Archives 2023

For the last few years, the term ‘skincare’ has been the talk of the town with the quirkiest trends taking center stage from time to time. Amongst the most popular trends, a recent trend that has hopped on the bandwagon to help achieve ‘the skin of your dreams’ is skin cycling. It’s all about switching up the products so that you target different skin concerns and keep your skin looking fresh and fabulous!

Simply put, think of it like a ‘choose your own adventure’ for your skin. Imagine a world where your skin never gets bored with the same old routine, it’s always on its toes, ready to take on the next adventure. You can mix and match different products and try new things to keep your skin looking and feeling its best. One day you can focus on hydration, the next day on exfoliation, and so on. By giving your skin a variety of options, you’ll be able to address multiple concerns, resulting in well-rounded and healthy-looking skin.

This time, as you seek to add the right products to try out the new trend, consider opting for Colorbar’s products under the Vita Hemp Range that are listed below. Your skin will definitely thank you!

● Cleanse the dirt away with Colorbar’s Hemp + Vitamin C Restoring and Balancing Foaming Face Wash

Every day, your skin comes in contact with active pollutants, dirt, harmful chemicals, and much more. To provide your skin with much-needed love, start by incorporating a cleansing routine. The most basic step for any skincare regime is to gently cleanse the face without stripping it of healthy oils. Color bar’s Hemp + Vitamin C Restoring and Balancing Foaming Face Wash is a single-wash formula that effortlessly reaches deep within the pores of the skin and gently washes away its impurities and excess oils. The foaming face wash is priced at INR 495.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       ● Toning your skin with Colorbar’s Hydra White Toner

The second step of a healthy skincare routine includes the use of a powerful toner that acts as a supplement for the skin. A toner is meant to prime your face to help the other products in the regimen to be better absorbed later on. Carefully opt for a hydrating toner based on your skin type. A toner that is beneficial for all skin types is Colorbar’s Hydra White Toner – a weightless formula that deeply penetrates the skin to even out the skin tone. It locks in the skin’s natural moisture level, leaving beautifully balanced, and hydrated skin. The hydra white toner is priced at INR 890.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                ● Skincare treatment with Colorbar’s Restoring and Balancing Serum

The third step of a skincare routine is absolutely essential. Skincare experts have been toiling over the minutiae of ingredients and formula, and now we can reap the benefit of their hard-won knowledge. Filled with concentrated doses of active ingredients, these elixirs can visibly help improve your skin’s health by reducing aging lines, dark spots, worry lines, and much more. Color bar’s Restoring and Balancing Serum is a lightweight formulation that helps with quick absorption and fights the early signs of aging. The serum is priced at INR 695.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     ● Applying colorbar’s Restoring and Balancing Under Eye Serum

To tackle specific concerns — like hyperpigmentation, dryness or puffiness, opt for an eye cream by integrating it into your skincare regimen. Given the fragile and sensitive nature of the skin around the eyes, it becomes all the more important to treat it with gentle ingredients packed with low actives. Color bar’s Restoring and Balancing Under Eye Serum helps rejuvenate, restore, and balance the eye contour. Enriched with the goodness of Cold Pressed Hemp Seed Oil, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Hyaluronic Acid, and Peptides, this cream helps fight puffiness and dark circles to bring an overall glow to your eyes. It is priced at INR 495.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              ● Moisturizing your skin with Colorbar’s Restoring and Balancing Moisturizer

This fifth step is a holy grail to keep the skin soft and hydrated while strengthening the skin barrier. Effective moisturizers assist in complimenting the naturally found protective oils and other building blocks within the skin. Color bar’s Restoring and Balancing Moisturizer comes with the power of natural actives that hydrate the skin while ensuring the skin’s repair and rejuvenation. Enriched with olive leaf extract, saccharide isomerate, and extracts of rice, papaya, and green tea, this cream ensures naturally healthy-looking skin. The moisturizer is priced at INR 695.

Hindi play will feature Actor Anup Soni, Actor Vinay Jain and Monisha Singh Katial

India’s leading theatre group The Films and Theatre Society is all set to bring a new Hindi Comedy play “My Wife’s 8th Vachan” for the audience of Mumbai. Atul Satya Koushik is widely known for creating a brand value in grand Historical productions, Musicals, mythological, Social Satires and My Wife’s 8th Vachan is his first attempt in the genre of comedy and family entertainment at this scale.

My Wife’s 8th Vachan is an eighty-five-minute comedy and family play inspired by marriages. The play is about a mystery called “marriage” that has deepened with each effort of solving it. This play, at most, is another ambitious (read failed) attempt in doing so. Madhur and Mahak are no different from any married couple who have been co-existing in each other’s lives for fifteen years and have been quarrelling for reasons unknown. So much so that their little daughter has decided to study in a boarding school to avoid daily battles her parents invent out of nowhere. Mahak wants to address the elephant in the room and talk to Madhur about the state of their marriage. She is prepared even if some difficult decision needs to be made about it now. A reluctant Madhur finds himself in the uncanniness episode of his life when the eighth promise that Mahak made at the time of their marriage comes back to haunt her. What is that eight promise? Whom did she make it to? Is this the much-awaited break from their dilapidated marriage that they both needed? Come and discover in this laugh-a-minute comedy inspired from your marriage

Famous Film, TV and Theatre actors Anup Soni, Vinay Jain and Monisha Singh Katial take the audience through this episode of comedy drama. The production bears the stamp of a typical Atul Satya Koushik production i.e., lavish sets, costumes, music and a spectacular wholesome experience for the audience.

Atul Satya Koushik, writer & Director, said, “Each script comes with its own challenges and opportunities. I have done comedies in the past but more as experimental and workshop productions. This one is my first serious attempt at comedy at this scale. You see, comedy is difficult. You never know what the audience will find funny and what not. All we can do as makers of theatre is to be honest with our content and leave it for the audience to tell us if it struck a chord with them or not.”

Actor Anup Sonii says, ” Doing this new play was an opportunity for me to explore the comic side as an actor and every actor wants to explore all roles. I always have a very serious image so it’s always nice to keep breaking it and surprising the audience. I am trying to explore another side as an actor. It’s a brilliant script, very well written, contemporary modern couple drama. I am sure the audience is going to relate to this play because it has all the elements which we experience in our day-to-day life. I hope the audience likes my comic side as well.”

Actor Vinay Jain says, “Firstly, it’s exciting to be back on stage after a gap of almost 4 years! What’s really wonderful is that this play deals with the eternal theme of human relationships in a manner that is extremely contemporary and relevant. Atul has done a stellar job with this slice-of-life script which will bring many a laugh and many a tear in the eyes of the audience. All in all, I can assure you that it will be time well spent – for us, as well as for those who come to watch the show! “

Actor Monisha Singh Katial says, “For me this play is very special as it’s my first one as an actor, the character of Mehek has all the shades of today’s woman and what goes on in her mind. It’s inspired by situations and people around us making her someone you all feel you know. This play will make for a great watch as it’s not just a comedy but also has a strong message at the end of it.”

Date & Day: 12th February 2023 @5pm and 8 pm, (Sunday) St. Andrews Auditorium, Bandra, Mumbai

Tickets: Rs. 300 to 2000/- available online on bookmysMumbaihow.com or call 9873579796

for tele booking. Also available at the counter on show day.

Kolkata, 9 February 2023: Gurunanak Institute of Technology, under the JIS group, hosted a meet-and-greet session with the lead actor of the upcoming Bengali movie “LSD: Laal Suitcase ta Dekhechen,” Soham Chakraborty, along with director Sayantan Ghoshal and music director Savvy, at the college campus on Wednesday evening. The session was attended by thousands of students of Guru Nanak College Campus and they enjoyed interacting with the star cast throughout the time.

The movie promises to deliver an engaging dark comedy with many twists and turns. Other actors in the movie include Kanchan Mallick, Sourav Chakraborty, Avijeet Guha, Labony Sarkar, and others in key roles. The film highlights the implication of drug addiction and how it destroys the young generation. A dark comedy in itself is an intriguing genre and is based on a very relevant issue that is a cause of serious concern. Shot in real locations the movie has potentially all the spices for preparing a perfect entertainer along with its social message. Both the actors were cordial to the college students and answered most of the questions with a smile on their faces which won the heart of the audience present there.

Speaking on the occasion, Sardar Taranjit Singh, Managing Director of JIS Group mentioned, “As an educational institution our foremost duty is to guide the students on a path that leads to a successful future. Hence, it was absolutely amazing to witness the lead cast of a Bengali movie that promises to bring up a relevant issue and guide youngsters to a safe path for themselves.”

Hyderabad, February 9th, 2023: Gravton Motors, Hyderabad’s fast-growing, startup in the Electric Vehicle (EV) space, has unveiled its new model “ARQ” , e-bike in the presence of Mr. K T Rama Rao, Minister of IT, Industries and MA & UD, Govt of Telangana.

Launched at the Hyderabad E Motor Show, HITEX today, the EV ‘ARQ’ is an of its kind vehicle with a BIONIC design, full helmet boot space, and equipped with a swappable battery system.

According to Mr. Parshuram Paka, Founder & CEO of Gravton Motors, “the new e-bike will surely be a game-changer in the EV market”. There are three modes for this vehicle: ECO-40, City-65, and Sports-110. It can last up to 140 km with a one-time charge. And to top it all there is zero maintenance for the battery, he added.

Mr Jayesh Ranjan, Principal Secretary, IT, Electronics & Communications and Industries & Commerce Dept. was also present at the unveiling event.

Gravton Motors has recently participated in India’s largest EV rally conducted by the Government of Telangana and enthralled the EV lovers through their exciting bike stunts at People’s Plaza. The rally was also part of Telangana’s E- mobility week program, to promote sustainable living for the future generations.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Parshuram said, “We are also looking forward to introducing more vehicles and promoting sustainable mobility and supporting the revolutionary EV adoption which has begun through this E-Mobility week. We really appreciate the efforts of the minister and State Government for taking this initiative and giving a wonderful opportunity to EV startups like us”.

Gravton Motors unveiled their new model QRX at the Auto-Expo 2023, Delhi. It has also been indigenously designing and developing components, thus making it among the few companies with capability to manufacturing the highest number of components in the country.

Incidentally, the company’s e-bike covered 4,011 kms from Kanyakumari to Khardung La, mountain pass (Ladakh) – K2K Ride in the shortest time without the need for charging. This achievement got it an entry into the Asia Book of Records.

By Dr. Manish Patni, Consultant – Neuro Physician. Bhavnagarc

The brain regulates the movements of skeletal muscles through specific nerves. The combination of the nervous system and muscles working together to let movement is termed the neuromuscular system. These muscles are called voluntary muscles, the muscles one can choose to move, such as ones in arms, legs, or face.

If a person wants to move a part of the system, then a message is sent to neurons called upper motor neurons. Upper motor neurons have long tails (axons) that travel into and via the brain and into the spinal cord, where they link with lower motor neurons. At the spinal cord, the lower motor neurons send their axons via nerves in the arms and legs directly to the muscle they control.

A muscle is tuned by more than 650 lower motor neurons and each of which is subdivided into several tiny branches. The tip of each branch is called a presynaptic terminal, and this connection is called the neuromuscular junction.

What Are Neuromuscular Disorders?

Neuromuscular disease affects the function and working of muscles due to problems with the nerves and muscles in the body. Several diseases are classified as neuromuscular disorders. Some of them are caused by inherited conditions, hormonal issues, and autoimmune disorders. The typical sign of these diseases is muscle weakness.

Common Neuromuscular Disorders

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS): This condition results in the loss of nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, where muscle weakness causes trouble with movement and speech.

Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT): It is a group of inherited disorders; initial symptoms include weakness in the lower limbs, feet, and hands. This condition progresses gradually and may not impede a person’s quality of life.

Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP): It leads to weakness in the arms and legs. It is caused by autoimmune disorders that affect the insulation surrounding the myelin sheath (peripheral nerves).

Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS): The myelin sheath is affected and leads to weakness in the legs, progressing rapidly to the rest of the body. It is caused when the immune system attacks the peripheral nervous system.

Lambert-Eaton syndrome: It is an autoimmune condition that leads to weakness and exhaustion in the arms and leg muscles.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS): In this condition, the myelin sheath around the peripheral nerves are attacked by the immune system. It usually affects the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves.

Myasthenia Gravis: It is an autoimmune condition caused by damage to muscle receptors, which leads to muscle weakness throughout the system. Some symptoms include weakness in the arms and legs, vision problems, and speaking and eating difficulties.

Peripheral Neuropathy: This disorder affects the nerves in the brain and spinal cord. It results in weakness, pain, and numbness in the extremities.

Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA): A group of genetically inherited disorders leads to hypotonia in the arms and legs and breathing problems.

Symptoms

Generally, the symptoms of a neuromuscular disorder may vary by the condition one has. Also, a person’s symptoms may vary from mild to moderate to life-threatening. The onset of symptoms may range from childhood to adulthood. The progress may be slow, rapid, or even change. Common symptoms include:

• Muscle weakness
  Muscles wasting
  Muscles cramps
  Muscles stiffness
  Pain in the muscles
  breathing difficulty
  Problem swallowing
  Balance and movement problems
  Poor vision

Causes

The exact cause of some neuromuscular disorders is unknown. Some of the reasons may include the following:

Genetic mutation
Viral infection
Autoimmune disorder
Hormonal problem
Metabolic disorder
Dietary deficiency
Use of certain drugs/ poisons

Diagnosis

The healthcare provider will initially examine the person thoroughly, test reflexes, and look out for any signs of loss of muscle tone(atrophy). Then the following tests may be recommended to confirm the diagnosis:

Blood tests to check for levels of certain enzymes
Electromyography to determine the electrical activity in the muscles
MRI to evaluate for problems with the brain and spinal cord
Spinal tap to test the cerebrospinal fluid
Nerve conduction velocity testing to assess how well messages are being sent from the nerves to the muscles
Muscle biopsies to monitor the functioning of the muscle tissue
Genetic testing to check for any mutations that may have been inherited

Treatment

Neuromuscular disorders cannot be completely cured, but treatment may help alleviate symptoms and slow the condition’s progression from getting aggravated.

Doctors may prescribe medications to help ease muscle pain, weakness, cramps, and stiffness.
Drugs to improve nerve impulses and strength in the muscles
Immunosuppressants to treat conditions caused by autoimmune issues
Immunoglobulin therapy to increase antibodies

Other treatment options include:

Physical / rehabilitation therapy to revamp muscle tone and work on motor skills
Occupational therapy to learn new methods to perform routine tasks and preserve energy
Surgery may be needed for patients with neuropathy to ease pressure on the nerves or to remove the thymus

February 2023: Cinépolis, the first international cinema exhibitor in India, today announced the launch of Cinépolis Pacific Mall, NSP, Pitampura. With the strategic move of opening multiplexes at prime locations, the launch of its biggest multiplex in Delhi, Cinépolis NSP in Pacific Mall, Pitampura will further strengthen its positioning among its customers and associates in the premium luxury multiplex industry.

The launch of this biggest multiplex will create an unmissable and exhilarating cinematic experience for the patrons of New Delhi with its completely new architectural design look in Black and Golden. With its unmatched technology and comfortable ambiance, it will certainly be the favorite spot for movie lovers. Cinépolis Pacific Mall is the biggest theatre by Cinepolis in Delhi with 9 screens and a luxury last row in all auditoriums with premium recliners. In addition, the multiplex will also have a full-service Coffee Tree (gourmet café), DOLBY Atmos audio, Harkness Screens, and RealD 3D technology, giving excellent premium ambiance and experience to patrons.

Speaking on this occasion Mr. Devang Sampat, CEO, of Cinépolis India, said “Cinépolis has always aimed at offering an unmatched experience to movie patrons, the opening of Cinépolis Pacific Mall, NSP, Pitampura has endorsed our commitment towards them. This is our flagship property, our biggest multiplex in Delhi with 9 screens which will take the entertainment value to the next level. We are expecting a huge footfall at the multiplex and are sure that patrons will be amazed by the experience at Cinépolis. Our cutting-edge technology combined with quality and distinctively comfortable ambiance sets us apart and we are committed to providing the same world-class cinema viewing experience to our discerning patrons across India. I would like to thank Mr. Abhishek Bansal for giving Cinepolis an opportunity to develop our multiplex in Pacific Mall. His team has been very successful in developing and running high-footfall malls and I’m sure they will continue to build upon the same in the future as well.”

He further added, “The opening of Cinépolis Pacific Mall, NSP, Pitampura is of significant strategic value that further strengthens our position in India. Looking forward and expanding our wings, the focus now is to open more multiplexes in prime locations in metros and mini-metros. India is an important market for us and the strategic importance of the market is underscored by the fact that Cinépolis’ expansion plans have been steadfast even through the pandemic wherein Cinépolis added 42 screens. It is our constant endeavor to upgrade the cinematic experience by bringing the latest technology and customer engagement into the industry.”

Abhishek Bansal, Executive Director, Pacific Development Corporation Ltd said, “We are happy to have an iconic and world-class cinema chain – Cinépolis now being part of Pacific Mall, Pitampura. The mall is situated in the most premium location in North Delhi and we associate with the best of the brands in the business. We hope that Cinépolis in its new version will complement the mall and we look forward to an entertaining journey ahead.”

With the opening of the Cinépolis Pacific Mall, NSP, Pitampura with 9 screens, Cinépolis total screen count now stands at 436 screens with 97 multiplexes across India. The newly inaugurated, Cinépolis Pacific Mall, NSP, Pitampura has total a total capacity of 1659 seats. The entire ambiance, lighting, and décor of Cinépolis Pacific Mall, NSP, Pitampura have a new architectural design ID in Black and Golden, giving it a more premium luxury experience. The iconic ‘Coffee Tree’ will offer movie connoisseurs an elaborate gourmet menu that serves a range of delectable food and beverages offering a plethora of cuisines from Italian to American to Indian. The brand also offers a continuous customer engagement and loyalty program, ‘Club Cinépolis’ that allows the patron to earn and burn points on movie tickets and has exclusive benefits of special screenings, meet & greet with stars, and much more. The 9-screen multiplex is equipped with RealD 3D technology and DOLBY Atmos audio.

Since its inception in India, Cinépolis has created a strong footprint across 62 Indian cities with a focus on opening multiplexes in prime locations in metros and mini metros. India is now the second largest market and remains the fastest growing market for Cinépolis, globally, and plans to add 200 more screens in the next 3 years.

Cinépolis India has created a strong footprint across 62 Indian cities with a strong presence in major metros: Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru. Cinépolis extends a contemporary approach that seamlessly weaves the entire range of cherry-picked cinema formats from across the world under one roof offering an unmatched experience to all movie patrons.

(WASHINGTON, D.C.; Feb. 9, 2023) ­– Crowley has appointed Clay Heil as vice president of global government relations, where he will lead the company’s full spectrum of government advocacy across all of the company’s business interests and activities.

Based in Washington, D.C., Heil will spearhead Crowley’s engagement with federal, state, and local government partners and elected officials on policy and regulatory matters that support the company’s strategic growth.

Heil joins Crowley with more than 25 years of legislative and legal experience. In Congress, he worked in the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate for 12 years, holding senior roles including deputy staff director and general counsel for the Senate Appropriations Committee. Most recently, Heil was a partner in Taft’s Public Affairs Strategies Group, where he represented Fortune 500 companies in the defense, cybersecurity and technology sectors.

“Clay’s experience, knowledge and relationships in Washington and the private sector make him a strong advocate for Crowley and our industries,” said Chief Legal and Risk Officer Parker Harrison. “His leadership will help elevate Crowley’s transportation and logistics solutions to continue the growth as a chosen partner for government and military.”

During his time in Congress, Heil also served as legislative director for Sen. Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) and worked for Rep. Wayne Allard (R-Colo.), Sen. Ted Stevens (R-Ark.) and Sen. Judd Gregg (R-N.H.).

Heil holds a juris doctorate from the Georgetown University Law Center and a bachelor’s degree from Colorado State University. He is a member of the District of Columbia Bar.

About Crowley
Crowley is a privately held, U.S.-owned and -operated maritime, energy, and logistics solutions company serving commercial and government sectors with $3.4 billion in annual revenues, over 170 vessels mostly in the Jones Act fleet, and approximately 7,000 employees around the world – employing more U.S. mariners than any other company. The Crowley enterprise has invested more than $3.2 billion in maritime transport, which is the backbone of global trade and the global economy. As a global ship owner-operator and services provider with more than 130 years of innovation and a commitment to sustainability, the company serves customers in 36 nations and island territories through five business units: Crowley Logistics, Crowley Shipping, Crowley Solutions, Crowley Wind Services, and Crowley Fuels. Additional information about Crowley, its business units, and its subsidiaries can be found at www.crowley.com.

# # #

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Media Contacts

David DeCamp
Director
Corporate Communications
Crowley
Tel: (904) 727-4263
David.DeCamp@crowley.com

Torey Vogel
Specialist
Corporate Communications
Crowley
Tel: (904) 726-4536
Torey.Vogel@Crowley.com

The RBI raised the repo rate by 25bps and kept its stance unchanged at “withdrawal of accommodation” on expected lines. The policy tone was hawkish as the RBI recognised that they are still away from achieving their objective of durable disinflation. In terms of the inflation risks, the RBI highlighted the elevated nature of core inflation and continuing global risks that could push up domestic inflation going forward. On growth, the RBI pegged GDP growth at 6.4% in FY24, higher than consensus expectations – sounding optimistic about the growth momentum. Going forward, the central bank is likely to become more data-dependent, and this does not rule out another rate hike in the upcoming policy.

On liquidity, the RBI recognised that there might be some reduction in liquidity surplus as the facilities provided during the pandemic end while providing reassurance that they are likely to balance these out through various instruments available at their disposable. Despite the comments on liquidity conditions remaining accommodative compared to pre-pandemic levels – signalling a somewhat hawkish tone – we expect the RBI to maintain adequate liquidity surplus to remain growth supportive going forward.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Shaktikanta Das announced the Monetary Policy statement on February 8, 2023, increasing the repo rate by 25 bps as widely expected. The repo rate hike will undoubtedly push up the home loan interest rates, which had already crept up after five consecutive rate hikes this year.

Here is what real estate industry experts have to say:

Mr. Kaushal Agarwal – Chairman, The Guardians Real Estate Advisory

“Consecutive rate hikes by the RBI this year were aimed at re-anchoring the inflation expectations and maintaining financial stability. Thus far, the rising cost of house ownership led by higher EMI, higher stamp duty and other factors has not affected real estate sales, which is a firm indicator of genuine demand for housing. But any further hike in the repo rate might temporarily limit the growth momentum of the real estate sector. Although the recently concluded budget was tailor-made keeping the salaried and the middle class in mind, a rate cut at this stage could have triggered the sentiments of the homebuyers sustaining the growth momentum.”

Mr. Pritam Chivukula – Co-Founder & Director, Tridhaatu Realty and Treasurer, CREDAI MCHI

“RBI’s decision to hike the interest rates to tackle the inflation and ensure domestic economic recovery was a no-brainer. But a rate cut would have been a big booster for the real estate sector which was overlooked in the recently concluded budget. The sharp acceleration of rates consecutively for the sixth time in a short period will have a short-term effect on the sentiment of homebuyers as low-interest rates have been the biggest factor in the resurgence of real estate demand in the last two years. We hope that the State Government will step in again to lighten the homebuyer’s load by reducing stamp duty to boost the sentiments.”

Mr. Himanshu Jain, VP – Sales, Marketing, and CRM, Satellite Developers Pvt. Ltd. (SDPL)

“Keeping the current market conditions and inflation in mind, the move by the RBI was expected to keep the economy on track in the current highly volatile scenario. The rising property prices had already added to the woes of the homebuyers and now the decision of RBI to increase the repo rate will temporarily dent the current demand momentum. Also, for first-time home buyers, acquiring a home is considered as the biggest asset and these short-term decisions are likely to have a major impact on a buyer’s decision.”

Mr. Bhushan Nemlekar, Director, Sumit Woods Limited

“Earlier, due to the pandemic and the geopolitical issues, the input costs were already high and now with these consecutive rate hikes, it will only dampen the spirit of the entire real estate value chain. The cost of borrowing for both developers and buyers will be impacted and this will result in undesired rate hikes across the spectrum. However, we did not see much impact on the buying spree in the last couple of quarters since there are genuine buyers in the market to keep the momentum going.”

Dr. Sachin Chopda, Managing Director, Pushpam Group

“RBI’s decision to hike the policy repo rate was anticipated, factoring in the rise in inflation. The rate hike is likely to shrink liquidity in the economy overall, especially impacting the investor’s sentiments. There will be a short-term pause on the minds of the investors while assessing the volatility of the current market dynamics. However, they are bound to return soon in the market once it is stable.”

Chennai, 9th February 2023: The New India Assurance Company Ltd (NIA) has been certified ISO 27001:2013 compliant on Information Security. It is among the very few General Insurance Companies in India being awarded such a certificate.

Information security breaches can be extremely detrimental to businesses both in terms of financial loss and reputational damage. Implementing a robust security system can help minimize the risk of security breaches, making the company more reliable and reputable in the eyes of customers, suppliers, and business partners.

The ISO certification, completed via a third-party audit, helps establish an organization’s reputation as a trusted and secure business. It validates the applicant’s commitment towards following international best practices and certifies it as a world-class entity.

Accordingly, after internal and external audits assessing the organisation’s current IT security levels and threat perceptions, NIA has been considered fit to receive an ISO 27001:2013 certificate. ISO 27001:2013 is an internationally used information security standard that covers business operations, especially those with potential information security risks. The standard covers all the procedures from establishing a security framework to maintaining it and improving company security systems. Accordingly, NIA has enhanced and secured its processes to mitigate security threats.

Commenting on the achievement, Mrs. Neerja Kapur, Chairman cum Managing Director, said, “The world is in the midst of a data and digital revolution. While these are exciting times, they come with their set of unique challenges. Data security has now become paramount and every business entity needs to build robust safeguards and checks to prevent tech-related mishaps. We have realised the severity of the challenge and geared ourselves to face it. The recommendation for ISO 27001:2013 testifies to our commitment. During the course of obtaining the accreditation, we subjected ourselves to an intense examination. I am glad that our processes and systems have passed the most stringent examinations and come out with flying colors. It will be our constant endeavour to implement and maintain the best practices for our customers in India as well as internationally.”