Archives May 2024

Currently, ‘Shaitani Rasmein’ is gearing up for a high-stakes showdown between Nikki and Mallik. Nikki is on a critical mission to defeat Mallik and free her family from the sinister clutches of Mallik’s Shaitani Rasmein. The tension is palpable as viewers eagerly await to see if Nikki will succeed in her final quest.

Rahil Azam’s entry as the new face of Mallik promises to inject fresh intrigue and suspense into the storyline. Known for his compelling performances and intense screen presence, Rahil is expected to add a new layer of complexity to the character of Mallik

Will Nikki be able to outsmart the new Mallik and save her family, or will Mallik’s newfound power prove too much for her? The addition of Rahil Azam to the cast is sure to keep viewers on the edge of their seats.

Stay tuned to Shaitani Rasmein on Star Bharat to witness Rahil Azam’s debut and discover the fate of Nikki and her family in their battle against evil. Don’t miss the thrilling episodes ahead as new secrets unravel and the ultimate battle between good and evil takes center stage

India, 30th May 2024: Indegene Limited announces consolidated financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2024 and Year ended March 31, 2024

Consolidated Financial Highlights for the Financial Year 2023-24 (In INR Mn)

Consolidated Financial Highlights for the Quarter ended March 31, 2024 (In INR Mn)

Manish Gupta, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer – “We are pleased with our continued performance this quarter and the full year. Today in the marketplace we are known as a digital first commercialization partner to the global life sciences industry. We have 63 active clients and work with all the top 20 global pharmaceutical companies. Our revenues very closely mirrors the global life sciences industry’s spends on operations. 69% of our revenues come from the top 20 Pharma companies. Global Life Sciences industry is more than USO 1.8 Tn Industry. We are excited about the opportunity in front of us.”

Suhas Prabhu, Chief Financial Officer – “Our financial results reflect our focus on operational excellence, cost optimization and value-driven service delivery. While revenue grew steadily, we delivered strong growth in margins, with a healthy cash conversion and a strong balance sheet, providing us with the flexibility to invest in growth opportunities. We remain committed to delivering value to our clients and shareholders through deep domain expertise, innovation and operational excellence.”

India, 29th May 2024 – T-Hub, India’s leading startup incubator, in collaboration with NSDC, and Parivartan Startup Grants by HDFC, has successfully concluded the Skill India Digital Accelerator Program. The program is designed to catalyze innovation and growth within the skill development sector and has meticulously handpicked 10 promising startups to receive grants from Parivartan Startup Grants by HDFC.

The Skill India Digital Accelerator Program was launched with a visionary objective: to identify and empower startups revolutionizing skill development and enhancing employability across India. These startups are crucial in advancing workforce capabilities and innovating in skill development and employment readiness. The program also aims to enhance the Skill India Digital Platform by partnering with startups, improving features, and expanding accessibility to various stakeholders for a more inclusive skill development ecosystem. Partnering with esteemed organizations such as T-Hub, NSDC, and Parivartan Startup Grants by HDFC, sought to furnish crucial resources and funding to startups offering innovative solutions that address the evolving demands of the workforce.

From a pool of 369 applications, 10 startups have emerged as the chosen pioneers. These startups include Cunomial, Karmmin, Crion Versity, Humlogjobs, Vridhee Innovations Private Limited, Edubuk, Online Saathi, HowBee, SkyySkill Academy, and TheQube. Each selected startup received vital support and funding to further refine and scale their innovative solutions, thereby making significant contributions to the enhancement of skill development initiatives nationwide.

By collaborating with NSDC’s Skill India Digital Platform, these startups are poised to extend their impact and reach, ensuring inclusivity and accessibility across diverse communities and sectors. The program strategically focuses on areas such as opportunity discovery, multilingual interfaces, upskilling, and comprehensive coverage of government schemes. Additionally, it emphasizes financial inclusion for gig workers, entrepreneurship, and the utilization of AI for personalized recommendations to drive innovation and empowerment within the workforce.

Mahankali Srinivas Rao (MSR), CEO of T-Hub, expressed, “The Skill India Digital Accelerator Program underscores our collective dedication to nurturing Indian startups and propelling them towards innovation-led growth. T-Hub, in collaboration with our esteemed partners, is at the forefront of driving this change, ensuring that startups receive the necessary support to thrive. Through this program, we are not just shaping the future of skill development but also empowering Indian startups to lead the charge in building a skilled workforce for the nation.”

Mohit Kumar, DGM IT & Digital, NSDC remarked, “The Skill India Digital Accelerator Program is a game-changer for Indian startups, empowering them to drive impactful innovations in skill development. Through strategic collaborations, we’re shaping a future-ready workforce, essential for India’s growth.”

Ms. Neha Agrawal, Senior Vice President, Start-ups, HDFC Bank said, “We are dedicated to fostering impactful social start-ups that drive positive change within our communities. By backing incubators and accelerators, we aim to strengthen and cultivate the entire start-up ecosystem in India. Through the HDFC Bank Parivartan Start-up Grants, our goal is to empower these innovative ventures to achieve SDG targets and create a better future for all with their solutions.”

The Skill India Digital Accelerator Program stands as a testament to the power of collaboration and innovation in driving meaningful change within the skill development ecosystem. Through continued support and strategic partnerships, the program aims to nurture a future-ready workforce equipped with the skills needed to thrive in an ever-evolving global landscape.

Bengaluru, 29th May 2024: Furthering the Skill Mission, the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) under the aegis of the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE) and the International Labour Organization (ILO) today announced a strategic partnership to advance skill development and lifelong learning in India and globally. This collaboration aims to empower individuals across the globe, by equipping them with essential competencies and qualifications, thereby enhancing employability and sustainable economic growth.

The MoU was signed by Mr. Ved Mani Tiwari, CEO, NSDC and MD, NSDC International, and Mr. Sangheon Lee, Director, Employment Policy, Job Creation and Livelihoods Department, ILO, reaffirming both organizations’ commitment to leveraging their strengths and expertise in talent development. This partnership is dedicated to developing effective policies, governance, and financing structures that will enhance skill development both nationally and internationally. A key aspect of the partnership is the implementation of the Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH). This digital transformation will streamline skill development initiatives, enhancing their efficiency, accessibility, and global impact.

Lauding the partnership Shri Atul Kumar Tiwari, Secretary, Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Government of India said, “We are pleased that a key aspect of our partnership is the adoption of the Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH) and Governments, workers’ and employers’ organizations in ILO’s member countries will be able to use SIDH to digitize systems, processes, skills delivery, and job matching, based on a cost-effective model. This digital transformation will enhance the efficiency of skill development initiatives, making them more accessible and impactful globally. At MSDE, we are committed to creating policies and platforms that support lifelong learning and continuous skill development for our talent to succeed nationally and globally. SIDH exemplifies this commitment, and this partnership reflects our shared mission to empower individuals through skill development avenues, across borders.”

“By combining ILO’s expertise with our commitment to skilling, reskilling, and upskilling, we aim to empower individuals to navigate disruptions and create a sustainable future. Together, we will enhance skillsets and boost employability, driving impactful change in the evolving job market.” he further added.

The partnership aims to facilitate public-private partnerships and knowledge exchange to enhance Sector Skill Councils (SSCs), develop micro-credentials, and promote Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) through a global knowledge sharing platform. By strengthening the comparability of skills and qualifications, digital tools will be developed and deployed to assess and compare the skills and qualifications of Indian workers with those required in potential destination countries, improving mobility and global employability prospects for Indian workers.

Speaking on the partnership, Ved Mani Tiwari, CEO, NSDC and MD, NSDC International said, “The MoU between ILO and NSDC is a significant milestone for Skills Ecosystem in India. This partnership will help build a pool of Indian youth for global opportunities as the partnership aims to align and benchmark Indian qualifications with global skills standards. India becoming a preferred destination for GCCs, opens opportunities for Indian youth to participate in remotely delivered knowledge work for the whole world. Government’s focus on skilled migration opens opportunities for those who want to emigrate to join international workforce. We are also excited to work with ILO to develop regional qualification frameworks such as South Asian Qualification Framework which will help youth from our neighbouring countries also. NSDC’s partnership will also help offer NSDC Digital’s services and offerings to member countries of ILO.”

Speaking about the strategic partnership, Mr. Sangheon Lee, Director, Employment Policy, Job Creation and Livelihoods Department, ILO said, “We believe that by combining NSDC technological capacity and ILO standard setting functions, tripartism and global reach, we have the potential to significantly improve training access and quality globally. In this spirit, I am excited to embark on this new partnership with NSDC today. I expect this partnership will create a synergistic effect, amplifying our collective ability to lead the transformation of skills development, for greater social justice, not only in India, but globally.”

Promoting quality apprenticeships, work-based learning for employability and productivity, and the development of sustainable enterprises will be a cornerstone of this collaboration. By collaborating on data-driven approaches, ILO and NSDC aim to align skill development initiatives with the evolving demands of various industries.

In addition to policy development and data analysis, the partnership will prioritize the development and support of innovative learning programs. These programs will be designed to be flexible and inclusive, fostering adaptability among learners while ensuring that skills development remains relevant and accessible to all segments of society.

As the world celebrates the global Menstrual Hygiene Day movement, India’s leading feminine hygiene brand Everdeen has released the findings of its 9th annual menstrual hygiene survey. In line with MHDay’s theme of #PeriodFriendlyWorld this year, everteen expanded the reach of its survey to also include males and gauge their awareness on menstrual hygiene. The survey received more than 7800 responses from people aged 18-35 years, including participation from nearly 1000 men most of whom had completed graduation or above. everteen has also released a short Hindi film based on real events to highlight the need for educating men about menstrual periods.

60.2% of the men who participated in the everteen Menstrual Hygiene Survey 2024 said they spoke to their partner about periods very openly. However, more than half of men (52.2%) accepted they had never bought a menstrual product for their partner ever in life! Only 11.7% men said they take on extra responsibilities for the household tasks when their partner is on periods to ease her burden. 77.7% of men have done little to no research to educate themselves about menstruation to better understand their partner’s experience during periods.

69.8% men felt that social stigmas and taboos make it hard for them to discuss openly about periods with their female partners. 65.3% men agreed there should be more emphasis on educating males on menstruation.

Even this first step of including men in a survey about menstruation helped shift some perceptions as 41.3% males promised to educate themselves more about periods after taking this survey, while 27.7% said they will listen to their partner’s needs and provide support during periods. 21.2% men said they will communicate more openly with their partners on the subject.

Mr. Chirag Pan, CEO of PAN Healthcare, says, “Males must unequivocally participate if we want to truly realize the vision of a period-friendly world. If half of the world’s population is unconcerned or uneducated about periods, the goal of a period-friendly world cannot be accomplished. In a society like India where taboos make it hard for men to accept menstrual periods as a normal phenomenon, we have tried to make humble beginnings by including male participation in our everteen menstrual hygiene survey this year, and include them in conversations around menstruation. I am happy to see the positive impact with so many male participants promising to taking on additional actions to support their female partners during periods.”

Adds Mr. Hariom Tyagi, CEO of Wet and Dry Personal Care, the maker of everteen, “The responses we got from our everteen menstrual hygiene survey targeting women respondents also emphasise a need for creating more awareness among men on the subject of periods. Nearly 90% women said they do not feel comfortable discussing periods with their father or brother, while three in four women (77.4%) do not feel comfortable discussing it with their husbands! Only 8.4% women are comfortable discussing period-related issues with their male colleagues at workplace.”

The everteen menstrual hygiene survey also showed that 7.1% women still do not discuss periods with anyone in their family. 56.8% women still feel uncomfortable buying sanitary essentials from a grocery or chemist shop especially when other customers are present. 51.8% women were unable to sleep well during the first two days of periods, while a whopping 79.6% worried about the risk of spotting at night during sleep. 64.7% women experienced moderate to severe menstrual cramps. 53.1% women avoid going outdoors during periods. One in four women (25.8%) did not know what to do in case of a white discharge, and only 32.8% women consulted a doctor for the issue.

87.1% women felt that instead of providing menstrual leaves, companies should focus on creating menstrual-friendly workplaces, and 91.1% women felt companies that promote this concept would attract more female employees to join.

Every year, everteen undertakes a massive exercise to engage with women in India to encourage them to speak up on the issue of menstruation openly. As a pioneer in complete feminine intimate hygiene, everteen continually promotes awareness of feminine and menstrual hygiene through campaigns like #FixYourPeriods, #SheNeedsPad and #PadHerLife. Today, everteen offers more than 35 different feminine hygiene and wellness products for women including Period Care sanitary pads, Relax Nights Ultra overnight sanitary pads, silicone menstrual cups, menstrual cup cleansers, tampons, panty liners, bikini line hair remover crèmes, pH-balanced intimate washes, toilet seat sanitizer, feminine serums, gels and more.

New Delhi: Incharz, an EV Charge Point Operator has signed anMoU with 3ECO, a prominent manufacturer of L-3, L-5 cargo vehicles, and an EV Cargo Fleet Operator to develop exclusive EV charging stations for 3ECO for their entire fleet pan India. This initiative aims to establish a nationwide network of EV charging infrastructure, strategically positioned to meet the charging requirements of 3ECO’s vehicle fleet. The EV charging stations will charge approximately 200-300 EV cargo vehicles per day. By targeting 1000 of 3ECO’s cargo vehicles for charging by the end of 2024, Incharz will play a significant role in accelerating the adoption of EVs, advancing green mobility and contributing to a more sustainable future.

3ECO will provide fleet hubs to Incharz for setting up EV charging stations. Incharz will be responsible for designing, installing, operating, and maintaining electric vehicle charging stations at various locations throughout India. The stations will feature cutting-edge technology to facilitate efficient charging. Moreover, they will support multiple charging standards and be compatible with various electric vehicle models, ensuring accessibility and convenience for all capacities

Neeraj Gupta, AVP Operations, Incharz commented, we are thrilled about our partnership with 3ECO. Incharz takes pride in its innovative legacy in EV charging and promoting a greener world. Through our collaboration with 3ECO and in light of their ambitious plans, we solidify our dedication to advancing innovation and sustainability in the evolving realm of electric mobility. This partnership also signifies our strategic pivot towards extending our reach across all major cities in India, establishing a resilient network. Our ambition extends to exploring opportunities and creating synergies with bus operators, and large fleet operators and facilitating infrastructure for truck charging along highways, thereby reinforcing our position as a key player in the electrification of transportation infrastructure.
Incharz is a brand of Servotech EV Infra Pvt. Ltd., an EV Charge Point Operator that provides end-to-end EV charging services and a subsidiary of Servotech Power Systems Ltd.

Hyderabad, 29th May 2024: The CATC-1 (Combined Annual Training Camp) by 1 (T) Armd Sqn NCC, Secunderabad at Vikas The Concept School, witnessed a mix of learning and fun activities, empowering- sessions, and grand ceremonial parades. The camp included physical training, drills, ceremonial drills, Yoga meditation, and games like Khoko, Tug of War, and Volleyball. Cadets also received military training on weapon handling, field craft, map reading, and military history. Interactive sessions covered stress management, time management, drug abuse prevention, communication, Career counseling, Leadership, and team building. Exciting events such as firing, tent pitching, and self-defense, The camp Concluded with a grand ceremonial parade, and cultural extravaganza.

The CATC 1 camp started with JD JW SD cadets, 8 Associate NCC Officers, Army staff, and civilian Staff Conducted by the able leadership of camp commandant Lt Col Vaibhav Gupta, Officer Commanding 1(T) Armd Sqn NCC, Secunderabad, under the aegis of NCC group headquarters, Secunderabad. The Sprawling Campus of Vikas The concept School, Bachupally echoed with enthusiasm of NCC Cdts during CATC. The picturesque surroundings served as a perfect backdrop for this transformative experience.

The success of the event was further amplified by the unwavering support and encouragement from the management of host school Vikas The concept school, Bachupally, and authorities, who have extended their wholehearted Support by providing the School premises for the Conduct of 10 days Camp.

Mumbai:29th May 2024 – Whisper, India’s leading feminine-care brand from Procter & Gamble, has created history by launching the nation’s own Period Song, with India’s biggest voices – Shreya Ghoshal and Sunidhi Chauhan. Both the musicians created their own versions of the ‘Period Song, launching it today on World Menstrual Hygiene Day. Whisper has provided period education to over 100 million girls and women till date and are shining the spotlight on the early onset of menstruation among young girls in the fifth edition of its popular Keep Girls in School movement. Through this catchy tune with very relevant, educative lyrics for young minds, the intent is to get every Indian to sing it and believe that periods is a sign of being healthy.

Shreya Ghoshal and Sunidhi Chauhan created their version of the period song, through which they taught schoolchildren about menstruation, who later joined them by singing along and dancing to the tune.

“I am so excited to sing India’s own period song, which I hope, will reach every citizen of India and empower young girls to live their lives confidently and without fear – both in school and outside of it. It is shocking that girls are getting periods as early as the age of 8 which makes it even more critical for Whisper’s period song to break societal taboos by educating girls early on and preventing school dropouts. The song is so catchy and joyful that it plays in my mind throughout the day, and I can’t resist humming it. It is a great way to tell all boys and girls that – Periods ka matlab healthy hai aap. It is a song that India truly needed and I’m proud to be associated with it,” said Sunidhi Chauhan.

“I am honoured to lend my voice for Whisper’s period song. It’s so important to educate young children about periods so that they are prepared and there is no fear. Our effort is to let young girls know that getting their periods irrespective of their age means that they are healthy. Girls are getting their periods as early as the age of 8, and this puts about 26 million girls in India at the risk of dropping out of school without proper period education and products. Kudos to Whisper to taking the initiative and normalising periods by teaching young children about it. I was so happy to create the song in different languages, so it can truly become the song of the nation,” said singer Shreya Ghoshal

Studies show that one in five girls is at risk of dropping out of school due to a lack of period education and products*. With girls starting periods at as early as the age of 8 years, this could escalate further. Without period awareness, 26 million girls could be at risk of dropping out of school. Whisper’s Keep Girls in School program has been working on normalizing periods and providing girls with the right education and period products, so that they don’t have to compromise on their future and can continue staying in school. To date, Whisper has taught over 100 million girls and women about periods and distributed sanitary pads. Every year, they go to over 50,000 schools to conduct period education sessions.

Shreya Ghoshal sang the mukhda, or “face of the song,” Periods Ka Matlab Healthy Hai aap in eight different languages including Hindi, Tamil, Bengali, Marathi, and many others: truly making it the song of the Nation on periods.

The song was originally composed and directed by music director Aman Pant, and via clever use of music, Whisper has given a wonderful tool to society, to educate young girls and boys about periods. With the biggest voices in the country picking this momentum, it can help break taboos and normalize periods as a sign of being a strong and healthy girl.

India, 29th May 2024 – MOVIN, a logistics brand launched as a joint venture between UPS and InterGlobe Enterprises, marks its second anniversary of facilitating the movement of goods for businesses in India. Over the past two years, the company has established itself as a trusted partner for 1500+ customers, covering 3500+ pin codes across 49 cities, providing seamless logistics solutions with its air Express and Ground Services.

MOVIN’s robust infrastructure plays a pivotal role in its growth. With 16 strategically located Air and Ground Hubs, including major commercial centers like Chennai, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Kolkata, Pune, Mumbai, Bangalore, and Delhi NCR, MOVIN ensures an uninterrupted flow of commodities that is supported by consistent, predictable, and responsive operations. The company has a total facility space of over 2 lakh sq. ft., enabling efficient handling and distribution of goods. This includes the synergistic UPS and MOVIN joint facilities located in Pune and Kolkata. The company now has close to 500 people across its offices and hubs in India.

Committed to sustainability, MOVIN has deployed over 20 electric vehicles (EVs) for its first and last-mile deliveries in major metros including Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Chennai resulting in a reduction of 17 tons of carbon emissions annually. This initiative aligns with the company’s long-term environmental goals and supports customers in achieving their own ESG objectives.

“We are incredibly proud of MOVIN’s accomplishments in the past two years,” said JB Singh, Director, MOVIN Express. ” We are grateful to our valued customers for their continued support and partnership. As we move forward, our purpose is to build the most aspirational express logistics brand in India. We will continue to invest in developing capabilities in our people, empowering and engaging our partners, and advancing our technology to achieve excellence in whatever we undertake. By providing best-in-class logistics services, we aim to empower businesses of all sizes, helping them reach new heights and contribute to the nation’s economic growth.”

Grégory Goba-Blé, Managing Director for UPS in India said, ” As we celebrate MOVIN’s two-year anniversary, I am filled with immense pride. We have emerged as a preferred logistics partner for over 1500 customers across India, because of our strong setup and hardworking team. Our strategically located hubs in major cities ensure seamless movement of goods. Most importantly, sustainability is at the heart of our growth – by deploying electric vehicles for deliveries in key metros, we are demonstrating our commitment to environmental stewardship. As we look to the future, I am grateful for everyone’s contributions and excited about not only continuing to serve our customers’ needs but also expanding our presence further in India.”

Since humankind grasped the importance of learning, educators have been the most important pillar in structuring young minds. Their role in sharing pivotal knowledge and shaping generations of students has been crucial to molding the personality of humankind in general. Thousands of years ago, when Gurukuls were the primary centres of learning in India, a special emphasis was placed on appreciating the roles of educators, and similar notions have been reached in modern studies. The Harvard Center for Developing Children reveals that an optimistic relationship between students and teachers stimulates a sense of affinity, belonging, and self-worth, which is critical to establishing healthy socio-emotional development. However, to foster this development, respect for educators is not enough, as authentic appreciation remains the most crucial component.

This is echoed by more researchers around the world, who suggest that students who have demonstrated gratitude towards their educators have displayed enhanced scholastic inducement, as well as self-control and improved sensibility. Authentic appreciation promotes the broadening of the mind, and challenges become opportunities to advance, thus resulting in improved scholastic achievement.

Rishabh Khanna, CEO and Founder of Suraasa, explains the importance of authentic appreciation of educators, as he says, “We must understand that this is not just psychological. When students genuinely appreciate their teachers, both of them become subject to a collective growth mindset. This symbiotic relationship cultivates improved communication and fosters a culture of respect, prompting educators to prioritise the dissemination of knowledge. A sense of empathy, sensitivity and resilience among students instils a newfound confidence in their ability to learn and succeed in their lives.

But how does one thing translate into the other? Let’s find out.

Enhanced communications

As students demonstrate their gratitude to their teachers, the communication often begins with a simple thank you. This effort translates to young minds discovering a helpful pathway to communicate what is in their mind, thus considerably improving their ability to become fluent and communicative.

Improved respect

Gratitude or genuine appreciation fosters respect for senior figures, encouraging effective communication during learning. Studies reveal that students who demonstrate gratitude or appreciation to their educators are increasingly likely to maintain decorum and become perceptive which enhances the efficiency of the learning experience.

Evolving empathy

As a student recognizes the effort educators put in to streamline the learning experience of students, the thought automatically cultivates a sense of empathy for the teachers. They become more perceptive to the challenges their educators face regularly and the importance of their resilience to face them, thus leading to emotional intelligence that is critical to negotiating in future social, professional and related situations.

Cultivating resilience

Appreciating educators leads to students fostering resilience to manage life challenges. When they appreciate their teachers, who in turn offer valuable insights or guidance, it sets up a sense of self-worth when facing challenges, helping students to foster a unique ability of perseverance.

However, it must be understood that authentic appreciation is far from being limited inside the boundaries of a classroom. Showing appreciation to educators in all paths of life helps individuals to mature, thus cultivating an empathic personality, collaboration, and social responsibility, helping build and sustain a bold community. A simple thank you, far from a grand gesture, works as an investment in personal development and helps to drive growth and establish a sturdy foundation of scholastic experience and a successful life.