Prayatna Centre For Child Development Hosts Free One-Day Interactive Workshop for Teachers of 2 to 5-Year-Olds

Kochi, 15th May 2024: Prayatna Centre For Child Development conducts a free one-day interactive workshop tailored specifically for teachers of children aged 2 to 5 years old. Scheduled for May 25th from 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM, this workshop aims to provide educators with valuable insights and practical strategies to enhance their teaching skills and support the holistic development of young learners.

In anticipation of the reopening of schools, this initiative is designed to equip teachers with essential skills to effectively address the diverse needs of their students. Through engaging sessions, participants will gain insights into early identification, behavior management, and classroom management techniques crucial for fostering a conducive learning environment. The workshop will cover the following key areas: Early identification and referral procedures, Classroom behavior management strategies, Prewriting and pre-academic skills development Language milestones, and language skill management in the classroom.

The workshop will have a Q&A session and a panel discussion, providing participants with opportunities for interactive learning and knowledge exchange. Attendance is limited to 30 seats, and pre-registration is required to secure a spot. For registration and further information, interested individuals can contact 9037563528 or email prayatnacochin@gmail.com.

L’Oréal Paris celebrates resilience and strength through spectacular women stories at Kommune Spoken Evening

Mumbai, 15th May 2024: L’Oréal Paris, No.1 Beauty Brand in the World, celebrated a spectacular convergence of women empowerment and art in partnership with Kommune, one of India’s foremost Art & Culture organizations at Spoken Evening at TATA Theatre in Mumbai. The evening was a vibrant showcase of the Power of Women’s Stories with “Coping Hearts CHS”, a theatrical showcase that featured a line-up of talented women like Sayani Gupta, Sriti Jha, Dolly Singh, and Sanjeeta Bhattacharya. The collaboration was meticulously designed and crafted by Wavemaker India, exclusively for L’Oréal Paris.

Coping Hearts CHS traversed the journey of women’s empowerment, where each performance portrayed a unique story of resilience and strength. Directed by the visionary Sheena Khalid, the theatrical marvel promised an immersive experience, blurring the boundaries between reality and fiction as it delved into the enchantment of everyday life. Through the artistry of these accomplished storytellers, audiences witnessed the triumphs and trials of women from diverse backgrounds, united in their quest for empowerment and self-discovery.

Speaking on the occasion, Dario Zizzi, General Manager, L’Oréal Paris India said, “L’Oréal Paris has championed and celebrated its long-standing commitment to women empowerment. As a brand, we have always encouraged and supported the journey of each woman towards fulfillment, embracing her unique values and aspirations. Through initiatives like the Kommune Spoken Evening, L’Oréal Paris continues to inspire women to recognize and celebrate their journey for self-worth, irrespective of their background or age.”

Sharing her thoughts, Sayani Gupta says, “In a world where women are constantly juggling multiple roles and expectations, initiatives like the Kommune Spoken Evening serves as a beacon of empowerment and celebration. Through powerful storytelling, we traversed the journey of “choice” women go through & how they are still judged on their ability to balance societal expectations with her modern aspirations. Being associated with L’Oréal Paris, I am deeply aligned with the brand’s unwavering commitment to women empowerment. We aim to embrace the beauty of diversity and champion sisterhood.”

Kommune’s Co-founder, Roshan Abbas said: “With a large part of the Kommune audience being women we have increasingly seen the need for them to own the narrative. Kommune has always been committed to give a stage to stories of value. Spoken evening is a format that allows this in the most effective and engaging way. To have L’Oreal Paris support us and share this journey of empowerment with so many was a delight.”

Creative Director of the show, Sheena Khalid said: “Fundamentally storytelling is about bring to life a world with words. With this project, we have tried to hold on to that, but just add a few moments that are elevated, in a sense its storytelling with a dash of theatre. It was such a treat to work on this edition with these tellers. All the performers had such a strong vision for their piece. Through shows like Coping Hearts CHS we try to keep the performer’ original voice but elevate it through the theatrical medium and direction.”

Shekhar Banerjee, Chief Client Officer & Office Head – West, North & East, Wavemaker India expressed, “We are thrilled to have teamed up with L’Oréal Paris to bring the Kommune Spoken Evening to life, a platform that amplifies the voices of women. Our partnership is a testament to our unwavering commitment to creating impactful content that resonates with diverse audiences. Leveraging our expertise in media and content, we are proud to support initiatives that celebrates diversity and promote women’s empowerment.”

Over the years, L’Oréal Paris has become symbolic of empowering women of all ages and backgrounds to believe in their beauty and sense of worth. The brand has always believed that every woman, wherever she is in the world, should have access to affordable, quality beauty products.

Safexpress Unveils Tamil Nadu’s Largest Logistics Park in Chennai

Chennai,15th May 2024: Safexpress, India’s leading door-to-door express distribution company, has unveiled its groundbreaking logistics park in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. As the largest logistics park in Tamil Nadu, this state-of-the-art facility is set to revolutionize the logistics industry, driving seamless trade operations and unlocking immense business potential in the region.

Spanning across an expansive area of 3.5 lakh square feet, the logistics park offers unparalleled infrastructure and capabilities. Its key highlights include a 130-foot wide U- Shape facility, strategically located on the Vanagaram – Ambattur Road. This prime location ensures convenient access and efficient transportation for businesses operating in and out of Tamil Nadu. Designed to withstand all weather conditions, the park features a 16 feet wide cantilever shed, guaranteeing 100% operational reliability. Additionally, an 80-foot concrete truck docking road has been constructed to facilitate smooth truck movement within the premises. With dedicated docking facilities for 75 trucks, the park ensures swift loading and unloading operations, streamlining logistics processes.

As a gateway to South India, Chennai is among the most-visited Indian cities ranking 36th among the most-visited cities in the world in 2019. Chennai is a major center for medical tourism and is termed “India’s health capital”. Chennai houses a major portion of India’s automobile industry hence the name “Detroit of India”. It was the only South Asian city to be ranked among National Geographic’s “Top 10 food cities” in 2015 and ranked ninth on Lonely Planet’s best cosmopolitan cities of the world. In October 2017, Chennai was added to the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) list.

Safexpress, with its extensive network and comprehensive logistics solutions, is uniquely positioned to cater to the growing needs of businesses in Tamil Nadu and beyond. As the largest and strongest logistics network in India, Safexpress covers all pin codes across the country, ensuring seamless door-to-door express distribution through surface and air modes.

The launch of the logistics park is a testament to Safexpress’ commitment to delivering logistics excellence and ensuring the success of its customers. The company offers a wide range of innovative supply chain services, including express distribution, third-party logistics, and consulting. With a focus on value-added logistics, Safexpress empowers businesses across various industries, such as apparel, healthcare, technology, publishing, automotive, FMCG, and consumer electronics.

Safexpress, with its unmatched expertise and robust network, is perfectly positioned to cater to the growing needs of businesses in Bihar and beyond. With 311 area offices, 56 cargo airport connectivity, and 42 3PL locations, Safexpress has established itself as the industry leader. Its extensive network covers all 31242 serviceable pin codes, ensuring comprehensive supply chain and logistics services across the country. Safexpress operates an impressive fleet of more than 11,000 GPS-enabled vehicles, enabling efficient and timely deliveries. The company’s dedication to customer satisfaction is evident through its 2549 direct routes, with a route departing every 34 seconds.

Having played a significant role in India’s economic growth for over two decades, Safexpress remains committed to contributing to the country’s progress. With a total warehousing area of over 19.5 million square feet, Safexpress provides 24x7x365 days’ live network-enabled supply chain and logistics services to more than 5000 corporate clients. Safexpress is renowned for its operational excellence, leveraging its extensive fleet and unmatched distribution network to cover every square inch of India.

The launch of Safexpress’ largest logistics park in Chennai marks a pivotal moment for the logistics industry in Tamil Nadu. With its state-of-the-art facilities, strategic location, and unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction, Safexpress is poised to accelerate Tamil Nadu’s economic growth and drive trade in the region.

How to Navigate the Intersection of Marketing and Major Events by Anubhav Pandey, Chief Strategy Officer, Consortium Gifts

By Anubhav Pandey, Chief Strategy Officer, Consortium Gifts

Ever notice how during the IPL season, your social media blows up with deals? Cricket bat discounts, free team jerseys, food deliveries promising the perfect “match-day feast” – it’s marketing madness!

A recent study by a big business group in India (CII) found that over 70% of businesses here use exciting events like the IPL to sell more. So, whether you’re a marketing pro or a student with a great idea, this can be a goldmine! But with so much competition, how do you make your business stand out? Don’t worry, this article is your ultimate guide to creating marketing campaigns that shine as bright as those big events themselves!

• Harness the Power of Festivals: Big Indian holidays like Diwali and Holi are a goldmine for marketers. Tap into the excitement and traditions of these celebrations with your marketing campaigns. This creates a real connection with your audience and shows you’re part of the lively Indian cultural scene.

• The Cricket Craze: Indians love cricket! Jump on this bandwagon by tailoring your marketing to match the excitement. Run special offers, create fun social media contests, and generally show you’re part of the cricket craze. Fans will love that you’re in the game, and it’ll boost engagement and loyalty.

• Digital Domination: When promoting your event online, make sure your information is easy to find in Hindi, Tamil, and other regional languages. This way, when people search for events online, they’ll discover yours! It helps your event reach the right people in India and boosts its online presence.

• Mobile-First Marketing: Create short, eye-catching content like event teasers or quick peeks behind the scenes specifically made for sharing on WhatsApp. This mobile-focused strategy is a powerful way to spread the word about your event using India’s strong social connections.
• Budget-Conscious Creativity: Team up with local artisans to create beautiful center-pieces for your event, or use recycled materials for one-of-a-kind backdrops and decorations. This adds a touch of Indian culture, saves you money, and creates a truly unique and memorable event experience for everyone!
• Data is King: Combine information from your event (like registrations and attendance) with what people do online (website visits and social media activity). This “phygital” data helps you understand how people experience your event.

• Collaboration is Key: Partner with local event planners, cultural centers, or even NGOs in India. This win-win lets you tap into their existing connections, makes your event feel more authentic, and builds stronger bonds with the local audience who you want to reach.• Building Brand Loyalty: Partner with social media influencers based in key Indian cities to spread the word about your event. These local “stars” have strong connections with their communities, which can build trust and encourage people to attend your event.

• Measuring Success Beyond Sales: After your event, see what people are saying about it online, especially in Hindi, Tamil, and other regional languages. This tells you how well your marketing connected with the different audiences in India!

Conclusion:
As marketers and professionals, we know our industries are always changing. When we bring marketing and major events together, it takes planning, creativity, and being able to adapt. By knowing our audience, using technology, and making real connections, we can do well in this fast-moving world. We can have important conversations and make a lasting impact. So try to be brave, try new things, and go beyond what’s expected. The next big event is just around the corner, ready for us to shine.

Kolkata Centre for Creativity Presents Relatively Speaking – A Hilarious Comedy by Alan Ayckbourn

Kolkata, 15th May 2024: Kolkata Centre for Creativity hosted “Relatively Speaking,” a delightful comedy by renowned playwright Alan Ayckbourn, in collaboration with The Madras Players and Chennai Art Theatre. The event took place at the magnificent KCC Amphitheatre.

Directed by Tehzeeb Katari, the play exemplifies Ayckbourn’s genius for crafting sparkling dialogue and intricate plots. “Relatively Speaking” revolves around two couples entangled in a web of misunderstandings, leading to hilarious situations and moments of dramatic irony. The audience was kept guessing until the very end, with unexpected twists and turns keeping everyone on their toes.

“I am elated to know that KCC is collaborating with The Madras Players and Chennai Art Theatre to present Alan Ayckbourn’s delightful comedy ‘Relatively Speaking’ at the magnificent KCC Amphitheatre. Relatively Speaking is a must-see theatre event of the year, and I hope that it will leave audiences enthralled with its talented cast of passionate performers, sparkling dialogues, ready wit, and humour. I believe that this play will be a special experience for audiences in Kolkata.” Said Ms. Richa Agarwal, Chairperson of Kolkata Centre for Creativity (KCC)

Featuring a talented cast including Yohan Chacko, Shaan Katari Libby, Sarvesh Sridhar, and Ameera D’costa, the production promised an evening of entertainment and laughter. Ayckbourn’s wit and humour were brought to life on stage by a passionate team of actors and directors.

PVR INOX announces results for the Quarter & 12 months ended 31st Mar 24

Gurugram, 15th May 2024 : PVR INOX Limited today announced its audited consolidated financial results for the quarter and the 12 months ended March 31, 2024.

As the PVR INOX merger became effective from 6th February 2023; Full year FY’24 reported results for the company are not comparable with earlier periods.

During the quarter, the company recorded 32.6 mn admissions (YoY growth of 7%) with an ATP of INR 233 (YoY de-growth of -2%) and SPH of INR 129 (YoY growth of 8%). This led to a 6% increase in ticket sales, a 17% rise in Food & Beverage sales, and a 15% boost in Ad sales when compared to the same period last year.

During the year, the company recorded 151.4 mn admissions (YoY growth of 59%) with an ATP of INR 259 (YoY growth of 8%) and SPH of INR 132 (YoY growth of 3%). This led to a 73% increase in ticket sales, a 64% rise in Food & Beverage sales, and a 56% boost in Ad sales when compared to proforma figures from FY’23.

Significant volatility was observed in box office collections during the year. The quarter ended March 2024 was the weakest quarter of the year. While the India box office in January started off on a decent note with ‘Fighter’ (Hindi) grossing INR 2,550 mn, ‘Hanuman’ (Telugu) grossing INR 2,380 mn, and month of March saw releases like ‘Shaitaan’ (Hindi) grossing INR 1,760 mn which performed well at the box office, the overall quarter was muted with admissions of 32.6 mn. The ongoing general election has also impacted the flow of new releases in the current quarter which is expected to stabilize by mid-June. During the year, there are several exciting releases to look forward to including ‘Chandu Champion’ & ‘Bhool Bhulaiya 3’ starring Kartik Aryan, ‘Kalki 2898 AD’ starring Prabhas, Deepika Padukone and Amitabh Bachchan; ‘Sitare Zameen par’ starring Aamir Khan, ‘Singham Again’ starring Ajay Devgn, ’Welcome 2 the Jungle’ & ‘Sarfira’ starring Akshay Kumar, ‘Stree 2’ starring Shraddha Kapoor and Rajkumar Rao, ‘Pushpa 2’ starring Allu Arjun, ‘Indian 2’ starring Kamal Hassan, ‘A Quiet Place: Day One’, ‘Despicable me 4’, ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’, ‘Joker Folie a Deux’, ‘Mufasa: The Lion King’ among others.

The company has been working hard to achieve the full potential of our merger. Right after the merger was consummated, we had guided for annual EBITDA level synergies of INR 2,250 mn which will be achieved over 12-24 months. We are happy to update you that the integration process has been moving along well and has produced significant operational savings. During the year, we achieved a total EBITDA level synergy of INR 1,850 – 2,080 mn. Of this Box office contributes ~INR 890 – 970 mn, Food & Beverage contributes ~INR 340 – 400 mn, savings on Manpower & other overheads contribute ~INR 620 – 710 mn. While a large part of the merger synergies we had guided for has been achieved in FY’24, we expect to realize further synergies in FY’25 as well. The full impact of these synergies would be visible as occupancies improve.

During the year, the company opened 130 new screens and closed 85 underperforming screenings, resulting in net addition of 45 screens during the year. Currently, our screen portfolio includes 1,748 screens in 360 cinemas across 112 cities in India and Sri Lanka.

The company generated free cash flow of INR 1,158 mn during the year and used it to reduce its net debt from INR 14,304 mn on March 31, 2023, to INR 12,940 mn on March 31, 2024.

The company has identified 4 key strategic priorities for our business which will act as guiding posts for our growth strategy from a medium to long-term perspective. First, improve the profitability of the existing circuit through revenue enhancement by driving box office initiatives like Movie Passport, Cinema Lovers Day, screening of alternate content like film festivals, live concerts, key sporting and other events. Secondly, focus on reducing costs by re-negotiating rentals for operational cinemas, shutting down underperforming cinemas, reducing overhead costs, and having a leaner organizational structure. Thirdly, adopting a ‘Capital Light’ model wherein we endeavor to reduce our annual capital expenditure by exploring alternate models like FOCO (Franchisee, Company operated), partnering with developers for jointly investing in new screen capex. Fourth priority is to become net debt-free over the next few years. In this context, we are also evaluating the monetization of real estate assets owned by the company and using the proceeds to reduce leverage.

Commenting on the results and performance, Mr. Ajay Bijli, Managing Director, PVR INOX Ltd., said, “The key strategic priorities as envisaged above, should help the company in charting a new, less capital intensive and incrementally profitable growth path. Our endeavour is to redefine our growth strategy, focus on fixed cost reduction thus improving profitability resulting in enhanced return on capital and free cash flow generation.”

Jhansi Unveils Groundbreaking Space Museum with Axis Three Dee Studio’s Immersive Audio-Visual Spectacle

India, May 14, 2024:- The city of Jhansi has taken a giant leap into the future with the inauguration of the Jhansi Space Museum, a revolutionary establishment that promises to captivate visitors with its unparalleled immersive experiences in space exploration. Crafted by the visionary team at Axis Three Dee Studio, this museum utilizes cutting-edge projection mapping, full dome experiences, and other innovative technologies to transport guests on a cosmic odyssey like no other.

The museum’s guiding theme, “Cosmic Continuum: Bridging Past and Future,” pays homage to India’s rich legacy in astronomical sciences while embracing the boundless possibilities of space exploration in the modern age. Through its symbolic design elements and integration of ancient wisdom with cutting-edge innovation, the Jhansi Space Museum invites visitors to embark on a journey that transcends time and space.

“The Jhansi Space Museum represents a significant advancement in the realm of space exploration and travel experiences,” said Mr. Avijit Samajdar, Founder of Axis Three Dee Studio. “Our objective is to foster an insatiable interest in space science and, through innovative technology and creative vision, we aim to inspire curiosity and ignite a passion for space science among visitors of all ages.”

The museum’s immersive displays, including the captivating Dome Projection, envelop audiences in a visual spectacle that showcases celestial phenomena and the marvels of space science. These cutting-edge experiences transport visitors to the edges of the known universe, leaving them in awe of the vastness and complexity of the cosmos.

Continental Implements Pioneering Cross-Domain High-Performance Computer in a Car

Frankfurt, Germany, May 14, 2024. Continental announced today that it has implemented a cross-domain High-Performance Computer (HPC) in a car. For the first time,hosting cockpit and additional vehicle functions like driving safety and automated parking, including holistic motion control in a real-life vehicle application was made possible. Serving as a showcase for what the development of software-defined vehicles (SDVs) can look like for automotive engineers,the SDV technology car utilizes Continental’s cloud-based Continental Automotive Edge Framework(CAEdge), which connects the vehicle to the cloud and features a virtual workbench to simplify and accelerate development, supply, and maintenance of software-intensive system functions. The implementation was leveraged by the Snapdragon Ride™ Flex System-on-Chip (SoC) with pre-integrated Snapdragon Ride Vision perception stack from Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.

“With the SDV technology car,we are able to demonstrate Continental’s ecosystem: from road to cloud, from virtual to real,” said Gilles Mabire, CTO at Continental Automotive.”As the first development partners for vehicle manufacturers in the world, we are proud of how we have moved beyond concepts and can showcase the capabilities and challenges of the convergence of automotive domains in a tangible software-defined vehicle.”

Diverse portfolio of functions and development expertise all in one car
The SDV technology car demonstrates the best and most innovative solutions the Continental Automotive group sector portfolio has to offer in one vehicle architecture. The different technologies used include automated parking functions with holistic motion control, ultrasonic sensors, an integrated brake system,and surround view cameras – all within an innovative cross domain HPC.

“The goal is not only to show how well functions work, but to validate how well multiple technologies can be integrated and work alongside each other in HPC-based vehicle architectures within a software-defined vehicle,”explainedJean-François Tarabbia, Head of Business Area Architecture and Networking at Continental Automotive.”This is a crucial step to convince the market that the goal to combine several control units in one HPCis not just feasible but can also render the cost benefits we want to achieve.”

One key element for the implementation of thevery first cross-domain HPC in a real car isthe Snapdragon Ride Flex SoC, the automotive industry’s first family of SoCs that supports multi-modal critical workloads on a single chip. The Flex SoC is designed for optimized cost, power and performance. It makes it possible for automakers and suppliers to accelerate their time-to-market advantage and embrace a seamless, open, and adaptable approach to designing their vehicles. Passengers benefit from an enhanced driving experience characterized by added assistance, safety,and comfort.

“The concept of the software-defined vehicle relies heavily on high-performance hardware that can handle the amount of data,” said Tarabbia.”With Qualcomm Technologies, we have the strong technical collaboratorby our side, who shares ourambitious approach to bringthe software-defined vehicle onto the road.”

Enrico Salvatori, SVP and President Qualcomm Europe/MEA at Qualcomm Europe, Inc., added,”It is very exciting to see the Flex SoC realized inContinental’s HPC and new SDVtechnology car. The Flex SoC providesa more integrated and adaptable approach to designing and developing vehicle architectures. We look forward to continuing to work together with Continental towards the future of software-defined mobility.”

CAEdge provides cloud-based environment for efficient software development
The car’s software architecture has been developed using Continental’s own cloud-based development platform for the software-defined vehicle.It connects the vehicle to the cloud and features a virtual workbench to simplify and accelerate development, supply, and maintenance of software-intensive system functions. This offers automotive software engineers the opportunity to test software on a virtual HPC before deploying onto the physical hardware and to fix software-related issues by debugging software directly in the cloud.

Continental’s CAEdge is currently the most progressive concept for the development of SDV applications. In the SDV technology car,Continentalnow provides speed, development productivity and customer-oriented thinking as a competitive advantage when customers are aiming at shortening time-to-market by deploying software functions from a virtual HPC into a production vehicle.