Archives February 2024

Delhi, February 9, 2024: AISECT Publications, a leading force in education and publishing, proudly announces its participation in the highly anticipated 51st World Book Fair set to enchant book lovers from February 10th to 18th, 2024, at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. As anticipation mounts for this literary extravaganza AISECT Publications invites all creators and enthusiasts to Hall No. 2, Stall No. 3, where a showcase of literary excellence awaits.

This World Book Fair is poised to be an extraordinary affair, featuring innovative initiatives and record-breaking endeavours aimed at captivating audiences of all ages. With the theme “Multilingual India: A Living Tradition,” the fair celebrates linguistic diversity and cultural exchange. With over 1500 publishers from India and abroad participating, the visitors can immerse themselves in a treasure trove of literature spanning 22 Indian languages and foreign tongues. From the theme pavilion to the children’s corner and author’s enclave, the fair offers something for everyone.

In a groundbreaking move, a dedicated B2B zone will debut at the fair facilitating fruitful business engagements and fostering collaboration within the publishing industry. Highlighting the spirit of innovation the National Book Trust (NBT) sets the stage for record-breaking feats, exemplified by its recent achievement at the Pune Book Fair where the word “India” was crafted using 18 thousand books, earning a place in the Guinness Book of World Records.

AISECT Publications is proud to present a diverse array of literature at the upcoming World Book Fair. Their offerings encompass a wide spectrum, including children’s literature, science, art literature and culture insights. Among the highlights are magazines covering various genres, a rich anthology spanning two centuries of science poems, a treasury of science fiction, and a compendium of stories showcasing writers from across the nation such as Katha Desh, Katha Madhya Pradesh, and Katha Bhopal along with an extensive series of stories. The catalogue extends to encompass popular science books from Vishwarang and Rabindranath Tagore University, among others, making the selection valuable for libraries, research students, colleges, and universities. Furthermore, AISECT Publication is also bringing a variety of services to facilitate book publishing.

Speaking about the event, Santosh Choubey- Chairman AISECT Group said “Through literature, we cultivate the seeds of wisdom by engaging with the diverse perspectives and insights offered by authors from various backgrounds and cultures. Literature serves as a medium through which we explore human experiences, emotions and ideas, gaining valuable insights into ourselves and the world around us. Moreover, literature nurtures the essence of cultural exchange by bridging gaps between different communities and fostering understanding and empathy. As we delve into the works of writers from different regions and linguistic backgrounds, we gain a deeper appreciation for the rich tapestry of human cultures and traditions. At the World Book Fair, readers converge to explore literary treasures, fostering a global community of learners and dreamers”.

Storytelling programs, reading marathons, and cultural showcases will echo the call for literary excellence and cultural celebration championed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

AISECT Publications cordially invites everyone to embark on a journey of discovery and enlightenment at the 51st World Book Fair to celebrate the power of words to inspire, educate, and unite. This year, the world’s largest book fair will highlight the National Education Policy 2020’s emphasis on enhancing children’s language skills. This will be achieved by concentrating on the advancement of ‘listening, speaking, writing, and reading.

This year, the premier focus of the world’s largest book fair will underscore the National Education Policy 2020’s commitment on enhancing children’s language skills. This will be achieved by concentrating on the advancement of ‘listening, speaking, writing, and reading.

National, 9 February 2024: GITAM (Deemed to be University), the Indian Navy, and the Navy Welfare & Wellness Association (NWWA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to facilitate the higher education of Indian Navy personnel’s wards.

Under this agreement, GITAM will provide higher education to four wards of Indian Navy personnel at a subsidised fee structure at its institutions, including for medical education. Additionally, GITAM will collaborate on promoting a culture of innovation and research in futuristic combat technologies to enhance the Indian Navy’s fighting capabilities.

GITAM, driven by a profound sense of social responsibility, is steadfast in its commitment to advancing the nation through transformative education and pioneering contributions to societal progress.

The MoU signing ceremony included Mrs. Kala Hari Kumar (President, NWWA), Commodore G Rambabu (Cmde, Naval Education), and Prof. Dayananda Siddavattam (Vice-Chancellor, GITAM)

Mumbai, 09th February 2024: Let’s face it, finding the one perfect match is hard work. After multiple breakdowns in the middle of the day, we realised it is no Disney movie! Or is it? Well, beauties, we’ve uncovered the secret to turning our lives into fairytales! All it takes is four magic words – Be brave and experiment! Like we do with our beauty essentials, the ones we can’t let go of, the potions we need for dabs of confidence. It took a bit of experimenting, a dash of bravery, an iota of inner magic and voila we got ourselves the perfect beauty products!

That is exactly how we #FoundLoveAtColorbar. This forever kind of love makes us glow all day long, follows us everywhere and makes our lives creamy-easy. We think cupid would love to pair the two of you too. Meet the ultimate bachelor in town – our latest Crystal Glow Face Gloss! A one-of-a–kind liquid spell that grants you glass-like skin in seconds. Forget the 10 step Korean skincare routine, ‘cause we have the suave, non-sticky (read non-clingy) eligible bachelor right here with us.

Infused with crystal-like ultrafine reflecting pigments, this moisturizing magic feels as weightless as a breeze, crafting a translucent luminosity that’s the perfect mix of playful and fabulous. Enriched with the power of Hyaluronic Acid, it delivers a luxurious hydration boost, making sure that confidence doesn’t just shine, but radiates from within! Take your pick from two variants – Golden Gaze and Pink Charm – each thoughtfully curated to complement every skin type and complexion.

Another green flag, the Crystal Glow Face Gloss is vegan and 100% cruelty-free! Add a few drops of Crystal Glow Face Gloss to your foundation. Or if you feel like getting a skincare glow-up? Introduce it to your moisturiser for that instant glass-like shine! Who needs diamonds when you can be one? Priced at INR 1299, try, experiment and we bet you won’t be able to resist its charm. Shine on, you radiant beauty, and make this Valentine’s Day unforgettable!

Embark on your journey to radiant beauty by discovering our Crystal Glow Face Gloss at any of our exclusive stores or online: https://bit.ly/Crystalglow. And as you step out with your newfound glow, don’t forget to tag #FoundLoveAtColorbar to share your love story with us!

So, get ready to dance to the rhythm of love with Colorbar – because when it comes to beauty and romance, we’ve got you covered

Mumbai, 9 February 2024: Amazon miniTV – Amazon’s free video streaming service recently released the fourth and final season of its much-loved teen drama series Crushed. The series returns with a delightful mix of romance, drama, revelations, and enjoyable moments, continuing the storyline from season 3. Capturing the essence of school life and teen days, the narrative dives further into the life of Aadhya and her friends, testing their friendship and leaving them with a life-changing experience. Along with igniting nostalgic emotions and bringing back the school days, here are the reasons why Crushed S4 must be added to your binge-watch list.

• Anostalgic look at school life: The story explores the themes of friendship, love, life lessons, and self-discovery through the joyful experiences and challenges of LCC students. Crushed S4 follows the life of Aadhya and Samvidhan along with their friends as they begin their senior year journey with new dynamics. Filled with youthful energy, the series is a trip down memory lane, with nostalgia hitting hard as viewers reminisce about their school friendship, fun banters, class mischief, and innocent crushes.

• Love story amidst the chaos of mixed emotions:The surprise return of Samvidhan in Aadhya’s life will change the flow of her emotions, witnessing her dilemma and Sam’s constant efforts to win back her love. The scenario shifts, revealing hidden secrets, as they navigate the blend of love and void while encountering emotional moments together. As Aadhya distances herself from Sam, their destinies intertwine, unfolding a flourishing love story for the viewers to witness.

• A slice of life with emotional moments:Along with empathetic characters, intriguing narrative, and heart-pounding moments, the series takes the viewers through the different life experiences of each character. As they embark on the journey of self-discovery, finding their destined path and facing challenges in school, the narrative binds together the beautiful story of their friendship, bringing out the true essence of school life.

• The return of the most-beloved cast:The cast of Crushed S4 have been adored for their relatable characters and raw onscreen presence. The series boasts an ensemble of talented cast including Rudhraksh Jaiswal, Aadhya Anand, Naman Jain, Arjun Deswal, Urvi Singh, and Anupriya Caroli amongst others. Adding more depth and complexity to the storyline, the cast will be seen portraying their characters with charged emotions and evolved persona.

• Watch it for Free: Dive into the finale of the adventurous journey of LCC’s students, as they come together for one last time in Crushed S4 for free. There is no need to pay to watch the intriguing fourth season of the series on a subscription basis. It is free to stream on Amazon miniTV and Fire TV in the Amazon Shopping App and Play Store.

Mumbai, February 09, 2024: Amazon miniTV, Amazon’s free video streaming service, is set to celebrate the month of love with a diverse selection of romantic shows. Owing to the popularity of romance genre on the service, this Valentine’s Day, Amazon miniTV brings the perfect gift of love as it announces 7 new romantic shows!

Delving into the world of desi-romance, Amazon miniTV brings back the finale season of its much-loved high school romance, Crushed! In addition, viewers will be awestruck as the streaming service announces the return of the next seasons of two of its biggest romantic hits – young adult favorite Highway Love and teen romance School Friends. Adding a global flavor to the genre, the streaming service will release a range of international shows like Life is Today, My Secret Terrius, When We Meet, One More Happy Ending making it a one-stop destination for romantic binge-watches.

Amogh Dusad, Head of Content at Amazon miniTV shared, “Amazon miniTV has been a powerhouse of rom-com show. Our library encompassing shows such as Highway Love, Half Love Half Arranged, Ishq Express, Crushed and so many more have received tremendous love and appreciation from across the country. We’re very happy and excited to announce newer shows and entertain audiences with endearing content repertoire this Valentine’s Day.”

Sharing a special message for the audience, the viewer’s favorite from Highway Love Gayatri Bhardwaj shared, “Valentine’s Day is not just about expressing your love for others, but also embracing the love you have for yourself. My character, Inaaya also strongly portrays the importance of self-love as she realizes her true feelings. I encourage celebrating the day of love with loved ones while also prioritizing self-love, ensuring to shower oneself with the same affection.”

Adding to the Valentine’s fervor, Ritvik Sahore said, “Taking the celebration of love a notch higher, I am excited that the second season of Highway Love will soon stream on Amazon miniTV and as a team we chose the month of love to announce this exciting new. I can’t wait to entertain and simply give that endearing feeling of love to fans of Inaaya & Kartik, as they embark once again on their journey of love.”

Bengaluru, February 8, 2024: Tata Motors, India’s leading automotive manufacturer, today announced the launch of the Tiago and Tigor iCNG AMT – India’s 1st AMT CNG Cars. With an impressive mileage of 28.06 Km/kg, the cars will be available at a starting price of ₹ 7.89 lakhs for the Tiago iCNG and ₹ 8.84 lakhs for the Tigor iCNG (Ex-showroom Delhi). Adding to the current color palate, the company will be introducing an interesting new Tornado Blue in the Tiago, Grassland Beige in Tiago NRG and a Meteor Bronze in the Tigor.

Variant wise price range below:

Commenting on launch, Mr. Amit Kamat, Chief Commercial Officer, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Ltd. said, “CNG, known for its widespread availability and accessibility, has garnered considerable acceptance over the years. Tata Motors has revolutionized the CNG segment with various industry firsts like the twin-cylinder technology (helping provide no compromise boot space), high end feature choices and direct start in CNG. In the past 24 months we have sold more than 1.3 lakh CNG vehicles. In our effort to further drive volumes and provide our customers with the best, we are now proudly launching the Tiago and the Tigor iCNG in AMT—Introducing India to its 1st AMT CNG Cars.

 “Tata Motors boasts of the widest CNG portfolio, including Tiago, Tigor, Altroz and the Punch. As one of the top 2 brands in the CNG market, we have experienced a remarkable 67.9% growth in CNG sales in FY24 compared to the previous year. With the introduction of these Intelligent, Safe and Powerful twins, we are confident to further improve demand for this fuel option, in turn continuing to sustain our growth momentum in passenger cars.”

New Delhi, 9th February 2024: PayU, India’s leading payment solutions provider, today announces it has successfully migrated its credit service, LazyPay, to Thought Machine’s cloud-native core banking platform, Vault Core, and is now live. This partnership has enabled LazyPay to build innovative lending and credit products, deliver a superior, secure, and efficient user experience, and set a new standard for credit financing in India.

LazyPay migrated its existing customers to Vault Core within just one year. In addition, Vault Core has streamlined PayU’s real-time financial statement generation and simplified multi-account management, providing a unified view of products. Furthermore, Vault Core’s real-time Ledger has improved PayU’s reporting and regulatory requirements.

The Indian market offers significant opportunities for PayU’s credit products as alternative lending services expand. PayU’s India credit revenue grew by 31%, totaling US$43 million, and loan book size grew by 66% to US$338 million by the end of September 2023. A total of US$362 million in credit was issued during the first half of 2024 (1H24).

With Vault Core, PayU can effortlessly create differentiated and personalized financial products at scale. Following the successful initial migration project, PayU plans to continue migrating more products and using Vault Core to build, test and deploy innovative lending and credit products.

Speaking on this exciting development, Deepak Mendiratta, CEO, PayU Finance, stated: “Our collaboration with Thought Machine signifies our commitment to offering the best-in-class financial services to our customers. Vault Core’s scalability and flexibility align perfectly with our growth ambitions, and we are excited to offer a wide array of services to our customers. We are committed to expanding our footprint in the Indian market, and this partnership will position us well for the future of credit.”

Nick Wilde, Managing Director, Asia Pacific, Thought Machine, comments: “We are delighted to partner with PayU to bring our cloud-native technology to the Indian market. With a successful migration now complete, we look forward to working together to deliver efficient, secure and innovative credit and lending solutions in India.”

A BCG report highlights the potential for B2B fintechs to disrupt the market and address the $5 trillion annual unmet credit needs of small to mid-sized enterprises (SMEs) globally. With traditional players struggling to keep pace with innovation, B2B2X services, particularly embedded finance providers such as LazyPay, which currently account for 25% of all fintech revenues, are poised to play a crucial role in meeting the growing demand for fintech solutions.

Thought Machine is solving the long-standing legacy technology problem in banking. Global Tier 1 banks, including Standard Chartered, Lloyds Banking Group, Al Rajhi Bank (Malaysia) and Intesa Sanpaolo, and challenger banks and fintechs, such as Nikel, C6 Bank and Atom bank, are clients of Thought Machine. In addition to its regional headquarters in London, New York, and Singapore, Thought Machine operates as a registered entity in India.

New Delhi, 9th February 2024: Anoop Bali, Whole Time Director of Tourism Finance Corporation of India Limited (TFCI) has been honoured by HI-AIM (Hospitality Industry – Architecture, Interiors, and Management), a leading tourism and hospitality industry platform, in recognition of his proven contribution to the hospitality industry. The award ceremony was held on February 1st, 2024, at the 12th Edition HI-AIM Conference held at Aloft Hotel, Kathmandu, Nepal. The award celebrated excellence in various categories, with a particular focus on recognizing individuals who have demonstrated exemplary leadership, innovation, and commitment to the growth of the hospitality industry.

Anoop Bali, Whole Time Director, TFCI is a seasoned corporate leader with over 33 years of expertise spanning project finance, investment banking, credit & treasury management, risk management, finance & accounts, etc. Recognized for his profound knowledge of funding the hotel credit gap in India, he is active in the tourism and hospitality sectors. An enthusiastic traveler and dog lover, he advocates for the development of pet-friendly hotels/resorts and senior citizen serviced apartments in India.

TFCI, established in 1989, is a prominent non-banking financial company and has played a pivotal role in funding numerous tourism ventures throughout India that have resulted in the creation of over 55,000 star category hotel rooms and other tourism attractions in India which includes many firsts such as palace (heritage) hotels, spa & healthcare resorts, wildlife resorts, serviced apartments, entertainment parks, luxury tourist trains, multiplex, etc. TFCI provides financial support and consultancy services to a diverse range of tourism projects such as hotels, resorts, spa, restaurants, entertainment centres, amusement parks and tours & travels. Apart from tourism sector, TFCI also provides financial assistance to residential real-estate, healthcare, education, MSE and NBFC/HFC sectors.

HI-AIM as an industry platform has been created to apply and incorporate efficient and responsible materials and technology in the industry and bring together a think tank for the promotion of responsible and environmentally friendly practices in design and construction in the tourism and hospitality industry.

9th Feb 2024, Gurgaon: Landmark, the vanguard of real estate innovation, proudly unveils its latest masterpiece, the Landmark Sales Office at Cyberpark, Sector 67, Gurugram. Spanning across 24,000 sq. Ft., the space has been created by an army of reputed designers led by Ms. Sonali Bhagwati’s vision with a significant investment in place.

Upholding sustainability as one of the most important silos in their operations, Landmark has crafted its new office space with eco-friendly materials. The landscaped private terrace offers a breath of fresh air, symbolizing Landmark’s dedication to creating environments that are one with nature and yet resonate with the future.

This 7-star facility goes beyond expectations, featuring experiential centres, flexible conference spaces, and “neighbourhood” style workspaces fostering collaboration for the new age of workplaces. The Landmark Sales Office is a destination where luxury and innovation converge.

“When we were designing this space, the outlook was – design meets distinction. We believe in creating spaces that inspire. The Landmark Sales Office is a testament to our commitment to providing innovative, sustainable, and collaborative workspaces. It caters to forward-thinking businesses and professionals seeking more than just an office – an environment that fuels creativity and success. Landmark invites you to experience the future of work”, shares Mr. Sandeep Chhillar, Chairman and MD, Landmark Group.

He further added “The Landmark Sales Office is a special project for me. We wanted to design a space that was innovative, and sophisticated and created a brand identity for Landmark. The offices showcase a thoughtfully crafted fusion of organic materials and forms enhancing the client experience as well as the workspace with a touch of refined luxury. The expansive floor plate seamlessly integrates avant-garde design elements that harmonize while creating textural variations”, shares Sonali Bhagwati, Partner at DPA. Sonali Bhagwati is an award-winning architect with 30 years of experience. She is recognized among India’s top 20 architects. Leading DPA, a globally acclaimed architectural firm with diverse projects and numerous international awards to their name, she excels in delivering high-quality residences, offices, hotels, and clubs.

Bangalore, 09^th February 2024: In a concerted effort towards road safety, Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) has been actively working towards creating a safer road environment through its Toyota Safety Education Programme (TSEP) – “Road Safety – My Right My Responsibility’. In line with the same, the company announced the culmination of its TSEP annual event held at IISc, Bangalore, witnessing the presence of Chief Guest – Mr. M. N. Anucheth, IPS, Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic), Government of Karnataka, Guests of Honour – Mr. C. Mallikarjun, Additional Commissioner of Transport Government of Karnataka, Dr. G. Gururaj, Former Director of NIMHANS (National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro-Sciences) & Consultant on Road Safety, Jury Members (incl. representatives from IISc, IIM, media, etc.) and TKM’s Senior Executive – Mr. Sudeep S. Dalvi, Chief Communication Officer, and Senior Vice President & Director. With a mission to instil a sense of responsibility amongst future road users, TKM has strategically designed TSEP so that to reach out to the school children and transform them into road safety ambassadors.

TSEP adopts a distinctive ABC Approach – raising Awareness about road safety rules, promoting Behavioural Changes, and engaging in impactful Campaign. The program serves as a robust initiative designed to instil a profound understanding of road safety rules, induce positive and behavioural transformations, and further promote road safety. In addition, TSEP also benefits the schools by facilitating well-designed road safety training for the teachers and their capacity building, thereby enabling them to further train the children on this vital matter, while it also acts as a catalyst for the inclusion of this topic in school curriculum.

Following the roll-out of TSEP, 31 schools participated in the inter school club activity. In which, 25 clubs were finalised from across class 5th to 9^th, wherein a team of 5 members each were formed by the participating schools’ basis grade-specific competitive road safety driven activities. Further, class-wise themes were framed covering Poster Making by Class 5 students, Road Safety Enactment by Class 6 students, Mad Ad by Class 7 students, Speech competition by Class 8 students, and Fact Video competition by Class 9 students. During TSEP club activities, participating schools submitted their top entries, and the best team were selected basis three primary assessment criteria: Knowledge Level, Behaviour Change Level, and School Interest. While the shortlisting for Classes 5, 7, and 9 completed during the implementation of TSEP at schools, Classes 6 and 8 were shortlisted on the event day via jury round. The TSEP winners represented by school children received exciting prizes, further recognised and awarded ‘Best Teacher’, ‘Best School’ and ‘Certificate of Association’, during TSEP annual event, presented by the chief guest along with the guests of honour and Toyota leadership, appreciating the enthusiasm, good learning, active participation, and contributions towards promoting road safety.

India with its huge population and diverse road networks, experiences a high road accident annually. The report for calendar year 2022* reveals that the number of road accidents, the number of persons killed, and the number of injuries has increased compared to previous years by 11.9%, 9.4% and 15.3% respectively. Further, young adults in the age group of 18 – 45 years accounted for 66.5 per cent of the fatal road accident victims during 2022.

In this regard, TKM is actively addressing the issue through TSEP, adopting a visionary “Child to Community” approach that goes beyond manufacturing safe cars, to actively ensure the safety of individuals on roads. With specific focus on school children, TSEP aims to cultivate change agents to influence and facilitate road safety practices within their local communities as well. 

Present at the TSEP Annual event, Mr. M. N. Anucheth, IPS, Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic) – Government of Karnataka, said, “We commend Toyota Kirloskar Motor for their proactive efforts in promoting road safety through the Toyota Safety Education Programme (TSEP), thereby contribute to the goal of zero road fatality. In a country grappling with rising road accidents and fatalities, initiatives like TSEP play a crucial role in fostering a culture of responsible road behaviour from an early age.

The ‘Child to Community’ approach adopted through TSEP is visionary, as it not only enables road safety learnings amongst school children, but also empowers them to become advocates of change within their local communities. TSEP well aligns with the urgent need for comprehensive road safety initiatives in the state.” 

Speaking during the TSEP annual event, Mr. Sudeep. S. Dalvi, Chief Communication Officer & Senior Vice President and Director – Toyota Kirloskar Motor, said, “TSEP aims to empower the next generation to be the architects of change, instil good road behaviour that extends far beyond the steering wheel. Our goal is not only to encourage road safety learnings amongst the children, but to inspire and create a ripple effect that extends from schools to the larger community, thereby adopting a sustainable approach through effective road safety initiatives such as TSEP. As we look back at the success of having reached over 7,90,000 school children through various road safety initiatives, we envision a future where the school children are not just road users, but responsible ones.

Additionally, various road safety initiatives (such as Toyota Hackathon, TSEP, etc) undertaken by the company includes capacity building for teachers, improved school recognition, road safety contributions to national and global priorities (UN SDG3), and development of life skill sets amongst school children.”

TKM has collaborated with more than 44 schools in Bangalore, implementing interactive content, assessments, club activities for experiential learning, intra-school events, and a national championship. The program’s learning outcomes includes comprehending safe road user behaviour, advocating for good samaritan behaviour during accidents and instilling awareness of responsible road behaviour among students. Apart from the primary audiences such as students and teachers, the TSEP continues to enhance its outreach to the secondary audiences i.e., community including school bus drivers, family members, and so forth. Furthermore, TKM’s partnerships with various Schools, Bangalore Traffic Police, Think Tanks, and Influencers have played a crucial role in the success of TSEP. The program covers schools across all eight educational blocks of Bangalore urban districts.

Through TKM’s dedicated road safety initiatives, the company envisions a future where school children become a responsible road user and contribute significantly to the goal of ‘zero road fatality’.