Category Archives: News

LeadSquared partners Admitad to expand global reach, boost marketing innovations

Bangalore, 9th September 2024 — LeadSquared, a leading CRM and marketing automation platform, has partnered with Admitad, a global performance marketing provider, to expand its international presence and strengthen its partner network. This partnership will help both companies grow. Admitad will list LeadSquared on its platform, boosting its visibility and assisting with brand collaborations, while LeadSquared will promote Admitad in the Indian market through referrals and increased exposure.

 The partnership will allow LeadSquared’s clients to access Admitad’s affiliate marketing tools, while Admitad will offer LeadSquared’s CRM and marketing solutions to its global brand network, including exclusive discounts. This collaboration aims to help both companies grow and enhance their offerings for clients.

 Speaking about the partnership, Anand Dhand, Head of Alliances and International Markets, LeadSquared said, “We are thrilled to welcome Admitad as our partner. This collaboration represents a pivotal step in expanding our reach and enhancing our partner ecosystem. By integrating Admitad’s extensive network we will drive significant value for our clients and elevate our brand’s visibility on a global scale.”

 Anna Gidirim, CEO of Admitad said, “Adding LeadSquared to our partner roster is great news for Admitad clients seeking to optimize their programs’ performance. LeadSquared’s marketing automation features can help affiliate advertisers to nurture leads, monitor conversions, manage communications, and automate payouts, thus streamlining the whole affiliate management process. This is precisely the added value we want to deliver to our clients by partnering with the best companies across the whole digital marketing spectrum.”

 This partnership marks a significant milestone in both companies’ growth strategies, combining their expertise to offer enhanced value to clients and brands worldwide. By leveraging each other’s strengths, the collaboration is set to open new opportunities for businesses looking to optimize their marketing and sales efforts. Both companies, through this partnership, will drive mutual success and pave the way for future innovations in the digital marketing and CRM space.

Empowering Future Tech Innovators, Tally Solutions concludes the fourth edition of CodeBrewers engaging 26,000 students.

National, 09th September 2024: Tally Solutions, a leading technology company providing business management software, announced the successful conclusion of the fourth edition of Tally CodeBrewers, a national-level coding hackathon for engineering students, focused on bridging industry skill gaps and fostering domain capabilities in India’s emerging tech talent. This year’s event marked the largest-ever Tally CodeBrewers, with an overwhelming engagement from over 26,000 students, with more than 17,000 team registrations from 1,300+ colleges nationwide. Overall, 6 teams comprising 18 future engineers were awarded in the 2024 edition. These students belonged to some of the key technology colleges in India including IIT Roorkee, IIIT Sri City, VIT Pune, GEU Dehradun, MSRIT Bangalore, ABV IIIT-Gwalior, Academy of Technology Kolkata, and IIITDM Kancheepuram.

The hackathon was open to engineering students from the second year onwards pursuing a full-time B.Tech./B.E./Dual-Degree across India. In round one, participants tackled a time-bound multiple-choice round and a coding challenge. 198 teams were selected to compete in an intense 48-hour weekend hackathon across two problem statements that participants could choose between. Commander of Full Stack which required participants to create an online coding platform that enables users to write and execute code and Wizard of System Programming which required designing an efficient file-sharing system that allows administrators to initiate file transfers to a group of systems within the organization efficiently and securely. 13 finalist teams from round-two were invited to Tally office in Bangalore for a live demo before a distinguished panel of jury followed by a felicitation ceremony for the winners.

Sharing his views, Mr. Nabendu Das, Head of Engineering & Product Management, Tally Solutions, said, “At Tally, we have always been focused on fostering equitable skills and domain capabilities for emerging engineering talent in the country. Over the years, we have been anchoring multiple initiatives through our robust campus program to connect academia to the industry, thereby enhancing the tech skill capital in the nation. Tally CodeBrewers, our annual flagship is another constituent in this journey, and over the years, we have engaged with over 40,000 engineering students. The objective has been to inculcate and promote the passion for innovation, creative thinking, and problem-solving in the next generation of engineers.”

In the Wizard of System Programming, Team Echelon from VIT, Pune, which consists of Manglesh Nimbalkar, Jayant Patil, and Rutvik Kachgunde, bagged the position of winner. In the Commander of Full Stack, team Hacksmiths from ABV IIIT, Gwalior, including Kshitij Gupta, Akshitha Mittpally, and Harsh Dalwadi, were the winners. These teams distinguished themselves through their innovative solutions and exceptional coding skills, emerging as the top performers in their respective categories. The winning teams in both the Wizard of System Programming and Commander of Full Stack tracks were awarded a cash prize of INR 75,000 for their outstanding performances followed by 1st runners-up who received a cash prize of INR 40,000 and INR 25,000 for the 2nd runners-up. Additionally, all winners and runners-up were offered internship opportunities and a chance for direct job interviews.

This edition of Tally CodeBrewers not only showcased the talent and potential of India’s future tech leaders but also reaffirmed Tally Solutions’ commitment to nurturing the country’s next generation of innovators.

NTT DATA Payment Services India appoints Syed Mohammad Zafar Alam as Chief Business Officer

Mumbai, September 09, 2024 – NTT DATA Payment Services India Private Limited, a leading end-to-end payment service provider, is delighted to announce the appointment of Syed Mohammad Zafar Alam as Chief Business Officer (CBO), effective from today. This strategic move aims to drive and boost the company’s payment business further.

With over two decades of experience, Zafar Alam will spearhead strategic initiatives, business growth, expanding the client base and strengthening partnerships in this ever-evolving fintech space.

Speaking on the appointment, Takeo Ueno – Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NTT DATA Payment Services India said, “We are pleased to welcome Zafar Alam, who brings comprehensive experience in the payment and banking industry. His profound understanding of the Indian financial ecosystem will provide us with his rich expertise to further empower NTT DATA Payment’s vision on becoming one of the top three payment service providers in the country. With Zafar’s appointment, we are confident that our company will continue to thrive and attain new milestones”.

Commenting on his joining, Syed Mohammad Zafar Alam – Chief Business Officer (CBO) of NTT DATA Payment Services India said, “India’s payment industry is growing at a faster pace and will continue to have a robust growth trajectory. I am excited to be a part of NTT DATA Payment Services where I can leverage my expertise and support the company’s growth journey. The organization’s firm commitment to providing innovative payment solutions and focus on customer-centricity is encouraging and setting a new benchmark in the industry”.

Previously, Zafar Alam was associated with Paytm Payment Services Ltd as Sr. Vice President and Business Head for two years. Over the course of his career, he worked with leading banks such as Axis Bank heading ecommerce business and ICICI Bank where he was instrumental in driving business growth and fostering strong client relationships. Zafar Alam holds a bachelor’s degree in arts from Calcutta University.

Airtel Finance introduces fixed deposits at industry-leading interest rates of 9.1%

Bangalore, September 9, 2024: Bharti Airtel (“Airtel”), one of India’s leading telecommunications services providers, today, announced the launch of a fixed deposits marketplace under its digital arm, Airtel Finance. These fixed deposits come at an attractive interest rate of up to 9.1% per annum.*

The marketplace enables Airtel Finance to provide an assured return and fixed-income investment option on the digital platform that is built on top of Airtel’s Thanks App framework. It strengthens its portfolio offering of Personal Loans, Airtel Axis Bank Cobrand Credit Cards, Airtel Bajaj Finserv Insta EMI cards, Credit Cards marketplace and Gold Loan.

Anshul Kheterpal, Chief Business Officer, Airtel Finance said, “We are consistently innovating to offer products that are customer centric and, in this endeavor, today, we are excited to announce the launch of our Fixed Deposits proposition. The FD comes at an attractive interest rate that will help our customers manage their funds better and meet their financial goals. We have partnered with the best banks in this venture and promise to offer customers a completely transparent, seamless and digital journey.”

On the Airtel Thanks App platform, customers can book and manage fixed deposits directly without opening a new bank account with a minimum investment of INR 1000.

It is entirely a digital process with three simple steps:

1. Compare and select FD.
2. Enter details and complete KYC.
3. Make payment via existing bank account.

Airtel Finance has offered the Fixed Deposit service via a partnership with multiple small finance banks and NBFCs including Utkarsh Small Finance Bank, Shivalik Bank, Suryoday Small Finance Bank and Shriram Finance. This will help customers lock in assured returns at high rates of interest.

Bank FDs are insured up to INR 5 Lakh per PAN per bank by DICGC- Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (a 100% RBI subsidiary). This will help customers invest in Small Finance Bank deposits with greater assurity. Airtel Finance is also offering fixed deposit options with withdrawal any time after seven days which will put to rest all customer concerns about lock in and lack of liquidity.

Airtel Finance, trusted by more than eight lakh customers, is a financial services platform with an evolving portfolio of offerings aimed at providing personalised, simplified and secured financial solutions to its customers. Currently, Airtel Finance offers multiple products including Airtel Flexi Credit Personal Loan, Co-brand Credit Card, Co-brand Insta EMI card and Gold Loan with financial institutions, all easily accessible on its Thanks App, with additional product offerings like Business Loan and Secured Lending Products in the pipeline. Airtel Finance is on its way to becoming a one-stop solution for all the financial product needs of its 350 mn+ customers across the country.

Prateek Group Marks 20 Years of Excellence, Celebrates 20th Foundation Day with Grandeur

Noida, September 09, 2024: Prateek Group, a leading name in the real estate industry, celebrated its 20th Foundation Day, marking two decades of outstanding achievements. The event was a celebration of the Group’s remarkable journey and the unwavering trust, excellence, integrity, quality, and craftsmanship it has achieved over the years.

Founded in 2005, Prateek Group is built on benchmark quality standards, rock-solid values, and, above all, transparency. From innovative design concepts to the meticulous execution of construction, every project reflects the group’s steadfast pursuit of superior quality. Setting the benchmark in the industry with each project built and delivered, Prateek Group has delivered 15 million sq. ft and continues to thrive. With 20 years of expertise, the Group has delivered homes to 50,000+ happy customers with 100% satisfaction.

Prashant Tiwari, Chairman of Prateek Group, expressed his gratitude and said, “Today marks a milestone for the Prateek Group as we celebrate nineteen years of growth and achievement. In the early days, we faced numerous challenges. We started from the bottom, with no competition or market presence. Today, after nineteen years, we reflect on our journey with pride. As we move forward, we remain committed to excellence, constantly learn from our experiences, and strive to better our services.”

Prateek Tiwari, Managing Director, Prateek Group, added, “Our journey from humble beginnings to industry leadership reflects our dedication, hard work, and commitment to excellence. As we mark the anniversary of our inception on September 5, 2005, at that time, we could not have imagined the extent to which this family would grow and the size of the team that would emerge. Our position as a leader in the real estate industry reflects our commitment and efforts. We have created a space where we are not only recognized for our legacy but also for the quality project delivered on time with 100% customer satisfaction.”

With projects like Prateek Fedora, Prateek Laurel, Prateek Wisteria, Prateek Stylome, Prateek Carnesia, Prateek Edifice, Prateek Grand City, Prateek Canary, the group has earned great value and reputation amongst stakeholders. Embarking on the next chapter of its journey, the group gears up to announce some new developments soon raising the bar high in the real estate landscape of NCR.

As it looks to the future, it continues to enhance its processes to ensure they meet customer expectations, deliver quality, and maintain the highest standards to serve its customers better and lead the industry.

Naukri Jobspeak: AI-ML, Pharma, and FMCG Shine Despite Extended Holiday Impact in August

Mumbai, 09 September 2024: The Naukri JobSpeak Index, India’s leading indicator of white-collar hiring activity, experienced a slight correction in August 2024 vs August 2023 witnessing a 3% decline, ending at 2576 points. While the job market performed steadily in the first half of the month, a unique clustering of holidays in the latter half significantly impacted the overall index. Key holidays such as Independence Day, Janmashtami, and Raksha Bandhan coincided with weekdays, resulting in extended weekends. This anomaly has led to reduced recruitment activity, causing a pronounced dip in the back half of August.

Despite the overall dip, several sectors demonstrated resilience and growth. AI-ML led the pack with a robust 14% year-on-year increase, followed by FMCG (+11%), Pharma/Biotech (+9%), Auto (+7%), and Oil & Gas/Power (+5%). These sectors stood out amidst an otherwise subdued job market.

AI-ML and IT Sector: A Tale of Two Trajectories

While the overall IT sector showed a modest 1% year-on-year growth, AI-ML jobs continued their impressive run with a 14% increase. This divergence highlights the growing importance of specialized AI skills in the job market. Interestingly, IT unicorns bucked the trend with a 5% growth, even as foreign MNCs and Global Capability Centers (GCCs) experienced a correction. Kochi emerged as a bright spot in IT hiring, recording a significant 22% year-on-year growth.

FMCG and Pharma Sectors Show Strength

The FMCG sector maintained its momentum with an 11% year-on-year growth, primarily driven by strong performances in Bangalore and Kolkata, both witnessing a remarkable 40% increase. Similarly, the Pharma sector grew by 9% year-on-year, with Baroda standing out with an impressive 44% growth.

Senior Roles and High Salaries Defy Market Trends

Despite market corrections, senior professionals remain in high demand. Hiring for those with 16+ years of experience grew 11% year-on-year and saw positive growth across all cities, while strategic and top management roles surged by 30%. Higher salary brackets also showed resilience, with positions offering 13-20 LPA increasing by 6% and those above 20 LPA growing by 19%. These trends indicate a strong market for experienced professionals and high-paying roles, contrasting with overall hiring patterns.

Shifting Hiring Landscapes: Emerging Cities and Startups Lead the Way

Kochi, Baroda, and Coimbatore emerged as key centers for fresher recruitment, signaling a geographical diversification of talent acquisition. Bangalore solidified its position as a startup powerhouse, with startups and unicorns outpacing foreign MNCs and Global Capability Centers (GCCs) in hiring. Chennai showed signs of following a similar trajectory, while Hyderabad presented a mixed picture with startups and GCCs leading in recruitment over MNCs. These shifts highlight the growing influence of domestic tech ecosystems and the changing preferences of both employers and job seekers across India’s tech hubs.

Dr. Pawan Goyal, Chief Business Officer of Naukri.com, commented, “Hiring in August is a story of two halves. While the first half of the month showed typical patterns, the second-half experienced an impact due to extended holidays. Still, key sectors like AI-ML, FMCG, and Pharma continue to show robust growth, which gives us reason not to worry about the job market.”

OCA elects Randhir Singh as President at General Assembly

New Delhi, India, September 9, 2024: The Olympic Council of Asia has a new President – Raja Randhir Singh of India.

The 77-year-old five-time Olympian was elected unopposed for the term 2024-2028 at the 44th OCA General Assembly in New Delhi on Sunday.

When the result was announced, the hall was filled with applause and delegates queued to congratulate Raja Randhir.

The post of President, five Vice Presidents for the five zones and five Executive Board members were all uncontested.

The electronic voting, by tablet, required a simple majority of 50 percent plus one from the 45 National Olympic Committees.

Raja Randhir received 44 of the 45 votes, with one abstention and no “No” votes.

“Thank you very much and we are very honoured for the love and affection you have shown us,” said Raja Randhir on behalf of the new Executive Board.

“Thank you from the bottom of my heart. With your support you have shown Asia is one, Asia is one family. We are always there for you.”

Raja Randhir had special words of thanks to the OCA Director General, Mr. Husain Al Musallam, for his support for over 30 years, and for Deputy Director General Vinod Kumar Tiwari.

Mobec Launches TakeChargeForTheFuture Campaign, On World EV Day

September 9th, 2024, New Delhi, India: Mobec, a pioneering leader in the electric vehicle (EV) charging industry, is proud to announce the launch of its latest initiative, the #TakeChargeForTheFuture campaign. With the rise of electric mobility and the urgent need to address climate change, Mobec aims to inspire individuals and communities to make a meaningful impact by taking a sustainability pledge to reduce their carbon footprint by switching to electric vehicles (EVs).

The #TakeChargeForTheFuture campaign invites participants to sign the sustainability pledge through an interactive Instagram post. Visitors can engage by commenting on the post and sharing the pledge across their social media channels, urging their friends, family, and followers to join the movement towards a greener future. For each pledge received, Mobec will either plant a tree or contribute to a green initiative, reinforcing its commitment to sustainability.

Incentives for Participation

As a token of appreciation, Mobec is offering exclusive discounts on its range of EV chargers and accessories to all participants who take the pledge. Additionally, Mobec encourages EV owners and enthusiasts to share their stories and experiences on how Mobec’s portable and on-the-go charging solutions have enhanced their journeys. Selected stories will be featured on Mobec’s social media platforms, further promoting the message of sustainability and the benefits of transitioning to EVs.

Harry Bajaj, CEO and Founder of Mobec, shared his excitement about the campaign, “The future of mobility is electric, and the future of our planet depends on how quickly we can adapt to sustainable practices. With #TakeChargeForTheFuture, we’re not only asking people to switch to EVs but to make a conscious effort to be part of the solution. Every pledge represents a step towards a cleaner, greener tomorrow, and at Mobec, we’re thrilled to incentivize this change by contributing to green initiatives and offering rewards to our dedicated community.”

How to Participate in #TakeChargeForTheFuture

1. Follow Mobec on Instagram.

2. Comment on the campaign post with your pledge to reduce your carbon footprint by adopting electric vehicles.

3. Share the post on your social media channels to inspire others to take the pledge.

4. Mobec will donate a tree or contribute to a green initiative for every pledge.

5. Receive exclusive discounts on Mobec chargers or accessories and share your EV journey for a chance to be featured on Mobec’s platforms.

By participating in the #TakeChargeForTheFuture campaign, individuals are not only making a pledge for a more sustainable future but also contributing to tangible environmental change through Mobec’s green initiatives.

Courtyard by Marriott Aravali Resort Appoints Turiya Joshi as Marketing & Communications Manager

Haryana, September 2024– Courtyard by Marriott Aravali Resort is pleased to announce the appointment of Turiya Joshi as Marketing & Communications Manager. In this strategic role, Turiya will be responsible for driving the resort’s marketing and promotional efforts, enhancing brand visibility, and delivering exceptional guest experiences.

 With a proven track record spanning over seven years, Turiya brings a wealth of expertise to the Courtyard by Marriott Aravali team. Her experience across various industries, including technology, food delivery, and hospitality, has equipped her with a deep understanding of data analysis, effective collaborations, product marketing, media planning, public relations, content creation, and social media marketing.

 As Marketing & Communications Manager, Turiya will play a pivotal role in developing and executing result-oriented marketing strategies that align with the resort’s goals. Her in-depth knowledge of social media platforms and digital marketing trends will ensure that the resort stays ahead of the curve and effectively engages with its target audience. Additionally, her strong public relations skills will be instrumental in managing the resort’s reputation and fostering positive relationships with key stakeholders.

 “We are thrilled to welcome Turiya to the Courtyard by Marriott Aravali team,” said Rajneesh Kumar, General Manager of the resort. “Her extensive experience and passion for marketing make her a valuable asset to our team. We are confident that her expertise will contribute significantly to our ongoing success and help us deliver exceptional experiences to our guests.”

 Prior to joining Courtyard by Marriott Aravali, Turiya held marketing positions at renowned brands such as Dunzo, Swiggy, Byjus, and Fairfield by Marriott Dehradun. Her diverse experience and strong educational background, including a Bachelor of Science in Economics from Symbiosis School of Economics, have equipped her with the skills necessary to excel in her new role.

National Conference of Agricultural University VCs at Heartfulness Headquarters to Redefine Education System

Mumbai/Hyderabad, 9 September 2024: Heartfulness in association with the Govt. of India, Indian Council for Agricultural Research, Dr. Reddy’s Foundation, Sri Konda Laxman Telangana State Horticulture University organised a two-day (6-7 Oct) National Conference of Vice Chancellors of Agricultural Universities at Kanha Shanti Vanam – the headquarters of Heartfulness in the outskirts of Hyderabad. The event was presided over by Dr. Himanshu Pathak – Secretary, DARE & Director General ICAR and Dr. R.C. Agrawal – Deputy Director General, Agricultural Education ICAR in the Divine Presence of Rev. Daaji – Guide of Heartfulness and President of Shri Ram Chandra Mission. 62 vice chancellors and 11 senior officers and scientists from ICAR participated in the event.

Dr. R. C. Agrawal – Deputy Director General (Agriculture Education ) ICAR in his address said, “I am thankful to Rev. Daaji for signing the MoU with ICAR. With support of his volunteers for offering Heartfulness meditation to our students, there is a lot of change in terms of concentration, focus, output of the students and our teachers. The latest statistics suggest that 2% youth in vocational training, 93% unorganised work sectors. We need to have a roadmap on how we can train the youth for the next five years and the best way to provide certificate programmes, visit to ICAR institutes, double the intake at agri universities (growing from the existing 10% increase in the numbers of agri seats) and to identify and overcome the constraints for implementation on plan. We want to discuss the guidelines of PPP from valuable inputs of our Vice Chancellors, reformulate and restructure policy for internships and work, discuss the salient features of Dean’s committee.”

Dr. Himanshu Pathak – Secretary, DARE & Director General ICAR in his keynote address said, “Agriculture, nature, progress and peace are interlinked. Viksit Bharat will come with Viksit Krishi and Viksit Krishni will stem from Viksit Shikha. Without this you cannot increase productivity and profitability and sustainability of agriculture. While discussing the education system of ICAR we must remember that Indian agriculture must be friendly on 5 grounds: 1. Nature-friendly 2. Technology-friendly 3. Market-friendly to identify what farmers and markets need and what other countries need for sustainability and profitability 4. Gender friendly 5. Agri must be culture-friendly. Agri is also our heritage. Change will come from agricultural universities and NGOs as Heartfulness. My humble gratitude to Rev. Daaji.”

Rev. Daaji – Guide of Heartfulness and President of Shri Ram Chandra Mission said, “My special thanks to Shivraj Singh Chouhan ji who could not be here today and to our hon’ble guests. Without agriculture, there is no life. The role of universities is to make agriculture more ‘sakshritik’ with less efforts, high production, more efficiency. Over the years I have been watching what is happening to the upper crust of our earth which contains nutrients. Spraying microdose of sea-water on crops can work wonders. Make agriculture fascinating and interesting. Meditation has a positive impact on farms with increase in productivity. Students can also be taught how lovingly you can play with seeds worshipfully. Before planting there used to be rituals. That culture has to be brought back. Material life and spiritual life have to go together. Please add spiritual component to agri, teach farmers to be more reverential, grains will have positive impact, thoughts will also change when we partake of that food.”

Rev. Daaji led a group meditation session followed by his address. The event also witnessed a discussion on the Job Opportunities for Agri-students (Dr S K Sharma, ADG, HRM and Bimlesh Mann, ADG, EP& HS) as part of the ICAR initiative. This was followed by a visit to Water Harvesting Site and Nursery and on-site discussion with Heartfulness Institute regarding prospects for water harvesting by agricultural universities. A presentation by RRF team (regional facilitators, state in-charge representatives of Heartfulness all over India and representatives of universities and Heartful campus programs team) followed this visit.

The Day 2 of the conference hosted a panel discussion on public-private partnership in higher agricultural education with Dr. S K Sharma, ADG, HRM; discussion on the 6th Deans Reports by Dr. A S Yada, ADG, EQ&R; discussion on Dual degree in higher agricultural education by Dr Bimlesh Mann, ADG, EP& HS; an interaction of Vice Chancellors and ICAR staff with the Heartfulness institute and volunteers regarding the agriculture initiatives to be followed by a tour to the state-of-the-art Tissue Culture lab housed at Kanha and a closing ceremony with a musical cultural programme.

The conference was centered around enhancing the well-being of individuals in the agricultural sector, particularly farmers and agricultural scientists through an existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between ICAR and Heartfulness. The MoU comprises integrating meditation, wellness, and holistic practices into the lives of farmers and professionals working in agriculture.

Over 10,000+ students have begun practicing Heartfulness Meditation, with more than 100 events conducted in agricultural colleges across India. Additionally, 5 Agro youth seminars have been organized at Kanha Shanti Vanam, and 8 internships have been offered to agricultural students for various Agro initiatives. Mental Health Support, Capacity Building and Training; Promoting Sustainable Practices; Research Collaboration are the core objectives being achieved through the ICAR-Heartfulness MoU. This collaboration signifies a unique blend of modern agricultural science and ancient wellness practices, aimed at uplifting the overall well-being of the agricultural community in India.