Archives February 2024

Hyderabad,5th February 2024: In a poignant celebration of resilience and hope, Apollo Cancer Hospital in Hyderabad; proudly installed a “Victory Bell” to commemorate World Cancer Day. This symbolic addition aims to honor the strength and triumph of cancer survivors, creating an uplifting atmosphere within the hospital’s walls. The Victory Bell was formally inaugurated by Shri D. Sridhar Babu, Hon’ble Minister for Industries and IT, Government of Telangana.

The unveiling of the Victory Bell marked a significant moment during the World Cancer Day celebrations, symbolizing not just the battles fought within the hospital’s oncology units but also the spirit of victory and perseverance that defines the journey of every cancer patient. The bell, adorned with inscriptions of courage and triumph, stands as a powerful testament to the indomitable human spirit prevailing over adversity, says Dr Sangita Reddy, Joint Managing Director, Apollo Hospitals Group.

The chimes emanating from the victory bell symbolize a momentous triumph of cancer survivor, it creates a memorable and emotionally significant moment for them and their loved ones. The melodious ringing sound also strengthens the resilience and hope of those under treatment, says Dr P Vijay Anand Reddy, Director, Apollo Cancer Hospital, Hyderabad.

Patients reaching the milestone of completing their cancer treatments now have the opportunity to ring the Victory Bell, echoing their victory and providing inspiration to others on similar journeys. This ritual serves as a powerful reminder that behind every diagnosis is a story of courage, hope, and strength.

The launch ceremony was attended by healthcare professionals, patients, and their families, fostering a sense of community and support. It not only celebrated the advancements in cancer care but also emphasized the importance of a holistic approach, recognizing the emotional and psychological aspects of the healing process.

As the Victory Bell resonates through the corridors of Apollo Cancer Hospital, it not only signifies the end of a challenging chapter but also heralds a new beginning filled with optimism and the promise of a cancer-free future. This initiative reflects Apollo’s commitment to not only providing world-class medical care but also creating an environment that nurtures hope and celebrates these victories, big and small, on the cancer journey.

Bengaluru, 5th February 2024: UPL Ltd., a global provider of sustainable agricultural solutions, organized the 2nd Sarus Crane Festival at the premises of Pariej Wetland in Kheda District. On the eve of World Wetlands Day, the festival aimed to raise awareness and promote the conservation of the Indian Sarus Crane (Grus Antigone). Wetlands are highly productive and biologically diverse systems that enhance water quality, control erosion, maintain stream flows, sequester carbon, and provide a home to Sarus Crane.

The event was graced by Chief Guest Shri S K Shrivastav, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Research and Training, Gandhinagar; Guests of Honour Ms Namrata Italia, DCF, Anand; Mr Rupak Solanki, DCF, Kheda, Mr Rishi Pathania, Vice President – CSR, UPL Ltd.; Dr. Jatinder Kaur, Program Manager – UPL Sarus Conservation, along with other representatives from UPL Ltd. The event also witnessed active involvement from 15 schools, engaging 150 students and teachers. It featured a photo exhibition on Sarus cranes and a spirited drawing competition among the students.

The Indian Sarus Crane, the tallest flying bird globally and categorized as vulnerable under the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, traditionally inhabits wetlands and shares spaces with humans. It relies on agricultural fields for feeding and breeding. The decline in the number of wetlands and the deterioration of existing habitats are considered to be the main reasons for the Sarus’s decline.

To conserve Sarus cranes, UPL initiated the Sarus Conservation Project in 2015. This project has played a pivotal role in increasing the Sarus Crane population from 500 in 2015-16 to 1254 in 2022-2023. The UPL team worked closely with farmers, correcting misconceptions and behavioural attitudes toward Sarus through education and voluntary participation.

At the festival, Chief Guest Shri S K Shrivastav, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Research and Training, said, “The Sarus Conservation Project is a commendable initiative by UPL that brings communities together for the noble cause of wildlife conservation. Such efforts are vital in fostering coexistence between nature and humanity.”

Speaking about the initiative, Mr Sagar Kaushik, President of Global Corporate Affairs & Industry Relations at UPL Ltd., said, “The Sarus Conservation Project reflects our commitment to sustainability and biodiversity. It is heartening to see the positive impact of our collaborative efforts, creating a thriving environment for the Sarus Crane and communities alike. This initiative in Kheda and Anand districts has helped Gujarat to hold the second-highest wild population of Sarus in India, and we have seen a 151% rise over eight years.”

Sharing his experience, Mr Rishi Pathania, Vice President – CSR, UPL Ltd., said, “The Sarus Crane Festival is a testament to UPL’s commitment for species conservation. The Sarus Conservation project has created an umbrella network of 88 Rural Sarus Protection Group volunteers from 40 villages engaged in protecting nests, eggs, and juveniles from poaching and predation. Additionally, 32,166 students and the community have been sensitized to Sarus Crane Conservation, and 5,000 farmers have been educated on the need and importance of conserving the Sarus Crane.”

In addition to its conservation impact, UPL has received widespread recognition for its Sarus initiative, earning accolades such as the ACEF Asian Leaders Forum & Awards 2017, India CSR Leadership Summit 2017, Coffee for Cause: Conversation on Sustainability & CSR 2018, Dainik Jagran CSR Awards 2019, 17th Federation of Gujarat Industries (FGI) Awards 2021, 5th Indian Chamber of Commerce, Social Impact Awards 2023, and an Appreciation Plaque in 2023.

Bengaluru, 5th February 2024: ZEE Entertainment Enterprises Limited (ZEEL), India’s largest content and entertainment powerhouse, today announced the viewership numbers for the opening week of DP World ILT20’s second season.

The tournament garnered an impressive reach of 113 million in its opening week, as per data released by BARC TV+OOH. The company has reported an uptick of 12% as compared to last year among males 15+ in India’s urban audiences (15+; India Urban). Furthermore, the time spent on the series has surged by an impressive 32% among viewers aged 15 and above in urban markets across India (15+; India Urban). This substantial increase in viewing duration emphasizes the league’s ability to captivate and retain the attention of its audience, contributing to a more immersive and rewarding viewer experience.

The franchise-style tournament with six teams and 34 matches is being played across the UAE. The league’s six franchise teams include Abu Dhabi Knight Riders (Kolkata Knight Riders), Desert Vipers (Lancer Capital), Dubai Capitals (GMR), Gulf Giants (Adani Sportsline), MI Emirates (Reliance Industries), and Sharjah Warriors (Capri Global). Some of the world’s most prominent cricket stars are slated to play in the Season 2, including David Warner, Dasun Shanaka, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Sam Billings, David Willey, Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, Alex Hales, Tom Curran, Rovman Powell, Shimron Hetmyer, James Vince, Ambati Rayudu, Corey Anderson, Dwayne Bravo, Trent Boult, Chris Woakes and Martin Guptill.

On the back of this, DP World ILT20 continues to successfully be the world’s 2nd most-watched global T20 league. As the official global broadcast partner of the league, ZEE Entertainment offers the widest live coverage of the ongoing tournament through its 10 linear channels and streaming platform – ZEE5, ensuring a comprehensive viewing experience for audiences across India and around the globe.

Commenting on the announcement, Mr. Rahul Johri, President – Business, South Asia, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited, said, “We are delighted with the response that the second edition of DP World ILT20 has garnered. It is a testament of the league’s expanding appeal and a growing fan base across India. The event is escalating global enthusiasm for cricket, and we take immense pride in spearheading this phenomenon.”

The truly international T20 cricket league has proven to be an immense success, captivating fans worldwide as they eagerly tune in to witness the riveting action on the field. The competition has unfolded with intense and thrilling competition between teams, accompanied by stellar performances from players, creating a captivating spectacle that has consistently kept the audience on the edge of their seats throughout the entire series.

ZEE Entertainment had announced a star-studded panel of commentators, which include — Virender Sehwag, Harbhajan Singh, Rohan Gavaskar, Saba Karim, Nikhil Chopra, Vivek Razdan, Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis and Shoaib Akhtar, who are joined by Alan Wilkins, Simon Doull, Daren Ganga, Danny Morrison and Niall O’Brien. With this distinguished commentary panel, ZEE Entertainment promises to offer a distinctive viewing experience, with iconic voices that promise to deliver captivating action from the league.

Earlier this month, ZEE Entertainment unveiled its campaign film, featuring ace cricketer David Warner in a distinctive avatar along with Indian superstar Harbhajan Singh. Positioned as the biggest challenge for cricketers at the start of the year 2024, the campaign beautifully captures the passion and ambition of cricket players for this highly competitive tournament, which will feature a roster of the most talented T20I cricketers.

Cricket fans can watch this only global T20 league on Zee’s most widely distributed and viewed 10 linear TV channels: &Pictures, &Pictures HD, Zee Cinema HD, Zee Anmol Cinema, Zee Zest, Zee Ganga, Zee Cinemalu HD, &Flix, &Flix HD and Zee Zest HD and leading OTT platform ZEE5. All single header matches will be broadcast Live at 8 PM India prime time. The afternoon match on the double-header’s day will start at 4 PM.

Date: 15th- 17th February
Venue: Hauz Khas, Delhi
Time: 11 am to 7 pm

Description: Baro Market brings its specially curated Bengal Bazaar to Delhi for the very first time. From fashion-forward brands who create zero-waste clothing to the very classic needlework by the craftsmen at Shantiniketan, the bazaar promises to dress up every kind of choice.

Some of the participating labels and their presentation include:

SSAHAWORKS Saris, stoles, dresses, and accessories in the finest muslin hand-spun cottons, finest muslin Jamdanis and finest hand-spun silk jamdanis.

LATASITA Zero-waste clothing crafted out of fabulous materials you would never find in a regular shop

ANKI BUNKI The best of Bengal’s craft in new age jewelry and fashion

BHOMRA The coolest Jamdani dresses – and menswear too

THE BINDI PROJECT Handmade bespoke Bindis

145 EAST Original, cutting edge and a way to make a statement, this is Fashion that takes new paths and breaks all boundaries

HARPERS LANE The Harper’s Lane finds its charm in creating soulful clothing inspired by the authentic rhythm of people and places and their stories. Their design celebrates everyday wearables with distinctive pieces made out of natural fabrics. The fluid cuts and the mindful details of the pieces make them timeless, seasonless and to be worn for years.

BUNOPHAL Natural botanical dye printing on organic hemp, cotton, linen and silk mixed with various textile design techniques for fashion salutes the ecosystem

SADAF A textile studio from Shantiniketan

NEEDLE Hand-crafted fashion accessories created from fabric in Shantiniketan

Bengaluru,5th February 2024: Rare and Basics (R&B), a fashion brand under the Apparel Group, has inaugurated its sixth store in Bengaluru. Located at HSR Layout, this new outlet marks the 18th retail establishment for R&B in India.

This opening emphasizes and further builds on R&B’s commitment to strengthen its presence and fulfill the growing fashion demands of Indian consumers. The newly opened large-scale store has a bright interior with segments for men, women, and children. The space is designed to appeal to a range of age groups and offer affordable apparel to Indian shoppers.

Spanning a spacious 12,000 sq.ft, the store at HSR Layout, Bengaluru stands as a testament to R&B Fashion’s reputation for trendsetting. It offers a curated selection, merging international runway hits with versatile everyday fashion. Catering to children, women, and men, the range extends to fashion apparel, footwear, beauty, toys, and accessories. True to R&B’s core values, the store advocates diversity and body positivity, by offering styles in a vast array of sizes.

Apparel Group launched R&B in October 2012 and opened its first retail store at Muscat Grand Mall in Oman. In India, R&B is currently present in Kozhikode (Kerala), Kochi, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Mangalore and Mysore. It currently operates over 123 stores across seven countries including India, Oman, UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia.

Abhishek Bajpai, CEO of Apparel Group India, said, “Our new flagship store in HSR Layout, Bengaluru is more than just a retail space; it’s a commitment to our customers. As Bengaluru continues to be pivotal in our growth strategy, this launch aligns perfectly with our plans for R&B’s expansion in India. Our homegrown brand is ready to delight customers with its exceptional blend of style, quality, and shopping comfort”.

5th February 2024 India: Kognoz, a leading technology-driven people consulting company, has announced a strategic partnership with Giift, a global leader in loyalty and rewards technology. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in the realm of workplace dynamics, introducing a revolutionary platform named “IMMERSE” designed to address the challenges posed by the hybrid model of work.

IMMERSE is a cutting-edge employee engagement approach that prioritizes self-determination and fosters an environment of immersion – specifically, immersion in purpose and well-being. In an era where remote and hybrid work models have become the norm, it aims to redefine the employee experience by providing a unique and tailored solution for immersive engagement.

The partnership between Kognoz and Giift aims to leverage their respective strengths to create a comprehensive solution for businesses seeking to overcome the challenges of employee engagement in the evolving landscape of work. With the hybrid model presenting unprecedented hurdles in fostering a connected and engaged workforce, IMMERSE emerges as the solution to bridge the gap.

Kognoz, known for its technology-driven people consulting expertise, brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table. The company’s innovative approach to human capital development aligns seamlessly with Giift leadership in employee engagement solutions. Together, they aim to create a holistic platform that addresses the dynamic needs of modern workplaces.

Talking about the partnership, Mr. Lokesh Nigam, Co-founder and Director, Kognoz said, “We are thrilled to partner with Giift on this groundbreaking initiative “IMMERSE is not just a platform; it’s a paradigm shift in how we perceive and approach employee engagement. In collaboration with Giift, we are excited to bring forth a solution that goes beyond the conventional, offering an immersive experience that caters to the unique needs of the hybrid workforce”.

Giift, recognized for its loyalty management solutions around the globe, adds its extensive insights and technology prowess to the partnership. The collaboration envisions empowering organizations to build a culture of sustained engagement, promoting employee well-being, and enhancing overall productivity.

Mr. Manoj Agarwal, Co-Founder, CPO & CMO – Giift said “We are looking forward to this strategic partnership with Kognoz as IMMERSE aligns perfectly with our mission to create meaningful and memorable experiences for employees, regardless of their work location. Together, we aim to redefine the employee engagement landscape and set new benchmarks in fostering a connected and motivated workforce”.

The partnership between Kognoz and Giift is poised to usher in a new era of employee engagement, providing organizations with the tools and strategies needed to thrive in the hybrid work environment. Immerse is set to be a game-changer, offering a unique blend of technology, human-centric design, and a forward-thinking approach to employee well-being.

Mumbai, 5th February 2024: The number of cancer cases in the country is projected to go up from 14.6 lakh in 2022 to 15.7 lakh in 2025, according to the Indian Council of Medical Research-National Cancer Registry Programme (ICMR-NCRP)[1]. In a heartfelt initiative to commemorate World Cancer Day 2024, celebrated globally every year on the 4th of February, P.D. Hinduja Hospital created a striking human chain in the form of the iconic cancer ribbon. This symbolic event aims to raise awareness about cancer and highlight the hospital’s steadfast commitment to the ongoing fight against this pervasive disease.

The event saw active participation from cancer patients who played a pivotal role in forming the symbolic cancer ribbon. Serving as both a visual embodiment of unity and a resounding testament to the collective resolve to eliminate cancer from our communities, the event was a powerful demonstration of determination. P.D. Hinduja Hospital not only encouraged the enthusiastic engagement of cancer patients but also extended a warm invitation to its dedicated staff, recognizing the crucial role they play in the healthcare journey of cancer patients. The hospital’s aim is to foster a unifying message of hope and resilience, uniting both patients and healthcare professionals in their shared commitment to combating cancer.

Mr. Gautam Khanna, CEO, P.D. Hinduja Hospital, expressed his enthusiasm for the event, stating, “On this World Cancer Day, the human chain serves as a compelling manifestation of our unwavering dedication to conquering the challenges of cancer. Bringing patients, their families, and our distinguished medical professionals together, we aim to convey a strong message of collaborative triumph, unyielding support, and resilience. This chain formation represents our solid commitment towards patient care that holds the promise of a future free of cancer.”

In India, there is a likelihood of one in nine individuals developing cancer during their lifetime. The Indian Journal of Medical Research[2] reports that lung cancer is the predominant site for males, while breast cancer leads among females. In the case of childhood cancers (0-14 years), lymphoid leukaemia holds the highest incidence, accounting for 29.2% in boys and 24.2% in girls. Projections indicate a 12.8% estimated increase in cancer cases by 2025 compared to the figures recorded in 2020.

Dr. Asha Kapadia, Head of the Department of Medicine and Section Head of Oncology, P. D. Hinduja Hospital & MRC, shared, “In our daily interactions with patients, we witness the profound impact of cancer. The human chain forming the cancer ribbon serves as a reminder of the importance of community-wide efforts in reshaping the landscape of cancer care and prevention. Together, we strive to create better awareness and forge a future where the impact of cancer is minimized, and preventive wellness guides us towards a healthier tomorrow.”

P. D. Hinduja Hospital’s Center of Excellence for Cancer Care has been at the forefront of providing best-in-class cancer care to the citizens of Mumbai for more than three decades. The center has always been an early adopter of latest, cutting-edge technology such as LINAC with prone breast radiation technology, and it is also the 1st Centre in western India to offer brachytherapy (sometimes called internal radiation), a radiation procedure that involves placing radioactive material inside the body to treat certain types of cancer and other conditions.

Bengaluru, 5th February 2024: NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL) in partnership with Lyra, a French leader in securing e-commerce and proximity payments, has announced the acceptance of Unified Payments Interface (UPI) payment mechanism in France starting with the iconic Eiffel Tower. Indian tourists can now book their visit to the Eiffel Tower by purchasing tickets online using UPI — making the transaction process quick, easy, and hassle-free.

The official announcement was made in Paris at an event organized by the Indian Embassy in France to celebrate the Republic Day of India. His Excellency M. Jawed Ashraf, the Ambassador of India to France and Monaco, along with distinguished guests including Prisca Thevenot, Minister Delegate to the Prime Minister and Government Spokesperson, France, Alain Lacour, President of the Lyra Group, Christophe Mariette, Commercial Director of Lyra France, and Patrick Branco Ruivo, CEO of Société d’Exploitation de la Tour Eiffel, graced the occasion.

This announcement is of particular significance considering that Indian tourists rank as the second largest group of international visitors to the Eiffel Tower. With this development, Indian tourists can make secure online transactions by simply using their UPI-powered apps to scan the QR code generated on the merchant website and initiate a payment.

Acceptance of UPI in France not only provides Indian tourists with a seamless payment option but also opens up numerous opportunities for merchants across France and Europe operating in the tourism and retail sectors. While the Eiffel Tower is the first merchant to offer UPI payments in France, this service will soon be extended to other merchants in the tourism and retail space. This will make it significantly easier for touring Indians to remotely book hotels, museum visits, etc. for their stay in France.

Ritesh Shukla, CEO of NIPL, said, “At NIPL, our ambition is to enable acceptance of NPCI’s payment solutions in international markets and create a truly interoperable global payment system. We aim at actively collaborating with financial institutions worldwide to establish partnerships and provide consumers with convenient and secure cross-border payment solutions. Through this strategic partnership with Lyra, we have taken another step forward towards this goal.”

Christophe Mariette, Commercial Director of Lyra France, said, “It is a great pride to have the trust of the Indian government and NIPL to launch UPI in Europe. We have been present in India for 17 years, and this partnership confirms the strength of our collaboration with this vast country. We also demonstrate our ability to stay ahead of market trends and strengthen our ambition to offer all payment methods used worldwide. For the players in the French and European tourism ecosystem, this partnership represents a major advancement and the promise of new business opportunities to come.”

With over 380 Million users, UPI as a payment method has significantly marked its presence in India, evidenced by its recent milestones. In January 2024 alone, UPI recorded over 12.2 billion transactions, emphasizing its widespread adoption. This remarkable achievement solidifies its position as the world’s most efficient instant payment system.

Kolkata, 5th February 2024 The announcement of the much-awaited fifteenth edition of the Apeejay Kolkata Literary Festival (AKLF) took place at the iconic century-old Oxford Bookstore, located at Park Street, Kolkata. The event was graced by the esteemed presence of dignitaries, including Maina Bhagat, Director, Apeejay Kolkata Literary Festival; Anjum Katyal, Director, Apeejay Kolkata Literary Festival; Swagat Sengupta, CEO, Apeejay Oxford Bookstores; and Neeta Sreedharan, Programming Head, Apeejay Kolkata Literary Festival.

The festival is scheduled to take place on 9th, 10th and 11th February 2024, featuring various sessions across multiple venues throughout these dates. Allen Park will serve as the central hub, hosting majority of the events, while the Poetry Café is all set to be hosted at Alliance Française du Bengale. Other noteworthy sessions, including the OJLF, will take place at the Oxford Bookstore and a special session with Jerry Pinto and Anuja Chauhan is scheduled to be held at the Tollygunge Club, adding to the richness of this literary feast.

The AKLF 2024 boasts an impressive lineup of speakers, with 126 stalwarts gracing the occasion. Notable names to include Abhijit Gupta, Anuja Chauhan, Alka Pande, Anita Agnihotri, Anuja Chauhan, Arshia Sattar, Aruna Chakravarti, Bickram Ghosh, Bittu Sahgal, Carina Rozenfeld, Chandan Gowda, Debkumar Mitra, Divrina Dhingra, Durjoy Datta, Gargi Rawat, Indrajit Hazra, Jerry Pinto, Kunal Basu, Louise Fowler-Smith, Maria Goretti, Meghna Pant, Monideepa Banerjie, P. Chidambaram, Pandit Kumar Bose, Pierre Bordage, Riddhi Sen, Ruchir Joshi, Ruchira Gupta, Sam Miller, Shaun Kenworthy, Somnath Batabyal, Sonal Ved, Srijato Bandopadhyay, Sudeshna Roy, Swapna Liddle, Swastika Mukherjee, Tara Gandhi, Upamanyu Chatterjee, Urvashi Butalia, Ushoshi Sengupta, Veer Rajwant Singh, Vivaan Shah are among others. The festival will also embrace virtual participation of prominent personalities like Dia Mirza, Lennie Goodings and Priti Paul.

This edition shall witness the announcement of the shortlisted names for the prestigious Oxford Bookstore Book Cover Prize. The festival to provide a first look at the upcoming works of distinguished authors, including Upamanyu Chatterjee, P. Chidambaram, Meghna Pant, Somnath Batabyal, Santanu Bhattacharya and Pt Kumar Bose, presenting a sneak peek into the literary gems awaiting readers. This year’s edition also aims to bring together a wide array of voices, with authors from Australia, France, the UK and Singapore gracing the festival. The global perspective shall add depth and richness to the literary discussions, promoting a cross-cultural dialogue on various themes.

The announcement pertaining to the Oxford Junior Literary Festival (OJLF), to be held at the Oxford Bookstore, aims to captivate the younger audience with interactive ‘meet the author’ sessions, a dance workshop, word games, and storytelling sessions. The festival aims to instill a love for literature and creativity among the next generation. The Poetry Café, held at Alliance Française du Bengale, will provide a vibrant space for established and emerging poets to share their verses.

The valued partners for the three-day-long literary festival include Kenilworth Hotel, Kolkata, as the hospitality partner; Cha Bar as the refreshment partner; Typhoo Tea as the gifting partner; AMRI Hospitals as the healthcare partner; 93.5 Red FM as the radio partner; iIEAD and Apeejay School as the institutional partners. Australian High Commission, Alliance française du Bengale and Tollygunge Club are among some of the valued partners of the 15th Apeejay Literary Festival as well. Several renowned publishing houses such as Speaking Tiger, Penguin Random House, Hachette, HarperCollins, Niyogi Books, Rupa Publications, Westland Books, Juggernaut, Simon and Schuster, Bloomsbury, Om Books, Zubaan Books and many more to appear as the festival partners, creating a collaborative literary environment.

Speaking about the 15th edition of AKLF, Priti Paul, Director, Apeejay Surrendra Group said, “Oxford Bookstore Kolkata was the first bookstore to launch a literary festival, and we are delighted to be announcing the 15th edition of AKLF in 2024. When we began, our vision was for AKLF to be a gift to this city of books, art and culture, an international literary festival that was free and open to all. It was one more way of reaffirming our commitment to the world of readers, reading, writers and books. We are proud to see that over the years AKLF has become an important part of the city’s annual cultural calendar.”

Anjum Katyal, Director, Apeejay Kolkata Literary Festival said, “AKLF celebrates variety, diversity and inclusiveness. Our sessions range from popular genres like sci-fi, mystery, horror, fantasy and food to gender, current affairs and history. The world of reading, publishing and the book is one of the last bastions of discussion and debate, freedom of expression and alternate points of view. Environment and climate change, gender and identity, women’s empowerment, our diverse heritage and the state of the nation today are some of our themes in this edition.”

Announcing the partners, Swagat Sengupta, CEO, Oxford Bookstores said, “As we celebrate this landmark of 15th edition of the Apeejay Kolkata Literary Festival, we feel grateful for the unwavering support from our cherished partners, who have joined hands in adding meaning and value to our festival.

Apeejay Kolkata Literary Festival is the only literary festival that is created by a bookstore – Oxford Bookstores. We are the passionate curators and connectors who celebrate literature every day. For more than 100 years we have bridged the gap between authors, publishers, and readers. Oxford Bookstore does not just sell books, we foster a vibrant community and offer a breeding ground for literary enthusiasts where conversations spark and connections are made. And as we emabrk on this special edition of AKLF, we continue driving our heart and soul to being more than just a bookstore.”

About Apeejay Kolkata Literary Festival: Apeejay Kolkata Literary Festival, India’s only literary Festival created by a bookstore and Kolkata’s first literary festival, reflects our city’s vibrancy of thought, its engagement with the literary world at large and explores literature as part of our tangible and intangible heritage. Celebrate books, music, art, film, and more with the finest creative minds in the nation and globally, as events unfold at the city’s magnificent heritage sites. Please visit www.aklf.in to know more.

About Oxford Bookstores: Established in 1919, Oxford Bookstore is one of the oldest heritage bookstores of the nation. It is India’s only bookstore to curate multiple literary festivals like Apeejay Kolkata Literary Festival, Apeejay Bangla Sahitya Utsob and Hindi Sahitya Utsav. The Oxford Bookstore not only offers book lovers access to the very best books and ambience, but also India’s first of its kind tea boutique, Cha Bar. At Oxford Bookstores, success is measured by the smiles on millions of happy readers that the brand has served over the last 100 years. Each time you walk into our iconic store in Kolkata, its old-world charm leaves you enchanted and desiring for more. Our fleet of ‘happy to help’ the knowledgeable booksellers and conversant hosts, work round the clock to bring to our vendees and world-class reading experience. Be it through our books or our fine teas we abide by the brand’s motto – Much more than a bookstore – at every Bookstore.

 Chairman of Meritor Organisation Dr N. Muthukumar on Friday emphasized the need to adopt green technology in the manufacturing sector. “We need to give thrust on solar energy to a great extent,” Dr Muthukumar added.

He was speaking at the three-day 72nd Indian Foundry Congress and IFEX 2024 exhibition organized by The Institute of Indian Foundation at the International Exhibition Centre.

He said several sectors are functioning under the Indian Foundry Congress such as Aviation, Defence, Electric Vehicles, and mobile phones, and there is a need to cut down on expenses by switching on to Green Technology in order to give thrust to sustainable manufacturing.

“Solar energy will enable the industry to become sustainable,” Dr Muthukumar added.

According to Dr Muthukumar, India is the country of future and it is necessary to develop sustainable manufacturing system for the future generations.

“We need to prepare an action-plan to make sure that 80 percent of the manufacturing process are done with renewable energy and solar energy. We also need to ensure the re-use and re-, cycling of water,” he added.

Dr Muthukumar said the average life span of those working in Foundry sector is comparatively low. In this background, we need to ensure that we adopt a technology that will stand the test of time for next 100 years.

“Positive work culture and dedication must be our thumb rule to make India a number one country in the manufacturing sector,” he said.

D. M. Girish, Vice President & Head of Volvo Group Purchasing India, in his speech said, “There is a very good future for the manufacturing sector that needs to be properly utilized. It is expected that 1.2 trillion dollar worth of manufacturing equipment’s are being imported out of which 400 thousand dollars’ worth of equipment’s are earmarked for automobile sector.

“There will be a great demand for battery-run vehicles, goods vehicles. We need to keep this in mind when we undertake our work,” he added.

Indian Foundry Congress Organising Chairman IFC 2024, S Rudre Gowda in his speech said there is an increase in the demand for automobiles, earth moving equipment’s, aerospace and Defence sector. “We need to make the best use of this opportunity,” he said.

More than 350 exhibitors have exhibited their product and latest technology, dyes, inspection equipment’s, robotic automation and security equipment’s are on display in the exhibition.

More than 1500 exhibitors from India and abroad are taking part in the exhibition.

IIF President D S Chandrashekar, Vice President of the Organising Committee D. G. Benkappa, Secretary IFS 2024 Organising Committee, Ankit Diwakar, Secretary IFS 2024 Organising Committee Vignesh Ramanan were present on the occasion