16, Jul 2024
Influencers Celebrate Mother’s Day in Old Age Homes with GiftstoIndia24x7

16th July 2024  Kolkata, West Bengal, India  In today’s world, influencers have created a lot of buzz. They have made a huge impact on society with their content via social media platforms. They play a big role in shaping up society as there are a lot of people who take an interest in their content. The influencers use the platforms to promote awareness and raise concerns about health, education, and the environment. They also endorse different brands on various social media platforms. These influencers have substantial followings across various social platforms that carry both positive and negative ramifications for society. It is a good way to reach out to the people in large numbers, although it is important to filter the reliable information and not spread myths. It is a basic human tendency to get swayed away by whatever is happening around us so if a good cause is promoted then it might well create a difference. Even if unconsciously it shapes the decisions and behaviours of many.

It is indeed a good idea to integrate the influencers if one wants to reach out to society at large. GiftstoIndia24x7 took one such initiative by joining hands with some of the influencers to reach out to the mothers from the old age homes for the occasion of Mother’s Day. Every year Mother’s Day is celebrated on the second Sunday in May in India. This year the influencers visited some of the old age homes individually. For those who live in the old age home, away from the comfort of a home and the sheltering arms of their loved ones, they tend to feel left out on that day. The main idea behind was to make the mothers feel loved as they stay away from their families. The influencers tried to cater to their requirements and fulfill their necessities by helping them with things that is of their daily use. Bringing smiles on the faces of the mothers is something that one look forward to. This kind of gesture adds a lot of value to life and adds happiness in the lives of others. Spreading the word via social media is an effective way to encourage people to be a part of such activity. The women staying in the old age homes were quite elated to receive gifts as it was completely unexpected. This year for a change they were even celebrated just the way they deserved to and that really made them happy. This is the right type of moral support that the elderly needs and this kind of effort always create a difference.

Besides having an exclusive range of gifts, GiftstoIndia24x7 ensures to make your loved ones feel special with their services. Mothers deserve a lot of appreciation and love so look for gifts to make her feel loved on special occasions like Mother’s Day. It is always the bare minimum in front of all the hard work, struggle, and sacrifices that the mothers do for the child their entire life. But no stone should be left unturned in order to shower love on your doting mother.

Mr. Amit Desai, the CEO of GiftstoIndia24x7 says, “We took one small step towards making someone’s life better. We are planning to do this more in future for the upcoming occasions like Raksha Bandhan and try to reach out to more people to join in our initiative. It is important to take care of those who are in need and there is no greater joy than stepping up to appreciate fellow human beings be it on any occasion.” The website has a huge range of gifts, including flowers, cakes, chocolates, and exclusive gift hampers specially curated for the moms that you can send as Mother’s Day gifts to India. There are also special personalized gift ideas that add up to the beauty of the occasion. GiftstoIndia24x7 makes sure that the distance does not dampen the spirit of days like Mother’s Day and enables to celebrate the occasion with a difference.

16, Jul 2024
Dolphin (PG) College, Chandigarh Recognized as a Leading Paramedical Institute in North India

Chandigarh, India  Dolphin (PG) College, Chandigarh, has been awarded the prestigious “Leading Paramedical Institute of North India – 2024” at the 6th Education Leader’s Conclave Awards (ELCA) held recently at The Lalit Chandigarh. This recognition highlights the College’s excellence in providing high-quality paramedical education.

The award ceremony, hosted by Observe Now Education and Acer, brought together education leaders to discuss advancements in higher education, including curriculum changes under the National Education Policy, globalization’s impact on institutions, future visions for education, digital transformation, personalized learning with AI, and more.

Er. Vibhav Mittal, Vice Chairman of Dolphin (PG) College, received the award from Observe Now Co-Founder and CEO Jeet Sharma and Editor-in-Chief Tania Tikoo. Dolphin (PG) College is affiliated with Maharaja Ranjit Singh Punjab Technical University Bathinda and offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate paramedical programs. The College has established itself as a leading institution in the region.

Er. Mittal also participated as a panelist, sharing valuable insights on “Digital Evaluation in Higher Education”. He emphasized the importance of collaboration between industry and educational institutions, along with the need to expand skill-based education. These combined efforts, he stressed, will be crucial in shaping the future of the youth and the nation.

16, Jul 2024
This Mothers’ Day, say it with the Gift of Wellbeing; Experiential Spa Gifts for Moms from Tattva

Bangalore, Karnataka, India  For generations, Mother’s Day has been synonymous with a predictable (yet well-meaning) routine: flowers, a heartfelt card, and maybe brunch if you’re feeling particularly ambitious. Honestly, the gifting landscape is evolving. Consumers are increasingly seeking experiences over materialistic objects, prioritizing wellness and quality time over fleeting gestures.

With Mother’s day around the corner, Tattva has introduced unique wellness spa experiences with some fun additions to accentuate the Mother’s day celebration like never before. These packages make for the perfect Gift not only for one’s Mother or Grandmother but also for a wife who is a mother to your naughty kids, a friend who is a new mother, someone who is a pet-mom or someone you consider a mother figure. Why is that? You ask? This is because some gentle pampering is always welcome & the Tattva Wellness Spa team never disappoints. Tattva Wellness Spa Gifts are easy to shop online (www.tattvaspa.com) and deliver an E-Gift card instantly. One can also add a heartfelt personalized note for mom with this Gift. For the mom who like the finer things in life, Tattva has an option of ordering a plush Gift box too.

These three unique Mother’s Day Gifts are designed to melt away the stress, rekindle her spirit, and rejuvenate truly. Gift mom the deep nurturing she deserves with a therapeutic massage, rejuvenating facial and more. Imagine her sinking into a plush robe, soothing fragrances surrounded by Mother’s day special decor and the calming glow of candles. The calming ambiance paired with indulgent treats will leave her feeling pampered and stress-free.

1. Mother’s Day Pampering – Tattva Spa Gift – INR 7200

Sometimes, the ultimate gift is the space to simply be. Tattva’s “Mother’s Day Pampering” package offers a haven for Mom to unwind and recharge. This 90-minute escape allows her to choose between a rejuvenating massage or a revitalizing facial, both expertly done by therapists. The experience is further enhanced by decadent chocolates, dry fruits, and a refreshing drink, ensuring every detail is meticulously crafted for pure indulgence.

2. Mom & Daughter Spa Getaway – Tattva Spa Gift – INR 9200

Motherhood is a beautiful journey, but it can also be all-encompassing. Our “Mom & Daughter Spa Getaway” offers a chance to reconnect and strengthen the special bond between mothers and daughters. Imagine the two of you side-by-side, sharing a blissful 60-minute massage or facial. The serene ambience, complete with cozy decor and soothing music, sets the stage for heartfelt conversations and unforgettable moments. As you indulge in delectable chocolates, dry fruits, and refreshing drinks, the experience transcends pampering, becoming a memory you’ll both cherish.

3. Mom Deserves the Best of Everything – Tattva Spa Gift – INR 11,000

For the woman who truly deserves the best, our “Mom Deserves the Best of Everything” package is an indulgent ode to appreciation. Imagine Mom basking in the glow of a 60-minute facial, followed by her choice of a soothing foot or head massage. This pampering doesn’t stop there. We’ve included a gift card worth INR 2000, allowing her to extend the celebration with a delicious lunch or dinner on us. The cozy room decor and soothing ambience create a haven for pure relaxation, where she can truly feel valued and cherished. To elevate the experience further, we’ve included decadent chocolates, dry fruits, and a refreshing drink, alongside a delightful spa gift from VILASA by Tattva. Our pampering Gift of wellness includes 100% pure soy wax aromatherapy candles, premium foot therapy cream, Ayurvedic hair therapy oil, or spa aroma clay diffusers – a thoughtful token to extend the spa experience at home.

A note from the Founder

“As a working mother myself, I understand the constant juggle and the toll it takes,” says Shipra Sharma, Co-founder of Tattva Wellness Spa. “I personally owe everything that I have accomplished to my mom who has always been my logical sounding board & source of energy. I am not sure if we can ever thank Mom’s enough for all they do for us. This Mother’s Day, we want to offer a chance to all who are celebrating Moms & motherhood, to gift wellbeing & pampering. Our Mothers’ Day Spa Gifts are designed to provide a multi-sensory escape that goes beyond the ordinary. It’s a gift of self-care that Mom will cherish long after the day is done.”

16, Jul 2024
Unlock Entry into the Most Exclusive Glamour Events

16th July 2024  Mumbai, Maharashtra, India  Welcome to a world of extraordinary beauty events. Picture yourself amidst dazzling lights, surrounded by celebrities, and witnessing the magic of top-notch industry professionals. These are experiences crafted by the best in the business – the trendsetters of the beauty industry.

Behind the velvet curtains of these exclusive events stands Lakme Academy Powered by Aptech, ready to usher in a new era of aspiring makeup, skin, hair, and nail artists. As trendsetters in techniques, beauty technologies, and HMU collections they are pioneers in beauty training. They offer their students an unparalleled chance to transform into the beauty artist they were born to be. With 150+ centers across 65 cities, they are the crossroads where style meets success.

Here, students explore the exclusive world of backstage beauty artistry, working alongside seasoned pros.

The Lakme Academy Edge

  • Government-recognised dual certification*
  • Lakme certified trainers
  • Placement assistance
  • Internships with films, television & OTT
  • Global Curriculum
  • Hands-on training
  • Live projects & backstage events
  • International standards, techniques & skills

Even after course completion, these connections remain a cornerstone of success, propelling alumni into the heart of the beauty industry with unmatched power and style.

A World of Fashion Weeks

Lakme Fashion Week

Moreover, as part of the gratification for winning the Showcase, students have the chance to participate in the Lakme Fashion Week, the pinnacle of fashion and lifestyle excellence. Partnering with FDCI, this event paves the way for emerging talents to the business of beauty and fashion, offering students a front-row seat to a beautiful future.

They also offer the key to entry in other fashion weeks like:

  • GICW (Global Couture Week)
  • DTFW (Delhi Times Fashion Week)
  • LTFW (Lucknow Times Fashion Week)
  • HTFW (Hyderabad Times Fashion Week)
  • IDS (India Designer Show)
  • FDCI OFFICIAL Fashion Show
  • India Fashion Awards
  • Prasad Bidapa Show

In an industry where connections are key, Lakme Academy Powered by Aptech opens doors to a realm of endless possibilities. Enrol now!

Discover Lakme Academy’s Glam Events

The Showcase at Lakme Academy sets the stage for a riveting fashion runway, where students display their skills, passion and creativity, offering a glimpse into the fast-paced world of Fashion Weeks, runways and mega-events, where only the best of the best shine.

The Cover Girl allows our students to dive headfirst into the world of editorial finesse. They collaborate and work with influencers to create jaw-dropping looks. The winning masterpieces land on top-notch magazine covers like Elle India & Femina India and grace the social media accounts of the biggest brands alongside A-list celebrities and content creators.

Winged, India’s first and only makeup reality web series in association with MTV India captivated an international audience. With six exhilarating webisodes that aired on MTV and Lakme Academy social platforms, they drew over 16,000 super-talented contenders from every corner of India. Industry stalwarts worldwide paid close attention to the Top 3 winners who became prominent beauty influencers, shaping the industry’s landscape.

For those thriving on creativity and excitement, Backstage Drama offers the ultimate platform, where teams immerse themselves in themed challenges, unleashing their artistic expertise to create looks that defy expectations and leave audiences in awe.

16, Jul 2024
Tourism Malaysia Unveils Strategic Roadmap for Visit Malaysia 2026

16th July 2024 New Delhi, Delhi, India Tourism Malaysia had a prominent start on 30th April 2024 by organizing a networking session in Kuala Lumpur with the industry players by presenting its strategic direction and action plans focussing on promoting Malaysia internationally and domestically. This direction and action plans were crafted during the engagement session with industry players to ensure the fast conversion and high-impact program and achieve the common goal in attracting 35.6 million tourists and generating RM147.1 billion in receipts for Visit Malaysia 2026.

The VM 2026 roadmap is built on three core strategies – creating demand, increasing traffic, and prioritizing target markets. Key initiatives include branding and marketing blitz, strategic partnerships for joint promotions/tactical campaigns and market segmentation.

Manoharan Periasamy, Director General, Tourism Malaysia, passionately outlined the visionary roadmap for our cultural legacy at the Tourism Malaysia Strategic Direction Towards VM2026 Networking Session

Malaysia’s notable tourism achievements for the first quarter of 2024 are promising. During this period, from January to March, Malaysia saw a significant influx of foreign tourists, reaching 5.8 million arrivals. This marks a remarkable growth of 32.5% compared to the previous year’s 4.3 million. The top ten markets contributing to this success were Singapore, Indonesia, China, Thailand, Brunei, India, South Korea, the United Kingdom, Australia, and the Philippines.

Tourism Malaysia will continue to empower its branding through aggressive advertising campaigns, influencer marketing, and compelling content creation across digital (70%) and traditional (30%) media platforms. The agency will also establish strategic partnerships with airlines, online travel agents (OTAs), and land/sea border operators of neighboring countries to enhance tourist arrivals.

Key target markets are prioritized into three tiers, led by first-level priorities such as China, India, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Australia. The second-level priorities include South Korea, Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, and the United Kingdom, followed by third-level priorities comprising Chinese Taipei and Germany. Apart from traditional markets such as Brunei, Thailand, and Singapore, the focus is also highlighted on emerging markets like Pakistan and Bangladesh.

Meanwhile, tourism products and travel experiences will be tailored for niche segments like nature-based tourism, experiential tourism, medical & wellness tourism, responsible tourism, luxury, weddings, Muslim-friendly, gastronomy, and leisure travel.

YB Dato Sri Tiong King Sing, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, said, “Our multipronged VM 2026 strategy provides a comprehensive framework to boost Malaysia’s visibility, enhance destination accessibility and elevate our tourism offerings. Through focused efforts and strategic collaborations, we are confident of achieving our yearly arrivals and target receipts in the run-up to VM 2026.”

Tourism Malaysia will continue engaging industry stakeholders and international partners to refine and execute the VM 2026 strategies, positioning Malaysia as a preferred tourist destination in this region.

16, Jul 2024
CTPL Announces Association with AIMS to Drive Enrolment Growth for ATMA Test

16th July 2024  Delhi, India  CTPL.io, a leading organization dedicated to revolutionizing the landscape of scaling enrolments for organizations and institutes nationwide, is pleased to join hands with the Association of Indian Management Schools (AIMS) to enhance enrolments for the ATMA (AIMS Test for Management Admissions) test among PGDM and MBA aspirants.

With a strategic focus on maximizing return on investment while minimizing costs, CTPL.io has successfully facilitated over 100,000 applications for esteemed partner organizations and colleges. Its comprehensive offerings span cutting-edge technology platforms that unify lead partners, manage real-time prospect conversations, and seamlessly enable final enrolments, consistently exceeding expectations and propelling the evolution of higher education enrolments.

As part of its forward-looking commitment, CTPL aims to scale enrolments by 100% for ATMA test-takers in the next 3 years, ushering in unprecedented growth in the new era of its association with AIMS. This Association opens doors for PGDM and MBA aspirants, giving them a choice of 500+ member organizations affiliated with AIMS.

Bikash Chandra Sahoo, CEO of CTPL.io, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “CTPL’s Association with AIMS for the ATMA test is a new chapter in our endeavor to impact the higher education ecosystem. After catering to Universities and specifically addressing UG aspirants, this Association will bring our expertise to the PGDM and MBA aspirants’ ecosystem. With the growing number of enrolments in CAT and other national exams, we see a lot of opportunities for ATMA test takers and will endeavour to reach the maximum audience for the same.”

Dr. D.Y. Patil, Chairman, ATMA, Dean, Centre of Excellence—We School commented that ATMA is one of the oldest exams approved by AICTE and many state governments as a qualifying examination for various PGDM and MBA programs across AICTE and UGC-approved organizations and institutions. With CTPL’s focused approach to enrolments, we are very hopeful of significant growth in ATMA test-takers in the country.

This Association marks a significant step forward in the collaboration between CTPL.io and AIMS, aiming to provide PGDM and MBA aspirants with enhanced opportunities and streamlined processes for admissions. CTPL.io remains dedicated to fostering excellence in higher education enrolments and contributing to the growth of the education sector.

16, Jul 2024
Time to leverage Intellectual Property to Drive Innovation and Competitiveness for Viksit Bharat: Seed Industry

16th July 2024  New Delhi, Delhi, India  India’s agricultural sector is undergoing a remarkable transformation, embracing innovation and technology at an accelerated pace. To sustain this momentum, as India strives to achieve the “viksit” tag by 2047, a robust Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) environment is crucial for achieving the aspirations of Amrit Kaal.

The experts highlighted the opportunities and challenges in effectively leveraging intellectual property to drive innovation and competitiveness in the seed and biotechnology sectors in India. These challenges include strengthening mechanisms for IP protection and enforcement, particularly in seed and biotech sectors, facilitating technology transfer and licensing agreements, navigating complex regulatory frameworks, and building capacity and awareness among stakeholders.

Dr. Raj S Paroda, Founder Chairman, Trust for Advancement of Agricultural Sciences (TAAS) said, “Enabling environment for IPR protection is critical for accelerating new innovations and technologies needed for faster growth of agriculture. When innovators are confident of protection of their rights, they get incentivized to do better and come forward to invest and innovate. For example, investments in research and development of new high-yielding varieties and hybrids, that are resistant to biotic and abiotic stresses. Fortunately, through PPVFRA, we in India have a unique IPR framework which not only protect the rights of plant breeders but also of our farmers.”

Dr. Paroda and other experts were speaking at a national conference titled ‘Innovate, Protect, Prosper: Role of Intellectual Property Protection in Taking India’s Seed Sector to the Next Level,’ organized by the Federation of Seed Industry of India (FSII). The scientific and industry experts highlighted the need for a robust IPR environment and effective enforcement that shall boost the growth of the seed industry.

Drawing from international lessons, nations have acknowledged the necessity of maintaining a balanced stance on intellectual property rights. Strong IP protection is vital for stimulating innovation and investment Collaborative research endeavors, partnerships between the public and private sectors, and open innovation frameworks have demonstrated their effectiveness in expediting innovation and tackling intricate challenges.

Highlighting the international best practices in IPR for seed and agricultural biotechnology, and emphasising the importance of IP learning for the Indian seed industry, Dr. Trilochan Mohapatra, Chairperson, Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Authority (PPVFRA), Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Government of India said, “India takes a progressive approach towards PVP learning from global best practices in IPR for the seed and agricultural biotechnology while taking cognizance of the rights of the farmers as custodians of traditional varieties as well as the need for benefit sharing. Successful IPR regimes strike a balance between promoting innovation and ensuring access to technologies.”

“Conferences like this are necessary to enhance awareness about the importance of IP rights among the seed and biotechnology industries, and to promote dialogue and collaboration among stakeholders on IP protection strategies, regulatory challenges, and the future of technology transfer in agriculture for benefit of all the stakeholders including the farmers,” Dr. Mohapatra added.

Speaking on the need for a balanced IPR environment for the seed industry, Ajai Rana, Chairman, FSII and Managing Director & CEO, Savannah Seeds said, “There is a need for a multi-faceted and collaborative approach towards building an effective policy and regulatory framework around IPR particularly in the seed industry. This involves legal reforms, capacity building, stakeholder engagement, and international cooperation to promote innovation to find solutions to our most pressing problems.”

Rana also advocated for collaboration between the public and private sectors to enhance research and development efforts, while reiterating the need for better IPR protection and enforcement on the ground.

By leveraging global best practices and insights, India has the opportunity to craft a nuanced strategy on intellectual property, one that nurtures innovation, encourages technology transfer, and overcomes the hurdles confronting its seed and biotechnology sectors.

As World Intellectual Property Day is celebrated annually on April 26th, it is paramount to raise awareness about the role of intellectual property (IP) rights in fostering innovation and creativity. In India, where the seed and biotechnology industries are crucial for agricultural development and technological advancement, recognizing the significance of IP is paramount. FSII strives to contribute to the growth and sustainability of India’s agricultural innovation ecosystem by raising awareness of IPR, promoting collaboration, showcasing innovations, and empowering stakeholders.

16, Jul 2024
Silverskills Recognized as a Great Place to Work™

16th July 2024  New Delhi, Delhi, India  Silverskills, a global leader in digital transformation and business process management is proud to announce that it has been certified as a Great Place to Work™ (GPTW) in India from March 2024 to March 2025.

This prestigious certification recognizes Silverskills’ commitment to fostering a positive and inclusive workplace environment and culture that empowers and encourages employees to innovate, thrive, and succeed.

Through a combination of innovative initiatives, supportive leadership, and collaborative teamwork, Silverskills has cultivated a culture of trust, integrity, and excellence that sets it apart as an employer of choice.

“We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our employees for making Silverskills a truly exceptional and rewarding workplace. We will harness this momentum to keep pushing boundaries and fostering an environment where everyone can grow and thrive. This environment is what enables us to create value for our clients,” said Akshay Saluja, Executive Director, of Silverskills.

The Great Place to Work™ certification is based on a culture audit and a research-backed employee experience survey. The survey assesses various aspects of the workplace experience, including employee engagement, career development opportunities, work-life balance, leadership effectiveness, and overall satisfaction.

The employee survey conducted by Great Place to Work India yielded invaluable insights that underscore our dedication to prioritizing employee well-being and engagement. We were rated highly by our employees on Learning Opportunities, Positive Work Culture, Safe Work Environment, Supportive Management, and Transparency.

As we celebrate this recognition, Silverskills remains focused on its mission to deliver exceptional service and value to its clients while nurturing a workplace culture that inspires innovation, collaboration, and excellence.

16, Jul 2024
Zen Mobility Sets the Wheels in Motion: Unveiling a Game-Changing Manufacturing Hub for Zen Micro Pods with 50,000-Unit Capacity

16th July 2024  Gurugram, Haryana, India  Zen Mobility, an emerging Indian electric vehicle OEM, proudly announces the inauguration of its state-of-the-art manufacturing plant in Manesar, Gurgaon, signaling a pivotal moment in the company’s growth trajectory. This innovative facility is poised to revolutionize urban mobility by ramping up production to meet the escalating demand for sustainable micro-mobility solutions.

Situated on a sprawling 2.5-acre campus, the new manufacturing plant not only exemplifies Zen Mobility’s dedication to harnessing cutting-edge technology and infrastructure but also holds the promise of creating employment opportunities for 500+ individuals. With an impressive capacity of 50,000 units per year, the facility is dedicated to the production and assembling of the Zen Micro Pods, the company’s flagship electric vehicles tailored for urban commuters.

Beyond manufacturing, the plant houses advanced research and development facilities for design engineering and product planning. Furthermore, it features comprehensive testing capabilities, including roller testing and dyno testing, ensuring uncompromised quality and safety standards for all Zen Mobility products.

Mr. Namit Jain, Founder and CEO of Zen Mobility, expressed his enthusiasm about the inauguration of the new manufacturing plant, stating, “The unveiling of our state-of-the-art facility underscores our dedication to delivering eco-friendly mobility solutions for the last-mile delivery space. With our order book increased to 10,000 units, the plant will be running in two shifts to deliver the orders in hand. Our enhanced production capabilities and advanced testing facilities enable us to provide effective fleet management solutions to E-commerce and fleet companies. The plant is also meticulously designed to accommodate the future production of Zen Maxi Pods, our upcoming multi-purpose 4-wheeler Light Electric Vehicles, intended for the delivery of cargo and mid to large size goods. This further solidifies Zen Mobility’s commitment to pioneering sustainable urban mobility solutions.”

A standout feature of the new facility is its capability to offer complete in-house customization for innovative cargo box solutions, catering to a diverse array of applications such as e-commerce, grocery delivery, food distribution, FMCG logistics, third-party logistics, cold chain management, dairy product delivery, pharmaceutical logistics, and more. By integrating customization capabilities into its manufacturing process, Zen Mobility aims to address the unique needs of urban logistics and deliver tailored solutions to its customers.

Zen Mobility has partnered with major food, grocery delivery, and e-commerce firms to deploy vehicles across 10+ cities in India, boosting income opportunities for delivery riders and enabling efficient fleet management for e-commerce and fleet operators. Committed to supporting India’s growth and achieving the nation’s net-zero goal by 2070, Zen Mobility promotes the transition to green mobility. With the prestigious Homologation Certificate of Conformity, Zen Mobility ensures compliance with industry regulations, showcasing its commitment to manufacturing excellence. Moreover, Zen Mobility’s product stands out as a one-of-a-kind unique offering, with patented design and powertrain technologies. Anticipated customer trials for the Zen Maxi Pod are set to begin in Q4 FY25, with the official launch planned in FY26.

16, Jul 2024
Diversifying by asset class can help build an all-weather mutual fund portfolio

16th July 2024 Pune, Maharashtra, India  Volatility is an inextricable part of the financial markets. Investors seeking to tap into the growth potential of the market need to contend with uncertainty, price fluctuations, and other risks. Balancing risk and reward, thus, is a key aspect of investing. This is where portfolio diversification can play a crucial role.

Portfolio diversification involves spreading investments across many assets. The goal is to reduce risk by not depending on the performance of one or a few securities.

Diversification can be achieved within one asset class – such as stocks – which is a strategy adopted by equity mutual funds. However, such a portfolio is still vulnerable to fluctuations affecting equities as a whole.

Another way to achieve even broader diversification, and thereby, better potential risk mitigation, is to invest across asset classes. Such a portfolio comprises stocks as well as bonds, commodities, and real estate. It could also be diversified across different sectors, industries, and geographic regions.

Diversifying across assets

One way to achieve such diversification is through hybrid mutual funds. These funds combine stocks and bonds in their portfolio. The equity portion offers capital appreciation potential, while the debt portion seeks to provide relative stability. The allocation ratio depends on the fund category. Aggressive hybrid funds, for instance, skew more towards equity. Conservative hybrid funds have a debt-heavy portfolio. Balanced hybrid funds, meanwhile, invest between 40% and 60% of their portfolio in debt and equity each.

A unique hybrid fund category that seeks to offer even broader diversification is multi-asset allocation funds. Such funds combine at least three asset classes in their portfolios – typically equity, debt and gold or real estate – with a minimum 10% allocation to each. Multi-asset allocation funds seek to tap into the unique opportunities offered by each asset class in different market conditions while hedging against the risks posed by a single asset type.

Asset class correlation

At the heart of diversification lies the principle of asset class correlation. Asset classes, such as equities, fixed income, commodities, and real estate, tend to behave differently under varying market conditions.

For example, equities tend to soar during a bull run, while debt tends to offer stability during volatility.

This relationship between two asset classes is known as correlation. A high correlation indicates that two asset classes move largely in tandem, whereas a low correlation indicates that they move in different directions.

By spreading investments across multiple asset classes with low correlation, investors can reduce the overall risk of their portfolios. For instance, during a stock market downturn, the value of bonds or gold might remain stable or even increase, providing a cushion against losses from equities.

Dynamic management

Apart from diversification, some hybrid mutual funds—including multi-asset allocation funds and balanced advantage funds – also offer the advantage of dynamic portfolio management. This means that the fund manager, based on their discretion and economic trends, has the flexibility to rebalance the portfolio as per changing market conditions.

In times of economic expansion, the fund manager may increase exposure to equities to capitalise on growth opportunities. During market downturns or heightened volatility, the allocation may shift towards safer assets like bonds or cash equivalents to seek potential capital preservation. This can give portfolios the ability to potentially mitigate risk in various market cycles.

To sum up, financial markets are inherently unpredictable. Risk management, therefore, is an important part of an investment strategy. Diversification across asset classes can be a strategic way to mitigate risks while leveraging the opportunities offered by different investment avenues in different market conditions. It can help build all-weather mutual fund portfolio that can help investors potentially achieve their long-term financial objectives. Investments in hybrid mutual funds can be done via lumpsum or in regular instalments through a Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) depending on an investor’s convenience.