WIKA India Receives Dual Recognition at IEC 2024 for Excellence

Navi Mumbai, 04th December’ 2024:  WIKA India has been recognized for its excellent performance and hard work in Instrumentation Engineers Club (IEC) Annual Awards 2024. Two of its key leaders have been honored with highly esteemed awards during the event that recently at the ILEAF Grand Banquets, Navi Mumbai on 4th December’ 2024. This includes Mr. Gaurav Bawa, Senior Vice President, WIKA India, as “CEO of the Year 2024” and Mr. Prashant Sinha, Head of Marketing, WIKA India, as “Emerging Leader Under 40.”

The IEC Awards celebrate leaders in the instrumentation industry for their contributions to innovation, growth, and excellence. This year, nominations were received from several top instrumentation companies. To select the winners, a distinguished jury that included CEOs and VPs from leading organizations reviewed these entries and declared the results.

Expressing his gratitude, Mr. Gaurav Bawa said, “This award is a reflection of hard work and dedication of every member of the WIKA India family. At WIKA India, driving growth, innovation, and continuous improvement are our cultural values and this recognition is surely an evidence of our relentless commitment.”

Mr. Prashant Sinha while mentioning his achievement said, “This award is not only a personal milestone but also a testament to the entire team’s dedication and persistent pursuit of excellence at WIKA India. Being acknowledged among such accomplished professionals in the industry is an incredible honor.”

As WIKA India continues to innovate and set new benchmarks every year, these accolades are significant milestones that highlight the organization’s contributions to the sector and its sustained growth trajectory.

Janpath Handloom Haat Welcomes Special Handloom Expo Inaugurated by Dr. M. Bina

New Delhi, 04th November 2024: The much-awaited Special Handloom Expo commenced today at Handloom Haat, Janpath, New Delhi, and will continue until December 8, 2024. The event is organized by the National Design Centre (NDC) in collaboration with the Development Commissioner (Handlooms), Ministry of Textiles, Government of India. The expo will be open daily from 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM.

The inauguration ceremony was led by Dr. M. Bina, IAS, Development Commissioner (Handlooms), Ministry of Textiles, Government of India. In her inaugural address, Dr. Bina emphasized the significance of the Indian handloom industry and the importance of such events. She stated, “This expo not only provides our weavers with an opportunity to connect directly with the market but also plays a crucial role in preserving and promoting our rich heritage of traditional handicrafts.”

The expo features the participation of over 75 weavers, Self-Help Groups (SHGs), and cooperatives, offering a unique platform for them to connect with buyers, exporters, designers, and the general public. The event aims to promote India’s traditional handloom products and empower artisans to expand their market reach.

Visitors can experience over 50 different traditional weaving styles, including silk and cotton sarees, dress materials, home furnishings, shawls, bed linens, and other handcrafted textiles. All products are available for direct purchase from the artisans, ensuring an authentic and enriching shopping experience.

On the very first day, a large number of visitors attended the event, celebrating the diversity and artistry of India’s handloom industry. The expo not only provides a marketplace for handcrafted products but also enhances the appreciation of the dedication and craft of Indian weavers.

Organizers expect thousands of visitors throughout the week, making this expo an essential destination for those seeking to explore and embrace India’s rich handloom heritage.

Fall/Winter 2024: Timex Introduces Timeless Designs with a Modern Twist

04th December, 2024: Timex a pioneer in the watchmaking industry, introduces their new Fall/Winter collection for 2024, continuing its 170-year-old legacy of crafting beautiful watches that can be worn and loved for a lifetime. Notable highlights from the upcoming collection include a revival of the timelessly elegant Women’s Cavatina from the ‘50s, a taste of the weekend mindset with a new Weekender series, and exciting collaborations.

In 1959, Timex launched its first collection designed exclusively for women, marking a pivotal moment that transformed watches from cherished heirlooms to must-have fashion accessories. Now, they’re revisiting this iconic era, blending the nostalgia of their past with the style of today with their newly redesigned Cavatina. Remaining faithful to its petite roots, it features a 19mm case in a classic oval shape that whispers a timeless elegance on the wrist. Completing its feminine profile is a petite tapered leather strap with an enticing crocodile grain that’s as on-trend as it is timelessly stylish.

Weekender

Timex is bringing a fresh burst of energy to their beloved Weekender timepiece with elevated details like a sleek new case and crown design and a fun assortment of fabric and leather straps that keep things comfortable, casual, and cool. The slip-thru strap design makes it easy to swap out the eco-friendly recycled fabric strap for one in another color or print. The watches are equipped with luminous hands and our INDIGLO® backlight, and on the white dial, you’ll find a date window complete with a magnifier for enhanced viewing, both 12- and 24-hour time indexes, and the iconic “we.” logo of the Timex Weekender as a reminder that any boring old day can become unforgettable if it’s spent with our favorite people.

Timex Fria Peekaboo: A Limited collection

The standout feature of Timex Peekaboo lies in its cutout design, a modern interpretation of classic elegance, creating a bold yet understated statement for the contemporary woman. It offers a distinct minimalist bangle silhouette seen on recent fashion runways, the sleek stainless-steel body with artistic detailing and luminescent metallic finish adds a futuristic twist, giving the watches a visual appeal and making them a perfect fashion statement piece for everyday wear and evening occasions. This limited collection is available in 4 distinct variants. The collection is aimed at urban, fashion-conscious audiences, who appreciate quality craftsmanship and timeless style.

Timex Peekaboo limited collection available at Timex India

Timex is excited to launch new and unexpected partnerships and collaborations. Highlights of the recent collaborations include Timex x Fortnite. Following their successful partnership on the Fortnite Creative Mode experience “Race Against TimeX,” Timex and Fortnite are teaming up once again to unveil the first of several Timex x Fortnite product collections. The Timex x Fortnite collection brings the hype with our Q Timex LCA, Urban Pop, and MK1 in electrifying styles featuring iconic Fortnite characters and elements from the game. Every Timex x Fortnite watch has an exclusive coupon code for an in-game item (cold snap), so you can level up your style in and out of the game.

For more information on the upcoming Fall/Winter collection.

Thump Celebration Marathon 2024 Witnesses Unveiling of Bangalore Stroke Center

Bangalore, December 4th, 2024: Bangalore Hospitals made a significant impact at the Thump Celebration Marathon 2024, held on December 1, 2024, by serving as the official medical partner. With over 4,000 participants competing in multiple categories, the event was a vibrant celebration of fitness, endurance, and community spirit.

Bangalore Hospitals ensured participants’ safety and well-being by deploying a dedicated team of 30 healthcare professionals to provide on-ground medical support, addressing injuries and emergencies during the event. The hospital also offered complimentary health services such as blood pressure checks, glucose monitoring, ECG screenings, and consultations with dietitians and physicians. Participants were further supported with a 10% discount on additional investigations and consultations, emphasizing the hospital’s commitment to promoting preventive healthcare and accessibility.

The marathon was inaugurated by Honourable Member of Parliament, Bengaluru South, Mr. Tejasvi Surya, who commended the event for its dual focus on promoting physical fitness and raising awareness about preventive healthcare, including stroke prevention.

A significant highlight of the event was the launch of the Bangalore Stroke Center by Bangalore Hospital Kengeri and Jayanagar. The center, led by Dr. Suhas, a consultant neurologist, is equipped to handle all types of stroke emergencies with cutting-edge technology and services, including thrombolysis within the critical 4.5-hour window, mechanical thrombectomy for advanced stroke management, 24/7 emergency neurology care, and in-house diagnostic facilities like a Cath Lab, 160-slice CT, and 1.5T MRI. The hospital also offers a 24/7 free ambulance service for stroke patients, ensuring swift and comprehensive care.

“Bangalore Hospitals is deeply committed to fostering community health through preventive care and health education,” said Dr. Abhishek Mannem. “The Thump Celebration Marathon perfectly aligns with our mission to inspire healthier lifestyles while highlighting the importance of fitness and timely medical intervention, particularly for critical conditions like stroke.”

To reinforce the importance of timely intervention, the Bangalore Stroke Center launched the “One Call Saves the Brain” campaign. For emergency stroke assistance,  Guided by the motto “Act FAST – Time Saved is Brain Saved!,” Bangalore Hospitals continues its dedication to saving lives and raising awareness about the impact of early stroke treatment.

Through its role as the official medical partner of the Thump Celebration Marathon 2024 and the launch of the Bangalore Stroke Center, Bangalore Hospitals has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting community health initiatives and providing accessible, high-quality medical care to the public.

One Health Assist Unveils #MissionFitPossible to Inspire Healthier Living

The brand has launched a new campaign, urging netizens to inculcate the habit of tracking their health because ‘prevention is always better than cure. In today’s fast-paced world, adopting healthy habits can feel like an uphill battle and the lure of instant gratification eclipses the promise of long-term benefits; many struggle to make progress due to time constraints, lack of motivation, and external challenges.

Inspiring healthier lifestyles, One Health Assist, the country’s first holistic health and wellness ecosystem, proudly introduces its exciting new campaign, #MissionFitPossible. Seeking to build awareness around the importance of wellness, the campaign presents a challenge that is literally one step at a time. With a simple goal to cultivate lasting habits like consistent health tracking, starting with daily steps and gradually incorporating broader wellness metrics of hydration, sleeping habits, mental wellness, and diet.

Leveraging the power of social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, Youtube, and ancillary platforms, the campaign encourages participants to share their progress using #MissionFitPossible. And, within 4 days of launch, the campaign has already garnered significant attention, surpassing 68,00,000 views across the internet already. With enthusiastic participation, #MissionFitPossible is well on its way to become a sure-shot success on adoption. Influencers across fitness, healthcare, and netizens have taken the challenge and are seen urging their followers to take that first step.

Karan Arora, Co-Founder, of One Health Assist said, “As a preventive-to-solutions platform, we firmly believe that people must take up their health journey through better lifestyles. We believe that this challenge will be able to guide them there.”

Davinder Bhasin, Founder, of One Health Assist, said, “This is our step to ‘inculcate a habit of tracking your steps and eventually health’. We believe by fostering a sense of community, #MissionFitPossible inspires collective encouragement as participants celebrate their goals and milestones together.”

Divya Dixit, Chief Growth Officer, of One Health Assist, said, “The first step is always the hardest. With the #MissionFitPossible challenge, we’re motivating people to take that initial step with the chance to win Coldplay concert tickets! We believe this campaign will inspire positive habits. Don’t get the FOMO, Join the fitness tribe.”

Designed to make fitness fun, accessible, and rewarding, this dynamic initiative is asking participants not only to reap the benefits of improved health but also to get the chance to win exclusive Coldplay concert tickets, adding an element of thrill to their wellness journey.

Read Campaign Details here:

Participants are encouraged to:

• Walk 10,000 steps daily, tracking progress through any fitness app and sharing their step count on Instagram, tagging @one_health_assist.
• Nominate three friends to join the challenge, creating a supportive and motivating network.
• Follow additional wellness tips for holistic health, such as getting 8 hours of sleep, drinking 3 liters of water daily, spending quality time with loved ones, and maintaining balanced meals.

Terms & Conditions

• Duration: November 25, 2024, to January 9, 2025.
• Eligibility: Open to Indian residents with no purchase necessary.
• Winner Selection: Based on consistent participation and completion of the challenge.

Target Audience

This campaign is designed for health-conscious individuals, fitness beginners, and anyone looking to make small changes toward a healthier lifestyle. #MissionFitPossible seeks to cultivate a vibrant, Instagram-driven wellness community, reaching those who are active on digital platforms and interested in self-improvement.

GoodLives Secures Rs. 1.1 Crore in Pre-Seed Funding to Transform Workplace Mental Health Solutions

New Delhi, 3rd December, 2024: The creative AI-powered platform for mental health and wellness, GoodLives, has announced that its ₹1.1 crore pre–seed financing round has closed successfully. With strategic contributions from IIM Lucknow, Rabindranath Tagore University (RNTU), and industry veterans Anupreet Singh, Deepak Motwani, and Abhishek Hota, Build3, a well-known social impact accelerator, led the round. For GoodLives, this investment represents a significant turning point in its mission to reimagine mental health care for workplaces in India and the USA.

GoodLives, which was founded by IIT Kharagpur graduates Sakshi Shah and Lawrance Bamania, has quickly become a game-changer in the mental health industry. With the help of AI-powered do-it-yourself workouts and expert therapy, the platform offers individualized and effective holistic health solutions. With a particular focus on large and mid-sized corporations, GoodLives is committed to enhancing employee engagement and wellbeing through tailored programs. The startup’s goal of making a positive social impact is furthered by providing a free community platform that reaches those looking for easily accessible tools and information for managing mental health.

In a statement, co-founder Sakshi Shah said, “This funding round underscores the growing importance of mental health in workplace culture. With this investment, we’re equipped to expand our reach and elevate our offerings, ensuring mental health support is both accessible and effective for all.”

Co-founder Lawrance Bamania added, “Mental health is not just a personal mission for us; it’s a societal necessity. We aim to make mental well-being as integral to workplace culture as physical health. This funding enables us to move closer to that vision, driving meaningful change at scale.”

To ensure a smooth and significant user experience, the money infusion will be wisely used to improve the platform’s features and functionality. In order to reach a wider audience, GoodLives also intends to expand its activities and enter new markets. Through its programs, GoodLives has already raised awareness of mental health issues among more than 5 million people. Notably, the business has started a ground-breaking LinkedIn campaign to de-stigmatize discussions around mental health, and it has received a lot of praise for its creative awareness-raising strategy.

Black Friday Sales Volumes Up 17% over last year: Unicommerce

3rd December 2024, Mumbai: Unicommerce, one of India’s leading e-commerce enablement SaaS platforms, record a 17% jump in order volumes in this year’s Black Friday sales (27th Nov. – 30th Nov 2024) over last year’s equivalent sales (22nd Nov. – 25th Nov ‘2023). The gross merchandise value (GMV) also grew by over 24% during the same period.

Some of the categories that saw an increase in order volumes included beauty, wellness & personal care products with over 34% growth as compared to that during last year’s sales. Products that were most in demand during this period were perfumes, deodorants and makeup items. Fashion & accessories recorded an over 20% YoY increase in e-commerce order volumes this season, with kids apparel, travel accessories and toys & baby products taking the limelight.

FMCG & agricultural products also witnessed over 34% YoY increase in order volumes pointing to high demand for plant nutrition items and healthy eatables. The health & pharma category recorded over 50% growth in order volumes, with health devices, nutraceuticals & supplements being the category highlights

The home decor segment, which has emerged as a mainstream category across e-commerce over the last few years, saw over 40% YoY growth in order volumes during the sale. This was led by decorative items and furnishing products.

Both brand websites and marketplaces recorded similar growth during the Black Friday sale this year. Brands recorded an uptick of over 17% in order volumes compared to last year whereas marketplaces observed over 18% growth during the same period.

Another interesting aspect of this year’s Black Friday sale event was the rise of average order value. Wearables saw a growth in AoV by over 200% during this period. Other items and categories that witnessed higher AoV growth included computers & laptops and fashion & accessories with over 25% increase in AoV for each category. Other segments including home furniture and home furnishing items also saw higher AoV of over 24% and 28% respectively during the Black Friday sale this year as compared to the last year.

The Black Friday sale has become an important part of India’s yearly cycle of e-commerce sale events and consumers actively wait for exclusive discounts offered by brands and e-commerce platforms during this period. Unicommerce analysed over 10 million order items processed through its platforms during the sale period of both the years to analyse the numbers.

“Every year, Black Friday sales act as a good closure to the year’s e-commerce sale events. As we continue to see rising consumer demand, these insights provide a broad picture of the evolving e-commerce industry in India”, said Kapil Makhija, MD & CEO of Unicommerce.

With a 930 Mn+ annual transaction run rate, 3550+ clients, 8800+ client warehouses and 3150+ client stores, Unicommerce works with India’s marquee brands, leading marketplaces, and logistics service providers to technologically enable end-to-end management of their e-commerce operations. Beyond India, Unicommerce also serves clients in the Middle East & Southeast Asia.