Krisumi Group Announces Major Investment to Develop 1051 Luxury Units in Gurugram

New Delhi, June 25th 2024: Krisumi Corporation, a leading real estate developer, is set to invest Rs 2000 crore in Phase 3 & Phase 4 of Krisumi City comprising 1051 luxury units in Sector 36A, Gurugram, Haryana. This significant investment is in addition to the land cost.

Spanning 5.88 acres, ‘Waterside Residences’ and ‘Waterfall Suites II’ will feature four towers with 1-BHK, 2-BHK, 3-BHK, and 4-BHK penthouses ranging from 940 sq. ft to 10,316 sq. ft. The project boasts a total developable area of 2.3 million square feet (built-up area).

In addition, Krisumi will develop a state-of-the-art club over 2 acres, with a built-up area of approximately 1,60,000 square feet in Sector 36A, Gurugram, entailing an investment of Rs 350 crore.

“We have redefined luxury in Gurugram’s housing market by bringing high-end living into smaller sizes, a rarity in the NCR region. At Krisumi, we see ourselves not just as a real estate company but as a hospitality company aiming to deliver a 5-star lifestyle to the residents of Krisumi City. The concept and design of the clubhouse were my brainchild, and I have been deeply involved in every step of its development,” said Mr. Mohit Jain, Managing Director, Krisumi Corporation.

“The overwhelming response we’ve received highlights the market’s demand for our unique offerings. We received 1024 expressions of interest to buy, for our 1051 apartments available, all in a single day. We are now in the process of selecting buyer profiles for allotment. The current market trends show a significant shift towards larger, luxury apartments post-pandemic. We are confident in achieving a total revenue realization of Rs 4000 crore,” said Mr. Vineet Nanda, Director Sales and Marketing, Krisumi Corporation. “Looking ahead, we see a promising future as more buyers recognize the value of a comprehensive lifestyle that blends luxury with functionality.”

The funding for this project will come from a mix of equity contribution, sales proceeds, and internal accruals.

Having received RERA approval earlier this year, construction activities commenced last month, with the project scheduled for completion by December 2029.

Detailing the upcoming club, Mr. Nanda added, “The Cascades Club will be a landmark in NCR, offering the first indoor air-conditioned sports facilities. This exclusive club is designed to provide an unparalleled lifestyle experience, featuring a range of world-class amenities. Krisumi stands out as the sole company offering a luxurious club spanning 1.60 lakh square feet, with an investment of 350 crores. This exclusive amenity is available to apartment owners for just 2.5 crores.

For sports enthusiasts, we are offering facilities such as an indoor futsal court, pedal court, table tennis, badminton, basketball, cricket nets, and squash courts, all within a climate-controlled environment. The club will also house multiple dining options including a multi-cuisine restaurant, specialty restaurants, a bar, a cigar lounge, a wine bar, and a sports bar. For those seeking relaxation and wellness, the club will feature a state-of-the-art gymnasium, steam rooms, saunas, a spa, a heated indoor plunge pool, and an outdoor swimming pool. Additionally, there will be a card room, library, business centre, meeting rooms, and co-working spaces to cater to the diverse needs of our residents.

“Krisumi’s commitment to quality and innovation in real estate is unparalleled. Our partnership with Krishna Group reflects our shared vision of creating world-class living spaces in India. The success of our previous phases and the overwhelming response to our new launch reaffirm our belief in the potential of the Indian real estate market,” said Mr. Yuji Kato, Director and Co-CEO, Krisumi Corporation

Krisumi is a prominent developer in the Delhi-NCR region, a joint venture between Krishna Group and Japan’s Sumitomo Corporation. It is already developing several phases of Krisumi City, a self-sustained integrated township in Sector 36A, Gurugram. Waterfall Residences, Phase 1 of the development comprising 433 units, is nearing completion, with an occupancy certificate application submitted. Waterfall Suites, Phase 2 comprising 320 units, launched in May last year, is progressing rapidly and is scheduled for delivery by Q4 2028.

Samsung Launches the Stunning Music Frame in India

Bengaluru, India  June 25th, 2024: Samsung, India’s largest consumer electronics brand, today unveiled its Music Frame in India. A wireless speaker that looks like a work of art, the Samsung Music Frame comes with new features such as Dolby Atmos and wireless music streaming.

The stylish wireless speaker blends seamlessly into living spaces like never before by doubling as a picture frame. Just like a real frame, the Samsung Music Frame allows users to display personal photos. Listening to music while looking at a framed photo of a precious memory or a piece of art adds new levels of depth to users’ experiences.

The Samsung Music Frame will be available across Samsung.in and Amazon.in and across select offline stores starting today.

“Modern consumers are increasingly seeking products that not only blend functionality and aesthetics, but also add visual appeal. This trend is driven by a desire for products that reflect their personality and style, and enhance the overall ambience of their living space. The new Music Frame epitomizes exceptional technology in the form of a picture frame with its unique, elegant design while delivering a cinematic audio experience,” said Mohandeep Singh, Senior Vice President, Visual Display Business, Samsung India.

The Music Frame offers users the convenience of wire-free listening while delivering superior sound quality that fills any space with rich, clear audio. Its personalized, framed artwork enhances home decor, reflecting Samsung’s passion for leveraging cutting-edge technology to elevate living spaces. This makes it a powerful addition to any household, providing stunning visual appeal and exceptional audio performance, all in one elegantly crafted device.

Dolby Atmos Technology

Immerse in a three-dimensional audio experience that surrounds from every angle, creating a lifelike soundscape that enhances listening pleasure. Be it watching a movie, listening to music, or playing games, Dolby Atmos technology elevates the audio experience to new heights, pulling users into the heart of the action.

Consistent Sound Quality

Enjoy balanced and consistent audio quality from any corner of the room, ensuring an optimal listening experience regardless of location. The speaker eliminates uneven sound distribution and promotes crystal-clear audio throughout the room, making every seat the best seat in the house.

Effortless Control

The Music Frame offers effortless control with built-in voice assistants like Alexa and Google Assistant. Users can simply speak commands, and the Music Frame responds, enabling play, pause, track skipping, and volume adjustment without any manual intervention. This feature provides hands-free convenience and seamless control over the audio experience.

Personalized Sound Optimization

Tailor the audio experience to the specific room environment with advanced room analysis and optimization technology. SpaceFit Sound Pro analyzes the acoustics of the room and adjusts the sound output accordingly, ensuring optimal audio quality tailored to the space. This technology transforms one-size-fits-all audio into personalized sound perfection 

Q-Symphony Integration

Users can utilize Q-Symphony for richer stereo sound by placing two Music Frames on either side of their TVs. For surround sound, users can place a soundbar in front of their TV and a Music Frame on the opposite wall to act as a rear speaker. With the SmartThings app, users can set the equalizer settings to their preferences.

Adaptive Audio Performance

Experience audio that adapts to the content in real-time, delivering clear voices and detailed sounds optimized for every scene and volume level.

ElectroRide Partners with Battery Smart to Provide Battery Swapping Stations across 2,500 Locations across India

Rahul Goenka, Director of ElectroRide, expressed enthusiasm about this endeavor, stating, “Our collaboration with Battery Smart, a key player in the Indian two and three-wheeler EV market, underscores our commitment to revolutionizing the electric mobility landscape. The deployment of 2,500 battery swapping stations is a testament to our vision for a sustainable and accessible electric vehicle infrastructure in India. This initiative aligns with the government’s push towards greener transportation solutions and is poised to make electric vehicles more viable for the masses. The strategic placement of these stations aims to cater to the needs of urban and intercity electric vehicle commuters, fostering a paradigm shift towards cleaner and efficient mobility solutions.”

“We are excited to partner with ElectroRide as they continue strengthening India’s EV infrastructure. With the growing adoption and acceptance of electric vehicles nationwide, it is crucial to expand access to battery swapping stations. This will enable two and three-wheeler EV users to benefit from the convenience, cost-effectiveness, and efficiency that battery swapping offers,” added Nishant Garg, Senior Director – Expansion, Battery Smart.

Indian Retail Brands Embrace Omni-Channel Strategies to Boost Consumer Experiences

Anuj Kejriwal, CEO & Jt. MD – ANAROCK Retail

The COVID-19 pandemic transformed e-commerce into a primary shopping method for Indians. Initially driven by deep discounts, e-commerce’s appeal has endured even as these offers faded. By 2023, e-commerce comprised 7.1% of India’s total retail market, up from 4.7% in 2019, and is expected to reach nearly 10% by mid-2024.

Omni-Channel Retailing: A Game-Changer 

Previously an optional strategy, omni-channel retailing has become essential. It aims to provide a seamless shopping experience across all channels, including physical stores, mobile apps, and online platforms. Although it first emerged in global markets like the United States, Canada, Europe, and China in 2010, India adopted it around 2017 with brands like Levi’s, United Colors of Benetton, and USPA leading the way in cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru.

Some Key Statistics 

Various data points highlight the importance of omni-channel strategies:

• According to Kantar IMRB, over 70% of Indian consumers research online before making offline purchases.
• PWC India reports that over 40% of consumers prefer a blend of online and offline shopping channels.
• A Harvard Business Review study shows that seamless omni-channel experiences can boost customer lifetime value by 20-25%. 

Indian Success Stories 

Some of the leading brands today exemplify the benefits of omni-channel retailing:

• Lenskart: Achieved a 70% conversion rate by combining online product discovery with offline try-ons and purchases.
• Fabindia: Enhanced convenience by integrating online and offline inventories for customer-driven fulfillment.
• Nykaa: Created a cohesive brand experience through beauty advisors in physical stores, personalized online recommendations, and click-and-collect options. 

Expanding Offline Presence 

In 2023, there was a 60% increase in direct-to-consumer (D2C) brands expanding into offline spaces across major retail markets, up from 9 to 11 cities. Brands are making stores more experiential, with a 59% increase in average store size from 730 sq. ft. in 2022 to 1,160 sq. ft. in 2023.

The Importance of Physical Stores 

Despite the rise of e-commerce, physical stores remain crucial for building trust and enhancing brand image, especially for premium products. Pop-up stores and experiential centers play a vital role in engaging consumers and generating excitement.

The Omni-Channel Imperative 

Harmonizing online and offline channels is key to meeting modern consumer expectations. Here are some essential strategies:

• Ensure seamless inventory visibility across channels.
• Implement click-and-collect, buy online return in store (BORIS), and other omnichannel fulfillment options.
• Train staff to be omnichannel champions, guiding customers seamlessly.
• Leverage data to personalize the experience across channels.

Adopting omni-channel retailing allows brands to meet the demands of today’s Indian consumers, offering convenience, diversity, and connectivity. This comprehensive approach positions brands to maximize their potential in the dynamic Indian retail market.

Arohan Financial Services Limited Ranked 35th among India’s Best Companies to Work For, 2024

June 25th, 2024: In a historic achievement, Arohan Financial Services Limited, part of the Aavishkaar Group, is pleased to announce that it has been ranked 35th among Top 100 India’s Best Companies to Work For 2024 by the Great Place to Work®️ Institute. Arohan, among the leading NBFC-MFIs in the country and the largest based out of East India has not just ranked 35th among India’s Best Companies to Work For in India, 2024 but features among the Top 25 Best Companies to work for in the BFSI sector and the coveted Best in the Microfinance industry. This is a milestone leap from the year 2021 rank of 65th and year 2020 rank of 86th across all companies and sectors in India.

The recognition and certificate were awarded to Mr. Manoj Nambiar, Managing Director, Ms. Kanchan Banerjee, Head of HR, T&D, Admin and CSR, and Ms. Ranjeeta Gupta, Head of Corporate HR at an event held in Mumbai on June 19, 2024.

Commenting on the prestigious recognition, Mr. Manoj Nambiar said, “We are absolutely thrilled with this recognition. Ours is an employee-intensive business and they make all the difference in our interaction with our borrowers. We have truly turned a new leaf in our journey of employee satisfaction and this continuous improvement is a golden testimony of Arohan’s unfaltering focus on providing employees with an environment of positivity, purpose, wellbeing, trust and capability building. Our improved ranking among India’s Best Companies to Work for 2024 is an impetus for us, and will further help us attract the right talent as the organisation continues its journey to empower and inspire millions of people across the BoP segment.”

According to the recognition, the organisation has inspired trust among its people, instilling pride in them, creating an environment that promotes camaraderie, and delivering a great workplace experience for all its employees – that make the organisation one of India’s Best Companies to Work For.

Media Strategist Nikhil Singhal Awarded in Media Conclave Held at Constitution Club of India

25th June 2024 New Delhi, Delhi, India  In a Media Conclave organized by the Madhav Foundation at the Constitution Club of India, the well-known Media Strategist and founder of global public relations and communication firm Vigor Media Worldwide, Mr Nikhil Singhal was honored for his exemplary work in the field of ‘Public Relation and Media Communication’. Mr Singhal who is also a President of Noida High Rise Federation 100X (NHRF) is the talk of the town these days for his initiatives towards infrastructure improvement and advocating residents’ needs in the high-rise society of Noida.

The award was presented to him by renowned TV journalist Ms Chandni Dhawan who is also Founder & President of Madhav Foundation. Led by Ms Dhawan and supported by Mr Mohit Dhawan, VP- Madhav Foundation, the NGO is committed to making a positive impact on the lives of the underprivileged through the Foundation’s charitable activities in healthcare, social welfare and education sectors.

The Chief Guest for the event was ‘Honourable Dr Premchand Bairwa, Deputy Chief Minister of Rajasthan’ accompanied by notable guests such as ‘Mr. Jagdeesh Chandra, CEO and Editor-in-Chief, Bharat 24 and CMD, First India News,’ ‘Mr. Brajesh Mishra, Editor-in-Chief, Bharat Samachar,’ ‘IPS Babloo Kumar, Additional Commissioner of Police at the Police Commissionerate of Gautam Budh Nagar’ and ‘Mr. Praveen Sharma, Director of Djewels House, Karol Bagh, New Delhi’.

While receiving the esteemed award in the presence of the who’s who of the city and leading media personalities, Nikhil Singhal said, “I thank you all from the bottom of my heart for the honour bestowed upon me at this ceremony. This recognition motivates me to continue striving for excellence and innovation in the media and public relations industry.” He also thanked Dr Vijay Kishore Bansal, Chief Patron of the Madhav Foundation and Mr Gaurav Dhawan, President of the Mannatien Foundation for the honour.

Meanwhile, Mr Singhal also led a session at the conclave discussing the differences between traditional media and social media. Commenting on the topic he observed, “There are no barriers in social media which allows open communication among all. Traditional media, on the other hand, operates in a highly organized manner. It often restricts the flow of interaction due to its limitations. Both platforms, however, have their unique strengths and challenges, and so, understanding all these is crucial for an effective media strategy.”

Popular singer Salma Agha also performed at the event, leaving the viewers in large numbers spellbound. The occasion saw participation from veteran TV journalists including Deepse Dwivedi, Anchor-cum-Producer, India News Noida; Sabina Tamang Deshmukh, Senior News Anchor, News 18; Charul Sharma, Senior Anchor, News India; and Srasti Shukla, Producer, Aaj Tak International.

Additional Guests of Honour included Mr. Kuldeep Thakur, Director of SKM Group; and Mr. Gaurav Gupta, Founder and President of the Global Trade & Technology Council of India.

The well-attended conclave, which featured panel discussions on various pressing issues related to the media, also saw participation from viewers. The speakers engaged in a brainstorming session about the current state and direction of the media, and discussions were held comparing traditional media and social media. The panelists shared their views on the much-needed reforms in the media. They also discussed emerging trends and changes in the industry.

Oakridge IBDP Students Attend the NAE-UNICEF Summit in Houston

25th June 2024  Bengaluru, Karnataka, India  Samudrika & Bhavya from IBDP 1 represented Oakridge International School, Bengaluru, at the NAE – UNICEF Summit in Houston, Texas, from June 12 to 19, 2024. The summit aims to unite students across the NAE family of schools in 33 countries to foster global connections while enhancing their youth advocacy knowledge and skills.

Learning about UNCRC and the importance of the Child-Friendly Cities Initiatives were the highlights of Day 1.

On Day 2, the learners explored the power of data and learning to harness data as system thinkers. They also visited the Houston Museum of Natural Science.

Day 3 of the NAE-UNICEF Summit was about advocacy, and learners presented their capstone projects and strategies to address problem statements most relevant to their contexts.

On Day 4, the learners visited British International School, Houston, and learned about “Food for Friends.” This community garden, in collaboration with a local retirement community, harvests fresh vegetables to tackle food insecurity in Houston.

Throughout the trip, Bhavya & Samudrika participated in workshops focused on the UN Sustainable Development Goals, the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, inclusive leadership practices, change implementation and management, and data literacy.

By the end of the summit, all the participants were equipped with the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to drive sustainable and impactful change in their home communities. Ms. Fiona, the CAS Coordinator from the Hyderabad campus, summed up the experience, “This summit is a powerful reminder that collaboration is key to creating positive change. By learning from and inspiring each other, these young leaders are building a brighter future together.”

Software Technology Parks of India, Apiary CoE Launches Pollen Propel Pre-Incubation Program to Promote Blockchain Startup Ecosystem

25th June 2024 Gurugram, Haryana, India  STPI Apiary, a Centre of Entrepreneurship (CoE) in pioneering blockchain technology launched the pioneering Pollen Propel Pre-Incubation Program aimed at capacity building for tech students. The Pre-Incubation Program will focus on transforming blockchain ideas into innovative ventures by offering state-of-the-art technology, comprehensive resources, hands-on workshops, and expert-led sessions delivered by industry product leaders and solution architects. The event was organized at STPI office, Sector 18, Gurugram. The program was launched by Shri. Arvind Kumar Gupta, Director General of STPI in the gracious presence of industry luminary, Shri. Voruganti Aravind, Vice President, Information Data Systems Inc. (IDS), Shri. Ashok Gupta Director, STPI, Shri. Subodh Sachan, Chief Innovation Officer, STPINEXT, as well as other dignitaries from both the government and technology industry.

The Pollen Propel Pre-Incubation Program aims to nurture and transform budding engineers into successful entrepreneurs specializing in Blockchain technology. The program represents a strategic effort to build new capacity in the rapidly evolving field of Blockchain technology, providing a robust platform for promising start-ups to thrive. The pioneering initiative will offer a substantial opportunity to innovative start-ups working in this technology for addressing issues that necessitate usage of Blockchain for establishment of trust in a decentralized manner and other purposes. To promote, nurture and grow this domain, the program will work under the ambit of STPI’s blockchain focussed CoE, Apiary to build skills to create feasible blockchain products, platforms and solutions to address real-world problems.

Software Technology Parks of India (STPI), Apiary CoE Launches Pollen Propel Pre-Incubation Program to Promote Blockchain Startup Ecosystem

STPI Apiary through the Pollen Propel Pre-Incubation Program will facilitate startups to conduct market research, validate business ideas, quantifying business potential, building proofs of concept, ensure effective iteration of ideas and create business models with the aim to engineer go-to-market strategies for upcoming blockchain solutions. Working under the ambit of STPI’s nurturing startup ecosystem, the Pollen Propel Program will provide promising blockchain startups with access to technocrats, mentorship, mentoring programs, and VC funding, with the ultimate objective to make India a world leader in the technology space, while also creating new businesses, and in term generating new job opportunities across new domains and innovative technology verticals.

During the inauguration event, the Director General of STPI, Shri. Arvind Kumar emphasized on the importance of this program in building a strong foundation for future tech leaders, “Our goal with the Pollen Propel Pre-Incubation Program is to equip tech students with the knowledge and skills they need to thrive in the digital economy. By investing in capacity building, we are ensuring a brighter future for our technology sector. Apiary is committed to handholding and guiding young tech minds through challenges such as funding, competition, and regulatory hurdles. Our collaboration with government, industry, and academia is designed to support and nurture the next tech entrepreneurs who will drive India’s economic growth and establish our nation as a global entrepreneurial powerhouse specially in blockchain domain.”

Sharing his insights, Shri Voruganti Aravind, Vice President, IDS said, “We are witnessing a unique confluence of trends of Entrepreneurship 2.0, Web 3.0 and Industry 4.0, which are together helping startups to ideate, innovate and implement solutions to real world problems. The Pollen Propel pioneering incubation program aims to not only build new capacities, but also equip budding engineers with the knowledge, skills, and resources required to excel in blockchain technology. The program aims to identify and evaluate promising blockchain entrepreneurs, providing them with the necessary support and a rapid prototyping sandbox to develop and scale their startups, develop and innovate new blockchain applications. The ultimate aim is to foster the transition of engineers to entrepreneurs through mentorship, training, and hands-on experience.”

TERI Marks 50 years of Pioneering Environmental Excellence and Innovation

25th June 2024 New Delhi, Delhi, India The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) celebrated the momentous occasion of its 50th anniversary on 18 June with a grand celebration. The day-long event highlighted TERI’s five decades of pioneering work in sustainable development, environmental research, and resource management, marking a significant milestone and setting the stage for growth for the next 50 years.

The day began with the inauguration of the exhibition by Mr R Mukundan, Managing Director & CEO of Tata Chemicals and Governing Council Member of TERI. Congratulating TERI, Mr Mukundan said, “TERI provides an important platform for the Indian companies as the Indian economy is moving towards being the third largest economy in the world. TERI’s role—in building the sustainable development discourse for the entire globe by enabling India to move in that direction—is going to be immensely important not just for India but for the entire world. TERI will play a pivotal role in this journey and we should work to enable TERI to gain more power and momentum in this direction.”

Mr Nitin Desai, Chairman, TERI set the tone for the day with his welcome address with the walk down the memory lane, talking on how TERI was conceptualized. Dr Vibha Dhawan, Director General, TERI, delivered the opening address, which was followed by an inspiring keynote speech from Mr Sumant Sinha, Chairman and CEO of ReNew. Speaking on TERI’s remarkable contribution towards putting India on the world map, Mr Sinha said, “It is a special occasion for an institute or individual as it shows longevity, sustainability, state power, and an inherent strength and vitality that one needs to have to have sustained for so many years. TERI’s role in the context of the current world, as an organization of this stature, should focus on climate change, energy transition, carbon markets, artificial intelligence with respect to energy transition and energy mapping of what is happening on ground,” he further added.

The rest of the day featured a series of program presentations covering a wide range of topics crucial to sustainable development. These presentations underscored TERI’s multidisciplinary approach and its commitment to addressing various facets of sustainability.

Welcoming attendees for the evening session, themed ‘TERI’s 50 Years: Gratitude & Growth’ Mr Nitin Desai, Chairman, TERI, emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts in achieving sustainable development and urged the youngsters to be more forthcoming towards addressing the issue of climate change.

Dr Vibha Dhawan expressed her views that TERI as an organization has been ahead of the curve. She shared the recommendations on the various topics which have been made to the newly formed government. Speaking about the commendable work being done in the area of carbon credits she said, “We will be distributing around Rs. 44 crore to the farmers towards carbon credit.”

Ms Leena Nandan, Secretary, Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), delivered a special address, recognizing TERI’s contributions to environmental conservation. “TERI had started when no one was thinking about environment and sustainability. It had clear understanding of the path it had to traverse, aligning itself with the country’s development goals.” “Building on the strength of innovation of the country is important. TERI must set itself up to take on the startup and innovation space,” she further added.

Shri Suresh Prabhu, Former Union Cabinet Minister and Chancellor of Rishihood University delivered the ceremonial address, highlighting TERI’s role in shaping India’s environmental landscape. “TERI has shown a way to implement ideas on the ground. TERI is the flag bearer of India and does us proud,” he added on the commendable work done by TERI in the past 50 years.

The event also featured the launch of the book ‘Creating Impacts, Transforming Lives: Success Stories from TERI’ commemorating TERI’s milestones and contributions. Reflecting on TERI’s journey and future aspirations, Dr Ajay Mathur, Director General of the International Solar Alliance (ISA), emphasized that TERI as an organization has always been conscious of undertaking work that will have an impact. “TERI can provide a climate-ready solution, which is the need of the hour,” he added. He was joined virtually by Dr Saroj Pachauri, and Dr Shailesh Nayak in commemorating TERI’s contributions and milestones.

The evening concluded with reflections by Governing Council members and partners, followed by a cultural performance and a networking dinner. Dr Dipankar Saharia, Senior Director, TERI, extended a vote of thanks expressing gratitude to all attendees and contributors to TERI’s journey.