Archives November 2023

ZEE Uttar Pradesh Uttarakhand (Zee UPUK), the regional news channel that resonates with the heartbeats of the culturally rich states of Uttar Pradesh & Uttarakhand, is all set to undergo a remarkable transformation in its appearance. As the channel prepares to unveil its new avatar, viewers can expect a blend of creativity, inclusivity, and a visual treat that reflects the spirit of Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand.

The new look and feel of Zee UPUK promises a more refreshing and appealing experience for its viewers. The upcoming changes are designed to be not only visually soothing but also inclusive, representing the diversity and essence of the people from all strata of society. This transformation is not just a change in appearance; it is a strategic move to enhance the overall viewer experience and connect with the masses on a deeper level.

Sharing insights on this purpose-driven transformation, Mr. Abhay Ojha, CEO of Zee Media Corporation Limited, highlighted “At Zee Media, we have always believed in pushing boundaries and creating content that resonates with our audience. Our viewers are at the center of everything we do. We understand the value of a clutter-free environment, and our aim is to deliver content that captivates without unnecessary distractions. The refreshed look of ZEE Uttar Pradesh Uttarakhand is designed to cater to the evolving preferences of our audience, providing a seamless and visually appealing platform.”

ZEE Uttar Pradesh Uttarakhand will continue to be a pioneer in delivering socially relevant content. ZEE UPUK’s visual makeover is a strategic move to stay ahead of the curve, offering a dynamic and clutter-free news destination for viewers across Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand.

Zee Media Corporation Ltd, one of India’s leading media companies, has a strong presence in the news and regional genres, with 16 news channels in seven different languages, reaching more than 528+ million viewers through its linear and digital properties.

Navi Mumbai(S.N): The much-awaited time of the year is finally here and Inorbit Mall Vashi is all set to celebrate the festive seasonwith a regal touch. Visitors will be delighted when they step into Inorbit Mall Vashi this season, as themall is all set to welcome them with a peacock-themed décor. Itsmagnificent, sprawling, and resplendent design language with a quintessential Indian touch is bound to leave them awestruck!

To signify the festival of lights, the mall has installed an over size delegant diya that symbolizes the victory of light over darkness. Encircling the luminous diya is a life-size peacock that representsthe grandeurof Diwali.The installation will be elevated through light and shadow play as well as a soft and melodic soundscape composed around sounds of nature and the peacock’s call. This year’s décor is a multi-sensory experience that one can’t miss, especially as it also makes for a perfect photo-op for the gram.

Alongside the decor, several brands have also launched their Diwali collection to make festive shopping bright and radiant. Patrons can amp up their wardrobe with the new collection from Shoppers Stop, Westside, Fab India, Biba, Taneira, and Jaypore while accessorizing their look with jewelry from Tanishq and Orra. Given that gifting is the flavour of the season, they can check out dazzling home decor pieces or other gift options for their loved ones at The Bombay Store,Home Centre, and Bath and Body Works.

So, this festive season, celebrate the triumph of light and witness the Diwali extravaganza at Inorbit Mall Vashi.

11th November 2023: At the inflection point of its transformation journey, Raymond continues to attest its growth momentum with strong quarter-on-quarter performance and Q2FY24 was the 9th consecutive quarter that reported the highest ever performance both in terms of revenue and EBITDA.

The focused approach for growth in each of its three verticals of Lifestyle, Real Estate, and Engineering businesses was aided by the implementation of key drivers such as strengthening of distribution channels and capitalizing on the export orders in the Lifestyle business. The revenue grew by 6% in the quarter to ₹ 2,321 Cr with a healthy EBITDA margin of 16.5%, despite postponement in the consumer spending cycle on account of delay in the festive and wedding season.

During the quarter, the Branded Apparel segment grew by 18% compared to same quarter last year as we were able to extend our product offerings in casual range and additionally we opened 63 stores during the quarter. Our Branded Textile business demonstrated a steady performance compared to the same quarter last year. Raymond’s garmenting business continues to have a robust order book driven by new customer acquisitions and increased order volumes from existing customers, with the business closing the quarter with a 18% strong growth rate as compared to same quarter last year.

The real estate business has showcased a stellar performance during the quarter and recorded a total booking value of over ₹ 650 Cr in Q2FY24 primarily through our recently launched premium residential projects. Recently, Raymond Realty has been appointed as a Developer for redevelopment of a prominent housing society located in Mahim (West), Mumbai spread across 3.6 acres. The project is estimated to have a revenue potential of more than ₹ 1,700 Cr over the project period. Our real estate business has taken a leap forward by expanding its presence beyond Thane and would now be

developing two residential projects based on joint development model. Put together, the revenue potential from both the projects will be in excess of ₹ 3,700 Cr located in most sought-after residential areas of Mumbai.

Last week, Raymond Group announced its foray into sunrise sectors of Aerospace, Defense and EV components business by acquiring 59.25% stake in business of Maini Precision Products Ltd (MPPL). The transaction will be subject to requisite regulatory approvals and is expected to be completed during the current fiscal. Further with the consolidation of Engineering business companies of JK Files & Engineering Ltd, RPAL, and Maini Precision Products Ltd, the proforma consolidated engineering business revenue of ~₹ 1,600 Cr with EBITDA of ~₹ 220 Cr in FY23 gives scale and size to the vertical and strong platform for the profitable growth of this business through meaningful synergies.

Raymond Group has assured that the three distinct vectors of growth, which are Lifestyle, Realty & Engineering businesses will further create shareholder value for each of the businesses.

Commenting on the performance, Gautam Hari Singhania, Chairman & Managing Director, Raymond Limited said; “The growth trajectory at Raymond continues its journey as we have recorded yet another stellar quarter. We continue to achieve milestones across businesses as we recently announced our second project under joint development in our real estate business with a potential of ₹ 1,700 Cr revenue. With acquisition of MPPL, our engineering business will now be consolidated and will participate in sunrise sectors like aerospace, defense and EV components, which have phenomenal growth opportunities. With the onset of festivities and wedding season, we at Raymond are optimistic that there will be an uptick in the consumer demand and overall sentiments should remain positive.”

Q2FY24 Segmental Performance (Post IND AS 116)

Branded Textile segment sales reported steady top line of ₹ 933 Cr in Q2FY24 vs ₹ 912 Cr in Q2FY23. The quarter witnessed lower offtake due to delayed festivals & wedding dates and Hindu calendar also has Adhik maas (Additional month) this year. EBITDA margin for the business remained healthy at 22.1%.

Branded Apparel segment reported topline growth of 18% with sales at ₹ 437 Cr in Q2FY24 as compared to ₹ 370 Cr in the same quarter last year. The growth was driven by strong performance in the retail formats of our own store network and LFS channel and well supported by MBO channel. Continued demand for office wear, new offerings in casual wear drove the sales in Park Avenue, Raymond Ready To Wear, and ColorPlus. The segment reported an EBITDA margin of 12.2%. During the quarter 63 new stores were opened including 17 Ethnix stores across Tier I to Tier IV towns. Our store network stands at 1,453 stores including 92 Ethnix stores as on 30th September 2023.

Garmenting segment sales grew by 18% to ₹ 312 Cr in Q2FY24 as compared to ₹ 266 Cr in same quarter previous year. The business continues to leverage high demand in US & Europe markets. New customer acquisitions and increased orders from existing customers contributed to growth during the quarter. As the business continues the growth trajectory, capacity augmentation is underway to serve the customers. EBITDA margin for the quarter stood at 7.3%.

The high-Value Cotton Shirting segment’s top line was maintained at the same level with reported sales of ₹211 Cr in Q2FY24. The segment reported an EBITDA margin of 13.4% for the quarter.

Engineering business reported sales of ₹ 201 Cr in Q2FY24 lower by 12% as compared to ₹ 228 Cr in same quarter previous year. While the domestic market witnessed growth however sluggish export market condition impacted topline. The business reported EBITDA margin of 12.7% for the quarter. With the acquisition of MPPL business, Raymond’s engineering business will emerge as a large-scale provider of Engineering, Automotive, EV, Aerospace & Defense components, distinctly positioned to target high-growth precision engineering products with a significant presence across international as well as domestic markets. This transaction will pave way eventually unlocking value in Engineering business leading to significant shareholder value creation for Raymond shareholders.

Real Estate business construction momentum was maintained in TenX Habitat, The Address by GS, and TenX Era projects. The business delivered a strong sales performance of ₹ 243 Cr. In the new projects ‘The Address by GS 2.0 ’and ‘Invictus by GS, launched in Q2FY24 we have received a healthy contribution in overall bookings. The performance reaffirms customer confidence and acceptance of our high-quality product coupled with a fast-paced construction momentum in the ongoing projects.

During the quarter, total booking value was ~₹ 650 Cr in the launched projects with ~85% of total units in Ten X Habitat, ~89% of total units in The Address by GS, ~44% of launched units in TenX Era, ~49% of launched units in The Address by GS 2.0’ and ~25% of launched units in Invictus by GS project being sold.

Bengaluru, 11th November 2023: PayGlocal, a cross-border focused payments platform provider has received in-principle approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for a Payment Aggregator (PA) license. This marks a pivotal step towards the full authorization process, which, once completed, will enable PayGlocal to onboard merchants onto its platform for online payment processing.

PayGlocal was founded in 2021 by payment industry veterans Prachi Dharani, Rohit Sukhija, and Yogesh Lokhande. PayGlocal offers its technology platform to various players in the market for payment processing and transaction risk management. This helps them accept online payments securely through various payment instruments including cards and global alternative payment methods.

“PayGlocal is deeply committed to the India market and its emerging role in the global economy. Driven by our growing GDP, global commerce from India will continue to grow and we remain focused on providing the right payment solutions to enable this growth. RBI’s support in providing this In-principle license will help us create more innovative solutions as we continue to work towards getting full authorization. Additionally, RBI’s new guidelines on PA CB (Payment Aggregator Cross Border) is a huge step in the right direction from a Regulatory framework standpoint in taking the Cross Border payment agenda of the country forward. We are very confident in creating innovative and compliant Cross Border solutions with this regulatory framework. ”, remarked Prachi Dharani Cofounder and CEO of PayGlocal.

11th November 2023 New Delhi: Boutique Living, a pioneering brand by Indo Count Industries, in the realm of high-end home textiles & linens, is delighted to present the Caressa Collection. The collection is a symbol of luxury and refinement created to enhance and elevate daily life. This thoughtfully curated range incorporates TENCEL™ branded fibers of botanic origins, blended with cotton fibers, to enhance sleep quality with unmatched levels of softness, comfort, and a range of positive wellness effects.

The Caressa collection is a reflection of Boutique Living’s expertise in creating exceptional linen products. Harnessing the natural goodness of TENCEL™ fibers, extracted primarily from the eucalyptus tree, these bed linens not only exude opulence but also contribute to your overall well-being. The wellness and comfort benefits of TENCEL™ fibers, combined with the traditional softness and vibrant hues of cotton, result in bed linens softer than ever, ensuring a restful and healthier sleep.

“Boutique Living has always strived to infuse a unique appeal into all its products. The Caressa Collection is the perfect amalgamation of quality, comfort, and aesthetics. We are excited to introduce this exquisite collection to our customers, providing an ambiance of luxury and relaxation,” said KK Lalpuria CEO & Executive Director.

The Caressa Collection isn’t just about quality; it’s also about affordability. Boutique Living has ensured that these products are available at attractive price points for anyone seeking a touch of sophistication and comfort in their lives, he added.

Commenting on the new launch, Rajiv Merchant, President Domestic Retail at Indo Count Industries Limited said, “Boutique Living’s commitment has always been to infuse an exceptional touch into every offering. The Caressa Collection embodies the perfect fusion of top-tier quality, unparalleled comfort, and captivating aesthetics. We’re thrilled to present this exquisite collection to our cherished customers, promising an ambiance of opulence and serenity.”

Featuring a diverse range of understated designs inspired by global design sensibilities, this collection draws inspiration from the timeless charm of American homes. The bed sheet sets offer a classic, enduring look that transcends trends. Additionally, the collection includes Dohars that embody superior softness and style, courtesy of the incorporation of TENCEL™ fiber.

“Lenzing group and Indo Count Industries share a long-standing partnership and have been developing sought-after quality linens. With TENCEL™ fibers, our goal is to offer products with superior comfort, aesthetics, and sustainability features. The Caressa Collection exemplifies these features, delivering exceptional value and experience to Indian consumers,” said Mr. Avinash Mane, Senior Commercial Director (Textiles) for Lenzing Group.

The Caressa Collection is now available on Boutique Living’s website and through major retailers like Shoppers stop, Home Stop, Lulu Hyper and leading multi-brand furnishing outlets across India. The bed sheets are of thread counts ranging from 200 to 500 tc, and they are priced from Rs. 2299 (for king-size double bed-sheet sets) onwards.

Embrace new beginnings, celebrate togetherness, bring warmth, and light up your home with furniture from The Great Eastern Home, creating a delicate dance between comfort and splendor in a captivating voyage.

This Diwali, The Great Eastern Home welcomes you to travel back in time to discover a treasure trove of antiques, furniture, accessories, collectibles, and artifacts. It’s a place where you can explore the world of sophistication, and luxury, making your fine interior dreams come true.

The Great Eastern Home is not just a store; it signifies timeless beauty, with offerings ranging from Chinese Qin Dynasty pieces dating back to 200 BCE to colonial, vintage, and renaissance treasures. Whether you are renovating, moving to a new home, or seeking a refreshed look for your space, The Great Eastern Home is your ultimate destination.

Each distinct furniture item at The Great Eastern Home stands as proof of limitless style, embodying a lifestyle defined by extravagance, and luxury. The furniture and antiques available at The Great Eastern Home can help you create a harmonious and balanced living environment, adding a cohesive and inviting touch to your space.

Celebrate this Diwali by indulging in a symphony of luxury and sophistication within the walls of The Great Eastern Home, where innovative ideas and settings create an atmosphere of welcoming comfort and opulence. A wide array of furniture and collectibles will not only add a festive touch to your home but also reflect the spirit of renewal and positivity that Diwali signifies.

India,11th November 2023: Mahindra Logistics Limited, one of India’s leading integrated third-party logistics service providers launches services on ONDC Network and commences its operations. Mahindra Logistics will provide same-day & next-day intra-city pick-up and delivery services to all sellers on ONDC. The company will extend this to a full range of services including inter-city express parcel, full truck load and mobility services. Sellers on the ONDC network will have access to Mahindra Logistics’ entire range of services enabling intra-city and inter-city delivery in up to 19,000 pin codes.

Efficient logistics is a key enabler for members of the ONDC network. Mahindra Logistics’ services provide a full stack of technology, providing D2C brands and sellers with rapid integration and fulfillment services. As part of this initiative, Mahindra Logistics is also committed to collaborating with other members of the ONDC Network in providing solutions to empower local businesses.

Commenting on this integration, Mr. Rampraveen Swaminathan, MD & Chief Executive Officer, Mahindra Logistics Ltd., said, “ONDC is a path breaking attempt program to empower and democratize local commerce. Efficient logistics is a key enabler to harnessing the full potential of ONDC and we are pleased to join the network. We share ONDC’s vision of accelerating commerce and are pleased to partner with them on a range of services. We provide customers a range of hyper-local and inter-city transport and mobility solutions and technology integration with their end customers. Our aim to accelerate commerce by delivering innovative logistics solutions on the platform will ultimately benefit both, businesses and consumers.”

T Koshy, MD & CEO, ONDC, said, “Logistics is a key element for the successful adoption of ecommerce across the country. Especially, for small and medium enterprises this will be a key enabler for enhancing their reach. With a major player like Mahindra Logistics coming onboard onto ONDC Network, it will add significant logistics options across the country for diverse merchants that are part of the ONDC ecosystem”.

ONDC has created an Open Network for seamless logistics operations, opening up opportunities for increased business, better capacity utilization, and a stronger brand presence. This collaboration aligns with the Indian government’s vision of promoting a fair and open digital commerce network.

India, 11th November 2023: As people gear up for Diwali celebrations, ACT Fibernet, one of India’s leading internet service providers, is set to illuminate the lives of its customers with a brilliant offer that promises to enhance their connectivity experience. In the spirit of celebrating this joyous occasion, ACT Fibernet is thrilled to announce its special Diwali gift to all its customers – free speed upgrades.

The company has announced that its subscribers will get automatic speed upgrades for 20 days from 10th November to 30th November. Current ACT Fibernet users will automatically get upgraded to higher speeds. All new ACT Fibernet users (onboarded after 3rd Nov) can leverage this offer by tapping on the banner on the ACT Fibernet mobile app.

The Speed Boost upgrades are as follows:

● Customers with plan speeds less than 100 Mbps will get upgraded to 100 Mbps.

● Customers with speeds ranging from 100 to 299 Mbps will enjoy an upgrade to 300 Mbps.

● Customers experiencing speeds between 300 to 499 Mbps will witness an impressive upgrade to 500 Mbps.

Ravi Karthik, Chief Marketing Officer, Atria Convergence Technologies Ltd., said, “At ACT Fibernet, we always deliver exceptional value with the underlying philosophy of great experience and empowerment to our customers. This Diwali, we are empowering our existing customers with free speed upgrades at no extra cost enabling our customers staying home, streaming more online and have hassle free unlimited and seamless digital experience.”

India is experiencing unprecedented progress in digital connectivity. As home to the second largest internet user base in the world, the country is consistently witnessing large-scale digital innovation, with startups and businesses from around the world setting up operations in India. The Internet is not just a convenience but a necessity for millions of Indians.

The ICC and Nium, the global platform for on-demand money movement, today announced the Next In Hackathon game-changing winning idea by team StumpEye which will provide a groundbreaking wireless stump camera system offering in-depth batting and bowling analysis.

The second edition saw double the number of registrations that were recorded at the first Hackathon earlier in the year with more than 22,000 entries from 119 countries including Kenya, Nepal and Nigeria.

The ICC and NIUM wanted to harness the world’s brightest minds to create revolutionary ideas for the sport. The teams were challenged to develop ideas across three key areas: fan experience, grassroots cricket and performance analytics.

In an exclusive event held at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai ahead of the Men’s Cricket World Cup semi-final, the winning team StumpEye showcased a prototype that has the potential to transform the cricket experience offering an insightful perspective on the game for grassroots cricketers around the world. The wireless stump camera system will provide unique features: including bringing Decision Review System (DRS) technology to the lower levels of cricket, Coach Connect which will bridge the gap between offsite coaches and players/parents in grassroots cricket, and Umpire’s Mate which logs important elements of what happens in games. Additionally, the technology offers in-depth batting and bowling analysis.

The Hackathon saw seven passionate shortlisted teams invited to present their concepts and creations to a panel of prestigious judges, Anil Kumble, Next In Hackathon Ambassador; Finn Bradshaw, ICC Head of Digital; Ankit Gupta, NIUM Chief Architect; Jeremiah Glodoveza – NIUM Senior VP, Brand & Communications and Rebecca Hopkins, STA Group CEO. In addition, there were representatives from reputable venture funds and sports organizations to support and provide industry expertise to the teams.

Among the concepts submitted, 42% focused on improving the experience for fans, 35% centered on aiding grassroots cricket and 23% aimed to improve cricket performance through analytics. The registered teams were from a variety of different backgrounds including schools, colleges, corporate businesses and start-ups, with an average age of 26.

The winning entry from team StumpEye said: “We are so thrilled to win the ICC NIUM Next In 2.0 Hackathon. It’s been a tremendous journey for us from an idea that sprung from a personal experience of coaching my son. We wish to sincerely thank the ICC and NIUM for providing us the platform, the opportunity and the chance to express our idea and help us take the big leap! Dreams do come true and ICC and NIUM have just helped us realize that.”

ICC Head of Digital, Finn Bradshaw said: “At the ICC we are always looking for ways to inspire love of cricket. The ideas presented at Next In 2.0 delivered that in abundance. It was so inspiring to see the passion and talent on display from all the finalists. Congratulations to the winners StumpEye and thanks to our partners Nium for sharing in our vision and helping make this a reality.”

Jeremiah Glodoveza, NIUM Senior VP, Brand & Communications said: “The finalists for the Nium and ICC Next In Hackathon represent the best-of-the-best technology ideas in cricket, today. These concepts show a bright future for the game and we celebrate the high level of innovation on global display.”

Hackathon Ambassador Anil Kumble said: “The Next In Hackathon has once again provided us with innovative enhancements for all fans of cricket. There is a growing importance of technology in sport and how it improves the experience for all stakeholders of the game. I am excited to see how all the ideas that were presented to us for fan experience, grassroots cricket and performance analytics can have a positive impact on cricket in the long-term.”

Nium is a global leader in real-time cross-border money movement services and is the official Fintech infrastructure partner to the ICC. As a champion of global growth, Nium celebrates innovation and leadership in business, sport, and beyond.

New Delhi, 11th November 2023: The Junior Chamber International (JCI) Ranchi’s 26th Expo Utsav was graced by internationally renowned business consultant and motivational speaker Shiv Khera. JCI Ranchi, a dynamic organization comprised of young entrepreneurs dedicated to the constructive development of Jharkhand and its citizens, hosted Mr. Khera as their keynote speaker for their Expo Utsav.

The event was held at Ranchi’s Morabadi Maidan, where entrepreneurs and aspiring business leaders from Jharkhand and beyond gathered to discuss the ever-changing landscape of entrepreneurship. With his knowledge and insights, the motivational speaker delivered a keynote speech on the subject of “Entrepreneurship Training.” His words struck a chord with the audience, motivating them to realize their potential and seize the chances and challenges presented by the world of entrepreneurship.

After speaking at JCI Ranchi, Mr. Khera went on to the prestigious Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Ranchi to inspire the audience. He presented a powerful keynote and motivational speech that left an impact on the directors, students, and faculty members present.

Apart from these occasions, Mr. Shiv Khera organized programs open to the public. Participants from across the globe gathered to partake in these transformative sessions:

1. Gain and Retain Customers: A dynamic program held from the 6th to the 8th of October at the Holiday Inn, focusing on customer acquisition and retention strategies in a competitive business landscape.

2. Hi-Impact Leadership Program: A comprehensive leadership development program held from October 12th to October 15th, designed to provide leaders with the skills and mindset required to drive impactful change within their organizations.

In the fields of motivation and entrepreneurship, Mr. Shiv Khera is in demand as a speaker and consultant, owing to his capacity to engage audiences and provide insightful, practical advice. His commitment to inspiring and equipping individuals with the tools for success has left a mark on his audience.