PingCAP APAC launches TiDB Serverless, a fully-managed, autonomous database for developers

Singapore, 1st August 2023 PingCAP APAC today announced the general availability (GA) of TiDB Serverless, its newest offering of TiDB, the company’s open-source, distributed SQL database. As a fully-managed, autonomous database-as-a-service (DBaaS), TiDB Serverless delivers reliable scalability for developers who want to free themselves from manual database tasks, such as sharding. The GA release of TiDB Serverless offers key advancements to PingCAP’s leading database architecture and provides developers with time-saving features, including

• Auto Elasticity – TiDB Serverless automatically scales hundreds of nodes up and down to meet critical workloads in real time. It enables separate scaling for storage and compute, allowing autonomous scalability of nodes without manual sharding—so development teams can focus on what’s next. TiDBServeless maintains the ACID properties of data transactions.
• Fully-Managed Operations – With built-in auto failover and self-healing to ensure continuous operations, multiple availability zones (AZs) are used to duplicate data, increasing overall resilience and prevention of failures. TiDB Serverless performs daily data backups, increasing safety measures and facilitating data recovery if necessary. TiDB Serverless also ensures auto-failover, minimizing downtime and guaranteeing business continuity.
• Usage-Based Pricing – Lower overall infrastructure costs by only paying for the data processing and storage you use. TiDB Serverless eliminates the need for manual intervention by abstracting the underlying infrastructure and automatically adjusts to changing workloads. TiDB Serverless guarantees that developers only pay for the resources they actually need.
• AI-Assisted Enhancements – New features such as Chat2Query, powered by OpenAI’s ChatGPT3, allow developers to generate SQL queries on the fly, increasing overall developer productivity. The service provides real-time insights into dynamic datasets, allowing developers to analyze and explore more data at a faster rate. The service ensures developers make smarter business decisions by providing timely and relevant information.

“Enter a new era of seamless scalability with our revolutionary TiDB Serverless,” stated Max Liu, CEO of PingCAP. “This innovative product represents a significant milestone for PingCAP, offering developers exceptional flexibility and scalability. TiDB Serverless will drive growth and empower organizations to achieve significant improvements in database management. We are excited for developers to explore its endless opportunities while benefiting from unmatched efficiency.”

Dehlnavi Food Festival ITC Grand Chola August 3 – 6

The Madras Pavilion at the ITC Grand Chola welcomes diners to a 4-dayDehlnavi Food Trail from August 3 – 6, curated by ITC Hotels.

Experience the splendour of erstwhile Dilli and its vibrant culinary timeline. Over the years, varied communities have come to call the city their home and have given its cuisine a distinct, inimitable style. Dehlnavi cuisine combines Mughal magnificence and Punjabi effervescence, as well as the charms of the Vaishyas, Kayasths and Marwaris.

Served at homes, by food carts or at the high table, Delhi’s flavours, like her unique gharana, tell the story of the city. Successive settlers have invested in the city with their own heirloom flavours and sense of urbanity.

Dehlnavi attempts to recreate the rugged splendour of the Red Fort, the aromas of Chandni Chowk while retaining the old-world charm of erstwhile Dilli, with food that is rich in variety and flavour.

Delhi presents a mosaic of diverse tastes led by the city’s fondness for good food. Celebrating this unique blend of different cultures and flavours, the Dehlnavi Trail offers an experience of some of the most iconic delicacies of Dehlnavi treasures perfected by the master chefs at ITC Hotels.

Some of the offerings include:

• Mohabbat ka Sherbet: Delicious and refreshing combination of fresh watermelon, rose syrup, milk, sugar, ice cubes, and rose petals
• ChaatDahiGujia: Deep-fried thick urad dal batter shaped in gujiya, stuffed with dry fruits topped with lip-smacking chutneys and sweetened curd
• Tulsi Gulab ke Kebab: Cottage cheese tikkas flavoured with holy basil with hung curd
• Bheke Kebab: Small cakes of lotus stem and potatoes flavoured with garam masala and pan grilled
• Dilli Fish Fry: A local Delhi variant of fish fry
• Purani Dilli Fried Chicken: icy variant of chicken marinated overnight with chefs select spices, fried to perfection
• Matar Paneer Naize: Cottage cheese cooked with tender peas and pine nuts in a rustic onion and tomato gravy
• Palak Rehani: Spinach and holy basil puree scented with brown garlic
• Dal Dehlnavi: A combination of moth and split yellow lentils cooked on low heat garnished with pickled ginger julienne, green chili and roasted cumin, served with crisp biscotti roti
• DillikiNehari: Prime cuts of lamb cooked in brown onion and saffron gravy
• MirchiNimona Pulao: Basmati rice preparation enriched with whole gentle green chillies stuffed with a peas paste
• Sarai ki Gosht Biryani: Lamb and basmati rice cooked together with whole spices and finished with angel hair onion
• ParatheWaliGali Choice of mattar paratha, methi paratha, rave ke parathe, aluanardana paratha, rabri paratha, gobhi adrak paratha
• Dessert BarafkiHandi Reduced milk scented with crushed almonds and cardamom, served frozen MotiyaZarda traditional ghee enriched yellow-coloured sweet rice preparation cooked with sugar, aromatic spices, saffron and dry fruits

The food trail will start off with chaats such as papdi chaat, and the unique kullekichaat, Bheke Kebab, Tulsike kebab from the walled city. Kullekichaat, for the unversed, is made by scooping out the centres of boiled potatoes, sweet potatoes or summer specials like watermelons, and filling them with a mixture of chickpeas, pomegranate seeds, spices, and tangy chutneys. The stuffed potatoes or watermelon are then garnished with a variety of toppings such as sev, coriander leaves, and chaat masala, which is a spice blend commonly used in Indian cuisine.

Besides the chaats, Dehlnavi cuisine trail will also feature kebabs and fish fry. While bheyke kebab or lotus stem kebabs will stand true to the earnest effort for uniqueness, the other offerings on Purani Dilli Fried Chicken and Fish Fry will reflect the vast diaspora of Mughlai kebabs and street foods of Delhi.

The main course, however will remain the highlight of the fare and perhaps for the first time ever, the vegetarian side will seem more enticing with Dal Dehlnavi served with a crisp biscuitty roti will catch your fancy. Imagine the tantalizing fragrance of slow-cooked moth and split moong dal, infused with the pungency of chopped chillies, roasted cumin, and ginger juliennes. As you dip the sweet, biscuit-like roti into the creamy and thick textured dal, a heavenly blend of flavours dances on your taste buds.

The nimona pulao will be as intriguing as the dal and biscuitty combination, since the usual nimona pulao has green peas (matar), it is given a unique spin with matar stuffed inside the salanmirchis! The matar paneer naize would be the perfect nod to rustic flavours and a smooth, creamy-like texture thanks to the pine nuts. The chatpate soya charra aloo mime the mock meat hype in Mughal corterie introduced by Bania community. While kunni dal which is slow cooked on a gentle flame with a blend of Bengal gram and black lentils is infused with a handful of secret spices and a hint of garlic, is sure to comfort you to no end.

The non-vegetarian fare on the other side will be as royal as it could get. Expect the all-time favourite Dilli Butter Chicken in luscious gravy with a velvety texture and an indulgent buttery taste that coats the tongue. The juicy and tender boneless chicken pieces perfectly cooked and complemented the buttery goodness of the dish, will guarantee a lasting impression on the taste buds. The extravagant Nihari and Gosht Pulao, irresistibly delicious will add the perfect touch of Mughlai to the unforgettable experience.

The dessert platter will be the perfect conclusion to the hearty meal – with Barf Ki Handi and decadent kheer (Khurchan) and gulab jamun.

Chef Rais who has been instrumental in laying the foundation of Dehlnavi as a brand will be orchestrating the trail, as our chefs take you on an immersive culinary journey, showcasing unique gems from our capital city.

The Dehlnavi Food Trail can be experienced for dinner from 3 – 6th August 2023 at The Madras Pavilion, ITC Grand Chola.

Dates: August 3- 6 2023
Venue: The Madras Pavilion
Time: 7.30 – 11.30 pm

For reservation and queries please contact
044 22200000
9677050598( MB NO)

Branded vs Unbranded – 8 Reasons Why Developer Reputation Matters

– by Akash Pharande, Managing Director – Pharande Spaces

The Indian housing sector has seen the stronger emergence of branded developers over the last two decades. But after Covid-19, we are seeing a majority of homebuyers preferring properties by branded developers. Most industry estimates concur that around 70% of the projects by value in top Indian cities are by branded developers.

If you’re on the market for a home, your first preference will be a property in a project by such a developer.

But what constitutes a strong brand in real estate?

In the broadest sense, a branded real estate development firm is one whose name is widely known and trusted. The term ‘branded’ does not necessarily mean that the developer is a national player or that they are listed on the stock exchange.

Most Indian cities have developers with strong local presence, whose names are instantly recognized there. They have created a distinctive identity and image of their projects in the market.

Such a reputation is not easily won – it requires significant and consistent investment in creating brand equity and recognition over the years. While marketing strategies like image building via public relations campaigns, high-visibility advertising, and strong social media presence certainly play their roles, no real estate brand – especially in a B2C segment like residential real estate – can be built by marketing alone.

To quote famous author and speaker Seth Godin – “Brands, like people, have personalities. They occupy a space in our minds.” And when it comes to real estate, Jeff Bezos, the CEO of Amazon, comes even closer to the truth when he says, “A brand for a company is like a reputation for a person. You earn a reputation by trying to do hard things well.”

Developing good residential real estate is nothing if not hard and complex, and it takes dedication and resources to do it well.

Some key attributes of a branded developer:

1. A verifiable and well-established track record

The developer has consistently ensured that his customers get possession of the homes they have purchased within the period committed to in the sales deed. If there is a delay, the reasons are self-evident and obvious to the buyers – such as the labour shortage during the worst parts of the pandemic. Certainly, it will not be because the developer has run out of capital. This brings us to the next attribute.

2. No shortage of capital

Perhaps the most important attribute of a strong brand is that it sells even when non-branded products fall out of favour. When a developer’s projects are never short of buyers, he doesn’t run out of money. Branded developers are financially stable with access to institutional funding, ensuring continuous cash flows into projects. This reduces risks of delay or abandonment of projects. A strong brand’s most convincing endorsement is its balance sheet.

3. Consistent construction quality across projects

Regardless of how many projects he has ongoing and already completed, there will be no variations in the quality of materials used and workmanship. His properties are uniformly durable and resistant to wear and tear. The firm will have official certification such as ISO 9001-2000 which guarantees consistent and process-driven construction quality, using the latest construction techniques.

We have all heard of instances where a smaller developer delivered good quality construction in his first project but began cutting corners in later ones. Such practices are a death warrant to a developer’s reputation.

4. Genuine transparency

A branded developer conducts his business with complete financial transparency. The selling prices for the units in his project are declared and apply to all buyers. He is also fully compliant with all RERA guidelines, and in fact was practicing high corporate governance and ethical business even before RERA. This ensured that his company eased seamlessly into the new regime in 2016.

5. Customer centricity

Branded players are very responsive to customer needs and feedback, and invest heavily in post-sales service and relationship management. There is no ‘sell-it-and-forget-it’ attitude. A branded developer sees every past customer as his brand ambassador.

6. Generous marketing and promotions budgets

A branded developer lives up to his reputation with sizable budgets for advertising and digital engagement. The spend is clearly evident in the quality of the messaging, which invariably involves reputed advertising agencies, He invests significantly in brand building through advertising, digital campaigns, customer relationship management (CRM) and public relations. Branded developers know that they have a reputation that goes beyond any one project.

7. Superior amenities and facilities

Branded developers invest in premium amenities like swimming pools, gyms, sports courts, community spaces for their township projects. Homebuyers get to enjoy high-quality facilities rather than having to settle for a compromised lifestyle.

8. Innovative and sustainable project designs

Branded developers invariably have in-house design and architecture teams and also invest heavily in innovative, space-saving and comfort-oriented designs in their projects. Their projects also have the latest sustainability features, are designed and built to reduce their environmental impact, and have the certification to prove it.

To conclude

Despite the higher brand premiums, buying from a branded developer provides homebuyers greater peace of mind on project execution and asset quality. Properties from branded developers tend to appreciate better compared to those by unknown local builders, because the brand name adds a premium to resale values. Overall, the increasing success of branded developers in the Indian residential real estate space is as much their customers’ victory as it is theirs.

About the Author:

Akash Pharande is Managing Director – Pharande Spaces, a leading real estate construction and development firm famous for its township projects in West Pune and beyond. Pharande Promoters & Builders, the flagship company of Pharande Spaces and an ISO 9001-2000 certified company, is a pioneer of townships in West Pune.

“OPay” intends to apply for a license to establish a digital bank in Egypt

Cairo, Egypt – 30th July 2023 – “OPay”, a leading and rapidly growing provider of financial technology and electronic payments solutions, has announced its intention to apply for a license to establish a digital bank in Egypt with a capital of $60 million, according to the rules for licensing and registration of digital banks, and control and supervision recently issued by the Central Bank of Egypt.

This step is within the framework of OPay’s commitment to its role in developing the Egyptian digital economy, supporting the Egyptian state’s plans towards digital transformation, strengthening the principles of financial inclusion, and building a society less dependent on cash transactions, using the best, fastest and safest financial technology solutions in the Egyptian market provided by OPay, along with its experience in the field of digital transformation in the countries of the Middle East and North Africa, Nigeria and Pakistan.

“OPay” aims to enhance its services with innovation and the latest technological solutions to meet the needs of the Egyptian market, and facilitate the conduct of financial and banking transactions for customers, as the company will work through the digital bank to provide lending, savings and card services via the Internet without the need for customers to go to branches, in addition to OPay services to accept payments Such as points of sale, digital payment gateway, and electronic wallets.

Mahmoud Khedr, Director of Business Development & Partnership at OPay, said: We are excited to obtain a license to establish a digital bank in Egypt, and to work hand in hand with the Central Bank of Egypt and all concerned authorities to start this step, which represents a new beginning to keep pace with global developments in the field of financial technology”.

He also explained that “OPay” is qualified to make a breakthrough in this industry as it has 5 years of experience in the financial technology sector in the countries in which we operate, which represents a real impetus towards achieving success and achievement in Egypt.”

Khedr added, “We achieved great successes last year, as the value of our sales in the region amounted to more than 50 billion dollars, while the number of users of the “OPay” application in all countries reached about 30 million users, and we aspire to exceed these numbers in the current year and achieve unprecedented record rates.”

He added: “We thank the leaders of the Central Bank for the initiatives it is launching to create a supportive climate for the financial technology industry, and for the unlimited support for the financial technology sector and the directives of its leaders towards advancing the digital economy and the great role it plays in developing and developing this sector.”

HostBooks expands Executive Team; onboards Yogesh Singhania as new Chief Business Officer

Gurugram, 29 July 2023: HostBooks – a SaaS-based and one of the fastest-growing Business Management Solution platforms is continuing to move on its expansion spree. The platform has recently onboarded Yogesh Singhania as the new Chief Business Officer who will drive the company’s broader vision and ambition and chalk out a robust growth strategy.

With almost 20 years of experience in the industry, Yogesh demonstrates exceptional leadership skills and has delivered growth to the business across all the GTM like Distribution, TeleSales, FOS and alliances. His strategic vision and leadership will play an instrumental role in driving revenue growth, exploring new opportunities for expansion, and establishing strategic partnerships.

Commenting on the appointment, Kapil Rana & Biswajit Mishra Founders of HostBooks said, “Yogesh is a seasoned industry leader and his expertise will add immense value to our overall growth efforts. We are delighted to have him onboard and confident that his appointment will further strengthen our leadership position in the market while steering the company towards its next stage of growth.”

Delighted about the appointment, Yogesh Singhania, new CBO of HostBooks said, “I am thrilled to be a part of such a fast-growing platform. The role of finance departments and accountants has turned inefficient with the implementation and complexities of new tax regimes. HostBooks is definitely a revolutionary product for the market and we look forward to bolstering its business development efforts in the near future.”

Prior to his new role at HostBooks, Yogesh was associated with Airtel, Vodafone, Hello Verify, Rico and Idea in a leadership position. His role was pivotal in ensuring customer satisfaction, territory expansion and overall organization growth. His appointment with HostBooks will help the company streamline and scale-up business operations and enhance the overall customer experience.

As a comprehensive platform, HostBooks has revolutionized manual and resource-intensive book-keeping, banking, MIS, reporting, compliances, audits, etc. In a short span, the platform has recorded exponential growth, including the hiring of 60+ team members in the ongoing fiscal and also has attained profitability.