Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla gives away Lion’s Roar to Restore SDG awards

New Delhi, June 10, 2023: The honorable Speaker of Lok Sabha Shri Om Birla on Friday presented  Lions Club International’s Roar to Restore SDG awards to twenty individuals and organizations at the Lions International’s fourth Round Table Discussion held in Delhi. These awards are an effort to acknowledge and recognize the efforts and contributions of those who made a difference by their efforts and contributions, flipping the script on climate change, gender  balance and women empowerment, health and wellness and laying the foundations for a more sustainable and equitable future for all.

“India is leading the world in every field. The coming time belongs to India, whether it is economic, social, political or democracy. There is discussion of India’s SDG everywhere. We had a long discussion on the platform of Parliament to achieve the goals of SDGs. How can we contribute to achieving the SDG goal. When India adopted parliamentary democracy after independence, many countries felt that with such a large population and geography, the country with this situation may not be able to do anything but today India is showing the mirror to the world,” said Shri Birla, “Our strength has increased due to the new thinking of the youth. Today the youth is doing exceptionally well in every field. India’s intellectual capacity has also increased. I am happy that in the coming days, India will lead in every field in the whole world”.

Applauding Lion’s efforts towards achieving the SDG goals, he said, “Lions Club is working dedicatedly across the country. With positive changes, we have achieved many goals from the round table discussion on SDG goals that took place today. Apart from the people of the corporate world, the government is also working to bring about a change in the society regarding the four SDG goals. There is a long discussion and after that the conclusion that comes out, further strategy is being made. Lions Club is also moving forward on the same strategy today”.

Talking about food security and hunger, Shri Om Birla said, “Lions Club has taken up the issue of hunger. In India, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi worked to provide food to more than 80 crore people. After Covid19, till now the state governments worked in this direction through planning. Right now, there is no hunger-like situation in the country, you tried, we showed the world at the time of Covid19 that the culture of working with collectiveness prevails in the country during every disaster”.

Talking about Lions Club commitment towards ‘good health and well-being’, Shri Om Birla said, “The way the Lions Club worked for the prevention of blindness, its effect is visible in the whole country. Lions Club worked in remote villages to overcome the problem with Cataract. Lions Club did the work of giving light to the people, and for this I thank Lions Club”.

Delivering the keynote address, Shri Manoj Tiwari,  Member of Parliament, said, “The discussions on the Sustainability Development Goals are timely, and even for initiatives like green energy and Swachh Bharat, organizations like the Lions Club play an important role.” He assured the Lions Clubs that the government would help them continue upholding their values and ethos in service to society.

A P Singh, International Third Vice President, Lions Clubs International, while welcoming the honorable Speaker of Lok Sabha, provided an insight to the background and contribution of Lions Clubs International, affirming the Association’smission to serve the world in need.  
“When the UN first introduced the Millennium Development Goals in 2008, Lions International signed an MoU to support the goals. Those goals have evolved through time into the Sustainable Development Goals, which are akin to the agenda of a good citizen, the agenda that a good government should have, and the agenda of every person to better their lives and make them worth living,” Mr. Singh continued.

“The dedication and enthusiasm of Lions Clubs in promoting sustainability, environmental advocacy, health, and wellness have already made a significant difference in combating climate change and building resilient communities. Through their actions, Lions Clubs serve as a shining example of how service organisations can play a pivotal role in addressing the global climate crisis. We need to push for more and more use of DPIs, and the government, private sector, and non-governmental social welfare organisations must collaborate to achieve the 2030 target for the UN SDG.” said Mr. Singh.

The round table has previously been held in Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Ahmedabad. Experts from an array of professions have participated in the endeavour. Sumanta Datta, MD, Oxford University Press; Chetan Kapoor, CEO,TechMahindra Foundation; Rachna Panda, VP & Country Group Head Comms, PA & Sustainability, Bayer; Devansh Pathak, Specialist, Strategy & Community Engagement, WEF India; Vijay Kumar Raju, Past International Director, Lions International; and Swati Mahajan, Lead, Health Systems Strengthening, Path South Asia were among the experts on the panel.

Annexure: Complete list of Awardees

Tagbin to Organize Global DPI Exhibition during 3rd Meeting of G20 Digital Economy Working Group

Delhi, 10th June 2023: Following the success of the Experience Centre at the 1st G20 DEWG Meeting in Lucknow, Tagbin, a leading tech-experiential company, is all set to launch the Global DPI Exhibition at JW Marriott Hotel in Pune, Maharashtra. The exhibition is set to be a significant component of the Global DPI Summit, taking place from 12-14 June 2023, during the 3rd Meeting of G20 Digital Economy Working Group. The theme of the Summit is “Digital Public Infrastructure for Ease of Living, Ease of Doing Business, and Ease of Governance.” Tagbin, in collaboration with Digital India Corporation- NeGD, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Government of India, spearheads the conceptualization and execution of the exhibition.

Under the Indian Presidency, the G20 Digital Economy Working Group (DEWG) has identified Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) as a key priority area. In line with this vision, 12 initiatives from the Digital India Flagship Programme have been selected to showcase best practices in implementing DPIs. The exhibition will provide an immersive experience, enabling visitors to explore Global DPI repositories and gain insights for the betterment of the global community. Notable initiatives include Aadhaar, UPI, DigiLocker, Soil Health Card, eNAM, Digital India UMANG, eSanjeevani, DIKSHA, BHASHINI, ONDC, DIGIT- eGov Foundation, and DigiYatra.

Tagbin’s dedicated team of professionals is leveraging a wide range of interactive technologies to create a seamless and engaging experience for attendees. Through the use of Anamorphic Videos, VR setups, and other innovative displays, Tagbin aims to capture the essence of each initiative, moving beyond traditional exhibition motifs. Their goal is to ensure that the process of navigating a website becomes an immersive journey, leaving a lasting impact on visitors’ minds.

Sharing his viewpoint on the significance of the exhibition, Saurav Bhaik, Founder and CEO of Tagbin, stated, “This Summit presents a remarkable opportunity for India to showcase their DPIs and establish themselves as reliable partners within the Global DPI ecosystem. Amid this, we are honored to bring India’s digital strength to the forefront.” He further added, “Our Experience Centre in Lucknow was just the beginning of this journey. Having grown and refined our approach since then, we are now prepared to deliver something much bigger and better.”

The Global DPI Exhibition expects to welcome esteemed delegates from G20 countries and distinguished guests from around the globe. With meticulous attention to detail, Tagbin is leaving no stone unturned to ensure an unforgettable and impactful experience for all attendees.

Culmination of Fun O’ Fiesta @ DPS RN Extension

10th June 2023: DPS RN Extension, a leading educational institution successfully organised an eight-day long Summer Camp “Fun O’ Fiesta”.

The culmination ceremony was graced by the Principal of the school Mrs Pallavi Upadhyaya and all the parents of the participating students. Each student had selected two activities — one was skill-based and the other sport of their choice. The students who had taken part in art and craft activity, displayed their beautiful creations for all their parents to see. The students who had taken part in dance, singing, aerobics, yoga and zumba captivated the audience with their performance.

Option Designs Innovative Approach leads to 100% Growth

10th June 2023, New Delhi: Leading creative marketing firm Option Designs is pleased to report a remarkable 100% growth rate for the fiscal year 2022–2023. The agency has established itself as a key player in the rapidly evolving world of digital marketing thanks to its creative strategies and commitment to providing quantifiable results.

As companies spend more money on digital and online platforms, Option Designs saw an opportunity and was able to successfully negotiate partnerships with well-known companies like CFS Vision, Konica Minolta, Haldiram’s, Nova Dairy, Vivo, and many others. These alliances have not only broadened Option Designs’ portfolio but also helped fuel the company’s remarkable expansion.

Co-founder of Option Designs Rahul Gandhi credits the rise in demand for digital marketing services with the agency’s success. He claims, “The rise in demand for digital marketing has fueled the expansion of our agency. We have put a lot of effort into providing our clients with outstanding results that have a favorable return on their investment. Our dedication to using data analytics has made it possible for us to efficiently track and evaluate the success of our marketing initiatives.”

The future holds both opportunities and challenges for the digital marketing sector, according to Option Designs. For organizations trying to stay competitive, staying on the cutting edge of technological developments is particularly difficult in the field of artificial intelligence. However, Option Designs is aware of the fascinating opportunities brought about by businesses moving more and more online. The agency now has the chance to broaden its scope of experience and services while forging a significant market position.

Option Designs intends to maintain its flexibility and agility in the digital marketing environment to meet these challenges and take advantage of opportunities. This entails making investments in fresh platforms and technologies as well as expanding one’s knowledge base. Option Designs intends to thrive and grow in the digital marketing and advertising industry by leveraging technology and remaining committed to providing high-quality services.

EDII in association with DICCI NextGen organises National Conclave on Empowering Youth

Ahmedabad, June 10, 2023: As part of its efforts to engage the youth and seek their active participation in India’s G20 presidency, the Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII), Ahmedabad, in association with Dalit Indian Chamber of Commerce & Industry (DICCI) NextGen, organised the National Conclave on ‘Empowering Youth: Fostering Inclusion and Diversity’. The conclave, also supported by SIDBI, was organised to empower youth and to give them a platform for meaningful discussions, knowledge-sharing, and advocacy on diversity and inclusion.

The dignitaries at the inauguration of the conclave, included, Dr Milind Kamble, Founder Chairman, DICCI and Board Member, EDII; Shri Ajay Kashyap, Convener, Secretariat, Youth 20; Shri Sanjay Gupta, General Manager, SIDBI; Ms Maitreyee Kamble, National Convener – DICCI NextGen and Dr Sunil Shukla, Director General, EDII.

The key agenda of the conclave was to identify challenges and barriers in achieving diversity and inclusion in the society and discuss policy interventions, initiatives, and best practices that promote inclusivity. The conclave also explored innovative solutions and strategies to promote diversity and inclusion across contexts. A diverse range of technical sessions were also organised as part of the event. The sessions covered topics such as the future of work in the context of the fourth industrial revolution, challenges and solutions for achieving inclusive practices, and the importance of collaboration and inclusive policies for long-term sustainability.

Dr Milind Kamble, in his address, said, “G20 has ensured enormous participation by people. India is at the forefront of nations. And, at this opportune time, youth have a significant role to play and a big responsibility to shoulder. They must come up with thoughts, plans, and strategies that help build a rewarding structure and system. The demographic dividend of the country actually gets a platform through Y20 to sharpen themselves and lead growth. Social and financial inclusion is a progressive step that India has vastly harnessed. I urge youth to step forth and benefit from the rewarding times.”

Highlighting the significance of MSMEs in economic growth and the role of youths, Shri Sanjay Gupta said, “The need today is to ensure that the youth is gainfully employed; ‘swavalamban’, therefore, becomes a potent option. The youth have to be driven to set up their own enterprises. Role of MSMEs is paramount in the growth of any country. The youth possess the power to alter the fortune of the country. They need to be skilled and honed to ensure that they participate in the growth story of the country.”

Addressing the audience, Shri Ajay Kashyap said, “India getting the G20 Presidency is a landmark for the country. With this has come a historic responsibility for India. India is moving towards the future as a super power. Y20 is an innovative platform to ensure equality and inclusion. India’s youth have set an example to the world in terms of technical innovations and expressing concern about critical issues such environment, renewal energy, climate changes etc. I only wish that this movement paces ahead with all the momentum and energy that it can gather.”

Dr Sunil Shukla, expressed, “It is important for us as a country to galvanise the talents of youths towards innovative and creative work. Inclusion and diversity are embedded in the ethos of the country. The responsibility lies on the shoulders of the youth to lead growth on the premise of inclusivity and diversity. Entrepreneurship is one way of transcending all boundaries and ensuring balanced growth, without any biases. The youth has to be oriented towards this discipline; more so, as they identify very well with innovation and technology, which eventually are the premise of startups and new businesses. ”

The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Ms Maitreyee Kamble, who said. “Youths of the country are aware and are equipped with 21st-century skills. They are enthused to master emerging skills and technology. Their innovative bent of mind is India’s strength, and that has to be nurtured and encouraged to target higher-order achievements.”

Indel Money expands operations to build a pan-India presence

Indel Money, the flagship company of Indel Corporation and a non-banking finance company (NBFC), is strengthening its presence in western and central India as a part of its national expansion plan.

Indel Money currently operates through its more than 250 branches in 8 states like Maharashtra, Odisha, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Puducherry and Kerala is aggressively pursuing a pan-India roadmap by opening 105 branches in FY24.This includes 45 branches in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.

In FY23, Indel Money witnessed an unprecedented over 250 percent growth in disbursement compared to that of FY22. The company disbursed loans worth around Rs.3000 crore in FY23 with a monthly disbursement average of Rs. 250 crore in comparison to disbursement of Rs. 1050 crore in FY22. Gold loans take up 92 percent of its loan portfolio.

In FY23 alone, Indel Money grew its AUM by 72% to Rs.1,154 crore from Rs. 669 crore and profitability has grown a staggering 6.3 times to Rs. 31.29 crore from 4.9 crore.

Commenting on the expansion, Mr. Umesh Mohanan, ED & CEO, Indel Money said, “With this phase of expansion, we are expecting robust growth in our customer base and Assets Under Management (AUM). As a part of our ambitious long-term growth strategy, we are looking at both organic and inorganic routes to expand our operational footprints across the country to emerge as a pan-India financial services company.”

The company has launched the third public issue of non-convertible debentures (NCD) of face value Rs. 1,000 each (open from June 6th – June 19th 2023). The Issue aggregates up to Rs.100 crore andthe coupon yields up to 12.25% per annum. The first two tranches launched in FY22 and FY23, respectively attained 169 percent subscription.

Rating agency Crisil has upgraded Indel Money to “BBB+ stable” at the end of last financial year.

Recently, Indel Money won the ‘Fastest Growing NBFC of the Year’ award at the BFSI Leadership Summit Awards 2023.

Royal Commission for AlUla announces contractor and begins construction on Sharaan Resort and International Summit Centre

AlUla, Saudi Arabia, June 2023: The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) has begun construction of its Sharaan Resort and International Summit Centre designed by French architect Jean Nouvel. The project will be built directly into the mountains of Sharaan Nature Reserveand aims to meet ambitious sustainability goals for the construction phase and resort operations.

In a ceremony at Sharaan Nature Reserve, RCU signed an agreement with Bouygues Construction, a French engineering group, which will manage construction of the resort through a joint venture with Almabani, a leading Saudi engineering firm. Bouygues Construction brings a unique combination of experience in tunneling and construction of ultra-luxury hotels, both required for this complex development.

RCU’s Development and Construction sector is spearheading this project with consultation from Canadian firm WSP and with program management support from Jasara, a Saudi firm. Together they will deliver the masterful vision which will immerse guests in the natural and cultural heritage of Sharaan Nature Reserve.

Just as the Nabataean civilisation carved structures into nearby sandstone more than 2,000 years ago, Sharaan resort will carve a new chapter in stone for AlUla’s living museum while preserving the natural scenery and native flora and faunaat the heart of RCU’s vision for Sharaan. RCU consulted with the world’s top experts in mining and excavation to engineer solutions in line with the architectural vision.

Built into a mountain dating back 500 million years, the Sharaan resort will offer a memorable and timeless experience with 38 suites, a spa and wellness center, kids club, sport centre, all-day dining restaurant and business centre. In addition, a signature fine-dining restaurant will sit atop the mountain with panoramic views of Sharaan. A unique glass elevator will connect the resort with a geologic and artistic experience, offering views of ancient sedimentary layers and niches filled with art and engravings.

Inside an adjacent mountain, the Sharaan International Summit Centre will host events and leaders from around the world. With a completely secure and private environment, itsdesign will enable chance encounters and private interaction for guests with shared leisure activities in an informal setting.Facilities will include an auditorium, meeting rooms, majlis (sitting room), library, and a sport and leisure area.

The Summit Centre will also have 13 total hospitality pavilions and two private villas will be constructed nearby, completing the project with 53 total hospitality keys.

Aligned with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and the Sustainability Charter for AlUla, the Sharaan Resort and International Summit Centre is designed in harmony with its natural environment. Discreet studies of the site have informedthe design of passive strategies and natural geological heat transfer to efficiently cool the property in summer and provide warmth in the winter. The project also aims for zero wastewaterby using potable water only when needed and by recycling all treatable wastewater for irrigation and other purposes.

Mohammed Altheeb, RCU Chief Development and Construction Officer, said: “Sharaan resort is our most ambitious projectcurrently under construction. The resort was designed with complete reverence for the human and natural history of AlUla, and we are committed to sustainable building practices in line with this same philosophy. RCU and its partners are excited to unveil a new chapter in the story of these ancient mountains, where guests will experience the wonders of Sharaan Nature Reserve.”

Pierre-Eric Saint-André, Deputy CEO of Bouygues Construction, said:“We are grateful to be part of the ambitious cultural and tourism project of AlUla, and in particular to have been chosen by the Royal Commission of AlUla with our partner Almabani to build the iconic Sharaan Resort and International Summit Centre. The bold vision of Jean Nouvel’s architectural firm – with whom we have already had the opportunity to work on the Paris Philharmonic Center for example – is a great source of inspiration for us, since the technical prowess it requires are absolutely unique and incredibly stimulating. We are confident that we will be able to bring our passion for challenges and our state-of-the-art expertise acquired over 70 years on all continents to ensure that this great project becomes an iconic reference in terms of exclusive tourist experience, respect for the environment and harmonious integration within grandiose landscapes.”

Omaxe Foundation Empowers Students Through Distribution of Sewing Machines

Omaxe Foundation and the Rotary Club of Delhi Lutyens took a significant step towards empowering students by distributing 25 sewing machines to Indraprastha Hindu Girls Sr Sec School, Chandni Chowk (Near Jama Masjid). The initiative aimed to enhance skill development and provide livelihood opportunities to students there. Many dignitaries and intellectuals, including Mrs. Sushma Rohtas Goel, Chairperson of Omaxe Foundation, was present in the programme. Cultural programs were also presented by the students on this occasion.

Mrs. Sushma Rohtas Goel, Chairperson of Omaxe Foundation, expressed her enthusiasm about this empowering initiative and said, “Today it is a matter of pride for Omaxe Foundation that we are starting Singer Vocational Training for young girls in collaboration with Rotary Club of Delhi Lutyens. We see this opportunity as a beginning because through this, these students will not only get perfection in new art, but their future will also be bright. Our aim is to encourage these girls to move forward at every step. Omaxe Foundation will be ready to contribute to all the students in future also.”

While speaking during the event Mrs. Sushma Rohtas Goel announced that as soon as these students will be perfect in their craft, the foundation will organise a competition at Omaxe Chowk, Chandni Chowk and the winning student will be given a cash prize of 10,000. She thanked all the guests who were a part of the event and encouraged the students in this new beginning.”

The sewing machines were distributed in a special ceremony at the school premises. The event was graced by prominent personalities from the Omaxe Foundation, the Rotary Club of Delhi Lutyens, the school administration, and local dignitaries. The sewing machines will be a valuable asset for students, providing practical skills that can be utilised for personal use and potential entrepreneurial endeavours. This initiative aligns with Omaxe Foundation’s mission to uplift and transform lives by promoting education, skill development, and socio-economic empowerment.