Clarks Exotica Celebrates World Coconut Day with a Special ‘Coconutty’ Brunch

Clarks Exotica Convention Resort & Spa invites guests to immerse themselves in a tropical culinary journey as they celebrate World Coconut Day with a delightful brunch. Known for its luxurious settings and exquisite dining experiences, Clarks Exotica is hosting a special event dedicated to the versatile and beloved coconut, bringing together flavours and dishes that are sure to transport diners to a coastal paradise.

On Sunday, 1st September 2024, from 12:30 PM to 3:00 PM, the Ambrosia restaurant will feature an exclusive coconut-inspired buffet, offering a variety of exotic dishes that showcase the unique taste and versatility of coconut in both savoury and sweet forms.

Date: 1st September, 2024

Time: 12:30 PM to 3:00 PM

Venue: Ambrosia, Clarks Exotica Convention Resort & Spa, Devanahalli Road, Sadahalli Post, Swiss Town, Bengaluru

FIHCR Announces the Prestigious Sir Jadunath Sarkar Fellowship

India, 2024 – The Foundation for Indian Historical and Cultural Research (FIHCR), founded by eminent historian Dr. Vikram Sampath, proudly announces the launch of the Sir Jadunath Sarkar Fellowship for Indian History. The prestigious fellowship aims to nurture fresh scholarship on India’s diverse past.

The Sir Jadunath Sarkar Fellowship for Indian History is a key initiative of FIHCR, aimed at encouraging rigorous academic research across five distinct themes: Ancient Indian History, Medieval Indian History, Modern Indian History, the Freedom Movement, and Post-Independence Indian History.

Each year, through an open call for proposals, the Foundation will offer this prestigious fellowship to five to 10 deserving scholars. Ola Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Ola, has partnered with and supported the fellowship. This partnership underscores Ola’s commitment to preserving India’s cultural heritage and fostering academic excellence.

The fellowship – open to Indian nationals including those abroad – will offer an INR 15 lakh grant for producing a publish-worthy manuscript. Qualification criteria for the fellowship includes a graduate degree and proven research and writing skills among others.

For the first batch of Sir Jadunath Sarkar Fellows, 19 shortlisted candidates went through a rigorous selection process, including interviews by an eminent jury panel. Consequently, Chandrachur Ghose, Shaan Kashyap, Dr. Saumya Dey, Arshia Malik, Nabaarun Barooah, Jasraj Singh Dhanju, Aarti Tikoo, and Dr. Lakshmi Arya have been selected for the fellowship. The awardees will receive assistance, mentoring, workshops, and funds to publish their manuscripts.

Dr. Vikram Sampath, Founder of FIHCR, said, “The Sir Jadunath Sarkar Fellowship represents a pivotal step in our mission to rejuvenate Indian historical research. By providing substantial support to emerging scholars, we aim to uncover new perspectives on our rich past and contribute to a more nuanced understanding of India’s historical trajectory.”

Through this initiative, FIHCR aims to drive media interest and community engagement, and attract new sponsors and donors to support its CSR activities. Additionally, FIHCR will introduce research projects at premier Indian universities and the YUVA program, which is designed to engage children and young adults in Indian history.

Campaign Keeps Truthful Journalism at the Forefront with Daily Reminders

In a bold move to champion the cause of truthful journalism, the PR team of Live Times, India’s first Global Multicast News Hub, initiated a compelling on-ground campaign in Delhi. This campaign seeks to remind journalists of their duty to deliver news that is both accurate and empowering, aligning with the core values of truthful journalism, integrity and public service.

Central to this initiative is a pledge that journalists across newsrooms have been encouraged to adopt: “As Journalists, let’s pledge to uphold truth in our reporting, delivering accurate news that empowers every citizen.” 

This pledge, prominently displayed across news desks, acts as a daily reminder of the essential role journalists play in the society. It serves to reinforce the commitment to delivering news that is factual and helps citizens make informed decisions.

By integrating this pledge into the daily routine of journalists, this purpose-driven campaign looks forward to further boost and cultivate a culture of accountability and ethical journalism. Each time a journalist sits at their desk, they are met with this pledge, prompting them to consider the truthfulness and accuracy of their reporting. This constant reminder encourages journalists to reflect on their professional responsibilities and the impact of their work on the public.

This on-ground campaign is a significant step towards redefining journalistic standards, ensuring that every news story serves the public interest by being grounded in truth and accuracy. By leading this effort, Live Times continues to set an example for the news media industry, championing the cause of ethical and responsible journalism. It is a direct embodiment of the vision of Mr. Dilip Singh, Founder of Live Times, advocating for higher standards of reporting that prioritize truth and accountability. This initiative highlights the power of truthful journalism in building a more informed and empowered society.

Toyota Kirloskar Motor Honoured with CSR Times Award for Swachh Bharat Initiatives in Raichur

Bengaluru, 26th August 2024: Demonstrating its commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility, Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) today announced that it has been honoured with the prestigious CSR Times Award 2024 under the ‘Swachh Bharat’ category. This recognition was awarded for TKM’s significant contributions to improving sanitation, health, and hygiene through its ABCD (A Behavioural Change Demonstration) activity in Raichur, an aspirational district in Karnataka identified by NITI Aayog.

The award ceremony took place at the Darbar Hall, Raj Bhawan, Goa. The event was graced by prominent dignitaries, including the Chief Minister of Goa, Shri Pramod Sawant, who served as the Chief Guest, along with Guests of Honour such as Shri Shripad Yesso Naik, Hon’ble Minister of State for Power and New and Renewable Energy, and Shri Puneet Kumar Goel (IAS), Chief Secretary, Government of Goa.

The CSR Times Award is a highly regarded recognition that honours organizations for their outstanding contributions to corporate social responsibility. Since its inception in 2013, the award has celebrated initiatives that demonstrate exceptional dedication to societal well-being. The 11th edition of the National CSR Summit and CSR Times Awards in 2024 continued this tradition by highlighting projects that have made a meaningful impact on communities across India.

Toyota Kirloskar Motor was recognized for its extensive efforts in Raichur, where the company implemented the ABCD program in 100 Government schools that included Sanitation behavioural change programs for school children, teachers and community. The program involves practical & theoretic trainings, consumables supply, strengthening school cabinet & School Development and Monitoring Committee (SDMC), awareness videos in school and community. TKM’s efforts also includes training to local communities on maintaining sanitation infrastructure and fostering a culture of good health, hygiene & cleanliness. These measures were instrumental in significantly improving the health and hygiene standards in the district.

Expressing his gratitude, Mr. Vikram Gulati, Country Head and Executive Vice President, Corporate Affairs and Governance, Toyota Kirloskar Motor said, “At TKM, we are honoured to receive the CSR Times Award 2024, under the ‘Swachh Bharat’ category. This award is a testament to Toyota’s unwavering commitment to creating a sustainable future through impactful corporate social responsibility initiatives. We believe that true growth is deeply connected to societal progress. Our focus has always been on driving positive behavioural changes, particularly through our child-to-community approach, ensuring long-lasting impact. By engaging closely with communities, we tailor our programs to meet their unique needs and challenges, with sustainability at the core. Our efforts in Raichur, aimed at improving sanitation and hygiene, reflect our dedication to enhancing the quality of life in communities. We are thankful to be recognized for our contributions to the Swachh Bharat mission and remain dedicated to driving positive change.”

Launched in 2015 aligned to the ‘Swachh Bharat Abhiyan’, the ABCD Program has been instrumental in empowering students and fostering positive behavioral changes related to hygiene and sanitation. The program focuses on improving sanitation practices through a child-to-community approach, prioritizing awareness among students, their families, and the broader community. After its notable success in the Ramanagara District where the program significantly contributed to making the district open defecation-free by benefitting over 58,000 students of 1,004 government schools and more than 430,000 community members. Owing to its unique approach and positive impact, the ABCD Program was featured as a case study in the Harvard Business Review. Building on this achievement, the program was extended to Raichur District, Karnataka, with a primary focus on reaching marginalized communities where it is was most needed. Additionally, a one-year ABCD refresher program has been introduced in Ramanagara district, covering schools in three phases to further sustain the program’s impact.

Notably, TKM was also recently honoured with Commendation for Significant Achievement’, under its Corporate Social Responsibility, at the 18th CII-ITC Sustainability Awards and the CII GreenCo Gold Rating Award by its dealership, Rajesh Toyota, for their Best Sustainable Eco Practices. Moreover, last year, TKM earned a certificate of commendation for its significant contribution to the local community’s advancement at the ‘CSR Conclave– Education to Make a Social Impact’ event, organized by the Government of Karnataka. TKM’s CSR strategy embodies a dual focus on “Empowering Communities” and “Enriching Environment”. Driven by innovation and guided by the principle of Kaizen (continuous improvement), TKM’s CSR projects are organized into six key pillars: Skill Development, Road Safety, Education, Environment, Health & Hygiene, and Disaster Management. Additionally, its sustainable CSR model emphasizes community ownership, unified interventions, behaviour change, and stakeholder engagement. Since 2001, CSR has remained an integral part of TKM’s philosophy. TKM’s CSR initiatives are carefully aligned with the needs of the communities and national priorities, ensuring a meaningful and impactful contribution to society.

IREDA’s 17th Stakeholders’ Meet: CMD Outlines Commitment to Maintain Asset Quality

Mumbai, 26th August 2024

Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Ltd. (IREDA) conducted its 17th Stakeholders’ Interaction Meet today, fostering insightful discussions aimed at advancing the Renewable Energy sector. The virtual meeting, chaired by Shri Pradip Kumar Das, Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of IREDA, saw widespread participation from borrowers across all RE sectors.

In his opening remarks, Shri Pradip Kumar Das emphasized the company’s commitment to maintaining high asset quality. He said, “We are consistently working to improve our asset quality and will continue to handhold our customers and business partners as we collectively strive towards achieving the nation’s target of 500 GW of installed electricity capacity from non-fossil fuel by 2030”.

The meeting also saw the participation of Dr. Bijay Kumar Mohanty, Director (Finance) and senior officials of IREDA, adding further depth to the discussions. The event commenced with a detailed presentation highlighting IREDA’s historic financial performance as of June 2024, along with recent business initiatives and key milestones achieved in the Renewable Energy sector.

A notable feature of the event was the Action Taken Report (ATR) presented on major suggestions received during the previous interaction held on 6th May 2024. These suggestions included the introduction of a Line of Credit towards working capital requirements, digital signing of loan documents and the consideration of equity funding or short-term funding for the Hydro sector, etc.

Expressing his gratitude, CMD thanked IREDA’s business partners for their valuable feedback and suggestions, which have been instrumental in the company’s historic growth over the past four years. “Post-listing of the company, our responsibility extends beyond just our customers; we are equally accountable to our investors,” he noted, acknowledging the continued confidence and trust placed in IREDA by its investors.

The dialogue saw active participation from borrowers in the Solar, Wind, Hydro, Bio Energy and Emerging Technologies sectors engaged in productive discussions about sector-specific issues, state policies and other challenges. Many customers praised IREDA for its ease of doing business approach, paperless processes and speedy loan sanctions and disbursements.

The valuable insights and suggestions shared by the customers during the discussion are expected to greatly help IREDA in supporting the nation’s transition to a green energy future.

Cosmo Films Announces Launch of Seven New Films for U.S Market

Mumbai, 26th August 2024: Cosmo Films, a global leader in specialty films announces launch of seven new products for the U.S market. The company will introduce these products during their participation in Label Expo Americas 2024. As an industry pioneer, in this period, Cosmo Films aims to introduce this new set of films to the industry and create a market for the products.

After a successful market acceptance in multiple geographies, and with rising demand for such products in the U.S, Cosmo Films is now bringing these new films to the market. The films include:

– Graphic films PVC fee (used for Signages)

– High shrink label films – PETG and Crystalline Pet (used in Label Industry)

– CPP extrusion lamination films (used in Packaging)

– Teplo R- Heat resistant films for Printing layer of the Laminate (used in Packaging)

– 92 microns white and clear films (used in Label Industry)

– Flexi premere films – elongation films for non-tear (used in Label Industry)

– Primer coating for printability in Label films

Speaking about the new launch, Sandeep Dutta, President- Overseas Operations Cosmo Films said, “LabelExpo Americas brings like-minded individuals from our industry under one roof, making it an ideal platform for showcasing our new launches and creating large-scale visibility. Our product offerings have been widely accepted by the American market, and we have established ourselves as trusted packaging partners. With these new launches, we look forward to serving our existing clientele with more offerings from the world of Cosmo Films and tapping into a new set of customers to expand our market share.”

With significant investments in R&D and innovation, Cosmo Films has established itself as a pioneer in delivering industry-specific and niche solutions to its customers. Over the past four decades, the company has built consumer trust in films for purposes such as flexible packaging, labeling, insulation, cards, digital films, and books and documents. Advancing toward a sustainable and green future, Cosmo Films now focuses on developing films from mono-material structures that are easily recyclable, helping customers reduce their carbon footprint.

Behind the Lens with Nag Ashwin: Prime Video Takes Fans Behind the Curtains of Kalki 2898 AD

Prime Video recently launched an exclusive video interview with the visionary director Nag Ashwin, who takes audiences on a behind-the-scenes journey into the making of his genre-bending blockbuster film, Kalki 2898 AD. In this special interview, Ashwin sheds light on his creative process, candidly answering some of the most burning questions about the film. With stunning visuals and high-octane action sequences, his detailed insights reveal the meticulous effort that went into crafting this larger-than-life cinematic experience.

In this exclusive interview, director, Nag Ashwin offers a glimpse into the making of the film, starting with the breathtaking opening sequence that introduces Prabhas as Bhairava. He reveals Kamal Haasan’s relentless quest for perfection in bringing Supreme Yaskin to life and unravels the intense, high-stakes process behind directing Deepika Padukone’s fiery, Mahabharata-inspired scene. Ashwin also delves into the heart-pounding challenges of filming the epic face-off between Amitabh Bachchan and Prabhas, highlighting the cutting-edge VFX and choreography that made it all possible. He openly shares his starstruck moments working with legends like Kamal Haasan and Amitabh Bachchan, praising their unmatched professionalism. The interview is packed with jaw-dropping trivia about the film’s star-studded cameos, including Dulquer Salmaan, Mrunal Thakur, and Vijay Deverakonda, and Ashwin reflects on the surreal experience of directing iconic filmmakers SS Rajamouli and Ram Gopal Varma.

Produced by Priyanka Dutt, C. Aswani Dutt, and Swapna Dutt, under the banner of Vyjayanthi Movies, Kalki 2989 AD features a powerhouse ensemble cast, including Prabhas, Amitabh Bachchan, Kamal Haasan, Deepika Padukone, and Disha Patani, among many others. This action-adventure film is now streaming in Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide.

Ishq Jabariya Actress Kamya Panjabi: Real Equality Means Every Day is a Celebration

Kamya Panjabi, known for her candid and heartfelt approach, has shared her thoughts on equality as we celebrate Women’s Equality Day. Reflecting on both general and industry-specific aspects, Kamya, the Ishq Jabariya actress, also highlights how the portrayal of women has evolved over time.

Opening up about her views on celebrating Women’s Equality Day, Kamya Panjabi shared, “We talk about it and celebrate it, but the truth is, if we achieved real equality, every day would be a celebration. It wouldn’t be limited to a specific day or occasion. Unfortunately, we still have a long way to go in society. Even though people say things have changed, deep down, we know there’s still a lack of trust and faith. I often feel that the idea of equality is more of a joke for those who don’t see the bigger picture.”

She added, “In the entertainment industry, it’s even more complicated. People are more focused on maintaining their status rather than supporting each other. This lack of support and insecurity holds us back. It’s high time we start supporting each other, especially in such a competitive field. Entertainment is about entertaining the audience, but it also has the power to convey social messages. We need to come together to create meaningful content while supporting each other.”

When asked about the depiction of women in television shows, the Ishq Jabariya actress shared, “There was a time when women were often portrayed as weak, but even then, they managed to support their families while standing firm on their own. Times have changed drastically, and now we see a more powerful side of women onscreen. Look at any heroine on television—she never gives up, never loses courage, and keeps moving forward.”

She added, “My character, Mohini, is very strong—powerful and determined. My show, Ishq Jabariya, also explores the conflict between two women and how they can sometimes bring each other down. That said, our lead, Gulki, played by Sidhhi Sharma, is another strong woman who doesn’t give up and is always ready to fight for her rights. Both these women are strong but in their own unique ways.”

On the work front, Kamya is currently winning hearts as Mohini, Aditya’s bua, in Sun Neo’s Ishq Jabariya. The show features Kamya Panjabi, Siddhi Sharma, and Lakshya Khurana in pivotal roles. Ishq Jabariya, airing on Sun Neo, is a heartwarming love story about Gulki (Siddhi Sharma), a cheerful young woman who dreams of becoming an air hostess.

News18 Lokmat’s Krishi Ratna Sanman honours outstanding achievements of Maharashtra’s farmers

News18 Lokmat’s Krishi Ratna Sanman, a prestigious recognition platform that honours and celebrates the outstanding achievements of Maharashtra’s farmers was held in Pune. The awards ceremony recognised twelve exceptional farmers for their noteworthy contributions to agriculture and innovative farming practices. The event underscored the vital role of progressive farming in shaping the state’s agricultural landscape.

The event was graced by the Agricultural Minister of Maharashtra, Dhananjay Munde, who was the chief guest of the evening. The farmers were felicitated for their exceptional achievements in various areas of agriculture like water conservation, organic farming, sustainable crop practices, and the use of technology for farming. The awardees included Dilip Bajgude, Seema Jadhav, Vijay Daud, Dr. Manmohan Bajaj, Harishchandra Desai & Mithilesh Desai, Ganesh Rathod, Priyanka Shelke, Dr. Somnath Mane, Ujjwal Patil, Prakash Kini, Nilesh Gosavi, and Gyaneshwar Bodake.

In his speech, Dhananjay Munde praised the farmers for their hard work and commitment to improving farming quality and efficiency in Maharashtra. He highlighted the importance of innovation in agriculture, stating, “These farmers are the backbone of our economy and our future.”

The event was Co-Powered by Finolex Pipes & Fittings, Reliance Industries Ltd, with Finance Partner Money 2 Me Finance Pvt Ltd, and Special Partner Poorva Chemtech Ltd & Pawak Food Products Pvt Ltd, Associate Sponsors Maharashtra State Seeds Corporation Limited and Rambandhu Masale

Alembic Pharmaceuticals announces USFDA Final Approval for Betamethasone Valerate Foam, 0.12%

26th August 2024, Mumbai: Alembic Pharmaceuticals Limited (Alembic) announced that it has received final approval from the US Food & Drug Administration (USFDA) for its Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) Betamethasone Valerate Foam, 0.12%. The approved ANDA is therapeutically equivalent to the reference listed drug product (RLD), Luxiq Foam, 0.12%, of Norvium Bioscience, LLC (Norvium).

Betamethasone valerate foam, 0.12% is a medium potency topical corticosteroid indicated for relief of the inflammatory and pruritic manifestations of corticosteroid-responsive dermatoses of the scalp. Refer label for a detailed indication.

Alembic has a cumulative total of 213 ANDA approvals (185 final approvals and 28 tentative approvals) from USFDA.