Archives September 2023

Bangalore, 15th September 2023: WiseX, India’s leading Neo-realty investment platform in collaboration with Integrow Asset Management has launched India’s first sector-specific Real Estate Portfolio Management Services (PMS). The portfolio will be managed by Integrow Asset Management and powered by WiseX’s proprietary technology. The fund aims to enable investors to generate alpha and risk-adjusted returns by investing in the real estate sector in a focused Multi-cap portfolio.

The CREAM Portfolio will be focussed on the Real Estate sector as the sector is poised for growth and offers attractive investment opportunities. The Indian real estate market presents a significant growth potential, with expectations to reach USD 1 Tn by 2030, and contribute nearly 13% to India’s GDP by 2025 as per IBEF Real Estate Industry report. Substantiating this, the Nifty Realty Index has outperformed the benchmark Nifty 50 Index in its past 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, 3 years and 5 years’ time periods.

The investment approach combines income generation with the potential for significant gains, specifically tailored for the current volatile market conditions. This is achieved through a multi-asset allocation with strategic diversification across listed equities, listed debt, and listed REITs. The portfolio chosen will be across the entire real estate ecosystem including Construction Materials, Realty Developers, REITs, Housing Finance and Engineering.

To further enhance asset evaluation, WiseX’s proprietary tech will monitor and evaluate 3,500+ securities out of which the top 30 securities will be finally shortlisted and will be made a part of the portfolio. The portfolio will be actively managed to identify optimal exit and entry scenarios to establish an alpha and outperform the broader market index. The curation process entails real time evaluation across 100+ data points and stringent selection criteria. The expertise lies in:

● Real-Time Big Data Analytics – Analyse historical stock performance, market trends, and macroeconomic indicators on an unprecedented scale

● Robot Process Automation (RPA) – Proprietary RPA technology to automate time-consuming and repetitive tasks involved in research and analysis

● Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning – Identify hidden patterns and trends offering a deeper insight into market dynamics

Mr. Ramashrya Yadav, Founder of Integrow Asset Management said, “Given the strong prospects in the real estate segment in the coming years, we see a massive potential for a Real Estate-focused portfolio as an attractive investment option for HNIs, emerging HNIs, and aspiring millennials. Reinforcing our credentials as a trusted Asset Management Company coupled with the technology capabilities of WiseX, we aim to empower investors with unprecedented access to the Cream of real estate. CREAM Strategy will offer strategically diversified investment options across listed equities, listed debt, and REIT’s which will be leveraged amongst the massive 60k+ user base on WiseX platform. We are confident that the cross-collaboration and synergies among the Aurum PropTech ecosystem will accelerate tech adoption in the real estate industry and present our esteemed investors and valued stakeholders with a diverse range of enriched investment propositions.”

Speaking on the PMS launch, Mr. Aryaman Vir, CEO, WiseX said, “We are excited to launch India’s first sector specific real estate PMS, in collaboration with the industry leader in this space – Integrow Asset Management. By merging the financial expertise of Integrow and our advanced technology capabilities, we will offer a service that stands unrivalled within the Indian market. India is at a critical inflection point, having crossed USD 2,000 GDP indicating exponential growth here onwards in the per capita GDP and disposable incomes. As we witness rising investor interest and huge potential in alternative investments in realty space, we believe that venturing into the PMS segment is a crucial step forward towards scaling our vision of becoming the largest global Neo-Realty platform.”

Mr. Vir added, “Since inception, we have always strived to curate high-quality investment opportunities for our investors to provide maximum returns. This collaboration is a perfect example of leveraging the synergies between players within the Aurum PropTech ecosystem thereby enabling stronger investment products for our investors and our 60k+ user base.”

Mr. Anji Maram, CEO and Co-founder of CriticalRiver

While After COVID-19, the role of engineers became more pivotal than ever. They steered the rapid digital transitions, ensuring that businesses, educational institutions, and essential services remained functional and efficient. Engineering teams play a key role in helping clients navigate challenges and seize new opportunities in a dramatically altered landscape. Through automation, artificial intelligence, and machine learning, IT engineers are streamlining business operations, driving efficiency, and reducing costs. By harnessing the power of big data, they’re enabling businesses to make more informed decisions, predict trends, and tailor experiences for their users. At CriticalRiver, our IT engineers are not just problem solvers; they’re visionaries paving the way for a more interconnected, efficient, and innovative future.

Mr. Karun Tadepalli, Founder and CEO of byteXL

Historically, students have pursued engineering solely as a means to securing high-quality jobs. What they do not understand is that being mere engineers in the current times may not be relevant unless students and freshers upgrade their skills and adopt new technologies. We live in the times of AI which will automate many facets of engineering. While domain knowledge is necessary to understand the details of the work at hand, one must be in the process of continuous learning and upgrading skills to keep up with market demand. A paradigm shift is occurring in specialized roles, and despite AI automation, human input is still crucial. A practical approach to complex problem-solving should be taught to students in order for them to be competitive in the age of Artificial Intelligence.

Mr. Suresh VP, COO and Co-Founder, Experion Technologies

In the post-COVID times, we’ve witnessed remarkable digital transformations and global business advancements, all thanks to the relentless efforts of engineers worldwide. They spearheaded cloud-based platforms that ensured business continuity when the world needed it most. IoT and AI played a pivotal role in healthcare during the pandemic, monitoring patient health and enabling remote care. Post-COVID, these technologies have continued to thrive, giving birth to contactless solutions that are now an integral part of our everyday lives. To add on, immersive AR/VR experiences in healthcare enabled remote patient consultations, while virtual tours transformed the landscape of travel and education.

Sudhir Goel Chief Business Officer, Acer India

Engineer’s Day is a celebration of innovation, dedication, and the relentless pursuit of progress. In India, our engineers are the architects of transformation, bridging dreams with reality. Today, we salute the unwavering spirit of our engineering community, whose brilliance shapes a brighter future for our nation and the world.

Mumbai, 15th September 2023– Whistling Woods International (WWI), the globally acclaimed media and creative arts institute, has reached a significant milestone in its mission to foster artistic growth amongst aspiring young talents. WWI has entered into a groundbreaking Progression Agreement with the prestigious London College of Communication (LCC), University of the Arts London (UAL) establishing an inspiring partnership that aims to provide enhanced educational opportunities for students pursuing their passion in the creative arts sector.

Under this agreement, students who successfully complete their undergraduate programme at WWI and meet specific academic criteria will have the opportunity to apply for the following master’s degree programmes at the University of the Arts London (UAL):

• MA Film

• MA Music Production

• MA Virtual Reality

• MA Visual Effects

Moreover, each student commencing the designated programme of study at UAL will be eligible for a twenty percent (20%) discount on the programme fees, making higher education more accessible and affordable.

Expressing delight about the collaboration, a representative from the London College of Communication (LCC) office stated, “The London College of Communication is delighted to have a Progression Agreement with WWI. This agreement leverages the unique strengths of our institutions and opens up new opportunities for students to pursue postgraduate studies and achieve their career ambitions.”

Speaking at the occasion, Rahul Puri, Head of Academics, WWI shared, “We are thrilled to embark on this groundbreaking collaboration with the esteemed London College of Communication.” “Whistling Woods International has always aimed to provide the students with a transformative learning experience and a global perspective. Through this partnership, we aim to empower aspiring artists, and creative professionals to hone their skills”, he further added.

The collaboration between Whistling Woods International and London College of Communication is poised to redefine the landscape of creative education, empowering aspiring students to unleash their true potential on a global stage.

KRONOS 15th September 2023 aspires to be a hub for learning, networking, and shaping the future of HR practices. The conclave is a humble attempt in exploring the best practices of HR adopted by the varied industries and would provide the entire audience with some thought-breaking keynote speaker sessions, panel discussions & knowledge-sharing sessions etc. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage in stimulating discussions, participate in enlightening panel sessions, and connect with peers who share a passion for HR innovation. Kronos 2023 is expected to attract professionals from various sectors, including banking, technology, government, and academia, all of whom play a crucial role in reshaping HR practices in India. This confluence of diverse perspectives promises to be a catalyst for the digital transformation of HR.

Building on the success of previous editions, this year’s Kronos promises to be a groundbreaking event with the theme ‘HR 4.0: Thriving with AI and Metaverse Innovations’. The Conclave starts with our first Panel discussion on ‘AI Ethics in HR: Striking the Balance’ and will see participation from prominent industry leaders like Ramakrishna Vyamajala, CHRO, Home First, Sandiep Batra, CHRO, Adani Airport Holdings, Neha Dixit, VP- HR, Simpl, Ruchira Bhardwaja, CHRO, Kotak Life, Abhishek Tiwari, Sr. VP HR, Tech Mahindra, Shanil Verma, CHRO, Turtlemint and Md. Rashid Jaffrey, Chief People Officer, Tata Steel Long Products.

The Second Panel discussion will be on ‘Upskilling and Reskilling in the Metaverse Era’ and will see industry leaders like Sukhjit Pasricha, Group CHRO, Indigo, Gaurav Saini, CHRO, HMD Global, Rupesh Tripathi, Partner HR, KPMG GS, Gunjan Joshi, Director Talent Acquisition, Trident Ltd., Karan Lakhani, CHRO, Tata Steel Downstream Products Ltd. and Ashish Bhalla, Director HR , HCL Technologies on a common platform sharing their views.

This will be followed by the last Panel discussion on ‘Managing Diversity and Inclusion in Virtual Workspaces by leaders’ such as Dilip Sinha, CHRO, Vedanta Ltd. , Soumitra Das, Global CHRO, Redington Ltd., Priya Ranjan, VP HR, JSW Steel, Saswati Sinha, Head Human Resource- India & MEA, Evalueserve, Jaidip Chatterjee, CHRO, SREI, Kanchan Banerjee, CHRO, Vedant Fashions Ltd. Manyavar Mohey and Saurabh Sharma, Global Head of Talent Acquisition, OLX Autos sharing their insights.

The grand event will be concluded with a Vote of Thanks by the Conclave Committee of XLRI summarizing the whole session & bringing it to a delightful close.

New Delhi,15th September 2023 Skyball, the new-age consumer electronics brand focused on home audio and smart accessories, has announced the launch of its first set of high-performance wearables in India. Skyball’s first wearable range brings two feature-packed smartwatches- Elevate and Rigor. The ‘Made in India’ smartwatches cater to the growing demand of tech-savvy health enthusiasts by providing them with a world-class smartwatch experience.

Skyball Elevate and Rigor flaunt vibrant AMOLED screens and offer marathon battery life with best-in-class health, fitness and connectivity features. The ‘Made in India’ wearables are tailor-made for power users who lead active lifestyles and need a reliable wearable that can effortlessly match their constant on-the-go demands.

Skyball Rigor priced at INR 3,599/- (MOP) and the Elevate smartwatch costs just INR 2,999/- (MOP). The smartwatches are exclusively available on Amazon.in.

Speaking about the launch, Mr. Vinay Kapoor, CEO and Co-founder, Skyball said, “We are thrilled to introduce our inaugural line of wearables to the Indian market. The Elevate and Rigor smartwatches have been meticulously crafted to offer an unrivaled wearable experience to the tech-savvy youth who aspire to embrace a healthy lifestyle. With their exquisite metallic design and cutting-edge AMOLED screens featuring Always-On functionality, these smartwatches exude a premium appeal. Moreover, the Elevate and Rigor models integrate state-of-the-art health and fitness features that conform to global standards, empowering users with valuable insights and motivation to accomplish their wellness objectives.”

Skyball’s commitment to the Make in India initiative is reflected in the locally designed and manufactured class-leading wearables. These smartwatches are crafted with cutting-edge technology and high-grade materials, guaranteeing an exceptional wearable experience for tech-savvy users.

Skyball Rigor

Skyball Rigor flaunts a 1.46 inch (3.70 cm) circular Always-On AMOLED display housed in a premium metallic dial with dual Digital Crown controls. The vibrant screen offers an industry-leading peak brightness of 1000 nits and 466 x 466 Px resolution, ensuring exceptional visibility and stunning visuals even in outdoor settings. Despite its shock-proof zinc-alloy casing, the Rigor weighs a mere 76 g, providing all-day comfort. With replaceable straps, you can customize the wearable to match your personal style.

Equipped with AI Voice assistant and advanced health-fitness features, the Skyball Rigor becomes your personal coach. It includes a 24×7 heart-rate monitor, sleep tracker, SpO2 monitor, calorie counter, step monitor, and offers 120+ sports modes to keep track of your body’s vital metrics during workouts and various activities. Additionally, the smartwatch sends reminders for prolonged sitting and encourages hydration with water-drinking reminders.

Designed to withstand the elements, the Skyball Rigor is shock-proof and IP68 water and dust resistant. Its waterproof speaker ensures reliable performance during outdoor adventures. Moreover, the smartwatch’s screen is protected by an Ultra Durable glass. Powered by a 400mAh high-capacity battery, the Rigor delivers an impressive battery life of up to 20 days on a single charge, providing long-lasting functionality. The smartwatch has Bluetooth v5.2 and seamlessly connects with both Android and iOS devices via the FitCloud Pro application.

Skyball Rigor is available in two premium color options- Silver and Black.

Skyball Elevate

Skyball Elevate is the most affordable smartwatch with an Arched AMOLED display. The gigantic 2.02 inch (5.12 cm) Always-On rectangular AMOLED screen has a 3.0D True curved glass to offer a natural fit on the wrist for the most comfortable wearing experience. The segment-leading 410 x 512 PX resolution AMOLED display ensures crystal clear visuals and unmatched color reproduction along with a highly luminous peak brightness of 600 NITS. The display supports 200+ watch faces, three different UI styles, and Split-screen mode to ease UI navigation.

Designed to make a statement, the Elevate smartwatch boasts a stylish zinc-alloy body with Rotary crown that not only exudes premium appeal but also offers IP67 water and dust resistance for enhanced durability. It leverages advanced Bluetooth v5.3 connectivity, enabling seamless voice calls and compatibility with both Android and iOS devices through the CoFit companion application.

The smartwatch provides comprehensive health tracking capabilities, including heart rate monitoring, SpO2 level measurement, sleep pattern analysis, and calorie tracking. With 120+ sports modes, it supports your fitness journey by offering a wide range of activity tracking options.

The Productivity suite includes essential utilities such as an alarm clock, stopwatch, find my phone functionality, sedentary reminders, SOS mode, password lock, multi-language support, social media notifications, and more. With a robust battery life of up to 7 days of running time and an impressive 30-day standby time, you can stay connected and active without interruptions.

The Elevate smartwatch is available in three stylish colors: Black, Teal, and Moon Light Grey, allowing you to choose a design that suits your personal style.

Skyball recently expanded its product portfolio to include a range of cutting-edge audio devices. With the successful launch of its first line-up of audio products last month, the company has garnered attention for its commitment to delivering exceptional sound quality and innovative features. Building on this momentum, the company is now setting its sights on international expansion. With plans to enter new markets, Skyball is gearing up to establish its operations in Nepal and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) by April of next year. These strategic moves demonstrate Skyball’s commitment to bringing its innovative audio solutions to a global audience.

Skyball is committed to providing customers with superior experiences through its innovative and affordable products. As part of its strategy, the company plans to manufacture its products at state-of-the-art facilities in Greater Noida and Roorkee. These facilities have a daily production capacity of 1,500 LED TVs, 1,000 speakers, 10,000 power banks, and 5,000 smartwatches, allowing Skyball to meet the demands of its discerning customers. As an ISO 9001:2015 /ISO 14001:2015 certified company, Skyball has a complete in-house product testing setup that adheres to global standards to ensure the highest level of product quality and management.

15th September 2023 In a historic moment, Tudum the pioneer of festive dining in India orchestrated a breathtaking spectacle, setting a new benchmark in the world of hospitality by taking over Times Square in New York.

In an effort to create pre-launch buzz, spark curiosity, and reach out to a global audience, Tudum has accomplished a significant feat by becoming the first hospitality brand from Bangalore to grace the prestigious Times Square advertising space in New York City. The Times Square advertisement, an artful creation, offered an enticing peek into Tudum’s enchanting world. It transported viewers from all over the world into a realm where each bite is a harmony of flavors and every instant is an exhilarating adventure.

Talking about this pre-launch campaign, Likith Shetty, co-founder of Tudum said, “At Tudum, we believe that dining is not just about food; it’s a celebration of life. Our Times Square debut is a testament to our commitment to bringing this celebration to the world. We wanted to spark curiosity, generate excitement, and ignite the imagination of a global audience. Times Square, with its iconic status, was the perfect canvas for us to introduce Tudum’s unique blend of dining and entertainment. We invite everyone to join us on this extraordinary journey as we redefine the culinary landscape in Bangalore. Tudum is not just a restaurant; it’s a sensory wonderland where every moment is a celebration of life.”

Adding to this, Faizan Khan co-founder of Tudum said, “This sneak peek is just the start, offering a glimpse of the extraordinary dining experience Tudum is set to unveil, redefining Bangalore’s culinary scene. Times Square, famously known as “The Crossroads of the World,” stands as the pinnacle of iconic advertising locales, where brands worldwide gather to leave their mark. By featuring Tudum in Times Square, we have ensured that the brand shines prominently on the global stage, sparking conversations about the remarkable celebration soon to embrace Bangalore.”

Bangalore15th September 2023Aditya Birla Capital Digital Limited (“ABCDL”), the wholly-owned subsidiary company of Aditya Birla Capital Limited (“ABCL”), has introduced Payment Lounge, an omnichannel, multi-mode collections platform to enable merchants provide a unified, secure, and faster transaction experience to their customers for making digital payments. The technology behind the payment infrastructure has been powered by India’s leading omnichannel payment solutions company PhiCommerce.

With a seamless front-end experience and back-end smart routing capabilities, the platform can be seamlessly integrated with the merchant’s application, providing for a hassle-free checkout process across in-store, online and doorstep delivery channels of merchants.

The Payment Lounge supports various payment modes including, UPI, debit, and credit cards, direct-to-bank, via QR code scans, buy-now-pay-later, wallet and link-based payment options. The Payment Lounge is underpinned by PhiCommerce’s omnichannel payment platform PayPhi – a one-stop solution that serves businesses’ diverse payment needs across both online and offline channels.

Payment Lounge – Features & Benefits

• Smart Routing
• Smart Collect
• One Recon & One Integration
• Robust & Highly Available Infrastructure
• Plug In Ecosystem
• Cost Optimization
• Omni Channel & Multi-Modal Platform

Commenting on the announcement, Mr. Pankaj Gadgil, Head Digital Platforms and Analytics, Aditya Birla Capital said, “We are excited about the journey of the future of payments in India and about our payments’ roadmap. At Aditya Birla Capital, we are focused on creating a great experience for our customers and merchants alike. With our strong focus on driving digitalization and innovation in product offerings, we have launched Payment Lounge to help merchants streamline their payment processes, deliver enhanced convenience to their customers, and maximize collection efficiency of their businesses.”

Mr. Tushar Shankar, Co-Founder & Head – Global Sales, PhiCommerce, expressing his happiness on the collaboration added, “Today, businesses worldwide are embracing omnichannel go-to-market strategies and PhiCommerce is recognized for its capability to empower such businesses in their growth. We are very excited to partner with ABCDL for its hugely innovative Payment Lounge that solves challenges that businesses have with legacy, siloed payment solutions. PayPhi, based on a modern service-based technology architecture, not only brings in huge cost efficiencies but also enables businesses to launch a variety of cutting-edge innovations.”

Aditya Birla Capital has been bolstering its digital capabilities by scaling up its digital base to build an integrated portfolio of digital assets to serve customers in a frictionless manner and across channels of their choice. It incorporated ABCDL to develop an omni-channel Direct-to-Customer (D2C) platform to serve existing customers, acquire new customers and act as a one stop-shop for delivering Protecting, Investing, Financing, and Advisory services (PIFA) to customers.

This Ganesh Chaturthi brings festivities at home. It’s time to welcome the holy deity with faith, rituals, smiles and devotion. Bring cheer and blessings of Lord Ganesha to your home while you prepare for your Ganesh Pooja. From clothes to home décor items, Shopclues has you covered to shop all your pooja essentials and get ready to welcome the Lord and your loved ones to your place for Ganpati pooja. Below are some products from Shopclues which will ease your shopping experience for Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations at home. https://www.shopclues.com/

Vringra  Sandalwood Agarbatti Sticks

Immerse your surroundings in the soothing fragrance of Vringra Sandalwood agarbatti. Crafted from aromatic roots, spices, honey, herbs, and natural oils, this incense is a pure blend of nature’s finest. Plus, it’s 100% chemical and charcoal-free, ensuring a safe and tranquil atmosphere for your rituals or relaxation.

Sketchfab Mantra OM Ganesh Ji Wall Hanging Decorative Item for Home

Elevate your home decor with the Sketchfab Mantra OM Ganesh Ji Wall Hanging. This 5-piece set is a stunning addition to any space. Crafted from lightweight pine wood, it’s easy to hang and perfect for your living room, bedroom, kitchen, office, or even as a gift for housewarmings and festivals. With premium digital printing, it adds a touch of elegance to your surroundings, creating a positive and charming ambiance.

 Ganesh Ji Wooden Candle Holder

Illuminate your home with the divine glow of this Ganesh Ji Wooden Candle Holder. Crafted with precision, this candle holder not only adds a spiritual touch but also serves as an elegant decor piece. Place your favorite candles on it, and let the warm, flickering light create a serene atmosphere that soothes the soul.

Modern Ganesha 5 Hook Key Holder

Stay organized and stylish with the Modern Ganesha 5 Hook Key Holder. This functional and artistic piece not only keeps your keys in check but also showcases a modern Ganesha design. Hang it in your entryway, and you’ll never misplace your keys again while adding a touch of spirituality to your home.

SVB Saree Yellow Colour Cotton Silk Saree

Embrace elegance with the SVB Saree in a stunning yellow color. Made from a blend of cotton and silk, this saree combines comfort with traditional charm. Whether you’re attending a special occasion or simply want to grace everyday life with grace, this saree is a versatile choice that radiates timeless beauty.

Hey Cross Men’s Cotton Blend Kurta And Salwar SetsH

Elevate your ethnic wardrobe with the Hey Cross Men’s Cotton Blend Kurta and Salwar Set. This set combines style and comfort effortlessly. Crafted from a comfortable cotton blend, it’s perfect for various occasions, from casual gatherings to festive celebrations. Embrace the blend of tradition and fashion with this classic outfit that adds a touch of sophistication to your look.

https://www.shopclues.com/hey-cross-mens-cotton-blend-kurta-and-salwar-sets-153276121.html

India-wide release, 14th September 2023: Following last year’s triumphant return, where Mahindra Independence Rock (I-Rock) reclaimed its rich legacy, India’s legendary rock festival is gearing up to ignite the stage (and mosh pits) once more at Mumbai’s Bayview Lawns this year. This iconic festival’s return for the 28th edition in 2022 after a nine year hiatus with Mahindra as the Title Partner reaffirmed its enduring influence on Indian rock music. And now, in its highly-anticipated 29th edition, Mahindra I-Rock promises to deliver a phenomenal celebration of the genre, marked by the revelation of a spectacular line-up featuring 10 exceptionally talented bands.

This year, Mahindra I-Rock is diving deep into India’s subcultures to span multiple rock genres and languages from all corners of the country. From the southernmost tip of the Deccan to the northern foothills of the snow-capped Himalayas, and even stretching beyond India’s borders to Kathmandu in Nepal – Mahindra I-Rock is bringing sounds that authentically represent the flavour of each region. Expect North-east’s melodic rock and hair metal, West’s death metal and rock infused with reggae, and the South’s rock music layered with traditional Carnatic. With a lineup that includes both seasoned veterans and emerging artists, this year’s musical roster truly encapsulates the inclusive and egalitarian spirit of rock.

From the North-east and beyond the Borders of India

Known for their electrifying performances onstage, Girish & the Chronicles, will bring a refreshing mix of power ballads, glam metal, hard rock, and classic ‘80s metal sounds from the valleys of Sikkim to the coasts of Mumbai. Meanwhile, Meghalaya’s Mama Tips & The Mama’s Boys promises a high-energy set of jamming with various genres, including R&B and soul. Not only that, but the festival is going beyond Indian borders with Kathmandu-based new-age metal band Underside, who will take the stage to deliver their own blend of retro rock and old-school thrash in a modern way.

A Melting Pot of Diverse Rock Subgenres

Debuting on the Mahindra I-Rock stage for an intense live act with its unique rampaging music adapted to various styles of death metal and grindcore is Gutslit, alongside Swarathma – one of India’s biggest folk-rock bands known for their blend of classical music with western blues rock sounds anchored in socio-political lyrics. T.ill APES, which includes Hanumankind, will bring their unique neo-soul sound with grooves borrowed from rock. Alternative rock band Tough on Tobacco (fronted by Sid Coutto) will join the line-up for a genre-bending rock-reggae experience, while Carnatic progressive rock band Agam will bring traditional ragas with a dash of rock and metal influences.

Returning to the Alma Mater

Parikrama will return to the Mahindra I-Rock stage again after last year for an encore high-energy performance alongside Bhayanak Maut. Both bands were discovered on the I-Rock stage as emerging talent and are returning to perform as successful rock bands.

Discovering Tomorrow’s Rockstars

Talent discovery has always been at the heart of the festival’s history, where emerging rock talents from every corner of India are subjected to the ultimate test on its iconic stage. Over the years, Mahindra I-Rock has uncovered a wealth of gifted bands, including Demonic Resurrection, Motherjane, Agnee and numerous others. In keeping with this cherished tradition, Mahindra I-Rock will continue to nurture tomorrow’s headliners through a country-wide band hunt, where the winning band will get the chance to kickstart this year’s edition as the opening act. For further details and aspiring rock stars looking to seek their moment, tune in to Mahindra Independence Rock’s Instagram handle.

Mr Farhad Wadia, Founder of Independence Rock, said, “I am excited to see this dream return for its 29th edition this November. When we started I-Rock, we did not have the faintest idea that it would endure and live on as a rock movement reverberating through the years. And I am even happier to see it evolve in the right direction and include diverse rock genres into its soundscape this year, all while keeping its previous traditions of talent discovery alive. The newest edition promises to be bigger and better in every aspect, offering rock music aficionados a befittingly loud and uninhibited celebration of the genre.”

Mr Jay Shah, Vice President – Cultural Outreach, Mahindra Group, mentioned, “Mahindra has and will continue to nurture artistic expression through its many festivals. This year’s festival is excellently curated with popular bands and also the ones that are new on the scene. We look forward to celebrating their unique stories which will be appreciated both by the novice and the seasoned”.

Mr VG Jairam – Founder of Hyperlink Brand Solutions, added, “Hyperlink is committed to building and powering immersive experiences that shape rich narratives and diverse stories to bridge people and culture. And Mahindra I-Rock was and still is the holy grail of true rock-and-roll experience. Moreover, with such a varied line-up of bands from across the country, I am certain that this year’s edition will connect diverse audiences with stories and cultures that resonate with them, making for a grand celebration of the genre as a whole.”

Slapping bass solos, biting guitars, and energetic foot-tapping and headbanging define Mahindra Independence Rock, which, in turn, embodies the rock genre as a whole in India. The festival will be a two-day iconic rock affair unlike any other on 4th and 5th November 2023. Tickets are now live! Log on to PayTM Insider and book them now!

Hyderabad 14th September 2023:The Kaftan Company (TKC), India’s leading Kaftan brand, has unveiled the ICC World Cup Kaftan and dress for women. This stunning elegance will make heads turn in stadiums and at home. To keep the festive and sporting spirit going, TKC has also made its AW23 collection live.

India will host the Cricket World Cup 2023, and as the fans of Team India, it is time to dress your best and cheer the team to victory. Women are the major cheerleaders of Cricket, and TKC wanted to do something special for them. So, to cater to fashion-conscious females,The Kaftan Company has designed a high-quality, stylish, and distinct dress and kaftans for this ICC World Cup 2023.

Made of fine polyester blend linen, these Kaftans are in shades of white and blue to match Team India’s jersey, with India written on the front and back in some. The dresses can be paired with pants or jeans or worn as it is, and the Kaftans can be paired with jeans, skirts, or as one likes it, making heads turn unfailingly.

Speaking about this, Navin Rao, Co-founder of TKC, said, “Cricket is in the air this season. Many matches are being played, and the World Cup starts this week. Therefore, we needed to create a collection reflecting the team spirit the sport thrives on. Along with that, we wanted to provide something unique, exquisite, yet very comfortable to wear for the female fans of Team India. The ICC World Cup Collection dress and kaftans will surely make a style statement, and we are proud of these pieces.”

Further, Navin said, “We have constantly focused on providing women with the best experience in comfort, style, and quality, and our AW23 collection is testimony to this.”

Alongside these exclusive cricket-themed kaftans and dresses, the company is also well set to transform the wardrobe of Indian women with its unmatched festive dresses. Their Autumn-Winter (AW23) collection features the latest trends and chic styles that would make every woman enjoy festivities in style. The AW23 collection features various Kaftans like the Floral Strokes Kaftans in combinations such as pink and red, blue and red, and a range of hand-embroidered regal party kurtas.

The overlapping Cricket and festive season demand that women spruce up their wardrobes in preparation for the upcoming busy season.