Archives February 2023

Hyderabad, February 9th, 2023: Gravton Motors, Hyderabad’s fast-growing, startup in the Electric Vehicle (EV) space, has unveiled its new model “ARQ” , e-bike in the presence of Mr. K T Rama Rao, Minister of IT, Industries and MA & UD, Govt of Telangana.

Launched at the Hyderabad E Motor Show, HITEX today, the EV ‘ARQ’ is an of its kind vehicle with a BIONIC design, full helmet boot space, and equipped with a swappable battery system.

According to Mr. Parshuram Paka, Founder & CEO of Gravton Motors, “the new e-bike will surely be a game-changer in the EV market”. There are three modes for this vehicle: ECO-40, City-65, and Sports-110. It can last up to 140 km with a one-time charge. And to top it all there is zero maintenance for the battery, he added.

Mr Jayesh Ranjan, Principal Secretary, IT, Electronics & Communications and Industries & Commerce Dept. was also present at the unveiling event.

Gravton Motors has recently participated in India’s largest EV rally conducted by the Government of Telangana and enthralled the EV lovers through their exciting bike stunts at People’s Plaza. The rally was also part of Telangana’s E- mobility week program, to promote sustainable living for the future generations.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Parshuram said, “We are also looking forward to introducing more vehicles and promoting sustainable mobility and supporting the revolutionary EV adoption which has begun through this E-Mobility week. We really appreciate the efforts of the minister and State Government for taking this initiative and giving a wonderful opportunity to EV startups like us”.

Gravton Motors unveiled their new model QRX at the Auto-Expo 2023, Delhi. It has also been indigenously designing and developing components, thus making it among the few companies with capability to manufacturing the highest number of components in the country.

Incidentally, the company’s e-bike covered 4,011 kms from Kanyakumari to Khardung La, mountain pass (Ladakh) – K2K Ride in the shortest time without the need for charging. This achievement got it an entry into the Asia Book of Records.

By Dr. Manish Patni, Consultant – Neuro Physician. Bhavnagarc

The brain regulates the movements of skeletal muscles through specific nerves. The combination of the nervous system and muscles working together to let movement is termed the neuromuscular system. These muscles are called voluntary muscles, the muscles one can choose to move, such as ones in arms, legs, or face.

If a person wants to move a part of the system, then a message is sent to neurons called upper motor neurons. Upper motor neurons have long tails (axons) that travel into and via the brain and into the spinal cord, where they link with lower motor neurons. At the spinal cord, the lower motor neurons send their axons via nerves in the arms and legs directly to the muscle they control.

A muscle is tuned by more than 650 lower motor neurons and each of which is subdivided into several tiny branches. The tip of each branch is called a presynaptic terminal, and this connection is called the neuromuscular junction.

What Are Neuromuscular Disorders?

Neuromuscular disease affects the function and working of muscles due to problems with the nerves and muscles in the body. Several diseases are classified as neuromuscular disorders. Some of them are caused by inherited conditions, hormonal issues, and autoimmune disorders. The typical sign of these diseases is muscle weakness.

Common Neuromuscular Disorders

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS): This condition results in the loss of nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, where muscle weakness causes trouble with movement and speech.

Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT): It is a group of inherited disorders; initial symptoms include weakness in the lower limbs, feet, and hands. This condition progresses gradually and may not impede a person’s quality of life.

Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP): It leads to weakness in the arms and legs. It is caused by autoimmune disorders that affect the insulation surrounding the myelin sheath (peripheral nerves).

Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS): The myelin sheath is affected and leads to weakness in the legs, progressing rapidly to the rest of the body. It is caused when the immune system attacks the peripheral nervous system.

Lambert-Eaton syndrome: It is an autoimmune condition that leads to weakness and exhaustion in the arms and leg muscles.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS): In this condition, the myelin sheath around the peripheral nerves are attacked by the immune system. It usually affects the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves.

Myasthenia Gravis: It is an autoimmune condition caused by damage to muscle receptors, which leads to muscle weakness throughout the system. Some symptoms include weakness in the arms and legs, vision problems, and speaking and eating difficulties.

Peripheral Neuropathy: This disorder affects the nerves in the brain and spinal cord. It results in weakness, pain, and numbness in the extremities.

Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA): A group of genetically inherited disorders leads to hypotonia in the arms and legs and breathing problems.

Symptoms

Generally, the symptoms of a neuromuscular disorder may vary by the condition one has. Also, a person’s symptoms may vary from mild to moderate to life-threatening. The onset of symptoms may range from childhood to adulthood. The progress may be slow, rapid, or even change. Common symptoms include:

• Muscle weakness
  Muscles wasting
  Muscles cramps
  Muscles stiffness
  Pain in the muscles
  breathing difficulty
  Problem swallowing
  Balance and movement problems
  Poor vision

Causes

The exact cause of some neuromuscular disorders is unknown. Some of the reasons may include the following:

Genetic mutation
Viral infection
Autoimmune disorder
Hormonal problem
Metabolic disorder
Dietary deficiency
Use of certain drugs/ poisons

Diagnosis

The healthcare provider will initially examine the person thoroughly, test reflexes, and look out for any signs of loss of muscle tone(atrophy). Then the following tests may be recommended to confirm the diagnosis:

Blood tests to check for levels of certain enzymes
Electromyography to determine the electrical activity in the muscles
MRI to evaluate for problems with the brain and spinal cord
Spinal tap to test the cerebrospinal fluid
Nerve conduction velocity testing to assess how well messages are being sent from the nerves to the muscles
Muscle biopsies to monitor the functioning of the muscle tissue
Genetic testing to check for any mutations that may have been inherited

Treatment

Neuromuscular disorders cannot be completely cured, but treatment may help alleviate symptoms and slow the condition’s progression from getting aggravated.

Doctors may prescribe medications to help ease muscle pain, weakness, cramps, and stiffness.
Drugs to improve nerve impulses and strength in the muscles
Immunosuppressants to treat conditions caused by autoimmune issues
Immunoglobulin therapy to increase antibodies

Other treatment options include:

Physical / rehabilitation therapy to revamp muscle tone and work on motor skills
Occupational therapy to learn new methods to perform routine tasks and preserve energy
Surgery may be needed for patients with neuropathy to ease pressure on the nerves or to remove the thymus

February 2023: Cinépolis, the first international cinema exhibitor in India, today announced the launch of Cinépolis Pacific Mall, NSP, Pitampura. With the strategic move of opening multiplexes at prime locations, the launch of its biggest multiplex in Delhi, Cinépolis NSP in Pacific Mall, Pitampura will further strengthen its positioning among its customers and associates in the premium luxury multiplex industry.

The launch of this biggest multiplex will create an unmissable and exhilarating cinematic experience for the patrons of New Delhi with its completely new architectural design look in Black and Golden. With its unmatched technology and comfortable ambiance, it will certainly be the favorite spot for movie lovers. Cinépolis Pacific Mall is the biggest theatre by Cinepolis in Delhi with 9 screens and a luxury last row in all auditoriums with premium recliners. In addition, the multiplex will also have a full-service Coffee Tree (gourmet café), DOLBY Atmos audio, Harkness Screens, and RealD 3D technology, giving excellent premium ambiance and experience to patrons.

Speaking on this occasion Mr. Devang Sampat, CEO, of Cinépolis India, said “Cinépolis has always aimed at offering an unmatched experience to movie patrons, the opening of Cinépolis Pacific Mall, NSP, Pitampura has endorsed our commitment towards them. This is our flagship property, our biggest multiplex in Delhi with 9 screens which will take the entertainment value to the next level. We are expecting a huge footfall at the multiplex and are sure that patrons will be amazed by the experience at Cinépolis. Our cutting-edge technology combined with quality and distinctively comfortable ambiance sets us apart and we are committed to providing the same world-class cinema viewing experience to our discerning patrons across India. I would like to thank Mr. Abhishek Bansal for giving Cinepolis an opportunity to develop our multiplex in Pacific Mall. His team has been very successful in developing and running high-footfall malls and I’m sure they will continue to build upon the same in the future as well.”

He further added, “The opening of Cinépolis Pacific Mall, NSP, Pitampura is of significant strategic value that further strengthens our position in India. Looking forward and expanding our wings, the focus now is to open more multiplexes in prime locations in metros and mini-metros. India is an important market for us and the strategic importance of the market is underscored by the fact that Cinépolis’ expansion plans have been steadfast even through the pandemic wherein Cinépolis added 42 screens. It is our constant endeavor to upgrade the cinematic experience by bringing the latest technology and customer engagement into the industry.”

Abhishek Bansal, Executive Director, Pacific Development Corporation Ltd said, “We are happy to have an iconic and world-class cinema chain – Cinépolis now being part of Pacific Mall, Pitampura. The mall is situated in the most premium location in North Delhi and we associate with the best of the brands in the business. We hope that Cinépolis in its new version will complement the mall and we look forward to an entertaining journey ahead.”

With the opening of the Cinépolis Pacific Mall, NSP, Pitampura with 9 screens, Cinépolis total screen count now stands at 436 screens with 97 multiplexes across India. The newly inaugurated, Cinépolis Pacific Mall, NSP, Pitampura has total a total capacity of 1659 seats. The entire ambiance, lighting, and décor of Cinépolis Pacific Mall, NSP, Pitampura have a new architectural design ID in Black and Golden, giving it a more premium luxury experience. The iconic ‘Coffee Tree’ will offer movie connoisseurs an elaborate gourmet menu that serves a range of delectable food and beverages offering a plethora of cuisines from Italian to American to Indian. The brand also offers a continuous customer engagement and loyalty program, ‘Club Cinépolis’ that allows the patron to earn and burn points on movie tickets and has exclusive benefits of special screenings, meet & greet with stars, and much more. The 9-screen multiplex is equipped with RealD 3D technology and DOLBY Atmos audio.

Since its inception in India, Cinépolis has created a strong footprint across 62 Indian cities with a focus on opening multiplexes in prime locations in metros and mini metros. India is now the second largest market and remains the fastest growing market for Cinépolis, globally, and plans to add 200 more screens in the next 3 years.

Cinépolis India has created a strong footprint across 62 Indian cities with a strong presence in major metros: Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru. Cinépolis extends a contemporary approach that seamlessly weaves the entire range of cherry-picked cinema formats from across the world under one roof offering an unmatched experience to all movie patrons.

(WASHINGTON, D.C.; Feb. 9, 2023) ­– Crowley has appointed Clay Heil as vice president of global government relations, where he will lead the company’s full spectrum of government advocacy across all of the company’s business interests and activities.

Based in Washington, D.C., Heil will spearhead Crowley’s engagement with federal, state, and local government partners and elected officials on policy and regulatory matters that support the company’s strategic growth.

Heil joins Crowley with more than 25 years of legislative and legal experience. In Congress, he worked in the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate for 12 years, holding senior roles including deputy staff director and general counsel for the Senate Appropriations Committee. Most recently, Heil was a partner in Taft’s Public Affairs Strategies Group, where he represented Fortune 500 companies in the defense, cybersecurity and technology sectors.

“Clay’s experience, knowledge and relationships in Washington and the private sector make him a strong advocate for Crowley and our industries,” said Chief Legal and Risk Officer Parker Harrison. “His leadership will help elevate Crowley’s transportation and logistics solutions to continue the growth as a chosen partner for government and military.”

During his time in Congress, Heil also served as legislative director for Sen. Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) and worked for Rep. Wayne Allard (R-Colo.), Sen. Ted Stevens (R-Ark.) and Sen. Judd Gregg (R-N.H.).

Heil holds a juris doctorate from the Georgetown University Law Center and a bachelor’s degree from Colorado State University. He is a member of the District of Columbia Bar.

About Crowley
Crowley is a privately held, U.S.-owned and -operated maritime, energy, and logistics solutions company serving commercial and government sectors with $3.4 billion in annual revenues, over 170 vessels mostly in the Jones Act fleet, and approximately 7,000 employees around the world – employing more U.S. mariners than any other company. The Crowley enterprise has invested more than $3.2 billion in maritime transport, which is the backbone of global trade and the global economy. As a global ship owner-operator and services provider with more than 130 years of innovation and a commitment to sustainability, the company serves customers in 36 nations and island territories through five business units: Crowley Logistics, Crowley Shipping, Crowley Solutions, Crowley Wind Services, and Crowley Fuels. Additional information about Crowley, its business units, and its subsidiaries can be found at www.crowley.com.

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Media Contacts

David DeCamp
Director
Corporate Communications
Crowley
Tel: (904) 727-4263
David.DeCamp@crowley.com

Torey Vogel
Specialist
Corporate Communications
Crowley
Tel: (904) 726-4536
Torey.Vogel@Crowley.com

The RBI raised the repo rate by 25bps and kept its stance unchanged at “withdrawal of accommodation” on expected lines. The policy tone was hawkish as the RBI recognised that they are still away from achieving their objective of durable disinflation. In terms of the inflation risks, the RBI highlighted the elevated nature of core inflation and continuing global risks that could push up domestic inflation going forward. On growth, the RBI pegged GDP growth at 6.4% in FY24, higher than consensus expectations – sounding optimistic about the growth momentum. Going forward, the central bank is likely to become more data-dependent, and this does not rule out another rate hike in the upcoming policy.

On liquidity, the RBI recognised that there might be some reduction in liquidity surplus as the facilities provided during the pandemic end while providing reassurance that they are likely to balance these out through various instruments available at their disposable. Despite the comments on liquidity conditions remaining accommodative compared to pre-pandemic levels – signalling a somewhat hawkish tone – we expect the RBI to maintain adequate liquidity surplus to remain growth supportive going forward.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Shaktikanta Das announced the Monetary Policy statement on February 8, 2023, increasing the repo rate by 25 bps as widely expected. The repo rate hike will undoubtedly push up the home loan interest rates, which had already crept up after five consecutive rate hikes this year.

Here is what real estate industry experts have to say:

Mr. Kaushal Agarwal – Chairman, The Guardians Real Estate Advisory

“Consecutive rate hikes by the RBI this year were aimed at re-anchoring the inflation expectations and maintaining financial stability. Thus far, the rising cost of house ownership led by higher EMI, higher stamp duty and other factors has not affected real estate sales, which is a firm indicator of genuine demand for housing. But any further hike in the repo rate might temporarily limit the growth momentum of the real estate sector. Although the recently concluded budget was tailor-made keeping the salaried and the middle class in mind, a rate cut at this stage could have triggered the sentiments of the homebuyers sustaining the growth momentum.”

Mr. Pritam Chivukula – Co-Founder & Director, Tridhaatu Realty and Treasurer, CREDAI MCHI

“RBI’s decision to hike the interest rates to tackle the inflation and ensure domestic economic recovery was a no-brainer. But a rate cut would have been a big booster for the real estate sector which was overlooked in the recently concluded budget. The sharp acceleration of rates consecutively for the sixth time in a short period will have a short-term effect on the sentiment of homebuyers as low-interest rates have been the biggest factor in the resurgence of real estate demand in the last two years. We hope that the State Government will step in again to lighten the homebuyer’s load by reducing stamp duty to boost the sentiments.”

Mr. Himanshu Jain, VP – Sales, Marketing, and CRM, Satellite Developers Pvt. Ltd. (SDPL)

“Keeping the current market conditions and inflation in mind, the move by the RBI was expected to keep the economy on track in the current highly volatile scenario. The rising property prices had already added to the woes of the homebuyers and now the decision of RBI to increase the repo rate will temporarily dent the current demand momentum. Also, for first-time home buyers, acquiring a home is considered as the biggest asset and these short-term decisions are likely to have a major impact on a buyer’s decision.”

Mr. Bhushan Nemlekar, Director, Sumit Woods Limited

“Earlier, due to the pandemic and the geopolitical issues, the input costs were already high and now with these consecutive rate hikes, it will only dampen the spirit of the entire real estate value chain. The cost of borrowing for both developers and buyers will be impacted and this will result in undesired rate hikes across the spectrum. However, we did not see much impact on the buying spree in the last couple of quarters since there are genuine buyers in the market to keep the momentum going.”

Dr. Sachin Chopda, Managing Director, Pushpam Group

“RBI’s decision to hike the policy repo rate was anticipated, factoring in the rise in inflation. The rate hike is likely to shrink liquidity in the economy overall, especially impacting the investor’s sentiments. There will be a short-term pause on the minds of the investors while assessing the volatility of the current market dynamics. However, they are bound to return soon in the market once it is stable.”

Chennai, 9th February 2023: The New India Assurance Company Ltd (NIA) has been certified ISO 27001:2013 compliant on Information Security. It is among the very few General Insurance Companies in India being awarded such a certificate.

Information security breaches can be extremely detrimental to businesses both in terms of financial loss and reputational damage. Implementing a robust security system can help minimize the risk of security breaches, making the company more reliable and reputable in the eyes of customers, suppliers, and business partners.

The ISO certification, completed via a third-party audit, helps establish an organization’s reputation as a trusted and secure business. It validates the applicant’s commitment towards following international best practices and certifies it as a world-class entity.

Accordingly, after internal and external audits assessing the organisation’s current IT security levels and threat perceptions, NIA has been considered fit to receive an ISO 27001:2013 certificate. ISO 27001:2013 is an internationally used information security standard that covers business operations, especially those with potential information security risks. The standard covers all the procedures from establishing a security framework to maintaining it and improving company security systems. Accordingly, NIA has enhanced and secured its processes to mitigate security threats.

Commenting on the achievement, Mrs. Neerja Kapur, Chairman cum Managing Director, said, “The world is in the midst of a data and digital revolution. While these are exciting times, they come with their set of unique challenges. Data security has now become paramount and every business entity needs to build robust safeguards and checks to prevent tech-related mishaps. We have realised the severity of the challenge and geared ourselves to face it. The recommendation for ISO 27001:2013 testifies to our commitment. During the course of obtaining the accreditation, we subjected ourselves to an intense examination. I am glad that our processes and systems have passed the most stringent examinations and come out with flying colors. It will be our constant endeavour to implement and maintain the best practices for our customers in India as well as internationally.”

New Delhi, 9th February 2023: On this year’s World Unani Day, Hamdard Laboratories, India’s leading Unani brand, focuses on strengthening immunity and advocates it as a Public Health right as it encourages people to visit the Hamdard Wellness Centres to avail free consultation from the doctors and Hakeems, and get 15% off on select medicines along with free BP/Sugar test. Unani Day every year observed on 11th February, will be celebrated across all Hamdard wellness centres from 30th January to 12th February 2023.

Hamdard Laboratories is a progressive, research-based health and wellness organization offering Unani medicines to provide preventive, curative, and rehabilitative healthcare. Hamdard Laboratories believes that in the modern age, having a strong immune system is one of the biggest advantages for humans; therefore, it’s crucial to build a robust immune system to fight infections and reduce the risk of contracting highly contagious diseases.

Unani, a form of traditional medicine based on a holistic approach compared to conventional medicine targeted on organs, is now getting a boost more than ever. Moreover, time and again, Unani has proved its scope in boosting immunity and its efficacy. Hamdard Laboratories’ Unani product range is the first line of defence against any infection and disease.

“Our immune system is the natural defence system that fights invading diseases. Such invaders can be viruses, parasites, and fungi. But, if the system gets compromised, one might end up becoming sick. That’s why we should always strive to boost our immune systems. We believe the Unani system of medicine, is a natural way of boosting our immunity. Therefore, we encourage everyone to utilize the opportunity and take free consultation from our doctors.” said, Suman Varma, CMO, of Hamdard Laboratories.

In the past, Hamdard launched twelve OTC immunity-boosting products that also treats illness like fever, cold, cough, etc. Hamdard’s special initiative of boosting immunity on Unani Day is another step towards uplifting everyone to prioritize their health and strengthen their immunity through holistic Unani solutions.

Mumbai, February 9th, 2023: Warner Music India has signed a deal to acquire a majority stake in Divo, a leading digital media and music company in India with a presence across all four South Indian language music markets. This investment will help deliver Warner Music India’s strategy of having a leading presence in the entertainment sector across the whole country.

Divo offers online video, music distribution, publishing, digital, and influencer marketing solutions for brands, celebrities, and movies. It has been working with labels, artists, and musicians to help distribute and monetize its content across digital platforms, radio, and TV stations. With a large presence in the Tamil market, and a fair share of the Kannada, Malayalam, and Telegu music industries, Divo released more than 30,000 songs last year.

Warner Music India has grown its presence across the vast majority of regions and cultures in the country with chartbuster releases and strategic partnerships with companies including Global Music Junction, Sky Digital, Tips Music, and Ziiki Media. The label recently forayed into Marathi and Gujarati music with the release of official film soundtracks as part of its strategy to strengthen its presence in the regional music scene. The company also has a regional imprint with its sub-label Maati.

Jay Mehta, Managing Director, Warner Music India, says: “I’m so delighted that we’re able to bring the Divo brand under the Warner Music India banner. This move will strengthen our presence in the south of the country, enabling us to have a truly strong Pan-India presence. Divo’s extensive portfolio will not only bolster our core music offering in South India, but its entire artist-influencer ecosystem will further enhance our overall entertainment footprint.”

Alfonso Perez Soto, President, of Emerging Markets, Warner Recorded Music, adds: “The acquisition of Divo is a major milestone in our Indian journey. We opened for business in 2020 and through a series of strategic deals and culturally relevant artist signings have fast established ourselves as a key player in the market. We’re excited to partner with Shahir and Vishu and the team at Divo, who have built an amazing company that operates at the intersection of four key music markets. Together, we’ll take South Indian music to a global audience.”

Shahir Muneer, Founder and Director, of Divo, comments: “It gives us immense pleasure to partner with Warner Music India. Having the backing of a global partner will put us on the map, helping us to be a force to be reckoned with when it comes to attracting talent and clients. Our music business will benefit from better access to Warner Music’s global footprint and that will help us drive growth for our artist and label partners.”

Vishu Ramaswamy, Director Divo, concludes: “We are glad to partner with Warner Music India for the next phase of our growth. Our ideologies and long-term approach towards expansion in India connected in the right manner and with this association we’re sure that we will become the biggest entertainment entity in South India.”

Mr. Ramani Sastri – Chairman & MD, Sterling Developers

There is no denying the fact that the increase in the repo rate would definitely impact housing affordability. The repeated rate hikes may have a short-term impact on overall housing demand and the buyers’ overall acquisition cost would go up. This comes at a time when the real estate sector had shown recovery across important property markets driven primarily by end-users, and this hike may again impact the rate-sensitive sector. However, there is a silver lining as the government has earmarked a huge outlay on infrastructure and is geared towards higher public expenditure as outlined in Budget 2023-24. Additionally, the buying power of consumers has gone up with greater income flow in recent times. Hence, we believe that the demand for residential segment would remain robust in the near future, any hike in interest rates notwithstanding. Also, the strong fundamentals for housing demand will keep the momentum upwards for realty sales. It also has to be kept in view that real estate is considered as the safest bet for investment compared to other instruments. All of this will boost real estate and enhance economic growth in the larger context.

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Mr. Lincoln Bennet Rodrigues, Chairman & Founder, The Bennet and Bernard Company, known for luxury themed homes in Goa

While interest in homeownership has increased in recent times, the luxury segment was the real estate sector’s growth engine, and this trend is expected to continue in 2023 given change in lifestyles. The hike will not have a significant impact on luxury housing as the demand of home buyers in this segment is beyond these considerations. While the hike has been moderate, the affordability of the home loan is still very good. Luxury real estate has also emerged as a preferred choice for NRIs, HNIs, and the uber-rich during the past couple of years. As buyers become progressively more discerning in their choices for a signature style of living, they will be more willing than ever before to take the leap and purchase luxurious homes. However, a cut in the key rates going forward would be widely appreciated as low-interest rates have played a crucial role in the revival of overall real estate demand and improvement in the liquidity situation, which is vital for the sector.