29, Jul 2024
HiLife Jewels: The Ultimate Exhibition of Premium Masterpiece Jewelry
Hilife Jewels showcases over 100 top jewellery brands, and famous jewellery designers all under one roof
Many jewellery lovers, celebrities, and jewellery lovers grace the grand launch of “hilife jewels exhibition” in Bengaluru one of the most premium jewellery exhibitions in the nation.
Over 100 renowned jewellery brands & jewellery designers are part of the 3-day (26th,27th,28th July) hilife jewels exhibition.
29th July 2024, Bengaluru: Hilife Jewels, the nation’s most premium jewellery exhibition, is currently captivating jewellery enthusiasts in Bengaluru with an unparalleled showcase of exquisite craftsmanship and dazzling gemstones. The event, which commenced on July 26th, is set to continue its splendour until July 28th at the prestigious Hotel Taj West End. Graced by the luminous presence of celebrity Nandita Shweta at its launch, Hilife Jewels has been a beacon of luxury, bringing together a curated collection of India’s top jewellery brands under one roof. From resplendent gold and diamond ensembles to rare gemstones and silver masterpieces, the exhibition offers an immersive experience for discerning connoisseurs and jewellery lovers alike.
“Hilife Exhibitions has established itself as a leading platform for fashion, lifestyle, and luxury experiences across India and internationally,” said Mr Aby P Dominic, MD & CEO of Hilife Exhibitions. “HILIFE JEWELS is a testament to our commitment to bringing the finest in jewellery to our patrons. We are thrilled to present this extraordinary collection to the discerning audience in Bengaluru.”
With over 100 renowned jewellery brands and designers participating, the exhibition presents a unique opportunity to explore a diverse range of styles, trends, and traditional artistry. Hilife Jewels is not just an exhibition; it’s a celebration of opulence and elegance.
- 0
- By Rabindra
29, Jul 2024
IDFC FIRST Bank Q1 FY25 PAT at Rs. 681 Crores, Core Operating Profit up 30.2 percent YOY
July 29, 2024, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India : Financial results at a glance The Board of Directors of IDFC FIRST Bank, in its meeting held today, approved the unaudited financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2024.
Deposits & Borrowings
Total Deposits of the Bank increased by 35.8% YOY from Rs. 1,54,427 crore as of June 30, 2023 to Rs. 2,09,666 crore as of June 30, 2024.
Customer Deposits increased by 37.8% YOY from Rs. 1,48,474 crore as of June 30, 2023 to Rs. 2,04,572 crore as of June 30, 2024.
CASA Deposits grew by 36.1% YOY from Rs. 71,765 crore as of June 30, 2023 to Rs. 97,692 crore as of June 30, 2024.
CASA Ratio stood at 46.6% as of June 30, 2024.
Retail Deposits grew by 43.5% YOY from Rs. 1,14,272 crore as of June 30, 2023 to Rs. 1,64,001 crore as of June 30, 2024.
Retail Deposits constitutes 80.2% of total customer deposits as of June 30, 2024.
Legacy High Cost Borrowings reduced from Rs. 16,055 crore as of June 30, 2023 to Rs. 10,084 crore as of June 30, 2024.
The Bank opened 11 new branches during Q1 FY25 to reach branch count of 955 by June 30, 2024.
Loans and Advances
Loans and Advances (including credit substitutes) increased by 22.0% YOY from Rs. 1,71,578 crore as of June 30, 2023 to Rs. 2,09,361 crore as of June 30, 2024.
The Bank continues to wind down infrastructure financing as per the stated strategy and now constitutes only 1.3% of total funded assets as of June 30, 2024.
Exposure to top 20 single borrowers improved from 7.0% as of June 30, 2023 to 5.4% as of June 30, 2024.
Credit to Deposit Ratio improved from 107.3% as of June 30, 2023 to 98.1% as of June 30, 2024.
Incremental Credit to Deposit ratio between June 30, 2023 to June 30, 2024 was 72.1%.
Assets Quality
Gross NPA of the bank has improved from 2.17% as of June 30, 2023 to 1.90% of June 30, 2024, improved by 27 bps on YOY basis.
Net NPA of the bank has improved from 0.70% as of June 30, 2023 to 0.59% of June 30, 2024, improved by 11 bps on YOY basis.
Gross NPA of the Retail, Rural and MSME Finance has improved from 1.53% as of June 30, 2023 to 1.46% as of June 30, 2024, improved by 7 bps on YOY basis.
Net NPA of the Retail, Rural and MSME Finance has improved from 0.52% as of June 30, 2023 to 0.46% as of June 30, 2024, improved by 6 bps on YOY basis.
Excluding the infrastructure financing book, which the Bank is running down, the GNPA and NNPA of the Bank would have been 1.60% and 0.43% respectively as of June 30, 2024.
SMA-1 and SMA-2 in Retail, Rural and MSME Finance portfolio continues to be low at 1.01%, but increased from 0.85% as of March 31, 2024 due to rise in SMAs of JLG book (due to floods) which increased from 1.26% as of March 31, 2024 to 1.70% as of June 30, 2024.
Provision coverage ratio (excluding technical write-off) of the bank has increased from 68.11% as of June 30, 2023 to 69.38% as of June 30, 2024. Excluding the run-down infrastructure book, PCR was at 73.48% at June 30, 24.
Profitability
Net Interest Income (NII) grew 25% YOY from Rs. 3,745 crore in Q1 FY24 to Rs. 4,695 crore in Q1 FY25.
Net Interest Margin (Gross of IBPC and sell-down) reduced from 6.33% in Q1 FY24 to 6.22% in Q1 FY25.
Fee and Other Income grew by 19% YOY from Rs. 1,341 crore in Q1 FY24 to Rs. 1,595 crore in Q1 FY25.
Core Operating income grew 24% from Rs. 5,086 crore in Q1 FY24 to Rs. 6,290 crore in Q1 FY25.
Operating Expense grew by 21% YOY from Rs. 3,659 crore in Q1 FY24 to Rs. 4,432 crore in Q1 FY25.
Core Operating Profit grew by 30% YOY from Rs. 1,427 crore in Q1 FY24 to Rs. 1,858 crore for Q1 FY25.
Provisions increased 109% YOY from Rs. 476 crore in Q1 FY24 to Rs. 994 crore in Q1 FY25. This was primarily due to rise in provisions of JLG portfolio, impacted by the flood in Tamil Nadu and seasonal impact.
The annualized credit cost as % of average funded assets (gross of IBPC) for Q1 FY25 was 1.90%. Without the impact of JLG book, the annualized credit cost as % of average funded assets for Q1-FY25 was 1.70%. Bank expects the credit cost to get normalized from Q3-FY25 onwards.
Net Profit de-grew 11% YOY from Rs. 765 crore in Q1 FY24 to Rs. 681 crore in Q1 FY25. Excluding trading gains from respective period, the degrowth in profit was at 7% YOY.
Provisions for JLG business was higher by Rs. 132 crores in Q1 FY25 over the Q1 FY 24. Excepting this impact, the PAT for the quarter would have been higher by Rs. 100 crores.
RoA stood at 0.91% and RoE stood at 8.32% in Q1 FY25.
Capital Position
Capital Adequacy including profit for Q1-25 was strong at 15.88% with CET-1 Ratio at 13.34% as on June 30, 2024. Including Capital raised in July 2024, the Capital Adequacy Ratio as on June 30, 2024 would be 17.21%, with CET-1 ratio at 14.67%.
Comments from Managing Director & CEO
Mr. V Vaidyanathan, Managing Director and CEO, IDFC FIRST Bank, said,
“The biggest requirement in Banking today is the ability to raise deposits. On this front, we continue to get strong growth in deposits based on top quality service levels, top in class mobile App, and excellent corporate governance. Our CASA ratio is sustained at 46.6%. Our customer deposits have grown 38% YOY. We thank our customers for their goodwill towards us.
Overall Gross NPA was stable at 1.90% and Net NPA was 0.59%. Provisions normalized this quarter in line with the industry. We took extra provisions for MFI business because of massive floods in Tamil Nadu and because of seasonality. We expect credit cost to normalise in H2 FY25 as guided earlier.
On the profitability front, the Core Operating Profit (Income less Opex) rose 31% YOY excluding trading gains. This continues on the back of strong core Operating Profit in FY24, which was up 31% from Rs. 4,607 crore in FY23 to Rs. 6,030 crore in FY24.”
29, Jul 2024
Lineage Announces Closing of Initial Public Offering
July 29, 2024,NOVI, Mich., United States : Lineage, Inc. (the “Company”) (Nasdaq: LINE) today announced the closing of its underwritten initial public offering of 56,882,051 shares of its common stock at a public offering price of $78.00 per share. The net proceeds from the offering were approximately $4.2 billion, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated expenses payable by the Company. The Company intends to use the net proceeds received from the offering to repay borrowings outstanding under its delayed draw term loan, repay borrowings outstanding under its revolving credit facility, fund one-time cash grants to certain of its employees in connection with this offering and estimated cash to pay tax withholding obligations associated with stock grants and redeem its Series A preferred stock. Following such uses, the Company expects to use the remaining net proceeds for general corporate purposes, which may include the repayment of additional borrowings outstanding under its revolving credit facility.
The Company’s common stock began trading on the Nasdaq Global Select Market on July 25, 2024, under the ticker symbol “LINE”.
Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, BofA Securities, J.P. Morgan and Wells Fargo Securities acted as joint lead book-running managers for the offering. RBC Capital Markets, LLC, Rabo Securities USA, Inc., Scotia Capital (USA) Inc., UBS Securities LLC, Capital One Securities, Inc., Truist Securities, Inc., Evercore ISI, Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated, KeyBanc Capital Markets Inc., Mizuho Securities USA LLC, PNC Capital Markets LLC, Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., CBRE Capital Advisors, Inc., HSBC Securities (USA) Inc., Piper Sandler & Co. and Regions Securities LLC acted as joint book-running managers for the offering. Blaylock Van, LLC, Cabrera Capital Markets LLC, C.L. King & Associates, Inc., Drexel Hamilton, LLC, Guzman & Company, Loop Capital Markets LLC, Roberts & Ryan Investments, Inc. and R. Seelaus & Co., LLC acted as co-managers.
A registration statement relating to these securities was declared effective by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on July 24, 2024. The offering was made only by means of a prospectus. Copies of the final prospectus related to this offering may be obtained from Morgan Stanley, Prospectus Department, 180 Varick Street, New York, New York 10014, or email: prospectus@morganstanley.com; Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, Attention: Prospectus Department, 200 West Street, New York, New York 10282, telephone: 1-866-471-2526, facsimile: 212-902-9316, or email: prospectus-ny@ny.email.gs.com; BofA Securities, NC1-022-02-25, 201 North Tryon Street, Charlotte, North Carolina 28255-0001, Attention: Prospectus Department, email: dg.prospectus_requests@bofa.com; J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, c/o Broadridge Financial Solutions, 1155 Long Island Avenue, Edgewood, NY 11717 or by email at prospectus-eq_fi@jpmchase.com and postsalemanualrequests@broadridge.com; and Wells Fargo Securities, 90 South 7th Street, 5th Floor, Minneapolis, MN 55402, at 800-645-3751 (option #5) or email a request to WFScustomerservice@wellsfargo.com.
29, Jul 2024
HCLTech collaborates with SAP India to upskill technology professionals
NOIDA, India, July 29, 2024—HCLTech, a leading global technology company, has collaborated with SAP in India to provide SAP-certified training to professionals in Consulting, IT and Engineering sectors. HCLTech will leverage SAP Learning platform to offer trainings on new and existing SAP software solutions, delivered through HCLTech’s proprietary learning platform Career Shaper™.
SAP and HCLTech have the experience to cater to 25 diverse industry verticals as well as technology tracks. This initiative will accelerate the efforts of enterprises to build talent pools with SAP software and Digital competencies. Tech professionals across all career levels will have access to industry-leading experts to acquire essential SAP skills, such as Advanced Business Application Programming (ABAP), Finance and Controlling (FICO) and Production Planning (PP) as they learn how to apply them in today’s digital transformation process.
“India’s young and large technology talent is a valuable resource for enterprises. As India strives to harness its demographic dividend and solidify its position as the talent hub for the world, armed with technological advances such as AI, it is critical to bridge the existing talent demand and supply gap. This is possible only by empowering individuals with the rights skills and tools. Our collaboration with HCLTech is an extension of this objective and aims to nurture a new cohort of SAP experts and prepare them for jobs of tomorrow,” said Nitish Agrawal, Chief Partner Officer, SAP Indian Subcontinent.
“Together with SAP India, we are taking another step forward for talent development and addressing the growing demand for professionals with multi-disciplinary competencies. This collaboration underscores HCLTech’s commitment to provide a comprehensive suite of learning and assessment solutions to global clients through our proprietary Career Shaper™ platform. Under this collaboration, we will deliver industry-led content for improving the job relevance of individuals,” said Srimathi Shivashankar, Corporate Vice President and Global Head, EdTech Business, HCLTech.
29, Jul 2024
Introducing LEDGER FLEX — Easy, Secure Self-Custody, Free From Compromise
July 29, 2024,PARIS, France & Nashville, Tenn., United States : Ledger, the world leader in Digital Asset security for consumers and enterprises, today launched for sale Ledger Flex, its second new product launch in 2024. Released during Ledger’s tenth anniversary, Ledger Flex and the previously released Ledger Stax mark the inception of a new generation of Ledger hardware, featuring secure E Ink® touchscreen displays powered by Ledger’s Secure OS. Ledger Flex is available to purchase today on Ledger.com and through our retail partners around the world for $249, shipping immediately.
Ledger Flex marks the new standard for Ledger devices, featuring NFC and a secure E Ink® touchscreen, at an attractive price point. Ledger Flex is an homage to the iconic black and steel motif featured on Ledger devices for a decade, a reminder of Ledger’s heritage of uncompromising security. Its high-resolution, 2.8” display provides clarity when signing transactions or approving logins. E Ink® offers unmatched energy efficiency, so the battery can last for weeks or even months on one charge.
“After a decade of setting the standard for security and self-custody in crypto and digital assets, I’m proud to say we’re raising the bar again,” says Pascal Gauthier, Chairman & CEO of Ledger. “By launching both Ledger Flex and Ledger Stax this year, we’re redefining the experience of self-custody. Ledger devices already secure more than 20% of the world’s digital assets, and our new secure touchscreen category will make self-custody more accessible than ever before for more consumers and enterprises.”
Secure signing devices are key to a future where Proof of You becomes essential — as more of our value becomes digitized, society will need trusted methods to prove identity. The rapid advancement of AI pushes provenance to the forefront of technology’s biggest challenges, and trusting what you see becomes increasingly difficult. Ledger devices are the only products in the world with secure touchscreens, making them essential for protecting both your digital value and your identity. Ledger devices bring security to your inherently insecure devices.
After a decade of building uncompromising secure devices and a robust open-source developer ecosystem, Ledger is ready to secure a world that’s embracing AI. Where AI creates abundance, the blockchain is a natural partner by creating scarcity and authenticity. Ledger secures the blockchain, and will build applications to serve the need for Proof of You.
This begins with a new app for Ledger Stax and Ledger Flex: Ledger Security Key, providing Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) and Passkey capabilities. Passkeys provide a secure and convenient alternative to traditional passwords, and can eliminate phishing from your security risk factors. With Ledger Security Key, you can use your Ledger wallet to login without having to pull up your password or use a less secure 2FA such as a browser extension or SMS. This feature is built on the open FIDO 2 specification, ensuring decentralized access across platforms, and is already compatible with Google, Amazon, Binance, Coinbase, and much more. Simply tap your Ledger Flex or Ledger Stax to your phone to login to supported services, or connect via USB to your laptop or PC.
“Without a secure screen, you are not secure. Period. The easy-to-use secure touchscreens of Ledger Stax and Ledger Flex are the only truly secure touchscreens in the world, battle tested by the Donjon and third parties,” says Ian Rogers, Chief Experience Officer at Ledger. “With growing digital ownership and AI fakes, digital asset security, proof-of-humanity, and proof-of identity is more crucial than ever. Ledger Stax and Ledger Flex are the secure touchscreens to go with the insecure touchscreen in your pocket.”
Ledger Flex is partnered by Ledger Live, the leading omni-chain companion app, which enables users to connect seamlessly with their Ledger device. Ledger Live is the most secure way to buy, sell, swap and earn yield on your crypto, integrated with global providers such as Moonpay, Coinbase, PayPal, and Lido. To date, Ledger supports over 10,000 coins & tokens on more than 70 blockchains in Ledger Live, and approximately 200 dApps have been integrated into the Ledger ecosystem. Developers who want to build on the Ledger ecosystem can check out our updated Developer Portal here.
Embracing a future built on digital value requires secure recovery options, ensuring your digital value or identity is never lost. In 2023 Ledger launched Ledger Recover, provided by Coincover, a service that enables users to encrypt, shard, and backup their secret recovery phrase, which supports Ledger Flex from launch, in addition to the already available Ledger Stax. With Ledger Recover you never have to worry about recovering access to your wallet, even if your physical Secret Recovery Phrase backup is lost or destroyed. With Ledger Live, ™Ledger Security Key, and Ledger Recover, the entire digital ownership experience is present and possible only on the Ledger ecosystem.
Ledger Flex is available today on Ledger.com and in Best Buy all across the US for $249. A special Ledger Flex BTC Edition is also available. Accessories to protect your Ledger Stax and Ledger Flex are shipping now.
With the introduction of Ledger Flex, there is now a Ledger device available at a price point for everyone:
LEDGER NANO S PLUS™: Ledger’s uncompromising security for your Bitcoin and crypto, available for just $79.
LEDGER NANO X™: More connectivity, featuring Bluetooth for on the go transactions at $149.
LEDGER FLEX™: Ledger’s next-generation touch interface and form factor at $249.
LEDGER STAX™: Premium next-gen design featuring the world’s first curved E Ink® display, with Qi charging and stacking magnets. Designed by Tony Fadell. Secured by Ledger, at $399, with a magnet shell in every box.
LEDGER FLEX SPECS:
Dimensions: 78.40 mm × 56.50 mm × 7.70 mm
Security: Ledger EAL 6+ certified secure element (ST33K1M5)
Screen type: E Ink® (up to 16 grays), customizable always-on lock screen, capacitive touch
Screen resolution: 2.8”, 600 x 480 pixels
Weight: 57.5g
Connectivity: USB C, Bluetooth® 5.2, NFC
29, Jul 2024
Inspira Enterprise Welcomes Arvind Lakshmiratan as Chief Marketing Officer
Bangalore, 29th July 2024: Inspira Enterprise, a global cybersecurity services organization is pleased to announce the appointment of Arvind Lakshmiratan as Chief Marketing Officer. With over two decades of experience in IT marketing, Arvind is set to lead the marketing function at Inspira reporting to Chetan Jain, Managing Director, Inspira Enterprise. Based in Bangalore, Arvind will focus on strategic marketing where he will build and grow the organization’s cybersecurity business across global markets – the US, India & the Middle East, and Asia Pacific.
Arvind’s core area of expertise includes B2B marketing and building strong technology brands across geographies. He has been establishing and leading high-impact marketing teams across the US, Europe, Asia Pacific, the Middle East, and India. Prior to joining Inspira, Arvind served as the Vice President and Head of Marketing Services at Mphasis, where he led global marketing and shared services initiatives. Before that, he was the Global Marketing Director for the Digital Foundation Business at HCL Technologies, responsible for building and managing the digital infrastructure for global clients. Additionally, Arvind headed the marketing team at Capgemini as Director and Marketing Stream Lead. His extensive career also includes leadership roles at Wipro, Sify, and other prominent organizations.
“I am delighted to welcome Arvind Lakshmiratan as Inspira Enterprise’s CMO,” said Chetan Jain, Managing Director, Inspira Enterprise. “He has proven to be an accomplished leader having led high-performance marketing teams in large organizations. Arvind will be an integral part of our management team as we continue to strengthen our leadership in the cybersecurity services domain globally and help customers defend their digital assets.”
Arvind has also been recognized among the “Most Influential Marketing Leaders in 2022’ and ‘100 Most Innovative Marketing Leaders in 2019’.
Commenting on his appointment, Arvind Lakshmiratan, CMO, of Inspira Enterprise, said, “I am excited to join the talented team at Inspira Enterprise, an organization known for its commitment to innovation and excellence in the cybersecurity services space. I look forward to working with the leadership team, to enhance our value proposition as we help our customers stay a step ahead of cyber threats.”
Inspira Enterprise has a proven track record of successfully protecting businesses across the globe offering tailor-made cybersecurity solutions to suit customers’ needs. The organization has expertise in Threat Detection and Prevention, Incident Response, Compliance, and Risk Management.
Inspira Enterprise has forged strategic alliances with industry leaders such as IBM, Palo Alto, Microsoft, Fortinet, Saviynt, and others. The organization is expanding its service portfolio with innovative solutions while its proactive approach positions it as a forward-thinking partner in the ever-evolving field of cybersecurity services.
29, Jul 2024
LambdaTest Unveils Live Inspect for Enhanced App Automation Testing
July 29, 2024,San Francisco, United States & Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India : LambdaTest, a leading cloud-based unified testing platform, introduces its latest offering, the Live Inspect feature for app automation testing. This tool empowers developers and testers to optimize their app automation processes with unparalleled live debugging capabilities directly from the LambdaTest automation dashboard.
The Live Inspect feature allows users to interact with their automated test devices in real time, enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of automated tests. With features such as real-time navigation, detailed UI element inspection, and screenshot capture, teams can now troubleshoot issues directly as they arise with their automation scripts, moving beyond mere video playback to active engagement with their applications.
LambdaTest’s Live Inspect features include real-time interaction, which allows users to navigate their apps, inspect UI elements, capture screenshots, and generate unique custom xpaths while the automation script runs seamlessly. The enhanced UI Inspector also provides a tailored experience that adapts to the user’s script, ensuring precise interactions based on the Appium session. Users can perform app automation testing across 3000+ devices, OS, and browser combinations for comprehensive coverage.
The Live Debugger is easy to use: simply run your app automation test on LambdaTest, access your live running tests from the dashboard, and click the Live Inspect option to engage with an extended UI Inspector. This allows for seamless interaction with the app while the automation script runs, ensuring a smoother testing experience.
“The Live Inspect feature empowers teams to take control of their app testing like never before,” said Mayank Bhola, Co-Founder and Head of Product at LambdaTest. “By integrating real-time unique xpath generation for native and hybrid apps, we’re helping organizations streamline their workflows, reduce time-to-market, and improve overall quality. This feature is a game-changer for teams aiming for agility in their development cycles.”
LambdaTest aims to empower teams with tools that lead to faster development cycles and higher-quality applications as part of its commitment to innovation.
29, Jul 2024
Merck Foundation Declared Botswana First Lady as Ambassador of More Than a Mother
July 29, 2024,Gaborone, Botswana & Mumbai, Maharashtra, India : Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany officially launched their programs in partnership with H.E. Mrs. NEO JANE MASISI, The First Lady of Botswana, also the Ambassador of “Merck Foundation More Than a Mother”, the programs which started in 2018 with the aim to transform patient care, build healthcare capacity, break the stigma of infertility, empower women, support girl education, stop GBV in Botswana and the rest of Africa.
The program took place in esteemed presence of The President of the Republic of Botswana, H.E. Dr. MOKGWEETSI ERIC KEABETSWE MASISI and Chairman of Merck Foundation Board of Trustees, Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp.
The Summit was chaired by The First Lady of Botswana, H.E. Mrs. NEO JANE MASISI, and CEO of Merck Foundation, Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej.
H.E. Dr. MOKGWEETSI ERIC MASISI, the President of Botswana emphasized during the launch “I deeply appreciate the joint programs of The First Lady of Botswana and the Merck Foundation. I am thrilled to see the tangible, measurable impact of these programs and their long-term commitment to the health and social development of our beautiful country, in such a short time. Botswana needs these valuable programs; I wholeheartedly wish for their success.”
Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and President of “More Than a Mother” Campaign emphasized, “It is a great honor to meet H.E. The President of Republic of Botswana, and our long-term partner and my dear sister, H.E. Mrs. NEO JANE MASISI, The First Lady of Republic of Botswana and Ambassador of “Merck Foundation More Than a Mother” to officially launch the Merck Foundation Programs in the country, and to underscore our commitment towards building healthcare and media capacity, patient care landscape transformation, ending GBV, breaking infertility stigma and supporting girl education, together in the country.”
H.E. Mrs. NEO JANE MASISI, The First Lady of Republic of Botswana, Ambassador of “Merck Foundation More Than a Mother” expressed, “It is a pleasure to welcome and meet Merck Foundation Chairman and CEO to our country. Together we officially launched and also celebrated important milestones of the great success of our joint programs to build healthcare capacity, transform patientcare, break infertility stigma, support girl education and stop GBV, in our country since 2018.
In a very short time, we have been able to provide 46 scholarships to our young doctors in many specialties which are very critical for us. We are proud of our achievements together.”
“I am very happy to share that we have together transformed the patientcare landscape of Botswana by providing 46 scholarships of One-Year Online PG Diploma and Two-Year Master Degree for local doctors from Botswana nationwide in many underserved and critical medical specialties such as Oncology, Diabetes, Endocrinology, Embryology, Fertility, Sexual and Reproductive care, Acute Medicine, Dermatology, Obesity and Weight Management, Respiratory Care and Internal Medicine and more, it is considered as an excellent number for 2.7 M population. And we are still going to provide more scholarships to local healthcare providers nationwide,” emphasized Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg Haverkamp, Merck Foundation Board of Trustees.
“I am also very happy to share that together with Her Excellency The First Lady of Botswana, we are also supporting girl education by providing scholarships and bicycles for 40 schoolgirls to cover their transportation and other education expenses so that they can reach their potentials and achieve their dreams,” Dr. Rasha Kelej added.
Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg Haverkamp added, “Our aim is to improve the overall health and wellbeing of people by building healthcare capacity across Africa, Asia and other developing countries. We are strongly committed to transforming patientcare landscape through our scholarships program.”
“Merck Foundation has provided 1810 scholarships to doctors from 52 countries in 42 critical and underserved medical specialties. Out of the total 46 scholarships provided in Botswana, 19 scholarships have been provided for Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Obesity & Weight Management, for Botswanan doctors from different provinces across the country, which is very important to improve access to quality and equitable diabetes and hypertension patient care not only in Gaborone but nationwide. After completion of the course, these doctors will be able to establish diabetes or hypertension clinics in their Health Centre or Hospital with the aim to help prevent and manage the disease in their own communities,” Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej added.
Out of the 46 scholarships, 10 scholarships have been provided to doctors in Fertility and one-year PG Diploma and two-year Master degree in Sexual and Reproductive Medicine. This is a huge number that will advance women’s health in the country.
5 Scholarships have been provided for Oncology to develop and support the cancer care capacity in the country.
Moreover, 12 scholarships have been provided for Acute Medicine, Respiratory Care, Dermatology, Gastroenterology and Internal Medicine and more as part of Merck Foundation Capacity Advancement Program.
Merck Foundation is also working closely with Botswana First Lady to inspire girls and sensitize communities about the importance of girl education. As a part of their ‘Educating Linda’ program, Merck Foundation will sponsor the education of 20 deserving schoolgirls, till they graduate. Moreover, Merck Foundation also provided 20 bicycles to encourage girls to continue going to the school, as they sometimes dropout due to long distances.
“I really believe that when the girls are educated, their countries become more powerful, stronger & prosperous,” added Senator Kelej.
Merck Foundation Chairman and CEO together with The First Lady of Botswana also visited schools in the country to meet the beneficiaries of Sewing machines donation and witness their success.
During the Summit, Merck Foundation Awards Ceremony was held, during which 7 Winners of the Merck Foundation Awards were acknowledged by Merck Foundation Chairman, Merck Foundation CEO together with Botswana First Lady.
Additionally, they also addressed the journalists during the Merck Foundation Health Media Training conducted in partnership with The First Lady of Botswana for the Botswanan journalists, to emphasize on the important role that media plays to influence society to create a cultural shift with the aim to address wide range of social and health issues such as: Breaking Infertility Stigma, Supporting Girl Education, Women Empowerment, Ending Child Marriage, Ending FGM, Stopping GBV, Diabetes and Hypertension awareness. Apart from this, the Call for Application for 8 important Merck Foundation Awards in partnership with The First Lady of Botswana were announced for Media, Musicians, Fashion Designers, Filmmakers, students, and new potential talents in these fields Merck Foundation. The training program was also addressed by prominent Medical & Media Experts and Government Officials.
Moreover, Merck Foundation Chairman, and Merck Foundation CEO together with The First Lady of Botswana signed a few copies of their different children’s storybooks titled: “More Than a Mother” created for children and youth to emphasize and strengthen family values of love and respect from an early age; “Not Who You Are” to teach boys to love and respect their future wives and eliminate domestic violence, to emphasize on the importance of empowering girls through education and “Sugar Free Jude” and “Mark’s Pressure” to promote a healthy lifestyle and raise awareness on the early detection and prevention of Diabetes & Hypertension. Thousands of copies of these storybooks are going to be distributed to school students of Botswana.
29, Jul 2024
Uniqus Consultech Launches Its Tech Consulting Practice
July 29, 2024, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India : Uniqus Consultech Inc., a tech-enabled global platform that offers consulting solutions in the accounting & reporting, finance operations, governance, risk, and ESG domains, today announced the launch of its Tech Consulting practice.
Based on interactions with its clients across the globe, Uniqus has identified four challenges faced by business leaders as they seek to harness the power of technology. First, disparate multiple systems within an organization impair the ability to productively obtain and analyze real-time data for decision making. Second, the fact that data resides in different places poses significant data management and data quality issues. Third, organizations are struggling with ways to practically adopt the power of AI/GenAI to solve real-world problems. Finally, the risk environment has become increasingly complex with heightened cyber and other tech risks – adoption of AI posing an additional level of risk and governance challenges.
Uniqus’ Tech Consulting practice has been designed to address these challenges and will offer four core solutions – Digitization & Automation; Data & Analytics; Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning and Technology & Cyber Risk.
The Tech Consulting practice will be aided by Uniqus’ existing and future suite of proprietary tech products, including UniQuest (AI-powered research product) and ESG UniVerse (cloud-based ESG solution).
“We are incredibly excited about the launch of our Tech Consulting practice. Our clients across the globe have repeatedly told us about the challenges they face in harnessing the power of technology. The solutions to these challenges are very intuitive but difficult to implement without deep knowledge of underlying domains. Our practice is designed to solve core complex business problems and not just implement technology,” said Jamil Khatri, Co-Founder & CEO, Uniqus Consultech.
“AI and GenAI bring with them immense opportunities. Businesses are trying to find the best use cases to leverage these new technologies, while managing the governance and regulatory challenges that come up. We look forward to partnering with our clients on this journey,” said Abhijit Varma, Global Head of Tech Consulting.
Uniqus’ Tech Consulting practice is based on the core principle of solving business problems holistically by combining deep functional knowledge in the areas of finance, risk, and sustainability with equally deep tech knowledge and experience. Uniqus will deploy its differentiated integrated global delivery model to ensure that clients have access to the best and most cost optimal talent irrespective of geography. Given that Uniqus Tech Consulting is designed as an AI-first practice, it will integrate the power of this new technology for implementing solutions for its clients, while being mindful of the security, privacy, and governance challenges that new technologies bring with them.
29, Jul 2024
Wardwizard Foods Expands Global Reach with Export Strategy, Enhancing India’s Culinary Image
Mumbai – July 29th, 2024 – Wardwizard Foods and Beverages Limited, a distinguished name in the food and beverage industry, is amplifying its emphasis on exports, marking a significant expansion in its international business strategy. The company has been receiving increased orders and interest from across the globe, underscoring their growing footprint in the global market.
Wardwizard Foods and Beverages Limited has now entered prominent market place of the UAE to supply high-quality Ready-to-Eat (RTE) products, which will reinforce the company’s reputation for excellence and reliability in the Middle East market. The demand for Wardwizard Foods and Beverages’ RTE products continues to surge in the USA also, positioning it as a favored choice for American and NRI consumers seeking convenient and quick meal options.
Following its success with RTE products, Wardwizard Foods and Beverages is now penetrating the US market with its delectable range of frozen snacks. The company has secured substantial orders, highlighting the growing popularity and trust in their products. Expanding its North American presence, Wardwizard Foods and Beverages has also gained significant orders for frozen snacks in Canada. This expansion reflects the universal appeal and acceptance of Wardwizard Foods and Beverages’ diverse product portfolio.
Reflecting on the brand’s development, Mrs. Sheetal Bhalerao, Chairperson and Managing Director, Wardwizard Foods and Beverages Limited, said, “Our focus on exports is a strategic move to embrace the burgeoning opportunities in the global market. The consistent influx of orders signifies the strong demand and trust in our products. We are committed to enhancing our production capabilities and expanding our product range to cater to the evolving needs of our international clientele.”
Wardwizard Foods and Beverages’ extensive product range includes popular RTE items like Shahi Rajma, Chana Masala, Bhindi Masala, Pav Bhaji, Dal Tadka, Dal Makhani, Palak Paneer, Mutter Paneer, Paneer Makhani, Paneer Butter Masala, Gujarati Dal, and Amritsari Chole. Notably, the Gujarati Dal and Amritsari Chole were customized for a specific order, highlighting the brand’s potential and capability to offer tailored solutions in the export market.
The frozen snack offerings, including Veg Spring Roll, Cheese Corn Spring Roll, Paneer Chilli Spring Roll, Patti Cheese Corn Samosa, Patti Irani Samosa, Railway Cutlet, Sabudana Vada, Punjabi Samosa, and a variety of pizzas, have gained traction in international markets. Additionally, the company is introducing many more products to cater to diverse tastes and preferences.
The company’s international success not only highlights the global appeal of Indian cuisine but also the organization’s commitment to maintaining the authentic taste and quality of its products. This international recognition elevates India’s culinary reputation and showcases the potential for Indian food products in the global market.
Wardwizard Foods and Beverages Limited is witnessing an unprecedented phase of growth. The frequent and substantial orders from international markets are a testament to the brand’s quality and global market adaptability. Leveraging this momentum, Wardwizard Foods and Beverages is poised for further expansions and innovations, aimed at satisfying the diverse palates of consumers worldwide. Concurrently, the company is subtly shifting its focus from Indian retail market to exports, ensuring a more streamlined and effective strategy.
