Blog

Raffles Udaipur Hosts The Grand Celebration of Hardik Pandya and Natasa Stankovic’s Royal Wedding

February 2023, India– Raffles Udaipur, the ultimate destination for luxury and opulence, played host to the most spectacular event of the year as Indian cricketer Hardik Pandya and Serbian model and actress, Natasa Stankovic, tied the knot in a white wedding fit for royalty.

The couple’s high-profile nuptials drew a star-studded guest list from the worlds of sports, fashion, and entertainment, including designer Nikhil Mehra, celebrity stylist Nikita Jaisinghani, fitness guru Yasmin Karachiwala, cricketer Ishan Kishan, Dinesh Karthik, Akash Ambani and many more who gathered to celebrate the couple’s unforgettable union.

The exchange of vows was a magnificent affair, set in the expansive Polo Lawn, evoking a sense of timeless elegance and sophistication that transported the guests to a world of enchantment. The stunning Polo Lawn was the perfect backdrop for this momentous occasion, and the breathtaking beauty of the surroundings only added to the grandeur of the ceremony.

The excitement of the exchange of vows continued with an electrifying after-party in the Ballroom, where guests reveled in the magical ambiance of the venue’s luxurious interiors, creating memories that will last a lifetime.

The second day of the festivities is set to begin with a Mehendi Brunch in the Compass Lawn, where guests will be transported to a world of exquisite flavors and scents, creating a feast for the senses. This will be followed by the Safa Bandi and Baraat, where the couple will embark on their journey to the Great Park for their Royal Hindu Wedding, a momentous occasion steeped in tradition, grace, and grandeur.

Bringing this beautiful amalgamation to a spectacular end will be the Sangeet at night, a dazzling celebration of music and dance that will create an unforgettable experience for everyone.

“We are honored to host such an extraordinary event at Raffles Udaipur,” said General Manager Rajesh Namby. “Our team is going above and beyond to ensure that every aspect of the wedding is executed flawlessly. Raffles Udaipur’s stunning location and exceptional service, combined with the couple’s timeless elegance, has created a magnificent celebration of love that will be remembered for generations to come.”

Raffles Udaipur has quickly become known as the premier destination for elite events in India, and this wedding has only cemented its status as one of the most extraordinary venues in the world.

Rentokil PCI Acquires Envocare Pest Control Solutions from SILA

New Delhi, India – February 16, 2023 – Rentokil PCI, the leading pest control and hygiene service provider in India and known for its expertise in pest control, has acquired Envocare Pest Control Solutions, a Mumbai-based pest control service provider through a 100% asset deal, from parent company SILA.

Envocare Pest Control Solutions is a provider of full-service environment management including general pest control services. It offers environmentally friendly services and products to customers. It caters to residential and commercial buildings and infrastructure projects. In 2016, SILA bought a majority stake in the company which it has now sold to Rentokil.

With this acquisition, Rentokil PCI expands its customer reach within the pest management sector. Rentokil PCI will further strengthen its position in the Indian pest control market as a result of this acquisition by adding leading companies in the corporate, facility management, and construction sectors as its customers. With this acquisition, RPCI demonstrates its willingness to deploy capital and acquire quality businesses in Pest & Hygiene.

Mr. David Lewis, MD of Rentokil PCI, said, “Envocare Pest Control Solutions will help expand Rentokil PCI’s industry-leading capabilities into the fast-growing market of integrated pest control services. Furthermore, Envocare specializes in eco-friendly pest management solutions, which aligns with Rentokil PCI’s goal of continuing to be the most sustainable and eco-friendly pest control company in India.”

Rushabh Vora, Co-founder & MD, SILA, said, “Over the past 6 years, we have enjoyed working with Envocare Management to get the business off the ground. We will continue to focus on the organic and inorganic growth of our core businesses. We are confident that the Envocare team will continue to excel under its new owner, Rentokil PCI, which is the market leader in the Pest Control space.”

“Rentokil PCI’s global reach and expertise will bring new products and solutions to our existing and future customers. The acquisition will facilitate long-term engagements with customers in the pest control services sector. We would like to thank the SILA team for their support in setting us up for the next leg of our journey.” said Mr. Dilip Murkute, Managing Director, of Envocare Pest Control Solutions.

Rentokil PCI is preferred for pest control by households and companies in India because of our extensive national network, highly qualified pest control specialists, and research and development (R&D) capabilities.

3rd Dr. KCG VERGHESE TROPHY to be held at HITS From 18th & 19th February 2023

Chennai, 16th Feb 2023: The 3rd Dr. KCG Verghese Equestrian competition will be held at the Hindustan Institute of Technology and Science on the 18th and 19th of February 2023. This Equestrian competition will see the participation of over 10 teams on these two days.

The teams will compete in the following categories including DRESSAGE, SHOW JUMPING, TENT PEGGING & ARENA POLO. This event is being held in commemoration of the completion of the 10th year of the Horse Riding club of the Institution.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Anand Jacob Verghese, Chancellor, of Hindustan Institute of Technology and Science said, “We are the only private university to have a full-fledged Stable with over 20 horses. With the support and vision of our Founder, our campus had an equestrian facility even way back in 1996. A Horse Riding Club was established in 2011 and in commemoration of 10 years of the club, we have decided to start a rolling Trophy named after our Founder. This trophy will reiterate our commitment to maintaining a fully functional stable to encourage participation in this unique sport.

Also, in addition to the extracurricular and sporting facilities offered at HITS, This club is a stellar example to provide our students an all-rounded experience including horse riding as part of their period of study at the campus.”

The 3rd Dr. KCG Verghese Trophy will see the following teams competing:

1.  OFFICERS TRAINING ACADEMY – Indian Army
2.  TN POLICE
3.  NCC
4.  CHENNAI EQUITATION CENTRE
5.  EAST COAST EQUESTRIAN
6.  CHENNAI RIDING SCHOOL
7.  EQUINE DREAMS
8.  CHENNAI POLO 2.0
9.  SPT TANJAVUR
10. AMBUR EQUESTRIAN CLUB and HINDUSTAN UNIVERSITY

Sona Comstar achieves 350 million Gears production milestone

Gurugram, India, February 16th, 2023: Sona BLW Precision Forgings Ltd. (Sona Comstar), one of the leading global providers of automotive technology solutions, has achieved the production milestone of 350 million gears since its inception. We started production of the precision forged differential gears at our plant in Gurgaon, Haryana, in 1999 and commenced production at our plant in Pune, Maharashtra, in 2005. From our plants in India, today, Sona Comstar serves seven of the world’s top-10 PV OEMs, three of the world’s top-10 CV OEMs, seven of the world’s top-10 tractor OEMs, five of the world’s top-15 EV OEMs and four of the top-15 Indian e2Ws OEMs.

As per Ricardo’s estimates, Sona Comstar’s global market share of differential gears increased to 7.2% in 2022 from 5.0% in 2020. The company continues to dominate the Indian market for differential gears with a 60‑90% market share across vehicle categories. Backed by our R&D and engineering capabilities, we are committed to innovating and supplying cutting-edge technologies to our discerning customers.

The company crossed the production milestone of 150 million gears in 2015 and achieved the 250 million mark in 2020. The next 100 million gears production milestone was achieved in three years, reflecting the company’s strong growth. This outstanding achievement is the result of our customer’s trust, our suppliers’ support, and the efforts of our people. The company expresses gratitude to its customers for their faith in its products, which encourages us to innovate and enables our growth.

Management Comment

Mr. V. Vikram Verma, CEO of Sona Comstar’s Driveline business, said, ” I congratulate my team on achieving this milestone of 350 million gears production and thank our customers for their continued trust in our products. This is a great milestone in our journey to become one of the world’s most respected and valuable auto technology companies. Engineering excellence and innovation are at our company’s core, and we always strive to innovate and solve complex engineering problems for our customers worldwide.”

–

CAMSPay receives in-principle authorization from RBI to operate as a Payment Aggregator

Chennai, February 16, 2023: CAMSPay, a panoptic payment platform specializing in solving the BFSI sector’s payment challenges has received in-principle authorization from the Reserve Bank of India to operate as a Payment Aggregator (PA).

Part of Computer Age Management Services Limited (CAMS), India’s largest registrar and transfer agent of mutual funds (a SEBI-regulated entity), CAMSPay has been an integral payments partner supporting Mutual Fund investors, Insurance policyholders, and Loan borrowers for over a decade in enabling them to move from paper-based mandate process to offering digital payment solutions. As a specialized payments solutions provider to the BFSI segment, the in-principal authorization from RBI to operate as a Payment Aggregator will widen the scope and coverage of CAMSPay.

“CAMSPay provides a wide range of payment options including Digital Payments, Payment Gateway, Cards, UPI, and Net Banking. The in-principle authorization from RBI to operate as a Payment Aggregator is a key milestone toward further strengthening our offerings in the BFSI segment. We reaffirm our commitment to making payments more seamless and secure to all stakeholders ” said Mr. Ravi Kiran, Head of New Businesses for CAMS.

Mr. Vasanth Jeyapaul, CEO of, CAMSPay said, “We are thrilled to receive the in-principle authorization to operate as a Payment Aggregator to create a much more robust and inclusive digital payment stack for the chosen merchant segments that we operate in, delivering a variety of acceptable options. The license will help us further fortify our offerings in the payments arena”.

Mutual Fund Investors use CAMSPay for their SIP and bullet investments, Insurance Policyholders for paying their policy premia, and loan borrowers for repaying their loans. With a comprehensive suite of payment options, CAMSPay is well-known for its strong commitment to compliance and security. CAMSPay works with over fifty financial institutions which include mutual funds, insurance companies, and NBFCs across India. As the first to provide UPI Autopay service to the Mutual Funds sector, CAMSPay continues to lead the market with its innovative payment solutions.

Shell and Microsoft collaborate on digital skilling for non-IT students in vocational education institutes

New Delhi, February 16, 2023: In line with their joint commitment to empowering the workforce of tomorrow with future-ready skills, Shell and Microsoft announced a collaboration to impart digital skills to students in vocational education institutes. The project aims to enable 5,000 underserved youth across 24 government institutes with digital productivity and employability skills and prepare them for digital careers in the manufacturing and energy sectors.

Emerging technologies are changing the nature of jobs and redefining the scope of productivity in every sector. Job roles across sectors that typically did not require digital skills earlier demand foundational digital skills to adapt to new requirements. The addition of a digital curriculum to the training offered in Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) and polytechnics will enable the students in non-IT trades to enhance their skills for jobs.

With a goal to enable livelihood opportunities for students in ITI and polytechnic trades such as electrician, electrical engineering, fashion designing, and more, the first phase of the program will focus on creating awareness about digital employment opportunities across Gujarat, Haryana, Delhi, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu. Further, the initiative will support the enhancement of digital learning labs at these institutes and build the capacity of faculty members to sustain the outcomes of the program. SRF Foundation will deploy the program in each of the states and provide 240 hours of training, which includes modules on data analytics and sustainability at the workplace.

Latika Taneja, Head of Corporate Relations, Shell India, said, “Shell India is committed to supporting reskilling and upskilling programs to take employment opportunities within evolving energy and manufacturing markets, closer to the community. This collaboration between Shell and Microsoft will help create a future-ready workforce and open new avenues of learning and job opportunities for students in ITI and polytechnic colleges.”

Gunjan Patel, the Director, of Microsoft Philanthropies India, said, “In today’s digital-driven economy, it is critical to equip the youth in vocational education, especially in non-IT trades with digital skills to meet the demands of the rapidly transforming sectors. We are excited to join forces with Shell on this crucial initiative empowering skills for jobs and look forward to making a positive impact on the youth of India.”.

Global leaders and influencers of the world unite to deliberate and find solutions for matters of global significance at the seventh global business summit – an et edge initiative

New Delhi, February 16, 2023: At a time when the world order is undergoing tectonic changes due to multiple disruptions driven by technology, geopolitical developments, and calamities exasperated by climate change, along with several other pressing issues, the seventh edition of Global Business Summit (GBS) will see an array of top global leaders across a wide spectrum of domains converging at Taj Palace, New Delhi – India, to find answers to the most pressing concerns facing our world today.

The seventh edition of the Global Business Summit (GBS) curated and executed by ET Edge, will bring together visionaries, thought leaders, heads of state, policymakers, climate advocates, academicians, and corporate heads to advance this agenda and exert the momentum needed to find sustainable and practical solutions to these issues.

Speaking about the Summit, Mr Deepak Lamba, CEO, World Wide Media and President, Times Strategic Solutions said, “The 2023 edition of GBS will build upon the experience of the global community to address some of the pressing challenges of our times which if left unaddressed today, will have far reaching consequences on the future. The power of positive collaboration has always been instrumental in addressing complex issues with global repercussions. It will be our endeavor to draw attention to such issues and provide a platform to promote a free-flowing interchange of thoughts towards sustainable global growth.’

GBS has become the platform of choice for significant stakeholders in global affairs to discuss and deliberate on the most pressing issues confronting the world in just eight years. The opinions developed and clarity gained on the next course of action will influence the world order. This year, nearly 2000 delegates will attend the Summit, including global and Indian business leaders, powerful government decision-makers, A-list academics, and key civil society members to discuss topics such as energy transition, sustainable economy, data issues, new world order, future of entertainment, intelligent future, and more.

Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, will be the chief guest this year.

GBS has drawn guests from the United States, Canada, Egypt, Ireland, Russia, Belgium, Britain, Greece and Israel over the years.

This year, H.E. Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri Cabinet Member & UAE Minister of Economy, Ted Sarandos Co-CEO Netflix, Jean-Pascal Tricoire, Chairman and CEO of Schneider Electric, Bob Moritz, Global Chairman, PwC, Hans-Paul Bürkner, Global Chair Emeritus, BCG, Alexander MacDonald, Chief Economist, NASA are some of the leaders among other eminent speakers and attendees.

ET Edge, is India’s largest conference and thought leadership company. Since 2015, Et Edge has been at the forefront of creating unique thought leadership initiatives with the objective to empower multiple sectors, industries, and segments through the dispersion of critical business knowledge through strategically developed specialized conferences and summits. The Global Business Summit is amongst one of ET Edge’s flagship IPs that strives to bring together visionaries and key global leaders through its enriched knowledge platforms to aid the symbiotic relationship between societies and businesses.

For more information on the Global Business Summit, including how to attend, exhibit or sponsor, visit https://et-gbs.com

VitrA AquaControl – The smart button that makes life easier

Experience the epitome of luxury and pleasure with the VitrA AquaControl. It promises a high-quality showering experience that is guaranteed to leave you stress-free and relaxed. Through this shower thermostat, the grandeur and authenticity of any VitrA product are showcased while keeping in mind the consumers’ satisfaction.

The thermostatic mixer has been developed to ensure constant water temperature and to make sure that your shower experience is uninterrupted. The smart technology controls fluctuation in water pressure – for a more comfortable experience. It is developed with your entire family in mind, the thermostatic bathroom mixers provide safe use for old and young alike thanks to a safety button that keeps water from reaching extreme temperatures. Choosing the VitrA AquaControl shower thermostat will bring the best of ingenious design technology into your bathroom.

With just the push of a button, VitrA AquaControl creates a magical showering experience. Even while relaxing with your eyes closed, you are always in control of the shower, thanks to the indicator button that diverts the water to the shower head of your choice. The AquaControl concealed mixers make it easy to adjust your showering system. When you push a function button, it will pop out, so you know which setting the AquaControl’s diverter is in.

VitrA AquaControl is designed solely for the users’ comfort and enjoyment. This elegant product is offered in two shapes, a circular and a square each having a colour variety of chrome and gold. There is a function to choose water current from both the hand shower and the showerhead at the same time for better efficiency. The combination of thoughtful design and innovative technology makes it a one-of-a-kind luxury product.

To upgrade your convenience and enhance your pleasure, the VitrA AquaControl provides a refined showering experience. It will, without a doubt, make a stunning and desirable addition to your home.

True Elements represents India for Millets in Europe at the first global outreach for International Year of Millets (IYOM) in 2023

16th February 2023, Belgium: India’s first Clean Label and 100% Whole Grain certified food brand, True Elements, was invited to represent India at the first-ever global outreach event for Millets by the Government of India – the Saveurs & Métiers Expo – held in Belgium in January 2023.

2023 has been earmarked as the International Year of Millets (IYOM) by the UN with the objective of promoting millets as the next supergrain globally. Naturally gluten-free, environmentally sustainable, and loaded with health benefits, Millets have taken center-stage for the Government of India (GOI), with Honorable Prime Minister Narendra Modi amplifying this mandate across manufacturer, consumer, and enabler cohorts alike. Participation at the three-day Saveurs & Métiers Expo, hosted by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority(APEDA, Government of India) and the Embassy of India to Belgium, Luxembourg and the European Union (EU), marked the first global outreach for IYOM. At the expo, Ambassador Santosh Jha (Ambassador to Belgium, Luxembourg, and the EU) inaugurated the India Pavilion and welcomed European businesses to sample Indian millet products and build a pathway to their retail presence in European retail stores.

Smt. Vinita Sudhanshu, Deputy General Manager, APEDA, Government of India, said, “This expo in Belgium was the first-of-its-kind event, marking the beginning of the International Year of Millets 2023. Since India is leading the resurgence of this ancient super-grain, it was important for us to show the world how we are bringing millets and driving innovation within the packaged food category. Start-ups and disruptors like True Elements are showing the world the novel uses of millets by driving innovation in millets through their products like Jowar Poha, Millet Chikki, and Cereal Biscuits. It was heartening to see the wave of positive responses and appreciation coming their way because of these innovations.”True Elements has been at the forefront of delivering taste and health via Millets for the last 4 years and was honoured with the ‘Best Startup Award’ by the Indian Institute of Millets Research (IIMR) – Government of India. Recently, the brand also won the Forbes D2C Disruptor Award – Brand of the Year (Sustainability) for its work with Millets.

Sreejith Moolayil, Co-founder & COO of True Elements, said, “There exists plenty of curiosity and intrigue around Millets in India and the world now – in fact, these super-grains have already begun to lead the sustainable nutrition conversation internationally. True Elements has been driving millet-based food innovations since 2019, and we’re glad our range saw global appreciation. We will continue innovating to deliver a larger range without compromising on taste and health benefits.”At this global forum, which saw participation from large corporations, key retailers and notable manufacturers from Europe, True Elements was accoladed for its range of over 35 innovative millet-based products which were suited to the global palate, met global accreditations and kept the brand’s promise of providing 100% taste with 0% jargon, 0% chemical, 0% preservatives or 0% added sugar.

Ved Agarwal, Head of Marketing of True Elements, mentioned, “What truly summarised the event for us was Ambassador Santosh Jha’s immediate reaction as he took a bite of our Jowar Poha and said- ‘Wow. This is brilliant”. This, along with a meaningful pool of global leads and engagement with export partners who want to take Millets to Europe together with True Elements, made this outreach a success for us.”Meanwhile, closer home, True Elements also participated in the Millets and Organics International Trade Fair, one of the largest fairs organised by the Department of Agriculture and KAPPEC,

Government of Karnataka in Bengaluru, where they demonstrated the versatility of their millet-

based offerings and were appreciated for the same.

Manipal College of Dental Sciences Mangalore Inaugurated the Student Media Club

Bengaluru, 16th February 2023: Manipal College of Dental Sciences (MCODS), Mangalore, a constituent unit of Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), inaugurated the Media Club which was unveiled by Dr. Dilip Naik, MAHE, MLR Campus, and Mr. S.P. Kar, the Director of the Directorate of PR, Media & social media MAHE, on 13th February 2023. The Media Club aims to provide a platform for deliberation and knowledge-sharing among students and to provide exposure to the media, encouraging and motivating them to be involved in media activities.

The event was presided by the Pro Vice-Chancellor, Manipal College of Dental Sciences (MCODS), Mangalore Dean Dr Ashita Uppoor, Dr Junaid Amhed, Associate Dean MCODS, Dr. Premalatha Shetty, Associate Dean MCODS. Dr Arati, Dr. Nandita, and Mr. Saghir Siddiqui, regional chief operating officer of KMC Hospitals Mangalore were present at the event and Student teams also facilitated Spot Photography; different student teams received awards from the dignitaries.

Dr. Dilip Naik, MAHE, MLR Campus said “such events serve as an impetus to promoting knowledge among the students. He also added that the influence of social media in society is growing and that students can become an ambassador of the institute by promoting various activities on the media platforms.”

Chief Guest Mr. S.P. Kar said “Media plays a crucial role in modern society; it will enable students to express their ideas and talents. He shared insights on global media trends and how technology plays a vital role in society. He also said this is one of the opportunities to showcase the skills and knowledge acquired by our students.

He further concluded that “The achievements of our students and our consistent effort in developing the budding professionals has resulted in MAHE as an international educational brand”.