Archives February 2024

The University of Birmingham is partnering with the Government of Maharashtra to set up a specialist Research and Innovation Hub to tackle challenges in key state priority areas including agriculture and healthcare, using Artificial Intelligence (AI).

 Mr. Shailendra Deolankar, Director, Higher Education, Department of Higher and Technical Education, Government of Maharashtra and Professor Adam Tickell, Vice- Chancellor of the University of Birmingham signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to begin work on establishing the centre.

 Working with strategy partner Ernst & Young, the agreement brings together three State Public Universities including Kavayitri Bahinabai Chaudhari North Maharashtra University, Jalgaon; COEP Technological University, Pune; and Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, during the initial phase of the project.

 As part of this initiative, the Department of Higher and Technical education has also constituted a ‘Maharashtra Responsible Research and Innovation Taskforce’ (MSRRIT) to effectively track the research activity in the state, ideate on interventions to improve quality of research and build out SoPs for conducting

 research as well as collaborating with other International and National bodies. Researchers from the partner universities have identified two themes involving the development of AI systems using Natural Language Processing to:

•   Automatically extract information from clinical records in Marathi, Hindi and other Indian languages and then classify using Machine Learning algorithms to provide insights and improvements in healthcare and patient outcomes.
•   Provide agricultural extension services to the State’s farmers in Marathi, Hindi, and other Indian languages by developing AI Chatbots that can converse, answer questions and explain concepts expressed in these languages.

 The partnership aims to develop a rich environment of collaborative research between the University of Birmingham, and the state funded universities in the fields of AI and Data Science. There will also be opportunities for PhD research.
Following yesterday’s signing ceremony in Mumbai, Professor Adam Tickell commented: “The University of Birmingham is a global ‘civic’ university and we’re committed to forging meaningful research partnerships in India that demonstrate our commitment to the country as a strategic partner.
“India is pursuing excellence in AI models, techniques, and creative use of data. We look forward to working with the Government of Maharashtra, and our Indian academic counterparts to create impactful research that will help to shape state policy on the adoption and use of AI in the key areas of healthcare and agriculture.

“We believe that this partnership will improve knowledge and understanding about how AI and data science can drive innovation which better serves Indian society and the wider world.”

The partners will work together to establish an AI Research and Innovation Hub within Maharashtra and attract funding from state government, industry, and other agencies to support innovative collaborative research between experts at the three state universities and the University of Birmingham.

Vikas Rastogi, Principal Secretary, Department of Higher and Technical Education, Government of Maharashtra commented: “Through the AI Research and Innovation Hub, the State aims to establish a new model for collaborative research that leverages the expertise of local researchers along with International counterparts to develop innovative solutions to state priority areas.”

 Satyam Shivam Sundaram, Partner, Strategy and Transactions at EY commented: “This is a great initiative by the Government of Maharashtra. The Maharashtra Responsible Research and Innovation Taskforce and the University of Birmingham together may be able to solve problems of scale using technology to benefit the larger population.”

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Next-Gen Connectivity

Featuring a wealth of connectivity options, including USB Type-C™, USB 3.2 Type-A, HDMI 2.0a, Wi-Fi 6, and Gigabit LAN, the G22 offers seamless connectivity for all your gaming and multimedia needs. Moreover, the expandable memory options allow for further customization, ensuring your system runs as smoothly as possible.

Efficient Cooling and Personalized Design

The all-new ROG G22 features a custom liquid cooler for the CPU, ensuring silent and efficient cooling even under heavy loads. With vents strategically placed around the chassis and optimized airflow, the G22 maintains optimal temperatures for peak performance. Equipped with full Aura Sync RGB compatibility and a metal side panel option, the G22 allows for personalized lighting effects, tailored to suit your style and gameplay.

Complete Gaming Experience

Bundled with a wired keyboard and mouse for added convenience, the ASUS ROG G22 offers a complete gaming experience straight out of the box. The easy access design ensures one can upgrade and customize their system without the need for tools, making it the perfect choice for gaming enthusiasts who demand performance and versatility.

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In a significant move aimed at bolstering the Indian economy and addressing the country’s housing crisis, the Government of India has announced ambitious plans to construct 20 million rural homes and assist middle-income individuals in purchasing houses. While the 2024 budget lacked major announcements targeting the furniture industry directly, these housing schemes are poised to significantly benefit the sector, fostering growth and innovation within the Indian furniture market.

Mr. Ajay Khurana, Managing Director of Formica India, elucidates, “With a focus on improving infrastructure and maintaining a fiscal deficit target of 5.1%, the government’s commitment to enhancing housing accessibility underscores its dedication to promoting economic development and social welfare. The plan to construct 2 crore new houses over the next five years marks a pivotal step towards fulfilling India’s burgeoning housing needs and driving progress across various sectors.”

He further highlights, “One of the most promising aspects of these housing schemes is their potential to positively impact the Indian furniture industry. As more individuals transition from rented accommodations to homeownership, there will be a surge in demand for furniture and interior furnishings, creating lucrative opportunities for manufacturers, retailers, and artisans alike.”

The emphasis on making housing more affordable aligns with India’s aspirations to become a USD 7 trillion economy by 2030, as articulated in the budget. By facilitating homeownership for a broader segment of the population, the government aims to instill a sense of security and stability while simultaneously stimulating economic growth.

“The government’s initiatives to promote homeownership and improve housing affordability will undoubtedly fuel demand for furniture, driving innovation and investment within the sector,” remarked Mr. Khurana.

He further adds, “At Formica, we recognize the opportunity presented by the government and are actively investing in innovative manufacturing processes and expanding our distribution network to meet the escalating demand for premium surface solutions.”

The Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana’s focus on empowering women, who comprise 70 percent of its beneficiaries, is particularly commendable. By prioritizing gender equality and women’s empowerment, these housing schemes aim to create a more equitable society while driving socio-economic advancement.

“Given the increased demand for residential furnishings stemming from the government’s housing schemes, laminate manufacturers like us and many others stand to benefit significantly,” says Mr. Khurana. “Moreover, the budget’s focus on infrastructure and housing presents a ripe opportunity for global brands to expand their presence in India’s burgeoning furniture market.”

Thus, the implementation of ambitious housing schemes underscores the government’s commitment to fostering inclusive development and propelling economic growth. By addressing the housing needs of millions of Indians and stimulating demand for residential furnishings, these initiatives are poised to catalyze transformational change within the Indian furniture industry while ushering in a new era of prosperity and progress.

New Delhi, 16th February 2024: The interim budget 2024 has brought a fresh ray of hope to millions of middle-income households who aspired to buy their own homes, but are forced to stay on rent. In a positive move, 2-crore more houses will be built under PM Awas Yojana Scheme in the next five years to enable middle-class living in rented premises to build their own homes.

R&R, in its recent report, highlighted that the housing for the middle-class scheme will enable mid-income individuals to realise their homeownership dreams, while at the same time, giving impetus to the construction and associated sectors, thereby creating more opportunities for all.

The soon-to-be-launched housing scheme is expected to revitalise the affordable or mid-housing segment. The Interim Budget underscored the government’s recognition of the significance of homeownership. India’s middle class is set to double up to 61% of the total population by 2047, up from 31% in 2020-21. The housing scheme will give confidence to an increasing number of people falling into this category every day.

Vishesh Prakash of R&R, says, “While the Interim Budget 2024 made no big-bang announcements, it continued its focus on infrastructure upgrades and building connectivity across the country, which would benefit real estate growth in not just the top cities, but also in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities across the country. Infrastructure continues to be the focus area of the government. With an outlay of 3.4% of the GDP, the benefits of such focused and continued efforts will percolate down to all real estate segments. Tier 2 and 3 cities can expect heightened real estate activity around the near-mid term. All said and done, the budget has a lot more to offer than what meets the eye, which will propel the real estate sector directly or indirectly in a significant way.”

The industry insiders feel that while the interim budget didn’t directly address the real estate sectors’ key demands, the upcoming union budget might hold more concrete measures addressing the industry concerns, potentially impacting the market trends.

Looking ahead, the real estate sector is expecting industry status, believing it would unlock benefits like easier access to credit, tax breaks, and infrastructure development. Besides, tax incentives and benefits for homebuyers, such as increasing the deduction limit on home loan interest under Section 24, are also being expected from the Union Budget to follow in the coming months.

Keeping up with these expectations will only make the housing sector in the country more dynamic than ever. With eyes now set on the upcoming Union Budget, the real estate sector is hopeful of its robust growth in the future.

Steps in the right direction:

· Despite all the challenges, the implementation of this scheme continued, achieving the target of close to 3 crore houses, and now aims for 2 crore more houses to be taken up in the next five years, which is a step in the right direction.

· The Government will launch a scheme to help the deserving sections of the middle class, living in rented houses or slums, or chawls and unauthorised colonies, to buy or build their own houses.

· Extending tax benefits to startups for another year is yet another move in the right direction. This may help the real estate to rejuvenate and grow at a pace, which might be considered an opportunity in disguise for them.

Mumbai, February 16, 2024: Anand Rathi Advisors Limited (ARAL), one of India’s premier investment consultants, unveiled a detailed report on the Indian Higher Education market at the ASU+GSV & Emeritus India Summit 2024 in Gurgaon. This comprehensive report provides an in-depth exploration of the Indian Higher Education market, covering key aspects such as market overview, detailed analysis on increasing GER, skilling and up-skilling, online higher education and tie-up with ed-tech players, integration of artificial intelligence, the various opportunities for India and more.

ARAL believes that the Indian Higher Education market will become US$ 180+ billion market by 2035 subject to achievement of GER of 50% along with substantial improvement in the existing infrastructure in terms of number of institutions and infusion of committed funding from various stakeholders. Another key focus area is on the skilling and upskilling front and its increasing popularity, ushering the next phase of growth for the higher education market.

Key highlights of the research findings –

• Number of enrolment is expected to increase to 70 million by 2030 in order to achieve 50% GER target also resulting in a rise in per capita GDP. For instance: India per capital GDP is expected to increase by more than 2x with the rise in GER from 31% in 2022 to 50% in 2035
• While the west grapples with ageing demographics and stagnant enrolments, India’s predominantly young population positions the country for a demographic dividend thereby contributing to the increasing number of students pursuing higher education
• The dynamic changes in the job market have fueled a surge in interest for courses like data science, AI & ML, blockchain, cloud computing, and various other emerging fields.
• Only ~ 2-3% of the institutions are currently offering new age courses, highlighting the significant opportunity for the higher education curricula to evolve and incorporate such new age courses
• There has been a substantial increase in the enrolment for re-skilling and up-skilling courses, with the highest demand observed in IT courses, closely followed by business management.
• 85% of the professional with < 3 years of experience consider up-skilling to be an important aspect of their career growth

 While unveiling the report, Samir Bahl, CEO – Investment Banking, Anand Rathi Advisors Ltd., said, “At Anand Rathi Investment Banking, education is one of the core practice areas and we strive to offer thorough industry reports on themes that assist global investment communities in their decision making and strategy. The ‘Indian Higher Education – A US$ 180+ billion market’ report is the 7th report in the series of reports released by Anand Rathi Investment Banking team and serves as a catalyst for ongoing discussions amongst industry stakeholders.

With 11 universities from India featuring in the QS World University Ranking 2024 among the top 500 globally, the highest in South Asia, South-east Asia and Africa, there lies a significant opportunity for Indian higher educational institutions to further expand into under-developed and developing nations by establishing their campuses.”

While unveiling the report, Atul Thakkar, Director – Investment Banking, Anand Rathi Advisors Ltd.,

“The intricate structure of institutions in the Indian Higher Education Sector with the involvement of trusts/society imposes a challenge for investors looking to invest in this sector. Therefore it is imperative that adequate steps are taken to liberalise the existing structure in order to attract funding from the stakeholders’ community at large”

National, 16th February 2024: PVR INOX, the largest and the most premium cinema exhibitor in India has announced the launch of its latest brand campaign “Bada Dekho. Saath Dekho.” The campaign celebrates the enchanting joy derived from a shared cinematic journey with a profound sense of ‘togetherness’ that blooms when individuals unite in the shared experience while watching a movie on the big screen. The campaign touches upon this community viewing experience which has been associated with cinema viewing since the time cinemas came into existence. Bada Dekho. Saath Dekho follows the resounding success of the previous campaign, ‘Fresh Dekho. Bada Dekho’, continuing to celebrate the admiration for cinemas and the viewing experience therein.

The video-centric campaign, conceptualized by Tree Design and produced by SGP Films, has esteemed actor Pankaj Tripathi eloquently putting forward the rationale in his signature style. Pankaj Tripathi has lent his unique charismatic touch to the narrative, infusing relatability and authenticity into the storytelling with the underlying thought ‘Akele Mein Toh Bass Timepass Hota Hai, Film Dekhne Ka Mazaa Toh Sab Ke Saath Hi Aata Hai’ translating to, ‘Watching a film alone amounts to just whiling away time; the real joy of watching a movie is together, in the theatre.’

Commenting on the campaign, Gautam Dutta, Co-CEO, PVR INOX Limited said, “We are thrilled to unveil our new campaign, Bada Dekho. Sath Dekho which underscores the unwavering commitment of PVR INOX Ltd. to celebrate the collective cinematic experience. The new campaign is a testament to the magic that unfolds when individuals from different backgrounds come together to create lasting memories at the theatre that enrich bonds and connections. Cinemas the giant screens, and the thunderous sound, the cinema experience offers a unique atmosphere characterized by the auditorium’s darkness, unfamiliarity with the co-audience, yet a unified sense of awe and appreciation for the content playing on the screen. It goes beyond the reel, emphasizing the joy that is truly experienced when we watch a film together. We invite everyone to experience the magic of shared moments and the enduring joy of the big screen.”

In this cinematic journey, “Bada Dekho. Saath Dekho” underlines the belief that the true essence of cinema extends beyond the screen – it is about the shared memories etched in the hearts of the audience and creating a simulated family for three hours within the confines of the theatre. The campaign is currently running on PVR INOX’s own digital platforms, OTT platforms and cinemas and has already garnered a lot of interest.

Join PVR INOX on this enchanting cinematic journey and experience the magic that unfolds when individuals unite to celebrate the joy of the big screen with “Bada Dekho. Saath Dekho” Campaign.

National, 16th February 2023: Incubez, the world’s pioneer Over-The-Top (OTT) platform dedicated to nurturing the startup ecosystem, proudly unveils its innovative platform. Founded by Mr. Koushik Chitrapu and Ms. Nivya Paidipally, had a grand launch on February 14th at T-Hub Hyderabad, attended by over 300 startup founders, investors, and mentors. The event was graced by dignitaries, including Srinivas Rao Mahankali (CEO, T-Hub), T R KrishnaKumar Rao (Chancellor, ICFAI University), and others, showcasing strong ecosystem support for Incubez.Among the attendees were notable startups and VCs from across India.

It emerges as a unique repository of wisdom, offering unparalleled insights into the real challenges of initiating and scaling a business. With a holistic coverage of the entrepreneurial journey, the platform showcases empowering narratives from seasoned mentors, invaluable investor insights, and philosophies from triumphant founders. It transcends being a mere learning resource to become a beacon of support for individuals navigating the dynamic landscape of startup life.

The OTT platform hosts a vast library and reference points encompassing the journey from ‘Zero to One’ and beyond, shedding light on both the functional and emotional aspects of entrepreneurship. Incubez provides invaluable resources tailored for entrepreneurs, investors, ecosystem enablers, and every stakeholder in the startup ecosystem, offering enthusiasts profound insights into the intricacies of building a startup.

Mr. Koushik Chitrapu, the visionary force behind Incubez, expressed his enthusiasm for the platform. He stated, “We’ve poured our hearts and souls into creating Incubez as a solution to the visibility challenges plaguing the startup ecosystem. Our goal is to provide a platform where knowledge and experience are shared, empowering startups to soar to new heights of success.”

Echoing this sentiment, Ms. Nivya Paidipally emphasized Incubez’s commitment to authenticity and inclusivity: “At Incubez, we believe in sharing not only success stories but also the challenges and setbacks that entrepreneurs face. By fostering transparency and community, we aim to create an environment where every entrepreneur feels supported in their journey.”

Incubez’s dedication to addressing visibility challenges within the startup ecosystem has garnered substantial support from investors like Mr. Raghunandandas Argula, who recognizes the platform’s potential impact. Renowned for fostering community and empathy within the consulting world, Mr. Argula expressed his enthusiasm for embarking on the entrepreneurial journey alongside Incubez.

Incubez invites entrepreneurs, investors, mentors, and enthusiasts to explore its platform and join the movement toward a future where guidance, mentorship, and inspiration are readily accessible to all.

National, 16th February 2024: From her vibrant debut on Mumbai’s bustling streets in Patthar Ke Phool to her riveting portrayal of a ruthless character in her latest web series Karmma Calling, Raveena Tandon has essayed a variety of diverse roles, capturing hearts and minds across generations. In Femina’s February 2024 issue, the multi-talented artist offers us a glimpse into her process of role selection, candidly discussing the transformative shifts that have shaped her recent endeavours. The Cover Story offers an exclusive insight into the actor’s journey.

Speaking about the way she approaches her work, Raveena reveals, “It is my strong belief that… every day is a new chapter and a new learning experience. I never close myself to that, since I am a director’s actor. I leave myself at home when I’m on the set, and hand myself over to the director to mould me into the character that is solely his or her vision.”

About her most recent role, she says, “In Karmma Calling, I play an unapologetically rich and powerful, high-society lady, the ultra-glamorous Indrani Kothari who does not shy away from deceit or betrayal. What excites me is doing something completely different from what I’ve done last, and Indrani was that.”

With regard to her life’s philosophy, Raveena shares, “I don’t expect anything from anything or anyone… If it comes to you, great; it will be a pleasant surprise. If it doesn’t, you continue putting in your hard work and leave it to the audiences and to fate. It’s something I learned from my dad, and never let go of.”

In this interview, Raveena exudes positivity and resilience, transcending the noise of trolls and embracing the joys of family and career with grace.

Global Unit Case Volume Grew 2% for the Quarter and 2% for the Full Year

Net Revenues Grew 7% for the Quarter and 6% for the Full Year; Organic Revenues (Non-GAAP) Grew 12% for the Quarter and 12% for the Full Year

India Highlights from the global release:

• Consolidated:
  • For the full year, unit case volume grew 2%. Developing and emerging markets grew 2%, driven by growth in India and Brazil, partially offset by the suspension of business in Russia in 2022.
  • Unit case volume grew 2% for the quarter. Developing and emerging markets grew 4%, driven by growth in Brazil and India.
• Asia Pacific:
  • Unit case volume grew 2% for the quarter in the Asia Pacific region, primarily driven by growth in juice, value-added dairy and plant-based beverages and sparkling flavours, led by India and China.
  • For the year, the company gained value share in total NARTD beverages in the Asia Pacific region, led by share gains in India, the Philippines, South Korea, and Japan.
• Company Updates:
  • Building a system that is increasingly positioned for sustainable long-term growth: Our franchise business model has enabled the company to develop a strong global footprint with a local touch in markets around the world. The company continuously works to optimize the system with trusted, capable, and motivated bottling partners allowing it to focus on building and growing consumer-loved brands. Recently, the company completed the refranchising of a portion of its company-owned bottling operations in India to existing franchise bottlers.

Bangalore, 16th February 2024: In line with its commitment to ‘customer-first approach’ and creating awesome buying experience through value added services, Toyota Kirloskar Motor Pvt. Ltd. (Toyota Kirloskar Motor/TKM) today announced the introduction of its “Awesome New Car Delivery Solution”, an initiative to be implemented by TKM’s authorised dealers as a part of their sales process. The new initiative aims at extending vehicle logistic services till delivery touchpoints by eliminating possible drive down of new cars by the Dealer staff to the delivery location. As an industry first, the new initiative will enable Toyota Dealers to transport new vehicles from dealer stockyards to their sales outlets on a flat-bed truck. This will ensure new vehicles to reach the final delivery outlets of the dealerships without driving the new vehicles on road, even in rural and semi-urban locations where last mile logistics pose challenges.

With the launch of the Phase I of this program, customers from 26 states with 130 dealerships, will enjoy this trustworthy and delightful car buying experience at Toyota dealerships. The key highlights include:

1. Peace of mind and awesome delivery experience – Secured transport service to all customer delivery touchpoint
2. No additional cost to be borne by the customer
3. Setting new industry benchmark – Consistent, standardized and trustworthy buying experience to customers nationwide
4. Utmost convenience and care – Flatbed carriers for safe transportation, backed by transit insurance.

Speaking on the initiative, Mr. Sabari Manohar – Vice President, Sales-Service-Used Car Business, Toyota Kirloskar Motor said, “At Toyota Kirloskar Motor, our commitment to customer-centricity is paramount. We consistently strive to innovate, aiming to enrich the end-to-end customer journey for a truly awesome ownership experience. The introduction of the “Awesome New Car Delivery Solution” initiative to be executed by our Dealers exemplifies our unwavering commitment to excellence. Offering movement of new cars from dealer stockyards to dealer showrooms through a carrier service, at no additional cost to the customers, will not only bring peace of mind but will also establish a uniform purchasing experience across all locations by effectively minimizing transit-related issues. As we continue to broaden our focus on providing access to our world-class products and services, we believe this initiative will particularly benefit customers in rural and semi-urban areas, where movement of vehicles large trucks, remains a challenge and new vehicles are often driven to the delivery location by road from Dealer stock yard.

More than just a car delivery program, the “Awesome New Car Delivery Solution” Initiative is about crafting exceptional experiences and delivering enhanced value to our customers by bringing curated solutions.

As a part of the program, dealerships have tied-up with expert logistic company to implement seamless “Awesome New Car Delivery Solution”. This innovative approach involves the utilization of flatbed single car carriers, effectively mitigating the risks associated with transportation of new vehicles and elevating the overall safety and reliability of the vehicle transportation process. Furthermore, to fortify the protection of vehicles during transportation, transit insurance is provided through Insurance Companies. This additional layer of coverage reaffirms utmost dedication in delivering new vehicles to customers in line with enhanced expectation.

Over the years, TKM has strived to improve customer experiences throughout the entire purchase and ownership cycle by implementing timely and relevant initiatives through value-added services that include the newly introduced 5-Years of Complimentary Roadside Assistance Program and specialized schemes, aimed to make the dream of owning a Toyota vehicle a reality, ensuring a joyful ownership experience for our existing customers.