Archives March 2024

Dehradun, March 2024: Based in Uttarakhand’s scenic valley, Dehradun, Lord of Battles, known to create props for international blockbuster movies, opens offices in Spain and the US. Establishing two brands, MedieWorld Europe in Spain and House of Warfare in the US, the group’s founder Capt Saurabh Mahajan takes pride in having created spectacular props for epics like Hobbit, Assassin’s Creed, Outlaw King, Game of Thrones, and The Northman. It will now streamline its operation with offices both in Europe and the US.

Notably, Lord of Battles Group strategically established several companies, including the renowned US brand ‘House of Warfare,’ as part of its post-pandemic expansion strategy. This strategic move underscored Lord of Battles Group’s commitment to growth and innovation in the face of adversity.

In line with its expansion plans, Lord of Battles Group established its first subsidiary, MedieWorld Europe SL, in Spain in 2022, followed by the opening of Lord of Battles Inc. in the USA in 2023. These subsidiary companies not only serve as foreign office spaces but also boost extensive warehousing and manufacturing facilities.

“The Lord of Battles Group is no longer an Indian company working internationally, but an international company based here in Dehradun….”, says Capt Saurabh Mahajan, founder and managing director of the Lord of Battles group.

“MedieWorld has been a great asset to the group because it not only caters to the growing European film market but also brings us closer to new European customers.” Capt Saurabh added.

Lord of Battles Group’s subsidiary, MedieWorld has initiated smooth operations with Europe’s film and historical markets. MedieWorld has formed a strategic partnership with Keith Wescovich, the director of Mythrojan. The incorporation of foreign directors, including Dr. Gabriel Vimar, a Ph.D. in History being the Creative Director, aims to enhance comprehension of multinational operations and better cater to the requirements of their diverse clientele. Additionally, plans for international expansion into Singapore and Australia have been solidified, marking significant strides in their global outreach efforts.

Capt Saurabh Mahajan’s leadership philosophy, shaped by his military background starting at the National Defence Academy (NDA), has been instrumental in fostering a loyal and dedicated workforce at Lord of Battles. The company prides itself on its family-like atmosphere, with many employees having been with the company since its inception. Furthermore, the organization has been recognized for its commitment to European standards of labour, health, safety, and environmental performance, as evidenced by the prestigious SMETA audit conducted by Sedex.

Moving forward, Capt Mahajan aims to position his group as a strong and growing multinational entity. Additionally, the organization seeks to strengthen the connection between its subsidiary companies, such as Lord of Battles Inc. and MedieWorld Europe SL, with the parent organization, while also highlighting the brands’ contributions to LOB’s overall growth.

Mumbai, 15TH March 2024: Courtyard by Marriott Mahabaleshwar is delighted to announce its much-awaited Holi Celebration, promising an extravaganza of colours, music, and delectable treats. The event promises to be a joyous occasion, inviting guests to revel in the spirit of the festival of olours.

This Holi event promises an immersive experience filled with colours, music, and culinary delights, welcoming guests to partake in the festivities. Guests can immerse themselves in the festivities as Courtyard Mahabaleshwar extends this invitation to both in-house and NR guests, ensuring that everyone can partake in the joyous occasion.

The celebration includes:

Lavish Buffet Lunch/Brunch with Thandai: Indulge in a sumptuous spread of culinary delights at the picturesque Venna Lawns, complemented by the traditional flavours of Thandai.

Herbal Colors: Immerse yourself in the joyous tradition of Holi with vibrant herbal colours, adding to the festive spirit and creating lasting memories.

Rain Dance with DJ: Dance to the rhythm of the beats as you revel in the exhilarating Rain Dance experience at the enchanting Venna Lawns, creating moments of pure joy and camaraderie.

Domestic Wines/Beers (Alcoholic Package only): Savor the finest selection of domestic wines and beers, exclusively available for guests opting for the Alcoholic Package.

As Courtyard by Marriott Mahabaleshwar prepares to host this vibrant celebration of Holi, we invite guests from near and far to join us in embracing the spirit of unity, joy, and togetherness. With an array of exciting activities and delectable offerings, we aim to create unforgettable moments for all ho attend. Come, immerse yourself in the colours of Holi, and let us make memories that will last a lifetime. We look forward to welcoming you to Courtyard Mahabaleshwar for an experience that promises to be truly unforgettable.

Glaucoma is a serious disorder that encompasses a group of eye disease that leads to progressive damage to the optic nerve, which transmits electrical signals from the eye to the brain. This problem usually occurs when a fluid builds up in the front part of the eye. This extra fluid increases the pressure in eye, which damages the optic nerve. People above the age of 60 years face the complications of Glaucoma which is a leading cause of blindness.

The early stages of Glaucoma have no symptoms and by the time patient start notice problems with the sight, this disease progresses so much that irreversible vision loss has already occurred and additional loss is difficult to stop. But Glaucoma can be controlled and prevented with early treatment.

Glaucoma can induce without noticeable symptoms. An ophthalmologist will diagnose this disease by doing a comprehensive medical eye examination. The best way to protect your sight from glaucoma is to have regular eye examination tests to assess your eye pressure, optic nerve, cornea and other potential problems.

The following components of tests that help early detection are as follows:

• Medical History
• Medications you are taking
• Questions about diabetes, high blood pressure, smoking and sun exposure.
• Vision History
• Your last eye examination, present tests and recent changes in your vision.
• Eye disease in your family.
• Any previous treatments and surgeries.
• Vision acuity test to determine your sharpness and clarity of your sight. This test is done to determine if your vision can be improved by using glasses or lenses. It also helps the doctor to determine the risk of glaucoma in your eyes.
• Basic Visual Filed testing is done to determine how much side vision and how much surrounding area patient can see.
• An anterior segment of eye includes the cornea, pupil, iris, lens and aqueous drainage structure is examined through microscope. Special lens which allows the doctor to see inside the eye to examine the retina and optic nerve is called dilated eye examination.
• The test through which the fluid pressure is measured inside the eye is referred as tonometry test or IOP.

The Warning Signs

The following signs, indicates that you need a thorough examination by an eye doctor:

• Change in the color of iris
• Double vision
• The centre of viewing has a dark spot.
• Feeling unusual in dark rooms
• Difficulty in focusing on near objects
• Squinting due to unusual sensitivity to light
• Swollen lids
• Pain in eyes
• Watery eyes
• Itching and burning in eyes.
• Seeing ghost like images in dark.

Who is at Risk?

The risk factors that determine for developing the disease include:

• Elevated eye pressure
• Family history
• Age
• Past injuries to eye
• Use of steroid
• Thin cornea
• Severe anemia

How is Glaucoma Detected?

If ophthalmologist suspects that you may have glaucoma ,then the patient has to undergo additional tests that helps to make sure the certainty of the disease.

• Pachymetry
  An instrument that emits an ultrasonic wave to measure the thickness of the cornea is used in this test. A painless ultrasound wave emits from the probe and doctor numb the surface of eye to measure the corneal thickness.
• Perimetry
  This test draws the map of patients virtual field and show where he has lost the vision especially the peripheral vision. The doctor can easily see the areas of vision damaged and the areas that are going to affect.
• Gonioscopy
  The doctor cant see directly the damaged angle by looking directly into the eye. So this test gives access to check the drainage canal that is formed between cornea and iris. The drainage canal is located at the corner of cornea. It is very important to examine the drainage canal to ensure they are working properly.

Angle or the drainage canal is viewed through lens with mirror, doctor numbs the surface of eye and then places this lens.

The reports from these tests provide an indication of the effectiveness of the treatment being used and whether further treatments may be necessary. All the tests are not necessary for every person. The objective is just to determine if the glaucoma has stated affecting or damaged eye over time.

Bangalore, March 15th 2024: upGrad, one of Asia’s largest integrated learning skilling and workforce development majors announced the appointment of Shailesh Mahale (former Zepto) as Corporate HR Head and Kumar Anshu (former OLX Group) as Head of Human Resource for Working Professional, Study Abroad and Offline segment. With this Vandana Kaushik Goel has been elevated as the Head of Human Resources for upGrad’s Enterprise arm.

In line with upGrad’s growing footprint and team strengths, these three key India appointments will augment operational efficiency and wider employee engagement across the organisation. With a strong background in HR technology and operations, including successful implementations of systems like PeopleSoft, SAP Success Factors & Darwinbox, Shailesh helped build Zepto in its initial months. Having also worked at other industry-leading brands like TCS, Dow Chemicals, and HDFC Life Insurance, Shailesh has been specifically appointed to drive Corporate HR transformation at upGrad.

In his current role, he will lead the Corporate HR functions encompassing operations & digitisations, Employee experience, Payroll & Compliance, and HR Audits, leveraging his extensive expertise to propel organisational growth.

With 15 years of diverse experience across Business HR, Consultancy, HR Strategy & Software engineering at Siemens, EY LLP, OLX and Wipro, Anshu bridges business and people needs effectively. In his prior role at EY, he project-managed and consulted GOI in the development of an e-learning organisation, demonstrating strong consulting abilities. He has also led large transformation & strategic initiatives as part of his earlier roles.

Vandana’s exceptional capability in change management has been pivotal in driving efficiency within the organisation, and her strategic acumen and leadership qualities position her as a driving force in advancing upGrad’s business goals. With over 17 years of experience in the HR domain across notable sectors such as education, software, and professional services, she will continue to lead HR business partnering across the entire Enterprise arm at upGrad.

Commenting on the road ahead, Saurabh Deep Singla, CHRO at upGrad noted, “With the rapidly evolving business landscape, it’s important that we bolster our HR capabilities to ensure seamless operations and an enriching employee experience. While our primary focus remains on driving career growth for our learners, maintaining a people-first organisational culture is non-negotiable. These strategic hires are not just tasked with traditional HR functions but would be instrumental in shaping the future of skilling and workforce development. Their expertise coupled with a deep understanding of technology and business needs, positions upGrad as a front-runner within the skilling ecosystem while also having it redefine how organisations approach talent development in the digital age.”

upGrad has bolstered its leadership team with key hires over the past 9-10 months, while also recording tangible YoY business outcomes. “upGrad is on the brink of entering a decade, marking an important year of growth for us. We’ve evolved from a small team to an organisation comprising nearly 5000 colleagues spanning across various states and nations. The increasing diversity within our teams, coupled with our shared goal of making upskilling a global reality, reinforces our faith in this institution,” added Singla.

Shailesh Mahale will be based out upGrad’s HQ in Mumbai while both Kumar Anshu and Vandana Goyal will oversee operations from Delhi NCR.

Bangalore: In a heartwarming display of compassion and community spirit, the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) students at OWIS Sarjapur and Whitefield, once again spearheaded the successful implementation of the “Fistful of Grains” social responsibility CAS project. The project, which was initiated last year by the students, continued this year with even greater enthusiasm and dedication. CAS Projects (Creativity, Activity, and Service) are student-led initiatives that focus on fostering personal development and community engagement through activities that involve creativity, physical activity, and service to others and are designed to encourage students to become active and responsible members of the society.

This month-long initiative commenced with DP students introducing and elaborating on the project during a comprehensive school assembly. Notably, parents and students alike showed enthusiastic participation.

Throughout the project’s duration, DP students actively visited each designated class, motivating and encouraging grain collection. Building on last year’s success of collecting approximately 650 to 800 kilograms of grains, the DP students’ consistent reminders and motivational efforts this year resulted in an impressive 1300 kilograms of grains being collected. At the conclusion of this project, the students handed over the collected grain bags to a collaborated NGO- Soroptimist International of Bangalore, who subsequently delivered them directly to Dream India Network.

Dream India Network, with a mission to provide a daily meal to 1000 underprivileged over three years, will benefit significantly from the grains collected through this project. The collaboration between OWIS Sarjapur, Soroptimist International of Bangalore, and Dream India Network highlights the impactful outcomes achievable through community partnerships.

Expressing the importance of such an initiative, Ms. Amodi, member of Student Council of OWIS Sarjapur said, “The ambition of the NGO to provide food to the needy has shown me that a small act of kindness can have a big impact. It’s heartwarming to see how coming together as a community can make a difference in someone’s life. I am proud to be part of a project that is making a real difference in the world.”

The success of the Fistful of Grains project is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the DP students at OWIS Schools. Their commitment to serving others and making a difference in the lives of those less fortunate is truly inspiring.

We are immensely proud of IBDP students of leading international secondary school, OWIS Bangalore, for their dedication and compassion in spearheading the ‘Fistful of Grains’ project, said, “Mr. Ashish Tibdewal, Country Director, Global Schools Foundation, India”. Their commitment to serving others and making a positive impact on society is truly inspiring. This initiative exemplifies the values of empathy, community spirit, and social responsibility that we strive to instill in our students. We are grateful for the support of our school community and our partners in this endeavor. Together, we can make a difference and create a better world for all, added, Mr. Tibdewal”

The impact of this project extends beyond the school’s walls, touching the lives of those in need and spreading hope and kindness in the community. OWIS School look forward to continuing this tradition of service and giving back, inspiring future generations to make a difference in the world.

“Virgin Music Group and Play DMF Unveil ‘Yimmy Yimmy’ by Shreya Ghoshal and Tayc featuring Jacqueline Fernandez: A Cross-Cultural Collaboration”. Happy to share the quotes below from Jacqueline and Shreya on the collaboration –

Jacqueline Fernandez expressed, “I just loved the vibe of Yimmy Yimmy the moment I heard it. Its catchy, its upbeat and its one that will propel you to get up and dance. And to have the combined talents of Shreya Ghoshal and TayC on vocals, and a sizzling video by the uber-cool Piyush-Shazia, made it easy for me to say Yes to Yimmy Yimmy. I thank Play DMF for getting me this opportunity, and i can’t wait for audiences to see the track”

Shreya Ghoshal shared her experience, saying,“I always look forward to collaborations with artists from all over the world. We can bring the uniqueness of our cultures to the mix, and the result is always special. Working with Rajat Nagapal, and collaborating with the very talented French artist TayC, for Yimmy Yimmy, is a special track. This is my second collaboration with Play DMF after the immensely popular Guli Mata, and I am excited to see how my listeners react to this.”

Mumbai, 15 March 2024: Embracing the vibrant spirit of the season and the enduring beauty of female camaraderie, Rangita by Stellaro Brands, a D2C Indian fashion label, proudly unveils its latest campaign on the spring-summer collection. This campaign encapsulates the essence of Indian femininity and celebrates the joy of women in the outdoors as spring blooms anew.

Crafted in-house, the campaign video exudes a natural authenticity, portraying Indian women embracing their unique styles with confidence amidst shared experiences. It beautifully captures the colourful individuality of Indian women and the timeless bonds of friendship rooted in mutual support, shared interests, and cultural nostalgia.

Set against the backdrop of a sun-kissed beachside retreat, the video showcases a diverse group of young female friends revelling in the beauty of nature, freely expressing their femininity.

Speaking on the campaign launch, Shivanee Dutt, Senior Director – Marketing, Stellaro Brands, remarked, “Our Spring-Summer campaign celebrates the comfort of embracing one’s individuality and the beauty and joy of enduring bonds. The campaign invites every Indian woman to bask in her unique style this summer with Rangita.”

With its vibrant Spring-Summer collection, Rangita offers contemporary ethnic wear tailored for the modern Bhartiya woman. The collection blends fresh colours, innovative designs, and wearable comfort at affordable prices. It caters to those seeking unique styles and breezy designs for everyday wear and special occasions alike.

The campaign is gaining momentum across digital platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube, bolstered by influencer partnerships. Conceptualised and produced in-house, the video’s creative direction and photography were expertly executed by Saswata Ghosh, with lyrics by Prankur Chaturvedi, vocals by Arushi Tiwary, and music composed by Sunjoy Bose.

Rangita remains steadfast in its commitment to catering to diverse tastes and preferences, seamlessly blending style and versatility for both daily wear and special occasions. Through its offerings, it endeavours to provide Indian women with a sense of freshness, beauty, and joy in their everyday ethnic attire.

National, March 15, 2024 – Indkal Technologies Private Limited, the official licensee for Acer Home Appliances in India, is delighted to announce the launch of its much-anticipated 2024 line-up of Acer Air Conditioners. Crafted to redefine home cooling experiences, these air conditioners are available in 1.0 TON – 3 & 5 Star, 1.5 TON – 3 & 5 Star, and 2.0 TON – 3 Star capacities, featuring state-of-the-art technologies including ArcticWrap Cooling, AiSense, and CoolSphere airflow management. The new range of Air Conditioners will be initially available across offline retail channels across the nation, prioritizing an immersive consumer experience.

For the first time in India and an industry first feature, the Acer Air conditioners come with a 7-in-1 Convertible technology, that allows the users to transform and adapt the cooling to their requirements. In addition to this, the ACs are enabled with Arctic Wrap Cooling, that provides powerful and reliable cooling up to temperatures of 55 degree Celsius. The Acer ACs intelligent AiSense technology enables these machines to provide adaptive cooling intelligence that adapts to user preferences and optimises cooling settings based on the ambient temperature, and reduces overall energy consumption, electricity bills and provides low AC noise. The CoolSphere Airflow provides comfort with its 3D Cooling Dive to give the best possible cooling atmosphere in the living space.

These ACs are the perfect example of innovation meeting an aesthetic design, with a sleek and minimalistic appeal. Notably, one design incorporates an ergonomic LED display, marking the first instance of such a feature in the Indian market.

Mr. Anand Dubey, CEO of Indkal Technologies Pvt Ltd, shared his enthusiasm for the launch, stating, “We are thrilled to introduce the 2024 line-up of Acer Air Conditioners, which represents a significant leap forward in our mission to provide technologically advanced and reliable cooling solutions to households across India. Our dedication to innovation and customer satisfaction drives us to continually push boundaries and exceed expectations.

“Mr. Dubey further elaborated on the company’s vision, adding, “At Indkal Technologies Pvt Ltd, we are not only committed to delivering exceptional products but also to establishing a comprehensive service network that ensures our customers receive prompt and personalized assistance whenever needed. We understand the importance of reliability and peace of mind, and we strive to uphold these values in every aspect of our business.”

Highlighting the company’s commitment to local manufacturing and adaptability, all models in the 2024 line-up are proudly Made in India. Engineered to withstand the diverse climatic conditions prevalent across the country, these air conditioners guarantee superior performance and durability.

Kolkata, 15th March, 2024: Cricket in India is not just a sport, it’s a religion. The much-awaited Physical Disability Triangular T20 Trophy 2024 is set to begin on 15th March, 2024 organised by Differently Abled Cricket Council of India which was formally announced today. The trophy was revealed for the same at Taj Bengal, Kolkata.

The ceremony was graced by the presence of several dignitaries including Mr. Arun Lal, Former Indian Cricketer; Mr. Chinmay Nayak, CEO of CAB; Mr. Ravi Chauhan, General Secretary of DCCI; Sqn Ldr Abhai Pratap Singh, Joint Secretary of DCCI; Mr. Arun Saraf, Chief Patron of WB Cricket Association for Differently-Abled; Mr. Rajesh Bhardwaj, Chairman, Corporate Affairs & Communication of DCCI; Mr. Surender Agarwal, Chairman, South India of DCCI & many other eminent personalities.

Disability cricket is a variant of cricket played by individuals with various disabilities. There are specific rules and regulations depending on the type of impairment, but the core gameplay remains similar to traditional cricket. However, amidst the glitz and glamour of mainstream cricket, there exists a segment of cricket enthusiasts who have long been marginalized and overlooked – the differently-abled cricketers. Differently-abled cricket encompasses various forms such as Blind Cricket, Deaf & Mute Cricket, Physical Disability Cricket & Wheelchair Cricket. The Physical Disability Triangular T20 Trophy 2024 would be played between three states Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal from 15th – 17th March, 2024 at Aditya Academy, Barasat.

Speaking to the media, Mr. Ravi Chauhan, General Secretary of DCCI said, “The Physical Disability Triangular T20 Trophy is a unique platform that celebrates the talent and determination of physically disabled cricketers. We have always wished to bring change in society in every way possible. We want to create awareness that the differently-abled can do whatever they want to do in life infact even better than a normal person.”

On this occasion, Mr. Arun Saraf, Chief Patron of WB Cricket Association for Differently-Abled said, “I am incredibly honored to be appointed Chief Patron of the West Bengal Cricket Association for Differently-Abled by the DCCI. I am committed to working tirelessly to ensure equal opportunities for all cricketers in West Bengal, regardless of ability.”

Mumbai…March15 , 2024… Mobicule Technologies, a recognised player in phygital debt collection and a leading home-grown digital customer on-boarding company in India, has launched a pioneering secured single Click Print to Post solution, Phygital Notice to intelligently manage the printing and dispatching of physical legal notices. Mobicule has successfully penetrated the debt collection industry through the introduction of its revolutionary Phygital Debt Resolution service to enhance the capabilities of debt collection and loan recovery. The Print to Post, Phygital Notice is a step further in streamlining the delivery of both physical and digital communications to enhance customer satisfaction and boost financial performance. With the ability to dispatch 2.4 million notices per month, Mobicule aims 30% reduction in the operational cost for customers through this service offering.

Several large entities including financial institutions, corporates, legal firms, government frequently struggle in the current modern economic landscape to manage their large requirement of printing, sending physical legal notices and managing the status of the receipt by the customer on a daily basis. The current challenges associated with printing and dispatching physical legal notices includes high operational costs, time-consuming and in-efficient process, compliance and security regarding customer’s sensitive information, potential errors in delivery, logistical complexities and update of notice delivery status. Additionally, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and maintaining data security throughout the process poses significant challenges, leading to operational inefficiencies and rising expenses. Mobicule’s Phygital Notice addresses these issues with an efficient, reliable and cost-effective approach.

Siddharth Agarwal, Founder and Managing Director, Mobicule Technologies, while sharing his views on the launch of industry first solution said, “The main problem regarding the printing and dispatching of physical legal notices revolves around the inefficiency, costliness, and potential errors associated with traditional methods. The task of printing, packaging & posting, tracking & recording the communication today is a highly disjointed process leading to inefficiency and consumer data exposure risks. We realised there is a need for a more streamlined, cost-effective, and reliable solution that addresses these challenges while ensuring compliance and data security. Our research enabled us to put together a comprehensive Phygital solution with one-click-print-to-post functionality which will not only resolve the key concerns associated but also integrates digital and physical processes seamlessly. This solution eliminates the need for manual intervention and reduces the likelihood of errors. With a single click, users can initiate the entire process, including document creation, printing, addressing, and dispatching, saving time and resources. Additionally, leveraging digital technology allows for better tracking, compliance management, and cost optimization. This holistic approach merges digital with physical and ensures efficiency, accuracy, and cost-effectiveness in managing legal notices, addressing the key pain points associated with traditional methods.”

Siddharth further added that, “Phygital Notice, our service offering is fully secured and backed by automated mechanized processes. The dispatch to the consumer is instantaneous without any personnel dependency, thereby increasing team productivity as well as ensuring security and compliance. Most importantly, there is a noticeable cost reduction and efficiency improvement. Customer needs are evolving and we at Mobicule, are quick to align and adapt to these requirements. Our agile technology intelligently manages and securely delivers all legal communication by analysing large amount of data using AI/ML and identifying cases that are eligible for further legal proceedings. Customers can integrate further legal workflow with our Phygital Notice system with our mCollect platform and get real time insights on all the related activities and make effective strategies for collection and recovery.”

Phygital Notice is an integrated solution, a one stop shop which smartly understands the full journey of the borrower as well as the collection requirements of the customer thus navigating debt recovery roadmap on a single platform. Banks and NBFCs can future proof their debt recovery through 100% secured process offered by mCollect Phygital Notice. Mobicule has collaborated with India Speed post and the service is backed by well-known industry lawyers. Overall, the Phygital Notice service offers tangible benefits such as cost savings, efficiency improvements, compliance assurance, and enhanced customer experience, making it a valuable solution for organizations across various industries.