Archives October 2023

13th October 2023: BranchX, one of India’s leading neobanks catering to the Indic middle class, has unveiled 10X-FI, a groundbreaking solution poised to redefine the landscape for small retail businesses in India. With an aim to empower the country’s 60 million small enterprises, 10X-FI will completely digitize the operational process delivering 10X growth.

With the introduction of 10X-FI, BranchX is equipping SME sectors with advanced technology-driven solutions to overcome long-standing challenges and thrive in the modern marketplace. 10X FI is building India’s largest loyalty and reward program through Raja -Rani card, India’s first combo card for family banking.

10X FI offers a comprehensive suite of features enabling financial inclusion, facilitating efficient customer billing, building enduring customer loyalty and connected business for Indian SMEs.

BranchX is committed to pool resources and bring innovative solutions to disrupt and enable SMEs with emerging tech. As part of the ongoing innovations, a voice-based retail solution will be integrated to the app.

Commenting on the same, Rajesh Johnny, CEO and Co-Founder of BranchX stated, “We are thrilled to introduce 10X-FI, a game-changing retail app that directly addresses the pressing challenges faced by small retailers in India. Our mission at BranchX is to simplify access to digital financial services and empower the underserved middle class. We believe that this revolutionary app will play a pivotal role in transforming the small retail landscape in India, making it easier for these businesses to thrive in today’s competitive marketplace.”

Commenting further, Sajid Jamal, Co-Founder of BranchX said, “With 10X-FI, we are taking a significant step towards achieving this mission by providing small businesses with innovative tools to enhance their operations, improve efficiency, and foster growth. Going forward, we will also be developing an intelligent point-of-sale (POS) for retail.”

Small businesses in India have long grappled with several operational challenges, including manual inventory management, mismanaged book-keeping, loss of receipts, inaccurate accounting, limited access to alternate income sources, a lack of marketing and promotions, and inadequate education and tech-enabled solutions.

BranchX is on a mission to simplify financial management for small businesses in India, addressing challenges such as manual inventory management and limited access to financial services. They aim to make digital financial services accessible to middle class, especially those in the informal sector. BranchX is also working on creating a widespread utility and loyalty program by connecting wallets and cards to their retail network, benefitting unorganized retailers across India. Currently operating in three states they have already amassed over 30,000 wallet users, a network of 3,000 agents and conducted transactions exceeding $4 million. BranchX alongside 10X-FI is committed to fostering financial inclusion and a brighter future for India’s small retailers.

Mumbai,13th October 2023 Çelebi India adds another milestone by announcing its latest partnership with Uganda Airlines to deliver exceptional ground handling services in the country. This significant union displays the unwavering commitment by Çelebi to raise the Indian aviation service standards and continuously deliver global standards ground and cargo handling services.

Çelebi India commenced supporting the ground handling services for Uganda Airlines with its inaugural direct flight from Entebbe to Mumbai on Saturday, October 7, 2023. Uganda Airlines has launched three weekly flights connecting Entebbe and Mumbai and has expressed its intention to further expand its presence in India.

With a proven track record of over a decade, Çelebi has established a culture of excellence in ground handling services at Mumbai Airport, catering to both domestic and international airlines.

Mr. Tauseef Khan, CEO, Çelebi Ground Handling – India, said, “We are delighted to bring our ground handling expertise to Uganda Airlines in Mumbai. We anticipate a long-term partnership as Uganda Airlines expands its footprint in India. Our commitment remains steadfast in providing seamless services and contributing to the growth of aviation in India.”

Speaking on the occasion Ms. Jenifer Bamuturaki, Chief Executive Officer, Uganda Airlines, said, “Uganda Airlines is proud to strengthen the business and commercial ties between India and Uganda by launching direct flights from Entebbe to Mumbai. We are also planning to expand our network to other points in India. We extend our congratulations to Çelebi India for supporting the growing demand for air passenger and cargo services in India.”

Çelebi India recently commenced ground handling services at Chennai Airport, adding to its portfolio of nine airports in India, including major hubs such as Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Cochin, Ahmedabad, Goa (Manohar International Airport, Mopa), and Kannur.

At the forefront of sustainability within the Indian ground handling industry, Çelebi India is dedicated to assisting the Indian aviation sector in achieving carbon neutrality. As part of its sustainability initiatives, the company has introduced eco-friendly services, including 100% electric, air-conditioned tarmac coaches, electric baggage and cargo towing tugs, taxi-bots, and bridge-mounted equipment services.

Bengaluru, 13th October 2023: Myntra announces the launch of Maybelline Mood Makers, the make-up juggernaut’s limited-edition range of lip colours, as a part of the platform’s ongoing marquee festive shopping bonanza, the Big Fashion Festival (BFF), bolstering its position as one of the leading destinations for beauty enthusiasts. Myntra will see the introduction of the product in the Indian market for the first time. Maybelline Mood Makers is a limited edition collection of longwear liquid lipsticks from the iconic Superstay Matte Ink franchise.

The presence of materials like high-quality colour pigments, long-wear polymers, transfer-resistant technology, and specialised applicators, help the colour last an impressive 16 hours, in addition to providing consumers with an array of exciting colour options. Featuring an energising creamy citrus scent, the Maybelline Superstay Matte Ink Mood Makers collection was designed by colour scientists and has been scientifically proven to help uplift your mood, along with giving your lips an intensely pigmented matte finish.

Currently available in 5 vibrant, uplifting shades, namely, Motivator, Reviver, Optimist, de-stresser and Meditator, these vibrant reds, pinks, and nudes are designed to energise, delight, and brighten your mood. The entire collection is priced at a reasonable ₹749, making it accessible to younger shoppers who are the primary audience for the collection.

The #1 makeup brand in the world, Maybelline boasts of a portfolio with high performance makeup products and consistently launches innovations aimed at Gen Z consumers, who like to use makeup as a way to express themselves. The Superstay Matte Ink Mood Makers range will be highlighted through an on app-takeover that will see it featured across customer touchpoints and Myntra’s pioneering live commerce offering, M-Live. Maybelline is also leveraging Myntra’s cutting-edge assisted selling tools namely the ‘Virtual Try-Ons’, to help shoppers make choices best-suited to their individual requirements.

The BPC category has grown to be one of the key focus areas for Myntra, enabling the platform to complete the lifestyle needs of consumers. Myntra provides a diverse range of beauty offerings to its customer base, with 90,000+ SKUs across 1500+ brands in its beauty and personal care (BPC) portfolio, including 200+ international brands, enabling shoppers with the best the segment has to offer from across the world.

Speaking on the launch of Maybelline Mood Makers, Anmol Sikka, Director – Beauty & Personal Care, Myntra, said, “Maybelline is one of the most recognizable names in the global beauty and personal care space. We are delighted to partner with them in bringing Maybelline Mood Makers to India for the first time. Lipsticks continue to be a popular sub-category with our thriving base of beauty shoppers and the unique prospect of having long-lasting lipsticks in an array of vibrant shades are sure to entice our shoppers this festive season, as a part of our BFF specials. We are confident that the much-loved Mood Makers range will witness similar reception as it did internationally, here in India.”

Adding on, Zeenia Bastani, General Manager – Maybelline New York, said, “Myntra is one of the leading choices for our target consumer when it comes to fashion and beauty. We are delighted to partner with them in bringing Maybelline Superstay Matte Ink Mood Makers to India for the first time. With this launch, we hope to continually excite and engage with young consumers who look to makeup as a form of self-expression. As a brand, it is our mission to give everyone the self-confidence to express themselves. Mood Makers is an exciting launch because not only do these lip colours give you the iconic Superstay 16 hour long-lasting colour payoff, but the vibrant shades also help boost your mood!”

New Delhi,13th October 2023 Leading Indian Study Abroad Consultant – Fateh Education opened a new office space today aimed at enriching the student counseling services in East Patel Nagar, Delhi.

Fateh Education has created a unique office environment that aims to make counseling feel more like a chat with a friend by drawing on important lessons learned from the pandemic. The new office setting removes any boundaries between students and their parents and the counselors at Fateh, putting everyone at ease psychologically.

Talking about the impact physical spaces have during counselling, Suneet Singh Kochar, Co-founder, and CEO, Fateh Education said, “I’ve always thought that when you speak to someone across the table in a formal atmosphere, you are intellectually limited in how much of your personal life and troubles you can discuss. This is a barrier to effective counselling since it is essential for counsellors to have a comprehensive understanding of the students and their socio-economic conditions if they are to assist the students in making informed decision. The students must be able, to be honest about their hopes, expectations, and objectives. The new office we opened today seeks to provide a physical place and atmosphere that makes students and their parents comfortable and allows for fruitful interactions and efficient, individualised counselling.”

Being an interior designer by qualification, Ms Binti Kochar, Co-founder, Fateh Education explained the thought about the design of the new office, “I was determined to address the psychological components of counselling and decision-making while designing the new office space. I believe that the hardest challenge for a counsellor is to have a genuine conversation in the presence of environmental cues that can cause inhibitions and distractions. I’m pleased that we were able to create a setting that doesn’t monopolise discourse, rather enhances it – thereby having a beneficial effect on the counselling process. Peer contact was another crucial aspect we considered while designing the office space. Based on our experience, we have noticed that casual interactions with people in similar age group, helps in improving the decision-making process. As a result, we developed ‘break-out spaces’ where students may engage with one another. The additional benefit is that students frequently form friendships during these casual interactions, which gives them a ready support network when they go to study abroad.”

Speaking about the new space and his/her experience with Fateh Education, Mr. Sachin Sachdev, Founder, VYOM said, “In conceptualizing the new interiors for Fateh Education, the foster team didn’t just design an office; but an experience inspired by the soul of Fateh Education; ‘Conquer your dreams’. The interiors are a thoughtful blend of functional and collaborative workspaces that foster open dialogue and shared learning. The design dismantles the formal barriers often associated with counselling rooms to create spaces that put everyone at ease, facilitating deeper, more meaningful conversations. The ‘break-out spaces’ are not just an architectural feature, but a thriving zone for peer interactions, enriching the decision-making process and even birthing new friendships. In essence, the office space is a harmonious ecosystem where dreams are discussed, decisions are made, and futures are shaped—all facilitated by a design that understands the complexities of human interaction in a rapidly evolving world.”

Since its establishment in 2004, Fateh Education has been providing personalized international higher education consulting services, guiding over 35,000 students to conquer their dreams. The organization boasts of more than 120 university partnerships, eight offices across India, and prestigious accolades such as “The Best Consultant award” from Enterprise Ireland for four consecutive years. Fateh Education’s vision is not only to lead but also to be the trusted companion for aspiring learners.

13th October 2023: In a world filled with constant noise and digital distractions, a unique audio experience ASMR, or Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response, has captured the attention and interest of people worldwide. Bringing this phenomenon for its listeners and giving it a new twist, BIG FM, one of the leading radio networks in the country, announces the launch of its latest show ‘Abhishapt’. This unique audio format combines the soothing elements of ASMR with the spine-chilling narratives of horror, creating an engaging listening experience that promises to be both enchanting and eerie.

The concept of ASMR redefines the art of audio entertainment, immersing listeners in a world of pure sonic triggers that include whispered secrets, delicate scratching, and haunting chopping sounds. These carefully curated sounds are amplified to provide an unparalleled, up-close auditory adventure that goes beyond the boundaries of conventional storytelling. ‘Abhishapt’ unfolds as a captivating series of 6 gripping fictional horror tales, with each episode running for a thrilling 10-12 minutes. This late-night weekly broadcast guarantees uninterrupted, ad-free, edge of the seat suspense and excitement, with repeat episodes for those eager for more.

Sunil Kumaran, COO, BIG FM said, “In an age where innovative audio experiences are highly sought after, we at BIG FM, are dedicated to curating a new and immersive experience for our listeners. With ‘Abhishapt,’ we recognize the underutilised potential of ASMR technology in the radio industry. As pioneers in storytelling and the added element of the horror genre, we are excited to introduce a unique confluence that represents our commitment to delivering content that deeply engages our audience. The show seamlessly blends the allure of ASMR with the intrigue of horror narratives, offering a captivating and immersive journey that transcends traditional storytelling.”

Keeping listeners glued to the show, the stories will be presented in Hindi, catering to a wide Hindi-speaking audience. Amping up the excitement levels, the show is launching on Friday the 13th, popularly known as a day of horrors. The show, Abhishapt, reflects BIG FM’s commitment to innovation, storytelling and providing entertainment to its listeners. The show will also be available in a podcast format on the popular audio streaming platform, Spotify.

So, don’t forget to tune in on Friday, the 13th of October 2023, as ‘Abhishapt’ takes you on a new journey where ASMR meets the world of horror.

Bidinn Hospitality, a renowned name in the hospitality sector has expanded its footprint to 15 states in India, delivering first-rate lodging. The growth demonstrates Bidinn Hospitality’s dedication to providing top-notch hospitality experiences and meeting the various needs of visitors from all across the nation.

The following states and localities will now benefit from Bidinn Hospitality’s superior services thanks to this expansion in Punjab, Delhi, Bihar, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Mumbai, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Kolkata, Jharkhand, Moradabad, Gujrat, and Indore. Each of these places has been chosen with care to guarantee accessibility for both business and leisure guests looking for excellent lodging. In addition to offering great customer service, Bidinn Hospitality is renowned for its commitment to creating welcoming, spotless, and secure settings for visitors.

Ms. Rupsi Singh, the founder of Bidinn Hospitality, said, “We are excited to bring the Bidinn experience to even more regions in India.” “Our expansion represents our commitment to offering exceptional hotel services to travelers across the country, no matter where their journey takes them.” This expansion will feature a variety of lodging choices, from affordable to upscale hotels, making sure that there is the ideal spot to stay for any kind of guest. With more locations than ever, Bidinn Hospitality’s commitment to upholding the highest standards of cleanliness and safety gives all visitors peace of mind.

Social Beat, a pioneering digital agency, proudly introduces its AI-driven campaign for Fortune Edible Oils & Foods, titled “Fortune Ganeshotsav”. Drawing inspiration from the rich history of Ganesh Chaturthi, this campaign was poised to use innovation as a medium to bring the community together digitally and engage with the brand.

The “Fortune Ganeshotsav” was more than just a campaign; it was a grand celebration that married tradition with innovation. It was a 9-day Utsav with 9 contests and 18 gold coins as giveaways. An engagement and participation of 2M+ is what made this campaign a huge success. Our use of AI-generated creatives to construct the Fortune Ganeshotsav Pandal promised not only a visually stunning and unique experience for our followers but also highlighted Fortune Foods as a brand that cherishes its heritage while embracing new technological trends.

We used tools such as Midjourney, Stable, and Easy Diffusion to make each grid as detailed and nuanced as possible. Right from the pooja thali to the Fortune billboard, each AI creative was crafted with unique details, which seamlessly blended with other creatives to bring forth the entire grid.

The contests included solving puzzles, decorating Ganesh ji’s crown, sharing their home-made prashad pictures, and finding Ganesh ji’s mooshak through an AR filter for an immersive experience

Influencers joined the effort to amplify and explain the contests to users in the most engaging manner.

Through this campaign we garnered a reach of 31 million, engagement of 2 million+, 1700+ entries in 10 days and 20,000 + profile visits on our social media handle

Mr. Vikas Chawla, Co-Founder, Social Beat said, “Through this Fortune Ganeshotsav campaign, we were successful in reigniting the sense of community while embracing creativity and innovation. This Instagram campaign gave a sense of the magnanimity of celebrations and the spirit of Ganesh Chaturthi. The success of the campaign was measured through daily participation in contests and engagement during the 9 days of the campaign. The winners were announced basis their key performance indicators (KPIs) such as participation rate, contest entries, audience engagement, and user-generated content to gauge the campaign’s impact and effectiveness.”

Sanjay Adesara, Head of Marketing at Adani Wilmar said, “We aim to set the bar higher each year, and this year, we wanted a technologically innovative campaign that would lead to engagement from our followers while also seamlessly integrating the brand values of Fortune, and the results are impressive. We look forward to more such innovative brand campaigns in the year.”

New Delhi; 12/10/2023: Recently, the craze of the CREST Olympiads has proliferated not only among brilliant students but also among their parents and teachers. Though there are many reasons, one of the most important among them is the variety of opportunities and exposure it provides to students. This Olympiad is considered one of the first online Olympiads conducted among many schools and for many subjects. Subjects such as English, Reasoning, Spelling Bee, Mathematics, Science, and even Cyber are included in this Olympiad. Hence, the exams are taken by students from 40+ countries. This includes most of the countries in South-East Asia, Middle East, Europe apart of United States, Australia and Canada.

CREST Olympiads has started its registration for 2023-24, and the exam dates for CMO, CSO, CEO, CRO, CCO, CSBW etc., have also been announced at https://www.crestolympiads.com/exam-schedule. Exams for every subject will be held on different dates so that students can apply for two or more subjects. The dates of the CREST Olympiads according to subjects are as follows:

CREST Mathematics Olympiad (CMO) – 2nd and 22nd December 2023 for Level 1 and 6th February 2024 for Level 2.

CREST International Spell Bee (CSBW) Winter Round – 9th and 20th January 2024 for Level 1.

CREST English Olympiad (CEO) – 29th November and 9th December 2023 for Level 1 and 30th January 2024 for Level 2.

CREST Science (CSO) – 5th and 16th December 2023 for Level 1 and 2nd February 2024 for Level 2.

CREST Reasoning Olympiad (CRO) – 13th January and 25th January 2024 for Level 1.

CREST Cyber Olympiad (CCO) – 11th and 23rd January 2024 for Level 1.

The time slot for all these Olympiads will be between 11 am to 7 p.m. on the assigned exam dates. This means that students can give these Olympiads from their home anytime within this time slot.

Speaking about the prizes for students who excel in these Olympiads, different criteria are set for zonal and international toppers. Right from trophies to gold, silver, and bronze medals, there is recognition for top 50% of the students. Students were also awarded cash scholarships for recently conducted CREST EduFund Mental Maths Olympiad (CEMMO). Students also use CREST Olympiads scores for school admissions and entrance to foreign colleges.

The fees for Indian school students is Rs.225, while for international students, the fee is USD 15. CREST Olympiads has multiple payment options to accept fees in various international currencies.

Nitin Godawat, Director, CREST Olympiad says It gives me immense pleasure to introduce an Olympiad for kids who are the future of our nation encouraging kids and giving them the path to be successful is very important and we take it as our mission and vision. Seeing students coming out with flying colours is our motive.

Make Sure You Don’t Miss Their Appearances

Mumbai 12th October 2023: The 11th Jagran Film Festival in 2023, which is the world’s largest traveling film festival, is eagerly awaited and promises to be a glamorous affair. The event is set to feature a remarkable roster of esteemed celebrities who will add their star power to the occasion.

• The team of Thank you for Coming, Bhumi Pednekar, Rhea Kapoor and Karan Boolani will be present on the first day 12th October at 3:15pm for an interactive in conversation with the audience

• Director, screenwriter and producer, Anees Bazmi will grace the festival on 12th October at 12:30 PM. With a career spanning several decades, he has carved a niche for himself as a master of comedy, creating films that continue to bring laughter to audiences worldwide. He will also be joined by Amit Rai, DK. Raj and Mukesh Chhabra

• Renowned filmmaker Aanand L. Rai will share his experiences and wisdom on 13th October at 5:30pm. His films have been celebrated for their grandeur and impactful storytelling

• Piyush Mishra, versatile actor, poet, and musician known for his remarkable contributions to both theatre and cinema will also share his insightful journey on 13th October at 6:40 pm. His powerful performances and evocative poetry have left an indelible mark on the entertainment world

• On 13th October join Vishal Batra (brother of Kargil war hers Param Veer Chakra- Vikram Batra) for an in-conversation on the bond that he shared with his brother at 3:45 pm

• Join the successful casting director, Anmol Ahuja for an interaction with the audience on casting on 13th October at 12:15 pm

• The stage is also set for Amit Sadh for an interesting in conversation on 14th October at 1:15 pm. Amit Sadh is a versatile actor known for his compelling performances in both films and digital series, capturing audiences with his talent and dedication

• Bobby Deol, a seasoned actor, recognized for his contributions to Bollywood, spanning from the 1990s to the present day will also be present on 14th October for an in-conversation session at 4:45 pm. His versatility and notable performances have earned him a lasting place in the Indian film industry

• Bollywood’s rising star Pulkit Samrat will charm the audience on 14th October at 6:0pm with his youthful energy and promising talent

• Atul Mongia, acting mentor, writer and director will be present for a rendezvous at 11:45 am

• Join Karishma Kapoor, an established leading actress known for her charismatic on-screen presence and versatile roles in Hindi cinema on

15th October at 1:30pm. She will be sharing her career journey and challenges in an interactive dialogue with the audience

The Indian premiere kicks off with “Guthlee Ladoo,” featuring a special screening of “Darran Chhoo,” while the international opening showcases “Eismayer,” and the regional opening presents “Jananam: 1947 Pranayam Thudarunnu.” Closing the ceremony, we have “Siya” in the Indian section, “Property” in the international section, and “Tatkhana” in the regional section. Movie enthusiasts are invited to savor these films at the event.

Join us at the Jagran Film Festival 2023 to celebrate the magic of cinema and be part of these exciting celebrity interactions. Don’t miss this golden opportunity to be up close and personal with your favourite stars! Book your seats, logon to jff.co.in and BookMyShow

12th October 2023, Mumbai: JBCN International School, Borivali, proudly hosted the Global Tipping Point Summit (GTPS). This visionary summit, dedicated to the theme “Teaching Environmental Sustainability through the Arts,” took place from October 6th to 8th, 2023, at JBCN International School, Borivali.

The summit aimed to nurture engaging educational environments that championed sustainability, arming young minds with the capacity to bring about meaningful change in the world through artistic expression. Over three days, participants immersed themselves in diverse art forms, unlocking their true potential and exploring innovative avenues to inculcate a profound responsibility toward the environment.

This summit aligned seamlessly with JBCN International Schools’ brand narrative as a Changemaking institution that fosters innovative educational approaches that prepare learners for sustainable living.

Mr. Kunal Dalal, Managing Director, of JBCN Education, said, “We feel privileged to have hosted the Global Tipping Point Summit 2023 at our Borivali campus. We believe that teaching environmental sustainability through the arts is not just a theme but a transformative journey. Through art, we ignite the spark of change within young minds, empowering them to become stewards of our planet’s future.”

“It is a great privilege for JBCN International School, Borivali, to have hosted the esteemed Global Tipping Point Summit 2023. We strategically leveraged the adoption of innovative approaches, nurtured the potential of our learners to become staunch champions of sustainability and driving force for profound transformation,” stated Ms. Debika Chatterji, Director Principal of JBCN International School, Borivali.

Renowned academician and founder Director of GTPS, Dr. Coomi S. Vevaina curated an exceptional ensemble of speakers and knowledge partners for the enlightening three-day event. The summit commenced with a captivating inauguration ceremony featuring an insightful discussion titled “Biodiversity, Economics, and Climate Change.” Eminent speakers gracing the occasion included Bittu Sahgal, the visionary founder of Sanctuary Nature Foundation.

In this event, participants were introduced to various forms of creative expression, including theater, musical theater, stand-up comedy, visual arts, photography, and filmmaking. The day featured an enlightening session with renowned puppeteer Padma Shri Dadi Pudumji, a captivating Kathak performance by Dr. Piyush Raj, and a laughter-filled stand-up comedy session led by the charismatic Cyrus Broacha, among other exciting activities.

As the summit approached its conclusion on the last day, the focus shifted to sculpture and installations. Additionally, participants had the opportunity to engage in sessions on storytelling and mime, music, singing, and literature, rounding out a diverse and enriching creative experience.