Archives February 2023

February 22, 2023, | Pune: Gera Developments, pioneers of the real estate business and the award-winning creators of premium residential and commercial projects in Pune, Goa, and California, has successfully handed over 108-row houses to the customers of Gera’s World of Joy located in Upper Kharadi, Pune. To mark the handover of the Row Houses at the project, Gera Developments organized a fun-filled three-day event which concluded recently.

Gera’s World of Joy, which is the second ChildCentric® Homes Project in Pune has been a trendsetter in the Pune residential realty market. The real estate developer had already cited strong pre-sales numbers at the time of the launch itself. Built on the idea of providing safety, convenience, fun, and development to children, right at their doorstep, Gera’s World of Joy has witnessed tremendous demand from home buyers for premium, valuable, livable and child-friendly homes. While the other units remain sold out, delivery of the row houses comes at a time when the market is struggling with delayed and stuck projects underlying Gera’s intent of fulfilling its commitment made to the customers.

Speaking on the event and the delivery of the Gera’s World of Joy row houses, Mr. Rohit Gera, Managing Director of Gera Developments, said, “The success of Gera’s World of Joy ChildCentric®️ Homes makes it clear that Gera Developments has taken a leap towards a new phase, an era driven by customer-centricity, innovation and quality. Timely delivery of the row houses is a testimony to the years of focus on product quality, customer delivery and our values. Moreover, the product offering truly caters to the needs of today’s young aspirational Indian family. Through our ChildCentric® Homes, we are ensuring that children get the best exposure, training, and opportunities to learn and pursue their talents under the guidance of the industry’s best experts, with whom, we have partnered to offer coaching.”

Gera’s World of Joy features a range of apartments and amenities, some of which include 2 & 3 Bedroom Duplexes, 2 & 3 Bedroom Apartments, 2 & 3 Bedroom Row Houses and Studio Apartments. The first phase of the project contains 900+ apartments. Gera’s World of Joy is spread over 20 acres and has clubhouses with an area in excess of 40,000 square feet. The clubhouses and open areas house facilities such as the indoor climate-controlled half Olympic length swimming pool, badminton courts, squash courts, gymnastics hall as well as the dance studio, art studio and gaming rooms. The outdoor areas house the tennis courts and other outdoor facilities. With Gera’s World of Joy, Gera Developments has raised the bar for other potential development prospects that will unfold in the market.

The homes are equipped with DEFT’s smart home devices with Google-integrated voice-controlled home automation and comprise other stand-out leisure options like a rock-climbing wall, skating rink, and a mini theatre. Gera’s World of Joy will host a two-story shopping plaza as a part of its retail offering for occupants to source their daily necessities.

News18 Punjab Haryana is proud to announce their upcoming event Biznext, a platform designed to recognize and honour leading entrepreneurs from Punjab & Haryana and showcase their inspiring journey and achievements. The event is scheduled to take place on the 21st February 2023 at Hyatt Regency, Chandigarh.

The event will have multiple panel discussions which have been carefully designed to provide valuable insights into the current business landscape in the region, emerging opportunities and entrepreneurship. The panelists include Karan Gilhotra, Chairperson, Punjab Chapter, PHDCCI; Paras Arora, Partner, Ernst and Young; Harkirat Ahluwalia, Founder, Citrus County Farm Stay; Dr Archana Mantri, Vice-Chancellor, Chitkara University; Sparsh Kaur, Co-Founder, AgNext Technologies; Vikram R Singh, Founder and CEO, Antier Solutions; Sameer Sharma, Founder, uEngage and Shoutlo; Komal Sharma Talwar, Founder, TT Consultants and XLScout; Nitin Rai Chaudhary, Founder, Digital Series amongst others. They will share their vision for the growth of business in Punjab / Haryana and discuss how policies can be implemented to support new entrepreneurs.

The highlight of the event will be the session – ‘Mindset and Motivation Next’ conducted by the renowned entrepreneur, motivational speaker, life coach and business trainer T S Madan. He will share his expertise on how to become a successful business owner and motivate the audience to take their first step towards fulfilling their dreams.

Biznext, a News18 Punjab Haryana initiative, is a unique opportunity for budding entrepreneurs of the region to come together and learn from successful business leaders in Punjab & Haryana. The event will also provide a platform for networking and collaboration as well as an exchange of ideas that can help drive innovation in the region.

Tune in to Biznext on News18 Punjab Haryana 5.30 PM onwards on 21st February, 2023.

INDIA, February 21, 2023: For the first time in the history of Indian weddings, Jeevansathi.com, the country’s leading matrimony brand, organized a one-of-its-kind surprise for a Jeevansathi couple on their wedding. As part of its campaign, #StringsOfLoveByJS, Jeevansathi collaborated with ‘Din Shagna Da’ and ‘Ranjha’ fame singer-songwriter Jasleen Royal who treated the lucky bride and the family – hailing from Indore – to a beautiful performance on the wedding eve. In order to successfully pull off this enormous surprise, Jeevansathi.com took the groom – from surat – on their side while keeping it a secret from the bride, wedding guests and everyone else involved.

Jasleen sprung a surprise on the bride by gatecrashing the wedding immediately after the Varmala, stunning everyone present and leaving them bowled over. The reactions that the gig elicited from the bride and her family were beautifully captured by the Jeevansathi team, who disguised themselves as the employees of an event management company while secretly ensuring that all preparations were on track and that the plan came through exactly as it was conceptualized.

Himani Bahuguna, EVP & Head of Marketing, Jeevansathi.com, said, “It’s a beautiful love story that took wings on our platform, and we, in turn, made their special day extra memorable by flying Jasleen Royal for a live performance at their wedding. Given it was a real wedding, planning a surprise of this magnitude wasn’t easy at all, but the reactions made it totally worth it! We would like to thank Jasleen for her amazing performance and the groom for going that extra mile in helping us pull this off. With the success of this plan, we are sure that we will continue to come up with more such unique initiatives for Jeevansathi couples to bring that extra love and smiles into their lives.”

Hardly able to contain her excitement, Jasleen Royal added, “When Jeevansathi came up with this idea of gatecrashing a Jeevansathi couple’s wedding, it got me very excited because I had never done something like that before. A big thank you to Jeevansathi.com for making me a part of someone’s special day and making it extra special for the lovely couple. It is heart-warming to see a partner go above and beyond to make everything perfect for their spouse, and I would like to commend Jeevansathi.com for taking that extra care to make this happen flawlessly!”

The success of this exceptional campaign reiterates why Jeevansathi.com is the best matrimony platform for people to find love and take their relationship ahead. As the leading matrimony brand in India for over 25 years, Jeevansathi.com has played a vital role in shaping the evolution of marriages. The brand ensures that everyone gets the right tools and experience on our platform needed to find their perfect life partner.

BMW Motorrad India launched the BMW R nineT 100 Years and the BMW R 18 100 Years limited edition motorcycles in India. These motorcycles can be booked at BMW Motorrad India dealerships from today onwards.

In December 1922, BMW chief designer Max Friz puts the first full-scale BMW motorcycle on the drawing board. At its heart is an air-cooled two-cylinder four-stroke boxer engine. The first BMW motorcycle, the R 32, was presented in September 1923. This heralded the beginning of BMW motorcycle production and launched an unprecedented success story.

To celebrate its 100-year history, BMW Motorrad is now presenting the two protagonists of the Heritage experience world – the R nineT Roadster and the R 18 Cruiser with big boxer – as 100 Years edition models. In keeping with the year in which BMW Motorrad was founded, both models are limited to 1923 units each.

Mr. Vikram Pawah, President, of BMW Group India, said, “One hundred years ago, the R 32 kick-started a unique success story. Today we are celebrating our exciting history with two new icons: the BMW R nineT 100 Years and the BMW R 18 100 Years. Limited to only 1,923 units each, these models are for absolute aficionados and convey a feeling of nostalgia. The iconic design and the unmistakable boxer engine illustrate that it’s about the roots of BMW Motorrad, about historically inspired shapes and details, about an authentic riding experience and about reducing motorbikes to the essentials. In short: The Heritage world of experience is all about a unique attitude to life, shaped by the legendary boxer engine.”

The ex-showroom prices are as follows:

The BMW R nineT 100 Years – INR 24,00,000

The BMW R 18 100 Years – INR 25,90,000

*Prices prevailing at the time of invoicing will be applicable. Delivery will be made ex-showroom. Ex-showroom price (inclusive of GST and compensation cess) as applicable but excludes Road Tax, RTO statutory taxes/fees, other local tax / cess levies and insurance. Prices and options are subject to change without prior notice. For further information, please contact your local authorized BMW Motorrad Dealer.

For ease of ownership, BMW India Financial Services is offering a complete finance package and the option to fund insurance and accessories.

For complete peace of mind, BMW Motorrad bikes come with a standard warranty for three years, unlimited kilometres. The warranty can be extended to fourth and fifth year at an attractive cost. Road-Side Assistance, a 24×7 365 days package further ensures prompt services in case of breakdown and towing situations.

BMW R nineT 100 Years: The great roadster tradition from BMW Motorrad in particularly refined and sophtisticated packaging.

The reduced design language of the R nineT is shaped by 100 years of motorcycle construction and BMW Motorrad’s unbroken passion for the boxer engine. Classic roadster design skilfully sets the scene with a compact tank and upright seating position as well as high-quality materials and stylish design elements. The new R nineT 100 Years becomes an exclusive anniversary edition thanks to numerous other special features. The heart is still the air/oil-cooled, 80 kW (109 hp) two-cylinder boxer engine. In the anniversary edition the legendary engine is accompanied by a wide range of options and an elaborate surface concept.

Classic Chrome and Option 719 Parts: High-grade paint-on-chrome surfaces and exquisite milled parts and wheels.

Paint finishes in combination with chrome surfaces also have an almost 100-year tradition in motorcycle construction. Chrome surfaces, usually consisting of a copper, nickel and final chrome layer are characterised by their hardness and resulting high durability, very good protection against corrosion, but above all by a radiant, mirror-like shine. This made chrome a common stylistic device for designers from the late 1920s onwards, in combination with high-quality paint concepts. The BMW R 75/5 with chrome-plated tank sides and side covers, for example, is legendary at BMW Motorrad. With the new BMW R nineT 100 Years and R 18 100 Years and the Classic Chrome surface concept, BMW Motorrad is reviving this incomparably sophisticated interplay of paint and chrome.

The tank is a combination of black with chrome and white double-lining and is complemented by knee pads and a 100 Years badge. Classic chrome is also found on the seat hump. The front wheel cover is also painted in black and features white double lining. The seat bench in two-tone combination black/oxblood rounds off the high-quality look.

Numerous black components such as fork tubes, air intake snorkel and some Option 719 components complement this harmoniously. The R nineT 100 Years includes the 719 Classic wheels option with black anodised rim rings, the Option 719 Shadow milled parts package with milled cylinder head covers, engine housing covers, seat holders, oil filler plug and the Option 719 Shadow II milled parts package, consisting of adjustable hand levers and a footrest system, pillion footrests as well as expansion tank covers and handlebar end mirrors. Adaptive turning light and the Comfort Package with heated grips, cruise control and Driving Modes Pro complete the extensive equipment of the edition model.

BMW R 18 100 Years: The big boxer stylishly designed using a special paintwork and surface concept with Classic Chrome.

The unmissable centrepiece of the R 18 100 Years is the 67 kW (91 hp) boxer engine with the largest displacement ever installed by BMW Motorrad. Both technically and visually, the BMW R 18 borrows from famous BMW models such as the BMW R 5 and puts the focus back on the essentials of motorcycling: Purist, no-frills technology, and the boxer engine as the epicenter of riding pleasure. The big boxer is also complemented by numerous special features as well as a high-grade surface concept in the anniversary edition of the R 18.

The color scheme of the R 18 100 Years, like that of the anniversary model of the R nineT, is in Classic Chrome and thus combines black paintwork and high-gloss chrome surfaces as well as white double lining and a 100 Years badge. The paint-on-chrome concept in Classic Chrome is also found on the rear wheel cover in combination with a white double lining. The front wheel cover and the side covers are painted in black, complemented by white double lining on the front mudguard. The Option 719 seat is upholstered in the bicolor combination black/oxblood with high-quality diamond embossing blends in harmoniously.

Black as a symbolic color scheme of great BMW Motorrad tradition also adorns the engine, transmission housing and rear axle drive. The exact designation is Avus Black – a reminiscence of the legendary high-speed racetrack in Berlin, where BMW Motorrad once celebrated great racing successes and where the Avus monument with BMW Motorrad factory rider Ernst Henne still commemorates it today. Berlin is also home to the BMW Motorrad production plant. The plant located in Berlin-Spandau is not only a production site, it is also the lead plant for the international motorcycle production of BMW Motorrad.

The R 18 100 Years is complemented by numerous chrome parts from the Chrome design option. The high-quality and durable galvanic surface coating can be found on these parts: Handlebar fittings, gearshift and foot brake levers, handlebar clamps, handlebar weights, mirrors, brake master cylinders, brake calipers, engine casing cover, cylinder head covers and intake manifold trims.

Other features of the BMW R 18 100 Years also include chromed Akrapovič rear silencers with perforated tailpipe trims in the “propeller style” of the BMW brand logo. Safety and comfort are ensured by Headlight Pro with adaptive turning light, reversing aid, electronic cruise control and heated grips.

Gurugram, 21 February 2023: Signature Global, India’s leading real estate brand, announced the launch of three independent floor projects in Gurugram under its mission in 2023. An assortment of projects has been announced in Gurugram, including Signature Global City 93 in Sector 93, Signature Global City 79 B in Sector 79 B, and Signature Global City 92-2 in Sector 92.

On this occasion, Mr. Pradeep Aggarwal, Founder & Chairman, of Signature Global (India) Ltd. said, “As part of our expansion strategy, we are delighted to launch these projects in Gurugram. We have observed a paradigm shift as consumers nowadays increasingly favor open green spaces and amenities near their homes post the pandemic. As a result, our independent floors are equipped with state-of-the-art and modern amenities.”

“Aside from being known for impeccable construction quality, our projects offer desirable amenities at competitive prices . Furthermore, our company is deeply committed to providing Green Homes with open green spaces to promote a healthy and sustainable lifestyle. In light of the pandemic and global warming, we believe eco-friendly and sustainable living practices are more critical than ever. Therefore, our top priority is ensuring minimal use of natural resources and implementing green building practices. We are pleased to announce that these independent floors will provide EDGE (excellence in design for greater efficiencies) certified Green Homes to residents, reflecting our dedication to creating an eco-conscious living environment,” he added.

Spread over 17.31875 acres, the premium and luxurious Signature Global City 93 project offers a world-class lifestyle, unparalleled connectivity, conveniences, and comforts. The project offers 996 units of 2 and 3 BHK independent floors. The price of 2BHK independent floors commences at INR 7750000 and the 3BHK independent floors are priced between INR 97,57,000 to INR 1,18,19000 crore.

The second independent floors project, Signature Global City 79 B, is situated on a sprawling 12.4875 acres of lush greenery, providing a serene and unpolluted lifestyle away from the city’s commotion.

The project offers 776 units of 2 and 3 BHK independent floors. The price bracket for 2BHK independent floors starts at INR 82.81 Lakhs onwards, while the price for 3BHK independent floors ranges from 1.04 Crores to 1.19 crores.

Another independent floors project which is Signature Global City 92-2, occupies 8.3125 acres of land and provides 688 units of 2 BHK and 3 BHK apartments. The price for 2BHK independent floors begins at INR 75.75 lakhs onwards, while the price for 3BHK independent floors starts at INR 89.25 lakhs onward.

Renowned Padam Bhusan architect Hafeez contractor designed Signature Global City 92-2 and Signature Global 79B and Signature Global City 93 is designed by AEDAS. The interior designing part is catered by the internationally renowned interior designer Sonali Bhagwati. The project, therefore, is going to be a work of perfection amidst an urban location.

The strategic locations of these projects will keep the dwellers connected to NH-8, Dwarka Expressway, Golf Course Road, and Badshapur via Southern Peripheral Road.

These independent floors have been developed under state housing DDJAY policy provide a seamless range of over 25 amenities, including amenities like Forest Spine Virtual Concierge App, Free Wi-Fi, Cyber Lounge, Laundromat, Modular Kitchen, Digital Door Lock, Wellness Zone, Clubhouse, electric car charging stations, reflexology path, e-library, meeting room, yoga court, skating rink, open gym, badminton court, wellness zone along with other basic amenities. Also, all these projects are also offering a High Street Retail Hub i.e. Signum Plaza which will cater to residents’ daily needs.

Hyderabad 21st February: The fourth day of ELECRAMA 2023, the biennial electricals and electronics showcase of the Indian Electrical & Electronic Manufacturers’ Association (IEEMA), witnessed an engrossing interaction session with Shri Piyush Goyal, Hon’ble Minister of Commerce & Industry, Govt. of India at the India Expo Mart, Greater Noida on 21st February 2023. The session was also graced with the presence of 12 start-up firm leaders whose organizations were shortlisted for this year’s much-anticipated ‘Electraverse Spark competition. The ceremony saw key dignitaries like Mr. Rohit Pathak, President, IEEMA; Mr. Hamza Arsiwala, President-Elect, IEEMA; Mr. Sunil Singhvi, Vice-President, IEEMA indulging in an open interaction with global industry leaders and experts in attendance.

Shri Piyush Goyal, Hon’ble Minister of Commerce and Industry, Govt. Of India, said, “I urge IEEMA to facilitate new programs and initiatives in small cities of north-eastern India including the likes of Jabalpur among others. When it comes to the Indian electrical industry, we’ve already done exports amounting to 10 million dollars and now aim to reach the 25-million-dollar mark in the future. With an acceleration in global efforts towards creating a sustainable future, I recommend the US and UK to exhibit events akin to ELECRAMA 2023 to contribute more efficiently towards the world’s sustainability needs. With this year’s edition of ELECRAMA focusing on reimagining energy for a sustainable future, I would like to stress on the need for quality over quantity, not only as our way of life but also as a defining factor for the future of this ever-growing industry.”

Mr. Rohit Pathak, President of IEEMA, said, “In the next 25 years, 50% of global energy consumption will happen through renewable sources. And, given the country’s preparedness and continuing efforts towards creating a future roadmap for energy transformation, I feel, the time has come for India to establish itself as a major hub for global power requirements. We appreciate that Shri Piyush Goyal, Honourable Minister-Commerce & Industry, Govt of India is here with us today and that he understands the significance of what we are trying to build through ELECRAMA 2023. This is the largest energy exhibition in the world with 1000 exhibitors, and buyers from over 75 countries. We, at IEEMA, are putting more emphasis on sustainability and green activities in order to create a greener nation and have a good influence on the world. The power industry has undergone a major paradigm shift, and it’s important for institutions to promote sustainable practices.”

Since its inception in 1990, ELECRAMA has grown from 250 exhibitors to 1,350 exhibitors over the past 14 editions and is proud to have a lineup of approximately 1,500+ exhibitors (from over 70 countries) in 2023. The ongoing edition will also host a series of events and exhibitors under the marquee events like World Utility Summit, eTechnxt, Change X Change – Reverse Buyers and Sellers Meet, DBSM – Domestic Buyer Seller Meet, and Buildelec.

Mumbai, 21 February 2023: Upskilling company, NxtWave, has raised US$33 million in its latest fundraising round, led by Greater Pacific Capital (GPC), a leading international private equity firm. NxtWave’s existing venture investor Orios Venture Partners also participated in the current round.

Founded by IIT Bombay, IIT Kharagpur, and IIIT Hyderabad alumni – Sashank Reddy Gujjula, Anupam Pedarla, and Rahul Attuluri, NxtWave is building India’s largest online employability platform for new-age technology careers. The company has been extremely successful in creating job-ready tech professionals through its training programs. Over the last couple of years, 1250+ companies, from fast-growing startups to Fortune 500 giants, have hired thousands of NxtWave learners.

Commenting on the new funding, Rahul Attuluri, Co-Founder & CEO – NxtWave said, “We’re excited to have GPC as a new partner in our journey. Making India a powerhouse of technologies starts with upskilling our youth. Together, we’ll bring high-quality, employability-focused education to India’s youth and equip them for the jobs of the future at scale. With NEP 2020, the Indian Government has created a highly supportive environment for skill-based learning. This decade belongs to India.”

According to Morgan Stanley’s ‘Why this is India’s Decade’ report, India’s IT exports are expected to grow threefold in the next 8 years, from US$178 billion to US$527 billion. This brings abundant career opportunities for India’s youth. NxtWave is bridging the widening industry-academia gap by providing career paths to these opportunities with an industry-relevant curriculum.

Mr. Ketan Patel, Founder, and CEO of GPC commented, “India has world-class engineering institutes, and as the country positions itself as one of the leaders of the information era, the country needs to build the capacity to provide quality learning, particularly in artificial intelligence, for 500 million young Indians. Leveraging technology to fill this gap is the key to unlocking India’s economic potential and providing quality employment to its youth, which NxtWave is doing. We are excited to partner with NxtWave to rapidly scale its platform and provide access to high-quality education and training for India’s youth for this exciting global growth area.” Nandan Desai, MD and Co-Head of India for GPC, will join NxtWave’s Board as part of the transaction.

Speaking about the investment Anup Jain, Managing Partner, Orios Venture Partners said, “Nearly 63% of Indian graduates are unemployed and an estimated 30 lakh new tech jobs are projected to be created in India within a few years. This gap opens up a total tech-upskilling opportunity of over $8 billion annually. NxtWave has proved it can bridge this gap successfully and is now ready for its next phase of growth across India.”

Avendus Capital acted as the exclusive financial advisor to NxtWave on the transaction. Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co. and Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas acted as legal counsel to NxtWave and GPC, respectively.

February 21, 2023: Leaders from the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA), a premier global management institute, and US$ 22 billion JSW Group, India’s leading business conglomerate, today inaugurated the JSW School of Public Policy’s (JSW SPP) building, a state-of-the-art multi-facility center at IIMA’s New Campus.

IIMA representatives including Mr. Pankaj R Patel, Chairman, IIMA Board of Governors; Professor Arindam Banerjee, Director-in-charge, IIMA; and Professor Namrata Chindarkar, Chairperson, JSW SPP as well as the leadership team of JSW Group Mr. Sajjan Jindal, Chairman, JSW Group; Mrs. Sangita Jindal, Chairperson, JSW Foundation; and Mr. Parth Jindal, Managing Director, JSW Cement, and Paints, participated in the inaugural ceremony. The inauguration was also attended by dignitaries from academia, industry, and the government along with faculty and other members of the IIMA community.

India is at a critical juncture of development and public policy will play a crucial role in driving the economic and societal development of the country. Envisioning this, IIMA and JSW Group collaborated to establish the JSW School of Public Policy to undertake research and teaching in public policy and contribute to India’s roadmap for economic growth and sustainable development. IIMA has an enviable legacy of making exceptional contributions to India’s policymaking efforts that have actively shaped the policy-scape of the country.

For the JSW Group, IIMA served as the ideal platform for the establishment of a School of Public Policy as the Institute offered in-house expertise and capacity through its highly qualified faculty members. Since its inception, the JSW SPP has endeavored to bring together stakeholders across public, private, and social enterprises as well as policymakers to facilitate public policy dialogues that would facilitate the exchange of ideas and contribute meaningfully to India’s policy reforms.

Spokespeople Quotes:

The inaugural event commenced with Professor Namrata Chindarkar welcoming the dignitaries and the guests. Thereafter, addressing the gathering, Professor Arindam Banerjee, Director-in-Charge, IIMA said, “IIMA has a strong legacy of making exceptional contributions to India’s policy-making space that have actively shaped the policy-scape of the country. A significant amount of research, teaching, and advisory work has been undertaken, creating for IIMA a reputation for innovative, grounded, and future-oriented contribution to improving policy formulation and implementation. The JSW School was conceptualized to be an influential think tank that can contribute to building this public policy framework for the state and the country. The School took shape with the generous support of the JSW Group. Even as the brick-and-mortar facility was underway in the last few years, the school took the lead in bringing together stakeholders across the spectrum to facilitate public policy dialogues that would engage, influence, and contribute meaningfully to policy formulation.”

Delivering the inauguration speech, Mr. Pankaj R Patel, Chairperson, IIMA Board of Governors said, “India has led the way by showing the world how policy innovation through the use of technology, private sector involvement, and community partnerships can be brought about while remaining committed to equity. Just like in business, innovation and disruption is also required in the public policy domain. Public leaders need to experiment with new models of governance and new modes of service delivery. IIMA has been known to create management leaders and it wishes to grow this footprint by shaping a new generation of public leaders. The JSW School of Policy came into being as an outcome of this vision with the support of the JSW Group.

JSW SPP aims to become the knowledge hub for such cutting-edge thinking and has the potential to become the center of policy learning and diffusion by developing case studies on the unique Indian policy experience. The school, with its enviable infrastructure, also aims to become the platform for hosting the best minds on various aspects of public policy. In doing so, it hopes to create opportunities for interactions and engagement between policy thinkers and policy practitioners. I congratulate the JSW Group and IIMA members who have played a significant role in bringing the school to fruition.”

According to Mr. Sajjan Jindal, Chairman of JSW Group, “India’s roadmap to become a US$ 10 trillion economy requires structural collaboration from the public sector, private enterprise as well as Academia. These collaborations are crucial to evolve the next phase of policy reforms and to planning efficiently for the next decade of India’s economic growth. Public policy is the backbone of our society and is linked to good governance. Over the last couple of decades, we have witnessed the positive impact of public policy on our society as well as certain challenges. Hence, there is a crucial need to promote Public Policy education in India so that we have a cadre of skilled public policy professionals who can design, implement, and evaluate policies that are effective, efficient, and equitable. The JSW School for Public Policy at IIM Ahmedabad campus has been established to meet this need. Our aim is to create a world-class institution that will foster a new generation of public policy professionals who are knowledgeable, skilled, and ethical. The School will engage with domain experts to identify research gaps and training needs necessary to promote and institutionalize new ideas. We are hopeful that these ideas will empower our future generations to eventually translate the impactful research into world-class innovations leading to policy solutions.”

Commenting on the JSW Group’s partnership with IIM Ahmedabad for JSW SPP, Mrs Sangita Jindal, Chairperson of JSW Foundation, “Education is the cornerstone of building a better future for our country. JSW Group has been dedicated to promoting education in various forms across the value chain. The partnership with IIM Ahmedabad enables us to deliver a focused Business Management curriculum in Public Policy. The curriculum of the JSW School of Public Policy has been designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of public policy and its various dimensions delivered by a faculty of renowned academics and practitioners who bring a wealth of experience and expertise to the classroom. Our aim is not just to create skilled professionals but to create empowered leaders who are committed to serving our country with dedication and excellence.”

Outlining the future plans of the JSW SPP, Professor Namrata Chindarkar, Chairperson and Associate Professor at JSW SPP said, “The JSW School of Public Policy (JSW SPP) has set out a vision to develop a unique school of thought on public policy that embraces and tries to make sense of the complex and oftentimes messy policy cape of India. It also aims to play a role in overcoming “policy myopia” and become a platform that brings government, industry, and academia together to take a citizen-centric view and open-mindedly discuss both policy successes and failures with the objective of learning and diffusion. The JSW SPP has the privilege of being a part of IIMA, the country’s best management institution. It aspires to facilitate cross-fertilization of ideas with the rest of the institute to examine the relationship between government, business, and society.”

Design and Infrastructure

Designed by the renowned architect and educator Mr. Rahul Mehrotra, faculty at the Harvard Graduate School of Design, JSW SPP covers more than 56,000 square feet within IIMA’s New Campus. In Professor Mehrotra’s words, the central ideas that inspired him while designing the building included the creation of an armature with a central promenade that brings together spaces of disparate characters and scales and specifically enhances sociability. The concept also integrates greenery across all levels throughout the building, structural innovations that allow play of light, natural ventilation and most importantly, the creation of a space that favors social interactions. The building houses a large forum, a 120-seater auditorium, one sixty-seater classroom, two seminar rooms – 60-seater and 30-seater, eight syndicate rooms, 18 faculty offices, a library extension, a program office, and spaces for research and teaching assistants.

JSW SPP – Objective, Activities, and People

Professor Namrata Chindarkar, Chairperson and Associate Professor at JSW SPP, and Mr. Parameswaran Iyer, Professor of Management Practice at JSW SPP and CEO of NITI Aayog lead the academic and research activities at the JSW SPP supported by a group of faculty members from diverse disciplines and focus on public policy. Since its inception in 2015, JSW SPP has been actively working on various studies, and organizing conferences and discussions related to public policy in India with participation from eminent policymakers, academicians, and industry leaders. Over the years, it has evolved into an influential think tank that contributes to public policy through high-quality research and training programs for practitioners from the public, private, and non-profit sectors, academics, and young minds pursuing policy issues. It has hosted the likes of the Late Shri Pranab Mukherjee – former President of India, Mrs. Nirmala Sitharaman – Union Minister for Finance, Shri Amitabh Kant – former CEO of NITI Aayog, Shri Rajiv Mehrishi – former Comptroller and Auditor General of India, Shri Sunil Kant Munjal – Chairman of Hero Enterprise, among others as guest faculty and speakers.

As part of the MoU between IIMA and the JSW Group, the JSW SPP will undertake cutting-edge research studies on various aspects of public policy in India with global reference. The findings from such research will inform and support India’s economic and societal transition. Some of the key themes that JSW SPP will focus on include institutional reforms to enhance state capacity and improve governance; policies for sustainable development including energy, water, and climate change; data-driven and experimental work to identify policy impact and inform policy design; and creating 21st-century public administrators. The school will enjoy academic freedom in authoring this report.

Event to mark the inauguration

The inaugural ceremony was followed by a high-profile panel discussion on ‘Making Public Policy Education Relevant for India’s Development’ with Professor Pranab Bardhan, Professor Ashwini Deshpande, Professor Arvind Panagariya and Dr Shamika Ravi as the panelists.

India, 21st February 2023: GoodHomes, India’s leading lifestyle and décor brand, is renowned for its credible and dependable information on design, style, décor, and beyond. With its immersive experiences, the brand has always set a high standard. In collaboration with AXOR, the brand is now curating a stimulating event that showcases an exceptional blend of luxury, design, conversations, and more. From February 21-23, 2023, the two partners will host an experiential getaway called “AXOR presents Design Cupid powered by GoodHomes” at the extraordinary Samsara Desert Camp & Resort in Rajasthan.

Design Cupid, inspired by AXOR’s remarkable ideology of “By Personalities for Personalities”, will not only feature seventeen participating couples from the architecture and interior design community but also three prominent personalities from the luxury industry, including product designer Jay Osgerby, notable architect Alan Abraham, and artist Ajay Patil. With sessions planned to provide a range of design perspectives, invitees will have a unique opportunity to engage with Jay Osgerby about his design philosophy, as well as his profound understanding of concepts like synergy in design, the impact of collaborations, and more. In another session, architect Alan Abraham will share his knowledge of the idea of Interaction Design.

Mr. Deepak Lamba, CEO of Worldwide Media, discussed the experiential getaway and stated that their goal with GoodHomes is to provide design enthusiasts and professionals with exceptional experiences that allow for creative rejuvenation. The event ‘AXOR presents Design Cupid powered by GoodHomes’ is a further step in celebrating artistry and authenticity. The partnership with AXOR for this three-day exchange of dialogues is exciting, and they aim to provide a creatively stimulating experience for all guests and luminaries involved.

Ronitaa R. Italia, Editor In Chief, GoodHomes India says, “We wanted to highlight the significance of collaboration and communication in the process of design. What better way to do this than with couples who work together? That’s why AXOR presents Design Cupid powered by GoodHomes. To explore the dynamics of engagement and celebrate the special bond these special people share. It’s all heart!”

“With AXOR presents Design Cupid powered by GoodHomes, we look at further strengthening our association with the AID community and facilitating a dialogue that centers around the idea of synergy in design explored through creative expression,” says Gaurav Malhotra, Managing Director, Hansgrohe.

AXOR presents Design Cupid powered by GoodHomes will feature luminaries from the architecture and interior design community. List of the 17 participating couples for Design Cupid –

1. Anca Florescu Abraham and Alan Abraham

2. Archana and Rupesh Baid

3. Devika and Raj Khosla

4. Ekta and Rajiv Parekh

5. Monolita Chatterjee and Punnen C Mathew

6. Nita and Indrajit Kembhavi

7. Pallavi Shetty and Zubin Master

8. Pashmin Shah and Satyajeet Patwardhan

9. Rakhee Bedi and Shobhit Kumar

10. Ritu and Yatin Patel

11. Shalini and Vinod Bachala

12. Shalini and Amit Gehlot

13. Shivangi and Manav Patel

14. Shreenu and Ranjeet Mukherjee

15. Shruti and Vaibhav Dimri

16. Sweta and Ajay Arya

17. Varuna Arvind and Arvind Rangan

AXOR presents Design Cupid powered by GoodHomes will be held from 21st to 23rd February 2023 at the Samsara Desert Camp & Resort, Rajasthan

Kolkata, 21st February: Guru Nanak Institute of Hotel Management under JIS Group inaugurated the 7th World Food Competition at their campus on 21st February. The competition will include 12 international judges, 30 countries, and about 160 participants. Nepal, Uganda, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Australia, Philippines, Netherlands, Austria, and South Africa are some of the participating countries besides India. The inaugural event witnessed participants from different countries with their mentors and Sardar Simarpreet Singh, Director, JIS Group. The participants were welcomed with dhunuchi dance along with dhaaks playing.

A one-of-a-kind and thrilling culinary competition, the World Food Competition at Guru Nanak College of Hotel Management honors the diversity and variety of international foods and offers a platform for culinary greatness. It gathers chefs and cuisine lovers from all over the globe to showcase their talents and contend for prestigious awards. The Guru Nanak School of Hotel Management, a top provider of hotel education in India, organizes the yearly food competition. Participants from various nations compete against one another, using their distinctive ingredients and culinary methods to produce mouthwatering meals. A group of accomplished and well-known cooks, culinary reviewers, and business professionals assess the competition and rate the meals submitted by the competitors.

Commenting on the inauguration, Sardar Simarpreet Singh, Director, of JIS Group, said, “The World Food Competition gives prospective chefs a platform to demonstrate their skills and originality, learn from expert cooks and evaluators, and become acquainted with the newest cooking trends and methods. Additionally, it gives foodies the chance to know and learn about new tastes from around the globe. We try to organize this event every year to give exposure to our students.”