Archives December 2023

The kid’s footwear brand widely known for its expanding shoes has been recognised by PETA for its vegan and sustainable range.

Aretto has recently been recognised by the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) as their winner for 2023 Vegan Fashion Award for Best Vegan Kids Shoes.

The annual Vegan Fashion Awards celebrate innovative products, style icons, designers, and events that have made important contributions to animal-friendly, sustainable fashion.

Commenting on the achievement, Krutika Lal, co-founder and CMO from Aretto, said, “We are thrilled to receive this prestigious award from PETA India, affirming our belief that small changes create significant impacts. At Aretto, sustainability isn’t an addition but woven into our designs, proving that style and comfort need not be compromised. We are grateful to our customers, partners, and team for their support and trust in our brand. We proudly champion cruelty-free, vegan fashion and eagerly anticipate continued enhancements in our journey ahead.”

Aretto has made a name for itself in the industry with its innovative designs and impressive achievements, such as securing the patent for its sole technology and winning the Global Footwear Award in the Kids and Overall Category 2023. The company recently launched its flagship store in Pune, which features a captivating 40-foot facade and a thoughtfully designed interior that attracts both parents and children alike.

Aretto has also expanded its presence in key digital marketplaces, such as Myntra and Amazon, and cemented its position as a leader in the segment. The brand’s exceptional products have garnered enthusiastic reviews and recognition in form of the Bestseller and Amazon Choice tags in the fiercely competitive kids’ shoe category.

Aretto’s vision to create a positive impact on the world is being well supplemented by being recognised for being vegan and eco-friendly while retaining their stylish, and comfortable aesthetic. The brand aims to inspire the next generation of conscious consumers to make thought led functional designs the new norm.

[Chennai, 06th December 2023] — IppoPay, a pioneering Payment Infrastructure provider to small businesses, proudly announces its partnership with Visa, the global leader in digital payments, to issue small business credit cards. This is set to revolutionise the financial landscape, uplift small business owners, and catalyse financial inclusion across Tier 2 and 3 cities and rural areas.

“This alliance with Visa marks a significant milestone in our journey. With IppoPay’s network of over 5,00,000 merchants, this partnership will usher in a new era of financial possibilities. The small business segment which represents a base of over 100 Million in India is deeply underserved by conventional card providers leaving an opportunity of over $330 Bn completely unaddressed. This segment is core to what IppoPay stands for and given the size of the opportunity and our inherent moat in this space, we believe we are best positioned to address their credit demands” said Mohan K, CEO and Founder of IppoPay.

Visa has had a longstanding commitment to empowering small businesses and has recently surpassed its own mission of empowering 50 million small businesses globally, touching the lives of nearly 67 million micro and small businesses.

Sujai Raina, VP and Head – Business Development, Visa India said, “We are delighted to partner with IppoPay, equipping their small business clientele with the benefits of Visa credit cards. These offerings will empower small merchants with access to working capital and affordable payment solutions, bolstering financial freedom and planning. We believe this will also promote deeper financial inclusion of a segment that is crucial to catalyse economic growth.”

In the coming months and with this groundbreaking partnership, IppoPay will continue to work tirelessly to expand its reach, enhance its services, and make financial inclusion a reality for all. They aim to make a lasting impact in the world of fintech, creating opportunities that transcend geographical boundaries.

One97 Communications Limited (OCL) that owns the brand Paytm, India’s leading payments and financial services company and the pioneer of QR code, soundbox and mobile payments, has deployed nearly 10,000 payment devices such as Soundbox, QR codes and Card Machines for the Gram Panchayats of several states in India. This significant undertaking will revolutionise Gram Panchayats by enabling mobile payments.

The company has already received a mandate to implement QR/Card Machines and Soundbox for 7000+ Gram Panchayats in Andhra Pradesh, in collaboration with major banks such as HDFC Bank, SBI, IDFC First Bank, and many regional banks. A direct mandate has also been received from Uttar Pradesh and Goa’s state department for the deployment of Card Machines and Soundbox.

Additionally, Paytm has already digitalised more than 1200 Gram Panchayats through its QR code and Soundbox solutions in Gujarat, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Maharashtra, and Assam. The company has widened its reach in many states with the help of multiple partnerships with State Government Department or Gram Panchayats or with banks and has been able to place its offline solutions like Card Machine, QR or a Soundbox.

Abhay Sharma, Chief Business Officer, Payments, Paytm said, “We are committed to drive access to mobile payments to every part of India. With the deployment of our iconic payment devices like Soundbox, Card Machine and QR, we are redefining the digital landscape of Gram Panchayats and rural India. This will simplify fee collection processes for services like property tax, water bills, and electricity bills and more.”

Mumbai,6th December 2023  Audio series platform Pocket FM recently organised a writers’ meet-up with three talented and emerging writers from the platform – Moni Singh, Jhanvi Soni and Kavya Sharma. The writers, in a candid conversation, shared their transformative journey stories, which started from them being mere listeners or readers with writing aspirations to becoming established with an identity of their own.

Pocket FM, for them, is not just a platform to showcase their writing talent, it has evolved as a stepping stone towards achieving financial independence, attaining a strong fan following with millions of listeners and readers, and, most importantly, a sense of validation, pride and respect.

Moni Singh shared, “My journey has been full of growth and pride. I am the first writer in my family, which is a very proud achievement for me. With my creation now reaching millions across the world, it has given me recognition and elevated my social life. My friends and families now share my success frequently by sharing my stories in their network, which sometimes make me feel like a celebrity.”

An elated Jhanvi Soni said while sharing an emotional anecdote, “Recently, my mother was searching for my name on the internet to show off to a relative, and it was a moment of pride and achievement for her when my name appeared as a writer. It was a moment where I felt that I had made my parents proud of my professional achievement. I am indebted to Pocket FM for not only providing financial independence but also instilling a sense of pride that brought joy to my family.”

An overwhelmed Kavya Sharma said, “Like many, the pandemic did not spare me as well. I was bedridden for 6 months, but Pocket FM turned out to be the hope in the darkness. It kept me motivated to continue as a writer and empowered me financially. Today I am grateful to Pocket FM for having given me not only an identity of my own but also bringing financial stability in my life.”

Moni, Jhanvi, and Kavya are living proof that with dedication and the right platform, budding writers can transform their dreams into reality. Their success stories are bound to inspire every aspiring writer in the country who is looking to create an identity and niche of their own as a writer.

Pocket FM has set the stage and continues its mission to discover and nurture talent from the deepest corners of the country to help writers transform their dreams into reality. The platform is an open stage and writers can join by clicking here or by visiting https://writer.pocketnovel.com.

India, Pune: FLAME University hosted a distinguished public lecture by Mr. Sanjeev Sanyal, Member of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM), on the topic ‘Process Reforms: Big Impact from Small Changes’.

Discussions on economic reforms often emphasise large-scale structural changes, such as those initiated during India’s economic liberalisation in 1991. However, there’s a less acknowledged category called ‘process reforms,’ which are microeconomic, sector-specific improvements aiming to simplify and enhance operational efficiency. Unlike structural reforms, process reforms don’t overhaul the overall economic framework but focus on making existing systems work better. The public lecture addressed the oversight of process reforms in economic literature and highlighted their potential for significant positive impact, showcasing how small, targeted changes can lead to notable improvements in economic performance.

Speaking at the event was Prof. Dishan Kamdar, Vice-Chancellor, of FLAME University, who said, “At FLAME University, our unwavering commitment is to cultivate an ecosystem of creating and sharing knowledge through the exchange of thoughts and ideas by inviting distinguished subject experts and dynamic leaders from all walks of life through specially curated events. It is our privilege to welcome Mr. Sanjeev Sanyal to FLAME University as the esteemed speaker for the lecture on ‘Process Reforms: Big Impact from Small Changes’. Mr. Sanyal, recognized for his expertise in urban dynamics and honoured with the Eisenhower Fellowship in 2007, brings over two decades of experience in financial markets, earning the title of Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum in Davos. His talk focuses on process reforms, aiming to simplify and streamline operational processes, ultimately enhancing the efficiency of specific activities within an individual sector or issue.”

Speaking about the topic, Mr. Sanjeev Sanyal said, “In India, the initiation of structural reforms dates back to the liberalisation efforts of 1991. Conversely, a less acknowledged realm of reforms exists known as ‘process reforms’. These reforms are nuts-and-bolts reforms, often microeconomic in nature, with a specific focus on an individual sector or issue. This category constitutes the focus of my public lecture here.”

Mr. Sanyal was the Principal Economic Adviser to the Finance Minister for five years until February 2022 and the Co-Chair of the G20’s Framework Working Group. Before joining the government, he spent over two decades in financial markets and was the Global Strategist and Managing Director at Deutsche Bank. An alumnus of Shri Ram College of Commerce, Delhi, Mr. Sanyal later attended Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar. He was awarded the Eisenhower Fellowship in 2007 for his work on urban dynamics. In 2010, he was named a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum in Davos. He is the author of several best-selling books, including Land of the Seven Rivers, The Ocean of Churn, India in the Age of Ideas, and the Indian Renaissance. He has also published over two hundred articles and columns in leading national and international publications.

Also sharing his thoughts was Prof. Yugank Goyal, Faculty of Public Policy, FLAME University, who said, “It is important for public policy researchers to begin paying attention to ‘process reforms’ which Mr. Sanyal highlights. Even with small interventions, significant gains can be made for ‘ease of living’ for many people. The researcher needs to be precise in identifying and excavating the policy bottlenecks and resolving them.”

Bangalore, India -6th December 2023 Posspole, a dynamic 360-degree ecosystem for Hi-Tech products, market access and manufacturing, facilitated a momentous event in Bangalore in partnership with Spicy Rocket on November 30th and December 1st. Over 15 Moscow-based entrepreneurs attended the event, providing a special forum for partnership with Indian business owners and industry experts along with delegates from The Moscow School of Management SKOLKOVO, the leading private business school in Russia and the CIS.

The primary focus of the event was to provide access to the Indian markets to spark creative partnerships between entrepreneurs from both nations and to build access to the growing Indian markets. By leveraging boundless opportunities to grow business as well as manufacturing capabilities, and preparing for evolving market demands to drive innovation, the event aims to bring sharp focus on business partnerships with foreign entrepreneurs to localize, manufacture, and expand their businesses in the Indian sector by utilizing the country’s growing business potential

Posspole is focused on creating an ecosystem for International manufacturing and technology enterprises and their Indian counterparts, promoting international cooperation. The diverse community fosters collaborations, accelerate product development, and establishes itself as a leader in global technological advancements, solutions, and economic growth. Few of the companies that presented their ideas are Helix, Geltek, and EVA Productions.

Kiran Rudrappa, CEO & Co-Founder emphasized, “Posspole is committed to build neutral ecosystem for entrepreneurs from across globe to collaborate and innovate together to build products and solutions from India addressing real life challenges”

Nikolay Verkhovsky, Academic Director of Skolkovo Global Shift and Digital Shift educational Programs for entrepreneurs, states, “Posspole’s vision resonates with the global shifts in digital transformation. Together, we can build bridges that transcend geographical boundaries and redefine industry landscapes.”

Daria Goryakina, Founder and CEO of HELIX Group, remarked, “The synergy between HELIX and Posspole reflects a shared vision of innovation and transformative solutions. We look forward to leveraging this collaboration for mutual growth and impact.”

Kolkata: In a gala affair The Institute of Personality and Image Management (IPIM)unveiled the maiden edition of “Glamorama Face of 2023”, a prestigious event that redefined glamour and celebrated the essence of beauty and talent. This grand affair was graced by renowned personalities and esteemed representatives from the entertainment industry.

Distinguished personalities including actor Ms. Priyanka Sarkar, the Brand Ambassador of Glamourama 2023, actor Ms. Darshana Banik, actor Ms. Priyanka Mondal, Mr. Sidhu, lead singer-producer of Cactus band, director Mr. Subhrajit Mitra, Ms. Adolina Ganguly, Director of the Institute of Personality and Image Management along with several other renowned guests graced the event with their presence.

Glamourama 2023 was initiated during Durga Puja, where IPIM collaborated with Jodhpur Park Main Puja Committee and Vedamorph. Over 2000 entries were received under 27 categories with a target audience between 18 years and 40 years. The idea behind this is to identify prominent faces that embody the values of beauty and intellect. The Jury panel comprised– Ms. Priyanka Sarkar, Mr. Sidhu, Mr. Subhrajit Mitra, noted director Mr. Haranath Chakraborty, celebrity hairstylistMs. Jolly Chanda, renowned choreographer, Mr. Sudarshan Chakraborty, andMr. Alexy, Consul General of Russia who shortlisted 45 finalists.

“I started my career by participating in a beauty pageant, which gave me the idea of creating Glamourama, a platform for young people to bring out their hidden talents which go completely unrecognised. In today’s world young people are extremely conscious of their presence and are eager to make a mark in life,” Adolina Ganguly said.

The winners will be announced in a gala affair on December 17, 2023 in the presence of celebrities of Tollywood including actors Ms Sauraseni Maitra, Ms Swastika Duttaand Mr. Neel, Consul Generals and several government officials.

Kolkata, 6th December 2023: MSME-Development & Facilitation Office, Kolkata under Ministry of MSME, Govt. of India inaugurated two-days Vendor Development Programme for MSME Sector inaugurated today at Indian Institute of Packaging, Kolkata. The objective of the programme was Marketing, a strategic tool for business development that is critical for the growth and survival of MSMEs. Due to the lack of information, scarcity of resources and unorganized ways of selling /marketing in the post Covid’19 arena, the MSME sector faces problems in exploring new markets and retaining the existing one. Keeping in view these facts, the Procurement and Marketing Support Scheme of the Ministry of MSME, GoI has been introduced to enhance the marketability of products and services in the MSME sector. Vendor Development Programme (VDP) is a component of this scheme to facilitate market linkages for effective implementation of Public Procurement Policy for MSEs – 2012 (Amended in 2018).

Vendor Development Programme is an initiative by the Ministry of MSME, GoI to bring the MSMEs, Stake-holders, Govt. & Quasi-Govt. Department and CPSUs, Office of GeM on a common platform.

In order to take forward this initiative, MSME- Development & Facilitation Office, Kolkata has organized a two days Vendor Development Programme at Indian Institute of Packaging, Kolkata on 5th and 6th December, 2023. This 2 Day event was inaugurated by: Sri. D. Mitra, IEDS, Joint Director & HoO, MSME-DFO, Kolkata; Sri. Bidhan Das, Deputy Director, Indian Institute of Packaging; Smt. Kanchan Chauhan, Operations Manager, BNI Kolkata & CBDA & North; Sri. Vijay Agarwal, Secretary, LUB (WB); Sri. Manik Mazumder, Chief General Manager (MM), ONGC; Sri. W Rajkumar, Chairman, APID&FC Ltd, Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh & many other eminent personalities.

On this occasion, Sri. D Mitra, IEDS, Joint Director & HoO, MSME-DFO, Kolkata expressed his satisfaction for organizing this event for exclusive benefits of MSMEs for the State of West Bengal. He also informed that around 150 MSMEs participated in the inaugural day. Sharing his views, he said, “Government of India has taken several measures to enhance the procurement from MSEs under Public Procurement Act’2012. It is a common platform for business as well as selling organizations to inter-act with each other with a view to identifying emerging demands of the buyer organizations while simultaneously providing an opportunity for displaying the capabilities of the small scale entrepreneurs and their industrial ventures. Such programmes have proved to be of immense use in locating suitable entrepreneurs by a number of buying organizations including the Public Sector Enterprises, various Wings of Defense, Railways and others in indigenizing a number of products which hitherto have been imported at a colossal cost. This programme will help MSEs of West Bengal.”

Large Buyers like GRSE, Hindustan Aeronautical Limited (HAL), Bharat Heavy Electronics Limited (BHEL), ONGC, Indian Oil Corporation Limited, Haldia, Balmer Lawree, MSTC, Eastern Railways, Coal India Limited, Damoder Valley Corporation (DVC) etc. participated in this gala event. 

India, 6th December 2023: Renowned global angel investor Aparna Thyagarajan is making waves in the investment landscape with a record number of strategic investments in promising startups featured at Jio Cinema’s Indian Angels Show. Aparna has made investments with 8 entrepreneurial ventures, establishing her as the Angel with maximum investments including several promising women entrepreneurs

As a seasoned investor across both US and India, Aparna’s commitment to fostering innovation and supporting transformative visions is evident in her strategic backing of these ventures, solidifying her key role as an Indian Angel in shaping the trajectory of promising startups across the ecosystem.

Talking about the investments, Aparna Thyagarajan, Cofounder & Chief Product Officer at Shobitam said, “I am honored to be a strategic investor and partner for these exceptional entrepreneurs. My commitment goes beyond providing financial support. I believe in the transformative power of collaboration and mentorship, where I am excited to play a role in guiding these innovative startups toward their full potential and giving flight to businesses. Together, we will embark on a journey of growth, innovation, and success, shaping the future of these brands and contributing to the dynamism of the entrepreneurial landscape.”

Sonal Somani – Founder HappieCurves said, “I am extremely happie to have someone as versatile and experienced as Aparna as my Golden Angel. It makes me feel proud that she believes in me and my vision, and with her guidance, we will scale to new heights. It will be a lot of fun to learn from her and work with her.”

Prashant Chourasia, Co founder Habbits.in said, Aparna’s decision to invest in Habbits marks a pivotal moment for us, and we are genuinely thrilled to have her on board. Her wealth of experience will help us navigate challenges, identify opportunities, and refine our strategic vision. The global potential for Habbits is enormous, and her insights into international markets, understanding of consumer trends, and network of connections will be crucial in establishing our presence across borders. Very much like her own venture Shobitam, we want to build for the world, from India” –

We at Shakti wearables are super thrilled to onboard Aparna ma’am as our angel investor and mentor. Her expertise and leadership skills have done wonders for Shobitam and we are grateful for her support. Aparna ma’am not only liked our business but was also so connected to the vision and the cause at Shakti wearables which gets us more motivated and we look forward to work together with her to emerge bigger and better.” added, Srishti Sharma, Founder – Shakti wearables

Aparna’s dedication extends beyond financial backing, as she champions women entrepreneurship. In addition to her investments, she has established the Shobitam Centre for Women Entrepreneurship at BITS Pilani, reflecting her commitment to nurturing and supporting women entrepreneurs.

In a notable partnership, Aparna has collaborated with several of the Indian Angels in the show to jointly invest in many brands. This collaborative effort emphasizes her commitment to fostering innovation and achieving success within the startup ecosystem. Her involvement in the Jio Cinema’s Indian Angels Show not only highlights her prowess as a prolific investor but also showcases her role as a champion for inclusive and diverse entrepreneurship. Aparna’s visionary approach continues to inspire others to contribute to the growth and evolution of the global startup landscape.

Mumbai, 6th December 2023 – foundit (formerly Monster APAC & ME), India’s leading talent platform, published the foundit Insights Tracker (fit), presenting the latest findings on hiring trends for November 2023.

According to the latest tracker, hiring dipped 2% month-over-month (MoM). On a year-on-year (YoY) scale, the overall index reflected a 10% decline. The index dropped from 277 in November 2022 to 249 in November 2023. While hiring has stagnated, India’s economic prospects appear promising due to the aid and support received for Indian industries, startups, and manufacturing within the country today. The efforts of the PSU (Public Sector Undertakings) sector to bridge the employment gap has been recorded in the recent report from the National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO) as well, which states that the unemployment rate has dipped to 6.6% in the September quarter from 7.2% a year ago.

Offering a hiring overview for November 2023, Sekhar Garisa, CEO, foundit (previously Monster APAC & ME), a Quess company, said, “While the overall hiring activity has been subdued, our economic prospects are bright and resilient against global headwinds. We have noticed that talent availability in tier 2 cities allows multinational companies, both services and manufacturing firms, to set up in more cost-effective destinations. Additionally, the thrust on ensuring skill development has to continue. People from all rungs of society, especially the youth should upskill to be able to land jobs. We anticipate the job market situation to improve in the upcoming months, resulting in more stability and growth. And, in turn, creating new job prospects in the market.”

Government Initiatives & Policies Drive Job Spikes in PSU and Defence Sectors

On a MoM basis, the Government, PSU, and Defence industries (14%) showed the maximum increase in job postings. Government policies and initiatives such as ‘Make In India’, Atmanirbhar Bharat Rojgar Yojana (ABRY), etc have been in support of generating employment and have substantially helped in reducing the unemployment rate in India. Considering the goal is to provide employment to all Indians, the government realises that it is essential to spend money on Indian industries and manufacturing within the country. With the rapid expansion of metro rail business and railways (including Vande Bharat services), the government is doing their best in creating employment opportunities for the youth.

The Office Equipment and Automation sector also registered a (4%) growth in hiring, notably driven by the demand for workforce skills, which requires employees to interact with ever-smart machines that have integrated artificial intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT) further shaping the future of the sector. The adoption of automation and AI technologies will bring numerous benefits in the form of higher productivity, GDP growth, improved corporate performance, and new prosperity. Other industries that have performed well in November ’23 compared to October ’23 are Retail (3%) and Healthcare/Pharmaceuticals industries (2%). The retail industry’s seasonal hiring plans provided modest temporary employment goals, thus signaling low unemployment during the festive season.

Tier 2 Cities Emerge As New Talent Epicentres; Coimbatore Witnesses A Remarkable 13% Increase In Hiring

Coimbatore stands out with a remarkable 13% MoM increase in hiring, potentially attributed to the increasing availability of a diverse talent pool in these cities, a mutually advantageous development for both recruiters and professionals, as tier 2 cities are a cost-effective destination for businesses.

Apart from Coimbatore, Kochi, known for its industrial significance, experienced a 4% month-on-month rise in hiring activity. Following suit, Jaipur showcased a 2% increase in job opportunities. However, Baroda (0%) maintained a relatively stable hiring environment. Conversely, a few cities, such as Kolkata, Mumbai, and Pune, faced declining hiring percentages, dropping by 5%, 6%, and 4% respectively.

Across the board, numerous cities, including Hyderabad (-1%), Ahmedabad (-1%), Delhi-NCR (-1%), and Chennai (-2%), maintained a relatively stable hiring environment with subtle decline, signifying a muted growth in the job market.

Purchase, Logistics and Supply Chain Job Roles Drive 6% Growth In Hiring

Job roles in purchase, logistics, and supply chain topped the list of job functions with a 6% increase in online hiring activity. With the increasing number of multinational companies setting up operations in India, the supply chain management field is expected to grow and create more job opportunities. Furthermore, the Finance & Accounts sector saw a notable 5% surge in demand, including expertise in financial analysis, risk management, compliance, taxation, and knowledge of evolving technologies like data analytics and AI in finance. Professionals with a blend of financial expertise and technological acumen are particularly sought after. This increase highlights the industry’s growing dependence on professionals capable of navigating the dynamic terrain of digital marketing and communication strategies.

There was a downward trend in hiring for Engineering/Production (-5%), followed by Senior Management positions (-4%), Sales & Development (-4%), and Customer Service positions (-4%). This month, the demand for Marketing & Communications job roles and software, hardware, and telecommunications roles was moderate.

Senior and mid-senior level professionals see a downturn in hiring

In the current job market, characterised by a global economic slowdown, freshers with 0 to 3 years of experience hold the upper hand compared to senior and mid-senior level professionals with over 7 years of experience. Current statistics reveal a downturn trend in hiring mid-senior-level professionals (-7%) and senior professionals (-6%). With the growing demand in certain sectors, industries such as Automotives/Ancillaries/Tyres, Telecom/ISP, Advertising, Market Research, Public Relations (PR), Retail, and Travel and Tourism sector have seen an increase in their salary brackets for specific years of experience. However, certain sectors have shown a dip in their salaries as compared to the previous quarter, including BFSI, BPO / ITES, Education, FMCG, Logistics, and Courier/Freight/Transportation sector.

The minimum salary for freshers ranges from ₹2,10,994 (BPO/ITES) to ₹3,94,794 (IT-Hardware, Software), and the salary for a professional with (11-15) years of experience range from ₹19,60,577 (Banking/Financial Services, Insurance) to ₹33,09,292 (IT- Hardware, Software). IT-Software and Hardware industry offers the highest salaries across all experience levels, followed by the Banking/Financial Services/Insurance industry. This is likely due to the high demand for skilled IT professionals in India. IT industry (Software and Hardware) also pays the highest salaries for entry-level professionals, with a salary range of ₹3,94,794 to ₹6,90,613. The BPO/ITES industry has the lowest salary ranges for all experience levels, followed by the Education industry.