2, Aug 2024
CEE AMPAI 2024 Exam Date Announced, New Exam Centre in Guwahati
Kolkata,2nd August 2024: The Association of Minority Professional Academic Institutes (AMPAI) announced the 9th CEE AMPAI & CEE AMPAI Masters 2024 WB examination, scheduled on August 18, 2024 across 13 centres in Eastern India. The announcement was made by Shri. Bidyut Majumder, Convenor of CEE AMPAI.

This offline national-level examination will take place at Kolkata, North 24 Parganas, Malda, Asansol, Medinipur, Siliguri, Patna, Ranchi, Agartala and a newly designated centre in Guwahati, Assam, marking a significant expansion of AMPAI’s outreach. Applicants are required to be Indian citizens and at least 17 years old as on December 31, 2024, and to have passed the 10+2 examination from a recognised board with Physics, Chemistry & Maths.
CEE AMPAI & CEE AMPAI Masters is offering an additional opportunity to take part in another test to study four years B.Tech, B.Pharm, MBA, MCA, M.Tech and M.Pharm. in five top ranked colleges of West Bengal. These colleges are JIS College of Engineering, Narula Institute of Technology, Guru Nanak Institute of Technology, Dr. Sudhir Chandra Sur Institute of Technology and Guru Nanak Institute of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology. The exam will be conducted under the supervision of the Department of Higher Education Govt. of West Bengal. Students can get admission in various subjects in these colleges through offline counselling after the entrance exam results are out.
The CEE AMPAI examination is open primarily for Sikh minority students but seats left out will be filled up by candidates from other religions, castes, or categories across India upon fulfilment of eligibility criteria as specified on the website: www.ampai.in.
This initiative aims to enhance accessibility and support for students from diverse backgrounds pursuing higher education in professional fields.
Speaking on the occasion, Sardar Sohan Singh, Secretary of AMPAI, remarked, “This expansion represents a significant step toward inclusivity and equal opportunity. The mission of AMPAI has made quality education accessible to more students, contributing to a diverse and talented future workforce.”
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- By Rabindra
2, Aug 2024
COMPUTEX TAIPEI Achieves ISO 20121 Renewal with 15% Carbon Reduction and All 21 ESG Goals
BenQ Group’s Green Expo has gone a step further, establishing 21 goals for the 2024 COMPUTEX TAIPEI grand event in accordance with ISO 20121 sustainability management systems
Following the exhibition, all goals were met, and a third-party professional certification was obtained. After obtaining certification for the first time last year, BenQ Group became the only company to successfully renew certification at COMPUTEX.

Large-scale exhibition events in the past have frequently produced a significant amount of disposable waste. BenQ Group planned the Green Expo with the sustainability philosophy of “Together, Make the World Better.” In 2023, a zero-waste exhibition was established; in 2024, it further took on new challenges and innovated, beginning with the source design and successfully achieving a 15% carbon reduction. Following the exhibition, the wood from the venue was donated to campus courses and international educational expos, thereby designating wood as the ambassador for the BenQ Group in promoting the sustainability philosophy.
According to Joe Huang, General Manager of BenQ Group, COMPUTEX is the world’s representative technology event. This year, in addition to bringing together over 20 companies to showcase their AI capabilities, BenQ Group is dedicated to assisting customers with green transformations and demonstrating the effectiveness of sustainability exhibitions. Sustainability is the process of continuous accumulation and correction. It is hoped that by continuing to strive for excellence and laying the groundwork for sustainability actions, partners can work together to build a long-term green value chain.
A further 15% reduction in carbon emissions through the exhibition and spreading the sustainability philosophy through wood donations In order to achieve the zero-waste goal in exhibition venue design, BenQ Group began with 3R (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) as early as 2023, with a commitment to introducing a low-carbon design. At the 2.0 Green Expo in 2024, in response to plans to assist Taiwanese exhibition businesses in implementing carbon reduction by reducing wood use ratio, increasing equipment rental, and other actions, according to carbon emission estimates by the Industrial Technology Research Institute, BenQ’s carbon emissions from booth
decoration and power consumption decreased by 15% this year, as part of active efforts to achieve a zero- waste and low-carbon Green Expo.
On the other hand, BenQ Group has continued the wood’s life journey after the exhibition, providing recycling services to four K-12 schools as well as an international education expo. Given the recent emphasis on self-produced courses in elementary, junior, and senior high schools, the exhibition wood’s next stop will provide students with new materials for woodworking, school campus maintenance, teaching material production, and educational exhibition experiences. It is anticipated that 15 countries and 1500 participants will benefit, passing on the sustainability spirit from one generation to the next.
ISO 20121 verification: Meeting All 21 ESG Goals in Three Fields
In 2024, there were three major areas of innovation compared to 2023: environmental, where carbon inventory were introduced; social, where the “Green Travel Guide” were launched; and governance, where vegetarian set meals in the “1.5°C-aligned menu” were purchased. This year, all 21 goals were met, which is not only an increase from the previous year’s 15 items, but also a strengthening of the social goals to ten items. Green Expo’s communication and implementation extended beyond working with customers to campuses (different projects are available to universities and K12), educational funds and social welfare groups. The practices of Green Expo, not only take place during the four-day exhibition period at COMPUTEX Taipei, but also have an influence before and after the exhibition. Additionally, in keeping with the objective of the 2023 Green Expo, in terms of the environmental aspect, the principle of 100% zero-waste from decorations, 100% use of recycled dining utensils, and 90% printed material digitalization on the exhibition venue has been met. For the social aspect, a network of partners made up of 20-plus have been brought together to promote sustainable actions, demonstrating more than 50% of AI green smart solutions. In terms of governance, economic values have been co-created with a network of partners, such as purchasing 90% local souvenirs and gifts and 80% local building materials made in Taiwan.
Co-creating Common Good; Calling 25 Partners to Respond to Sustainability Actions
BenQ Group continues to expand its sustainability influence. At the COMPUTEX Taipei exhibition, it invited 25 sustainability partners to respond to the current ISO 20121 sustainability initiatives. BenQ Corporation, Qisda Corporation, Ace Pillar Co., Ltd., Action Star Technology Co., Ltd., Aewin Technologies, Co., Ltd., Alpha Networks Inc., Aplex Technology Inc., Data Image Corporation, DFI Inc., DSI Group, D8AI Inc., Epic Cloud, Grandsys Inc., Hitron Technologies Inc., High Performance Information Co., Ltd., Metaage
Corporation, Metaguru Corporation, Partner Tech Corp., PowerWalker, and WiXtar Corporation are among the BenQ Group’s enterprises.
2, Aug 2024
Over 500 students participated in Career Counselling Session
Crack Academy, India’s first online Ed-tech platform for the Civil Services Examination, conducted a highly successful career counselling session at Scholars Public School, Rajpura, Punjab, on August 1, 2024. The session saw an impressive attendance of over 500 students. It aimed to provide guidance to young minds on how to choose paths aligned with their interests.

The counselling session, organized by the school in conjunction with Crack Academy, was graced by an esteemed panel of experts from Crack Academy who discussed various career options. Mr. Neeraj Kansal, CEO and Founder of Crack Academy, inspired the audience with his journey as a Civil Engineer Gold Medalist and an entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience. Mr. Rishi Bhargava, Co-Founder of Crack Academy, an M.Sc., M.Phil., and MBA, brought a deep understanding of the competitive exam preparation industry to the discussion. The session was further enriched by the presence of the chief guest, Mr. Bikramjit Brar, Deputy Superintendent of Police, who added valuable perspectives to the discussion.
During the session, the panellists discussed various strategies for identifying personal strengths and interests, the importance of aligning career choices with these attributes, the benefits of early planning and preparation, the methodology and significance of UPSC, the exam process, and the value of other competitive exams.
Mr. Neeraj Kansal, CEO and Founder of Crack Academy, shared his views on the session, stating, “This event is a fantastic opportunity for students to learn from experts and explore various career possibilities and demands. At Crack Academy, we are committed to empowering students through such sessions, helping them navigate and plan their future paths.”
Among the audience, some students shared their thoughts, with Abhinav Chawla, a class 11th student, remarking, “The counselling session was transformative, providing clarity on choosing the right career path.” Manya, a class 12th student, added, “The guidance I received has empowered me to make well-informed decisions about my future.”
The career counselling session included interactive workshops, Q&A segments, and personalized guidance. Students came up with different questions showcasing their eagerness to understand more about their future options. These questions led to in-depth discussions, ensuring that each student is enriched with a clear understanding of their potential career paths and the steps needed to achieve their goals.
The session culminated successfully, highlighting Crack Academy’s commitment to supporting students in their academic and career journeys and empowering them with the knowledge and confidence needed to pursue their goals.
2, Aug 2024
Friendship Day Feast: Stories That Will Make You Cherish Your Crew
Friendship Day is here, a time to shower our incredible friends with love and celebrate the bonds that enrich our lives. Sure, there’s nothing quite like spending quality time with your real-life besties, sharing stories, and reminiscing about good times. But what about those moments when you crave a heartwarming story about friendship that explores the complexities of this precious connection? Well, fret not, for this list has you covered!

Here’s a selection of fantastic series and movies featuring unforgettable friendships that will resonate with you long after the credits roll (or the episode ends).
Kota Factory (Netflix): Dive into the pressure cooker world of IIT hopefuls with “Kota Factory” on Netflix. This black-and-white dramedy follows Vaibhav, a young student from Itarsi who arrives in Kota, Rajasthan, a city notorious for its intense coaching institutes. As Vaibhav navigates the competitive environment, friendships, and late-night study sessions, “Kota Factory” offers a realistic and often humorous portrayal of the lives of students striving to crack India’s prestigious entrance exams.
Brahmayantra (Pocket FM): Brace yourself for an epic fantasy adventure! When Nalini and her family tragically succumb to death while protecting the Brahmayantra (a powerful artifact) fate takes an unexpected turn. Through a miraculous twist, a great warrior is born from the awakened powers of the Brahmayantra. But that’s not all! Nalini herself receives a new body, allowing her to embark on a thrilling saga of revenge. In this journey of vengeance, she’s not alone. Standing by her side is Aryaman, another warrior born from the Brahmayantra’s power. Their bond is unbreakable, forged in the crucible of shared experiences and challenges alike. To delve deeper into their extraordinary connection and witness their awe-inspiring journey, tune in to Brahmayantra on Pocket FM!
Four More Shots Please! (Amazon Prime): Craving a series with a strong female bond? Look no further than “Four More Shots Please!” on Amazon Prime Video. This dramedy follows four unapologetically independent women navigating love, careers, and societal expectations in modern-day Mumbai. Through thick and thin, their unwavering support and hilarious escapades showcase the power of female friendship, making it a perfect pick for a night in with your besties, raising a glass (or four) to the friends who make life a little sweeter (and a lot more fun).
TVF Tripling (Zee5): This heartwarming web series delves into the lives of three siblings – each with distinct personalities, dreams, and quirks. Despite their differences, they share a special bond built on shared experiences, unwavering support, and a whole lot of laughter. Tripling offers a refreshing take on friendship, reminding us that the strongest bonds can often be found within our own families. The three protagonists decide to embark on a road trip together to get over their lives’ despair and come back afresh.
Kai Po Che! (Netflix): Dive into the lives of three friends – Ishaan, Omkar, and Govind starring Sushant Singh Rajput, Amit Sadh and Rajkummar Rao – in this coming-of-age sports drama set in Ahmedabad. Their shared passion for cricket fuels their dream of opening a sports academy. However, their journey is not without its challenges. As they navigate the changing social and political landscape of India, their friendship is tested by personal ambitions, societal pressures, and devastating tragedies. But through it all, their unwavering support for each other remains constant, reminding us of the strength that comes from having true friends by your side.
2, Aug 2024
Tata Tea Premium, Desh ki Chai celebrates the ‘Vaddi Insaiyat’ of Punjab
Chandigarh, 2nd August, 2024- Tata Tea Premium, flagship tea brand from Tata Consumer Products portfolio takes you on an engaging journey in Punjab with the launch of a new film under the aegis of its hyperlocal strategy. The film brings alive the brand proposition of ‘Desh ki chai, apne Pradesh ka swad’ anchored through a societal truth that is unique to the state.

The film celebrates its large heartedness and its unwavering compassion for community service. It captures the heartfelt gesture of children using their ‘dabbas’(lunch boxes) as ‘langars’ (community kitchens) to feed construction workers, illustrating how Punjab’s renowned large heartedness and tradition of ‘sewa’ is quintessentially ingrained into its cultural fabric even while growing up , finding expression even in young school kids/children .The video beautifully marries the brand’s product benefit of ‘Vadde Daanon Wali Chai” with the societal truth of “ Punjab’s large-heartedness” to bring alive the brand’s proposition of “Vadde Dil Wali Punjab Ke Liye Vadde Daanon Wali Chai”
Puneet Das, President – Packaged Beverages (India and South Asia), Tata Consumer Product, said “Tata Tea Premium had pivoted to its hyperlocal approach almost half a decade ago. While maintaining our national stature, we also leverage our regional expertise by understanding the unique preferences of each of the states. Our new films continue to bring alive the insight that is deeply rooted into the cultural truth and tea preference of each region. This in the process seamlessly brings alive the brand proposition of the region/state. Hence, these films tend to evoke a feeling of regional pride in the heart of our consumers.
“Each state and in turn its people are often fit into a ‘type’, while some stereotypes are biased and come from an outsider’s perspective, some in fact are true to their nature and our films celebrate this ‘local’ spirit in all its glory. For example, our Punjab film celebrates the large-heartedness of people of Punjab who are known to go out of their way to show compassion and serve others. We hope consumers will really love and connect with these engaging stories, as much as we did in bringing them to life. Aim is to continue to bring alive more such stories that evoke regional pride, through digital, on-ground and other media led activations.”
2, Aug 2024
Mr. Prashant Sharma on MahaRERA’s New Delivery Deadlines for Amenities

The Maharashtra Real Estate Regulatory Authority (MahaRERA) has introduced a crucial mandate requiring real estate developers to provide homebuyers with precise timelines regarding the availability of facilities and amenities within their projects. This regulation stipulates that developers must specify the exact date by which these amenities will be accessible, as well as the anticipated date for obtaining the occupation certificate (OC). This measure aims to enhance transparency and accountability in the real estate sector, ensuring that buyers are fully informed about the delivery timelines of key project elements. By enforcing these requirements, MahaRERA seeks to protect consumers’ interests, reduce disputes, and foster a more reliable and trustworthy real estate market in Maharashtra.
Mr. Prashant Sharma, President, NAREDCO Maharashtra
“As a progressive step towards enhancing transparency and accountability in the real estate sector, MahaRERA’s decision to make it mandatory for developers to specify the delivery date of amenities and the occupation certificate is a welcome move. This regulation will not only strengthen the trust between homebuyers and developers but also ensure that projects are delivered as promised. It marks a significant shift towards more consumer-centric practices, which will ultimately lead to a more robust and trustworthy real estate ecosystem in Maharashtra. NAREDCO Maharashtra fully supports this initiative, as it aligns with our commitment to fostering ethical practices and enhancing customer confidence in the industry.”
2, Aug 2024
Indegene reports robust profit growth for Q1FY25
New Delhi, India, 02 August 2024: Indegene Limited, a leading digital-first commercialization services company, announced financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2024.
- Achieved revenue of INR 6,765 million in Q1FY25 with growth of 11.4% vs Q1FY24
- Robust EBITDA growth of 14.5% in Q1FY25 vs Q1FY24
- Became a zero-debt company
| SI. No. | Particulars | Quarter ended | ||
| June 30, 2024 | Mar 31, 2024 | June 30, 2023 | ||
| 1. | Revenue from operations | 6,765 | 6,730 | 6,075 |
| 2. | Revenue from operations (1) ($ Mn) | 81.1 | 81.1 | 73.9 |
| 3. | YoY revenue growth from operations (2) (%) | 11.4% | 6.5% | 16.6% |
| 4. | EBITDA (3) | 1,328 | 1,474 | 1,160 |
| 5. | EBITDA margin (%) | 19.6% | 21.9% | 19.1% |
| 6. | Profit after tax | 877 | 948 | 684 |
| 7. | Profit margin (%) | 13.0% | 14.1% | 11.3% |
- Based on average exchange rate of ₹83.4 per USD for quarter ended June 30, 2024, ₹83.0 per USD for quarter ended March 31, 2024, and ₹82.2 per USD for quarter ended June 30, 2023, respectively.
- Based on INR revenue. YoY growth for quarter June 30, 2023, based on unaudited financials.
- Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) represents profit/(loss) for the period before income tax expense, finance costs, depreciation and amortization expense, interest income and any exceptional items.
“In Q1FY25, we achieved revenue growth of 11.4% and robust EBITDA growth of 14.5% vs Q1FY24. We continue to see momentum and growth with our largest client and a few of our Top 20 clients with increased activity and volume levels tracking the larger pipeline of impending new product launches”, said Manish Gupta, Chairman and CEO, Indegene Limited. “Based on our conversations with our top clients, we anticipate similar momentum across the industry. Further, compared to last year, our pipeline is heathier and the quality of conversations with clients is much better, which gives us confidence about driving robust growth in the medium term.”
“Our Q1FY25 EBITDA margin of 19.6% and PAT margin of 13.0% is an improvement of 50 bps and 170 bps vs Q1FY24. Indegene is now a zero-debt company with repayment of loans, and we anticipate the financial leverage to drive stronger PAT growth going forward”, said Suhas Prabhu, CFO, Indegene Limited. “Also, we continue to strengthen our technology and automation initiatives, which we believe will have a positive impact on the margin in the future. Further, we anticipate that the EBITDA margin would have a similar trajectory as FY24 with a stronger H2 compared to H1.”
2, Aug 2024
Sharad Tyagi Joins Cornitos as HR Head, Bringing 17 Years of FMCG Expertise
July, 2024 – Cornitos, India’s leading snack brand, is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr Sharad Tyagi as the new HR Head. His professional journey has seen him excel in various HR roles across leading national and multinational FMCG companies like DS Group. He has also been honoured with the People Excellence Award for his outstanding achievements in people management in his career. His extensive experience includes pivotal roles in the HR sector across industries, providing him with a comprehensive understanding of the HR landscape.

In his new role as Head of Human Resources at Cornitos, Sharad will be responsible for shaping and executing HR strategies that align with the company’s vision and goals. Holding an MBA in HR and a professional soft skill trainer, his focus will be on fostering a dynamic and inclusive work environment, enhancing employee engagement and development, and driving organizational effectiveness. He will lead initiatives to attract, retain, and develop top talent, ensuring that Cornitos continues to thrive as a people-first organization.
Upon his appointment, Sharad Tyagi expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “I am proud to be a part of Greendot Health Foods Pvt Ltd, an organization that values its people as its greatest asset. Our team’s dedication to creating a positive work environment has been instrumental in driving business results. I am proud of what we have achieved and look forward to continuing to innovate and grow.”
2, Aug 2024
Chowman’s Oriental Seafood Festival is now Live
Bangalore, Kolkata,2nd August 2024: Leading chain of Chinese restaurants, Chowman is all set to make a comeback with its 13th edition of ‘Oriental Seafood Festival – 2024’ from 18th July onwards. Live in all Chowman outlets of Kolkata, Bangalore, Delhi & Hyderabad; this festival promises to be a culinary extravaganza bringing together the finest seafood dishes and the best of Oriental flavors!

“Our Seafood Festival is a signature annual event that truly showcases our brand’s pinnacle, capturing the hearts of seafood lovers nationwide. This month-long culinary celebration is a feast for the senses, and this year is the 13th edition of this culinary fiesta. We’ve casted a wide array of the finest flavors with our team of chefs and we are confident that this year’s Seafood Festival will be another resounding success!” said Debaditya Chaudhury, Managing Director of Chowman.
Started from: 12th July 2024
Time: 12 Noon – 10.30 PM
2, Aug 2024
Resolution nods under IBC up by a record 42% in fiscal 2024
The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) clocked the highest ever resolutions in fiscal 2024, with 2691 cases getting the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) nod for resolution plans, a 42% growth over 189 in fiscal 2023.
Of the 269 cases, ~88% are from the backlog of earlier years’ admissions. This has been driven by greater investor interest in turnaround of stressed assets as seen in the resolution plan submissions. Appointment of new NCLT members has also aided in higher number of resolution cases.
The moderation in recovery rates2 and stretched timelines played spoilsport, though. The year saw resolution plans with recovery rates of ~27% of admitted claims, lower than ~36% realised in fiscal 2023. Resolution timelines stretched to ~850 days compared with ~825 days in the previous fiscal (see chart 1 in annexure).
With demand durability likely across most sectors, the number of acceptable resolution plans received by lenders under NCLT has increased. Real estate and manufacturing contributed to ~65% of total plans approved for fiscal 2024.
Resolution count in the real estate and manufacturing sectors increased by ~200% and 22%, respectively, in fiscal 2024, compared with fiscal 2023. In the real estate sector, healthy demand growth for residential real estate in fiscal 2024 and expectation of healthy growth over the next two fiscals have sparked interest among resolution applicants. In manufacturing, resolutions for mid-sized and small companies3 were in focus as many larger companies are already resolved.
Says Mohit Makhija, Senior Director, CRISIL Ratings, “The higher case resolution momentum is a result of continuous efforts to improve the resolution throughput rate of IBC through structural reforms, the most prominent being the appointment of 15 additional NCLT members in the later part of fiscal 2023. Progress on other initiatives announced in recent budget, like implementation of unified IT platform for data storage and dissemination through common dashboards to all stakeholders will help in strengthening the data management structures necessary for enhancing higher resolution capabilities over the medium term.”
At the same time, delays in admission of cases by NCLT due to the burden of ongoing cases, along with multiple cross litigations between stakeholders, objections filed by promoters and deferred case hearings, are stretching the resolution timelines.
One of the hurdles in maximising recovery and reducing resolution timelines is the load of ongoing cases at NCLT — ~4,400 cases as of March 2024. Lack of a common mediation platform for both promoters and lenders to discuss and find solutions for a quicker settlement was another hurdle
To reduce the resolution timeline, the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI) is mulling the introduction of formal out-of-court solutions such as Insolvency Mediation4, as per the recommendation of the expert committee constituted by IBBI in January 2024. This process would entail mediation pre- and post-admission to seek consensus among stakeholders for settlement, thereby preserving the business value of the stressed company through faster resolutions.
Says Sushant Sarode, Director, CRISIL Ratings, “Delay in resolution not only impairs the asset value but also reduces the chance of its revival. Resolutions over the past three fiscals indicate that a one-year delay in resolution depletes the recovery rate by 800-1,000 bps (see chart 2 in annexure). Hence, initiatives such as Insolvency Mediation and increasing NCLT benches are steps in the right direction towards reducing timelines for resolution, and thereby enhancing recovery rates for lenders.”