Science Day, Vedanta Aluminium, India’s largest producer of aluminium, invited the students at Women’s Degree College, Jharsuguda to experience the ‘Science of Aluminium’ at its mega aluminium smelter in Jharsuguda, Odisha, as part of its Campus Connect program. With the aim of inspiring ambitious students to opt for higher education in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics) fields, and aspire for careers in the manufacturing industry, the company took them on an extensive tour of its operations. This is the latest instance of the company’s Campus Connect initiative, as part of which thousands of students from leading schools and colleges across India have been introduced to the possibilities offered by the world of science, engineering and high-tech manufacturing.

Vedanta’s ‘Science of Aluminium’ initiative is an informative bridge between classroom learning and applied learning, bringing students closer to concepts they may have only learnt theoretically. It also seeks to encourage female students in particular, who show an inclination towards science-related subjects to build their careers in this field, as they are under-represented in science streams. In another example of this initiative, the company featured an innovative display demonstrating the process of manufacturing aluminium from bauxite ore (with actual samples of each) at the Make in Odisha Conclave 2022. The exhibit was a huge draw with several thousands of visitors, including students, thronging the Vedanta stall to experience it.

At Vedanta Aluminium, science forms the basis of the company’s state-of-the-art aluminium and power operations. The company leverages scientific advancements to produce the highest quality of aluminium for sophisticated applications in aerospace, aviation, renewable energy, electric vehicles, electricity transmission, building & construction, pharmaceuticals, packaging, and many other industries. It is also present in the company’s endeavours to promote a circular economy through innovations to recycle and reuse industrial wastes and ensure judicious usage of raw materials. Diverse branches of science and engineering such as geology, metallurgy, computer sciences, data sciences, chemical engineering, electrical engineering, and several others, find numerous applications across Vedanta Aluminium.

During the Campus Connect session, employee volunteers demonstrated scientific concepts behind the production of aluminium, such as Bayer’s process (for producing alumina from bauxite), Hall-Héroult process (for smelting aluminium from alumina), power generation and casting processes.

Speaking on the significance of the initiative, Mr. Rahul Sharma, CEO – Vedanta Aluminium, said, “As the metal of the future, aluminium holds limitless potential to shape a better, more sustainable tomorrow for us and the generations to come. Science is a captivating domain and aluminium manufacturing features some of its most remarkable applications. At Vedanta Aluminium, we use the world’s best technologies to develop cutting-edge products that will transform the future in new, exciting and sustainable ways. It is therefore our constant endeavour to engage with younger generations who will actively be driving that transformation as tomorrow’s leaders and share with them the fascinating advancements and challenges of today’s technologies. Through these efforts, we hope to inspire them towards partaking in the tremendous opportunities offered by the world of science. Our Campus Connect programme is helping thousands of students gain from an interactive and live learning experience beyond their classrooms to kindle an enduring passion in this field.”

Thanking the company for facilitating the industrial visit, Sharada Patra, an engineering student from Women’s Degree College, Jharsuguda, said, “The visit to Vedanta Aluminium’s smelter was an exciting experience. Seeing the science of aluminium production first-hand helped us imbibe the theoretical learnings of classroom sessions through a practical experience. The world of science feels a lot less daunting and a lot more exciting to me as a result of this. I thank Vedanta Aluminium for organizing this illuminating visit.”

Vedanta Aluminium, a business of Vedanta Limited, is India’s largest producer of aluminium, manufacturing more than half of India’s aluminium i.e., 2.27 million tonnes in FY22. It is a leader in value-added aluminium products that find critical applications in core industries. Vedanta Aluminium ranks 2nd in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) 2022 world rankings for aluminium industry, a reflection of its sustainable development practices. With its world-class aluminium smelters, alumina refinery and power plants in India, the company fulfils its mission of spurring emerging applications of aluminium as the ‘Metal of the Future’ for a greener tomorrow. www.vedantaaluminium.com

3, Mar 2023
IFF 2023: Industry says Metaverse, ChatGPT, AR to create smarter shopping experience, Indian market to grow over next 5 years

Bangalore, 3rd March 2023 – The 22nd edition of India Fashion Forum (IFF), India’s biggest fashion intelligence event, witnessed highly interactive sessions in Bengaluru today with leaders, key stakeholders, experts and delegates, from across the fashion ecosystem, gathered to discuss emerging trends like AI, metaverse, Augmented Reality and AI, seamless shopping experiences and the prospects of as many as 100 Indian cities in generating new business opportunities in the post-pandemic fashion landscape.

This year’s theme is ‘Decoding the DNA of Profitability: Growth defined by Value Creation’

Shailesh Chaturvedi, 22nd IFF Chairman, Industry Thought Leader, MD & CEO, Arvind Fashions welcomed the attendees along with outgoing IFF Chairman Akhilesh Prasad, President and CEO, Fashion & Lifestyle Business, Reliance Retail.

Akhilesh Prasad remarked about the formidable position of India in the global market given her 5000-years of uninterrupted civilization. “Over the next five to seven years, the Indian market will be dominated by innovative Indian wear unlike China whose civilization got interrupted after their cultural revolution.”

While the delegates deliberated on the importance of profitability in comparison with growth, the concept of tech-driven consumer experiences got everyone’s attention. Top representatives from brands like Tasva, Bhima Jewels, Bestseller India, Lifestyle International, Celio, Ayesha Fashion, Kompanero and Being Human Clothing discussed various aspects of marketing and innovation with profitability at its core.

Speaking about what would work in the future, Saloni Nangia, President, Technopak said, “Smart trial rooms, grab and go self checkouts, ChatGPT, Augmented Reality driven consumer/employee experience and 5G driving digitisation will be key factors in redefining customer experiences.”

“Six years ago at IFF, we spoke about omnichannel format, a trend that was still in its nascent stage. We said that it had to be a part of our life. Today, I think Artificial Intelligence, Virtual Reality and Metaverse will be a part of our daily lives. Though a Metaverse store may not have a Return on Investment now, we have to invest. This is without dismissing the relevance of brick and mortar stores,” said Sanjeev Rao, CEO, Being Human Clothing.

Earlier in the day, in his inaugural speech, Shailesh Chaturvedi underscored the need for brands to shift their focus on building their capabilities so as to be prepared to tackle short or medium term headwinds. He further added, “When we move from the known to unknown markets there is always a lot of value to create.”

In the other sessions, panelists also discussed about the huge opportunity in smaller markets, digital marketing, micro influencers and globally relevant topics such as waste reduction by brands, retailers and manufacturers as well as personalisation and innovation vs consumer experience.

In the inaugural session where brand custodians presented their profitability strategy in 60 seconds, Rajesh Jain, MD & CEO, Lacoste India, revealed five pillars behind the success of his brand. “Top line, bottom line, expansion/growth, talent development and customer delight are key. Everything else is coincidental.”
Preeti Gupta, Business Head, Nykd, Nykaa and Gloot gave a synopsis of how the market is entrenched in consumer truth.

Jaydeep Shetty, Consulting Partner, Greenhonchos, spoke about Customer and Brand Love. Advising his counterparts that they see online stores as a separate channel and not as a subset, he added, “In retail and fashion, we began adjusting our minds to allot certain percentages to online and physical store presences. People shop whether they are happy, sad or are celebrating something special. Brands are no longer holding customers captive. They are in the customer’s home/mobile phones.”

On the whole, technology and consumer data stood out as the most important factors driving business growth among the speakers in these sessions.

With over 50+ conferences and 200+ speakers sharing their insights over the two days, IFF 2023 also welcomed UK delegates on their first-of-its-kind fashion and beauty trade mission to India. Brands like Lush, Benny Hancock, Jennifer Young and Lilly and Sid to name a few will showcase their offerings and innovation to potential distributors here.

Some of the sessions over the two days include unified commerce as the future of retail, omnichannel in fashion, social media, personalization, sustainability, profitability, mall strategy, global green initiatives in fashion and artificial intelligence.

Among the speakers at the 22nd IFF are: Shailesh Chaturvedi, MD & CEO, Arvind Fashions Limited; Akhilesh Prasad, President and CEO, Fashion Lifestyle Business, Reliance Retail; Amisha Jain, MD & SVP, South Asia, Middle East, Africa, Non-EU, Levi Strauss & Co; Dilip Kapur, President, Hidesign; Rajesh Jain, MD & CEO, Lacoste India; Dr. Naresh Tyagi, Chief Sustainability Officer, Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail and Revathi Kant, Senior VP and CDO, Titan Company among others.

3, Mar 2023
Adani Wilmar launches Kohinoor Biryani Kit that helps in preparing authentic biryani in 30-minutes

3rd March 2023 –Adani Wilmar Limited (AWL), one of the largest growing packaged food FMCG companies in India, has announced the launch of Kohinoor Hyderabadi Biryani Kit as part of their expansion of the ready-to-cook range. Under the Kohinoor brand, the do-it-yourself (DIY) biryani kit helps connoisseurs prepare restaurant-like authentic biryani in 30 minutes. The brand-new offering will be available in two variants – Hyderabadi which will be followed by Lucknowi, priced at Rs 159.

Talking about the launch of its new biryani kit range, Mr. Vineeth Viswambharan, Associate Vice President, Sales & Marketing, Adani Wilmar Limited said: “Biryani is India’s most loved dish. However, getting the taste right when prepared at home can be challenging. Kohinoor Biryani Kit not only helps ease the preparation process but also captures the authentic quality of the dish in no time. We believe this will make a great addition to our existing product portfolio and will strengthen our presence in the ready-to-cook segment.”

The kit comprises 200g of best quality authentic basmati rice, 125g of biryani masala paste, 2g of whole aromatic spices, and 12g of raita seasoning. Vegetables or meat can be added during preparation.

The product is currently available on Amazon, on the company’s own D2C app Fortune Online and its retail stores Fortune Mart.

‘Biryani’, a widely enjoyed food of celebration, is mostly ordered through food delivery applications. Kohinoor Biryani Kit will be available in modern format stores such as Reliance, D-Mart, etc., and through e-commerce platforms like Swiggy, Big Basket, Flipkart, BlinkIt and general trade stores, which include self-service and high-end stores.

Earlier in 2022, Adani Wilmar acquired the renowned Kohinoor Brand – domestic (India region) from McCormick Switzerland GMBH.