Archives February 2024

Mumbai, Maharashtra – [19th February, 2024] – Following its acquisition of Just Watches in May last, Timex Group India is all set for a robust expansion plan for India with new Just Watches stores at the prestigious Lulu Mall, Kochi end of 2023 and 3 new stores in the state of Maharashtra with two stores in Mumbai and one in Aurangabad. This expansion marks a significant step in Timex Group’s strategic plan to bring its curated selection of timepieces closer to discerning customers.

With the launch of the new Just Watches stores in Andheri (525 sq. ft.) and Malad
(436 sq. ft.) in Mumbai, and Aurangabad (392 sq. ft.), Timex Group is set to amp up its premium to luxury positioning. These expansive showrooms boast a curated portfolio of luxury and fashion watch brands such as Versace and Daniel Wellington. The store will also showcase Timex’s global iconic Marlin and Waterbury range alongside the latest from Guess, Guess Collection, Philip Plein, Plein Sport and Nautica, catering to a wide range of audience.

 “We are thrilled to expand our geographical footprint across the country with our
association with Just Watches.” said Mr. Deepak Chabbra, MD, Timex. “With these stores we are bringing a one stop shop for watch enthusiasts to discover watches from Timex and other leading brands under one roof. We are confident these new stores will not only elevate the Just Watches experience but also contribute to the flourishing watch retail ecosystem in Maharashtra, offering a wider range of choices to our customers.”

The latest wave of store openings cements Just Watches by Timex Group’s mission to become India’s ultimate watch haven. These new outlets bring their diverse watch collections closer to customers across the country, offering one-stop shopping convenience. This isn’t just a recent burst of growth. Timex Group has been steadily expanding the Just Watches footprint, reaching a total of 76 exclusive stores spanning 39 cities. With each new location, their reach and commitment to providing accessible, diverse watch options become even stronger.

Gurugram, 19 February 2024: Pramerica Life Insurance, one of the fastest growing life insurers in India, unveils the 13^th edition of its innovative cause-related initiative, the Emerging Visionaries, a national recognition program that awards school students for their innovative solutions to financial and societal challenges in their communities.

The program represents the evolution of the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, a longstanding program that has recognized over 150,000 young individuals over 27 years worldwide and has a rich legacy spanning over 13 years in India. Benefiting from the purpose driven history of Prudential Financial Inc. and financial expertise of Piramal Finance, Pramerica Life Insurance continues its journey of recognizing and celebrating the remarkable efforts of children who contribute positively to their communities by developing innovative solutions to financial and societal challenges.

At its core, the Emerging Visionaries program serves as a manifestation of Pramerica Life Insurance’s overarching brand vision: securing and enriching lives. By acknowledging the contributions of children towards addressing these challenges, the program reinforces the company’s dedication to this vision. Through this initiative, the company aims to enhance the well-being of the communities it inhabits.

The primary objective of the program is twofold: to recognize the exceptional efforts of young changemakers and to inspire a broader culture of social responsibility. By highlighting the initiatives of these young leaders, the company seeks to inspire others to contribute positively to society, fostering a ripple effect of positive change.

Pramerica Life Insurance is committed to reaching out to the students and catching them young, celebrating their intent of social responsibility from an early age. This recognition program is an effort to create a supportive ecosystem where kids at an early age can thrive and make meaningful contributions to society.

“Our hearts swell with pride as we celebrate the tireless efforts, indomitable spirit, and noble intent of these young champions,” expressed Karthik Chakrapani, Chief Business Officer of Pramerica Life Insurance. “Through this initiative, we aspire to shine a spotlight on their exemplary actions, igniting a beacon of inspiration for all. By showcasing their innovation, determination and resilience, we hope to inspire others to join hands and strive for the greater good of our world, embodying the ethos of collective action and compassion.”

In addition to its online application process, the program broadens its impact through comprehensive school outreach. The company plans to reach out to 3000+ schools across India covering Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 cities through digital webinars, on-ground presentations and dialogues with the students and school management. This extensive engagement ensures the program’s accessibility to a diverse array of students, fostering inclusivity and enabling young changemakers from all corners of the country to participate and contribute to positive societal change.

• The program is open to students from classes 8 to 12 who have demonstrated active engagement in volunteer activities.
• Participants are invited to submit projects addressing either financial or societal challenges within their communities.
• Applications must be e-certified by their respective school principals.
• A distinguished panel of jurors will evaluate submissions and select finalists in two categories: Financial Solution Challenge and Societal Solution Challenge.
• Five finalists will be chosen for the Financial Solution Challenge, while twenty finalists will be selected for the Societal Solution Challenge.
• From these finalists, two national honorees – one from each category – will be awarded Certificates of Excellence, gold medallions, and a cash prize of INR 50,000 each.
• Additionally, honorees will receive trophies, and their school principals will be recognized.
• Both national honorees will be granted an all-expenses-paid trip to an international recognition event in the United States.

The application submission window is currently open till February 21, 2024. For more information about the Emerging Visionaries program, visit https://emergingvisionaries.com/in/.

Delhi NCR, India, February 19, 2024: GD Goenka Group is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Amrita Bahl as Chief Education Officer. Dr. Bahl will be responsible for spearheading pedagogy, development of curriculums, and academic delivery for GD Goenka institutions – preschools, senior schools and higher education.

Dr. Bahl brings with her over 20 years of experience as an Education Policy, Reform & Governance Leader. She has led the transition of schools to the Bhutan Baccalaureate Learning Process at Druk Gyalpo’s Institute, His Majesty’s Secretariat, Bhutan. Additionally, she has designed programs and led the implementation of Climate Change outreach for schools. Dr. Bahl has also served as an Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to the Lt. Governor, Government of Puducherry, where she led Public Outreach and Communication Strategy.

Her extensive experience includes working in with the World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations (UN), and other international bodies, executing Outreach Programs in Drugs & Crime. Dr. Bahl has also developed and led strategic partnerships with key government, civil society, private sector, media, and academia partners.

She holds an Ed.D & MA in Health Education from Teachers College, Columbia University, an MA Applied Clinical Psychology from Delhi University, and a BA Psychology from Lady Sri Ram College, Delhi University.

Mr. Nipun Goenka, Managing Director, GD Goenka Group quoted, “We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Amrita Bahl to the GD Goenka family. Her extensive experience and expertise in education policy, reform, and transformation will be invaluable as we continue to deliver progressive education across all our institutions.”

Dr. Bahl remarked, “I am honored to be a part of the GD Goenka Group; their vision of a responsive pedagogy, holistic curriculum, and state-of-the-art infrastructure resonates with my personal values of delivering an education that nurtures resilient leaders of tomorrow.”

Bengaluru, February 19, 2024: Relanto, a global leader in AI-driven business advisory and consulting services, announced a key milestone in its growth journey with the launch of its AI-first lab, a global innovation and incubator hub, at its new state-of-the-art office at IBC Knowledge Park in Bengaluru, Karnataka. The company also unveiled its Relanto Cares initiative, a community service engagement program focused on uplifting local underprivileged and underserved communities across the globe by bridging the digital divide.

Rajan Gaur, CEO of Relanto said, “As part of our global expansion strategy, this new office and AI Innovation lab in Bengaluru will be a catalyst for our next phase of growth and support our mission to build an AI-first world in collaboration with our customers and partners. Through the launch of our Relanto Cares initiative, we remain committed to fostering positive change in the communities we live in and pledge $1 million USD towards this global community service initiative.”

“Our AI lab is designed to foster research and collaboration for breakthrough innovations and to build the next generation of AI solutions. Bengaluru’s vibrant tech ecosystem is the perfect backdrop for our lab launch, symbolizing our commitment to creating pioneering IP & solutions to accelerate AI monetization.” remarked Yeshwant Nayak, COO of Relanto.

Relanto is also looking at strategic growth opportunities by expanding its global footprint. Sharing some details, Shankar Chowhan, President of Relanto added “Our recent expansion in Canada, Mexico, UAE, and India reflects our global vision, positioning us to tap into diverse markets and talent pools, ultimately driving growth and innovation across continents.”

As it moves forward, Relanto remains committed to leveraging its resources and expertise to foster innovation, reduce the digital gap, and create a more inclusive and educated global community.

“As part of the Relanto Cares initiative, we are pledging towards building and equipping a new computer lab along with additional classrooms at Neraluru Government School with an aim to support our local Bengaluru community” highlighted Venkatesh Kodangal, Chief Strategy Officer.

“Our AI lab will be a collaborative hub to nurture innovation where we reimagine the AI-led future of our customers and partners. It will also be an idea exchange platform between industry and academic institutions,” stated T.P. Vincent, Chief Technology Officer.

This marks the beginning of a new chapter for Relanto, one where growth and social commitment go hand in hand, to help drive a meaningful impact in enabling and empowering local communities.

Actress Anurekha Bhagat, recognized for her roles in Khuda Haafiz: Chapter 2 – Agni Pariksha, Upnyaas, and the Shahid Kapoor starrer Farzi, portrayed her first central role in the recently released Watcho Exclusives series ‘State v/s Ahuja’ alongside Ashmit Patel. In the series, Anurekha takes on the character of Deepa Sawant, a maid who accuses Bollywood actor Ansh Ahuja (played by Ashmit Patel) of rape. Anurekha has shared insights into her working experience with Ashmit Patel, what she gleaned from him, and one of her most cherished memories from the series.

Describing Ashmit Patel as sweet, happy-go-lucky, grounded, and a thorough gentleman, Anurekha highlighted her key take away from him, and shared, “From Ashmit Sir, I learned the importance of giving space to your co–actor to perform. As actors, we often tend to seek all the attention, but during our scenes, Ashmit Sir generously allowed me the space to showcase my talents. He fully embraced his character, Ansh Ahuja, without any airs of stardom. This gave me the power and freedom to shine in scenes where Deepa needed to be seen.

Opening up about one of her most memorable scenes from the Watcho Exclusives series, “Firstly, getting the character was something truly memorable for me. As an artist, you always have the hunger to perform and to showcase your versatility. One unforgettable moment on the set that will be etched in my heart is my close scene with Ashmit sir. After the scene, Ashmit sir and I were still in the zone, and the set went silent. Suddenly, Tarun sir approached me with a hug and said, ‘Amazing. I’m speechless. It was a perfect shot, this was exactly how Deepa would have reacted,’ and that was truly priceless. The entire set started applauding, and Ashmit sir put his hand on my shoulder and said, ‘We got this.’ So, it was a very special moment for me.”

19 February, 2024: The Den, Bengaluru, proudly announces the appointment of Chef Prabir Kumar Saha as its esteemed Executive Sous Chef. With a rich culinary background spanning over 19 years, Chef Saha brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the renowned luxury hotel.

Prior to joining The Den, Chef Saha served as the Executive Chef at ITC Fortune, where he exhibited exceptional leadership skills in managing four F&B outlets, including an Indian specialty restaurant and banquets accommodating 300 to 400 guests. His unwavering passion for food and dedication to maintaining impeccable standards perfectly align with The Den’s commitment to delivering an extraordinary dining experience.

He gained refined experience by working at renowned hospitality brands across India such as Chokhi Dhani Ethnic Resorts Jaipur, Days Inn by Wyndham Hotel and Resorts, Panipat, Ramada Plaza JHV Varanasi, Ayada Resorts and Spa Maldives, The Lalit group of Hotels Jaipur, Whispering Palms beach resort Goa, Country Club Hotel Goa, Fort Aguada Beach resorts and many more well-known hospitality brands,

Chef Saha’s culinary journey is marked by his adherence to high hygiene levels in the kitchen and a commitment to pursuing a challenging career in hospitality. His proven track record in managing kitchen operations, controlling wastage, and implementing innovative strategies makes him an ideal fit for The Den, Bengaluru.

“We are thrilled to welcome Chef Prabir Kumar Saha as our Executive Sous Chef at The Den, Bengaluru. With over 19 years of culinary expertise, Chef Saha’s dedication to quality, love for food, and impressive track record make him a valuable addition to our team. Under his guidance, we are excited to elevate the dining experience at The Den to new heights,” said Vinesh Gupta, General Manager of The Den, Bengaluru.

Enthusiastic about his new role, Chef Saha states, “I am truly honored to embark on this exciting new chapter at The Den Hotel and collaborate with the exceptional team here. I am eagerly anticipating the opportunity to craft innovative menus, showcasing the incredible local produce, and ensuring memorable dining experiences for our esteemed guests.

Mumbai, INDIA – February 19, 2024: After decades of development, AI has left the computer science lab and is now beginning to impact how business is conducted. And yet, no single technology advance in the past several decades has attracted more attention – or created more fear – than Generative AI. Between over-inflated expectations and doomsday predictions, business leaders have been left stranded without clear guidance, meaningful insight, or a playbook for the future of business.

 HFS Research, in partnership with Ascendion, is now releasing Your Generative Enterprise™ Playbook for the Future, a first-of-its-kind applied research series offering enterprise leaders a head start in the race to succeed with GenAI technology. Data and insights provide practical guidance, real-world insights, and tactical recommendations honed from extensive quantitative surveys and in- depth interviews with executive business leaders and AI innovators from companies with $500+ million in revenue.

 According to HFS Research Executive Research Leader David Cushman, “Study respondents have effectively visited the future. They like what they’ve seen and want more of it. The next few quarters and years will be a rocket ride for companies correctly timing innovation with GenAI and balancing investment with return. Leaders sitting on the sidelines could face an extinction event.”

 More than 120 early adopters interviewed call GenAI the most disruptive technology they have ever experienced and state the benefits for enterprises will swiftly move beyond quick wins and savings to impact revenue and market valuation.

 Ascendion is on a mission to help businesses move GenAI from a test case to the fast track of how work gets done. “The key to generative AI isn’t bots, it’s brains. The right human skills empower us to harness its power. To build the last mile where enterprises will reap the most value depends on the intersection of technology plus talent,” said Prakash Balasubramanian, Executive Vice President and Global Head of Engineering Practices and Delivery at Ascendion.

Some top highlights from the research include:
· We need more humans in the loop. A striking 75% of the surveyed cohort ranked having sufficient GenAI-skilled talent as a top obstacle for effective deployment, highlighting the talent gap as a significant challenge.
· Invest in humanities to meet the GenAI talent gap. Nearly 88% of respondents believe GenAI will make power skills like communication, empathy, curiosity, and emotional intelligence far more important, highlighting the evolving skillset required in the GenAI era.
· AI will deliver more than just cost savings. While initial benefits include cost savings and
productivity gains, GenAI’s true potential lies in driving revenue growth and market valuation.
· AI will unlock value from every business function. Around 47% of leaders identify customer service as the key business function where GenAI will create high value over the next 12 to 18 months, illustrating its immediate applicability.
· Generative AI will re-shape business economics. The study finds that approximately 40% of respondents expect GenAI to deliver a more than 10% improvement in overall productivity, signaling the urgency for businesses to adapt.

“GenAI will deliver significant, if not spectacular, benefits for business economics in most companies. For companies not making the right moves right now, the velocity of this shift will likely become an existential threat,” says HFS Research CEO and Chief Analyst Phil Fersht. “Based on our data, ignoring critical lessons learned and informed opinions from our GenAI  pioneers is unwise.”

Brace yourselves for an uproarious experience filled with side-splitting laughter and unforgettable moments as Sony Entertainment Television is all set to launch a new comedy show, ‘Madness Machayenge – India Ko Hasayenge!’ Redefining the genre by breaking the conventional norms of comedy, this show will effortlessly deliver varied styles of comedy with an impressive line-up of seasoned comedians!

Ready to laugh out loud along with India will be the beautiful Huma Qureshi, who will assume the role of a comedy champion. In this dynamic and central part, she will offer a great blend of humour, support, and engagement in various segments, coupled with her witty observations and hilarious anecdotes, promising a weekend of pure entertainment that will leave you craving for more.

Sharing her excitement about being a part of the show, Huma Qureshi says, “Comedy serves as a universal stressbuster and our aim is simple: to spread joy and laughter one joke at a time. In today’s fast-paced world, we believe everyone deserves a break filled with laughter, and Madness Machayenge is here to deliver just that.”

Elaborating on her role further, she adds, “I am thrilled to be a part of this show as the comedy champion wherein I will challenge our comedians with tasks across different segments that will range from fun and simple to unusual situations, testing their mettle as we embark on this exciting journey of comedy and camaraderie.”

Bengaluru, February 19, 2024

Godrej Properties Ltd. (GPL), (BSE scrip id: GODREJPROP), one of India’s leading real estate developers, today announced reaffirmation of credit rating by ICRA. 

Highlights:

Credit Rating Limits for bank facilities have been reaffirmed at [ICRA]AA+/[ICRA]A1+ with an enhancement of Rs. 6,500 crore. Outlook on the long-term rating is “Stable”. Instruments with this rating are considered to have a high degree of safety regarding timely servicing of financial obligations. Such instruments carry very low credit risk.

Rating for INR 2,000 Crore Commercial Paper (CP) reaffirmed at [ICRA]A1+. Instruments with [ICRA]A1+ rating are considered to have a very strong degree of safety regarding timely servicing of financial obligations. Such instruments carry the lowest credit risk.

Long–term rating for INR 4,000 crore NCD Borrowing Program reaffirmed at [ICRA]AA+. Outlook on the long-term rating is “Stable”. Instruments with this rating are considered to have a high degree of safety regarding timely servicing of financial obligations. Such instruments carry very low credit risk.

Bengaluru, 19 February 2024: The acclaimed ad campaigns of Ambuja Cements and ACC – ‘Mazbooti Ki Misaal’ and ‘Bharosa Atoot’ – have captivated audiences on Connected TV (CTV) platforms, thanks to data-driven decisions and digital awareness. Partnering with Starcom India and Frodoh World, the reach of these campaigns has expanded. The ad films are now streaming across OTT platforms like Disney+ Hotstar, Sony LIV, Zee5, and Jio Cinema, redefining brand engagement in the ever-evolving digital age.

These campaigns have received an overwhelming response across TV and digital platforms, setting the stage for Ambuja and ACC’s latest strategic leap into CTV. This move is designed to captivate a fresh audience demographic, amplifying brand visibility and reinforcing recall in a dynamic brand campaign push.

Mr. Ajay Kapur, CEO, Cement Business, said, “In today’s fast-paced media landscape, our leap into connected TV advertising is a testament to our innovation ethos. Our aim is to target a fresh, engaged audience, boosting the visibility and resonance of our iconic brands. Our strategic step to captivate CTV viewers is about staying connected and memorable in a world where brand interaction is key to our B2C success.”

The success of ‘Mazbooti Ki Misaal’ lies in the gripping narrative of the ad film that showcases the story of a loving family and their devoted Giant Elephant. Amid a quaint home, the child and the elephant share playful moments, from flying kites to splashing water and storytelling. The film gracefully captures the symbiotic existence, emphasizing daily routines where the mother cares for both child and elephant. A surprising scene unfolds on the terrace, showcasing Ambuja Cements’ attributes of unmatched mightiness and dependability with the Giant Elephant’s playful mishap, highlighting the brand’s ‘Giant Compressive Strength’.

From towering urban structures to individual households, ACC has been pivotal in shaping India’s infrastructure and impacting the lives of its citizens. ACC’s ‘Bharosa Atoot’, depicts the journey of a military personnel, emphasizing “trust” as the cornerstone of our brand. Symbolism abounds in the ad, from navigating scenic hill roads to portraying a mother’s nurturing guidance and a heartwarming family reunion, all representing the enduring legacy and trust associated with ACC. Our goal is to lead viewers on a journey showcasing the significance of our constructions and their positive impact on individual’s lives and the nation at large. It’s an ultimate journey of earning the unbreakable trust of India.