21, Feb 2024
Nikhil and Siddharth from NSCI Club win Double Crowns at the Racketlon National Championship
Mumbai, February 21, 2024: Nikhil Mansukhani and Siddharth Nandal both won double crowns at the recently conducted Racketlon All India Open Championships. Nikhil Mansukhani won the Men’s Doubles and Mixed Doubles while Nandal clinched the Men’s Singles and Doubles titles.
Racketlon is a combination sport in which the competitors are required to play four racket sports: table tennis, badminton, squash and tennis and have to compete for one set of 21 points across all four games.
Krishna Kotak who is the founder of Racketlon in India, also won the Title in Men Singles 55 plus category.Racketlon in India is managed by the Racketlon India Sports Association (RISA), with KK Cheema as its president.
Nikhil won the double crown by securing Gold in the Elite Men’s Doubles and Elite Mixed Doubles categories. In the Men’s Doubles, Nikhil partnered with 33-year-old Income tax officer, Siddharth Nandal to win 21-6, 21-7, 2-21, 12-3 against the pair of Kunal Singh and Vaibhav Chauhan. In the Mixed Doubles, Nikhil partnered with Johann Fernandes to clinch the Gold. This was Nikhil’s maiden National title.
In the Men’s Singles, Siddharth Nandal won his third National title by defeating Vikramaditya Chaufla from Udaipur with a score line of 20-22, 21-16, 21-8, 7-2.
Both Nikhil and Siddharth have also represented India at the Racketlon World Championships held in Rotterdam last year and have been practicing at NSCI Club at Worli.
The competition was organised by the Wellington Catholic Gymkhana and featured more than 150 participants.
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- By Neel Achary
21, Feb 2024
Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach Advances Sustainability Efforts
Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach proudly announces the installation of an Electric Vehicle (EV) charging station, reaffirming its commitment to environmental sustainability. This milestone initiative demonstrates the hotel’s dedication to implementing eco-friendly practices and setting new standards in the hospitality industry.
Renowned for its leadership in eco-friendly initiatives within the hospitality industry, Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach has continuously strived to minimize its environmental footprint. The hotel introduced an in-house bottling plant in 2023 which significantly reduced plastic waste, while the introduction of a vegan menu showcased the hotel’s commitment to sustainable dining options. Now, with the addition of the EV Charging station, Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach continues to lead by example in promoting green practices.
The EV Charging station represents a significant stride towards reducing carbon emissions and promoting eco-friendly practices in the hospitality sector. It aligns perfectly with Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach’s dedication to providing innovative solutions that contribute to a greener future.
Vishal Gupta, General Manager of Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach, expressed his excitement about the introduction of the EV Charging Station, stating, “We are thrilled to introduce the EV Charging Station at Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach. As a part of our ongoing efforts towards sustainability, this facility aligns perfectly with our mission to reduce our carbon footprint and contribute positively to the environment.”
The EV Charging station will provide guests and visitors with a convenient and sustainable option for powering their electric vehicles. By encouraging the use of electric vehicles, Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach aims to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and promote cleaner transportation options. Additionally, the installation of the EV Charging station underscores the hotel’s commitment to enhancing the guest experience by offering modern amenities that align with environmental values.
With this initiative, Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach continues to lead by example, setting new standards for sustainable hospitality practices in the industry.
21, Feb 2024
Liminal Custody achieves GDPR Compliance, to offer GDPR-compliant Wallet Infrastructure
New Delhi/London, February 21, 2024: – Liminal Custody Solutions (Liminal), the fastest-growing digital asset custody and wallet infrastructure provider in the APAC and MENA region, today announced a major milestone: achieving General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) compliance. This accomplishment underscores the company’s unwavering commitment to data security and user privacy, setting a new standard for trust and transparency in the rapidly evolving digital asset ecosystem. Achieving this standard with an unqualified opinion serves as third-party industry validation that Liminal (First Answer Pte Ltd) provides enterprise-level security for customers’ data secured in Liminal’s System.
A Commitment to Responsible Data Practices:
Dhruvil Shah, SVP of Technology at Liminal said, “Liminal’s GDPR compliance is not just a legal obligation, but a reflection of our core values. We recognize the sensitive nature of user data and are committed to upholding the highest standards of data protection. This commitment is further substantiated by Prescient Assurance LLC, confirming our adherence to established data security and privacy practices.”
Introducing GDPR-Aligned Wallet Infrastructure:
Liminal is a CCSS Level 3, SOC Type 2 and ISO 27001 & 27701 certified organisation. Taking user privacy a step further, Liminal is now proud to offer GDPR-aligned wallet infrastructure. This means users can enjoy the added protection of personal and financial data under stringent and established regulatory practices. Our GDPR-aligned wallets incorporate features such as:
● Enhanced data control: Users have complete control over their personal data.
● Transparency by design: Clear and concise information is provided on how data is collected, used, and stored.
● Robust security measures: Industry-leading security protocols and technologies safeguarding user data.
Significance of GDPR Compliance and Aligned Infrastructure:
The digital asset industry is characterized by rapid innovation and evolving regulations. Achieving GDPR compliance and offering GDPR-compliant wallets establishes Liminal as a trusted provider, particularly for institutions and individuals seeking a secure and compliant environment for their digital assets. This milestone solidifies Liminal’s position as a leader in fostering trust and transparency within the industry.
Liminal remains committed to upholding the highest standards of data security and privacy. The company will continue to invest in compliance efforts and adapt its practices to evolving regulations, ensuring a secure and trustworthy environment for its users.
21, Feb 2024
AiSensy Unveils Game-Changing Carousel Messages Feature on WhatsApp
India, February 2024: AiSensy, a pioneer in WhatsApp marketing, has launched a groundbreaking feature – Carousel Messages on WhatsApp. This innovative tool allows businesses to send carousel-format messages, showcasing multiple products and services in one single message. With clickable Call-To-Action (CTA) and Quick Reply buttons, these messages are designed to drive twice as many clicks as standard WhatsApp Broadcast messages.
The introduction of Carousel Messages represents a significant leap in WhatsApp marketing capabilities. Businesses can now create and send up to 10 carousel cards in one message, offering a richer and more engaging customer experience. This feature not only enhances visibility for products and services but also drives higher engagement, with the potential to significantly increase click-through rates.
AiSensy, as one of the first WhatsApp Business Solution Partners to incorporate this technology, makes the creation of Carousel Messages incredibly straightforward. Businesses can simply select a Carousel template, add their content, incorporate both CTA and Quick Reply buttons, and submit the template for approval – all within a few easy steps.
“WhatsApp’s latest Carousel cards present an aesthetically pleasing and highly functional solution for businesses seeking to elevate their ROI,” remarked Gautam Rajesh Shelley, CEO & Founder at AiSensy. “The incorporation of multiple Call-To-Action buttons within a single message adds an extra layer of versatility, making this innovative feature a true game-changer. From retail to technology, and beyond, the versatility of this Template message format empowers businesses across diverse industries to effortlessly showcase their offerings with unprecedented creativity and impact. Our clients have witnessed remarkable success with Carousel messages, achieving double click rates compared to standard WhatsApp Broadcast messages. This accomplishment is a testament to the effectiveness and potential of this groundbreaking tool in driving meaningful interactions and conversions.”
Furthermore, Carousel Messages can also be used to share customer success stories, troubleshoot user queries by sharing step-by-step resolutions as well as share videos in the carousel format. The message acts as an opening for businesses across diverse industries to capture the user’s interest and help them drive high sales & revenue.
21, Feb 2024
Mirasys (India) brings seasoned analytics leader Ashish Nigam on board as COO
New Delhi, 21th Feb 2024: AI-based video surveillance analytics leader Mirasys (India) has announced the appointment of Ashish Nigam, a notable name in business consulting, transformational analytics, Data and Machine Learning, as the company’s Chief Operating Officer (COO). In his new role, the industry stalwart with nearly two decades of experience would spearhead the overall operations of Mirasys (India) while growing a high-performance AI Video Analytics team as a thought partner and leading with innovation.
Welcoming the new COO to the fold, Mirasys (India) Managing Director Arindam Das Sarkar said, “Mirasys (India) is currently fostering an AI video analytics-powered ecosystem across key establishments and verticals across the country, including Ram Mandir, transportation, railway & highway safety etc. Owing to the pioneering role we increasingly play to safeguard, secure and elevate the citizens, we need changemakers and leaders with extensive industry experience on board. We are pleased to welcome Ashish Nigam on board, as he brings a wealth of wisdom and passion to the table. Get ready for some exciting times ahead as we join forces to steer our ship towards even greater heights of success.”
“I am pleased to come on board Mirasys (India), which has swiftly emerged as a frontrunner in the AI video surveillance analytics space. Drawing from my long-standing experiences across diverse domains like Product Entrepreneurship, Industry Functions, Analytics & Techniques, Proprietary & Predictive Analytics etc, I intend to aid the geo-societal expansion of Mirasys products and services. I am elated to be a part of this phenomenal growth journey,” said the company’s newly-appointed COO Ashish Nigam.
A gold medalist from the Indian Statistical Institute, one of India’s most prestigious educational institutions, he is a people-centric leader with a passion for nurturing talent and fostering collaboration. He is a global citizen, having travelled to over 20 countries to lead large-scale projects in operations transformation, business strategy, and data science. Ashish has in the past served on key positions at global giants, such as Mckinsey. His core functional expertise span through varied business functions, such as Banking & Financials, Healthcare, Lean transformation, Operations performance transformation, Organization structure & design, Business unit strategy, Business technology, Logistics, Procurement & supply management, etc.
21, Feb 2024
BOD Consulting announces the onboarding of Dr. PV Ramana Murthy as an Expert Advisor to BODHI
Gurugram, February 2024 || BOD Consulting, one of the leading strategy and design consulting firms, has onboarded Dr. PV Ramana Murthy to its team. Dr. Murthy, a seasoned HR practitioner, distinguished lawyer, and bestselling author, brings over three and a half decades of experience and expertise to BODHI, its knowledge collective.
BODHI boasts of experts from around the globe, each with niche specializations and decades of rich experience. BOD Consulting collaborates closely with these Expert Advisors to conduct knowledge-sharing sessions and deliver value to its clients.
As a renowned leader in his field, Dr. Murthy has held pivotal roles across prestigious Fortune 500 and global companies, including Executive Vice President at Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL) and Executive Director of Human Resources at The Coca-Cola Company (TCCC), and global exposure across Asia, Europe, and the USA.
Dr. Murthy’s diverse background uniquely equips him to counsel clients on various challenges and opportunities in organizational development. His expertise extends beyond conventional HR functions, encompassing leadership development, culture enhancement, and talent management. His guidance will be pivotal in assisting clients to cultivate resilient and future-ready institutions.
“I am delighted to welcome Dr. PV Ramana Murthy as an Expert Advisor at BOD. Dr. Murthy’s wealth of experience and innovative approach to problem-solving will bring a fresh perspective to the cultural transformation initiatives, for both our clients and employees. We are eagerly looking forward to the transformative impact Dr Murthy will have on BOD’s fast-paced journey ahead.” said Mukesh Mathur, Chairman-BODHI and Senior Partner at BOD Consulting
The knowledge collective of BOD Consulting also includes Dr. Ajay Kohli, Anil Kejriwal, Bhaskar Pramanik, Manoj Agarwal, J Suresh, Thomas Varghese, and Dr. Raman Kumar. Together, they form a formidable team of strategic thinkers dedicated to helping BOD Consulting’s clients build organisations they are truly proud of.
21, Feb 2024
Expert Views on Colliers GCC leasing Report
Mr Amal Mishra, Co-founder, UrbanVault, a Bengaluru-based managed co-working space provider
The demand for Grade A office space has surged significantly in the past 2-3 years, particularly driven by the establishment of Global Capability Centers (GCC) by numerous multinational companies in cities such as Bengaluru and Hyderabad, followed by Gurugram. These cities have become prime destinations for global firms seeking to expand their operations in India. Interestingly, many of these multinational corporations are showing a preference for managed coworking spaces customized to their specific requirements and preferences, as opposed to traditional office setups.
At Urban Vault, we anticipated this growing demand and have proactively taken steps to address it. We are currently in the process of doubling our seats capacity in Bengaluru and are also expanding our presence in Hyderabad to accommodate the increasing demand for high-quality co-working spaces. By providing tailored coworking solutions that meet the unique needs of multinational corporations, we aim to capitalize on this trend and continue to be a leading provider of Grade A office spaces in these thriving business hubs.
21, Feb 2024
Center fresh introduces Honey Lemon flavour in mints; promises an hour of clean breath
New Delhi, February 21, 2024: Center Fresh, the flagship gum and mints brand of Perfetti Van Melle India, is thrilled to introduce its latest innovation – the Center Fresh Mints Honey Lemon flavor. This new addition promises a delightful blend of sweetness and citrusy freshness, accompanied by an added bonus of 60 minutes of clean breath. Building on the success of the Menthol Eucalyptus variant, Center Fresh aims to captivate mint enthusiasts, providing an extended experience of long-lasting freshness.
The launch of the new Honey Lemon Clean Breath mint is being amplified by a vibrant television commercial (TVC) that showcases the invigorating effect of the new flavor. In the TVC, a man who starts off sluggish and low on energy is instantly revitalized after savoring the Center Fresh Mints Honey Lemon. His transformation symbolizes the fresh and lively essence of the new mint. This advertisement is a part of a comprehensive campaign spanning television, digital platforms, and outdoor advertising, all set to create a buzz around this exciting new product.
Gunjan Khetan, Managing Director, PVMI, shared thoughts on the launch, stating, “Center Fresh, our flagship gum and mints brand, has been synonymous with long-lasting fresh breath. With the launch of the Honey Lemon flavor, we are excited to offer our customers a new way to enjoy the freshness they trust, now with a lemony twist.Center Fresh Mints Honey Lemon flavor aims to leave a lasting impression, ensuring fresh breath for a whole hour.We believe that this addition will not only delight our existing customers but also appeal to new ones who love fruity flavors.”
21, Feb 2024
Bangalore Police and OYO’s joint drive against immoral activities in hotels
Bangalore, February 22, 2024. The police department has initiated a special drive in its fight against immoral activities including human trafficking in hotels in Bangalore in partnership with OYO.
Top officials of OYO along with hotel operators held a meeting with Shri D Devaraja, IPS, Deputy Commissioner of Police, East Division, and extended their support to the police in combating immoral activities in city hotels. They discussed strategies to curb immoral activities such as human trafficking, drug abuse, and other illegal practices often associated with certain unscrupulous elements misusing hotel facilities.
OYO reaffirmed its commitment to providing a safe and secure environment for all its guests and reiterated its zero-tolerance policy towards any form of illegal or immoral activities on its premises.
As part of this joint drive, OYO and the Bangalore police have agreed to enhance collaboration and information sharing to swiftly identify and address any suspicious or illegal activities. This partnership underscores OYO’s proactive approach to ensuring the safety and well-being of its guests and the community at large.
Shri D Devaraja, IPS, Deputy Commissioner of Police, East Division, Bangalore said “We are committed to working closely with the hospitality industry to ensure that hotels remain safe and welcoming places for all guests. By collaborating with organizations like OYO, we can better identify and address illegal activities, ultimately creating a safer environment for everyone.”
He also said that though proper record-keeping of guests is important moral policing should not be encouraged. In addition to this, hotels should also ensure that CCTV cameras in the property and neighborhood is functional all the time.
Nitin Thakur, Head, of Strategic Alliances and Communications, OYO, added “This meeting is a part of our nationwide program to collaborate with the police and ensure a safe environment for guests in hotels. The discussions included strategies to improve information sharing, enhance training programs for hotel staff, and establish clear protocols for reporting suspicious activities. This partnership is especially important since we have a lot of hotels in Bangalore, and it is a high growth city for us.”
OYO has a robust safety and security system to ensure that hotels listed on its platform must comply with the safety-related laws and guidelines issued by local law enforcement agencies. It also provides regular safety and security-related training to its hotel partners and their employees to watch out for red flags such as guest behavior and unusual check-in patterns and take preventive actions.
21, Feb 2024
ACWA Power and Larsen & Toubro Select Nextracker’s All-Terrain Solar Trackers
Mumbai, 21 February, 2024 – Nextracker (Nasdaq: NXT), a leading global provider of intelligent solar tracker and software solutions, announced it was selected by ACWA Power and Larsen & Toubro Limited (L&T) to provide its all-terrain tracker NX Horizon-XTR™ for a 1.17 GW installation at Al Kahfah Solar Power Plant, a strategically important renewable energy project in Saudi’s Central Province that is part of the National Renewable Energy Program.
Al Kahfah is one of the three major solar PV Independent Power Producer (IPP) projects being led by Badeel and ACWA Power. This solar plant will provide clean energy to the Saudi Power Procurement Company (SPPC) as part of the renewable energy projects essential to meet the targets of Vision 2030 and the Ministry of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Program to increase renewables in the nation’s energy mix to 50% by 2030. Global construction giant L&T has also been awarded the engineering, procurement, and construction contract for the Al Kahfah Solar Power Plant.
The Al Kahfah project will deploy Nextracker’s NX Horizon-XTR smart solar tracker systems. The area the solar plant will occupy is dominated by a hilly, hard-soil land surface that would typically require a combination of explosives and grading machines to flatten the land the new solar tracking system will cover. First delivered in 2018 and proven on dozens of utility scale projects successfully operating around the world, Nextracker’s all-terrain solar tracker system can conform to the natural terrain to reduce the need for costly land grading while significantly reducing environmental impact.
The Al Kahfah project in Saudi Arabia represents Nextracker’s largest deployment of its NX Horizon-XTR solar tracker technology in a single order to date. This planned Al Kahfah installation has also contributed to Nextracker achieving a significant milestone in the growing Middle East, India, and Africa (MEIA) solar energy market. This 1.17 GW order further reinforces Nextracker’s commitment to this market, having over 10 GW of smart solar trackers either operational or under fulfilment across the region.
As part of its support to ACWA Power and the Al Kahfah project, Nextracker has extended its domestic content and capacity development program in the Kingdom. Nextracker has engaged a range of local partners in providing raw material and manufacturing support for its trackers at plants across the region.
Nextracker previously partnered with ACWA Power and L&T on the Sudair Solar PV Plant (906 MW) to provide its intelligent solar trackers boosting energy generation for these plants.
Dan Shugar, Nextracker founder and CEO said: “We are honored to partner again with both ACWA Power and Larsen & Toubro Ltd for another significant project in the region. Our partnership with these two industry leaders has contributed greatly to Nextracker’s local commitment with over 10 GW of solar trackers already installed or under fulfilment across the MEIA region’s rapidly expanding solar energy market. We are confident that Nextracker will contribute greatly to the Al Kahfah plant—yet another example of Saudi government leadership in the energy transition and to the dominance of solar technology driving the transition to renewables in the region.”
Marco Arcelli, ACWA Power CEO, added: “We are looking forward to a successful commissioning of this important new plant to ensure ongoing delivery of reliable, low-cost clean energy for families and businesses. Our partnerships with technology providers such as Nextracker are essential in supporting our role in Saudi Arabia’s ambitious National Renewable Energy Plan to increase the share of renewables in the country’s energy mix to 50% by 2030.”
Bharathi Kumar, General Manager (Renewable International) of Larsen & Toubro Construction said: “Nextracker’s solutions offer great flexibility to configure solar tracking systems at project sites for premium performance. The pre-assembled components, single-row architecture and robotic cleaning compatibility ensure efficient operations and management over the lifecycle of every project. Nextracker’s robust design with keen emphasis on wind engineering make its trackers most suitable for the region.”
