13, Sep 2023
PLANET app by L&T Finance crosses 5 million downloads
Mumbai, September 13, 2023: The PLANET (Personalised Lending & Assisted NETworks) application by L&T Finance (LTF), a retail-focused digitally enabled non-banking financial company, has reached a remarkable milestone of more than 5 million downloads. The application has facilitated business totalling over Rs. 2,300 crore and collections of over Rs. 440 crore. So far PLANET App has served more than 75 lakh transactions from across the country and has enabled fully digital disbursements in both rural and urban areas.
The PLANET App, launched in March 2022, was designed with a vision to provide seamless, secure, and user-friendly access to a diverse range of financial products and services to our rural and urban customers alike. Through its commitment to being a ‘Fintech@Scale”, LTF has consistently delivered best in class solutions to its wide customer base.
Mr. Dinanath Dubhashi, Managing Director & CEO of L&T Finance Holdings Ltd. expressed his delight in\ reaching this milestone and said, “The overwhelming response to the PLANET App is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team. We are thrilled to see how our App is helping our customers to manage their finances within the comfort of their home on the go. More importantly, we now have more than 5 lakh rural women and over 95,000 farmers using the application for fulfilling their servicing needs digitally. Our focus has always been on providing the best user experience and delivering innovative financial solutions. Looking ahead, we will continue to refine and expand the PLANET App’s offerings by introducing new features and ensure that it becomes one stop shop for availing finance digitally in India. With the Company’s unwavering commitment to excellence, the next milestone of 10 million downloads seems well within reach.”
PLANET App is one of the highest-rated finance Apps on Google Play Store and Apple App Store with a score of 4.3. The App’s success can be attributed to its simplicity, comprehensive features, and commitment to customer satisfaction.
The App has been successful in achieving the Company’s broader vision of driving financial inclusion and empowering individuals from diverse backgrounds to achieve their goals while catering to their financial needs. By leveraging the power of technology, the Company has been able to reach millions of users, including over 6 lakh in rural and remote areas, making a positive impact on their lives. The Rural Group Loans & Micro Finance business which went live on the App recently has already generated nearly 6000+ leads of which over 4500 leads are fresh.
As the financial landscape continues to evolve, PLANET App stands as a shining example of how technology can empower individuals and simplify the complexities of finance, catering to the needs of millions
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- By Rabindra
13, Sep 2023
University of Essex unveils new MSc Economics of Business and Management programme
New Delhi, 13 September 2023: University of Essex, UK-based and ranked 18th in the UK for Economics by QS World University Rankings 2023 is proud to announce the launch of its latest academic offering, the MSc Economics of Business and Management programme. This innovative programme, designed to address the needs of both seasoned economists and newbies to the subject, smoothly integrates fundamental economic principles with real-world applications in business and management.
The MSc Economics of Business and Management curriculum is a dynamic educational journey that aims to equip students with theoretical proficiency, technical acumen, and strong communication skills, all developed in the context of economics as applied to business and management. The course ensures that graduates possess a deep understanding of economic theories and cultivates transferable skills such as the ability to construct persuasive arguments and the versatility to excel both independently and in collaborative settings.
During the one-year degree programme, the students will delve into core economic principles and analysis, meticulously crafted to address the unique needs of the business and management landscape, and will cover a range of crucial topics such as mastery of modern microeconomics, encompassing key principles and theories, utilization of statistical methods for comprehensive economic data analysis, in-depth exploration of contract theory, incentive theory, and the theory of the firm, insight into the impact of strategic interactions between firms on sales and profitability and application of economic insights to real-world business and management decision-making.
During the summer term, students have the opportunity to conduct an independent study on a specific topic of interest through the capstone project whereas, during the autumn term students can choose from a variety of optional modules that allow them to explore different areas of specialization such as asset pricing, banking, behavioural economics, and game theory.
The programme opens doors to a world of professional opportunities for the students such as business and financial analysts, management consultants, government officials, and economists in prominent banks and financial institutions.
Professor Carlos Carrillo-Tudela, Head of the Department of Economics, University of Essex, expressed his excitement about the launch of the programme and said, “The MSc in Economics of Business and Management is tailored to develop future leaders in the fields of economics and business management. Our commitment to academic excellence and practical relevance will ensure that our graduates are well-prepared to make a significant impact in their careers. At the University of Essex, we are committed to nurturing the next generation of leaders and problem solvers, and this programme is a testament to that commitment””
The module is open to both domestic and international students and the applications for the programme are now open, with the first cohort of students set to begin their studies in January 2024. For more information about the programme, admission requirements, and how to apply, please visit : https://www.essex.ac.uk/courses/pg01569/1/msc-economics-of-business-and-management
13, Sep 2023
St. George’s University’s Dean of Clinical Studies Receives Distinguished Service Award for 40+ Years of Service
St. George’s University (SGU) School of Medicine, Grenada, in the Caribbean, presented Clinical Dean Rodney Croft with a Distinguished Service Award after 43 years with the University, 20 of which he served as Dean of Clinical Studies in the UK. The award is given to members of the faculty and those in the community in recognition of their outstanding service to the University.
“I want to express my sincerest appreciation to Mr. Croft for the remarkable service to St. George’s University School of Medicine,” said Dr. Marios Loukas, Dean of the School of Medicine. “Mr. Croft made many significant contributions to furthering our MD program in the UK. I am grateful for his leadership there, most notably as Dean of Clinical Studies.”
Early years
Mr. Croft’s journey started with a bachelor’s degree from Cambridge University back in 1965. He earned his qualification (MB BCHIR) in 1968 and his Master of Arts the following year (MA Cantab). Mr. Croft then became a fellow of The Royal College of Surgeons of England in 1972, received his Master of Surgery (MChir Cantab) in 1982, and went on to proudly become a fellow of The American College of Surgeons in 1984.
During his tenure as a consultant general and vascular surgeon at North Middlesex University Hospital, Mr. Croft’s dedication and expertise shone as he became the foremost authority in cardiovascular implants within the UK. His influential role included crafting standards for prestigious international bodies such as CEN, the European Committee for Standardization, and the International Organization for Standardization. His commitment to excellence was acknowledged with a commendable long-service award from the British Standard Institute.
Mr. Croft is well-versed in London Medical School education, having previously served as the Clinical Sub-dean at The Royal Free and University College Hospital Medical School in London. Furthermore, he played an active role on The Royal Free Medical School Council for a commendable nine-year period.
A long tenure at SGU
Mr. Croft has dedicated an impressive 43 years to undergraduate medical education at SGU’s School of Medicine. Notably, he served as the Dean of Clinical Studies of the UK program for 20 years, overseeing clinical faculty at SGU’s 17 UK-affiliated hospitals and clinics. His past SGU roles have included Clerkship Director, Director of Medical Education, and UK chair of the School of Medicine Department of Surgery.
“From the entire SGU community, my heartfelt congratulations to Rodney for this esteemed accolade and on his retirement,” Dr. Loukas said.
13, Sep 2023
Bharti Foundation in collaboration with Directorate of School Education
13 September 2023, Jammu: Bharti Foundation in collaboration with The Directorate of School Education (DSEJ), Jammuis extending its ‘Life Skill Development among Students through House System’ project under its Satya Bharti Quality Support Program – At Scale to more than 3,500+ Government Middle Schools of Jammu.
The program lays emphasis on building the capacities of head of schools and teachers to enable students with 21st century skills. The project is being led by the Counselling Cell with support of Aadharshila and Cultural Innovation Cells at DSEJ. Dedicated team from Bharti Foundation will impart training to resource persons to help implement the project. These resource persons will further support schools in developing a comprehensive understanding of life skills education and buildingthe skills through school activities.
In August 2022, the first round of training was organised for more than 390 resource persons who cascaded the life skill development training to 8,500+ teachers from 1,100+ Government High and Higher Secondary Schools in Jammu, benefitting more than 2 lakh students. This year, along with offline training, online training and webinars have also been designed to equip resource persons to support heads of schools and teachers effectively.
Speaking on the occasion, Sh. Ashok Sharma, Director of School Education Jammu, acknowledged the Bharti Foundation and applauded the program which intends to build critical life skills such as problem-solving, collaboration, managing emotions, creative thinking, etc. in line with National Education Policy 2020. He said, “strengthening of healthy competition among students in the house system will create positive impact and prepare students for the real-world challenges.”
Dr Romesh Kumar, Head Counselling Cell DSEJ, who happens to be the Nodal officer for the program, opined that this program will offer a paradigm shift in how schools function. It will be very meaningful to conduct co-scholastic activities with “life skills development” as an end in mind.
Speaking on the successful extension of the project, Mamta Saikia, CEO-Bharti Foundation said, “Bharti Foundation has been working in the field of education in rural India for the past 20 years. It is our belief that life skills among students is an important area to work on and can be best delivered to the students when integrated with various school activities. Thanking the Directorate of School Education, Jammu, and all those who are involved in this ambitious project to support Bharti Foundation in creating a meaningful impact.”
Suraj Singh Rathore, CEO of Jammu, addressed while the program was anchored by Dr Sharma from Counselling Cell DSEJ. Other prominent people, present on the occasion, included HR Pakhroo, Joint Director (SE), Devender Singh Manhas, DEPO Jammu,Team members of Bharti foundation, Surjeet Singh, Incharge Cultural Cell DSEJ and other team members of Counselling Cell DSEJ.
13, Sep 2023
NTPC Ltd. pays Final Dividend of Rs. 2,908.99 Crore for FY 2022-23
Mumbai, 13th Sep 2023 : NTPC Ltd., India’s leading power generation company, has announced the payment of its Final Dividend for the financial year 2022-23. This Final Dividend payment of Rs 2908.99 crore constitutes 30.00% of the paid-up equity share capital of NTPC Ltd.
The total dividend disbursed for FY 2022-23 stands at an impressive Rs. 7,030.08 crore, being 41% of the Profit After Tax (PAT) for the financial year.
This marks the 30th consecutive year in which the company has distributed dividends, underscoring its dedication to providing consistent returns to its investors.
As a key player in the Indian energy sector, NTPC Ltd. continues to drive excellence, sustainable growth, and shareholder satisfaction through its strategic initiatives and robust financial performance.
13, Sep 2023
Parle Krackjack launches TV campaign with new sweet and salty avatars
Mumbai, 13th September, 2023: Parle Products, the largest selling biscuit brand has released its latest campaign for KrackJack. This latest iteration of the Parle Krackjack campaign adds to the legacy of a brand that has been loved by the nation for over half a century. It carries forward the same set of delightfully whacky ideas to a new generation of Krackjack connoisseurs.
The three-film campaign created by Thought Blurb Communications tells stories of conundrums that are solved in hilarious ways by the two protagonists, Krack (played by Dharmesh Yelande) and Jack (played by Raghav Juyal). They have different sweet and salty perspectives, that brings alive the idea- “Sweet and Salty saath jab aaye, baat ban jaaye”.
The over-the-top style of humour follows a legacy that was started in the 90s with Boman Irani and Vijay Patkar playing the titular roles. The torch then passed on to Swapnil Joshi and Gaurav Gera in the noughties, and after a decade, Krackjack has now found renewed vigour with Raghav Juyal and Dharmesh Yelande.
Mayank Shah, Senior Category Head, Parle Products, speaks about Krackjack and the direction it has taken over the years. “Krackjack is the first biscuit in India to find that magical spot in the consumer’s palate with a flavour that tickles sweet and salty taste buds. When the flavour is so out-of-the ordinary, how can its communication not be unusual? Over the years, the characters Krack & Jack, have endeared themselves to audiences across the country. Every new generation resonates with these sweet and salty characters. Dharmesh and Raghav are new age celebrities with a wide fan following among the youth. More importantly, we chose them because we felt they have a spontaneity in their repartee, which is key to the brand’s communication.”
Vinod Kunj, Founder and Chief Creative Officer, Thought Blurb Communications echoes the sentiment and explains the challenges, “It’s a big challenge to work on a legacy brand like Krackjack with a high decibel legacy communication. When we got the brief we were clear that we have to carry forward the torch to the next generation of audiences across India. Not only do we have to appeal to a wide section of audiences across socio economic segments, we also had to touch their funny bone. Evidenced by the viewer responses we have received, the execution seems to have hit the bull’s eye. The dash of rollicking humour coating the films make them entirely enjoyable.”
Joining in with her perspective on the creative execution, Renu Somani, National Creative Director, Thought Blurb adds, “We started off with a product that is sweet but also has salty overtones. That kind of dictated the tone and tenor of the campaign. In one of the brain storming sessions when the strategy team came up with the idea of ‘contrarian views working towards a common goal’ we knew we had our campaign. This in turn finds resonance in the claim – ‘sweet aur salty saath jab aaye, baat ban jaaye’. The fun part was working with the film crew to get Dharmesh and Raghav to work in tandem to translate this strange combination of diametrically opposite views. We wanted the viewers to have fun, and I think that has come out quite well.”
13, Sep 2023
Madverse Music onboards artists from Tier 2 and 3 cities and from across India
Mumbai, 13th September 2023:– Madverse Music, a leading platform for independent artists, proudly announces a significant milestone, onboarding over 8000+ talented artists to its global community. With a mission to unite nations through music, Madverse Music offers a one-stop solution for artists to showcase their talent and reach a diverse audience worldwide.
In India, Madverse Music enjoys a robust presence in all major cities as artists descend in huge numbers from places such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Jaipur, Pune, Lucknow, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Indore, Nagpur to name the top 10 cities from where numerous talented artists are showcasing their artistry and connecting with fans.
From gully boys to secret superstars, MADverse is giving a platform to every artist out there to be at the forefront of the industry without any barriers and to live dreams.
Rohan Nesho Jain, Founder and CEO, Madverse Music said, “We are thrilled to have achieved this remarkable feat of onboarding 8000+ artists to our platform. It is great to see that the talent from smaller cities of the country is also coming forward. Madverse Music has always been committed to providing a supportive and inclusive space for independent artists to showcase their creativity. By bringing together talented artists from various corners of the world, we aim to create a melting pot of cultures, musical genres, and artistic expressions that resonate with audiences universally.”
Madverse Music has rapidly expanded its reach and presence, currently covering more than 200+ cities across India, Vietnam, Indonesia, Korea, the UK, the US, Nigeria, and other countries. The platform’s dedication to empowering artists has attracted a diverse pool of talent from across the globe, fostering a vibrant community of musicians.
The platform has also expanded its reach globally, with artists from diverse countries like the African, Netherlands, Mexico, Russia, Malaysia, Nigeria, Sweden, UAE, and LA.
Madverse Music continues to serve as a bridge between artists and music lovers worldwide, fostering a vibrant community that celebrates creativity, diversity, and the universal language of music.
13, Sep 2023
UNDP India partners with NABARD to boost data-driven innovations in agriculture
September 13, New Delhi: The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to co-create data-driven innovations in agriculture and food systems to support smallholder farmers. Under this MoU, both organizations will work to improve the lives and livelihoods of smallholder farmers by sharing open-source data for product development, transfer of technology and supporting the framing of agrarian policies.
The MoU was signed by Chief General Manager of NABARD, Mr. Sanjeev Rohilla, and UNDP Deputy Resident Representative, Ms. Isabelle Tschan. Under the MoU, UNDP will leverage its expertise in open innovations, data collaboratives, data science approaches and global know-how for supporting NABARD’s agenda of embedding data-driven decision-making in agriculture investments.
The partnership includes enhancing and disseminating collaborative digital public goods like DiCRA (Data in Climate Resilient Agriculture). DiCRA is a collaborative digital public good which provides open access to key geospatial datasets pertinent to climate resilient agriculture. DiCRA, which is curated by UNDP and partner organizations to inform public investments in agriculture, already provides intelligence on climate resilience for 50 million hectares of farmland across India. By partnering for enhancing and scaling its use, NABARD will host and maintain the DiCRA platform and use its key geospatial datasets for policy making, research and development activities, with UNDP’s technical support.
This five-year technical cooperation is envisaged to foster collective climate action, create innovative platforms and new product offerings to enhance economic empowerment in rural India. Speaking on the occasion, Mr Shaji KV, Chairman of NABARD, said, “NABARD is extremely excited about this collaboration with UNDP. This opens a sea of opportunities for the two organizations to leverage data and present it as a digital public infrastructure for the vast rural Indian community of farmers. We are looking forward to deeper ties with UNDP as we progress, and this MoU is a step towards this direction.”
Reaffirming UNDP’s commitment, Ms. Isabelle Tschan, Deputy Resident Representative said, “Agriculture is the largest source of livelihoods in India employing 80% of rural women who are more vulnerable to climate change. DiCRA uses cutting edge data science and machine learning to identify farms that are resilient to climate change and those that are highly vulnerable. Such open data innovations can highlight best practices, optimize agriculture investments and shelter populations from risk. The collaboration with NABARD will strengthen our support to build sustainable agricultural practices and secure livelihoods reducing the vulnerability of small farm holders, especially women.”
The partnership will also help analyze agricultural trends over time to inform decisions about investments in various areas like watershed management, micro-irrigation, warehouse optimization, and climate-related initiatives, enhancing UNDP and NABARD’s data resources.
13, Sep 2023
Aatmanirbhar: The Roadmap to increased Localization and harnessing Export Potential – SIAM Annual Convention 2023
Mumbai, 13 September 2023: During the Valedictory session of the SIAM’s 63rd Annual Convention themed “‘Aatmanirbhar’– The Roadmap to Increased Localization and Harnessing Export Potential of the Indian Auto Industry”, the Chief Guest, Mr. Piyush Goyal, Hon’ble Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, and Textiles, Government of India, stated, “Democracy, demographic dividend, and diversity are the three D’s propelling the automobile industry onto the fast lane. India’s has achieved ‘Aatmanirbharta’ in many ways and have joined the ranks of nations where basic life aspirations such as digital connectivity, road infrastructure, healthcare, and water supply are being fulfilled, a testament to the ‘new India’ that our people collectively strive for. Today, the middle class seeks value and pride in their automobile choices, driving significant market demand indigenously. We must encourage significant investment in electronic components and products made in India, boost R&D within our nation, and nurture domestic industries. We must also reduce our dependence on imports and should rather trust our localised capabilities within our own ecosystem.”
Addressing the session, Dr. Pawan Goenka, Chairman, Steering Committee on Advancing Local value-add & Exports (SCALE), Ministry of Commerce & Industry, said, “Indian automotive industry has long embodied self-reliance, and has been working for very long towards being Aatmanirbhar. Currently, we are the world’s third-largest automobile market and India has clear advantages in terms of its demographics, geopolitical positioning, and now, with our success at the G20. With being one of the largest markets, it is pertinent that efforts be placed to increase automotive exports and for that we need a dedicated task force that should work towards this goal. While we have come a long way in the domain of localization, true progress for the sector will be driven by the export market.”
Mr. Vinod Aggarwal, President, SIAM and Managing Director & CEO, Volvo Eicher Commercial Vehicles Ltd., and Mr. Sunjay Kapur, President, ACMA and Chairman,
Sona Comstar, were also present during the session.
13, Sep 2023
Heartfulness App is the Only Meditation App Supporting 11 Languages Including English, French and Ukrainian towards its goal of Universal Peace & Service to Humanity
New Delhi/Hyderabad/Mumbai, 13 September 2023: Heartfulness App, a premier meditation app by the Heartfulness Institute promotes meditation as a daily practice towards personal transformation. The free app that has more than 650,000 users is being brought in 11 languages and rapidly being adopted by over 700,000 users worldwide by both vernacular and international users. The app currently supports Gujarati, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Hindi, Odia, and Bengali. Among international languages, the app supports English, French and Ukrainian and there are more to be announced soon. The Heartfulness App remains dedicated to promoting inner peace and well-being among individuals across India and beyond. The number of Heartfulness app users is predicted at 1 million towards the end of the year.
The Heartfulness Meditation practice is rooted in the ancient system of pranahuti or yogic transmission which is practiced globally under the guidance of Rev. Daaji – Spiritual Guide of Heartfulness, President of Shri Ram Chandra Mission and Padma Bhushan awardee. The introduction of the Heartfulness App allows this practice available to everyone globally at their convenience.
The Heartfulness App is user-friendly and effective in making meditation a daily practice for users of all backgrounds and experience levels. All can now experience the benefits of meditation and inner peace.
Rev. Daaji – Spiritual Guide of Heartfulness, President of Shri Ram Chandra Mission and Padma Bhushan Awardee said, “We are proud to be the only meditation app currently supporting seven languages, including six major Indian languages. Our mission is to make meditation accessible to everyone, regardless of their background or location. My vision is to empower people to embrace the life-changing benefits of meditation and lead happier, healthier lives.”
Heartfulness practitioners including celebrities are also enthusiastic about the app. Ace badminton player P V Sindhu who is also a Heartfulness practitioner said, “Ace badminton player P V Sindhu who is also a Heartfulness practitioner said, “A lot of my performance in a match relies on my mental state before and during the match. I’ve been practicing heartfulness meditation for years, which has always given me clarity and sharp focus. It connects me with myself and brings inner peace. I’ve started using the Heartfulness App extensively lately. It has helped me maintain a consistent meditation practice, just like I do with my physical training. And the best part? I can meditate wherever and whenever I want. It’s like carrying peace in my pocket. I can set my daily meditation timings and schedule them on my calendar using the app, choose the duration of my meditation, select background music based on my mood, and connect and meditate with a trainer one-on-one. The mood meter feature tracks my emotions each day and witness my own transformation. The app has a built-in journal that lets tracking my progress. The Heartfulness app has truly been invaluable in making meditation a daily habit in my life. It’s intuitive, simple, user-friendly, and effective. With this app, I feel less stressed, more focused, and stronger.”
One can choose a simple 3-day, 15-minute meditation goal or a month-long 45-minute meditation goal and the progress is always accessible on your dashboard.
The Heartfulness App is available for download on iOS and Android devices. The app is completely free to any user.
