Archives September 2023

Mumbai, September 8, 2023: The 17th edition of the Manning Modern Retail (MMR) 2023 HR Conclave, hosted by the Retailers Association of India (RAI), was held on August 24, 2023. This significant event brought together CEOs, CPOs/CHROs, academics, and industry experts to explore the theme: ‘Nurturing Human Capital for a Digitally-Ready Future Organization.’

In an era where numerous companies are embracing automation and cutting-edge technologies, it is clear that success isn’t solely dictated by technology. Rapid upskilling is now essential. Businesses are at a pivotal juncture: either invest heavily in skills for the future or confront the hurdles of an underprepared workforce.

Speaking about MMR 2022, Kumar Rajagopalan, CEO, Retailers Association of India (RAI), said, “In a world where technology and digitisation are propelling us forward, we must remember that the heartbeat of our industry remains its people. MMR 2023 is dedicated to understanding and addressing the multifaceted landscape of retail HR practices, ensuring that we not only keep pace with the technological revolution but also foster a workforce that’s agile, adaptive, and ready for the challenges of the future. As we gather to exchange insights, our primary aim is to sculpt a future where our human capital remains our most valuable asset, even in an increasingly digitized world.”

The key highlight of the conclave was the Keynote address delivered by Sunil Kataria, Chief Executive Officer, Raymond Ltd, and a special entertainment segment featuring celebrity mentalist Karan Singh.

Speaking about defining HRs role in digital transformation of an organisation, Sunil Kataria, said, “Defining the organisation’s digital vision becomes crucial, particularly at the CEO level. The CEO holds the responsibility of charting the course for the digital strategy and establishing its core focal points. Subsequently, the HR department should outline its position within this digital transformation and clarify its own perspective on its contribution.”

‘Studio HR’ was a stimulating new addition to the MMR conclave aimed at creating an environment that encourages impromptu open dialogues between industry veterans and HR leaders. The session was moderated by BS Nagesh, Founder – TRRAIN & Chairman – Shoppers Stop Ltd.

Notable speakers at MMR 2023 included retail stalwarts such as Ritesh Mishra, Managing Director , Marks & Spencer Reliance India; Saurabh Kalra, Managing Director, McDonald’s India (West & South); Dhruv Kaura, Chief Operating Officer, Tasva; Karan Mehta, CEO – Easybuy – Landmark Group; Nandini Mehta, CHRO, Metro Brands Ltd.; Nirav Jagad, Chief People Officer, SUGAR Cosmetics; Parineeta Cecil Lakra, Country People & Culture Manager, IKEA India; Seema Arora, Head HR-India Business, Lenskart.com; Tanuja Tewari, CHRO, Bigbasket among many more.

Speaking at digital transformation, Tanuja Tewari, CHRO, bigbasket, said, “In the recent years, rapid rise in availability, range and ease of automation has enabled organisations to leverage employees’ potential and drive business efficiencies. As the digital transformation moves towards an increasingly advanced AI landscape, it is crucial that the human capital is equipped to keep pace with fast-evolving business needs and technology. In this digitised world, the capabilities enabled by HR will be pivotal in building resilient, adaptable and future ready organisations.”

Speaking about becoming future ready, Karan Mehta, CEO – Easybuy – Landmark Group, said, “The fear of losing in the near term is very real for most organisations. But the threat of losing relevance looms even larger. That’s why becoming future ready is straightforward. But it takes courage to drive it. Hence, so as not to fall behind on its advancements, organisations must make regular shifts in its know-how and build future ready skills in their human capital to stay ahead of competitors over the long run. Companies open to experimentation, pivoting where required, building relevant skills in people, and committing at scale, will continue to grow from strength to strength in this ever-changing digital era.”

The conclave concluded with the 7th edition of the Retail HR Awards, recognising the Best Employee Engagement Practice (Organization Level) and Emerging Young Leader in HR (Individual Level)

A) Best Innovation in Retention Strategy

Winner: Max Fashion

1st Runner-up: Reliance Retail Ltd (Fashion & Lifestyle)

2nd Runner-up: Nexus Select Mall Management Pvt Ltd

B) Emerging Young Leader in HR (Individual Level)

Winner: Dasari Rajkiran, Reliance Retail Ltd (AJIO Business)

1st Runner-up: Navneet N Tewani Reliance Retail Ltd (HR Platforms & Systems)

2nd Runner-up: Arif Anwar Reliance Retail Ltd (Reliance Trends)

Manning Modern Retail (MMR), Retail HR Conclave is focused on developing ideas and resource capabilities to understand the retail industry’s most pressing issues around people practices. Over the years, this conclave has become an essential annual gathering for the retail HR fraternity to explore, engage and exchange ideas on moving towards sustainable growth.

Delhi: Magenta Mobility, a leading provider of electric mobility and EV charging solutions, secured debt financing for about 350 EVs under the Green Finance Scheme by the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI). The loan received from SIDBI will help to scale up the deployment of Cargo Electric Vehicles for last mile deliveries across the Delhi-NCR region.

Aligned with the national initiative of EV30@30, SIDBI’s “Mission 50K-EV4ECO” is poised to catalyze the local EV ecosystem by funding the procurement of 50,000 EVs in the country. This scheme intends to unlock the market by providing better financing terms and it is the precursor to the EVOLVE scheme by SIDBI-World Bank. The pilot phase of this mission focuses on promoting two-, three, and four-wheeler adoption through both direct (to MSMEs) and indirect lending (to NBFCs). SIDBI has adopted EV as a priority and by launching “Mission 50K- EV4ECO” they intend to promote the entire EV value chain.

This funding for Magenta Mobility underscores the company’s commitment to Electrifying and Decarbonizing logistics in India while contributing to the national goal of a carbon-neutral nation. It will serve as a pivotal accelerator for Magenta Mobility’s efforts to boost electric vehicle adoption in the Delhi-NCR region.

“SIDBI recognizes the immense opportunities that electric vehicles bring to the table and is committed to reinforcing the financial avenues that promote green asset creation. Under the Green Finance scheme, we are addressing financing challenges encountered by MSMEs and NBFCs in the EV ecosystem. We’re resolute in expanding financial avenues for green assets, aligning with our nation’s agenda for a carbon-neutral future. Magenta Mobility’s commendable efforts in shaping the EV sector are evident, and this loan underscores our mutual commitment to expedite EV adoption” S Ramann, CMD of SIDBI quoted.

We welcome the financial support provided by SIDBI through this loan,” said Maxson Lewis, Founder and Managing Director of Magenta Mobility”. “This initiative by SIDBI of offering better financing terms for the EV ecosystem, significantly addresses the existing challenges of high-interest rates and limited financing options prevalent in the EV sector. This collaboration with SIDBI aligns seamlessly with our commitment to ‘Electrifying & Decarbonizing Logistics in India.’ The infused funds will directly contribute to our efforts in procuring electric vehicles for the Delhi NCR region, a critical step in our journey to accelerate EV adoption across India.”

With a resolute target of deploying 10,000 electric vehicles on Indian roads by 2024, Magenta Mobility continues its expansion journey by exploring new cities and further enhancing its EV charging infrastructure network. Operating successfully in cities like Bengaluru, Mysuru, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Pune, Delhi, Noida, and Gurgaon, Magenta Mobility effectively manages a fleet of over 1,000 electric vehicles, offering services across diverse sectors such as e-commerce, grocery delivery, FMCG, food, and pharmaceuticals for last-mile deliveries.

8th September 2023: NephroPlus, India’s leading network of dialysis clinics and a pioneer in revolutionizing dialysis therapy announces its 51:49 Joint Venture with Tibbiyah (Arabian International Healthcare Holding Company) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). After successfully delivering dialysis in India, South Asia and Central Asia, the strategic partnership in KSA, will further strengthen NephroPlus’ position as the leading dialysis network in Asia.

Tibbiyah, the healthcare holding company of Al Faisaliah Group, has been delivering healthcare technology solutions for over 50 years in KSA. Through this deal, NephroPlus will be responsible for the network’s dialysis operations and will lend its brand, its latest clinical protocols, proprietary training programs, and its in-house-developed Babylon software to this Joint Venture, to improve dialysis care in KSA.

As a part of the company’s overseas expansion strategy, NephroPlus aims to provide world-class quality dialysis to 4,000-5,000 patients in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia over the next 2-3 years. There are around 22,000 patients in the KSA market, and Nephroplus and Tibbiyah are committed to working with the government to provide high-quality dialysis services to these patients.

On the successful partnership with Saudi Arabia’s leading conglomerate, Mr. Vikram Vuppala, Founder and CEO, of NephroPlus, said: “We are excited to have joined forces with TIBBIYAH, which has a long history and a long list of achievements in the KSA Healthcare sector. Our vision from this partnership is to use the unique capabilities of both companies to deliver best in the world dialysis care services to the patients, provide personalized care based on cofounder’s own personal experiences on dialysis and continuously introduce new cutting edge dialysis modalities to the people on dialysis in KSA. The joint venture with TIBBIYAH is another big step ahead towards fulfilling the mission of NephroPlus by ensuring the high-quality and empathetic dialysis services in the countries we serve. With our patient-centric care model, and our combined global experience and infrastructure, we will be able to offer dialysis patients best clinical outcomes and services levels and enable them to lead a long, happy and productive lives.”

On partnering with NephroPlus to improve the dialysis scenario in KSA, Tibbiyah’s CEO Mr. Alaa Ameen, states, “We are delighted to announce this signing of the Tibbiyah-NephroPlus Joint Venture Agreement for the investment, operations, management and maintenance of dialysis care centres for public and private customers in the KSA. This partnership combines the expertise of NephroPlus and TIBBIYAH, and will enable TIBBIYAH to enter another attractive healthcare market segment that has strong fundamentals, is conducive to growth and strengthen our position as one of the main players in the Kingdom’s Healthcare Sector.

We are excited to leverage NephroPlus’ expertise in delivering high-quality care for KSA’s dialysis patients”.

Mumbai,8th September 2023 Lighthouse Learning, India’s leading early years and K-12 education group, commemorated the third edition of Lighthouse Learning Educators Impact Awards 2023. This prestigious awards ceremony was dedicated to honouring and expressing appreciation for the remarkable contributions of educators across the K-12 schools of the group. A total of 300+ nominations were received across the five categories including Pre-Primary, Primary, Middle School, Secondary and Sr. Secondary, and Special Educators and Child Counsellors.

This year’s awards nominations received an overwhelming response, drawing widespread participation from across all Lighthouse Learning group of schools. The Lighthouse Learning Educators’ Impact Awards, now in its third year, serves as a platform to recognise and celebrate educators, the unsung heroes of our society.

The awards were initiated to reward the efforts of the teachers across Lighthouse Learning’s K12 sections, which includes EuroSchool, Billabong High International School (BHIS), and Centre Point Schools (CPS) for their noteworthy contributions to a student’s overall development. For the first time, the students from the participating schools hosted and performed at the event making it the highlight of the Educator’s Impact Awards 2023. The awards aim to highlight and shed light on the importance of the educator’s role in shaping the future of students by imparting knowledge and instilling the skills necessary for their personal and academic growth.

The award winners were shortlisted on different parameters by esteemed jury members including Ms. Fatema Agarkar, Founder, Agarkar Centre of Excellence; Dr. Pooja Misal, Founder Director, Founder CEO, BrickETC and many more from diverse areas of expertise.

Reflecting on the contributions of the educators, Prajodh Rajan, Co-Founder & Group CEO, Lighthouse Learning, said, “Throughout our journey, we have consistently been at the forefront of recognising the extraordinary efforts and unwavering dedication of educators. The Educators’ Impact Awards stand as a testament to our commitment to celebrating these remarkable individuals who illuminate the path to knowledge and inspire future generations. The Educators’ Impact Awards is our effort towards recognising the heroes who dedicate their lives to nurturing minds, igniting passion, and fostering lifelong learning. Their work resonates with our mission at Lighthouse Learning. We recognise that the impact of teachers extends far beyond the classroom, influencing communities and society as a whole. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the winners and nominees and share my best wishes to all others to surpass and achieve next year.”

The third edition of Lighthouse Learning Educator’s Impact Awards included both first and second runners-up along with the winners. Below are the names of the winners:

Pragati Bhalerao from Mother’s Pet Kindergarten Sadar won the award for the Pre-Primary category followed by Remya Seshadri, EuroSchool Airoli for Primary category; Shalini Agarwal, Centre Point School Katol Road for Middle School category; M. Anitha Jayaprakash, EuroSchool Wakad ICSE for Secondary and Sr. Secondary and Nandita Rambhia, Centre Point School Dabha for Special Educators & Counsellors category.

8th September 2023 PVR INOX, the largest and the most premium cinema exhibitor in India has announced the reopening of the iconic Paras Cinema in a new avatar at Nehru Place, New Delhi today. This launch marks the opening of the fifth IMAX in Delhi and the second standalone IMAX theatre in India featuring IMAX® with Laser technology, a next-generation laser projection and a multi-channel sound system exclusive to IMAX theatres for a truly immersive experience.

With this opening, the new cinema will augment PVR INOX’s foothold in New Delhi to a total of 27 cinemas across 108 screens and consolidate its presence in North India with a total of 457 screens in 103 properties.

Paras Cinema at South Delhi’s commercial hub makes a comeback as the world’s most immersive cinema experience with a seating capacity of 305. IMAX with Laser is set apart by its 4K laser projection system featuring a new optical engine and a suite of proprietary IMAX technology that delivers crystal-clear images, increased resolution, deeper contrast as well as the most distinct, exotic colors ever available on-screen. The new experience also features next-generation IMAX precision sound, delivering greater dynamic range and precision for the ultimate in audio immersion.

Commenting on the opening, Mr. Ajay Bijli, Managing Director, PVR INOX Limited said, “It is a proud moment for us to finally re-open one of the finest iconic properties in South Delhi, Paras Cinema right in the heart of south Delhi after a gap of 15 years. This opening also marks the launch of the second standalone IMAX theatre in India, after Priya. We are happy that we were able to play our part in remodeling one of the largest single screen theatres in Delhi into a modern- day truly immersive cinematic experience like IMAX living up to the expectations of today’s insightful audience.’’

The property has been revamped befitting modern cinema standards aimed at offering a distinguished movie-viewing experience to the capital’s movie enthusiasts. With a visually dazzling interior, the new cinema is a blend of modernity with classic charm exuding luxury and style. Additionally, the concessionaire area takes center stage with live cooking where patrons can enjoy the diverse menu.

The difference between an IMAX theatre and a regular theatre lies in the unique and enhanced cinematic experience. IMAX theatres provide a more expansive and immersive viewing experience and are equipped with a state-of-the-art projection system that projects images with superior clarity and brightness. Moreover, IMAX theatres are renowned for their heart-pounding audio capabilities. The sound systems in these theatres are specially designed to deliver powerful, multi-dimensional surround sound.

Surat,8th September 2023: Anupam Rasayan India Ltd., one of the leading companies engaged in the custom synthesis and manufacturing of specialty chemicals in India appoints Mr. Gopal Agrawal as Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective September 11, 2023.

On the appointment announcement, Mr. Gopal Agrawal, CEO of Anupam Rasayan said, “I am truly excited to be part of a dynamic and innovative organization that has established itself as a leader in the custom synthesis and manufacturing of specialty chemicals.

I firmly believe that my experience in the financial and industrial sectors, particularly guiding companies in their growth strategy and global expansion, further aided by the management consulting experience across Indian companies and MNCs, will complement the company’s vision for the future. I am committed to working closely with the talented team at Anupam Rasayan to drive innovation, expand our global presence, and deliver value to our customers and stakeholders.

I look forward to a fruitful journey of growth, collaboration, and success with the Anupam Rasayan team and stakeholders.”

Mr. Anand Desai, Managing Director of Anupam Rasayan said, “We enthusiastically welcome Mr. Gopal Agrawal as our new CEO. With his extensive experience and a proven track record in the financial and industrial sectors, we are confident that his leadership will play a pivotal role in shaping our strategic direction as we embark on an exciting journey of growth and innovation.”

Mr. Gopal Agrawal is a qualified Chartered Accountant with nearly 22 years of experience successfully spearheading over 200+ transactions across sectors and geographies globally involving Private Equity raise and M&A of several billion USD with domestic and international clients. He has worked extensively on M&A, partnering with investment bankers across Japan, Europe, the UK and the US and is a highly regarded banker in the India-Japan corridor. His core specialization among others has been around Industrial and manufacturing in general.

Mr. Gopal Agrawal was the Managing Director and Head of the Investment Banking business at Edelweiss. Differentiated by deep domain expertise, innovative structuring solutions, and expertise across sectors and geographies. He was responsible for devising and executing the growth strategies, capitalization, and restructuring for Indian corporates and MNCs globally and was a member of the core Management Committee of the Edelweiss Group. Before joining Edelweiss, Mr. Agrawal was a Partner at Singhi Advisors. Prior to that, he worked with Ernst & Young and Mahajan & Aibara.

In the initial part of his career, he has worked on the Management Consulting side which included work on Supply chain management, operational excellence, cost optimization, manpower rationalization and performance improvement for clients like Unilever, Pfizer, BASF, and Raymond group.

Mumbai, 08 September 2023: TeamLease Degree Apprenticeship, India’s largest privately owned Degree Apprenticeship program from the house of TeamLease Services, has introduced its innovative industry-specific Work-Integrated Learning Program (WILP) with an aim to empower 10 lakhs candidates within the next 4-5 years. This initiative intends to create a pool of skilled and competent resources, placing a significant emphasis on the development of cognitive and technical proficiencies. Notably, this program is adaptable and can be delivered through a versatile blend of on-the-Job, online, and on-site methods, providing flexibility and ease of execution.

TeamLease has already partnered with 15 esteemed educational institutions and organizations to offer a work-integrated learning program (WILP), overcoming the talent shortage and its cascading effect on productivity and cost. This industry-specific program will operate across the Auto, Manufacturing, and Retail sectors, aligning precisely with the demand of these industries, thus ensuring that participants are equipped with relevant expertise.

Commenting on the launch of the program, Mr Sumit Kumar, Chief Business Officer at TeamLease Degree Apprenticeship said, “The current labour market is gravitating towards skill-based jobs instead of qualification. The advent of automation, the influence of ESG and policy reforms are driving the nature and volume of current and future jobs in India and globally. This has further widened the gap between the supply and demand of skills to fulfil the job requirements. Work-based programmes are being considered an innovation to bridge the skill gap through Industry-academia collaboration. Industry micro-credentials are added to the curriculum to make the programs relevant and address the employability gap that the industry faces while hiring. The focus is on building transversal skills (soft skills), functional/ technical skills and domain knowledge. These work-based programs are aligned with the National Credit Framework (NCF) and National Skill Qualification Frame (NSQF) as per the New Education Policy which aims to blend skills with mainstream education. The learning process is tripartite in nature involving students, industry and academia, breaking the traditional education process. These bespoke programs address the needs of every job role and industry for workforce development. We are seeing traction for such programs for capacity building in Manufacturing, Retail and logistics; and also where there is a need for capability building – pharma, healthcare, IT etc. There is a 20% increase in the intake of student trainees under such programs. Since the future of work and education is inextricable, in the next 5 years we can expect 30% of enrolments in higher education under such work-integrated programs in collaboration with industry.”

One notable feature of this program is its inclusivity, as it is not limited to college graduates alone. It embraces individuals who have completed their 10th or 12th grade, diploma holders, ITI graduates, and even college dropouts with a technical background. Throughout the program, participants can anticipate earning an average stipend ranging from Rs. 11,000 to 16,000 per month, thereby receiving essential financial support while they simultaneously learn and work. Furthermore, participants will enjoy the security of insurance coverage provided by the Employees State Insurance Corporation (ESIC), ensuring their well-being and peace of mind.

“According to industry estimates, the unemployment rate in India stood at 7.33% in 2022 and the dropout level at the secondary level stands at 12.6% in 2021-22. States like Assam, Bihar, Gujarat, Meghalaya, Odisha, & West Bengal see the highest dropout at the secondary (9-10) level due to poverty and quality of education. The work-integrated learning program we are launching addresses many of these challenges and also assists corporates in nurturing well-trained workforce. It achieves this by providing real-time talent availability, enhancing workforce productivity through structured training with 70% on-the-job exposure, and optimizing talent costs through a ‘build vs. buy’ approach. It is also expected to improve retention rates by an impressive 15%-20% through educational linkage. Additionally, this program qualifies as a strategic investment in education, employability, and livelihood for CSR purposes. We understand that the skills demanded by employers today are best acquired in a real-world, situated learning environment in collaboration with employers”, said Mr Dhriti Prasanna Mahanta, Vice President, TeamLease Degree Apprenticeship.”

The Work-Integrated Learning Program (WILP) encompasses diverse courses, including a Diploma in General Purpose Machinist and B.Sc in Mechatronics. This program has been made accessible to learners from all regions, ensuring that career growth and advancement opportunities are within reach of individuals across the country.

TeamLease’s strategic approach to sector-specific training sets it apart as an industry leader that comprehends the distinct requirements of each sector. Through the Work-Integrated Learning Program (WILP), TeamLease is paving the way for a new era of skilled and job-ready professionals, poised to make a substantial impact in the Auto, Manufacturing, and Retail sectors.

New Delhi, 8th September 2023: Wishes and Blessings, a Delhi-based non-governmental organization (NGO) committed to spreading smiles and fulfilling dreams, celebrated National Sports Day with great fervour and enthusiasm. The organization conducted an interschool sports event, bringing together underprivileged children from its Day Care Centre and students from Nirmal Sewa School.

A total of 50 students participated in this exciting sports event, showcasing their talent and sportsmanship. The event took place at the Guru Nanak Garib Niwaj Educational Society, providing a vibrant and inclusive atmosphere for young participants.

The participants were categorized into three age groups: 6-8 years, 9-10 years, and 11-15 years, ensuring that children of all ages had an opportunity to engage in healthy competition and fun-filled activities. The event featured a variety of exciting activities, including the Book Balance race, 3-legged race, Lemon race, 100-meter race, and a thrilling Relay race.

Dr. Geetanjali Chopra, the visionary founder of Wishes and Blessings, stated, “The Day Care Centre serves as a shining embodiment of the NGO’s Street to School program, encompassing the fundamental pillars of sustenance, shelter, and education for underprivileged children. Sports transcend social privileges, allowing everyone, regardless of their circumstances, to aspire to greatness. Through inspiring stories like Rani’s, who overcame formidable obstacles with unwavering dedication to her dreams, Wishes and Blessings reaffirms its unwavering dedication to ensure that these remarkable children are not left behind due to circumstances beyond their control.”

To recognize and reward the exceptional efforts of the young athletes, Wishes and Blessings presented awards to the top-performing participants. Those securing the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd positions received prestigious trophies and medals, symbolizing their outstanding achievements. Participants in the 4th and 5th positions were also honoured with medals and certificates, acknowledging their commitment and dedication. Furthermore, all participants were presented with well-deserved participation certificates, emphasizing the importance of participation and effort.

Mumbai,8th September 2023 EuroKids, India’s leading preschool, celebrated Teachers’ Day to honor the invaluable contribution of educators in nurturing young minds and shaping the country’s future. The event marked a meaningful celebration with the participation of over 794 educators and 6000+ children from across 80+ EuroKids centres. Through the celebration, EuroKids aimed at instilling values of respect, gratitude, and admiration for teachers in the early years of a child’s life.

Teachers’ Day, celebrated on the birth anniversary of India’s former President, Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, is a day dedicated to acknowledging the pivotal role teachers play in shaping the next generation. EuroKids seized this opportunity to express gratitude to its educators and highlight their commitment to fostering holistic development in children. Through the nationwide celebration of Teachers’ Day, Eurokids reinforced the pivotal role of teachers in setting the foundation for a child’s lifelong journey

The preschool made this occasion memorable for both the teachers and the students through a series of engaging and fun activities, which strengthened the teacher-student bond. As a gesture of love and respect for teachers, children presented them with flowers and handmade cards, played games, performed dance as well as sang for their teachers.

EuroKids also organised an in-house program to honor the teachers and to educate the children about the significance of having a mentor. The preschool recognises the importance of teaching lifelong values contributing to children’s personal growth and overall development. Such celebrations foster confidence, emotional intelligence, and cultural awareness among children while highlighting the role of educators as role models.

Reflecting on the importance of teachers in children’s lives, KVS Seshasai, CEO, Pre-K Division, Lighthouse Learning (EuroKids) said, “Teachers’ Day is an occasion of great significance for us at EuroKids, and it is celebrated with utmost reverence and gratitude. The influence of teachers extends far beyond the classroom, shaping the values and character of our future leaders. Our children’s beautiful hand-flower printing and heartfelt gestures of gratitude testify to the lasting impression our teachers leave. As we commemorate Teachers’ Day, we reiterate our unwavering dedication to nurturing academic excellence and essential values that shape compassionate, responsible, and well-rounded individuals.”

Expressing happiness on the celebration of Teachers’ Day, Suman Sreedhar, Centre Head, Court Road, Jalna, added, “The warmth and gratitude shown by our little ones has filled our hearts with joy. On this special day, the students were greeted with open arms by their beloved teachers, and an assembly was organised to underline the significance of this occasion. The students’ thoughtful gestures, from gifts and flowers to heartwarming performances, truly touched our hearts. We extend our sincere thanks to all parents and children for their immense love and respect. Together, we continue to create a nurturing environment for our students to grow and learn.”

As a leading preschool brand, EuroKids is a pioneer in early childhood care and education and is committed to ensuring the holistic development of children. The Teachers’ Day celebration not only made the day special for teachers and students but also instilled the values of gratitude and appreciation in the students’ hearts.

8th September 2023 Madmix, owned by Mel Sante Food Production Pvt. Ltd., has achieved a remarkable milestone by securing a substantial investment in its pre-seed funding round at the valuation of approx. INR 12 cr. This exciting development is spearheaded by Prime Securities and features prominent investors like Authum Investments and Team India Managers. The investment will be utilized towards marketing efforts, sales team expansion, and future product development.

This strategic injection of capital is set to boost Madmix into a new era of growth and opportunity after two years of bootstrapping. Despite limited financial resources, the company managed to expand its presence globally, reaching markets in Nepal, Hong Kong, New Zealand, and the USA. Additionally, it has made a significant impact in India, with its products available in over 650 stores nationwide.

Further, with Madmix’s recent rebrand and forward-thinking approach, the company is poised to achieve new heights in the healthy and innovative food space.

Madmix has a range of ready-to-eat snacks made from millets like jowar including puffs in 5 different flavours. They also have a millet-based ready-to-cook range which includes dosa, idli, chilla, bread mix, and flour mix. Madmix is committed to replacing unhealthy eating with good-for-you food, and they are constantly innovating and developing new products.

Gaurav Palrecha, Founder & Director, Madmix said, “We’re thrilled by the incredible support our investors have shown – it’s a true validation of our journey into the realm of madness. Consumers are becoming more conscious and are making healthy choices and we want to support them in their journey. These funds will enable us to achieve our growth numbers and we’re just getting started!“

Mr. Apurva Doshi, Sr Vice President, Equity Capital Markets, Prime Securities Limited said, “In India, snacking is more than just what we eat, it is a tradition and an important part of our cultural identity, as quoted by report ‘State of Snacking Report: A Global Consumer Trend Study’. We think the Company is revolutionising the idea of snacking with its ready-to-eat snacks and ready-to-cook range. We strongly believe in the Company’s prospects and this funding will aid the Company as it marches on in its growth journey.”

Mrs. Niru Kanodia, Director, Team India Managers Limited said, “The idea of mindful and healthy eating will drive the demand for snacking in India. We firmly believe that Madmix is rightly placed and offers balanced nutrition in every product combined with health and taste.”