Category Archives: News

Tao Paris and Designer Seema K Sajdeh Bringing Together Boho and Bling with “Wanderlust 2.0” collection

National, 11th September 2024 – Premium footwear brand Tao Paris and artist Seema K Sajdeh are thrilled to unveil ‘Wanderlust 2.0,’ the next evolution of their sparkling collection that elevates bohemian aesthetics with a glamorous twist. This renewed collaboration between the brand and the fashion icon merges Tao Paris’s commitment to innovative, trend-forward designs with Seema’s signature vibrant style, culminating in ‘Wanderlust 2.0,’ a collection that scores high on design, comfort, and style.

‘Wanderlust 2.0’ beautifully captures the essence of Tao Paris’s creative philosophy, which emphasizes fashion trends that resonate with the modern woman. The collection is a love letter to those who dare to shine, offering an array of footwear options that blend boho charm with eye-popping sparkle. Featuring gladiators to boots, chic flats, etc. each piece is meticulously designed to offer both style and luxury.

“I am beyond excited to launch ‘Wanderlust 2.0’ with Tao Paris. This collection is incredibly special to me as it embodies not just my love for playful, bold designs but also the impeccable quality that Tao Paris is known for. Working with Aastha and her team again has been a wonderful journey, and I can’t wait to see how women embrace these dazzling pieces in their everyday lives.” says Seema K Sajdeh on her recent collaboration with Tao Paris.

Commenting on the launch, Aastha Mahtani, Founder & Creative Director of Tao Paris says, “As leaders in the footwear industry, our strength lies in understanding the evolving needs of our customers. With ‘Wanderlust 2.0,’ we’ve taken the bohemian trend and infused it with Tao Paris’s signature flair for innovation and comfort. Collaborating with Seema for the second time has been a joyous experience, and we’re excited to present a collection that perfectly marries her vibrant aesthetic with our dedication to high-quality craftsmanship.”

The ‘Wanderlust 2.0’ collection will debut exclusively on Myntra starting 9th September 2024, followed by a wider release on the Tao Paris website on 10th September 2024. With prices starting at INR 4000/-, this collection offers accessible luxury that doesn’t compromise style or comfort.

Pacific D21 Mall Dwarka to Host ‘Dwarka Idol’ –A Stage for Rising Stars

New Delhi: Pacific D21 Mall, Dwarka, is all set to host an exciting new event – Dwarka Idol, powered by Dwarka Beats and Seniors Hub Dwarka. The event, starting with auditions from September 9th to 13th, 2024, will offer a platform for talented individuals from diverse age groups to showcase their singing skills and compete for exciting trophies and prizes.

Participants will compete in four age categories: 5–10 years, 11–17 years, 18–35 years, and 36 years & above. Semi-finalists will take the stage on September 14th, followed by a thrilling Grand Finale on September 15th, 2024, where the top performers will be crowned as the Dwarka Idols of their respective age groups.

The event is proudly supported by Get Well Soon, Kitchen Friendly, Shree Shyam Communication, and Dwarka Express. With a registration fee of INR 350, the event promises to be a unique blend of talent, excitement, and community spirit, providing everyone an opportunity to be a part of this celebration of Music.

Abhishek Bansal, Executive Director of Pacific Group, expressed his views, stating, “We at Pacific D21 Mall are delighted to host Dwarka Idol, which brings together people from all walks of life and provides a platform to showcase local talent. Music has the power to unite and uplift, and we are thrilled to create an event where participants can shine, and the community can come together to celebrate their creativity”.

Soulfull at Tata Consumer Products: Championing Millets for a Healthier Tomorrow this National Nutrition Month

By-Mr. Prashant Parameswaran, President, Soulfull at Tata Consumer Products

National Nutrition Week is a powerful reminder of the importance of making informed dietary choices to secure a healthier future. The theme for this year, “Eating for a Healthier Tomorrow,” resonates deeply with the mission of Soulfull at Tata Consumer Products. We’ve transformed our passion for millets into a movement, making these nutrient-dense grains accessible, affordable, and enjoyable for all. Millets are more than just a superfood—they are the cornerstone of sustainable nutrition.

Our aim is to bring the benefits of millets into every Indian household by offering them in modern, convenient formats that fit today’s lifestyles. These gluten-free grains are rich in essential nutrients, making them an excellent addition to the diets of growing children and a crucial element in achieving nutritional security.

As we celebrate National Nutrition Week, we invite everyone to embrace millets as a key to better health and a more sustainable planet. By choosing millet-based foods, we not only nourish ourselves but also contribute to a healthier, more resilient future.

Soulfull at Tata Consumer Products believes that by reconnecting with our roots and innovating for today’s needs, we can make “Eating for a Healthier Tomorrow” a reality—one millet at a time.

Applied Materials India launches ASCENT initiative to inspire innovation in semiconductor equipment

New Delhi, India | September 11, 2024: Applied Materials India Private Limited, a subsidiary of Applied Materials, Inc., the global leader in materials engineering solutions for the semiconductor industry, has launched a new initiative to foster innovation and education in semiconductor equipment. The “Applied Semiconductor Collaboration in ENgineering and Technology initiative (ASCENT)”, will be an annual event that invites researchers from selected universities to collaborate with Applied India engineers and develop differentiated technologies in various research areas. The initiative is designed to accelerate innovative solutions to the semiconductor equipment industry’s toughest technical challenges. For the 2024 edition, Applied Materials India has selected three prestigious institutes–Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur; Indian Institute of Technology, Hyderabad; and Indian Institute of Technology, Gandhinagar-after assessing numerous proposals from top universities and institutes across India.

ASCENT is aimed at enhancing innovation across seven areas of research – Power, Materials, Chemical Delivery, Sensors, Vacuum Components, Automation and Sustainability. In addition to sponsoring advanced research in these seven areas, Applied Materials will give researchers access to state-of-the-art equipment and labs for solution validation, under the mentorship of Applied’s engineers.

Dr. Prabu Raja, President, Semiconductor Products Group, Applied Materials, Inc., present at Semicon India said, “ASCENT is an important initiative for us, designed to seed semiconductor innovation and build a robust talent pipeline that aligns with India’s semiconductor ambitions.” He further added, “By fostering greater collaboration across the ecosystem, we aim to strengthen India’s role in the development of semiconductor equipment and components. Applied Materials India has longstanding relationships with prestigious academic institutions across the country, and together we can develop solutions that help improve time to market, reduce R&D costs and enhance overall success rates.”

Over the past two decades, Applied Materials India has been working with leading academic institutions, including IIT Bombay, IIT Kanpur, IIT Patna, IIT Madras, IISc Bangalore, IIT Ropar, and IIT Hyderabad to accelerate research, drive innovation, develop a skilled workforce, and recruit diverse talent.

FITPASS Aims for Nationwide Dominance with Strategic Hires and Ambitious Expansion Plans

India, 11th September 2024: India’s leading fitness membership, FITPASS, is embarking on an aggressive growth strategy to dominate the fitness industry. The company has announced a significant expansion of its leadership and operations teams, with plans to penetrate the aggregation and standardisation of gyms and fitness centres to reach 500 cities across India by mid-2026. This strategic hiring spree is driven by FITPASS’ commitment to strengthening its core verticals—network expansion, monetisation, sales, and category growth – in response to the rising demand for accessible, affordable, convenient and innovative fitness solutions. By capitalising on this trend, FITPASS aims to reshape the fitness landscape across India.

Spearheading this ambitious drive is Mr. Avnish Sharma, newly appointed Vice President of Network Growth & Monetisation. Sharma, a veteran with over 14 years of experience at tech giants Paytm and Practo, will be instrumental in FITPASS’ rapid expansion into tier 2 and tier 3 cities. His role is pivotal not only for growth but also for driving profitability and optimising revenue streams across the network of gyms and fitness centres in both new and established markets.

Ms. Preeti Singh steps in as AVP of Growth and Alliance (Corporate Sales). With over a decade of experience in corporate sales and benefits consulting with renowned organisations like HCL Tech, Squickr, Via.com and more, Singh will report to Mr. Mohit Dang, Vice President of Revenue & Partnerships (Corporate Sales). Together with Mr. Dang, she will work on expanding FITPASS’ corporate partnerships and driving significant market penetration.

Complementing the brand’s future vision, they have also onboarded four other experts to propel its aggressive expansion:

Mr. Manish Prajapati, appointed as AVP of Network Growth and Monetisation, brings significant expertise from his tenure at healthcare leaders Apollo and Practo. He will work closely with Mr. Sharma to drive brand’s network growth and expansion. His extensive experience in scaling networks within the healthcare sector will be instrumental in driving FITPASS’ expansion efforts, as he possesses a profound understanding of regional dynamics and growth strategies.

Mr. Rishabh Tiwari joins as Senior Manager of Network Growth and Monetisation under the leadership of Mr. Sharma, bringing nine years of industry experience to the table. Tiwari’s expertise in market analysis and strategic planning will be instrumental in identifying high-potential markets and optimising FITPASS’ expansion strategy across diverse geographical regions.

Ms. Savneet Kaur joins as Senior Sales Manager (Corporate Sales), bringing nine years of experience from industry heavyweights like Cure.fit and ITC Fortune. Kaur will assist Mr. Dang and Ms. Singh to accelerate sales growth, playing a key role in FITPASS’ aggressive growth agenda.

Mr. Yusuf Ahmed takes on the role of Category Manager, leveraging his decade of experience across major fitness brands such as Cure.fit (Cult.fit), Fitline India, Fitness First India, and Gold’s Gym. Ahmed will lead efforts to keep FITPASS at the forefront of industry trends, ensuring that its offerings continue to set new benchmarks.

This expanded team aims to grow FITPASS’ premium gym and fitness centre network to over 10,000 locations by the end of 2025 while broadening the company’s footprint across 1,500-1,600 PIN codes. The focus extends beyond mere expansion, with a clear mandate to drive profitability, optimise revenue streams, and keep FITPASS at the forefront of industry trends.

“Our team’s expansion reflects our unwavering commitment to revolutionising the fitness industry in India,” said Mr. Akshay Verma, Co-founder of FITPASS. “The collective expertise of our new leaders will enable us to scale rapidly and effectively, especially as we expand our network into tier 2 and tier 3 cities. Currently, users across 573 cities are already engaging with our platform’s digital offerings- A.I. fitness training module and nutrition consultations, this is a significant milestone, not just for FITPASS, but for a fitter Bharat. We are confident that with their combined strengths, we will continue to deliver exceptional value to our users and partners while leading the industry’s evolution.”

This strategic move comes at a crucial time for India’s fitness industry, which is undergoing rapid transformation driven by a post-pandemic surge in health and wellness priorities. By strengthening its leadership and focusing on innovation, FITPASS is not just adapting to market trends—it’s reshaping the future of fitness in India, particularly in tier 2 and tier 3 cities. The company is poised to meet the rising demand for new-age and flexible fitness solutions, solidifying its position as the go-to platform for health-conscious Indians across the nation.

PHDCCI to Host 3rd Sustainable Textile Summit, Bringing Together Industry Leaders for a Greener Future

New Delhi, 11 September: The PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) is set to host the 3rd Sustainable Textile Summit on 17th September 2024, at Lakshmipat Singhania Auditorium, PHD House, New Delhi. This annual flagship event brings together key stakeholders from the textile industry to discuss and explore innovative solutions for a more sustainable future.

The summit is expected to attract over 200 delegates, including representatives from textile and apparel manufacturers, exporters, traders, supply chain managers, compliance officers, environmental consultants, research institutions, technology providers, retailers, and brands.

Mr. Rohit Kansal, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, will grace the occasion and deliver the keynote address during the inaugural session, titled “The Urgency for a Sustainable Textile Solutions and Future Opportunities.”

The inaugural session will delve into the economic and environmental impacts of the current textile industry, global trends in sustainability and consumer demands, policy landscapes and government initiatives, and the challenges and opportunities for a sustainable textile future.

Smt. Prajakta L Verma, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, will deliver a special address during Session 1: Innovation and Technology for Sustainable Textile. This session will focus on sustainable raw materials, clean technologies, and circular economy solutions.

The 3rd Sustainable Textile Summit is supported by the leading organizations committed to sustainability in the textile industry. Notable partners include:

· Premium Partner: RSWM Limited

· Associate Partners: Ecocert Group, Oerlikon Textile India Pvt. Ltd., Filatex India, Polyester Textile and Apparel Industry Association

· Delegate Kit Partner: Fairtrade India and CSM

· Knowledge Partner: Wazir Advisors

· Sustainability Partner: CDP India

In addition to the keynote addresses and special address by the leaders in the textile sector, the summit will feature a panel discussion on “Ethical Sourcing, Labor Practices, and Reducing Carbon Emissions for a Sustainable Textile Future.” The event will also include a session on “Building Sustainable Supply Chains towards a Sustainable Fashion Future.”

The esteemed speakers for the Summit include:

· Mr. B M Sharma, Jt. Managing Director, RSWM Limited

· Mr. Anil Jadhav, Regional Director-South Asia & Middle East, Ecocert

· Mr. Sudipto Mandal, Sr. Manager-Sales & Marketing, Oerlikon Polymer Processing Solutions Division, MMF Solutions Unit, Oerlikon Textile India Pvt. Ltd.

· Mr. Abhishek Jani, CEO, Fairtrade India

· Mr. Varun Vaid, Business Director, Wazir Advisors Pvt. Ltd

· Ms. Shweta Basu, Manager: Corporate Engagement and Partnerships, CDP Operations India Private Limited

· Mr. Rohan Batra, Textile & Retail Sustainability, Marks & Spencer

· Mr. Kamlesh Kumar Pal, Assistant Program Manager- Alternate Materials, IDH, the Transforming Markets

· Mr. Manish Dabkara, Chairman & MD, EKI Energy Services Ltd

· Mr. Balkrishan Sharma, Business Head, DYB, RSWM Limited

· Ms. Shammi Singh, Head Global Hub, Internal and Supplier Assurance Solutions, BSI Group

· Mr. Manish Gupta, Senior Manager – Supply Chain and Traceability
Better Cotton Initiative

· Mr. Akhil Sivanandan, CEO, Green Story

· Mr. Piyush Girotra, Business Lead – South Asia, Fashion Snoops/ Wazir Advisors

Zydus Lifesciences Completes Phase II(a) Trial of Usnoflast for ALS

Ahmedabad, India, 11 September, 2024

Zydus, a leading discovery-based, global pharmaceutical company, announced the completion of its Phase II(a) clinical study of NLRP3 inhibitor ‘Usnoflast (ZYIL1)’ in patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).

ALS patients experience neuroinflammation and rapid neurodegeneration. Axonal neurodegeneration leads to formation of neurofilaments which first accumulate in CSF of ALS patients, and then slowly these neurofilaments enter blood circulation. Owing to rapid neurodegeneration, steady loss of the ability to move, speak, eat, eventually breathe, paralysis and death have been reported in ALS patients.

ALS affects approximately 32,000 people in the U.S.A and on an average 5,000 new patients are diagnosed every year with this disease in USA as per statistics from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). More than 30,000 people are estimated to be living with ALS in Europe (European Union and United Kingdom), while India has an estimated 75,000 people living with ALS. People living with ALS have an average survival of approximately two to five years from diagnosis, with most ALS patients dying from respiratory failure.

Speaking on the development, Mr. Pankaj Patel, Chairman, Zydus Lifesciences Limited said “This is a first-in-class innovation and represents a significant scientific breakthrough in our quest for finding new medicines for treating ALS patients. We are excited to report that Usnoflast has been able to reach therapeutic concentrations in CSF of ALS patients and reduce the neurofilaments in CSF in this initial Phase 2(a) study. Clinicians have reported improvements in ALSFRS-R score. The improvement observed in SVC (Slow Vital Capacity) in ALS patients has been encouraging in this 12-week trial. We now look forward to conducting a larger Phase 2b clinical trial in consultation with the regulatory authorities.”

The Phase 2(a) randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled clinical trial recruited 24 ALS patients across 7 clinical trial sites in India and evaluated the Safety, Tolerability, Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Usnoflast in Subjects with ALS [ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05981040]. Zydus will publish the detailed clinical trial results in leading medical journals and upcoming scientific conferences.

Usnoflast (ZYIL1) is a novel, oral small molecule NLRP3 inhibitor. Studies have demonstrated that Usnoflast is highly potent in human whole blood assay and can suppress inflammation caused by the NLRP3 inflammasome. Usnoflast was found distributed in the brain and CSF of various nonclinical species including mice, rats and non-human primates. The efficacy of Usnoflast has been established in several pre-clinical models of neuroinflammation, Parkinson’s disease8, Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Usnoflast, has an acceptable Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, Excretion (ADME) profile, with a good safety margin. In Phase I studies, Usnoflast was found to be safe and well-tolerated. Zydus has established the Phase 2 proof-of-concept in CAPS patients [NCT05186051] and had earlier published the data in journal ‘Clinical Pharmacology in Drug Development’. The USFDA has granted Zydus an ‘Orphan Drug Designation’ for Usnoflast to treat patients with Cryopyrin Associated Periodic Syndrome (CAPS), a rare auto-inflammatory disease. Zydus has initiated a Phase 2 clinical study of Usnoflast in Ulcerative Colitis

Track3D, an Industry-First Unified Reality Intelligence Platform For Construction, Secures dollar4.3 Million Seed Funding

Hyderabad – September 11, 2024 – Track3D, an AI-first startup pioneering a groundbreaking reality intelligence platform for the construction industry, announced today that it has secured $4.3 million in seed funding. The round was led by Endiya Partners, with participation from Shadow Ventures, Monta Vista Capital, and others. This investment will drive the adoption of Track3D’s unified reality capture data platform, which is designed for intelligent, comprehensive, AI-powered construction progress monitoring.

“Track3D is a unique example of a vertical, AI-first company shaping the digital transformation of a pivotal sector. We believe the time is now for a unified, data-agnostic construction monitoring solution to realize real-time, accurate and cost-efficient progress tracking and deviation analysis. We’re thrilled to back Track3D’s progress, and the team which is driven by the passion to enable structural change in an industry,” says Sateesh Andra, Managing Director, Endiya Partners.

Track3D, co-founded by Chaitanya Naredla (“NK”), Kiran Gutta, and Vineeth Paruchuri, is the built environment’s only AI-first Reality Intelligence Platform. It serves as a central hub for all visual data, transforming reality capture data from a system of record to a system of intelligence. Utilizing visual data from drones, 360 cameras, laser scanners, and mobile devices, Track3D provides actionable insights to enhance project oversight and decision-making within a single intuitive system.

Track3D’s Hyderabad office, with about 100 experts in Product, ML/AI, Engineering, and Support, is central to the platform’s development. They drive key advancements in AI-driven analytics and 3D computer vision, enhancing reality intelligence platforms on both the Web and Mobile.

Beyond technology, Track3D has significantly contributed to the local economy through job creation and partnerships with educational institutions in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. The company plans to expand its workforce in India and is set to open a new office next year to support its ongoing growth and innovation.

“The financial support from these premiere investors is a testament to how bullish the industry is on the Track3D platform,” said Track3D CEO and co-founder NK Chaitanya. “Reality capture isn’t particularly new, but Track3D’s Reality Intelligence Platform is a first-of-its-kind unified platform that turns raw data into exponentially more valuable information with advanced AI tools. No more guesswork. Whether you’re in pre-planning, mid-project, or final handover, Track3D acts as your platform for all reality intelligence with a level of detail not offered by any other platform. If you can see it, we can capture and analyze it, without the need for BIM.”

Track3D’s platform has boosted productivity by 15%, improved schedule adherence by 12%, and cut rework costs by 20%, winning enterprise clients like Hensel Phelps and PCI.

”Our partnership with Track3D marks a pivotal shift from juggling multiple reality capture solutions to embracing a unified, standardized platform. With Track3D, we’ve achieved a perfect synergy of speed, accuracy, and cost-efficiency that’s pivotal for modern construction monitoring,” says Thai Nguyen, Director of Innovation, Hensel Phelps. “Since our initial collaboration in mid-2023, we have expanded our operations from a single pilot to over 30 projects this year alone. The responsiveness and robust support from Track3D have been instrumental, setting us on a promising path to scale to 100 projects next year. Track3D isn’t just a tool; it’s a game-changer for the construction industry, redefining how we approach project monitoring and execution.”

New Balance expands in north India with its newest store in Jalandhar.

India, 11th September, 2024 – New Balance, a brand popular for its quality craftsmanship and unparallel comfort, advances its growth aspiration in the northern region of India with the launch of its first store in Jalandhar, at Model Town Market.

The new, multi-story, retail concept offers consumers a dynamic shopping environment, featuring New Balance’s iconic styles like the 1080, 9060, BB550, 2002R along with a host of latest styles in their high-performance Fresh Foam X and FuelCell technologies. This amazing collection ensures that the consumers have an elevated shopping experience when they are visiting the new store at Model Town Market.

Radeshwer Davar, Country Manager, New Balance India expressed enthusiasm about this significant milestone, stating: ‘We are delighted to announce the opening of our New Balance store in Jalandhar. We are a brand with a strong heritage in performance footwear and this perfectly aligns with Jalandhar’s ever-growing athletics environment, making the city a great choice in our expansion journey. This new store allows us to showcase New Balance’s latest collection not only to the city’s sports enthusiasts, but also the next fashion influencers that come out of Jalandhar. We would invite the people of Jalandhar to visit the New Balance store and we hope that our brand can inspire the next generation of sports talent coming out of here.’

Novotel Mumbai International Airport has elevated Sugandh Ahuja to the position of Director of Operations

National, 11th September 2024 – Novotel Mumbai International Airport announces the promotion of Sugandh Ahuja to the position of Director of Operations. Sugandh who previously served as Rooms Division Manager, comes with over 15 years of experience in the hospitality industry.

In her new position, she will oversee multiple departments, focusing on operational efficiency, guest satisfaction, and regulatory compliance along with strategic planning. Sugandh has a proven track record of driving operational excellence and improving financial performance at various hotel properties.

Rachita Sood, General Manager, Novotel Mumbai International Airport, commented on the promotion, “Sugandh has been an integral part of our team, and her dedication to guest satisfaction and operational efficiency has been truly exceptional. We are confident that in her new role as Director of Operations, she will continue to elevate the standards of service and excellence that Novotel Mumbai International Airport is known for.”

Sugandh Ahuja holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Tourism Studies. She has further honed her skills through several prestigious programs, including the Accor Mini Master (General Manager Development) Program and the Accor India Leadership Program (IELP).

Expressing her excitement on her promotion, Sugandh Ahuja mentioned, “I am delighted to take on the new role at Novotel Mumbai International Airport. I look forward to continuing our journey of delivering outstanding guest experiences while driving operational success. My focus will remain on fostering a culture of excellence and teamwork, ensuring that we meet and exceed our guests’ expectations.”

Sugandh is highly proficient in key hospitality management systems such as Resa Web Opera PMS and Revenue Management. When Sugandh isn’t immersed in work, she loves to unwind by traveling to new destinations and exploring different cultures.