Category Archives: Business

Domino’s Introduces Cheesiken: The Juiciest, Sauciest and Cheesiest Chicken in Town

20th July 2024  Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India  Domino’s Pizza, India’s largest pizza chain, has launched a unique chicken product – Cheesiken, along with a portfolio of chicken products crafted for the discerning palates of chicken lovers. This innovative line of chicken-based products marks a significant expansion in Domino’s offerings, catering to the diverse tastes of its customers. This expansion underscores the brand’s commitment to innovation and dedication to offering a wider variety of delicious options to its customers.

Cheesiken by Domino’s: The Star of the Show

Cheesiken, an exquisite new offering from Domino’s, is a unique creation – a bed of flavorful grilled chicken layered with sauces and cheese, crowned with vegetables and rice. It brings together the best of both worlds – cheese and chicken – in a way that has never been experienced before.

Commenting on the occasion, Chella Pandyan, Chief Growth and Marketing Officer at Domino’s India said, “We constantly evolve our portfolio to align with consumer expectations. This new portfolio and the introduction of Cheesiken represent our passion for culinary creativity and our commitment to continually enhancing our menu. We are excited to bring these new offerings to our customers.”

Crafted to perfection, the Cheesiken range, catered to appeal the various spice palates, comes in 3 flavour choices: Cheesy Garlic, Tangy Tomato, Hot & Fiery. When paired with our specifically crafted rice, Cheesiken meal delivers a delicious, tasty, and filling experience, making it perfect for lunch, dinner, or any time you’re craving something hearty.

The new range is being introduced in Tamil Nadu and Kerala starting 15th July at affordable prices.

To introduce the Cheesiken, Domino’s has launched a TVC showcasing the irresistibility of its newest range. It is an experience that no one can turn down.

Sri Sathya Sai University for Human Excellence (SSSUHE) Signs MoU with Posspole

20th July 2024  Bangalore, Karnataka, India  Innovation and Incubation Centre (IIC) of Sri Sathya Sai University for Human Excellence (SSSUHE) announced its collaboration with Posspole Private Limited, a dynamic 360-degree ecosystem for high-tech products, market access, and manufacturing. This partnership marks a significant milestone in advancing medical research, education, and community health initiatives.

The Memorandum of Understanding was signed in the esteemed presence of Sadguru Sri Madhusudan Sai – a distinguished leader in medical sciences and humanitarian services, at Posspole’s office in Bangalore. This MoU highlights a commitment to bridging industry-academia gaps through innovative methodologies and collaborative frameworks, prioritizing student exchange programs with global universities and institutions.

This collaboration will strengthen innovative solutions across various sectors, including healthcare, energy, food and agriculture, and medical research. By nurturing cutting-edge products and promoting innovative thinking, both organizations seek to enhance India’s global standing and redefine its role beyond service delivery.

Sadguru Sri Madhusudan Sai shared his excitement about the transformative potential of this partnership, expressing confidence in achieving the objectives outlined in the MoU. “Together, we will create a framework that promotes innovation and advances humanitarian efforts, striving for a healthier and more equitable world.”

Mr Kiran Rudrappa – CEO and Co-founder of Posspole, expressed his enthusiasm about the partnership, highlighting its potential. “We are honored and delighted to collaborate with the Innovation and Incubation Centre of Sri Sathya Sai University for Human Excellence (SSSUHE). We look forward to bringing innovation and significant advancements in the research, education, and healthcare sectors.”

The event concluded with a mutual commitment to explore further avenues for research, education, and healthcare cooperation. Posspole and SSSUHE look forward to realizing their shared goals and making a lasting impact on global health.

PBPartners Celebrates 3 Years of Exceptional Offline Services, Expands Insurance Access to 1,200+ Cities with 1.2 Lac Certified Agent Partners

20th July 2024  Gurugram, Haryana, India  PBPartners, Policybazaar’s PoSP arm, proudly celebrates its 3rd anniversary, reflecting on 3 years of dedicated offline service and its impact on the lives of agent partners and customers alike. PBPartners has achieved significant milestones over the last 3 years, establishing a strong network of 1.2 lac certified partners, serving 18,000+ pin codes and operating across 1,200+ cities nationwide. This network ensures access to seamless offline services, from policy issuance to claim settlement, driving substantial business growth and expanding insurance coverage, notably in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities.

Operating from best-in-class experience centers in over 16 cities, PBPartners is committed to delivering comprehensive insurance solutions to under-served populations in tier 2 and tier 3 cities that may not have access to digital solutions. This strategic approach is supported by a strong sales force of more than 1400+ relationship managers, who work closely with agent partners to ensure an adequate insurance safety net in remote and rural areas.

Key initiatives in the last 3 years

• On-Demand Payout: Introduced an industry-first payment redemption solution, where partners can access their commissions on-demand.
• Partner Ledger: Real-time visibility into payouts to ensure transparency and efficiency.
• Partner Engagement: The launch of the PBP One Loyalty Program has significantly boosted agent partner engagement, with 1.2L partners enrolled in the program.
• Contest Visibility: All contests are now accessible via mobile/portals, enhancing engagement with a 14% increase in daily active user participation.
• Operational Productivity PBPartners has streamlined operations, reducing payout turnaround time (TAT) to 30 days for Motor, 30 days for Life, 15 days for Health and 7 days for SME/CL for non-On-Demand Payout (ODP) partners, further enhancing efficiency and partner satisfaction.

Sarbvir Singh, Joint Group CEO, PB Fintech, said, “PBPartners was established to take insurance services via offline mode to Bharat beyond metros. We have accomplished nearly 50% of business from Tier-3 cities and beyond, hence, increasing insurance penetration in those areas. We have built a strong safety net of insurance, serving over 6 million happy customers. PBPartners has been successfully supplementing Policybazaar’s digital presence and is expanding across the nation. Our efforts in empowering micro-entrepreneurs have also shown remarkable progress. The growth we have achieved in this short span demonstrates PBPartners’ commitment to innovation and excellence.”

Dhruv Sarin, Co-founder, PBPartners, said, “PBPartners has rapidly become one of the leading insurance PoSP businesses in the country, boasting partnerships with over 51+ insurance providers. PBPartners now has the highest proportion of non-motor business in the industry at 34% for the quarter ended March 31, 2023. Our user engagement has also surged, with over 10,000 daily active users, a 4X increase in FY24, reflecting strong user engagement and satisfaction.”

G.D. Foods Marks its Presence in Dubai as Official Condiment Partner of India-GCC Buyer Seller Meet

20th July 2024  New Delhi, Delhi, India  G.D. Foods Mfg. (I) Pvt. Ltd., the food products company behind TOPS, one of India’s leading FMCG brands, was the official condiment partner of the recently concluded 4th Edition of the India-GCC Buyers-Sellers Meet (BSM) on Food & Beverage, that took place on 10th – 11th July 2024 in Dubai, UAE. This event aimed to provide a premier business platform for India’s existing food and beverage exporters, while also opening doors for new entrants in the export sector.

The India-GCC BSM featured a delegation of 35-40 Indian F&B exporters and brought together 150 leading buyers, importers, prominent distributors, and iconic modern trade outlets from GCC countries, including Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and the UAE. The event showcased the most diverse range of new and innovative products from the Indian F&B industry.

Team TOPS was present in full force at the Meet, showcasing their exciting and comprehensive range of FMCG products covering multiple categories including ketchup, culinary sauces, pickles, noodles, breakfast cereals and cake mixes to name but a few. The team interacted with distinguished guests from leading retail chains across the world to exchange ideas and forge connections, fostering new business relationships and enhancing India’s presence in international markets.

G.D. Foods Vice Chairman, Nitin Seth shared, “TOPS is a global brand with a footprint in over 30 countries through various distributors and channel partners. Our participation in such global events is a sign of our deep-rooted commitment to put Indian culinary tastes on the global map and become one of the top processed food brands across the globe by 2030. We look forward to more such platforms where we can connect with global partners and bring the TOPS promise of excellence and taste to consumers across the world.”

Pathways World School Celebrates 6 Years of Perfect IBDP Scores

20th July 2024  Gurgaon, Haryana, India  Pathways World School is thrilled to announce the exceptional results of its students in the 2024 International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP). This year marks a momentous achievement as for the sixth consecutive year, a Pathways World School student has achieved the perfect score of 45/45. This consistent performance highlights the school’s unwavering commitment to providing a world-class education that fosters academic brilliance, holistic development, and global citizenship.

Key Highlights of the 2024 IBDP Results:

• Perfect Score: Ashmita Haldar achieves the perfect score of 45/45. Sixth consecutive year for the school, a testament to the robust academic framework and exceptional teaching methodologies.
• Average Score: The school continues to maintain an outstanding average score of 33.56, significantly above the global average of 30.32 for 18 consecutive years.
• Pass Rate: The pass percentage of Pathways students stands at an impressive 98%, in contrast to the 80% globally.
• Subject Excellence: Numerous students excelled in individual subjects, with 47 highest possible grades (7) across various disciplines.

Ms. Sonya Ghandy Mehta, School Director of Pathways World School, expressed her pride in the students’ achievements: “Congratulations to our Class of 2024 for attaining outstanding results! Your perseverance and effort have truly been rewarded. I sincerely thank our teachers and parents for their unwavering support in guiding our students to success.”

Ashimta Haldar, who received a perfect score exclaims, “Upon receiving news of my results, my family and I were overjoyed. I am fortunate to have had wonderful, knowledgeable, and supportive teachers – their guidance and encouragement has been instrumental in this accomplishment.”

Pathways World School’s holistic approach to education, coupled with a strong emphasis on academic rigor, has consistently produced top-tier results. The school’s innovative teaching methodologies, state-of-the-art facilities, and a supportive learning environment have played a pivotal role in shaping the success stories of its students.

2024 Pathways World School Graduates’ University Offers at a Glance:

CII CEOs Delegation Visits Kashmir Regional Council Convenes in Srinagar After a Gap of Nine Years

20th July 2024  Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India  The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Regional Council Members consisting of 44 CEOs from top companies of the Northern Region successfully concluded a two-day visit to Srinagar with local CII members, government officials, and other Industry members from Kashmir. A half-day session of CII Northern Regional Council was held at Hotel Radisson Collection during which Ms Manisha Saxena, Director General, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, emphasized the untapped potential of J&K’s tourism sector. “Jammu & Kashmir is a treasure trove of natural beauty and cultural heritage. Our focus is on creating a tourism ecosystem that preserves this heritage while providing world-class facilities for visitors. We are working on enhancing infrastructure, promoting adventure tourism, and ensuring safety and security for tourists,” she said.

While Mr. Vikramjit Singh, Comm/Secretary – Industries and Commerce Department, Government of J&K provided an overview of significant investments in the Union Territory and gave a detailed presentation about industrial policy and schemes for investors, Mr Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar, Advisor to the Lieutenant Governor, Jammu & Kashmir provided insights into the strategic plans for industrial development in J&K. “Jammu & Kashmir is poised for a significant industrial transformation. We are focused on improving infrastructure, ensuring ease of doing business, and fostering innovation”, he said.

CII also organized its Regional Council Meeting in Srinagar after a gap of nine years wherein more than 60 industry members from across the Northern Region states and local members participated. The meeting facilitated a constructive dialogue between government representatives and industry members, addressing key challenges and opportunities in J&K. The discussions covered a range of topics including investment opportunities, infrastructure development, tourism, and skill enhancement. Mr Madhav Singhania, Chairman, CII Northern Region and Deputy MD & CEO, JK Cement Limited said, ”The collaborative spirit and forward-thinking strategies presented by the government of J&K officials are set to revolutionize J&K’s industrial landscape.” Their insights are invaluable as we work together to unlock the region’s full potential. Mr Sunjay Kapur, Deputy Chairman, CII NR and Chairman, Sona Comstar said, “The strategic plans outlined by the Regional Council are pivotal for fostering a robust industrial ecosystem in J&K. Their emphasis on infrastructure, skill development, and sustainable tourism offers immense potential for our industry stakeholders”.

Mr. Syed Junaid Altaf, Chairman, CII J&K, and Group Executive Director, FIL Industries said, “We have suggested that the Government of India organize a vibrant tourism festival around the stunning monuments and gardens of Dal Lake. This would also be a celebration of Kashmir’s rich culinary strengths, the rich cultural heritage of the Dogra’s and Kashmiris as well as championing our talented craftsmen and artisans and providing a platform for business opportunities for them. ”. He also mentioned that the visit of this delegation has highlighted significant opportunities for J&K’s growth to the big industry players and said “The government’s focus on sustainable tourism and industrial transformation aligns perfectly with the goals of CII. These initiatives will greatly benefit our local industries and communities.”

Data Erasure Software Earns Government STQC Certification, Enabling DPDP Act Compliance

20th July 2024  Pune, Maharashtra, India  Thanks to a recently awarded government certification, businesses facing new data deletion mandates under India’s Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, as well as Indian government agencies with stringent procurement requirements, can confidently use software from Blancco to destroy data on data storage drives, laptops, desktops, and servers.

India’s Standardisation Testing and Quality Certification (STQC) Directorate recently certified Blancco Drive Eraser, the flagship data erasure software from Blancco Technology Group, as able to securely destroy data to established industry standards.

“The recognition granted by India’s STQC certification underscores Blancco’s unwavering commitment to technological excellence, affirming Blancco Drive Eraser’s quality, security, and performance,” says Blancco Technology Group APAC Director Masayuki Morita. “This certification is a milestone for Blancco and an important step in supporting businesses complying with data erasure standards under the DPDP Act.”

The STQC certification, granted by the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology Government of India, verifies that Blancco Drive Eraser v7.8.2 meets the standards necessary to erase data securely and permanently.

This assures businesses, soon to be considered data fiduciaries, that Blancco software enables them to comply with the DPDP Act and other data protection regulations around the world. Government agencies in India are also able to procure Blancco software through GeM, the Government e-Market Place, to streamline their compliance.

Under the DPDP Act, influenced by the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), companies processing data in India are required to promptly erase digital personal data once its purpose is fulfilled, or upon individual request. STQC-certified Blancco Drive Eraser will assist organizations in complying with the DPDP Act by removing all data from drives and drive-based devices, producing a tamper-proof audit trail to document compliance.

Blancco Technology Group regularly undergoes assessments by third-party industry organizations. These assessments validate product and solution claims, effectiveness, and the security of its software development processes. With offices in more than 20 countries and a global partner network, the company centralizes data erasure software development in Pune, Maharashtra, with the company ISO-certified for Quality Management and Information Security Management.

To achieve STQC certification, the Blancco Drive Eraser underwent rigorous verification testing, ensuring the secure sanitization of data by the DoD 5220.22 standard. Testing also ensured that the product met or exceeded Clear and Purge levels of sanitization for the globally referenced NIST 800-88 standard. Blancco Drive Eraser successfully underwent security functional testing on SATA Magnetic HDD, Magnetic SCSI HDD, SATA Solid-State Drive (SSD), Serially Attached SCSI SSD, and NVM Express (NVMe) SSD media types, confirming its standards-based erasure capabilities.

The Directorate’s technology certification also verified the software’s accurate tracking of erasures. This critical software capability enables enterprises to maintain a meticulous record of serialized drives and devices that have been erased. In the case of both internal and external audits, this proves their compliance with DPDP Act erasure standards.

Blancco data erasure solutions have earned more than 13 globally recognized certifications from around the world, and Blancco Drive Eraser is also certified to permanently destroy data to the most recent international data erasure standard, IEEE 2883-2022.

Additional Blancco software is available for files and folders in live environments, for virtual machines, removable devices, mobile devices, and other data storage media, providing India’s businesses with a centralized resource for DPDP Act data deletion requirements.

Travel Plans this Monsoon Get Travel Packages and Flight Tickets on EMI

20th July 2024  Pune, Maharashtra, India  Bajaj Markets, an online financial marketplace offers a financing solution for one’s travel needs. Monsoon is here, and with it comes the perfect opportunity to explore the lush landscapes of India. Whether travelers are planning a quick getaway or an extended vacation, the Bajaj Finserv Insta EMI Card makes their travel dreams more accessible. Available on Bajaj Markets, the EMI card allows individuals to book travel packages and flight tickets on EMI, ensuring one can enjoy their trip without financial stress.

Features of the Bajaj Finserv Insta EMI Card

The Bajaj Finserv Insta EMI Card offers a host of features designed to make travel and shopping experiences more convenient and budget-friendly:

1. Easy Online Application: Applying for the EMI card is quick and straightforward
2. Instant Approval: With instant approval, one can start using their card immediately upon application and book travel packages without delay
3. Pre-approved Loan Amount: The card comes with a pre-approved loan amount of up to Rs. 3 Lakhs
4. Flexible Tenor: Individuals can choose from multiple repayment tenors up to 60 months and select an EMI plan that best suits their financial situation
5. Wide Acceptance: The card is accepted at a vast network of partners, making it flexible to use for a variety of travel-related expenses like flight tickets, hotel bookings, and travel packages

How to Apply for the Bajaj Finserv Insta EMI Card

Applying for the EMI card is simple and can be done in a few easy steps. Users can simply visit the Bajaj Markets website, navigate to the EMI card application page, submit the necessary details, and proceed. On receiving the approval and completing the verification, individuals can start using the card.

Invention Factory Celebrates its Fifth Edition – Shaping Tomorrow’s Success Through Today’s Visionaries

20th July 2024  Mumbai, Maharashtra, India  India’s academic ecosystem is undergoing a monumental transformation to make education more relevant to real-world needs. Invention Factory, a summer program in inventing, is driving this movement forward. This collaborative initiative between Maker Bhavan Foundation (MBF) and IIT Gandhinagar, IIT Bombay, and IIT Jammu has been a catalyst for innovation.

With 146 students and 74 provisional patent applications, this program—originally founded in the U.S. by Prof. Alan Wolf (a Physics professor and U.S. Patent Attorney) and Prof. Eric Lima (a Mechanical Engineering professor) from the Cooper Union—empowers young minds to invent, disrupt, and shape the future. For the fifth edition of the program, Invention Factory shortlisted 60 students from the 700 who had applied from science, engineering, and design colleges.

Professor Manoj Gaur, Director, IIT Jammu, stated, “Invention Factory is an immersive program wherein our faculty, students, and volunteers engage themselves with a wide variety of problems towards physical deployable solutions. This is a very interesting program where we are learning to understand how, on fast track, we can identify a problem, find a solution, and create an IPR worth provisional patent.”

The top three “Best Inventions” at each location received a financial incentive. Every participating team has the opportunity to file a provisional patent application for their prototype in both India and the U.S. This year, participants will file 30 provisional patent applications, which protects inventions for one year. This brings the total number of provisional patent applications from the program to over 100.

“Invention Factory offers engineering and design students an opportunity to identify significant problems and create patentable solutions. Participants learn problem identification, solution design, prototype testing, and most importantly patent law, which is usually not covered in their regular curriculum. In six weeks, they develop an inventive mindset and transform into inventors,” said Professor Madhu Vadali, Mech. Engg., IIT Gandhinagar and Professor-in-Charge, Invention Factory.

WINNERS

IIT Gandhinagar

(Tied for 1st Prize)

Nageshwar Kumar and Chaitanya Tandon from the Indian Institute of Technology, Jammu, developed a groundbreaking glove that enables real-time communication for deaf-blind individuals.

Stavan Mehta from the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay, and Kritika Patidar from the Indian Institute of Technology, Jammu, designed a device that significantly reduces the complications in tooth extraction.

IIT Bombay

Ishan Agarwal from the Indian Institute of Technology, Gandhinagar, and Vrushti Shah from Nirma University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, developed a therapeutic pain relief device designed to alleviate muscle spasms through pulsating pressure using air compression.

IIT Jammu

Varun Manoj Rawat from NIT Trichy and Khushbooo Kanwar Rathore from IIT Jammu developed a “multi-drug injector,” which is a device that mixes and injects two fluids instantly while ensuring precise dosing and effective mixing.

Ruyintan Mehta, President of Maker Bhavan Foundation, said, “As I traveled to each of the three campuses for the finale, I was struck by the creativity of their inventions. They are more than just ideas—they are seeds of transformation.”

Halomax Celebrates 20+ Years of Innovation

20th July 2024  New Delhi, Delhi, India  Halomax, a leading lighting manufacturer, is celebrating over two decades of service in the industry. A journey that started in 2001, Halomax has since then been delivering high-quality, internationally designed fixtures and lighting solutions for residential and commercial needs. Completely Made in India, Halomax has upheld the highest standards in lighting. Renowned for its design expertise, and continuous innovation, the brand has solidified its reputation as a trusted industry leader.

To mark this significant milestone, Halomax is excited to announce the launch of Luemin, its latest innovation in revolutionary lighting products in the second half of 2024. Luemin integrates cutting-edge technology with a user-friendly design, offering enhanced efficiency and sustainability. This new product represents the pinnacle of Halomax’s expertise and is designed to set new standards in the lighting space. Sunil Rathi, Director at Halomax, expressing gratitude to Holamax’s loyal customers, said “Reaching the 22 year mark is a testament to our innovative spirit. We are pleased that this 22 years journey has been extremely fulfilling as we have been able to serve our customers with the best in lighting solutions. We believe Luemin will exceed our customers’ expectations and will be well received just like all our other products.”

Halomax offers a diverse product range, including downlighters, profile lights, and step lights for residential interiors, as well as decorative and office lights for commercial spaces. The company also provides facade and landscape lighting solutions, such as spike lights, bollards, and lighters, to enhance outdoor aesthetics.

With 90 dedicated team members, Halomax aims to be the preferred lighting partner for architects and interior designers across the country. The company’s team of site coordinators ensures each project receives exceptional lighting solutions curated for their specific lighting needs. Halomax plans to expand into at least five new cities by 2025. As the company celebrates this journey, it extends heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has been part of its success story.