FUJIFILM India Strengthens its Mission to Spread More Smiles with its ‘FUJIFILM Smiles Home’ Initiative on World Smiles Day

New Delhi, 8th October 2024: FUJIFILM India proudly celebrated World Smile Day by aligning with its mission of spreading joy and positivity through the launch of the FUJIFILM Smiles Home initiative, for The Earth Saviours Foundation’s Mandawar Village centre which is a home to 700 adults and senior citizens. This global observance resonates with FUJIFILM’s Group Purpose of “Giving Our World More Smiles,” which showcases its value to society and role in the world.

As part of its CSR initiative, the first phase of the FUJIFILM Smiles Home project aims to provide much-needed support and resources to underprivileged communities, amplifying FUJIFILM’s dedication to social responsibility and community upliftment. This launch marks the beginning of a multi-phase plan designed to amplify the positive impact and extend the reach of their efforts. FUJIFILM India also sensitized its employees about the joy and impact of contributing. The first phase witnessed the employee’s engagement in cooking for the community and inauguration of FUJIFILM Smiles Homes – which is equipped with essentials to promote health and wellbeing, improve living conditions and encourage community development.

Mr. Koji Wada, Managing Director of FUJIFILM India, shared his enthusiasm, “We at FUJIFILM India have created value from innovation by bringing diverse ideas, unique capabilities, and extraordinary people – who achieve their aspirations and give smiles to the world – together. This is at the heart of the Fujifilm Group’s Purpose – ‘Giving Our World More Smiles.’ Based on our purpose, this Corporate Social Responsibility activity of FUJIFILM India aims to serve the society by taking cognizance of their needs and work towards the upliftment of society while adding More Smiles.”

Mr. Abhi Shekhar Singh, Vertical Head, Corporate Communications & CSR, added, “The thought of starting an initiative like FUJIFILM Smiles Home came from our Purpose statement “Giving Our World More Smiles”. Apart from our extensive work in public health for active case finding of TB in Gujarat through our CSR, this year we were looking at opportunities to also connect with our Group Purpose with our CSR initiatives as well. Our search for a meaningful project ended at the inspiring work being done by the Earth Savior Foundation and we are very happy to connect and support their cause. On the event of World Smiles Day, we also did an activity by engaging our employees in this noble cause, with a thought of not only aim to uplift the lives of those in need but also foster a culture of compassion and community within our organization”.

FUJIFILM India reaffirms its dedication to making a significant positive impact through a range of innovative and compassionate initiatives. The launch of the FUJIFILM Smiles Home project signifies the commencement of their larger vision aimed at transforming lives and fostering a sense of joy within communities. This project is not just a standalone effort but a fundamental part of FUJIFILM India’s broader strategy to address social needs and promote well-being. By focusing on such initiatives, FUJIFILM India demonstrates its ongoing commitment to advancing social responsibility, enhancing the quality of life for individuals, and cultivating a spirit of kindness and support across diverse communities.

Nickelodeon: The Destination for Kids, the Choice for Winning Brands

India, 8th October 2024: Nickelodeon India concluded a remarkable July-September quarter with innovative, pan-India campaigns that touched the lives of kids across the country. Despite it being a non-festive quarter, the brand’s immersive engagements—from bustling cities to local communities ensured its presence wherever kids are. Through on-ground and digital campaigns, Nickelodeon reaffirmed its position as the ultimate destination for kids by consistently delivering moments of joy and learning.

Nickelodeon’s ability to leverage key topical moments transformed special days into extraordinary experiences, sparking creativity and connection among kids across India. For Teacher’s Day, under the #FeatureYourTeacher campaign, Nicktoons Chikoo and Bunty visited Parvarish Special School and Ryan International School in Delhi, engaging kids and celebrating their mentors. On Friendship Day, Chikoo and Bunty brought excitement to Shrimad Rajchandra Divine Touch School in Ahmedabad, as part of the #ToastYourDost campaign. In Chennai, Nickelodeon partnered with Space Kidz India to offer an educational space exploration experience, led by Abhimanyu from Abhimanyu Ki Alien Family. Additionally, the release of the movie – Motu Patlu and Mission Kung Fu Kid saw Motu and Patlu delighting kids through interactive storytelling sessions and local tours in the city of Ahmedabad, blending entertainment with meaningful engagement.

Commenting on Nick’s ability to engage kids across the board, Anu Sikka, Business Head – Kids TV Network, Viacom18, said, “At Nickelodeon, we aim to create experiences that do more than entertain—they inspire learning, growth, and joy. This quarter, we successfully deepened our engagement with kids through immersive experiences and collaborations that left a lasting impact. As we look ahead to the festive season, we are excited to continue partnering with brands and stakeholders, on both national and hyperlocal levels, to deliver enriching and meaningful value propositions.”

This quarter also marked the expansion of Nickelodeon’s School Contact Program in key focus markets, engaging thousands of kids in schools through interactive and creative experiences. Nicktoons brought learning and laughter to kids, strengthening the brand’s on-ground presence.

The success of these campaigns shines through in the growing number of sponsors and partners who have joined forces with Nickelodeon, driven by the brand’s deep connection with kids. Leading names such as Yipee, Complan, MamaEarth, Dr. Oetker, Babool, Kellogg’s, Ghadi, Huggies, Mammy Poko Pants, Ryan International School, Space Kidz India, and Shrimad Rajchandra Divinetouch, among others, have embraced Nickelodeon’s mission to provide value-driven entertainment that resonates with kids.

Further underscoring Nickelodeon’s impact, its partnership with Fevicreate Idea Labs, Pidilite’s annual art and craft competition, recently earned the prestigious ANN Award for “Best Live Action Program” in the Kids’ category. This achievement highlights the brand’s leadership in delivering content that captivates and educates kids, both on and off-screen.

Ms. Sheetal Labru, Principal of Ryan International School said, “We’re thrilled to partner with Nick for this year’s Teacher’s Day celebration. The celebration brought a fresh and engaging approach to honouring educators, making the day truly memorable. The interactive activities, where students guided their teachers through fun challenges, showcased the special bond between them. We’re proud to see our students express their gratitude in such creative ways.”

“At Shrimad Rajchandra Divinetouch, we are committed to creating a global community of purpose-driven individuals by delivering values through engaging and immersive formats. Our approach is to make learning enjoyable, impactful, and therefore, easy to internalise for young children. This Friendship’s Day, we’re thrilled to join hands with Nick to celebrate the special bond of friendship, combining our vision with a fun and memorable activity” Added, Sapna Shroff, Trustee, Shrimad Rajchandra Divinetouch

Dr. Srimathy Kesan, Founder and CEO, Space Kidz India said, “Here at Space Kidz India, our aim is to inspire and engage children in the wonders of space science and technology. We’re thrilled to collaborate with Nick, the pioneers in their space, where we aim to further ignite curiosity and encourage the next generation to reach for the stars. By combining entertainment with education, we hope to make learning about space accessible and exciting for children everywhere. Nick’s Abhimanyu is a prodigy in himself, it was a great experience having him at the center, taking kids through his world.”

Check Point Software Completes Cyberint Acquisition

India, October 8, 2024 – Check Point Software Technologies Ltd., a pioneer and global leader of cyber security solutions, today announced the completion of its acquisition of Cyberint Technologies Ltd., a highly innovative provider of external risk management solutions.

“At Check Point, we are dedicated to staying ahead of the ever-growing threat landscape. By bringing Cyberint’s real-time exposure analysis to our Infinity Platform, we are providing our customers with proactive and actionable threat intelligence and exposure management that will protect them from even more threats,” said Sharon Schusheim, Chief Services Officer at Check Point Software Technologies. “Cyberint’s technology will expand the threat prevention capabilities of the Infinity platform. We believe Security and Risk Management (SRM) leaders responsible for security operations will derive high value from it.”

Cyberint’s key capabilities are now included in the Infinity Platform and managed services

• Comprehensive External Risk Management Solution for Businesses: Detection and takedown of impersonating website, phishing and social media accounts, as well as stolen credentials and leaked data associated with organizations. It also enables companies to detect vulnerable internet-facing websites and applications and prioritize and effectively mitigate these vulnerabilities.
• Rapid Delivery of Impactful and Actionable Intelligence to Protect Digital Assets: Actionable intelligence within 20 minutes after setup, ensuring that security teams can respond to threats promptly and prevent ransomware.
• Powered by AI and Enhanced by High-Quality Managed Services: Effective risk detection, mitigation, and contextualized alerts with minimal false positives. Human intelligence further strengthens this approach, offering expert guidance and ensuring comprehensive, high-quality management.

Arohan Financial Services Limited Recognised among India’s Best Workplaces for Women 2024

October 8th, 2024: In a milestone achievement, Arohan Financial Services Limited, part of the Aavishkaar Group, has been recognised among India’s Best Workplaces™ for Women 2024 : Top 50 (Large), in an assessment undertaken by the Great Place To Work® Institute. The achievement recognises the organisation’s significant contribution to the vision of making India a Great Place To Work For AllTM.

This year, based on a rigorous evaluation methodology, the Top 100 organisations have been recognized, in both Large and Mid-size category, among India’s Best Workplaces for Women 2024. The institution applauds the workplaces that epitomize forward-thinking leadership and prioritize the holistic well-being of employees.

Ananya Birla & IHBAS Are on the Frontline Bringing Mental Health Awareness Directly to Our School Campuses

Mumbai, 08th October 2024: While the global recognition of mental health’s importance has grown, India still faces urgent challenges. Of an average 250 million school-going students in India, 80% experience various stressors, including academic pressures, peer dynamics, familial expectations, and the constant influence of social media. The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) indicates that student suicide rates have doubled in the last ten years, highlighting bullying and self-harm as significant issues. A UNICEF study highlights that many children hesitate to seek mental health support due to societal fears and stigma, emphasising the urgent need for intervention.

Imagine a bright young mind stifled by anxiety or depression, struggling to focus while their peers engage in learning. This scenario is all too familiar for many students in the city’s schools, who face socioeconomic challenges, academic pressure, and difficult family dynamics. Mental health issues often begin in childhood, making schools a critical backdrop for intervention and support. As awareness grows and resources are allocated to address these challenges early on, there is hope for meaningful change.

As a fervent advocate for mental health awareness, Ananya Birla, a businessperson, artist approached IHBAS, a Government of Delhi Institute to together advance mental health and career support for Indian students. The program brings together a dedicated team of psychologists and trains them on various therapeutic techniques. A key approach is art based therapy, which allows children to express themselves more easily through creative outlets. The focus is also on circle time and narrative-based therapy, which encourages children to share their life stories and concerns, if any. The facilitator plays a crucial role in guiding discussions, helping children gain a clearer understanding of their feelings and thoughts.

Ms. Ananya Birla, Founder of the Ananya Birla Foundation, stated, “As we strive to create a healthier and more supportive environment for our youth, it is imperative that we prioritise mental health awareness in schools across the nation. Since July 2024, we have partnered with the Government of Delhi and IHBAS, targeting a total of 30000+ students over nine months, until March 2025. The Ananya Birla Foundation and IHBAS pledge our committed resources towards preventive care and awareness initiatives, in the working hope that the agreeable absolute solution would be to see mental health education as part of our curriculum, throughout the country.”

Prof. (Dr.) Rajinder K. Dhamija, Director at IHBAS, emphasised the importance of uniting like-minded institutions to catalyse greater action for youth mental health. He stated, “IHBAS is delighted to partner with Ananya Birla Foundation to promote mental and emotional wellness in our youth. This collaboration aims to enhance mental health literacy and de-stigmatize issues among school-going children and adolescents.”

The collaboration between the Ananya Birla Foundation and IHBAS (Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences) is a significant step towards addressing the mental health crisis amongst students in Delhi.

Details on the operations by IHBAS:

IHBAS – a tertiary level medical institute under the Govt. of NCT of Delhi (GNCTD) and funded jointly by Government of Delhi and Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of India that deals with patient care, teaching, training and research activities in the field of mental health, neuro and other allied sciences.

The Government of NCT of Delhi has been working with its schools on a wholistic program called ‘School Mental Health Initiative’ which works on preventive, promotive and curative mental health for students ultimately promoting their well-being. This initiative follows a pilot phase in which educational and vocational guidance counsellors, along with school psychologists, provide counselling to school students. These sessions catered to students from Class VI to XII.

Each school features a clinic where students can share their thoughts with psychologists in private. For more intensive support, a van—Mobile Mental Health Services (MMHU) of IHBAS—equipped with experts visits the school, allowing kids to receive care while remaining in the familiar and safe environment of their school. This approach helps prevent the stigma that may arise from being taken directly to a hospital, which could discourage them from seeking help.

“The schools are strategically selected to ensure that at least one is located in each district, allowing a better understanding of the needs of students across diverse areas. These sessions are integrated into the regular timetable, ensuring they feel just like any other class and helping to eliminate any stigma associated with mental health. Our goal is to encourage children to express themselves freely and seek help when needed. While younger students receive preventive care and awareness initiatives, older students—who often confront more serious challenges such as bullying, substance abuse, and family issues—are provided with more intensive therapy and solutions” said Mr. Shaleen Mitra, Consultant, GNCTD for the project.

“So far the state government has engaged with over 20,638 students through 9980 group sessions. Additionally, the teacher-assist program has sensitised 500+ teachers across Delhi. We have recorded 108 new referrals, with 67 follow ups, leading to 33 students sent for secondary and tertiary treatment at various hospitals, with permission from their caregivers.”

All India Rubber Industries Association Re-Elected Shashi Singh as the President of AIRIA For 2024- 25

Mumbai, October 08, 2024: All India Rubber Industries Association (AIRIA) established in 1945, an apex body for rubber industries in India and dedicated to promote its interest, has unanimously elected the office bearers for the year 2024-25 in Annual General Meeting held on 25th September 2024 in Mumbai.

Mr. Shashi Kumar Singh – President – M/s Osaka Rubber Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai

Mr. Anay Gupta – Sr. Vice-President – Vinko Auto Industries Ltd, South Delhi

Mr. K Ganesh– Vice President – M/s MRP Autorub Group of Companies, Chennai

Mr. Shashi Kumar Singh has been re-elected as President, having previously served in this role with distinction. Mr. Singh is a prominent figure in the rubber industry, bringing over 20 years of extensive experience to his role. He is also actively involved in several other industries, including cement and construction, serving as Director for Chunar Churk Cement Ltd., Hi-Span Developers (P) Ltd., and Shree Salasar Developers (P) Ltd. He served the Association in different capacities such as Chief Convener of Western Region’s National Rubber Conference in 2019. He was member of Core committee at India Rubber Expo 2024 a marque event of the Association. Furthermore, he has been contributing to the industry by serving as a Governing Council member of IRMRI and currently holds the position of Chairman at RCPSDC, New Delhi. As the Director of Osaka Rubber Private Limited, Mr. Singh has been instrumental in transforming the company into one of the leading manufacturers of extruded rubber profiles and sealant tapes in India. With extensive experience in the rubber industry, he has a solid track record in project execution, equipment selection, and modernization. His technical skills in process and compounding, along with expertise in production and procurement, have led him to develop numerous sealant compounds as substitutes for imports.

Commenting on this occasion Mr. Shashi Singh, President of All India Rubber Industries Association, said “I am honored to continue serving as President of AIRIA. I am deeply grateful to the members of AIRIA for their unwavering support and trust in my leadership. Together, we will focus on enhancing collaboration, innovation, and sustainability within our industry, ensuring that we meet the evolving needs of our members and contribute to the growth of the rubber sector in India. I’m grateful for this opportunity to serve and collaborate for our collective growth and success. We will continue to forge a promising future for AIRIA and the rubber industry as a whole”

Mr. Anay Gupta, who has been a driving force at Vinko Auto Industries Ltd. has been elected as Senior Vice-President of the All India Rubber Industry Association. With a Bachelor of Engineering in Computer Science from San Jose State University, Mr. Gupta began his career in 1993 as Executive Director at Vinko and thereafter rose through the ranks to become Managing Director in 2017. His strategic vision and expertise in export marketing have significantly enhanced Vinko’s market position. Additionally, Mr. Gupta has served on the AIRIA’s Managing Committee since 2017 and previously held the position of Chairman for AIRIA (NR) during the fiscal years 2020-21 and 2021-22. He is committed to fostering growth, innovation, and marketing excellence for the organization.

Mr. K. Ganesh has been elected as Vice President, bringing with him a wealth of knowledge from his role as Managing Director of MRP Autorub Group of Companies in Chennai. With an MBA from Madras University, Mr. Ganesh has been with the company since its inception in 1979, guiding it to become a respected supplier of rubber components, with nearly 40% of its turnover generated through exports. An active member of AIRIA for over 15 years, he has held various roles, including Regional Chairman and Convener of NRC.

Appreciate Becomes the First Company to Enable Mutual Fund Investments on ONDC Network

Mumbai, 8th October 2024: In a significant milestone for India’s financial services sector, Appreciate carried out the first low-ticket mutual fund transaction on the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) Network. Appreciate is one of the first buyer apps to go live on ONDC Network offering mutual fund (MF) investments via Appreciate integrated investment platform.

The launch forms part of Appreciate and ONDC Network’s broader strategy to democratize access to investment products across India, especially in regions underserved by traditional financial services. Appreciate, acting as a buyer app, facilitates seamless interaction between AMCs and customers, with Nippon India AMC being the first AMC to accept investments through the ONDC protocol.

Aligned with ONDC’s vision of financial inclusion, Appreciate also enables sachet-sized investments, making it possible for users to invest small amounts and begin their wealth-creation journey. Additionally, Appreciate intends to add mutual funds to its growing embedded finance solutions stack – available for use by other fintech, retail and marketplace businesses – supporting the continued expansion and penetration of this asset class.

ONDC Network, initially designed to boost e-commerce in India, is now diversifying its services to include a full range of financial products. Its entry into the mutual fund space comes on the heels of its successful digital lending services, which went live in August 2024, offering paperless loans processed in just six minutes. Insurance offerings are also expected to follow soon, further expanding ONDC Network’s financial services portfolio.

Subho Moulik, Founder & CEO of Appreciate said, “Appreciate is proud to partner with ONDC Network to have made the first mutual fund transaction happen on its protocol, a stepping stone for us towards enabling access of investment products across a wider geography in India. With our investment products portfolio and partnerships, we remain fully committed to our mission of making wealth creation a reality for 1.4 billion people.”

T Koshy, MD & CEO of ONDC, commented, “This integration with Appreciate marks a significant leap in making financial services more accessible and inclusive through the ONDC Network. By enabling low-ticket mutual fund investments, we are not only diversifying the types of services offered on the network but also making strides towards deepening financial inclusion in India. Our vision is to democratize financial products in the same way as we’ve approached e-commerce, ensuring that individuals from every corner of the country can access and benefit from investment opportunities.”

CRISIL Ratings: Fee income of educational institutes to grow 12-14% this fiscal

Schools and colleges will report 12-14% revenue growth this fiscal, riding on higher enrolments, which allows for upward fee revisions, and students scouting for new course offerings. The growth will be despite the high base following three consecutive years of high-teen growth.

Improved enrolments and better utilisation of assets should cover increasing salary costs for faculty and other ancillary expenses for new courses and, thereby, aid in maintaining the operating margin at around 28%.

Additionally, as existing courses and seats remain highly utilised, educational institutes will continue to make capital expenditure (capex) to improve infrastructure and enhance intake capacities. However, strong cash flow (from higher revenue and timely realisation of fees) limits reliance on debt for capex and supports the credit risk profile.

An analysis of 96 educational institutes rated by CRISIL Ratings, accounting for almost Rs 20,000 crore fee income, indicates as much.

Enrolments for the educational institutes in the K-12 segment, largely schools, will continue to rise due to two reasons – rising demand for high-quality education and improved affordability as income levels rise.

The government aims to increase the gross enrolment ratio1 for higher education to 50% by 2035, from under 30% currently, by promoting new institutions while expanding and improving current institutions and increasing penetration among the addressable population. Even as intake capacity increases, utilisation rates for schools and higher-education institutes may improve to 86-87% by this fiscal from 85% last fiscal.

Says Himank Sharma, Director, CRISIL Ratings, “Occupancies in Computer Science courses in engineering colleges remained healthy in fiscal 2024 despite subdued placements. Moreover, new courses on Artificial Intelligence, Data Science and Machine Learning were in high demand. Occupancies in these courses will be further boosted by better hiring signals for fiscal 2025. Medical colleges and schools, too, continue to register high enrolments, driving fee income growth. Hence, educational institutes have the flexibility to undertake periodic fee revisions, which will result in fee income being higher by 12-14% in the current fiscal.”

Despite the increase in fee base, working capital requirement will remain minimal as fee receivables have been controlled at 45-50 days over the past few fiscals. Further, gearing and interest coverage ratio will improve to around 0.41 time and 7.0 times, respectively, this fiscal, as against 0.46 time and 6.2 times last fiscal (refer Chart 1 in Annexure).

Says Nagarjun Alaparthi, Associate Director, CRISIL Ratings, “Strong cash generation by educational institutions led to capex spends increasing by 18-20% of existing gross blocks, reaching an all-time high in fiscal 2024. Even in the current fiscal, schools and colleges will continue to expand their capacities by investing heavily in land and infrastructure, around 14-16% of existing gross blocks, while adding various new courses to their portfolio. Yet, credit profiles of education institutes will remain stable as leverage continues to be low.”

Lighting Up Diwali Safely: Tips to Stay Cybersafe and Protect Your Festive Celebrations Online

As the Diwali season approaches, the festival of lights is also casting a glow on increased cyber risks. Historically, cyber attacks spike during the holiday season, with cyber criminals taking advantage of reduced vigilance and the festive focus on celebrations, during a time for gifting and sharing. Cyber criminals leverage holiday themes in phishing attacks, disguising malicious emails as festive greetings or enticing offers designed to lure individuals into clicking harmful links. Such emails can lead to financially motivated cyber crimes or the theft of sensitive personal information. Financially motivated crimes comprised 85% of the 7,000 daily cybercrime complaints in May 2024 according to the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C).

Swapna Bapat, Vice President Product Management, Palo Alto Networks says “As we approach the festive season, it is important for individuals to remain vigilant about online safety. Cyber criminals become most active at such times as most of them try to dupe people who would be distracted by the fun and excitement of celebrations. Financially motivated cyber attacks like phishing, malware or identity theft are some of the severe cyber threats that prevail during festivities in the digital world. However, many of these can be easily avoided by practicing smart online safety habits. With a bit of awareness and caution, we can enjoy the celebrations without falling victim to cyber crime.”

For a safer shopping experience, here’s Palo Alto Network’s guide to circumnavigating the digital world during the Diwali season and offers:

1. Take a Moment Before You Click: Trust but verify any link before clicking on it or responding to messages about Diwali deals. Take a moment to stop and think. Scammers often create a sense of urgency to push you into quick action. By pausing and carefully checking, you can protect yourself from falling for their tricks and keep your personal information safe while you shop.
2. Check for Spelling and Accuracy: Thanks to Gen AI – phishing emails seldom have spelling errors, poor grammar, or strange punctuation. Therefore, be extra vigilant in checking the sender’s email address for domain validity.
3. Approach Social Media Ads with Caution: Ads you come across on platforms like Instagram and Facebook may lead to fake websites pretending to offer Diwali deals. Always verify the legitimacy of the website before making any purchases.
4. Verify the Sender’s Domain: Ensure that any emails you receive come from official domains, such as addresses ending with the company’s official website. Scammers often use fake email addresses that look similar to legitimate ones to deceive shoppers and malicious websites are also used to hold on to an individual’s session tokens/login details.
5. Protect Your Personal Information: Avoid sharing sensitive details like your date of birth or Aadhaar/PAN card number in response to unsolicited messages. Legitimate businesses will not request this information without a valid reason. Make sure your parents, aunts, and uncles know the dangers of sharing personal information when shopping online.
6. Be Wary of Suspicious Messages: Phishing emails may resemble authentic order confirmations or shipping notices. Instead of clicking links within these emails, visit the retailer’s website directly by typing the address into your browser. This allows you to safely check your orders and account details.
7. Check Account Status Messages: If you receive a message claiming there’s an issue with your account, go directly to the company’s website to review your account status. This way, you can verify any problems without clicking on potentially harmful links.
8. Add multi-factor authentication (MFA): Turn on multi-factor authentication (MFA) on all services that allow it, including your email, for extra security. This helps protect your accounts even if someone gets your password.