Archives August 2023

New Delhi, 17th August 2023: Mankind Pharma proudly announces its collaboration with superstar Ranveer Singh for their latest groundbreaking campaign, “24 Hour Active Energy with HealthOK.” Centered on Mankind’s renowned HealthOK tablets, this campaign seeks to strengthen the brand’s commitment to empowering individuals, specifically targeting men aged 30-50, by providing them with the essential vigor and endurance required to embrace an active lifestyle. HealthOK is a growing brand in the oral solid multivitamin segment, which is estimated to be worth 1500 crores in India.

Link to the TVC of the campaign: https://youtu.be/C5m0zzsZDbE

In line with its commitment to driving conversations about men’s health, well-being, and the pursuit of a healthy and active lifestyle, Mankind has again joined forces with renowned superstar Ranveer Singh. Together, Mankind and Ranveer Singh strive to make a lasting impact on the realm of men’s health and well-being by recognizing the daily signs of fatigue & tiredness, which might be a signal of unfulfilled nutritional requirement.

Superstar Ranveer Singh, the brand ambassador, expressed his excitement at the collaboration stating, “I am thrilled to again partner with Mankind Pharma and endorse their remarkable brand, HealthOK. As an actor, maintaining energy levels throughout the day is of utmost importance to me, and HealthOK has truly transformed the game. It goes beyond just being active; it is about experiencing a sense of well-being and vitality each day. Let’s embrace the extraordinary potential of HealthOK and unlock a life filled with boundless energy!”

According to extensive consumer research, men within the age group of 30-45 often experience feelings of tiredness and weakness, preventing them from maintaining an active lifestyle throughout the day. HealthOK recognizes these challenges and endeavors to provide a comprehensive solution to address nutritional deficiencies and enhance overall health. By incorporating HealthOK into their daily routine, individuals can experience improved energy levels, health & pursue an active lifestyle.

HealthOK multivitamin tablets are 100% vegetarian and contains double action of Taurine and Ginseng. This powerful combination gives 24-hour active energy, enabling individuals to stay energized. Additionally, HealthOK tablet contains 12 essential vitamins and 7 minerals, to support overall health.

Joy Chatterjee, AVP of Sales & Marketing, Mankind Consumer further emphasized the sentiment of taking care of one’s health by stating, “At Mankind Pharma, we prioritize the well-being of individuals by providing high-quality healthcare solutions. At times, men do want to stay active and energetic all day but with ageing, daily tiredness becomes a common problem, which most men face. It could be due to nutritional deficiencies, bad food habits or sedentary lifestyle. HealthOK multivitamin tablets can fulfill those nutritional deficiencies and provide an added benefit of staying energetic due to Taurine & Ginseng. We believe Ranveer is an ideal ambassador for our brand HealthOK due to his unmatchable energy levels. HealthOK exemplifies our dedication to excellence and customer satisfaction, solidifying our position as a leader in the multivitamin category.”

To enjoy the benefits of HealthOK, individuals are encouraged to take one tablet every day along with their breakfast. HealthOK tablets are available across leading chemists, modern trade outlets, and popular e-commerce platforms such as Amazon, Flipkart, and 1mg. This widespread availability ensures easy access for individuals seeking to improve their energy levels and overall health.

Mankind Pharma remains committed to being socially responsible and recognizes the need to engage in conversations around men’s health, the best practices to lead a healthy life and being active.

17th August 2023: Neil Patel Digital India (NPDI), a leading digital marketing agency, appoints Ajaz Mirza as its Vice President – Operations. In his new role, Ajaz will be responsible for overall company operations. This strategic addition reflects Neil Patel Digital India’s commitment to enhancing its impact in Mumbai, and concurrently, the organization aims to onboard over 350 new team members by the culmination of 2023.

Additionally, as part of its ongoing growth strategy, the company has significantly broadened its geographical footprint to encompass Mumbai. This expansion has entailed the recruitment of a substantial field force, encompassing several key leadership roles within the city. With a diverse clientele spanning various industries, Neil Patel Digital India presently serves an extensive roster of 100+ clients. Since its inception, NPDI has consistently demonstrated an impressive compound annual growth rate of approximately 40%.

Boasting over a decade and three years of profound involvement in the digital marketing sector, Ajaz arrives armed with a wealth of experience in overseeing all-encompassing organizational functions. His adeptness stands poised to play a pivotal role in driving forward NPDI’s strategic initiative aimed at providing clients with cutting-edge and inventive solution offerings.

Speaking on the new appointments, Pradeep Kumar a.k.a Prady, CEO, Neil Patel Digital India, said, “I am truly pleased to welcome Ajaz to our team. His track record of remarkable achievements in his prior endeavors is a testament to his capabilities. Leveraging his extensive and well-established background in digital marketing, coupled with our foray into a new market, we are confident that his input will be instrumental in ensuring exceptional service delivery to our valued clients.”

“I am excited to become a part of the versatile team at Neil Patel Digital India, and I eagerly anticipate contributing to the realization of the company’s growth and profitability objectives. With exemplary leadership to inspire us, I aspire to propel NPDI into the next exciting chapter of growth.”, said Ajaz.

Previously, Ajaz held pivotal positions at Merkle Sokrati (Dentsu) and SEOValley Solutions. In his most recent role, he successfully amplified Merkle’s organic media capability’s revenue twofold and augmented the team size by 50%. His exceptional contributions have garnered recognition within esteemed industry circles, and one of his campaigns clinched the award for “Best Marketing through a Healthcare Website/Blog.

By- Kavita  Devgan, Nutritionist,Columnist & Speaker

Kiwi, a vibrant green fruit specked with little black seeds is undoubtedly pretty and thanks to its interesting taste – a heady mix of strawberries, melons and bananas, it is super easy to fall in love with too. This is good news for our health because kiwi is loaded with fibre, both soluble as well as insoluble, delivers multiple nutrients like vitamins A, B6, B12, E, potassium, calcium, magnesium (a nutrient essential to convert food into energy) and iron (helps beat anaemia), and is low calorie (one fruit about 70 gm gives about 40 calories) too. That’s not all, below are 5 more compelling reasons for you to have one everyday.

Flu fighter

This is the season for flu and myriad infections and kiwi being a vitamin C heavy weight – one fruit can almost meet your entire daily requirement of C – can help. Vitamin C supports the production and activity of antibodies, and good antibody function is important for a healthy immune system. Plus C is vital for the production of serotonin, so eating kiwi can help better our mood too.

Dengue warrior

Kiwi is a winner for the dengue season (usually June to September) as during dengue bringing up platelets is of paramount concern. Besides being loaded in vitamin C that helps our platelets group together and function better, kiwi is easy to digest, pleasing to the palate, rich in antioxidants and electrolyte balancer potassium too, all of which make it an ideal food to eat during this time. C also helps us absorb iron more efficiently from the food we eat, and delivers vitamin B9 (folate), both of which can help boost the blood platelet count too.

Antioxidant packed

Kiwifruit are rich in many bioactive compounds that have antioxidant capacity to help protect against free radicals, the harmful by-products produced in the body due to stress, wrong lifestyle and junk that we eat. So this juicy fruit is a perfect antidote to these stressful times we live in.

Heart’s friend

The vitamin C, polyphenols, and potassium in kiwi all function individually, and together to protect the blood vessels and heart and reduce the amount of fats (triglycerides) in your blood. So it can go a long way to keep our heat in the pink.

Beauty aid

Good pH balance in the body is a prerequisite for a good looking skin. As kiwi is alkaline in nature it can help counter the effects of the acidic foods that we eat. In addition C in kiwi is important for formation of collagen in the skin, the building block that maintains the skin, muscles, bones and tendons.

Eat more

Add to salads, atop pizza, yoghurt, and cereals, whip up a sleepy-time smoothie by blending two kiwis with a cup of warm, unsweetened almond milk or yoghurt. or just slice and have.

And the best way to enjoy kiwifruit is this: simply take your knife and use it to cut the kiwifruit in half. Then, use your spoon to scoop out the nutrient-rich, bright green inside. That’s all there is to it — no peeling required.

New Delhi, 17th Aug 2023: Villgro, one of India’s leading social enterprise incubators, and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) India has launched a new programme to accelerate women-led businesses in India. Called ‘EMPOWER Her Journey,’ the programme will support women entrepreneurs by bridging the financing gap and accelerating access to digital tools for enhanced market reach.

Women entrepreneurs play a critical role in creating employment opportunities, enhancing human capital investments, fostering development outcomes, driving innovation, and furthering equality. But they often face challenges in their entrepreneurial journey, like lack of awareness of relevant government/banking schemes, cultural constraints, and access to mentors and networks as inhibitors to business growth.

The ‘EMPOWER Her Journey’ programme will address these gaps through peer-to-peer learning sessions, training, networking opportunities, and mentor support. It will also train entrepreneurs on digital transformation tools to increase sales and business acceleration strategies such as Go-To-Market, fundraising, and impact measurement.

“We hold the firm belief that empowering women entrepreneurs extends beyond economic growth; it sets in motion a ripple effect that profoundly influences families, communities, and the nation. With ‘EMPOWER Her Journey,’ we envisage a future wherein women-led enterprises lead in driving social progress and sustainable development, further strengthened by the unwavering support of UNDP,” said Jenaan Lilani Bhargava, Advisor, Villgro.

She further added, “As part of Villgro’s ongoing commitment to supporting women entrepreneurs in India, the ‘EMPOWER Her Journey’ programme complements initiatives such as the TVARAN Accelerator and Powering Livelihoods. With this programme, we aim to leverage our 20+ years of expertise, empowering 1,600 women across the country to thrive in entrepreneurship, foster growth, and achieve remarkable success.”

Economic gender parity is critical to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. At UNDP, creating a more enabling and equitable ecosystem for women’s economic empowerment remains central to our work. “Empower Her Journey” has been specifically designed to unlock the untapped potential of women-led start-ups with incubation and acceleration support. With Villgro as a partner, we are confident that this initiative will catalyse the entrepreneurial journey of all women entrepreneur participants.” said Amit Kumar, Head of Sustainable and Inclusive Growth, UNDP India.

Applications for the programme are open to Indian enterprises founded or co-founded by women or having women in senior executive roles and have less than 5 years of operations in any sector. Startups at the ideation, pre-revenue, or revenue-generating stage can apply.

The first cohort will see the participation of 100 women-led startups and women entrepreneurs. The applications are open until August 30, 2023.

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Bengaluru, 17th August 2023: Bengaluru-based co-working giant, BHIVE, has announced the launch of its new coworking-focused Rs 400 crore CAT-2 alternative investment fund (AIF), highlighting its commitment to offering esteemed investors unrivalled investment opportunities in the ever-evolving-co-working sector. Over the past year, BHIVE has solidified its position as a trusted name in the co-working space, successfully conducting transactions upwards of Rs 200 crore, a testament to its operational prowess and stakeholders’ trust.

The company has also revealed its decision to wind up its current AIF fund, which was being managed by Mr Sandeep Gupta. This transition marks Mr Gupta’s decision to pursue new opportunities outside BHIVE. Despite his departure, BHIVE emphasises that there will be no disruption to its investment trajectory or impact on its current portfolio., as the current AIF had not yet been operationalized.

Sheshagiri Rao Paplikar,Founder & CEO of the BHIVE Group, commented on this development, “Change is inherent in the investment landscape. Our team, fortified by expertise and dedication, is committed to delivering optimum results and upholding our investors’ trust in us.”

The fund will acquire fully completed commercial real estate properties at prime locations with clear titles and occupancy certificates and a capex of a set. The new fund will offer a unique opportunity to High Net-worth Individuals (HNIs) and family-owned businesses looking to participate in the commercial real estate growth story with a minimum investment of Rs one crore.

“There has been exponential growth in the number of AIFs in India. Unlike a decade ago, when offshore investors were funding India’s AIFs, the expanding pool of domestic investors is helping them grow today. We see a tremendous opportunity in this segment and will go aggressive with our plans as we embark on the next growth phase of the organisation,” said Paplikar.

BHIVE Workspace has been aggressively expanding its footprint across Bangalore and eyeing new opportunities in other top commercial markets. It operates 25 flexible and managed office assets totalling 1.5 mn sq ft across Bangalore. India’s office markets have demonstrated remarkable resilience, maintaining a consistent level of quarterly leasing activity throughout the first two quarters of 2023, led by Tech and Flex.

From an operational footprint of under 20 mn sq ft at the end of 2018, the flex segment, as of March 2023, has grown 3X in size across the top seven cities, driven by rising demand for managed space solutions from enterprises cutting across geographies and industries. The sector is poised to double its footprint over the next five years, crossing the 100 mn sq ft mark across the top seven cities by the end of 2027.

Tata Technologies, Balaji Speciality Chemicals Limited, NSDL, Darwin Group, EbixCash, PharmEasy, Droom Technology, Pyramid Technoplast, JK Files India, Snapdeal, and Asianet among others gear up to make their mark in the IPO landscape

With a subscription price ranging from a mere pre-subscription price of 0.012 dollars to a possible 5 dollars valuation per share, Darwin plans an IPO of USD 1.4 billion, to be listed on NASDAQ

Mumbai/New Delhi, August 16, 2023: In the world of finance, excitement was brewing as the fiscal year 2023-24 approached. The market was abuzz with anticipation and fervor, all centered around one phenomenon: Initial Public Offerings (IPOs). Recent shifts in market sentiment are seen as the heralds of a vibrant IPO market in the coming months.

A stellar lineup of companies, both established and emerging, was poised to make their grand debut on the stock exchange. Among these trailblazers were names that echoed through the financial corridors: Tata Technologies, Balaji Speciality Chemicals Limited, and the National Securities Depository Limited (NSDL) with a substantial offering of 57,260,001 equity shares. With a subscription price ranging from a mere Rs 1 to a possible USD 5 valuation per share, Darwin Group plans to come out with an IPO of USD 1.4 billion (Rs 11-12,000 crore), to be listed on NASDAQ. People familiar with development in the IPO market revealed that Darwin Group has engaged Barclays as its lead manager for the IPO.

A plethora of formidable contenders were ready to join the symphony. EbixCash, Aeroflex Industries, PharmEasy, Droom Technology Ltd, Jesons Industries Ltd, Pyramid Technoplast Limited, JK Files India Ltd, Snapdeal Ltd, Asianet Satellite Communication, Bharat FIH, Hexagon Nutrition Ltd, and Capillary Technologies were all gearing up to make their mark in the financial landscape.

Behind the scenes, a diligent process was underway. Each of these companies had meticulously filed their Draft Red Herring Prospectus (DRHP) with the vigilant Security and Exchange Board of India (SEBI). This rigorous step showcased their commitment to transparency and laid the groundwork for their monumental IPOs.

“The financial year 2023-24 held promises of transformation and growth. With each passing day, the excitement grew as the companies perfected their strategies and positioned themselves to make a resounding entrance into the IPO arena. Investors, both seasoned and new, held their breath in anticipation of the opportunities that lay ahead,” said a market analyst.

By- Yatharth Mishra

by Akash Pharande, Managing Director – Pharande Spaces

Buying a home is the smartest decision to make if one can afford it, and we all know the reason. Home ownership builds equity and net worth over time as the property value appreciates, unlike paying rent which builds no assets. Home loan interest rates are currently still lower than they were before the Covid-19 pandemic. It is by far the most important investment to make to ensure long-term stability, security, and social status for one’s family.

An owned home is the ultimate financial legacy to bestow on our children – an asset that grows is value even as it is used to eliminate rental expense and provide a ‘home’ base and launching pad for all future plans.

And yet, many Indians defer this important purchase even when their finances favour it, even as their hearts yearn for home ownership. What holds them back?

The Faces of Indecision

The uncertainty can have many causes. Often, negative news we consume affects our decision making. Once we believe a negative narrative, the tendency is towards confirmation bias – seeking out information that confirms the negative views. It’s a self-perpetuating cycle of negativity which shouts down a positive decision.

There is also anxiety about choosing the right property, location, timing, and stretching finances too thin. In India, it is not uncommon to have grown up in a family which puts a greater weightage on saving rather than investing in growth and a better life.

Whatever the reason or combination of reasons, there are obvious risks to procrastination – the aspiration for home ownership remains unchanged, but property prices and lending rates increase, and good projects sell out.

If you’re caught on the horns of dilemma even though your instincts favour home ownership, the challenge is to overcome the mental block. The sales person who takes you for a site visit will obviously do their best to overcome it, but being convinced by a sales pitch is not good decision making. This is a major decision in all respects, and it must be your alone.

Think it Through

When making a decision on a property purchase, you needs to focus on the benefits, not just costs. When we focus more on potential loss than on potential gains – a proven human tendency, by the way – it contaminates the decision-making process.

1. Concentrate on the financial, lifestyle, social, and emotional gains of owning a home. Imagine in vivid detail how much better daily life will be in your own home, where you’re in control and not your landlord. Prime your brain to move towards this positive vision.

2. Do the math. Before making your first site visits, prepare a detailed budget and financial plan and convince yourself on paper that home ownership is achievable for you over the long-term. This reduces the anxiety of the unknown.

3. If you’ve been talking to a lot of nay-sayers, talk to others who have recently achieved their dream of home ownership. Ask them about the process, challenges, and rewards. If you’ve been engaging in ‘catastrophic thinking’, this allows you to normalize the experience and make it more real and achievable.

4. Remind yourself that buying a home is far from irreversible. The seeming ‘permanence’ of owning a home can be scary, when in fact real estate can be sold or downsized if needed. If you’ve been following the news, you’re surely aware that homes are selling readily and at very good prices.

5. If the only professional you have spoken so far is a property consultant, get a second opinion – consult a financial advisor and find out whether home buying fits your situation and budget. Once you’re convinced that it does, go back to your real estate agent and give him your list of must-haves for a property, along with your budget.

6. Ignore expectations from those who do not share your life. Don’t buy a home or avoid doing so just because society thinks you should. It’s your and your family’s life, and your decision must align with your family’s needs and aspirations.

Long Story Short –

– reframe the whole idea of home ownership in your mind. It is simply a logical next step in life that builds a financial asset and long-term security. As psychologist Abraham Maslow noted, “In any given moment we have two options: to step forward into growth or to step back into safety.”

Sometimes, the smartest move is to step forward.

About the Author:

Akash Pharande is Managing Director – Pharande Spaces, a leading real estate construction and development firm famous for its township projects in West Pune and beyond. Pharande Promoters & Builders, the flagship company of Pharande Spaces and an ISO 9001-2000 certified company, is a pioneer of townships in West Pune.

Complimentary medical surgeries, medications, hearing aids, and eyeglasses were provided at the large-scale health event held at Presidency University on Saturday

Bengaluru: 16 Aug 2023: Residents of Bangalore are likely familiar with the exceptional medical facilities and healthcare services available in the city. However, individuals residing in rural and semi-urban areas on the outskirts of Bangalore often face challenges in accessing affordable and high-quality healthcare. To address this gap, Presidency University, Bangalore in association with Presidency Foundation hosted a Mega Health Camp on August 2023. The Chief Guest for the event was Yelahanka MLA Shri S. R. Vishwanath. The health camp was attended by over 2000 individuals from 54 villages who were treated by 60 doctors, 55 paramedics and nurses.

The Mega Health Camp was organised by the University with the goal of meeting the community’s healthcare needs. Free health diagnosis and screening were provided to underprivileged patients requiring medical attention. Experienced doctors and physicians from well-known hospitals conducted comprehensive health checkups and diagnoses during the camp.

The health camp was organised with the objective of offering complimentary Ayurvedic consultations and medications, as well as general health examinations and medications. The medical camp’s main highlight was the provision of free surgeries for patients with conditions such as piles, appendicitis, kidney stones, gallbladder stones, and hernias. The camp was open to all individuals in need of medical care, regardless of their age, gender, caste, or economic status. Services offered included:

· Diagnostic tests done for blood pressure, blood sugar.

· Computerised eye tests, surgery and distribution of glasses.

· Gynaecological exams for women

· Cardiac checkup- consultation through ECG

· Cervical and Breast cancer checkup and advice.

· Speech and hearing checkup

Speaking at the inauguration of the Mega Health Camp Yelahanka MLA Shri S. R. Vishwanath said “As a government, we are committed to the well-being of our citizens, and events like this mega health camp reaffirm that commitment. It’s heartening to see the collaboration between the Presidency team and the healthcare professionals who are dedicated to providing quality care. Such initiatives not only promote health awareness but also underline the importance of preventive healthcare for the needy. Our goal is to create a healthier nation, and today’s event is a significant step in that direction.”

Dr. Nissar Ahmed, Chancellor, expressed his pride in the achievements of the students and the University’s commitment to providing them with transformative experiences. He stated, “I am immensely proud of our students, faculty, and all the dedicated organizers who have made this mega health camp a resounding success. Your hard work, commitment, and passion for community well-being are truly commendable. This event not only showcases the exceptional capabilities within our institution but also highlights our collective responsibility towards society. By offering healthcare services to a wide spectrum of individuals, you are embodying the spirit of empathy and service that we hold dear.”

This mega health camp stands as a testament to the power of collaboration and the unwavering dedication to community well-being. The combined efforts of our students, faculty, healthcare professionals, and volunteers have resulted in a truly remarkable event that has touched the lives of many.

Hyderabad, 16th August 2023: Heartfulness in association with the Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR), Govt. of India has organised a three-day Agro Youth Summit – Kannada at Kanha Shanti Vanam – the Headquarters of Heartfulness in the outskirts of Hyderabad city. This was the fourth Agri Youth Summit this year held by Heartfulness with the current one having a special focus on agri scholars from Karnataka. Yet two other Agro Youth Summits by Heartfulness were held for Hindi speakers in the months of June at Kanha Shanti Vanam. The current summit with a focus on Karnataka-based agri scholars is being organized between 13-15 August 2023 and inaugurated by Mr. Chetan Gonaik, National Media Coordinator, Indian Youth Congress; and Mr. K N Suresh Chandra, Retd Deputy Director, State Department of Horticulture, Govt of Karnataka under the Divine Guidance of Rev. Daaji – Spiritual Guide of Heartfulness, President of Shri Ram Chandra Mission and Padma Bhushan Awardee.

The purpose of the summit is to build a network among the students, industry, Government, corporates, and other stakeholders, to impart knowledge of traditional agricultural practices with a scientific background, share the latest developments in the agriculture field, and give on-the-field experience to all the implementation, research work in horticulture, agriculture, forestry, and other related areas happening at Kanha Shanti Vanam.

Mr. Chetan Gonaik, National Media Coordinator, Indian Youth Congress said, “The Agro Youth Summit by Heartfulness and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research is instrumental in empowering the youth of Karnataka. Agriculture is the backbone of our economy and there needs a renewed interest in Agriculture among the youth of the country. Agricultural sector has made a great progress with India adopting modern infrastructure and technology. Our youth must make the country the food granary of the world.”

“It is an exhilarating experience for the scholars as well as the agricultural stakeholders who have joined here to gain the right knowledge under the Divine Guidance of Rev. Daaji who has been spearheading and motivating a whole generation of youth in the country and around the world. Agriculture being the mainstay of this nation needs empowered youth. An experience such as this summit can be crucial in developing their existing knowledge and skills,” said Mr. K N Suresh Chandra, Retd Deputy Director, State Department of Horticulture, Govt of Karnataka.

Rev. Daaji – Spiritual Guide of Heartfulness, President of Shri Ram Chandra Mission and Padma Bhushan Awardee said, “It is our aim to bring Heartfulness at the centre of everything – be it in empowering the youth or the agricultural scenario in our country. We are giving focus on the every state in the respective summit not only to train the scholars on the practical skills and advancements in agriculture, but also bring in them the integrity that is required to be balanced individuals who can endure the life challenges and strengthen their spirit.”

The summit is significant, especially since over 2,00,000 students studying agriculture in India. With an MoU signed between Heartfulness Education Trust and ICAR in August 2022, scholars and academicians can now utilise the shared resources. The students are expected to gain insights into the Heartfulness facility as well at Kanha Shanti Vanam through their tissue culture lab, bio charcoal projects, hydroponics etc. for exploration. The visit at the summit also carries course credits (2 credit courses for 30 hours) and the attendance is therefore counted. The summit also saw Independence Day Celebrations at the Heartfulness Learning Centre. The next agro youth summit will be held in October.

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Pune, 16th August 2023 HDFC Bank, India’s leading private sector bank, announced the launch of ‘One Pune’ contactless pre-paid card in collaboration with Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MAHA-Metro) for the Pune Metro Rail Project.

Under the One Nation One Card initiative by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), the One Pune card will enable seamless digital payments not only at metro stations but will also enable retail shopping and purchases.

In line with the e-governance initiatives, the Bank will provide commuters with a seamless, digital ticketing experience that can be accessed through multiple digital touchpoints like mobile app, dedicated customer portal and WhatsApp. The ‘One Pune’ card will streamline Pune citizen’s travel experience by eliminating the need for queueing for tickets at metro stations.

The ‘One Pune’ pre-paid card was unveiled by Shri Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Shri Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Shri Ajit Pawar, Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra and Shri Chandrakant Patil, Pune’s Guardian Minister. Shri Shravan Hardikar, Managing Director MAHA-Metro was also present during the launch ceremony.

Mr. Parag Rao, Country Head – Payment Business, Consumer Finance, Technology and Digital Banking, HDFC Bank said, “HDFC Bank is delighted to launch ‘One Pune’ card which will provide a seamless travel experience. The card also eliminates the need to carry multiple cards for different services. The collaboration between HDFC Bank and Maha-Metro leverages the power of technology and innovation to enhance the daily lives of citizens, aligning with India’s vision of a digital-first future.”

The NCMC initiative underscores HDFC Bank’s commitment to innovation and its role in shaping the future of urban mobility in India. Commuters can get their prepaid cards by paying a one-time issuance fee of ₹150 and recharge it for usage in metro and other retail purchases.