Archives 2023

Mumbai, 26 December 2023 – myHQ by ANAROCK, India’s leading platform for flexible workspace solutions, has entered a strategic partnership with Awfis, the country’s largest provider of agile office spaces, to give on-demand access to Awfis’s 100+ centers across the country.

Utkarsh Kawatra, Senior Director – myHQ by ANAROCK, says, “Under this collaboration, myHQ user base of 100,000 individuals, will now have seamless access to Awfis centers to book on-demand seats and meeting rooms across the country via the myHQ app. Our on-demand solutions are one of the most popular options for professionals who need to get work done in an enabled corporate setting on a short-term or occasional basis. They can book individually or together, a single seat or a meeting room, whatever they need.”

This unique collaboration will leverage the hugely increased post-pandemic pace of the Indian coworking industry. As per myHQ research, since 2017, an astonishing 25 mn. sq.ft. of coworking spaces have penetrated the top 7 cities of the country.

“Today, coworking represents a 21% share of the country’s entire commercial office space sector,” says Kawatra. “In Q3 2023, the top 7 cities have absorbed 10.5 million square feet of office space, of which coworking accounts for a approx. 20% share. The most vibrant coworking hubs in India are currently NCR, Pune, and Bengaluru – but the flex workspace trend is rapidly penetrating even Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities and towns.”

Description automatically generated Sumit Lakhani, Deputy CEO – Awfis, says, “We are excited to collaborate with myHQ for our mobility solutions. For us, this becomes another key source of helping a wider audience base experience our services. Our products have been carefully designed keeping in mind the evolving preferences of the new-age workforce and our pricing strategy ensures that people get elevated workspace experience in key micro-markets across cities at a very competitive price. This partnership aligns with our goal to maximize our reach to individuals and corporates across the country.”

Post the Covid-19 pandemic, 70% of Indian companies have adopted various iterations of flexible work models. Coworking spaces have thus become the go-to option for firms and their employees to accommodate their dynamic work approach. More than 50% of startups and fledgling firms with smaller teams find coworking an exceptionally cost-effective solution for hybrid work.

Coworking centers have become a very attractive proposition for businesses, especially startups and companies with smaller teams. The myHQ SaaS platform has already enabled such firms, as well as large corporates who have added flexible work to their traditional office approach, access to 1000+ centers across India.

26th December 2023, Bengaluru: Air India Express announces the commencement of daily direct flights between Bengaluru and Kozhikode, starting January 16th.

The inaugural direct flight on the Bengaluru-Kozhikode route, IX 0876, is set to depart on January 16, 2024, at 18:45 hours, reaching Kozhikode at 19:45 hours. The return flight, IX 0860, will leave Kozhikode at 20:15 hours, arriving in Bengaluru at 21:15 hours.

Speaking about the new route, Ankur Garg, Chief Commercial Officer, Air India Express, said, “Kozhikode and Bengaluru stand as important stations within our extensive network, with Kozhikode hosting the highest number of Air India Express international flights and Bengaluru commanding the largest share of our domestic flights. The introduction of a direct flight connecting these two cities will facilitate convenient one-stop itineraries to numerous destinations across India and the Middle East, enhancing accessibility and convenience for the residents of both Kozhikode and Bengaluru. In the coming days, we will explore opportunities to expand our domestic connections from Kozhikode, providing even more travel options for our guests.”

The airline has released the schedule for daily non-stop flight between Bengaluru and Kozhikode, with bookings available through the airline’s award-winning mobile app and website airindiaexpress.com, as well as other major booking platforms.

With this new flight, residents of Kozhikode now have access to convenient one-stop flights to 22 destinations, including Mumbai, Kolkata, Delhi, Chennai, Hyderabad, Goa, Jaipur, Pune, Varanasi, and more. These destinations can be conveniently connected via Bengaluru, where Air India Express operates 344 weekly flights.

Air India Express operates 95 flights per week from Kozhikode to 13 destinations in the Middle East and two domestic destinations, solidifying its position as the largest airline operating out of Kozhikode. With the introduction of this new flight, residents of Bengaluru gain convenient access to connect to these Middle Eastern destinations via Kozhikode.

With 90 flights operating weekly from Kochi, 58 from Thiruvananthapuram, and 52 from Kannur, the airline has solidified its position as the largest international airline on Kerala – Gulf routes. On the domestic front, Air India Express connects Kochi with direct flights to Bengaluru, Hyderabad and New Delhi. From Thiruvananthapuram, the airline operates domestic routes to Bengaluru and Chennai. Adding to that, the airline also announced Thiruvananthapuram-Kozhikode flights recently. Kannur has 42 international flights and domestic flights to Bengaluru and Thiruvananthapuram.

Air India Express is in a dynamic phase of expansion, driven by the integration of new aircraft into its fleet. Recently, the airline announced the commencement of operations from Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, and introduced direct flights to Delhi and Bengaluru from Gwalior. Last weekend, AIXL also became the first airline to operate a direct flight from Surat to Dubai on the very day when the Surat International Airport had its new international terminal inaugurated.

Forever Living Products India, renowned for its health, beauty, and wellness offerings centered around Aloe Vera, has unveiled an exclusive line of health and nutrition products just in time for the festive Christmas season.

As the holiday season approaches, maintaining a mindful awareness of our dietary choices becomes crucial. Forever Living Products (FLP) emphasizes the significance of a nutritious diet and making conscious decisions to support our bodies with the right nutrition, enabling us to stay healthy while enjoying the festivities.

Mr. Harish Singla, Country Sales Manager for FLP India, emphasizes the importance of smart eating and balanced nutrition during the festive season. “Planning our meals, being mindful of our food choices, staying active, and providing our body with the right nutrition give us the opportunity to celebrate festivals and stay healthy. These unique festive products by FLP not only make you look and feel good but also allow you to enjoy the festivities with your loved ones,” adds Mr. Singla.

The Health, Nutrition, and Personal Care product range include popular items like Forever Aloe Vera Gel, Aloe Turm, Forever Bee Honey, and deodorant sprays.

What sets these products apart are their unique selling points. For instance, Forever Aloe Vera Gel boasts a purity of 99.7% inner leaf Aloe Vera gel with no added preservatives, promoting healthy digestion. AloeTurm™ lozenges, infused with Aloe Vera and Turmeric, contain natural medicinal plant extracts, offering various health benefits and wellness. Forever Bee Honey is highlighted as a natural energy booster, while the deodorant sprays make for perfect gifting options.

These products are not only beneficial for your well-being but are also pocket-friendly and readily available in both rural and urban markets.

Hyderabad,26th December 2023. The city’s well-known healthcare professionals and leaders in Public Health R Govind Hari, Dr Ranga Reddy Burri and Prof GVS Murthy have joined together with a couple of other healthcare professionals to launch PRAGYAAN SUSTAINABLE HEALTH OUTCOMES FOUNDATION (PRASHO), a Not-For-Profit Section 8 Enterprise.

Some of the Public Health Care leaders who graced the launch include Mr Zelalem Taffesse, UNICEF Chief of the field office for AP, KARNATAKA and Telangana; Dr Krishna Reddy, Access Health; Dr Jagannath, Director Oncology Continental Hospital; Dr Raghunath Professor MNJ (MNJ Cancer Hospital & Radium Institute); Dr Gopichand, CEO of Star Hospital; Dr Bhaskar Rao, Chairman KIMs Group of Hospitals; Dr Salil, ex-UN AIDS – Deputy Chief SouthEast Asia; Dr Ramji Singh, Director AIIMS Calcutta; Mr Raghunath, Director of Continental hospitals; Dr Sivaranjani, Pediatrician Magna Clinics

Speaking at the launch on Friday night at Gachibowli, R. Govind Hari, Chairman of the foundation and who is also an advisor on health to the Government of Andhra Pradesh said, PRASHO is conceptualised to tackle unique challenges that often go unnoticed yet wield immense power to shape the health and well-being of our communities.

Our focus will be on antimicrobial resistance, mental health, and the often overlooked yet critical area of public health. PRASHO stands for preventive health and evidence-based practices. We extend support to people with disabilities and vulnerable groups, ensuring they receive the healthcare they deserve.

Prof GVS Murthy renowned as one of Stanford’s top 2% researchers, as well as the master collaborator in the realm of health care and who has contributed to health care for four decades said that their mission through PRASHO is to lead a transformative shift in health care social development by generating, synthesising and promoting the utilisation of evidence-based interventions.

Our vision is to generate evidence to formulate interventions empowering individuals and communities to attain Quality, Equitable, Affordable Sustainable Positive Health, and Social Development Outcomes

False or misleading information, WhatsUp University, Google Dr. Health-related fake news on social media platforms has become a major social and public health problem. In this light of background, PRASHO felt the need to set up a Health Media Collaborative Centre. It aims to provide factual information for individual and community action to prevent disease and improve health. It will also empower communities to engage more effectively with the health system. A Series of invited talks, TED-like talks (MED Talks) from inspirational health etc.

Hospitals have heaps of data, which can be put to proper use. We plan to use Machine Learning and Data Analytics to decipher health trends and predict potential risks, he added. Validation of Technology, and building a stroke rehabilitation support system are some of the other initiatives of the PRASHO.

We don’t need more doctors or medical colleges. What we need is behavioural change which is more important than knowledge dissemination, observed a health care leader who was a participant.

Some of the suggestions and advice given to PRASO by the participants include focusing on the effects of nutrition, Gender and Climate change on healthcare; the importance of networking, resilience and preparedness for outbreaks and collaborations between clinic and public health research

Bengaluru, 26th December 2023: Magniflex India (Made in Italy), Europe’s no. 1 mattress brand organised ‘Gifts that Matter’, an annual Christmas Collection Drive, across its franchise outlets in India. The initiative is aimed at bringing genuine joy to underprivileged children in our community during the holiday season. Red Christmas bags were placed across all of Magniflex India’s franchise stores encouraging customers to donate toys and stationery items like books, pens, and coloring books to less fortunate children. The response was overwhelming, with the brand’s loyal customers generously contributing towards the cause. The collected toys were distributed today to the children at Angels Orphanage in Bengaluru. Each gift included a personalized message, making this initiative truly special for the recipients.

As part of the drive, a special lunch was also organised for the children. They unwrapped their Christmas presents and expressed gratitude to all the generous contributors. The initiative fostered a sense of community and it was a testament to Magniflex India’s commitment to spreading love and joy during this special time of the year.

Speaking on the initiative, Mr. Anand Nichani, MD, Magniflex India, said, “We want to extend our deepest gratitude to our valued customers who supported us on this drive. Their contributions have not only brought joy to countless children but also helped spread the warm spirit of this season. Each toy that is donated is not just a material gift but also a message of love and hope. We are grateful for the opportunity to make a positive impact, and this initiative is a testament to our commitment to spreading joy beyond the realm of quality sleep. Together, we strive to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those who need it the most.”

Bengaluru, 26th December 2023: JAIN (Deemed-to-be University) is proud to host the prestigious Association of Indian Universities (AIU) South Zone Inter-University Women’s Basketball Tournament 2023-24. The tournament is scheduled to take place from December 25th – 28th December which will be held at state-of-the-art JAIN Global Campus, Kanakpura. This event will bring together the talented women athletes from various universities across the South Zone, showcasing their skill and sportsmanship on a national stage.

This year, the top 91 basketball teams across universities from South India will participate in the tournament. Indian team players, Siya Deodhar and Tavleen Bhandal who are part of the JAIN (Deemed-To-Be University), as well as other International level players from the University of Madras, SRM Institute, University of Calicut, MG University, etc., will be part of the tournament.

JAIN (Deemed-to-be University) is committed to fostering a spirit of competition, togetherness, and excellence in sports, and looks forward to a thrilling and memorable tournament that celebrates the spirit of women’s basketball at the collegiate level.

The top 4 teams will qualify for the All India Inter University Women’s Basketball Tournament 2023-24 to be held at DCRUST, Murtal in January 2024.

Mumbai, 26th December 2023 India’s first fintech consulting firm The Digital Fifth (TDF) has announced a flagship accelerator program for early-stage startups in the banking, financial services and insurance (BFSI) sector.

The first batch of startups to be groomed under the accelerator program will be revealed on February 7, 2024, at the Bharat Fintech Summit. TDF is currently accepting applications from startups till January2.

Selected startups will receive insightful mentorship from experts at TDF and also get a chance to present to potential investors at the upcoming summit. They will be able to garner interest from investors and secure funding for their endeavors.

“With the accelerator program, our aim is to nurture upcoming startups with our knowledge of the BFSI sector and help them with their lift-off. The program is designed to ensure boundless networking opportunities in a transparent manner,” said Sameer Singh Jaini, founder and chief executive officer of The Digital Fifth

Startups selected in the accelerator program will get exclusive access to TDF’s wide network of banks, financial services and other fintech companies as required for their next step to growth and scale up.

Jaini said that a cohort of about10 startups will be selected in the maiden batch based on a thorough review oftheir business model. The program will have a key focus on Enterprise Fintechs providing potential solutions tailored to large institutions in the BFSI industry.

Those selected will benefit from personal mentorship from leading industry practitioners in the form of TDF’s consulting team and have a chance to present/give product demos to investors at the summit. They have the opportunity to raise Seed to Series A funding at the summit.

TDF’s accelerator program will be a shot in the arm for the country’s burgeoning number of startups in the BFSI segment. Established in 2017, TDF is a consulting firm for banks, non-banking financial companies, wealth management, mutual funds and insurance sectors.

New Delhi, 26th December 2023 The first opinion poll conducted by ABP News and CVoter before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections has thrown up interesting insights, bringing to light the public sentiment across the country on a range of issues, besides the choice of party and the prime minister post.

According to the survey, ABP News-CVoter opinin poll has predicted a third term for the NDA, with the ruling alliance getting 295-335 seats out of the total 543. The Congress, together with Opposition bloc I.N.D.I.A, is projected to get 165-205 seats, with Others settling for 35-65 seats. Zone-wise projections show BJP/NDA bagging 80-90 seats out of 153 in East Zone, the highest 150-160 seats out of 180 in the North Zone, 45-55 out of 78 in the West Zone, and 20-30 out of 132 in the South Zone. The South is the only zone where the BJP/NDA is behind, with the Congress/I.N.D.I.A projected to win 70-80 seats. In the other three zones, the INC/I.N.D.I.A is projected to get 50-60, 20-30, and 25-35 in the East, North, and West, respectively.

In the states too, the NDA appears to be comfortably ahead, according to the ABP News-CVoter opinion poll, with all BJP-ruled states, such as Madhya Pradesh (27-29), Chhattisgarh (9-11), Rajasthan (23-25), and Uttar Pradesh (73-75), looking to vote for NDA candidates. In Congress-ruled Karnataka too, the BJP is projected to win 22-24 seats with a vote share of 52% against the Congress’ 4-6 seats and 43% vote share. In MP, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan, the Opposition alliance is projected to get only 0-2 seats each.

The states where the Congress and I.N.D.I.A are ahead are – Telangana (9-11), Punjab (INC 5-7, AAP 4-6), Bihar (21-23) and Maharashtra (26-28). In West Bengal, where the I.N.D.I.A seat share will be a matter of debate, ruling Trinamool Congress could get 23-25 seats and INC+Left- 0-2, against the BJP’s 16-18, if the elections are held now.

ABP News-CVoter also carried out a snap poll during which it asked total of 13,115 respondents across the 543 Lok Sabha constituencies a range of questions and found interesting responses. According to the snap poll, PM Narendra Modi is overwhelmingly ahead as the country’s choice for the top post, with 58.6% people willing to bring him back for a third term. Given only two candidates to choose from, Rahul Gandhi and Narendra Modi, a majority of the respondents picked the latter. Gandhi was, however, ahead in the race in three states and one UT and lagged with a margin of around 10 percentage points in two states (Telangana and Haryana). The southern states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu, besides Punjab in the north, kept the Congress leader ahead of Modi. Overall, Rahul Gandhi drew 32% votes for the PM post, with 4.4% and 5% respondents, respectively, picking ‘None of them’ and ‘Can’t say’ as their answer.

On the question of how much satisfied people are/were with the work of the current Prime Minister, a total of 47.2% people across India said they were “very much satisfied” with PM Narendra Modi’s work, while 30.2% said they were “satisfied to some extent” and 21.3% said they were “not at all satisfied”.

An overwhelming majority answered in the affirmative when asked if the leadership changes made by BJP in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh after registering victory in the recent assembly elections will benefit the party in 2024. In contrast, the response was mixed to a similar question posed in reference to the leadership changes made by the Congress.

Further, people across states (from both rural or urban areas) and groups think unemployment will be the main issue in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, and a majority of them believe the issue of caste census won’t help the Opposition. A majority of people also think the BJP should form an alliance with the JD(S) in Karnataka, and that the party will give a tough fight to the Trinamool Congress in West Bengal.

On questions related to Rahul Gandhi, the response was mixed when asked if his Bharat Jodo Yatra will help the Congress in LS polls, but more than 50% people on an average said he, as also Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, should contest the election from Uttar Pradesh. Rahul Gandhi wins hands down as the most preferred PM candidate from the I.N.D.I.A bloc. The respondents were given Nitish Kumar, Mamata Banerjee and Arvind Kejriwal as other options to choose from.

The ABP News-CVoter opinion poll also found that a majority of the respondents think I.N.D.I.A. will not remain united till the 2024 elections. Also, 37.6% people said they were “very much satisfied” with the work of the Central government led by BJP.

To a question about what they think about “today’s India”, 45.1% people said they found the country moving forward and their life too, while 25.3% said the country is moving forward but not their life, and 22.4% said both the country and their life are in a poor state.

Methodology:

The survey findings and projections are based on CVoter Opinion Poll CATI interviews (Computer Assisted Telephone Interviewing) conducted among 18+ adults statewide, all confirmed voters.

Survey date: 15 December to 21 December, 2023

Sample size – 13,115

Seats Covered 543

Margin Of Error: .+_/_- 5%

Confidence Level: 95%

Hyderabad,26th December 2023 ….India’s pet care market is growing at 13.9% annually, making it one of the fastest-growing pet care markets in the world. Every year, 600,000 pets are adopted in India, said various experts who addressed the PET Industry Leadership Conference at Hitex. The two full-day knowledge Exchange conferences were organised on the sidelines of Twin Expos–PETEX and Hyderabad Kids Fair at Hitex in Madhapur. The conference was attended by well over 100 delegates from India and abroad. It had five sessions.

According to a recent report by the Indian Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council (IPICA), the pet industry in India is expected to grow at a CAGR of 20% over the next five years. The industry is estimated to be worth around Rs. 8,000 crores, and it is expected to reach Rs. 20,000 crores by 2025.

Speaking at a Panel discussion on Pet Speciality Retail Challenges, opportunities and latest trends Kashap Sanghani, Head of Marketing of Just Dogs, the diverse pet care retail chain said twenty years back there was no pet shop. There used to be only Veterinary Clinics. Now things have changed. The Pet Care market has opened to many innovative products.

The number of adopted Pets in India used to be about 28 million five years back has now reached to 38 million and the same number is likely to go up to 45 million in the next five years, he added.

The speakers who addressed various panels maintained that the entire pet industry is around Rs 8000 crore out of which, 65% is the pet food market in India.

The industry is growing because there is an increasing number of pet parents wanting to pamper their pet kids. Kunal Gupta, Co-Founder of Goofy Tails, a Pet Care Startup.

There are thousands of pet parents in the country who are shelling a lot of money to give the best care to their pet children, driving the growth of the category which has grown by over 20% in the last decade as per the Indian Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council (IPICA), observed Vishal, an industry veteran from Bangalore.

What’s driving the growth, there are many things. The standards of earning have gone up. Post covid the adoption has skyrocketed. Presently, pets are considered equal to a child or a replacement for children. So, many individuals are willing to pay for their care. Recognising this, Hitex transformed PETEX, six editions old, India’s largest Pet Expo for Dogs, Cats, Birds, Fish and Exotic Pets, into a B2B show.

Only 6% of pet dogs are fed with pet food and the rest only feed homemade food. Only 2% of cats are fed with pet food rest are fed with home-cooked food. This indicates that there is a huge market potential. The future of the Pet Industry will be D2C (Direct to consumers) observed Ibadat Sharma, Co-founder, of Dog-O-Bow, the homegrown, pet accessories and luxury clothing brand.

15 years ago there were hardly any pet grooming salons. All they used to do was to import some products from China. Now there are many pet grooming salons. All the products are being manufactured in India.

Today Pets have a swimming pool, special diet, dog trainers, dog sitters, Dog Resorts, Dog Grooming Salons, Nobile treatment vans, Pet Food, and specialist transport agents who transport your pets. And the market is exploding. According to Biju Varghese, General Manager of Mobility of TRASNFERET. We translocate pets from one place to another. We must have done nearly 8500 pets in the past eight years he said.

Hyderabad is also catching up with Mumbai and Delhi in pet care. Bengaluru and Mumbai are the most pet-friendly cities in India.

Ms Archana Naidu – Managing Partner, Seven Oaks Pet Hospital informed that they were coming up with a state-of-the-art multi-speciality pet clinic in Hyderabad. It will be ready to open in the first quarter of next year. It will be the largest, 20,000 ft, commercially owned clinic coming up in Jubilee Hills on Road No 44. It is being set up with a vision to make Hyderabad the Veterinary Capital of India. It is being set up by Dr Shree Reddy and Dr Sandhya Reddy, celebrated veterinarians from the USA. It will have many firsts such as Animal Blood Bank, Electric Crematorium, and MRI for animals (first in India). Seven Oaks Pet Hospital would like to be Apollo for Veterinary Care and Medicine in the city. It has the first Fear Free Certification. Fear Free Certification is a new concept in veterinary medicine which aims to recognise and reduce fear, anxiety and stress associated with visits to the veterinary hospital.

Seven Oaks Pet Hospital, which is part of North America’s most trusted Pet Hospital chain is owned by Dr Sree Reddy said to have invested Rs 20 crore in setting up this hospital.

The PETEX Expo, which is an annual affair draws about 30,000 people visiting, besides 1000 plus business visitors from across India. It is growing year by year informed Srikanth TG.

The average spends per month per pet ranges from Rs 5,000 – Rs 15,000/-. They spend on food, medication, clothing & accessories and toys. The spend may vary depending on pet size, age, breed and the city. 70% and 75% of the budget is spent on food and treats, while the rest is spent on accessories, grooming supplies, toys, and services. The Indian pet care market in India is expected to continue its robust growth trajectory.

The increased pet adoption is not only in major cities. It has also expanded to tier 2 and 3 cities. This has led to the emergence of 70 new pet care companies over the past two years.

Forever Living Products, a global leader in wellness and beauty, has made significant strides in India, not only by providing sustainable products but also by creating valuable entrepreneurship opportunities. This dual commitment to ecological responsibility and socio-economic development has positioned the company as a noteworthy contributor to India’s sustainable growth.

In 2022, India’s Direct Selling Industry witnessed a 5.4% growth in retail sales, propelling the country to the 11th position among the top markets for direct sellers. With retail sales reaching 3 billion dollars, India is making a mark in the global direct selling landscape, with the US leading the pack followed by Korea, Germany, China, Japan, and Malaysia.

At the core of Forever Living Products’ success lies its dedication to producing eco-friendly goods. From aloe vera-based skincare to nutritional supplements, the company prioritizes natural ingredients and environmentally conscious practices. This not only addresses the growing demand for sustainable products but also promotes responsible consumption among Indian consumers.

Mr. Harish Singla, Country Sales Manager at Forever Living Products India said that “FLP India actively promotes socio-economic advancement by creating entrepreneurship opportunities through the promotion of sustainable aloe vera-based products.

Simultaneously, Forever Living Products is nurturing entrepreneurship and offering business opportunities through its unique business model. Operating through a network of independent distributors, the company empowers individuals to become entrepreneurs and build their businesses. This approach has proven instrumental in providing flexible such opportunities, especially for women and those looking to supplement their income.”