Category Archives: News

Arcil Collaborates with Studeasy Bharat Foundation to Enhance Rural Education via Digital Classrooms

Mumbai, October 03, 2024 – Asset Reconstruction Company (India) Limited (Arcil) is pleased to announce its collaboration with Studeasy Bharat Foundation (SBF), Navi Mumbai, to provide digital classrooms to 30 government schools across Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, and Goa.

This initiative is one of the key component of Arcil’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts aimed at enhancing the quality and accessibility of education for underprivileged students and equipping them with the skills necessary for a future in the digital economy.

Speaking on the initiative, Arcil MD & CEO Pallav Mohapatra said, “Arcil is proud to partner with Studeasy Bharat Foundation in this transformative initiative. By bringing modern educational technology to government schools, we are empowering students from under-privileged backgrounds with the tools they need to succeed in today’s increasingly digital world. Our goal is to empower these students to not only excel academically but to emerge as the next generation of IT professionals and leaders, equipped with the skills and confidence to drive tomorrow’s digital economy.”

Speaking further on the initiative, Studeasy Co-founder & Director, Lehar Tawde said, “We are pleased to be supported by Arcil in our mission to provide Quality Education to Govt. school students. Our Blended Learning Program with Arcil benefits over 10,000 underprivileged students across 30 Govt. schools, spread over 3 States in India. The program brings to life the Government’s vision to leverage technology to provide Govt. school students with Quality Education; not only in classrooms, but also at home, during their self-study time. Our association with Arcil has just started and, in time to come, we hope to empower Govt. school students across every State in India, and enable them to contribute to the India growth story.”

Through this partnership, Arcil is supporting the implementation of a digital Classroom infrastructure, a powerful integration of low-cost, hyper-scalable technologies, designed to offer students in government schools a better learning experience. The project, which includes the installation of 55” Smart TVs in classrooms with an access to customised software that allows for the seamless delivery of educational content both in school and at home through SBF’s Blended-Class Program. This unique model enables students from Classes 5-10 to access state-syllabi-based lectures, assessments, and educational videos in vernacular languages, ensuring an inclusive approach to learning.

In the initial three phases during 2024, digital classrooms were set up in 10 schools each across Jhajjar and Bhiwani districts in Haryana, Dewas district in Madhya Pradesh, and schools in Goa. The program is designed to engage both students and teachers, with SBF sharing valuable learning insights based on students’ progress to them and to Arcil to monitor progress of students and overall benefits of the programme. This data helps teachers refine their lesson plans, resulting in improved learning outcomes and educational development.

SBF’s innovative approach aligns with Arcil’s commitment to promoting educational equity. By providing digital infrastructure, the initiative bridges the gap between urban and rural education, offering students the opportunity to enhance their learning experience both inside and outside the classroom using the same software on their own/family digital platforms viz mobiles, computers etc.

With a strong focus on student engagement and teacher support, this program exemplifies Arcil’s long-term vision of fostering a future-ready workforce. As India’s digital economy continues to grow, Arcil’s CSR efforts will remain dedicated to ensuring that students in rural areas are not left behind in this transformation.

Couple Donates Land for Government Health Center in Kerala

Kottayam, 3 -10-2024: Retired Air Force officer and his wife, retired high school teacher Annamma Sunny, have donated 13.5 cents of land in the 12th ward of Neezhoor Grama Panchayat, at Madathiparambil, for the establishment of a government Health and Wellness Center. The foundation stone for the center was laid by the Honorable Minister for Cooperation, Registration, and Ports, V.N. Vasavan, during a ceremony held on Saturday. Kaduthuruthy MLA Adv. Mons Joseph, Kottayam Lok Sabha MP Francis George, local panchayat members, and officials from the health department also participated in the event.

In 2021, the couple had also donated land to build a house for a disabled family in the same panchayat, further demonstrating their dedication to community welfare. Minister V.N. Vasavan praised their selfless contributions to public health and social welfare, expressing the Kerala government’s gratitude. He noted that such initiatives will greatly improve the state’s healthcare system.

The couple’s elder son, Dr. Joseph Sunny, works as an occupational therapist for the Kerala Health Services at Govt.Mental Health Centre, Thrissur, and their daughter-in-law, Mrs. Ponnu Joseph, is the Director of Prayatna, a leading rehabilitation center in Kerala for autism and other psycho-neuro disorders.

Shantanu Maheshwari: ‘My Character Won’t Give Up on Love’ in Ishq In the Air

Mumbai, 3 October, 2024: Amazon MX Player – Amazon’s free video streaming service, recently made headlines with its latest romantic drama, Ishq In the Air. With an impressive IMDb rating of 8.5, this series features Shantanu Maheshwari and Medha Rana in pivotal roles. It follows the story of Naman, a shy Indore boy with a passion for photography, and Kavya, a hairstylist from the bustling city of Mumbai. When they unexpectedly meet at the airport during a delayed flight, their contrasting backgrounds ignite an unexpected bond.

Shantanu Maheshwari who essays the role of Naman, shed some light on his character, “Naman is a smart and intelligent individual, but he struggles with confidence, having always lived in the shadows of his family. He has consistently followed the path laid out for him, never truly having the opportunity to explore his own potential. However, with Kavya entering his life, his confidence gets a boost. He is also deeply respectful towards his family, valuing their importance.”

He further added, “What truly stands out about Naman is that he is a giver, someone who deeply empathizes with others’ pain. He combines this empathy with logical reasoning, which is portrayed in various scenes for the audience to witness. Despite the challenges, Naman remains determined. He refuses to give up on their love and approaches every situation logically.”

Get ready for takeoff into a whirlwind romance as Kavya and Naman’s fates intertwine in Ishq In The Air, streaming exclusively on Amazon MX Player, available within Amazon’s shopping app, on Prime Video, Fire TV, Smart TVs, and Play Store.

Warivo Motor partners with Battery Smart to revolutionize B2B Electric Mobility

New Delhi, 03 October 2024: Warivo Motor India Pvt Ltd, a leading electric two-wheeler manufacturer, and Battery Smart, India’s largest battery swapping network for electric two and three-wheelers, have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to integrate cutting-edge battery swapping technology into Warivo’s fleet, targeting the B2B market.

Following the recent launch of CRX- its first high-speed electric scooter, Warivo Motor aims to lower the upfront costs for fleet operators by decoupling the battery from the vehicle purchase. This innovative approach will not only make electric scooters more accessible to businesses but also ease their transition to sustainable transport solutions. Moreover, the integration of Battery Smart’s vast network of swapping stations will eliminate range anxiety, and also save time, by allowing fleet operators to quickly exchange depleted batteries for fully charged ones, ensuring uninterrupted service and greater efficiency in delivery and logistics operations.

By the end of 2025, Warivo plans to deploy over 20,000 electric scooters equipped with Battery Smart’s battery-swapping technology across India. This ambitious rollout underscores Warivo’s commitment to promoting clean mobility solutions and addressing the rising demand for sustainable transportation options.

Speaking about the partnership, Ms. Tanushree Bhattacharya, Assistant Vice President, Partnerships and Alliances, Battery Smart, stated, “The increasing demand for cost-effective and time-efficient solutions makes battery swapping a vital component of the EV market. Our collaboration with Warivo Motor allows fleet operators to utilize our extensive battery-swapping network, reducing operational costs and boosting efficiency. We are confident that this partnership will accelerate the electrification of commercial fleets across India, paving the way for a more sustainable future.”

Mr. Yuvraj Garg, Director of Warivo Motor, expressed enthusiasm about this partnership, stating, “This collaboration with Battery Smart marks a pivotal step in our journey to transform urban mobility. By incorporating battery-swapping technology into our B2B solutions, we are not only lowering operational costs for fleet operators but also making electric mobility more practical and accessible. With the recent launch of our CRX, a high-speed electric scooter crafted for everyone, our goal is to ensure our product caters to all segments, B2B and B2C equally suitable for all ages. We are confident that this partnership will accelerate the adoption of electric two-wheelers in the enterprise sector, advancing our vision for a more sustainable future.”

This strategic alliance marks a significant step forward in the electric mobility sector, empowering fleet operators with innovative solutions that enhance both cost-effectiveness and operational efficiency.

 Together, Warivo Motor and Battery Smart are committed to transforming urban transportation, fostering a sustainable ecosystem that prioritizes clean mobility and supports the growth of electric vehicles in India.

Toyota Kirloskar Motor Registers 14% Growth in September 2024

Bangalore, 03 October 2024: Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) continues to record positive sales momentum by registering a 14% increase in wholesale sales in September 2024 compared to the same period last year. The company sold a total of 26,847 units, with domestic sales accounting for 23,802 units and exports totalling 3045 units.

In September 2023, the company had sold 23,590 units.

In the first 6-months of the Financial Year of 2024-2025, TKM achieved a notable increase in vehicle deliveries, reaching a total of 1,62,623 units. This marks the company’s strongest performance ever in India. For reference, the company had sold 1,23,939 units in the corresponding period of the previous financial year.

Commenting on the strong sales performance, Mr. Sabari Manohar – Vice President, Sales-Service-Used Car Business, Toyota Kirloskar Motor said, “As the festive fervour picks-up footfalls and enquiries are charged up which makes us positive of a very good festive season. Notably, our SUV, MPV, and small car segments have experienced significant growth nationwide, contributing over 90% to our sales in in the month of September.

Key to meeting this rising demand has been our strategic operational improvements, such as the introduction of a third shift. This has significantly optimized our supply chain, particularly for high-demand models where waiting periods have been reduced.

We have also consistently implemented customer-centric programs and value-added services aimed at further building on market synergies. In keeping with the festive spirit, we’ve introduced the 555 Plus program that offers exciting new schemes and customer benefits such as extended warranties, free service, Roadside Assistance and attractive exchange offers across key models, giving our customers every reason to celebrate with Toyota this season. We recently, we introduced initiatives like TCare, which consolidates multiple value chain offerings under a single brand, providing top-tier convenience and a hassle-free experience.

Furthermore, with our 1,045 touchpoints and diverse product portfolio, we effectively meet our customers’ needs, whether they’re seeking lifestyle-driven options or solutions for family mobility.”

India Sweet House Opens New Outlet at Reliance Freshpik, 1MG Mall, Bangalore

Bangalore, October 3, 2024 – India Sweet House, one of India’s fastest-growing sweet brands, has officially opened its latest outlet at Reliance Freshpik, 1MG Mall, Bangalore. This 33rd store adds to the brand’s rapidly expanding footprint and continues to deliver an exceptional culinary experience with its vast array of traditional Indian sweets, savouries, and chaats.

The new outlet at 1MG Mall offers over 300+ varieties of sweets and snacks, from the melt-in-your-mouth Mysore Pakto the rich and indulgent Gulab Jamun and Rasgulla, catering to diverse tastes. Their premium festive hampers are also available in the store. The Festive Collection 2024 is designed to cater to every palate and occasion. With no artificial flavors, preservatives, or varak, the sweets are farm-fresh and delivered within 12 hours. Customers can choose from a variety of luxurious gift boxes, each one a token of purity and rich tradition.

Speaking about the new opening, Shwetha Rajashekar and Vishwanath Murthy, Co-founders of India Sweet House, said, “We are delighted to bring India Sweet House to one of Bangalore’s premier shopping destinations. The opening of our store at Reliance Freshpik, 1MG Mall, allows us to connect with a diverse group of customers who appreciate the richness of traditional Indian sweets. We are excited to continue sharing our love for authentic flavors with Bangalore’s ever-growing community of food enthusiasts.”

The new store also features a dedicated seating area, inviting customers to take a break from their shopping and enjoy a moment of indulgence with friends and family. With its prime location at 1MG Mall, India Sweet House continues to build on its vision of offering a blend of tradition and innovation, all while providing a delightful and immersive experience for sweet lovers.

Having grown rapidly since its inception, India Sweet House is set on expanding further, maintaining its focus on bringing high-quality, traditional sweets and savouries to cities across India. Visit the new store at Reliance Freshpik, 1MG Mall, Bangalore, and embark on a flavorful journey through India’s rich culinary heritage.

Lighthouse Canton’s LC Beacon Global Fund Wins at HFM APAC Performance Awards

3rd October 2024:- Global investment firm Lighthouse Canton has announced that LC Beacon Global Fund, managed by Lighthouse Canton, has won the top spot in the Macro (Below $500m) category, at the prestigious 21st HFM APAC Performance Awards.

The HFM APAC Performance Awards are known for their objective and rigorous evaluation, using both Sharpe ratio and absolute return to highlight the hedge funds that best achieve two critical goals— managing volatility and delivering consistent, positive returns to investors.

LC Beacon Global Fund focuses on a dual-strategy approach, generating steady risk-adjusted returns with low volatility and correlation to equity and bond markets. It generates steady, uncorrelated returns by investing in short-dated fixed-income instruments, relative value market-neutral trading strategies and arbitrages across all major liquid asset classes.

Fund’s annualized return for 2024 stands at 9.43%, with a 1.02% gain in August, showcasing an impressive 4.01% outperformance over SOFR during this period.

Sanket Sinha, Global Head of Asset Management at Lighthouse Canton, expressed, “We are honored to receive this recognition for LC Beacon Global Fund. Our commitment has always been to generate superior risk-adjusted returns and create long-term value for our private and institutional clients. This award not only showcases the strength of our asset management capabilities but also affirms the success of our strategy that merges deep fundamental analysis with innovative investment approaches.”

Sunil Kalra, Portfolio Manager for LC Beacon Global Fund, added, “Winning the HFM APAC Performance Award is a significant milestone for LC Beacon Global Fund and the team. This recognition underscores our conviction and our investor’s confidence in the Fund’s unique dual strategy model and its ability to be an effective diversifier in investors’ portfolios. Since inception in 2016, the Fund has not seen a negative month. The numbers are a strong demonstration of our team’s extensive expertise and commitment to maintaining high performance standards and delivering value to our investors.”

Headquartered in Singapore, Lighthouse Canton is a global investment institution with wealth and asset management capabilities. Lighthouse Canton employs over 160 experienced professionals across its offices in Singapore, Dubai, India, and London, and oversees over US$ 3.7 billion worth of assets under management and advisory (as of 30th June 2024).

Its Asset Management business invests on behalf of private accredited clients and institutional investors, comprising strong internal product capabilities in hedge funds, private equity, and traditional fundamental analysis. It runs 8 private and public market funds investing through multiple strategies in real estate private equity, direct lending, venture capital, venture debt, public equities, and global macros.

Blaupunkt Launches TS120 BASS Tower Speaker for Enhanced Home Entertainment

Hyderabad 03rd September: Blaupunkt, the iconic German audio brand with over a century of expertise, proudly announces the launch of its latest innovation, the Blaupunkt TS120 BASS Tower Speaker. This powerful speaker, designed to enhance modern home entertainment, combines state-of-the-art audio technology with timeless design, making it a must-have for audiophiles and home entertainment enthusiasts alike.

Revolutionary Design and Superior Build
TS120 BASS represents the next evolution in audio design, offering a perfect blend of performance and style. With a 140-watt output, it redefines consumers’ expectations of high-end sound systems. Its solid wood construction exudes elegance while enhancing the audio experience, delivering clear mids, crisp highs, and deep, full-bodied bass. The TS120’s slim, space-saving form factor makes a bold visual statement. Featuring fabric-covered speakers and vents, the design brings a classic, understated aesthetic that integrates seamlessly into any home environment.

Immersive Audio Experience
With its premium components, the TS120 BASS offers a superb listening experience. It includes a 3-inch mid-range speaker, a 2-inch silk dome tweeter, and a 6.5-inch subwoofer, creating a meticulously balanced setup that covers the full audio range—from light high notes to deep, resonating bass. Encased in a durable hardwood cabinet, the speaker is designed for long-lasting reliability, with materials selected for both their durability and sound-enhancing qualities.

Intuitive Touch Control and Karaoke Mode
Blaupunkt has always emphasized ease of use and a premium touch, and the TS120 BASS is no exception. Positioned at the top of the tower, the touch control pad allows users to adjust settings effortlessly, illuminated with a warm glow for easy use in low-light conditions. The speaker also caters to the rising trend of at-home entertainment with a dedicated Karaoke mode, complete with a microphone and remote, enabling users to perform their favorite songs in professional-quality sound. Dedicated bass and treble controls further ensure each performance is polished.

Seamless Connectivity for Modern Devices
Understanding the needs of today’s tech-savvy consumers, Blaupunkt has designed the TS120 BASS to connect with a variety of devices. Whether it’s your TV, smartphone, tablet, or even a vinyl player, the speaker offers seamless connectivity through Bluetooth, HDMI ARC, Optical, AUX In, and USB In ports. It even includes FM radio, ensuring users have access to all their favorite audio sources.

F5 and NetApp Accelerate and Streamline Large Language Model AI Deployments

INDIA, October 3rd, 2024 – F5 and NetApp today announced an expanded collaboration to accelerate and streamline enterprise AI capabilities using secure multicloud networking solutions from F5 and NetApp’s suite of data management solutions. This collaboration leverages F5 Distributed Cloud Services to streamline the use of large language models (LLMs) across hybrid cloud environments. By integrating F5’s secure multicloud networking with NetApp’s data management, enterprises can implement Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG) solutions efficiently and securely, enhancing the performance, security, and utility of their AI systems.

As enterprises increasingly adopt AI technologies, the need for accurate and contextually relevant information becomes crucial—and that’s where RAG comes in. RAG is an artificial intelligence technique that combines retrieval-based and generation-based approaches to improve the quality and relevance of responses by securely incorporating relevant, often proprietary, documents or information from a large dataset into the generated answers without exposing them to public large language models. RAG integrates the most recent, relevant data into AI responses. This ensures that AI models can deliver precise and context-specific answers.

RAG is quickly becoming a popular architecture among customers, but the fragmented distribution of enterprise data often forms silos, complicating integration with LLMs. F5 and NetApp solve this problem by providing secure access to private data from any location and facilitating data transfers for migrations and mobility. The combined solution significantly reduces the complexity of managing hybrid and multicloud infrastructure. By using F5 Distributed Cloud Services and NetApp BlueXP, customers can unify the operational models for data management, security, and networking, contributing to cost reduction and achieving multicloud RAG to support innovative AI projects.

“Our collaboration with NetApp highlights our commitment to delivering cutting-edge solutions that not only boost performance but also ensure stringent security,” said Pratik Shah, Managing Director for India & SAARC, F5. “By integrating F5’s secure multicloud networking with NetApp’s robust data management solutions, we are providing enterprises with a seamless, scalable, and secure AI deployment framework. This partnership empowers organizations to harness the full potential of AI, transforming their data into a strategic asset for long-term growth and innovation.”

“F5 is accelerating enterprise AI adoption by integrating our secure, high-performance multicloud networking capabilities with NetApp’s robust data management solutions. This powerful collaboration unlocks the potential of RAG, seamlessly blending enterprise data with foundational and frontier AI models,” said Kunal Anand, Chief Technology and AI Officer at F5. “Our joint solution transforms how businesses train LLMs by delivering unparalleled high-speed performance and ironclad security, enabling enterprises to harness AI’s capabilities within their unique business contexts confidently. With F5 and NetApp, businesses can now easily navigate the complexities of AI integration, turning their data into a strategic asset that drives innovation and competitive advantage.”

NetApp’s Cloud Volumes ONTAP optimizes cloud storage costs and performance while enhancing data protection and compliance. This solution, combined with F5’s networking capabilities, allows for quick and secure data mobility, reducing overhead for IT departments. Enterprises can migrate data effortlessly across zones and regions, leveraging NetApp’s SnapMirror technology for data mobility.

“Our collaboration with F5 helps address the complex challenges of AI deployments in hybrid cloud environments. By combining NetApp’s data management solutions with F5’s secure multicloud networking technology, we are providing enterprises with a seamless and secure way to manage, protect, and optimize their data to deliver business-critical LLM applications. Our work together supports businesses looking to leverage generative AI to drive innovation and growth,” said Jonsi Stefansson, Chief Technology Officer at NetApp.

SPJIMR joins global consortium to redefine decision-making models

Mumbai, October 03, 2024: Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan’s S.P. Jain Institute of Management and Research (SPJIMR) Centre for Wisdom in Leadership (CWIL) has joined the Wise Judgment Consortium (WJC), a growing community that aims to create a more inclusive model for decision-making. Nearly 30 researchers from 12 countries, including Prof. Surya Tahora, Executive Director – CWIL, SPJIMR, will collaborate on a project titled ‘Wisdom across cultures beyond traditional decision-making paradigms’.

Speaking about the initiative, Prof. Tahora said, “My passion has always been understanding the human condition and how people from different cultures and religions live, face and address complex, challenging situations. It also connects directly with my work at the CWIL, where I focus on how cultural and situational factors shape leadership and decision-making.”

Inspired by SPJIMR’s mission of value-based growth, CWIL looks to enhance conventional leadership development approaches currently deployed by corporate learning and development professionals, with wisdom traditions drawn from the East and West. The Centre is part of an emerging global network of leadership and wisdom centres, scholars, and practitioners.

Led by Dr. Igor Grossmann, Professor of Psychology and Director, Wisdom and Culture Laboratory, University of Waterloo, Canada, this global initiative received $1.5 million in funding from the Templeton World Charity Foundation (TWCF) to study wisdom and standards of wise judgment. SPJIMR-CWIL was a signatory to the funding application.

The global project looks at how different factors—cultural, ecological and situational—influence people’s views of wisdom for navigating everyday decisions, approaching challenges and handling conflicts. The project aims to challenge traditional decision-making models that focus on Western, Educated, Industrialised, Rich and Democratic (WEIRD) societies. Its interdisciplinary approach combines expertise from a variety of fields including psychology, psychometrics and computer science for a richer understanding of wisdom and decision-making.

“At SPJIMR, we are committed to fostering global research collaborations that align with our mission of advancing ‘wise innovation’. Our participation in the Wise Judgment Consortium enables us to contribute to a global dialogue on decision-making. By engaging with diverse perspectives and exploring how cultural and situational factors shape wisdom, we continue to expand our understanding of leadership and influence managerial practice to drive impactful, inclusive solutions for complex challenges,” said Prof. Varun Nagaraj, Dean, SPJIMR.