16, Jan 2024
Bangalore Creative Circus to Echo with “Home SOS: Sounds of Sustainability”
Award-winning musician and environmental advocate Sushma Soma unveils “Home SOS: Sounds of Sustainability“, an immersive and thought-provoking performance that goes beyond just a musical experience. It is a powerful call to action for saving our ‘home’, our planet, through simple shifts in conscious, earth-friendly choices and enhanced empathy for nature, wildlife, and the environment.
Carefully curated to engage the audience with a captivating blend of music, the 2.5 hour performance is interspersed with stories that vividly depict the contrasting facets of our beautiful and sorrowful HOME, Earth. From solo acts to the collective ensemble of musicians standing for inclusivity and diversity, the performance covers a spectrum of emotions, including wonderment, grief, anger, and hypocrisy—capturing humanity’s intricate relationship with the environment.
The brainchild of award-winning musician and environmental advocate Sushma Soma, Home SOS will feature a live production crafted in collaboration with multi-percussionist and music producer Praveen Sparsh, and Bharatanatyam choreographer and dancer Mythili Prakash. The show aims to unite the voices of brands, sustainability-focused organizations, musicians, citizens, non-profit groups, and storytellers who share a deep concern for the planet.
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- By Rabindra
16, Jan 2024
National Startup Day | Inputs from Nitya Sharma, Founder and CEO, Simpl
Nitya Sharma, Founder and CEO, Simpl
In the era of Unbundling of E-commerce, startups play a vital role in creating a level playing field and bringing market access to millions for small businesses led by MSMEs and D2C merchants in the country. They also help in building customers’ trust on merchants online or offline, resulting in a significant acceleration in the trade of goods and services and contributing to India’s objective of achieving a $5 trillion economy by 2028. This National Startup Day should set the tone for the growth of this ecosystem over the next 10 years where governments, industry, and the academia pool their knowledge and resources together to build a truly digital-first nation, powering the world’s economy.
15, Jan 2024
Google selects Medical Dialogues Among Top 10 Media Organisations for GNI Startups Lab 2nd Cohort
New Delhi: Tech Giant Google recently unveiled the second cohort of the Google News Initiative (GNI) Startups Lab, a 12-week catalyst program that aims to help the next generation of independent, news startups in India. Medical Dialogues, a leading health and medical news portal in India has been selected as one of the 10 startups participating in the program.
GNI Startups Lab is a 12-week catalyst program created in collaboration with Anymind Group and T-hub. The program aims to help the next generation of independent Indian news startups achieve financial and operational sustainability. The GNI Startups Lab India supports high-quality reporting for local communities, niche audiences and/or previously underserved communities across India.
Medical Dialogues is a medical news portal created to provide accurate, updated and timely information to medical and healthcare professionals and other stakeholders of healthcare. Aimed at promoting Medical journalism in India, Medical Dialogues is a unique platform for consolidated news in the healthcare sector, including Medical News, Health News, Pharma & Healthcare Industry News, News related to latest medical technology and much more.
Chosen out of over 110 applicants from across India, Medical Dialogues is a part of ten news startups that cover an array of types of journalism, including investigative, political, medical, youth, climate, and local news organizations and give a voice to underrepresented communities.
The other news startups apart from Medical Dialogues who have been included in the program include The Mooknayak, Queerbeat, SouthLive, Democratic Charkha, Feminism In India, Ground Report, Pratidhvani, Telugupost, and Truescoop.
Meghna A Singhania, Founder and Editor in Chief, Medical Dialogues, said, “ We are thrilled to embark on a transformative journey through the GNI Startup Lab, contributing to the evolution of medical journalism in India. We hope that this will help us to take the concept of Medical Journalism in India & Asia regions to the next level and fight the growing menace of medical misinformation in the country.”
Dr Prem Aggarwal, Co-founder and Chairman of Medical Dialogues, added, “We are honoured to be recognized by Google as one of the top 10 Media Startups under GNI Startups Lab. This recognition motivates us to continue our mission of delivering high-quality medical & healthcare news and insights and inspires us to continue our journey of providing impactful medical and healthcare journalism”.
13, Jan 2024
Honeywell And NXP Semiconductors Collaborate To Help Enhance Building Energy Management
New Delhi, India, January 13th, 2024: Honeywell (NASDAQ: HON) and NXP® Semiconductors N.V. (NASDAQ: NXPI) announced at CES 2024 that they have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to help optimize the way commercial buildings sense and securely control energy consumption.
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), buildings’ operations contribute to 30% of global final energy consumption and 26% of global energy-related emissions, so decisions made today will significantly impact future energy use and potential savings. Today’s smart energy solutions increasingly leverage machine learning and data analytics to enhance buildings’ autonomy and energy efficiency.
The collaboration aims to help make buildings operate more intelligently by integrating NXP Semiconductors’ neural network-enabled, industrial-grade applications processors into Honeywell’s building management systems (BMS). The MOU will initially focus on the Honeywell Optimizer Suite, which offers a flexible, more future-proofed building control and automation platform.
More broadly, the efforts aim to deliver smart energy solutions powered by AI/machine learning and data analytics to enhance building autonomy, driving energy efficiency while guiding service technicians. The goal is to fully leverage NXP’s neural network-enabled i.MX chipset capabilities to further enhance Honeywell’s BMS product offerings.
“Buildings are increasingly relying on data and the ability to control operations via automation to make them more sustainable while operating more efficiently,” said Suresh Venkatarayalu, Honeywell’s chief technology officer. “NXP’s latest machine learning solutions will help us deliver excellence in building automation for our customers.”
“It has never been more important to increase the sustainability and comfort of smart buildings,” said Lars Reger, NXP Semiconductors’ chief technology officer. “NXP’s advanced portfolio of securely connected processing solutions are supported by easy-to-use tools for rapid AI model development and service platform for provisioning and managing IoT devices throughout the long building management lifecycle. This capability, combined with Honeywell’s expertise as one of the leading building management solution providers, marks an important milestone in our shared vision to enable a smarter, more connected world for all.”
Honeywell will build on NXP’s scalable semiconductor and software solutions, such as the i.MX 8M applications processors and i.MX RT crossover microcontrollers, to help securely observe, learn and adapt in real time, enhancing analytics and decision-making in the same on-site BMS equipment that manages critical building systems. Augmented by cloud-based big data analytics through the Honeywell Forge analytics solutions, buildings can increasingly leverage better foresight and insight for energy usage optimization to enable improved sustainability outcomes.
13, Jan 2024
Elevating Wellness Goals: Inside Amal Tamara’s Vachana ’24 Program
To kickstart your wellness journey is 2024, Amal Tamara’s Renewal Programme, Vachana ’24, stands as a testament to the commitment toward holistic well-being. This initiative understands that wellness isn’t a fleeting resolution but a continuous journey. It seeks to empower Amal Yatris, guiding them to manifest their health aspirations throughout the year. Immersing oneself in this programme means stepping into a realm where Ayurvedic wisdom converges with modern wellness practices. It encompasses:
● Personalized Ayurvedic therapies
● Thoughtfully curated meal plans, every element is designed to invigorate and rejuvenate.
● Daily sessions of meditation and yoga serve as anchors, nurturing both the physical and mental dimensions of wellness.
The goal isn’t just superficial change; it’s about a deeper transformation, where vitality and balance are restored. It recognizes the intimate connection between body and mind, offering a holistic detoxification that permeates through every facet of one’s being.
At Amal Tamara, the emphasis isn’t solely on short-term gains but on fostering sustainable, long-lasting wellness habits. Vachana ’24 isn’t just a program—it’s a commitment to one’s own well-being, a journey that promises to breathe vitality into every step taken throughout the year.
13, Jan 2024
Embrace Madurai’s Spiritual Aura with The Tamara Kodai’s Exclusive Temple Package
Celebrate the essence of Pongal over the long weekend amidst the spiritual serenity of Madurai with The Tamara Kodai’s exclusive temple package. The luxurious suite at The Tamara Kodai ensures an indulgent retreat, setting the scene for an unforgettable stay. Awaken your senses to the tantalizing aroma of a traditional Madurai-style breakfast at La Providence, beckoning you into a day infused with cultural discovery and culinary delights.
● Delve into the sacred ambiance of the Madurai Meenakshi Temple with a VIP darshan, curated for an exclusive and tranquil experience.
● Relish an authentic Madurai breakfast at Meenakshi Bhavan Mess and New College House
● With 15% savings on spa services, dining experiences, beverages, and laundry, your stay becomes an all-encompassing blend of opulence and relaxation.
Immerse yourself in the spiritual tapestry of Madurai while indulging in the unparalleled luxury offered by The Tamara Kodai. Secure your reservation now for a harmonious fusion of tranquility and luxury, commemorating the spirit of Pongal amidst the sanctity of Madurai Meenakshi Temple.
13, Jan 2024
Gd Goenka Group Appoints Gaurav Himkar as Group Ceo, Affirms Growth Plans for 2024
New Delhi, January 13 2024: GD Goenka Group, a broad-based education, skilling, and services conglomerate, announces the appointment of Gaurav Himkar as the Group CEO.
Himkar, a career strategist and P&L leader, brings over 15 years of experience across Automotive and Consumer Product industries. His last role was an 11 year association with the Hero Motors Group where he served as the Chief Strategy Officer and Managing Director for Hero’s European e-bike business HNF Nicolai.
An alumnus of IIM Lucknow and Delhi College of Engineering, Himkar has worked across various geographies including India, Europe, the UK, and East Africa.
Mr. Nipun Goenka, Managing Director of GD Goenka Group, stated: “We welcome Gaurav Himkar as the Group CEO, aiming to enhance operational excellence and P&L accountability across different verticals of the group. This development aligns with our growth aspirations for the decade to come”.
Mr. Goenka also outlined his role in overseeing broader group initiatives. “With delegation of operating responsibilities to the CEO, I will focus on steering the group’s long-term strategy, global and regional partnerships, corporate governance, and overall growth initiatives. Gaurav’s appointment is integral to achieving our goals and reinforcing our position as an industry leader.”
Himkar shared his enthusiasm about joining the GD Goenka Group, stating, “I am honoured to be a part of an organization which has established a legacy of academic excellence for three decades and yet constantly kept reinventing and growing horizontally and vertically to become an integrated Pre-School to PhD ecosystem. I look forward to contributing to the group’s continued success and implementing innovative strategies for sustained growth.”
This strategic appointment underlines the GD Goenka Group’s dedication to fostering leadership excellence and driving sustainable growth across its diverse portfolio.
13, Jan 2024
UTI Large Cap Fund
Bengaluru, January 13, 2024: UTI Large Cap Fund is India’s first equity-oriented fund (launched in October 1986) and has a track record of wealth creation of over 38 years.
UTI Large Cap Fund is an open-ended equity scheme which predominantly aims to invest in large cap companies having competitive advantage in their respective fields. It follows an investment style of Growth at Reasonable Price (GARP) for stock picking. This means that, given the underlying growth in earnings of a company, a reasonable price is to be paid to buy that stock in the portfolio.
The Fund aims to invest in companies that are fundamentally strong with controlled borrowings, consistent revenue growth, focus on profitability, higher return on capital than cost of capital and consistent operating cash-flows generation. Such companies may generate free cash flows for future expansion and avoid dilution of existing shares.
Owing to this combined approach of GARP plus Competitive Franchise, UTI Large Cap Fund may invest in companies where,
- The market is underestimating the companies’ ability to sustain growth over the long term or the benefits of pricing power
- The growth trajectory is improving through industry wide phenomena like favourable demand cycle, consolidation, clearances of regulatory hurdles or through company specific factors like cost competitiveness and prudent capacity expansion
- The business is capital intensive but the companies invest prudently and execute efficiently
- The companies having opportunities to reinvest cash flows at high Return on Capital Employed (RoCE)
- The relative valuation within the sector is attractive
- This provides the investors an opportunity to create a long-term wealth by owning a portfolio of quality companies.
UTI Large Cap Fund has a portfolio of leading companies such as HDFC Bank Ltd., Infosys Ltd., ICICI Bank Ltd., Axis Bank Ltd., Reliance Industries Ltd., Bharti Airtel Ltd., Avenue Supermarts Ltd., Tata Consultancy Services Ltd., Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd., and Bajaj Finance Ltd. and the top 10 stocks account for about 50% of the portfolio. The Scheme is currently overweight on Consumer Services, Information Technology, Consumer Durables, Automobile and Auto Components and Telecommunication and underweight on FMCG, Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels, Metals & Mining, Financial Services and Capital Goods as of December 31, 2023.
The Fund has a corpus of over Rs. 12,230 crore as on December 31, 2023. The Fund aims at obtaining capital appreciation / or income distribution over long-term, follows a disciplined approach to invest as stated above and has maintained a stream of annual dividends every year since its inception. UTI Large Cap Fund has distributed a total dividend of more than Rs. 4,300 crore.
The scheme has a lower portfolio churn. UTI Large Cap Fund has generated a return (CAGR) of 15.66% against the return of 14.58% by the benchmark S&P BSE 100 TRI since inception as on December 31, 2023. Furthermore, an investment amount of Rs. 10 lakhs made in the fund at its inception has grown to Rs. 22.52 crores as against Rs. 15.39 crores as per benchmark S&P BSE 100 TRI during the same period, i.e., generating over 225 times returns over the last 38 years.
13, Jan 2024
Proptech Startup AirBrick Projects Aims for $3 Million Sales Order Book by the Conclusion of FY 23-24
New Delhi, 13th January, 2024 – AirBrick, a Tech-driven commercial Design and Build brand in India, is excited to announce its plans for future expansion and growth. With a commitment to seamlessly integrate artificial intelligence into innovative interior fit-out solutions, AirBrick is set to redefine the landscape of commercial interior Design & Build. Currently bootstrapped, AirBrick will soon be actively seeking funds in the market, starting from January to fuel its expansion initiatives and enhance its technological capabilities. The company envisions increasing its presence from the current 16 cities to 25 cities by the end of the fiscal year, solidifying its position as a nationwide leader in the industry.
AirBrick projects a Sales Book of $3 million and plans to diversify its product categories with a focus on design and build. The introduction of tech products, which form the core of the organization, will be executed in a phased manner to ensure a strategic and impactful launch.
Experiencing exponential growth since its inception, AirBrick has achieved a record sales order book of approximately $ 2 million in the last 9 months, underscoring its position as the fastest-growing tech-driven commercial design and build brand in India.
“At AirBrick, our mission is to revolutionize commercial interior design by harnessing the power of artificial intelligence. Our unique approach, integrating AI technologies with skilled design professionals, ensures that our clients receive not only aesthetically pleasing designs but also spaces that are intelligent, adaptive, and conducive to productivity,” said Sanjeev Bhandari, Founder & CEO, AirBrick.
As AirBrick gears up for this transformative phase, the company remains dedicated to pushing boundaries and delivering unparalleled solutions to its clients. The combination of AI expertise and design innovation positions AirBrick as an emerging player in the industry, offering solutions that not only meet but exceed the evolving needs of businesses in today’s dynamic environment.
13, Jan 2024
NGEL Inks MoUs with GSPC and GPPL during Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit
Mumbai, January 13, 2024 : NTPC Green Energy Ltd (NGEL) has executed MoUs with Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation Ltd. (GSPC) and Gujarat Pipavav Port Ltd. (GPPL) during the three-day Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit held at Gandhinagar. The summit was inaugurated by Hon’ble Prime Minister on 10th Jan ’24.
The MoU with GSPC was exchanged between Shri Gurdeep Singh, CMD, NTPC and Shri Milind Torawane, MD, GSPC in the presence of Hon’ble Chief Minister of Gujarat, Hon’ble Mnister of Finance, Energy & Petrochemicals, GoG, Dr V K Saraswat, Member, NITI Aayog and other senior officials and International delegates. The MoU aims for the blending of Green Hydrogen in the gas networks of GSPC and Green Hydrogen mobility by setting up of Green Hydrogen fuelling stations in Gujarat.
Other MoU with GPPL exchanged between GM-Hydrogen, NTPC, and MD of APM Terminals, Pipavav that aims to develop Green Hydrogen ecosystem including production of Green Ammonia at the land provided by GPPL for export and domestic market. It also aims to explore Pipavav Port as an anchor port by NGEL for exploration, development and operations of offshore wind farms in Gujarat.
NGEL is a wholly-owned subsidiary of NTPC and aims to be the flag bearer of NTPC’s Renewable Energy journey with an operational capacity of over 3.4 GW and 26 GW in pipeline including 7 GW under implementation.
GSPC is one of the largest gas trading companies of India, engaged also in exploration, development and production of oil and natural gas.
GPPL is one of the leading private ports of India promoted by A.P. Møller – Mærsk A/S which currently has the handling capacity of 1.35 million TEUs of containers, 4 – 5 million tonnes of dry bulk cargo, 2 million tonnes of liquid cargo and about 250,000 cars per year.
