8, Feb 2024
Guaranteed Early Income with Bajaj Allianz Life
Pune,8th February, 2024: Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance, one of the leading private life insurer, introduces a comprehensive plan that empowers customers to unlock guaranteed early income. Setting a new standard for financial protection and income stability, Bajaj Allianz Life Assured Wealth Goal Platinum offers early guaranteed payouts starting as early as the beginning of second policy year. It’s value-packed features empowers individuals to tailor their financial needs to achieve a diverse range of life goals early, whether covering a child’s education expenses or going on a vacation.
In addition to providing the primary assurance of life cover, this life insurance plan offers a myriad of features, making it the suitable choice for customers seeking both guarantee and flexibility. This non-linked, non-participating individual life insurance and savings plan presents customers with a distinctive option to utilize early guaranteed income payouts for immediate goals or accumulate the income and take a lumpsum at the maturity of the policy or for adjusting / offsetting their renewal premiums. The product also provides continued income and an enhanced Return of Premium to ensure financial security for the nominee in the unfortunate event of the policyholder’s demise during the income period.
Mr. Tarun Chugh, MD & CEO, Bajaj Allianz Life, said, “At Bajaj Allianz Life, our goal is to provide insurance and investment solutions for an expansive and diverse customer segment. There’s a significant segment that seeks stability amidst volatility, coupled with the flexibility, and Bajaj Allianz Life Assured Wealth Goal Platinum is the suitable fit for them. This policy offers peace of mind for individuals and families navigating today’s economic challenges. They enjoy the best of both worlds – guarantee and flexibility – empowering them to fulfill not only their long-term but also short-term life goals. We will continue to revisit our product portfolio, innovating to stay ahead of the ever-evolving economic environment and customer needs.”
The plan works in two simple steps: First, you decide the premium amount and the duration for which you wish to pay it, providing flexibility based on your financial capacity. Second, you choose the income start year and how long you wish to receive the income, allowing you to align the payouts with your specific financial milestones or needs.
Key features of Bajaj Allianz Life Assured Wealth Goal Platinum – Smart Income
- Early guaranteed income starting as early as beginning of 2nd year
- Option to decide your Income start year and Income period
- Option to use the early income to pay the renewal premiums or accumulate and take as a lumpsum
- Life Cover to protect your family against uncertainties
- Choice of 5 riders- Bajaj Allianz Accidental Death Benefit Rider, Bajaj Allianz Accidental Permanent Total/Partial Disability Benefit Rider, Bajaj Allianz Critical Illness Benefit Rider, Bajaj Allianz Family Income Benefit Rider, Bajaj Allianz Waiver of Premium Benefit Rider for comprehensive protection
- Avail tax benefits as per prevailing tax laws
- 0
- By Rabindra
8, Feb 2024
Corporate Travel with the launch of the new corporate travel management product ‘Out of Office’
Bengaluru, 8th February 2024: Cleartrip, a Flipkart company, plans to be synonymous with the corporate travel space, and the launch of its new corporate travel management product – Out of Office (OOO) – is a starting step in this journey. This unique corporate travel booking tool – OOO is designed to empower small, medium, and large enterprises. With 300 SMEs onboarded and ~10 large and enterprise corporations actively transacting, the platform is processing a monthly business volume of Rs 20 Crore.
The platform’s flexible architecture and user interface design enables a seamless configuration to cater to the unique requirements of large enterprises and SME clients. The core principle of OOO’s approach is to enable the unique travel behaviour of every business.
Early-stage adopters of the OOO platform include reputed firms like The Federal Bank, Sify Technologies, MGM Healthcare, Sterlite Power Transmission Ltd and ACC Limited. Key features that make OOO stand out amongst its peers include the ability to change or build policies in real-time, Integrated travel expense with travel offerings, the ability to access self-contracted corporate fares, real-time invoice and reconciliation engine. A Native app for IOS and Android is due to be released shortly.
Speaking on the development, Ayyappan R., CEO, of Cleartrip, stated, “As businesses worldwide experience a notable resurgence, we observed an unprecedented spike in the demand for corporate travel. In this scenario, ‘Out of Office’ (OOO) emerges as a pivotal solution. Unlike conventional platforms, it provides an end-to-end travel experience, user-centric interface, policy adherence, and cost-effectiveness—all in one comprehensive package. OOO caters not just to the current demand surge but also helps redefine how businesses approach corporate travel.”
OOO is a plug-and-play solution that adapts to organizational needs quickly. It can manage multiple booking behaviours (Self-booking, travel desk booking) and multiple entities in a single instance. The focus of the tool is 30% on bookings and 70% on policy adherence. Notably, the tool addresses a common pain point for corporates by enabling the procurement of hotel invoices.
Unique features of OOO
- One-click onboarding feature provides a quick onboarding process allowing businesses to start transactions immediately.
- Large enterprises can access savings through the GST billing function.
- The detailed expense report dashboard ensures accurate reporting of all travel-related expenses for easy tracking.
- The multiple provider options feature allows the tool to provide the cheapest fares from multiple vendors.
- The one-click switch lets users switch between reseller and agency models based on invoicing preferences.
With OOO, Cleartrip has further strengthened its presence in the corporate travel domain. The tool’s unmatched adaptability, policy-centricity, and user-friendly interface make it a truly unique proposition that will help the company scale its B2B business to new heights.
8, Feb 2024
Vijay Sales unveils heartwarming deals up to 70% with the Valentine’s Day Sale
India, February 08, 2023: As the season of love is here, Vijay Sales is geared up to spread the cheer with a spectacular Valentine’s Day Sale, featuring irresistible offers on a wide array of products. From cutting-edge smart phones to thoughtful gifts and the latest gadgets, customers can find the perfect expression of love for their special someone.
The Redmi 13C 5G smartphone, steals the spotlight at an attractive price of INR 10,999. Tech buffs can also snag the Apple iPad 9th Generation at a VSP of INR 27,900 inclusive of HDFC bank instant discount, making it the perfect gift for the season of love. Priced at just INR 3,199, the boAt Enigma R32 Women Smart watch is surely a delightful gift to captivate your special someone’s heart
Equally enticing is the Asus Mobile ROG 6 5G, gaming smart phone, available for a steal at INR 47,999 down from its MRP of 77,999. The boAt Rockerz 551 ANC headphone is another perfect gifting option to music lovers as its being offered at just INR 2,799.
Express love through gifts for him with the Redmi Buds 4 Active at just INR 999, the Philips Oneblade beard trimmer at just INR 1,199 and the Philips 1000 Series Body Trimmer at a selling price of INR 1,129.
Surprise her with thoughtful gifts, including the Vega 3000 All in 1 Hair Styler priced at INR 1,451 and the Philips 3000 Series Hair Dryer priced at INR 1,789, both offering truly comforting choices. Photography lovers can seize memories with the heartwarming Fujifilm Instax, now priced at INR 5,499.
Vijay Sales opens up a world of possibilities, with the best-selling mobile phones starting at INR 6,699, tablets at up to 40% off, audio range starting from INR 149, and popular smartwatches from INR 899. The SONY Dual Sense Wireless Controller for PlayStation 5 is a gaming delight at INR 5,790. Laptops including the Apple MacBook Air M1 chip Laptop with 8GB RAM is being offered at INR 80,990, and the HP 15S Laptop (12th Gen Intel Core i3 1215U/8 GB RAM/512 GB SSD) is available at a discounted price of INR 39,990. For those who love to create magic with their cooking, the Wonderchef Regalia Coffee maker and the Philips Airfryer are being offered at just INR 4,999 and INR 11,999, respectively.
The Valentine’s sale on speakers brings music to the heart, with the JBL Partybox 110 Portable party speaker and the boAtAavante Bar Quake with 2.1 Channel, available at just 29,900 and INR 8,999, respectively. Mobile accessories comprising power banks and gadgets start from just INR 349, adding the perfect finishing touch.
The latest additions feature the ASUS ROG Phone 8 Pro 5G Gaming Smartphone at INR 94,999 and the Samsung Galaxy S24 Series starting from INR 79,999. Other latest smart phone launches include the RealMe 12 Pro 5G, the Redmi Note 13 5G and the OnePlus 12 5G.
You can discover a collection of thoughtful gifts priced under INR 5000, perfect for expressing love and affection. Explore great gifting ideas like the graceful Philips Epilator, the versatile Vega Multi Grooming Kit, and the chic Philips 1000 Watt Hair Dryer, each promising to add a touch of glamour to your loved one’s daily routine. Share sweet moments with your loved one using the Saregama Carvaan Hindi Music Player, priced at INR 6,250, filled with timeless love songs. Elevate your romantic evenings with the immersive sound of the JBL Cinema SB140, boasting 110W Power Output, an exquisite addition to your home entertainment, available at an irresistible price of INR 9,999. Embrace the spirit of amour and indulge in the joy of gifting this Valentine’s Day.
8, Feb 2024
Schneider Electric delivers next-generation, open automation infrastructure
Mumbai, February 8, 2024 – Schneider Electric, the leader in the digital transformation of energy management and automation, in collaboration with the technology companies Intel and Red Hat, today announced the release of a Distributed Control Node (DCN) software framework.
An extension of Schneider Electric’s EcoStruxure™ Automation Expert, this new framework enables industrial companies to move to a software-defined, plug-and-produce solution, allowing them to enhance their operations, ensure quality, reduce complexity, and optimize costs.
Next generation of industrial control
Aligned with the goals of the Open Process Automation Forum (OPAF), which is dedicated to driving interoperability and portability, the three collaborators have worked together to create a modern, network-based experience that will lead the way to the next generation of industrial control.
“This project is the culmination of two years of co-innovation to create efficient, future-proof distributed control systems,” said Nathalie Marcotte, Senior Vice President of Process Automation at Schneider Electric. “The DCN framework is key to fostering an open automation approach, enabling industrial businesses to grow and innovate for the future. Its interoperability and portability help our customers enjoy the freedom of shaping technology around their business needs – and not the other way around.”
Red Hat, in collaboration with Intel, recently announced the creation of a new industrial edge platform that helps provide a modern approach to building and operating industrial controls. Since implementing this platform, Schneider Electric has now deployed Red Hat Device Edge in the new DCN software, in addition to Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform and Red Hat OpenShift at the compute layer for DCN deployments, combined with a control infrastructure from Schneider Electric and reference architecture from Intel.
The framework consists of two main components: an advanced computer platform (ACP), which supervises the control workload by providing the content control and automation capabilities needed to deploy workloads securely and programmatically, along with virtualization and monitoring functionalities; and the DCN, which are low-power, industrial systems using Intel Atom x6400E series processors, dedicated to running controls and designed for workloads of mixed-criticality.
“Open and interconnected commercial solutions will help usher in the transition from fixed function proprietary devices to flexible and dynamic software-based infrastructures,” said Christine Boles, Vice President of Intel’s Network and Edge Group and General Manager for Federal and Industrial Solutions. “Intel has a long history of driving open system approaches across its ecosystem. This collaboration with Schneider Electric and Red Hat to develop a software-defined control system showcasing next-generation distributed control nodes built on general purpose compute and operating systems brings about this transition to the industrial sector.”
“Red Hat is committed to helping manufacturers implement autonomous operations on the shop floor,” said Francis Chow, Vice President and General Manager of In-Vehicle Operating System and Edge at Red Hat. “By working closely with our partners like Schneider Electric and Intel, we can help build scalable, software-defined factories and operations capable of advanced automation and interoperability by utilizing a consistent platform approach. We’re excited about this collaboration, and this is only the beginning. By taking these steps now, we can help set the industrial sector up to explore all the possibilities AI, edge computing and more have to offer.”
8, Feb 2024
Indian Laundromat brand UClean all set for its overseas forays
New Delhi, 08, Feburary 2023: India’s fastest-growing Laundromat chain UClean, has geared up for a significant leap into the international stage. The company has announced its strategic entry into the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) and SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) regions, with plans to open 25 stores in SAARC and 50 stores in MENA.
UClean’s decision to target MENA and SAARC aligns with the company’s commitment to providing professional cleaning services to a diverse and growing customer base. The laundry market in these regions holds immense potential, and UClean aims to meet the rising demand for quality laundry solutions.
Commenting on UClean’s expansion plans, Ms. Gunjan Taneja, Co-Founder, of UClean stated, “The expansion into MENA and SAARC comes at a critical time when the laundry care market is experiencing substantial growth. UClean aims to capitalize on soaring global demand as it anticipates robust growth in the dry-cleaning and laundry services market, projected to surpass US$147 billion by 2033”.
In India, UClean has already achieved significant success, with a presence spanning from Vagamon in the south to Kargil in the north and from Panjim in the west to Ziro in the northeast. The company currently operates 450+ outlets across the country and envisions reaching 1500 centers by 2025, added Ms. Taneja.
The move to introduce D2C (direct-to-consumer) cleaning supplies is part of UClean’s strategy to adapt to changing market dynamics and cater to the evolving needs of consumers. UClean aims to achieve a gross Merchandise Value (GMV) of 1,000 crores by 2025.
UClean’s innovative approach and dedication to excellence have garnered recognition and accolades from various quarters. The company has received prestigious awards, including the ITC “Changemaker of India” awards, the NDTV “Icons of Bharat” awards, and the distinction of being the First Indian Brand to Win a Global Franchise Award in 2019 in the “Best Emerging Brand” category.
8, Feb 2024
Seenu Ramasamy’s anthology ‘The Days of a Small Brook and Other Poems,’ wins hearts worldwide
New Delhi/Tamil Nadu: Seenu Ramasamy, an internationally acclaimed Director, and a Tamil poet, is making waves globally with his poetry collection ‘The Days of a Small Brook and Other Poems,’ now available in English. Translator N Elango skillfully preserves the essence of Ramasamy’s Tamil verses, offering readers a rich and emotional experience.
This anthology is a journey of raw emotions, seamlessly navigating through real- life experiences. It explores joy, sorrow, hope, doubt, village life, and the glamour of the city with unfiltered honesty. Ramasamy, like a carefree bird, expresses his feelings without inhibition.
‘The Days of a Small Brook and Other Poems’ invites readers into the lives of real people, blending rural and urban existence. Through Ramasamy’s unique poetic style, elements like tamarind trees, snakes, passionate mothers, film artists, love, betrayals, gods, animals, mountains, and grandparents come alive.
Translator N. Elango successfully retains the original charm of Ramasamy’s Tamil poetry, ensuring an authentic but relatable connection for English-speaking readers. The poet’s honesty creates a humane connection, inviting readers to see themselves in his poetic expressions. Elango emphasizes the translator’s role as a constant reader during the translation process.
Often called as the ‘People’s Director’ in the world of cinema, Seenu Ramasamy, earns the title of ‘People’s Poet’ for his poetry. Influenced by poets like Subramania Bharathi and Na. Pichamurthy, his work reflects a rich literary heritage.
Mr Ramaswamy was always fond of cinema and was inspired by Tamil stalwarts such as K Balachandar, Mahendran, and Barathiraja, with Balumahendra as his mentor which made his poetry inherently visual. His cinematic journey, marked by international acclaim and a National Award for the Best Tamil film (Southwest Monsoon), aligns seamlessly with the authenticity and rawness of his poetic expressions.
Ramasamy’s passion for classical Tamil Sangam poetry infuses ecological sensibility into both his movies and poetry, offering authentic glimpses into Indian life. His latest film, ‘Maamanithan’ (Great Man-2022), celebrated as a classic worldwide, explores the raw life force that turns an ordinary person into a hero.
Born in 1973 in Madurai, Ramasamy’s formative years at Charles School and TVS School set the stage for his later endeavors. Graduating in Mathematics from Mannar Thirumalai Naicker College, his love for his wife Tharshana and daughters Thiyana and Thivya Ranjana adds a personal touch to his lyrical sensibilities.
As ‘The Days of a Small Brook and Other Poems’ continues to resonate with readers, Seenu Ramasamy’s unique blend of cinematic vision and poetic prowess solidifies his position as a versatile artist. His work captures the raw essence of the human experience with depth and sincerity.
8, Feb 2024
Wooden Street Opens 7th Store in Pune, Marks 97th in India
Mumbai, 08February 2024: WoodenStreet, a leading furniture brand, has announced the launch of its seventh physical store in Creativity Mall, the biggest and the best furniture mall in Pune. The new launch spans across an area of 5000 sq. ft. This marks a significant milestone in the brand’s ambitious expansion plan across India & leads the count to 97th store in India.
The company aims to get closer to its customers and strengthen its foothold in Pune by providing a more immersive shopping experience.
After making a mark in several cities across India, company’s expansion into Pune reflects its commitment to catering to the growing demand for quality furniture in the city.
With its new store, WoodenStreet plans to showcase a wide range of furniture options including sofas, dining sets, beds, wardrobes, and home decor cater to diverse customer preferences.
With its offline expansion, the company aims to target a significant increase in market share within the furniture and home decor sector. Wooden Street aims to capture a substantial portion of the market by focusing on product diversity, quality, and personalised customer experiences.
Commenting on the expansion, Lokendra Ranawat, CEO, WoodenStreet said, “Wooden Street is gearing up to expand its footprint and we are thrilled to launch another offline store in Pune. This city is known for its rich culture, youthful vibrancy, rapid urbanisation and has a strong client base that values both style and craftsmanship. With our new store, we aim to provide a quick and engaging shopping experience in which customers can browse our broad inventory and locate the appropriate pieces to alter their homes.”
Pioneer in the furniture brand, Wooden Street aims to open 300 stores within India in the next 36 months. The company also plans to launch several new products exclusively at the Pune store. These include the latest line of designer and space-saving furniture and a special collection of home furnishings with the brand name Earthy Threads.
At Wooden Street store, customers can interact with the products and learn more about the brand. It is an awe-inspiring attempt to connect customers with the brand. With this expansion, the company is not only offering convenience to its customers but also creating employment opportunities for local communities.
8, Feb 2024
Accor Rewards ALL Event Planners with ‘The Choice is Yours’ Incentives
DELHI, FEBRUARY 2024 – Global hospitality leader Accor is rewarding event planners with a host of value-added benefits with its industry leading ‘The Choice is Yours’ offer. Available to ALL – Accor Live Limitless and Accor Plus members who book a social celebration, wedding, business meeting or conference at an Accor hotel in India, the offer is designed to give planners a choice of benefits to choose from to suit their specific event requirements and budget.
Qualifying planners who book an event until 31 December 2024 will receive up to a 30 percent deduction on the master bill. The offer also includes a choice of a complimentary upgrade to the next higher category meeting or catering package, or one complimentary guest room for every ten guest rooms booked. ALL and Accor Plus members will delight in the double rewards points offered for qualifying events.
This unmatched offer empowers qualifying planners to tailor their social celebrations, weddings, business meetings and conferences to their specific requirements and budgets at any Accor hotel in India.
Commenting on the company’s incentives for event and meeting planners, Ms. Pratima Badhwar, Head of Commercial, Accor India and South Asia, said, “Accor is committed to providing the best-in-class experiences for our guests and partners. ‘The Choice is Yours’ offer exemplifies our commitment to the MICE industry by offering tailored benefits and an unparalleled level of flexibility. We believe this initiative will transform the way events are planned, setting a new standard for excellence in hospitality and contributing to the growth of the industry.”
Accor’s ‘The Choice is Yours’ offer for ALL and Accor Plus members is available at Raffles, Fairmont, Sofitel, Pullman, Novotel, Grand Mercure, Mercure, ibis, and ibis Styles hotels.
8, Feb 2024
Foam Home India Partners with Technogel Redefining the Sleep Experience in India
The sleep industry in India has awakened and how! Foam Home India, a leading premium mattress brand, announces an exclusive partnership with Techno gel, the German pioneer of producing gel technology for sleep products such as pillows, mattresses, and other seating accessories. Bringing in cutting-edge sleep technology in India, this association is set to elevate the mattress industry by providing innovative sleep solutions. The collaboration with Techno gel Germany marks a significant milestone in the company’s journey towards delivering unparalleled sleep experiences.
Technogel® is a unique, plasticizer-free gel material that stands out for its ability to deform in three dimensions. It behaves like a liquid with the shape memory of a solid. The non-toxic, odourless, hypoallergenic material is skin compatible. Beyond that, Technogel® moulds itself like water but offers the support of a solid material. It reacts in a unique way to your body, relieving pressure without restricting movement. Unlike foam, Gel gradually conforms in all directions to distribute your weight evenly from head to toe. It alleviates tension and maintains proper spinal alignment while permitting natural freedom of movement. The signature tower design promotes airflow which maintains a temperature that is comfortable for sleeping.
Sabina Bhanpurawala, CEO of Foam Home India, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, stating, “ This esteemed partnership adds significant value to our brand and sets the standards for excellence in the mattress industry. We have always believed in designing scientifically genuine and advanced mattresses in India. The perfect construction along with the world’s most advanced material (Gel) helps us raise the bar even higher. This collaboration also ensures that our customers experience the benefits of advanced sleep technology in a simple, accessible manner.”
Foam Home India continues to prioritize the well-being of its customers by introducing Technogel’s innovative gel technology, setting a new standard for sleep quality in the Indian market.
8, Feb 2024
DBS Bank India achieves sustainable financing milestone with its first RSPO-certified palm oil procurement
Mumbai, 08 February 2024 – In line with its commitment to responsible banking, DBS Bank India has successfully supported Louis Dreyfus Company India Pvt Ltd (LDC) in securing sustainable financing for the procurement of palm oil certified by the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO). The transaction was facilitated through DBS Bank Limited; Singapore and this milestone was achieved through the implementation of the bank’s innovative Supplier Payment Services (SPS) solution.
By providing early payment options and improving financial stability for suppliers, DBS Bank’s SPS solution reduces the risk of disruptions, resulting in a more stable and resilient supply chain for clients. Furthermore, it promotes supplier inclusion, empowering the bank’s clients to expand their supply chains and diversify their sourcing options. The SPS solution enables the bank to make early payments on behalf of clients to their suppliers, allowing them to preserve liquidity and while reducing cash flow pressures on the suppliers. The solution is entirely digital and tailored to meet the client’s specific needs.
The RSPO plays a crucial role in promoting sustainability within the palm oil industry and its supply chain by enforcing globally recognised standards. Certified producers undergo regular audits to ensure adherence to these standards, demonstrating their dedication to responsible practices. This initiative aligns with the bank’s broader efforts to enhance sustainable financing and offer solutions that empower its clients to further their sustainability goals.
Divyesh Dalal, Managing Director & Head of Global Transaction Services, SME and Institutional Liability Business, DBS Bank India, said, “This transaction represents a significant milestone, underscoring the crucial role of sustainable financing in catalysing positive change. Our innovative SPS solution not only provides scalable and sustainable financing solutions to our clients but also champions responsible sourcing practices and facilitates optimised working capital management. By combining financial innovation with a strong commitment to sustainability, we are empowering businesses to make a lasting impact on the environment and society.”
DBS Bank is renowned for its expertise in supply chain financing and goes beyond traditional banking to enable responsible solutions for large enterprises, their supplier networks as well as small and medium businesses, empowering them to streamline operations for enhanced efficiency. The bank’s extensive Asian network and deep expertise in customising sustainable solutions enable businesses to mitigate risks and seize growth opportunities.
