Archives March 2023

Aadyam Theatre – an Aditya Birla Group initiative – is proud to present its first-ever comedy masterclass ‘Seriously Funny: A Masterclass on the Point of Comedy’ that will dissect the complexities of comedy in art. The event will feature Akarsh Khurana, in conversation with Varun Grover. Between the two speakers, they have explored and gained mastery in stand-up comedy, music, theatre, film and web series, working as performers, writers and directors. The masterclass, ideal for playwrights, screenwriters, stand-up comics, podcast creators, spoken word artists and of course, directors and actors of any performance medium will be held on 24th March (Friday) at The Habitat in Khar West from 6:30 PM onwards.

Kicking off the event with a brief keynote address the multi-talented Varun Grover will then be joined on stage by the equally accomplished Akarsh Khurana, and together they will explore some of the most pressing questions around creating comedy today. The audience will get a peek into the nuances of comedy as an art form, and hear the two artists speak about the importance of balance between comedy and seriousness and the difference between irreverence and disrespect.

The duo will also share their experiences of writing comedy and divulge some tips on how to ‘write for laughs’ for different types of content, including movies, series, plays, and songs. They will explore how one can and should take their work seriously without taking oneself too seriously. Furthermore, the conversation will touch on the potential of comedy to address serious subjects, and how it can give hope and serve as a vehicle for important topics. The floor will then be opened for a Q&A session so the audience can engage with these brilliant minds and get answers to their own questions about how to be Seriously Funny.

New Delhi; 21 March 2023: On World Happiness Day, Vedanta Aluminium, India’s largest producer of aluminum, launches Umang, an Employee Wellness & Lifestyle Program to improve the well-being and happiness quotient of employees and their families. The company announced its partnership with MantraCare, one of India’s top health technology companies working in the realm of holistic health management.

Vedanta Aluminium is one of the world’s largest aluminum producers with expansive operations in Odisha and Chhattisgarh which are run by a vibrant & diverse workforce. The employees work in a highly competitive environment, striving for excellence and pushing the boundaries on innovation. Vedanta Aluminium has world-class townships, well-equipped with gyms, sports complexes, swimming pools, playing grounds, and more, for employees to be able to maintain a high level of physical fitness.

While the company has been conducting sessions on various facets of health, it has now gone a step further to create a structured round-the-year program with the firm belief that holistic well-being can help employees and their families improve their physical health, and boost morale and work-life balance. As part of the Umang program, the company will offer online psychological counseling, physiotherapy, yoga, meditation, weight management, de-addiction, and various other services to employees through an interactive app.

Speaking about the program, Mr. Rahul Sharma, CEO, of Vedanta Limited – Aluminium Business, said, “Our people are at the heart of our aspirations to be a world leader in aluminum. We believe that happy employees create happier workplaces, more cohesive teams and high-performance working culture. We have created several policies and welfare programs designed to help our employees lead healthy and balanced life. Through Umang, we are now expanding the ambit to enable our employees and their families further in leading happier and more fulfilling personal & professional lives.”

Mr. Himanshu Jain, CEO of MantraCare, Vedanta Aluminium’s partner in the corporate wellness & lifestyle program, adds, “We are pleased to announce that Vedanta Aluminium, India’s foremost aluminum company, has partnered with MantraCare to provide wellness solutions to their employees. At Vedanta, the health and well-being of their workforce is a top priority, and this partnership with MantraCare will help them achieve their goal of a healthy and engaged team. MantraCare’s expertise in providing personalized wellness solutions and their focus on mental health will complement Vedanta’s existing initiatives and help employees lead a more wholesome lifestyle. We are excited to be working with Vedanta and look forward to a fruitful partnership.”

This collaboration will see the rollout of a comprehensive wellness program that focuses on the physical, mental, and emotional health of Vedanta Aluminium’s employees. MantraCare’s team of experts will work closely with the company to tailor the program to meet the specific needs of its people, ensuring that it is inclusive and accessible to all. The program will be rolled out in phases, starting with an assessment of the employees’ health needs and preferences, followed by a range of activities, workshops, and resources designed to support their overall well-being.

The company’s initiatives towards ensuring a conducive, growth-oriented work environment for its employees have resulted in several top industry accolades. It has been conferred with the prestigious ‘The Happiest Workplace Award 2022’ by Happy+ in association with Business World and has also received the esteemed ‘Great Place to Work’ certification for FY23.

Vedanta Aluminium, a business of Vedanta Limited, is India’s largest producer of aluminum, manufacturing more than half of India’s aluminum i.e., 2.27 million tonnes in FY22. It is a leader in value-added aluminum products that find critical applications in core industries. Vedanta Aluminium ranks 2nd in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) 2022 world rankings for the aluminum industry, a reflection of its sustainable development practices. With its world-class aluminum smelters, alumina refinery, and power plants in India, the company fulfills its mission of spurring emerging applications of aluminum as the ‘Metal of the Future’ for a greener tomorrow. www.vedantaaluminium.com

NOIDA, March 21, 2023. CYK Hospitalities, a leading end-to-end F&B consultancy, recently executed a project and helped open a brand-new European theme-based cafe, Ndori, in Sector 104, NOIDA, Uttar Pradesh. The company has rendered its services from ideation to execution in bringing out this café. This is 4th project that the consultancy has completed in NOIDA.

As part of its services to Ndori, CYK Hospitalities provided conceptualization, menu engineering, chef trials, chef hiring, plating, business plan, recipe curation, and beverage menu curation. Various exquisite international cuisines are served at the café, as well as an innovative and never-before-seen mocktail menu that provides a whole new dining experience. The mocktails made here by mixologists are fresh and artisanal, exciting consumers’ taste buds. Among the best innovations offered by the cafe are Jalebi Chat, Lemon Classic Ice Tea, Garden Pesto Pizza, Mango Habanero Spiced Cottage Cheese Pizza, Tropical Bounty Shake, Fungi Cheese Pizza, Okinawa Cold Coffee, Paneer Tikka Lasagna, Spaghetti Bolognese, Irish Coconut Cold Coffee, and Macchiato. A wide range of menu items can cater to various tastes and palates, including plates of pasta and burgers.

The European-styled café offers mouthwatering dishes and gives a feeling of eating on the beautiful streets of a European city. Simranjeet Singh, Director of CYK Hospitalities, said, “We studied the Noida market for the
proprietors of Ndori and saw a void in the distinctive cuisine they wished to provide with the highest quality standards and flavor. As a result, our team of specialists skillfully created the cafe’s menu and designed the special European theme café. We worked closely with the owners from project conception to completion.”

“The owners of Ndori were clear in their thought right from the beginning to recreate the European style café and to offer the best dishes with a hint of twist to the menu. The execution of the entire café went smooth as we exactly knew what the owners wanted”, adds Pulkit Arora, Director, CYK Hospitalities. 

On the opening of a brand-new European theme-based cafe, Ndori, Rishabh Gupta and Prateek Nagar, Partners in Ndori, said, “It’s been a great journey working with CYK Team, together with them we curated an outstanding restaurant, with their guidance and impromptu availability. It has been easy in managing difficulties in operations, will positively want to endure this amalgamation of efforts for our further ventures.”

With expertise in ‘Brand Building’ for FnB brands, CYK Hospitalities serves various clients, including restaurants, hotels, and cafes, providing consultation and ongoing support. Additionally, they assist with location mapping and leasing, networking, hiring, and training. CYK is currently engaged in several additional F&B projects in India. The company has worked with well-known brands and food juggernauts, including Starbucks, Burger King, Twisting
Scoops, House of Candy, The Belgian Fries, Fat Tiger, Made in Punjab, Giani’s, Baskin Robbins, Urban Deck, House of Wok, Pandan, Theobroma and several more, to support the development of their brands and the marketing of their goods.

Delhi, March 21, 2023: BitBNS – one of the leading cryptocurrency exchanges in India, has rebranded itself as BNS. The revamped brand pledges to offer customers a smooth and user-centric experience. By adopting this new identity, the crypto exchange intends to present a more comprehensive outlook on cryptocurrencies.

As part of the rebranding, BNS recently launched a video campaign to recognize the real-life superheroes – the delivery executives of popular brands – who work tirelessly to deliver food, medicines, and other essential items to people’s doorsteps. This approach was refreshing and relatable, as it highlighted the common man’s struggles and showcased how cryptocurrencies can help simplify their lives. The video is available on BNS’ Youtube channel and is titled – ‘Crypto & Bitcoin Vlog with Delivery Boys. You can check out the video here.

The video series consists of interviews in which delivery executives were quizzed by Team BNS on their understanding of cryptocurrencies and how they can be used in their daily lives. The crypto community seems to be elated at the fact that most of the delivery executives not only had a basic knowledge of cryptocurrencies but also knew about several altcoins. It was also great to see that they were open to learning more about cryptocurrencies and were willing to explore the possibilities of investing in them in the future.

Gaurav Dahake, Founder & CEO of, BitBNS said, “ The primary reason for rebranding BitBNS to BNS is to present a more holistic view on crypto as BNS can stand for multiple things such as blockchain n scalability, bitcoin n stablecoins, blockchain and smart contracts, and so on. It encompasses the entire spectrum of what can be achieved through blockchain, which will help make our lives much simpler. Our aim is to contribute our efforts to drive further adoption around blockchain, thus providing a much broader, holistic, and global view of growing the Web3 ecosystem.”

He added, “This campaign is a small effort to recognize the hard work and effort the delivery executives put in on a daily basis to serve the masses. It highlights the strong future crypto has in India, how it can help simplify lives, and how BNS is contributing to it by making crypto accessible to all.”

The campaign has received a lot of appreciation from viewers, especially from BNS users who are excited to be associated with such a thoughtful and market-leading organization. This positive feedback can be seen in the comments section of the campaign’s YouTube videos, where users have praised BNS for their innovative and relatable approach to introducing cryptocurrencies to the masses.

New Delhi, March 21, 2023: Gizmore, one of India’s leading Smart Accessories, Fitness Gear and home audio brands, today announced the launch of its aspirational smartwatch – Vogue targeting fashion-conscious millennials. This sleek smartwatch boasts a large 1.95-inch (320X385) pixels HD display. This super stylish smartwatch will be available at an affordable price of Rs 1,999 starting on Flipkart. It is also available on Gizmore’s website.

Gizmore Vogue is aesthetically designed and not just appealing but extremely lightweight and comfortable. The metal casing and a square dial add to its premium look and feel. With a 91% body-to-screen ratio, it offers a bigger edge-to-edge display with a better form factor. The smartwatch offers a split-screen view for the shortcut menu. The Always on display screen also offers 600 nits of brightness, making it easy to use even in harsh sunlight. Gizmore Vogue supports over 100 watch faces, enabling users to customise their watch completely as per their choice.

Gizmore Vogue is equipped with a rotating dial, making it super easy and convenient to navigate the menu. It has 2 dedicated buttons one for power on and off and 2nd to view recent tasks which is a unique feature and shortcut to reach on last opened application. The smartwatch offers a GPS trajectory feature which allows users to track all their activity and share it with friends and family via the Vfit app. The built-in sensors let users accurately capture the data and make healthy life choices. The smartwatch also has all the essential trackers and allows users to monitor their heart rate, SpO2 levels, menstrual cycle, and sleep cycle and even gives meditation, sedentary and dehydration reminders.

Mr. Sanjay Kalirona, CEO of Gizmore, said, “For today’s generation, the smartwatch is not just a device to keep track of their health and well-being but also an extension of their style. We have designed Gizmore Vogue keeping in mind the need of this target segment. It is a trendy smartwatch with an eye-catching design and packs all the modern features young tech enthusiasts look for at a budget-friendly price. Gizmore is known for its premium quality affordable smartwatches, and with Vogue, we are looking at cementing our position even further.”

The Make In India, Gizmore Vogue is an advanced Bluetooth calling smartwatch with a 5.1 Bt version that comes with a better experience and is very convenient to talk on the watch itself. This feature allows users to seamlessly answer or reject calls and listen to music on their Gizmore Vogue. It also supports Apple Siri and Google voice assistants. The smartwatch is IP67 certified, which makes it immune to accidental spills, sweat and dust and consists of trendy soft & stretchable straps. Gizmore Vogue has a large battery that can easily last ten days on a single charge and supports wireless charging and gives 2 days’ backup while on call.

The smartwatch is available in three attractive colour options- Black, Orange and White. It will be available on Flipkart and Gizmore.in from March 2023, for Rs 1,999.

Gizmore has recently partnered with Optiemus Electronics Limited (OEL) to manufacture around 1 million smartwatches in the next 12 months.

Delhi, 21 March 2023: Following the success of the firm’s first fund, launched in 2018, OKAS, the real estate private equity arm of the DMI Group, has recently launched its second real estate fund. The primary focus of the second fund, targeted at $500 million, will be on delivering high-quality, affordable homes catering to India’s growing middle class and on building and leasing exceptional Grade A office space.

The first fund, with 11mm square feet under development, has deployed $250 million across 20 real estate projects concentrated in Gurgaon, Noida, Lucknow, and Bangalore.

The lead investor is NIS (New Investment Solutions), a Liechtenstein – based asset management company that had led the earlier round in 2018.

Shivashish Chatterjee, Co-Founder of DMI, commented, “A vibrant real estate sector with credible participants is critical for India to realize its goal of a $5Tr economy in the near term. We are committed to deepening our engagement in both residential and commercial development with this second fund and grow the OKAS and PARDOS brands into symbols of reliability and quality for both households and companies.”

Yuvraja C. Singh, Co-Founder of DMI, commented, “The customer for real estate in India has become more discerning and expects not only a top-quality product and timely delivery, but also transparency, consistency, and accountability. We are proud that we have been able to deliver on these objectives and complete all of our earlier projects ahead of the committed timelines. We are confident that we will be able to continue to create a new benchmark for quality with our upcoming work.”

New Delhi, 21 March 2023: Acer, one of the world’s leading gaming PC brand, launched the all-new Nitro 5 with AMD Ryzen 7000 series. With a 57.5 Wh 4-cell Li-ion battery and battery life up to 8 hours this is the perfect companion for users on the go. AMD FreeSync™ allows gamers with a fluid, tear free gameplay experience at peak performance. New Max-Q technology utilizes AI to enable thin, high-performance laptops that are faster and better than ever. With up to 2*16 GB of DDR5 system memory, attain maximum speed and massive storage for a smooth and seamless gaming experience. The Wi-Fi 6E, Killer™ Ethernet E2600 low latency gaming, smooth HD streaming video, and interrupt-free voice and video chats. With a full range of ports, including HDMI 2.1 and the latest USB 3.2 standard with Gen1 and 2 support lets users to plug a variety of peripherals. AMD Ryzen 7000 series being the latest in the market equips gamers and creators with the power of the ultimate performance in one chip. With up to 8 cores, 16 threads, and boost clocks of up to 4.55GHz, this latest version of Nitro 5 delivers game-changing performance.

This beast of a laptop is also fitted with a MUX (Multiplexer)switch which allows users to manually enable or disable the GPU. The updated DTS:X Ultra algorithm utilizes improved psychoacoustics and HRTF data giving great accuracy for direction and sound placement, improved externalization, realistic listening experience, and good directionality even for stereo contents. The lightning-quick 165Hz refresh rate and 3ms response screen time guarantee s gamers fluid, unbroken, and unmatched gaming sessions. The latest Nitro 5 comes in a 15.6″ display with IPS (In-Plane Switching) technology, full HD keeping the display crisp and on point.

“The Nitro series have an unrivaled reputation for offering cutting-edge technology and intense gaming at affordable prices. As gaming has been in the spotlight for the past several years, we are proud and thrilled to introduce the latest Nitro 5 laptop to our Indian gamers. It features the latest AMD Ryzen 7000 processors which is a gaming powerhouse with high performance. With the latest sleek and refined chassis this robust laptop packs a punch giving the users a seamless gaming experience” says Sudhir Goel, Chief Business Officer, Acer India

On the launch of Nitro 5, Vinay Sinha, Managing Director-Sales, AMD India said, “Our latest AMD Ryzen 7000 series processors deliver game-changing performance with state-of-the-art technologies including high-speed DDR5 memory, PCIe® 5.0 support, AMD EXPO™ one-touch memory overclocking, and hyper-efficient 5nm manufacturing. Together with ACER, we are providing gamers with greater flexibility in selecting a gaming laptop that fits their budget and preferences by combining different technologies and creating tailored solutions for various form factors. We are certain that the latest Nitro 5 will be welcomed by Acer’s loyal customers and thereby enjoy an unbeatable gaming experience.”

1. Dominating Specs

AMD Ryzen™ 7000 Series Processor ushers in the speed of “Zen 4” for gamers and creators with pure power to tackle any game or workflow on the digital playground. The world’s most advanced PC processor for gamers and creators extends AMD performance leadership to power your PC. Combined with the power of NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 30 Series GPUs you can reign over the gaming world. Furthermore you can configure the laptop for maximum speed and massive storage with two slots for M.2 PCIe SSDs1 and up to 32GB of DDR5 RAM

2. Visual Intensity

Everything looks better in QHD with AMD FreeSync™ keeping those frames tight and in sync. The lightning-quick 165Hz refresh rate and 3ms response time guarantee a fluid, unbroken, and unmatched gaming experience.

3. Coolness Under Fire

The newly refined chassis comes with a few extra tricks up its sleeve in the form of dual-fan cooling, dual intakes (top and bottom), and a quad-exhaust port design. For extra control, pop open the NitroSense utility app and take command over fan speeds, lighting, and more.

4. The Key to Victory

Spice things up with the 4-zone RGB keyboard and take control of the laptop’s internals with the dedicated NitroSense Key. The WASD and arrow keys are also highlighted for easier visibility in critical situations.

5. Breaking the Sound Barrier

With dual 2W speakers, better audio provides a competitive advantage as well as a more immersive experience. Sounds are clear and may be provided in a 3D spatial soundscape with DTS: X® Ultra, allowing customers to know where opponents are coming from with pinpoint precision.

6. Killer Connectivity

With the Intel® Killer E2600 Ethernet Controller and Wi-Fi 6E connectivity, the laptop provides all the tools one needs to clear out the online competition. Plug all the peripherals into the full range of ports, including HDMI 2.1 and the latest USB 3.2 standard with Gen1 and 2 support.

Pricing and Availability

The new Nitro 5 starts at Rs 79990 and it is available in all Acer exclusive stores, Acer E-store, and Flipkart.

DoubleTree by Hilton Goa-Panaji is excited to welcome Nilesh Naik as their new Associate Dire tor of Sales. Nilesh brings over 8+ years of experience in the hospitality industry, having previously worked in various sales and marketing roles in prominent hotels across India. He has exhibited great expertise as well as a passion for establishing and retaining long-term relationships with customers.

As the Associate Director of Sales, Nilesh will play a key role in driving our hotel’s sales and marketing initiatives. His responsibilities include identifying new business opportunities, developing strategic partnerships, and managing our existing client base. Nilesh will also be working closely with our operations team to ensure that our guests receive the highest level of service and satisfaction during their stay. We are confident that Mr. Naik’s skills and experience will make him a valuable asset to our team here at DoubleTree Hilton Goa – Panaji.

Chennai, March 2023: Shri Ajay Kumar Srivastava, Managing Director & CEO, Indian Overseas Bank (IOB) has been honored by the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Shri M. K. Stalin, for the bank’s contributions towards the renovation of the M. A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. Shri Srivastava was felicitated during the inauguration and naming of the pavilion stand at the stadium on March 17, 2023.

India Today Group’s Vice Chairperson Kalli Purie launched the group’s first bot AI collaborative anchor Sana during India Today Conclave 2023.

Describing Sana, Kalli Purie said, “She is bright, gorgeous, ageless, tireless, speaks in multiple languages and totally under my control.” Aaj Tak AI’s first anchor Sana will bring daily news updates several times a day in multiple languages, next week onwards. In a new show, she will explain one topic of relevance everyday. Sana will also do a show in which the audience can ask questions and she will answer.

Talking about constant innovation, Kalli Purie said, “Sana does not take away from the brilliance of real life anchors, who will be mentoring her. Sana will have a human surrogate editor and hopefully company soon.”

Kalli Purie said that it is not a competition between humans and AI and that this collaboration is leading to creative magic. “The future is fascinating and frightening and it is here,” she said. Talking about how media is constantly attacked and referred to as ‘godi media’, Kalli Purie said that there is a lot of pressure on media from political parties, business houses, foreign governments and larger-than-life professionals. “It is not new and not singular,” she said. Giving examples of how India Today has never compromised on the story it tells, she said, “Our credibilty is important to us.”

The 20th edition of India Today Conclave, which kicked off on Friday, is being held at Taj Palace in New Delhi.