Archives November 2024

Mumbai 25, Nov ‘24: TreadBinary, a leading technology and consulting company, partnered with Rotary Club Mumbai to organize a blood donation drive at the Puranic Capitol premises in Thane. This collaborative effort aimed to address the critical need for blood in hospitals while promoting a sense of community service and social responsibility.

The drive saw an impressive turnout, with 43 individuals stepping forward to donate blood. A total of 43 units of blood were collected during the camp, surpassing expectations. These donations will be distributed to multiple hospitals, providing life-saving support to patients in urgent need. For access to donated blood, individuals can reach out to Kai. Wamanrao Oka Blood Center.

Darshil Shah, Founder and Director, TreadBinary, said, “Blood donation is more than a charitable act—it is an expression of humanity’s ability to care, to share, and to give hope where it is most needed. Each unit of blood donated represents a lifeline, a chance for someone to fight another day, and a promise that no one stands alone in their time of need. By coming together as a community to support this cause, we not only save lives but also reaffirm our collective strength, compassion, and responsibility to build a world where hope and healing are always within reach.”

Yuvraj Shidhaye, President of Rotary Club Thane Creek, added, “The blood donation camp was conducted with the utmost care by a team of skilled medical professionals, ensuring a smooth and safe process for every donor. Together, we hope to inspire more individuals to join this life-saving cause.”

Encouraged by the success of the event, TreadBinary and Rotary Club Mumbai plan to organize similar blood donation camps frequently. Future campaigns will focus on educating the community about the critical importance of regular blood donation and expanding the pool of active donors.

Viraj Profiles is pleased to announce the appointment of Dilip Ghorpade as the Group Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO). With over three decades of distinguished experience in human resources and industrial relations, Mr. Ghorpade is widely recognized for his strategic acumen in transforming workplace culture, boosting productivity, and promoting inclusivity.

Mr. Ghorpade brings a unique blend of strategic vision and hands-on expertise to Viraj Profiles. In his previous role, he served as Group Head of Industrial Relations for a leading global textile firm based in Ludhiana. He also held the position of Vice President, HR & IR, at a multinational tyre manufacturer, where he successfully led HR strategies for a workforce exceeding 10,000 employees, achieving significant efficiency gains through automation and innovative employee retention programs. His leadership in executing large-scale HR initiatives has consistently streamlined operations, reduced costs, and improved workforce retention.

In his new role at Viraj Profiles, Mr. Ghorpade will be instrumental in strengthening human resource strategies, overseeing talent development, enhancing employee relations, and driving organizational restructuring efforts to support the company’s growth aspirations in both international and domestic markets. He will collaborate closely with the leadership team to align HR functions with Viraj Profiles’ vision of innovation and excellence.

“We are excited to welcome Dilip to the Viraj Profiles family,” said Mr. Rakesh Chauhan, Managing Director, Viraj Profiles. “His expertise in building a collaborative and inclusive workforce will be invaluable as we continue to foster an empowered and engaged organizational culture.”

New Delhi, 25th November 2024: Hon’ble Minister of Power, Housing & Urban Affairs Shri Manohar Lal today visited the Ministry of Power and NTPC pavilions at the India International Trade Fair (IITF) 2024 in the presence of Shri Pankaj Agarwal, Secretary (Power), CMDs of Power CPSEs, higher officials of Ministry of Power and Power Sector CPSEs.

The Ministry of Power is presenting its vision for Viksit Bharat@2024 at IITF 2024. The Ministry of Power pavilion offers an immersive experience focusing on key themes such as India’s energy transition and ensuring energy security, underlining the nation’s progress towards a sustainable and developed future. The Pavilion is equipped with cutting-edge interactive technologies, including Virtual Reality games, an interactive LED globe, quiz panels, and touch-screen OLED displays, all designed to enrich the visitor experience. The participating CPSEs under the Ministry of Power are also highlighting their initiatives to raise public awareness on green energy, the net-zero emissions goal, and enhancing ease of living.

The Hon’ble Minister also visited NTPC’s pavilion, which presented NTPC’s innovative eco-friendly and affordable housing solution, ‘Sukh’ Eco-House. The eco-house utilises approximately 80% ash and ash-based products from thermal power plants in their construction, offering a revolutionary approach to rural housing and showcasing the company’s commitment to sustainability and zero-carbon emissions.

Both the Ministry of Power and NTPC’s pavilions at the IITF highlighted the government’s ongoing efforts to transform India’s energy and infrastructure landscape, paving the way for a brighter, greener, and more sustainable future as part of the country’s vision for 2047.

International architects are reshaping Kolkata’s business parks with innovative designs that combine efficiency, sustainability, and visual appeal. Their expertise is enhancing functionality and creating iconic spaces, attracting global businesses to the city.

Mr. B.P. Singh Roy, COO of Keventer Realty, shares: Kolkata’s commercial real estate is evolving, driven by a growing demand for global design expertise. International architects bring innovation through unique facades, efficient layouts, and sustainable designs, enhancing both aesthetics and functionality.

At Keventer Realty, we’ve embraced this by collaborating with renowned architect Stephen Coates for Keventer One. His vision blends striking design with productivity and sustainability, setting new benchmarks for business spaces in the city.

From unique facades to eco-friendly layouts, projects like Keventer 1 exemplify how global design elevates Kolkata’s urban landscape. These developments prioritize smart solutions and employee-centric spaces, setting new benchmarks for commercial real estate.

As demand for modern, sustainable spaces grows, Kolkata is emerging as a hub for global architectural innovation, driving growth and redefining its real estate sector.

25th November 2024 : National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management, Kundli (NIFTEM-K), an Institute of National Importance under the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Government of India, in collaboration with AKD Consultant Pvt. Ltd., is organizing one month training programme on “Analysis of safety parameters (Heavy Metals, Mycotoxins, Pesticides, and Microbiology) in Food Commodities.” This training is being conducted for technical officials from BRDC, State Food Testing Laboratory, Meghalya. The one-month training programme is scheduled from 20th November 2024 to 19th December 2024 at the Centre for Food Research and Analysis (CFRA), NIFTEM-K. CFRA, NIFTEM-K is a FSSAI notified Primary and Referral lab.

The training programme was inaugurated on 20th November 2024 by Dr. Komal Chauhan, Dean (Research and Outreach) and Head, CFRA at NIFTEM-K, along with Sh. Manoj Kumar Singh, Project Director of AKD Consultant Pvt. Ltd. The inaugural function was attended by distinguished officials, including Dr. Neetu Kumra Taneja, Associate Head of CFRA, Dr. Satish Chandra Kushwaha, Dr. Kishan Pal Singh, Mr. Zober Alam Khan, and Dr. Anupama Deora, along with other officials and trainers from NIFTEM-K.

A total of 11 participants from the food testing laboratories of BRDC, Government of Meghalaya, are participating in this training programme. Dr. Komal Chauhan encouraged the participants to make the most of the training programme and gain knowledge and practical experience. She highlighted the significance of food safety, particularly the analysis of pesticides, heavy metals, mycotoxins, and nutritional compounds in food products. Mr. Manoj Kumar emphasized that the programme was designed to build the capacity of food testing laboratories in Meghalaya, so that the State can strengthen its infrastructure, in line with the infrastructural available with best of the labs in the country to meet the growing need for promoting the trade of food commodities, across the globe.

The training aims to equip the participants with the necessary skills and knowledge to conduct a detailed safety analysis of various food products. It includes theoretical lectures as well as hands-on practical sessions by faculty and staff, ensuring that the training is both informative and practical. The sessions are curated to cover a wide variety of safety parameters, including the detection of heavy metals, mycotoxins, and pesticides, all of which are crucial for ensuring the safety of food products.

Dr. Harinder Oberoi, Director, NIFTEM-K congratulated Dr. Komal Chauhan and her team for this wonderful initiative and also thanked AKD Consulting for helping NIFTEM-K, organize this training. He said that similar training programmes will be organized in future in collaboration with both the government organizations and private partners. These initiatives will continue to focus on strengthening the capabilities of food testing laboratories fostering food safety expertise, which is essential for improving the food standards of different food

Bengaluru, November 25, 2024: After the success of the first phase of ‘The Missing Beat’, a campaign aimed at increasing public awareness on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), HDFC Life has launched the next phase of the campaign, titled ‘Second Chance’.

The first digital film of ‘The Missing Beat’ campaign generated effective results, reaching over 25.4 million views and 46 million impressions, and over 124,000 visits, highlighting the extent of audience engagement for a critical topic – CPR. With ‘Second Chance’, HDFC Life takes a step further, using storytelling to raise CPR awareness in a relatable way.

In ‘Second Chance’, viewers follow the story of a corporate employee who experiences a sudden cardiac arrest at an office event. The film captures his journey as he envisions key moments in his life – dreams he has yet to fulfil, milestones he wishes to achieve, and promises that he made to his family.

‘Second Chance’ seeks to deepen the public conversation about CPR and emphasises the need for an individual to be prepared in every way. It gives an important message that being equipped to save a life and protecting loved ones financially, are dual responsibilities everyone should consider.

Vishal Subharwal – Group Head Strategy & CMO, HDFC Life, said, “The first phase of our campaign received a phenomenal response, motivating us to go a step further by exploring the personal impact on an individual whose dreams could remain unfulfilled without CPR intervention. In this phase, we see the protagonist in an ethereal realm during a cardiac arrest, getting a glimpse of the future he had planned – his aspirations, milestones, and promises made to loved ones.

Every individual has dreams and to pursue them, one must be prepared in every way – to save a life in a critical moment and to protect loved ones financially. Our hope is that this campaign inspires people to take CPR training seriously and to contribute to the noble cause of saving lives.”

Manesh Swamy, Director & Chief Creative Officer – LS Creative at LS Digital, added, “This campaign goes beyond the statistics, bringing to life the emotional reality of a cardiac emergency. We aim to connect with audiences on a personal level, underscoring the value of CPR and the peace of mind life insurance provides. Through this story, we are committed to making India CPR-ready and financially secure.”

Cardiac arrest is a growing crisis in India. Around 500,000 to 600,000 lives are lost each year due to cardiac arrest. The awareness of CPR remains extremely low, with fewer than 2% of the population trained in this vital skill.

In the fiscal year 2024, HDFC Life provided coverage to 6.6 crore lives and achieved a 99.5% claim settlement ratio for individual claims, reflecting its dedication to policyholders and their families.

Mumbai, 25 November 2024: Stashfin, a leading financial services platform in India, has announced the appointment of Aparna Bihany as Senior Vice President of Lending. With over 20 years of experience in the BFSI sector, Aparna will play a pivotal role in driving Stashfin’s lending operations and accelerating growth.

In her new role, Aparna will oversee the development and implementation of innovative lending products, optimize processes, and enhance the customer experience across the lending portfolio. She joins Stashfin from Paytm, where she successfully led initiatives to diversify product offerings and boost customer acquisition.

“We are thrilled to welcome Aparna to the Stashfin family,” said Tushar Aggarwal, Founder & CEO of Stashfin. “Her extensive experience and strategic thinking will be invaluable as we continue to grow and innovate in the financial services space.”

Aparna’s previous experience with renowned institutions like Clix Capital, IndusInd Bank, and ICICI Bank has equipped her with a deep understanding of digital lending, risk management, and portfolio growth. Her appointment underscores Stashfin’s commitment to delivering innovative and accessible financial solutions to its customers.

“I am excited to join Stashfin and contribute to its mission of empowering individuals financially. I look forward to leveraging my expertise to drive growth and enhance the customer experience.” said Aparna Bihany.

This strategic addition to the leadership team reinforces Stashfin’s position as a leading player in the Indian financial services industry.

November 25, 2024: India Food Forum, in its 17th edition, powered by Smart Bazaar, is all set to take place on the 27th and 28th of November 2024 at The Westin, Mumbai, Powai Lake, and is gearing up to spotlight the immense potential and power of intra-industry collaboration between Food and FMCG brands on one side and Retailers and HoReCa players on the other, as reflected by  the theme for this year’s forum –  Building a palate for partnerships.

The two-day congregation will set the stage for some intriguing discussions and conversations led by industry experts and new-age entrepreneurs to uncover the collaborative disruptions made by the industry over the years. One of the largest B2B events will be hosting the end-to-end of food business enablement – from product sourcing, and retail tech innovation trends to grocery retailing & food service best practices.

The event will be led by Damodar Mall (CEO – Grocery, Reliance Retail), as Chairman, India Food Forum – Food Retail, and Chef Manjit Singh Gill, President, Indian Federation of Culinary Associations (IFCA), as its Chairman, HoReCa Convention.

The mega business event will connect participants through deliberations on some gripping topics such as transforming supply chains with technology, collaborative strategies for the phygital growth era, mastering the cycle of food entrepreneurship and much more. With an impressive lineup of presentations, fireside chats and panel discussions, the conference will host 500+ brands, 100+ exhibitors, 300+ industry experts and 3000+ attendees for an endearing experience.

Commenting on the 17th edition of the India Food Forum, Nikhil Behl, CEO – Food Business, IMAGES Group shared, “The world over, we are seeing the powerful outcomes that result when food brands, retailers and HoReCa businesses collaborate to not just push consumption, but also to spotlight product innovation, better diets and consumer health. Throughout its history, India Food Forum has been the hub where many game-changing partnerships have been launched, and this focus on collaboration is our central mission this year. ”

Among the 300+ speakers at India Food Forum 2024 are: Aastha Almast (CEO & Co-founder, The New Shop), Abhishek Bindal (COO, Aditya Birla New Age Hospitality), Ajay Thandi (Co-founder, Sleepy Owl Coffee), Amir Majali (Founder & CEO, TruFalafel, Karak Enterprises), Amrut Mehta (Director, The Little Italy Group), Amrish Arora (MD, Fountain Hospitality), Ankit Patel (CEO, The Belgian Waffle), Anju Srivastava (Founder & CEO, Wingreen Farms), Anuj Singh (MD & CEO, Spencer’s Retail), Anurag Katriar (Founder & CMD, Indigo Hospitality), Dr. AK Tyagi (ED, Haldiram’s), Harpreet Tibb (Promoter, Tibbs Frankie), Lalit Jhawar (Co-founder & COO, Food Square), Sairam Krishna (COO, Instamart Swiggy), Saurabh Kalra (MD, McDonald’s India – West & South), and Murali Krishnan (Co-founder & CMO, Wow! Momo Foods), among others.

Other highlights include Future Forward Brands felicitation ceremony, the Star Progressive Grocers honours, the annual Coca-Cola Golden Spoon Awards and Pepsi IMAGES Food Service Awards celebrations.

“We envision Anthurium as more than just a workplace or a shopping hub. It’s a lifestyle destination where people can work efficiently and unwind seamlessly. Our leasing strategy has been driven by data and consumer insights. We are well on track to make Anthurium a thriving hub for business and leisure. These numbers reflect the growing demand for integrated spaces in the region,” said Harsh Gupta, CEO of Sundream Group.

Bangalore, November 25, 2024: ICICI Prudential Life Insurance has launched the ‘Increasing Income’ feature, an industry first, for its regular pay annuity product, ICICI Pru Guaranteed Pension Plan Flexi.

This feature offers customers a five percent increase in the annuity pay-out annually, which can aid retired individuals to cope with inflation.

ICICI Pru Guaranteed Pension Plan Flexi with the ‘Increasing Income’ feature can enable customers to maintain their standard of living as inflation reduces their purchasing power over time.

Mr. Amit Palta, Chief Product and Distribution Officer, ICICI Prudential Life Insurance, said, “Annuity products are designed to provide a guaranteed permanent income to retired individuals. We recognise that inflation impacts the standard of living of individuals, especially retirees who don’t get the benefit of a periodic hike in salary. To address this challenge, we have introduced the ‘Increasing Income’ feature. This is the first-of-its-kind feature in the industry being offered in our regular premium payment annuity product – ICICI Pru Guaranteed Pension Plan Flexi.

The introduction of the ‘Increasing Income’ feature exemplifies our approach in delivering enhanced experience to customers by equipping them with the essential resources to navigate their financial journey with confidence.”

Mr. Palta, further added, “we designed ICICI Pru Guaranteed Pension Plan Flexi to enable a broader segment of the country’s population to plan for retirement in advance giving them the flexibility to make wallet-friendly contributions over the long-term to build their desired retirement corpus.

As India continues its transition to becoming a developed economy, the interest rates are expected to fall. We believe, the current high-interest rate regime provides an excellent opportunity for customers to purchase an annuity product and lock-in the rate of interest and receive permanent guaranteed income for life.”

Mr. Palta, concluded, “we are committed to innovating across products and processes to deliver the right product to the right customer at the right price and through the right channel and enhance customer experience. Also, technology solutions implemented have enabled us to become the most customer and distributor friendly life insurance Company.

The ICICI Prudential Life Insurance brand is known for delivering on its promises made to customer and their families, this is reflected in our industry leading claim settlement ratio of 99.3% in H1-FY2025. Notably the average claim settlement turnaround time was just 1.2 days for non-investigated claims.”