Archives April 2024

India, 19th April 2024: Space2Grow (S2G), the visionary social impact consultancy known for its commitment to creating safer, skilled, and empowered communities, proudly unveils its dynamic rebranding. This proud moment not only celebrates S2G’s five years of remarkable contributions to social change but also ushers in a new chapter of innovation, inclusivity, and impactful action. With a rich portfolio of 50+ cross-sector collaborations and clients spanning diverse sectors, S2G has tirelessly championed the cause of ensuring the safety, skillfulness, and freedom of children and young individuals. Through pioneering Digital Safety Initiatives and Inclusive Skilling endeavors S2G has positively impacted the lives of over 2,00,000 children and young individuals, equipping them with the awareness and tools needed to navigate the rapidly evolving landscape of the internet securely.
A Journey of Empathy and Impact

Founded on the principles of empathy, strategic thinking, and a genuine desire to effect change, Space2Grow has been at the forefront of addressing critical societal challenges. From advocating for digital safety and fighting against human trafficking to empowering the marginalized through skill development, S2G’s journey is a testament to its unwavering commitment to a safer, more inclusive world.

“In the past five years, our mission has been clear – to bridge the gap between intent and action. Our rebranding is a reflection of our growth, learnings, and the deeper understanding we’ve gained from our work,” shared Chitra Iyer, Co-founder and CEO of Space2Grow.

Adding to this, Chairperson Shri. Priyank Kanoongo, National Commission for Protection of Child Rights said, “Space2Grow has been associated with us since its inception. Their work especially during COVID of supporting and raising funds for children who lost their parents and in creating safety in the cyber space for children and stakeholders is commendable. I congratulate Chitra Iyer and Anuj Singhal for their relaunching of their brand and wish them luck for continued work in making children safe and empowered.”

The Essence of the New Brand

Embracing a refreshed identity, the rebrand showcases a vibrant color palette and a redesigned logo that symbolizes S2G’s core values. Pink represents the consultancy’s nurturing approach and commitment to women and children, while green symbolizes growth, optimism, and prosperity. The new logo, centered around the idea of safe spaces, encapsulates S2G’s dedication to fostering environments where individuals, particularly children and young adults, can thrive.

“Our rebranding is more than a new look. It’s a reaffirmation of our promise to protect, skill, and empower the young and vulnerable. It’s about being bold, fearless, yet caring and empathetic,” explained Anuj Singhal, Co-founder and Partner at Space2Grow.

The Path Forward

With the rebrand, Space2Grow is set to deepen its impact across its key focus areas. The consultancy remains dedicated to its ‘Concept to Impact’ framework, translating into tangible societal benefits. Over the past five years, our efforts have catalyzed significant changes such as:

● Digital Safety Initiatives: Over the past five years, our targeted interventions have significantly heightened protections in digital spaces. Our research shows alarming trends: 40% of children meet strangers online, and 60% of these interactions lead to offline encounters. Through landmark initiatives, such as crafting the Child Safety Policy for India’s largest EdTech and establishing benchmarking standards for child safety compliance, we have impacted over 200,000 stakeholders across platforms, setting a robust precedent for digital safety.

● Skilling and Inclusion Efforts: Our innovative skilling models have successfully included marginalized communities, particularly trafficking survivors, into the workforce. These programs have not only provided over 200 survivors with vital life and sector-specific skills but have also prepared them for real-world job opportunities, ensuring their successful reintegration and sustainable independence.

“Partnering with Space2Grow has been a game changer for Vedantu. Their expertise was crucial in areas we were less familiar with, especially in understanding the unique risks associated with children’s online interactions. With their guidance, we’ve implemented comprehensive policies and trained our teams to prioritise child safety above all. Beyond policy, Space2Grow helped us conduct essential research on children’s internet usage, enhancing our understanding and approach. They also played a key role in extending our CSR efforts to reach underprivileged children. Space2Grow didn’t just advise us; they transformed our philosophy to ensure that child protection leads every decision in our platform’s development. They are true partners, not just in a few projects, but in our ongoing mission to make learning safe and accessible” said Pulkit Jain, Co-Founder Vedantu Innovations Ltd, one of the largest Edtech Unicorns in India.

“Our commitment remains steadfast: to create a future where every child and young person is safe, skilled, and free. Fast-paced changes – both in the economy as well as in Technology are only creating more reasons to be vigilant and one step ahead. Our new identity is a bold step towards this vision and commitment, inviting partners, stakeholders, and the community to join us in making this dream a reality,” said Iyer.

An Invitation to Collaborate

Space2Grow extends an invitation to like-minded organizations, investors, and individuals passionate about creating meaningful social change. Whether it’s through partnerships, support, or advocacy, there’s a role for everyone in this journey toward building safer, more inclusive communities.

19th April 2024, Mumbai: In celebration of Earth Day, Boutique Living is proud to introduce its latest offering: the Natural Earth Collection. This collection represents a new standard in luxury bedding, showcasing a range of non-sulfur-based, all-organic dyes that are as gentle on the planet as they are on your skin.

The Natural Earth Collection features dyes synthesized from non-edible agricultural and herbal industry waste, such as leaves and nutshells. One of the most striking features of the Natural Earth Collection is its unique aesthetic.

Each hue in the “Natural Earth” collection is carefully crafted with fully traceable dyes – from natural waste material to the store. Causing zero threat to the environment, these Organic base fabrics are the future of the earth. The resultant fabrics have an effect that seems like a defect to most, while that is the desired look of natural earth dyes. Natural earth dyes resonate with the concept of organic earth, celebrating imperfect perfection.

Infused with six eclectic shades including White, Medium Cotton, Dark Oak, Dark Forest, and Medium and Dark stone, that are easy on the eye and kind to the planet. Responsibly green and delectably gorgeous, the “Natural Earth” range seems to offer the best of both worlds for eco-conscious buyers!

19th Apr 2024: Boldfit’s partnership with Mumbai Indians marks a significant milestone in the brand’s journey, further solidifying its presence in the realm of sports and fitness. As a brand synonymous with quality, innovation, and performance, Boldfit is set to bring its expertise in fitness accessories to the world of cricket through this collaboration.

The IPL is not only a platform for showcasing exceptional cricket talent but also an avenue for promoting a healthy and active lifestyle. With Boldfit’s comprehensive range of products tailored to enhance performance and support fitness goals, Mumbai Indians players and fans alike can expect nothing short of excellence both on and off the field.

“We are thrilled to join forces with Mumbai Indians, one of the most prestigious franchises in the IPL,” said Pallav Bihani, CEO of Boldfit. “This collaboration aligns perfectly with our mission to inspire and empower individuals to lead healthier and more active lifestyles. Together with Mumbai Indians, we aim to redefine the standards of performance and fitness within the realm of cricket.”

Through this partnership, Boldfit will offer an exclusive line of Mumbai Indians-branded merchandise, including cutting-edge fitness tools. Fans will have access to a range of products designed to optimize their training regimes and support their favorite team throughout the IPL season.

Monday, April 18th, 2024: India Mortgage Guarantee Corporation (IMGC), India’s first mortgage guarantee company, today announced its strategic partnership with Bank of India (BOI), one of India’s largest public sector banks, to offer innovative mortgage guarantee-backed home loan products. This collaboration focuses on salaried and self-employed home loan customers in the affordable housing segment.

Leveraging IMGC’s guarantee expertise and Bank of India’s extensive network of over 5,100 branches across India, this collaboration will enable Bank of India to provide home loan products with greater flexibility and security to potential homeowners. IMGC’s guarantee will mitigate the risk of defaults for the bank, allowing them to potentially offer more favorable loan terms to borrowers.

With the rising demand in the affordable housing segment, this product aims to make homeownership more accessible for a wider range of borrowers in India.

Speaking on the partnership, Mr. Mahesh Misra, MD & CEO of IMG C, said, “The Bank of India – IMGC tie-up will enable both institutions to expand coverage in their target borrower segments. The products will promote financial inclusion and aid in early home ownership. We are confident that this partnership will grow from strength to strength in the months to come.”

Speaking on the development, Mr. A K Pathak, Chief General Manager & Mr. S B Sahani, General Manager of BOI said, “We are pleased to announce a tie-up with India Mortgage Guarantee Corporation (IMGC) for Mortgage Guarantee on individual Home Loans. Bank has launched a Home Loan product with mortgage guarantee provided by IMGC to strengthen credit delivery system and facilitate flow of credit to affordable housing sector. We look forward for excellent response from the market to the product”

18th April 2024 – Kia Corporation (Kia) has been honored at the 2024 Car Design Award ceremony, receiving the prestigious accolade for ‘Brand Design Language’.

As part of its much-lauded brand relaunch, Kia unveiled its revolutionary new design philosophy, ‘Opposites United,’ in 2021. The design philosophy harnesses three energies – tension, harmony, and dynamism – to create fresh perspectives and develop new ideas inspired by the contradicting forces experienced in daily life.

Kia has been recognized for communicating consistent design directions by launching differentiated product designs under the ‘Opposites United design philosophy. In line with its vision to provide sustainable mobility solutions, the philosophy consolidates the design ideas and customer value throughout the Kia’s market-leading vehicles.

“With its Opposite United philosophy, Kia design has taken a non-conformist approach with the aim of inducing change, unafraid of taking risks. Unexpected at first sight, Kia’s new models brake the mould with long-established aesthetic parameters to introduce a totally new and modern formal language. A relentless innovation to establish a new identity,” the juries of Car Design Award 2024 stated.

Among the Kia’s new vehicles that have recently been honored for their excellent design, EV9 won two of the world’s top three automobile awards, including the ‘2024 World Car of the Year and the ‘2024 North American Car, Utility, and Truck of the Year. Kia also won the iF Design Awards with EV9 taking the prestigious Gold.

“Embracing the spirit of Opposites United, Kia Design tries to harness the power of design to shape a future of mobility that is both innovative and sustainable; one that tries to make people’s lives easier and better,” said Karim Habib, Executive Vice President and Head of Kia Global Design.

“This award is a recognition of the motivation and dedication of countless members of our global team who are driven to impact the industry with relevant and meaningful design. We are thankful that we are a brand that recognizes the profound influence that design can have, as we prioritize sustainable, user-centered design,” Karim said.

Since its inception in the 1980s, the Car Design Award has served as global recognition for the design teams responsible for the best concept cars, production vehicles, and overall design language on offer. The jury, comprised of journalists from internationally renowned automotive and design magazines, selects only 10 production car and 10 concept car projects from the past year, as well as the design language of just five brands, for consideration as finalists.

The winners of the 2024 Car Design Award were announced at a ceremony in on at the ADI Design Museum in Milan during this year’s Milan Design Week. Head of Kia Global Design and Executive Vice President, Karim Habib, attended the ceremony on behalf of Kia Design to receive the award.

During Milan Design Week, from April 15 to 21, Kia is presenting a Design Cultural Communication Project inspired by its Opposites United design philosophy.

In recent times, a palpable shift has emerged in the hiring landscape of India, signaling a positive change in the fresher hiring sentiment among employers. This transformation is attributed to several factors that collectively contribute to a more optimistic outlook for entry-level professionals in India, seeking employment. Among the plethora of skills sought after by employers, certain domains stand out as particularly crucial for freshers aiming to kickstart their careers. TeamLease EdTech, with its vision of ‘Making India Employable’, has come out with aIn recent times, a palpable shift has emerged in the hiring landscape of India, signaling a positive change in the fresher hiring sentiment among employers. This transformation is attributed to several factors that collectively contribute to a more optimistic outlook for entry-level professionals in India, seeking employment. Among the plethora of skills sought after by employers, certain domains stand out as particularly crucial for freshers aiming to kickstart their careers. TeamLease EdTech, with its vision of ‘Making India Employable’, has come out with a forecast report to track the dynamics of the job market for freshers. Here is a rundown of the top 10 domain skills which are in demand for freshers according to the report –

Data Science – Data Science has become an essential skill across various industries, transforming how organizations leverage data for valuable insights. By employing sophisticated statistical analysis, machine learning, and data visualization methods, Data Scientists reveal insights that inform strategic decisions and foster innovation. Whether predicting customer trends, streamlining operations, or guiding product enhancements, Data Science empowers businesses to remain competitive in the data-centric era

Blockchain – Blockchain has emerged as a revolutionary skill set, reshaping transactional processes and record-keeping practices across diverse sectors. Through its decentralized and transparent ledger system, Blockchain safeguards data integrity and security, minimizing the likelihood of fraudulent activities and unauthorized alterations. Beyond its association with cryptocurrencies, Blockchain finds applications in fields such as supply chain management, healthcare, finance, and electoral systems.

Content Creation – In today’s digital era, content creation has become an essential skill, driving engagement, brand recognition, and customer allegiance across multiple platforms. Whether through compelling blog entries, social media posts, captivating videos, or podcasts, content creators construct narratives that resonate with their intended audiences. Employing strategic storytelling, creative visuals, and effective communication, they convey brand messages, educate consumers, and prompt desired actions. Proficiency in content creation entails mastering diverse mediums, understanding audience preferences, and staying attuned to shifting trends to consistently deliver valuable and captivating content.

Metaverse – Becoming adept in navigating the Metaverse is about grasping the intricate digital landscape of interconnected virtual worlds. With the rise of the Metaverse concept, individuals skilled in this area can engage in, explore, and shape immersive virtual environments across different platforms. Mastery of the Metaverse encompasses proficiency in various technologies like virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and blockchain-driven virtual realms. This includes skills such as 3D modeling, animation, game development, and digital asset creation. Additionally, understanding the social dynamics, economic impacts, and ethical considerations of the Metaverse is essential for utilizing its potential in gaming, entertainment, education, commerce, and social networking.

Natural Processing Language – Proficiency in Natural Language Processing (NLP) is an essential skill set that lies at the intersection of linguistics, artificial intelligence, and computer science. Those skilled in NLP can comprehend, analyze, and generate human language data, extracting valuable insights from extensive textual resources. NLP applications span from sentiment analysis and language translation to chatbots and virtual assistants, enhancing communication, automation, and decision-making processes across various sectors. Becoming proficient in NLP necessitates mastery of machine learning algorithms, text mining techniques, and linguistic analysis, alongside familiarity with NLP libraries and tools such as NLTK, spaCy, and TensorFlow.

Full Stack development – Full Stack development is a versatile skill encompassing both front-end and back-end web development. Those proficient in Full Stack development can create entire web applications independently, covering tasks from user interface design to server-side logic and database management. Mastery in Full Stack development requires expertise in languages like HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and frameworks such as React, Angular, Node.js, and Django. With the ability to handle all aspects of web development, Full Stack developers are highly valuable for organizations aiming to build dynamic, responsive, and scalable web applications.

Robotic Process Automation – Robotic Process Automation (RPA) is a crucial expertise area centered on automating repetitive and rule-based tasks through software robots or “bots.” Proficiency in RPA entails designing, developing, and deploying these bots to streamline business processes, boost efficiency, and minimize human errors. RPA developers utilize tools like UiPath, Automation Anywhere, and Blue Prism to craft workflows that replicate human actions, including data entry, extraction, and report generation. By eradicating manual involvement in mundane tasks, RPA empowers organizations to optimize resources, elevate productivity, and expedite digital transformation endeavors. Mastery in RPA also encompasses understanding business workflows, pinpointing automation potentials, and perpetually refining bot performance for optimal outcomes.

Mobile App Development – Mobile app development is a fundamental expertise domain that covers the entire process of crafting, building, and launching applications tailored for mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets. Proficiency in mobile app development requires adeptness in programming languages like Java, Kotlin (for Android), or Swift (for iOS), coupled with familiarity with frameworks like React Native or Flutter for cross-platform development. Mobile app developers utilize their skills to design intuitive user interfaces, integrate functionalities, and enhance performance across different platforms. Given the escalating reliance on mobile devices for communication, entertainment, commerce, and productivity, mastering mobile app development is imperative for meeting user demands and maintaining competitiveness in the contemporary digital environment

UI/UX Design – UI/UX Design stands as a crucial expertise domain concentrating on crafting user-friendly and captivating interfaces (UI) and experiences (UX) for digital products and services. Proficiency in UI/UX design entails grasping user needs, behaviors, and preferences to develop interfaces that are visually appealing, user-friendly, and efficient. UI designers employ tools like Adobe XD, Sketch, or Figma to create layouts, typography, and visual components, while UX designers concentrate on wireframing, prototyping, and user testing to refine the overall user journey and interaction flow.

Internet of Things – The Internet of Things (IoT) is a crucial skill domain centered on linking physical devices and sensors to the internet for data gathering, monitoring, and management purposes. Proficiency in IoT entails designing, developing, and deploying interconnected systems that facilitate communication and interaction among devices, enabling automation, optimization, and insights across various fields. IoT developers utilize hardware platforms, communication protocols, and programming languages like C, Python, or JavaScript to construct IoT solutions tailored to specific applications such as smart homes, industrial automation, healthcare monitoring, and environmental sensing. By harnessing IoT technology, organizations can enhance operational efficiency, elevate decision-making processes, and introduce innovative products and services that generate value for both businesses and society.

— forecast report to track the dynamics of the job market for freshers. Here is a rundown of the top 10 domain skills that are in demand for freshers according to the report –

1. Data Science – Data Science has become an essential skill across various industries, transforming how organizations leverage data for valuable insights. By employing sophisticated statistical analysis, machine learning, and data visualization methods, Data Scientists reveal insights that inform strategic decisions and foster innovation. Whether predicting customer trends, streamlining operations, or guiding product enhancements, Data Science empowers businesses to remain competitive in the data-centric era
2. Blockchain – Blockchain has emerged as a revolutionary skill set, reshaping transactional processes and record-keeping practices across diverse sectors. Through its decentralized and transparent ledger system, Blockchain safeguards data integrity and security, minimizing the likelihood of fraudulent activities and unauthorized alterations. Beyond its association with cryptocurrencies, Blockchain finds applications in fields such as supply chain management, healthcare, finance, and electoral systems.
3. Content Creation – In today’s digital era, content creation has become an essential skill, driving engagement, brand recognition, and customer allegiance across multiple platforms. Whether through compelling blog entries, social media posts, captivating videos, or podcasts, content creators construct narratives that resonate with their intended audiences. Employing strategic storytelling, creative visuals, and effective communication, they convey brand messages, educate consumers, and prompt desired actions. Proficiency in content creation entails mastering diverse mediums, understanding audience preferences, and staying attuned to shifting trends to consistently deliver valuable and captivating content.
4. Metaverse – Becoming adept in navigating the Metaverse is about grasping the intricate digital landscape of interconnected virtual worlds. With the rise of the Metaverse concept, individuals skilled in this area can engage in, explore, and shape immersive virtual environments across different platforms. Mastery of the Metaverse encompasses proficiency in various technologies like virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and blockchain-driven virtual realms. This includes skills such as 3D modeling, animation, game development, and digital asset creation. Additionally, understanding the social dynamics, economic impacts, and ethical considerations of the Metaverse is essential for utilizing its potential in gaming, entertainment, education, commerce, and social networking.
5. Natural Processing Language – Proficiency in Natural Language Processing (NLP) is an essential skill set that lies at the intersection of linguistics, artificial intelligence, and computer science. Those skilled in NLP can comprehend, analyze, and generate human language data, extracting valuable insights from extensive textual resources. NLP applications span from sentiment analysis and language translation to chatbots and virtual assistants, enhancing communication, automation, and decision-making processes across various sectors. Becoming proficient in NLP necessitates mastery of machine learning algorithms, text mining techniques, and linguistic analysis, alongside familiarity with NLP libraries and tools such as NLTK, spaCy, and TensorFlow.
6. Full Stack development – Full Stack development is a versatile skill encompassing both front-end and back-end web development. Those proficient in full-stack development can create entire web applications independently, covering tasks from user interface design to server-side logic and database management. Mastery in Stack development requires expertise in languages like HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and frameworks such as React, Angular, Node.js, and Django. With the ability to handle all aspects of web development, full-stack developers are highly valuable for organizations aiming to build dynamic, responsive, and scalable web applications.
7. Robotic Process Automation – Robotic Process Automation (RPA) is a crucial expertise area centered on automating repetitive and rule-based tasks through software robots or “bots.” Proficiency in RPA entails designing, developing, and deploying these bots to streamline business processes, boost efficiency, and minimize human errors. RPA developers utilize tools like UiPath, Automation Anywhere, and Blue Prism to craft workflows that replicate human actions, including data entry, extraction, and report generation. By eradicating manual involvement in mundane tasks, RPA empowers organizations to optimize resources, elevate productivity, and expedite digital transformation endeavors. Mastery in RPA also encompasses understanding business workflows, pinpointing automation potentials, and perpetually refining bot performance for optimal outcomes.
8. Mobile App Development – Mobile app development is a fundamental expertise domain that covers the entire process of crafting, building, and launching applications tailored for mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets. Proficiency in mobile app development requires adeptness in programming languages like Java, Kotlin (for Android), or Swift (for iOS), coupled with familiarity with frameworks like React Native or Flutter for cross-platform development. Mobile app developers utilize their skills to design intuitive user interfaces, integrate functionalities, and enhance performance across different platforms. Given the escalating reliance on mobile devices for communication, entertainment, commerce, and productivity, mastering mobile app development is imperative for meeting user demands and maintaining competitiveness in the contemporary digital environment
9. UI/UX Design – UI/UX Design stands as a crucial expertise domain concentrating on crafting user-friendly and captivating interfaces (UI) and experiences (UX) for digital products and services. Proficiency in UI/UX design entails grasping user needs, behaviors, and preferences to develop interfaces that are visually appealing, user-friendly, and efficient. UI designers employ tools like Adobe XD, Sketch, or Figma to create layouts, typography, and visual components, while UX designers concentrate on wireframing, prototyping, and user testing to refine the overall user journey and interaction flow.
10. Internet of Things – The Internet of Things (IoT) is a crucial skill domain centered on linking physical devices and sensors to the Internet for data gathering, monitoring, and management purposes. Proficiency in IoT entails designing, developing, and deploying interconnected systems that facilitate communication and interaction among devices, enabling automation, optimization, and insights across various fields. IoT developers utilize hardware platforms, communication protocols, and programming languages like C, Python, or JavaScript to construct IoT solutions tailored to specific applications such as smart homes, industrial automation, healthcare monitoring, and environmental sensing. By harnessing IoT technology, organizations can enhance operational efficiency, elevate decision-making processes, and introduce innovative products and services that generate value for both businesses and society.

Mumbai, 18th April 2024: MediBuddy, India’s largest digital healthcare platform, has announced significant progress towards EBITDA neutrality, reaching break-even with a marginal loss as it closed the previous fiscal year (FY 23-24). This will further strengthen MediBuddy’s position as India’s fastest-growing digital healthcare company, driven by its comprehensive service offerings and unwavering commitment to transforming healthcare accessibility across the nation.

MediBuddy’s user base has witnessed an impressive growth of 2.4X over the last 3 years, serving close to 3cr Indians with over 1cr subscribers. The company’s focus is now on exploring M&A opportunities in key healthcare areas such as chronic disease management, mental health, diabetes, women’s care, and weight management, backed by an $18 million capital pool dedicated to these investments.

Satish Kannan, Co-founder and CEO, MediBuddy said “MediBuddy is leading a healthcare revolution in India by prioritising customer-centric, technology-driven solutions. We empower doctors through our platform, offering accessible care via video consultations, hospital visits, clinics, pharmacy deliveries, and diagnostic services. By leveraging technology, MediBuddy’s platform enhances doctor-patient interactions. This commitment to innovation is fueling our remarkable growth and expanding healthcare access nationwide.”

MediBuddy has successfully integrated vHealth, a recent acquisition (in 2023), significantly broadening its reach, particularly in tier two and tier three areas, and enabling the platform to cater to a wider range of customers.

With a rapidly expanding network of over 90,000+ doctors across 22+ specialties, 7,100+ hospitals, and clinics, over 5,000+ diagnostic centers, and 2,500+ pharmacies, MediBuddy has solidified its position as a holistic healthcare solution provider. Additionally, to further enhance its diagnostic capabilities and service offerings, MediBuddy has also on-boarded over 10,000+ hospitals and diagnostic centers for all radiology and pathology investigations.

These impressive metrics have set the stage for continued growth in the future, underscoring MediBuddy’s ambition to expand its market share in the rapidly evolving digital healthcare industry.

New Delhi,18th April 2024: Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) and Global Alliance for Mass Entrepreneurship (GAME) have completed the first cohort of the NBFC Growth Accelerator Programme (NGAP). Recognizing the critical role that smaller NBFCs play in financing MSMEs, particularly new and micro-enterprises, SIDBI and GAME joined forces to create NGAP.

NGAP Cohort 1 comprising 17 Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) was designed for NBFCs in their growth phase to understand the nuances of the sector, grow as leaders, and shape a future-ready organisation through design interventions. This was achieved through a combination of experiential learning modules on risk management, governance, leveraging technology, staying ahead of industry trends etc; personalized mentorship from seasoned industry experts; providing opportunities for peer-to-peer learning & knowledge sharing; and an assessment of each NBFC operational and financial health.

The five-month intense program has been designed to scale up small NBFCs through various design interventions, thereby facilitating and accelerating flow of institutional credit to them.

Shri Sivasubramanian Ramann, Chairman and Managing Director, SIDBI, while elaborating on the vision of SIDBI has noted that, “The NGAP initiative is a significant step forward in empowering NBFCs to better serve the MSME sector and reiterated the commitment of SIDBI to nurture the financial entities that serve MSME sector, by equipping them with the tools and knowledge that they need to thrive. Shri Ramann highlighted the fact that there is a large pool of non-GST registered entities, which are not funded by Banks, and NBFCs should focus on meeting their unmet credit needs. SIDBI has been playing its part in formalisation of such entities, with about 1.80 crore of Informal Micro Enterprises (IMEs) already registered on to the Udyam Assist Platform (UAP).”

Ketul Acharya, President of GAME, informed that “The success of the first edition of NGAP is in line with GAME’s mission of bringing together and supporting key stakeholders from all sectors to collaborate, lower systemic barriers and create favorable growth conditions for new and existing entrepreneurs.”

Launched in October 2023, the program is the first-of-its-kind initiative aimed at addressing the funding challenges faced by smaller NBFCs. With the success of the first cohort, SIDBI, with the support of GAME looks forward to empowering a larger pool of NBFCs to foster a more robust MSME ecosystem in India.

Mumbai, 18th April 2024: Amazon miniTV, Amazon’s free video streaming service, recently released the third edition of its fan-favorite family drama series, TVF’s Yeh Meri Family. Set in the 90s, the show perfectly captures the essence of Indian families, evoking a feeling of nostalgia and highlighting the significance of familial bonds. The latest season of the franchise is narrated from the lens of 11-year-old Rishi, and it takes audiences back to the spring of 1995, following the Awasthi family as they navigate through the ups and downs of life. Starring Juhi Parmar, Rajesh Kumar, Anngad Raaj, and Hetal Gada in pivotal roles, Yeh Meri Family Season 3 is now available to stream only on Amazon miniTV.

Rajesh Kumar, who portrays the role of Sanjay Awasthi, a responsible father to Rishi and Ritika, shared insights into his approach to fatherhood. He said, “My character closely resembles my personal approach with my sons, Ahaan and Vyaan. It primarily revolves around nurturing my children. I always aim to provide freedom to them rather than imposing my desires or failed experiences onto them. I want them to be independent and soar high like free birds. While my parenting style may seem laid-back to some, I am always available to offer guidance and support whenever they require it. The responsible father figure I portray in the series mirrors how I am as a father to Ahaan and Vyaan in real life too.”

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Kochi: Yulu, India’s largest shared electric two-wheeler mobility player, today announced the launch of its services in Kochi in partnership with a city-based firm, Zeco Mobility. The much-anticipated rollout in Kerala’s commercial capital took place on the auspicious occasion of Vishu. Following the launch, Zeco Mobility, which is led by city-based clean energy and mobility entrepreneur R Shyam Shankar, will independently operate Yulu’s popular electric vehicle (EV) service across Kochi, with infrastructural and technological support from Yulu.

The launch of Yulu’s and Zeco’s service in Kochi represents the second consecutive success story for the Yulu Business Partner (YBP) initiative, a unique industry-first franchise partner-led model for democratising shared mobility outside India’s metros. Kochi is the second partner-led rollout for Yulu after the company launched its service in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, earlier this month.

Kochi is renowned for its eco-friendly tourism infrastructure like the Cochin International Airport — the world’s first airport to operate completely on solar power — and India’s first Water Metro, which allows people to navigate the city’s waterways on energy-efficient electric boats. Now, Yulu’s and Zeco’s smart and shared EVs will add another dimension to sustainable tourism and commutes in Kochi with their features like zero tailpipe emissions and high accessibility and affordability.

Zeco Mobility has placed Yulu’s EVs at four zones, viz. Saradhy Sports Centre and JLN Stadium Zone (at Kaloor) and Menaka Zone and Broadway Zone (at Marine Drive). Between them, these zones cover Marine Drive, Broadway, Shanmugham Road, MG Road, Kaloor Stadium, Edapally, Panampally Nagar, Fort Kochi, Vypin Island and Bolgatty Island. The services will be available from 7:00 AM to 12:00 midnight, and users can rent the EVs on a per-hour or per-day basis, as per their requirements.

Amit Gupta, Co-founder & CEO, Yulu says that Kochi’s status as a historical melting pot for many global cultures, and its progressive and environmentally conscious citizenry, make it a natural fit for Yulu’s eco-friendly shared EV platform. He adds, “Following our successful launch in Indore, Yulu is excited to expand our YBP initiative to Kochi, the cultural and commercial capital of Kerala. The vision of YBP is to fast-track EV adoption by partnering entrepreneurs who want to pioneer mobility initiatives in their cities. We are delighted to join hands with Zeco Mobility’s founder R Shyam Shankar, who is a committed and thoughtful entrepreneur with the ambition and vision to commence a green mobility revolution in the city.”

Commenting on the partnership, R Shyam Shankar, Founder, Zeco Mobility says that venturing into sustainable mobility was a judicious expansion move for Zeco, which integrates solar power generation and electric charging infrastructure. He adds, “Zeco Mobility is delighted to start a world-class shared EV mobility service for the people of Kochi in partnership with Yulu. The sustainable and technology-first aspects of this service are in perfect sync with Kochiites’ pride in the city and their willingness to accept technology-based solutions in every aspect of life. The compactness and inclusivity of these EVs makes them ideal for tourists and locals who want to explore Kochi’s beautiful coastline, monuments, markets, and food hotspots. We are confident that the city will embrace Yulu with open arms.”

He adds, “Our vision is that in 5 years, any visitor from around the world should be able to come and experience Kochi with zero carbon footprint.”

Under the partnership, Yulu has supplied Zeco Mobility with its ‘Miracle’ EVs as well as its AI and IoT-enabled mobility-tech platform. Purpose-built for commutes and leisure rides, the Miracle is a smart, lightweight EV that can be operated with Yulu’s smartphone app. It has a maximum speed of 25 kmph and does not require a driver’s licence to be operated. In addition to the vehicles, Zeco Mobility has also received swappable EV batteries and chargers through Yuma, an associate of Yulu that provides Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS). Yulu has also provided Zeco Mobility with the manpower training and onboarding support the latter needs to independently manage its day-to-day operations.

Besides Kochi and Indore, Yulu is present in several major metros. It operates 30,000 shared EVs across Bengaluru, Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Delhi, Gurugram and Indore. Across these markets, it has served 4+ million users and prevented 20+ million kilogrammes of CO2 emissions to date. Yulu has also tied up with leading delivery and e-commerce companies to unlock sustainable mobility solutions for their delivery partners, while simultaneously enhancing the latter’s earnings through affordable pricing plans and a cutting-edge technology platform. Yulu’s EVs have enabled over 475 million kilometres of green rides and 80+ million green deliveries.