Archives November 2024

Hyderabad, November 11, 2024: Purple Life Sciences, a company that seeks to leverage the power of nature to treat human disease, launched PSOCARE, a psoriasis healing oil here today.

Among the first of many products to be introduced by this pioneering research-led organization, PSOCARE combines active herbal extract and humectant to effectively relieve the symptoms of psoriasis by reducing red patches, dry and cracked skin, itching and burning sensations, flaking, scaling, and plaques.

The product contains anthocyanin – a plant-based antioxidant that has transformative capabilities along with other ingredients such as bakuchiol, psoralidin and psoralen. Anthocyanin’s antioxidant and antiinflammatory properties can aid in reducing psoriasis symptoms by targeting inflammation and oxidative stress to promote skin healing.

Purple Life Sciences is the only Indian company to be commercially cultivating purple corn from which anthocyanin is extracted.

PSOCARE stands out due to its ability to offer relief from psoriasis without synthetic ingredients or side effects making it a high-efficacy yet natural solution for treating the autoimmune condition.

“With PSOCARE, we’re delivering the power of nature with the precision of science, ensuring relief without compromise. But we have only gotten started! Purple Life Sciences is actively developing additional products aimed at reshaping the approach to managing long-term diseases,” said Raghav Reddy, Director – R&D (M.Tech/Pharm. NIPER, Mohali)
PTPC: Pharmaceutical Technology & Process Chemistry, Industrial SCFE Co2 Expert.

“With PSOCARE, we’re redefining natural wellness by offering powerful, science-backed relief without the side effects of conventional treatments. Our goal is to make effective, natural solutions accessible for long-term health and well-being,” said K. Manikanta Reddy, Director – Finance & Operations.

Purple Life Sciences is actively developing a line of treatments for other long-term conditions that will continue to combine nature’s most potent molecules with advanced formulation technology, aiming to provide natural, side-effect-free alternatives to conventional medicine.

Hyderabad, 11 November 2024: A dramatic finish saw the Telugu Titans close out the Hyderabad leg with a well-deserved 34-33 win over Puneri Paltan at the GMCB Indoor Stadium on Saturday. In what was their fourth-straight win of season 11, the Telugu Titans were guided by their skipper Pawan Sehrawat’s 12 points, and Vijay Malik’s 13 points, which eventually took the home team to second on the points table.

LIVE MATCH

A match which saw the raiders ruling the roost, Pankaj Mohite for the Puneri Paltan secured the first Super Raid of the game. Soon after, Mohit Goyat completed a Super Tackle as well, as the defending champions took an early lead. This form continued throughout the first 10 minutes, as Sanket Sawant’s tackle on Vijay Malik inflicted an ALL OUT on the home team Telugu Titans.

Despite this, the Telugu Titans had Pawan Sehrawat in his usual raiding form, and he ensured that his team were in the game. The hi-flyer completed his Super 10 – his sixth of the season – with four minutes left in the second half. This helped his team take the lead and also inflicted the ALL OUT on Puneri Paltan. A riveting first half saw the score level at 20-20 at the end.

As both sides exchanged the lead between themselves, they were cautious about their performance in the second half. For Puneri Paltan, Pankaj Mohite was their main aggressor yet again, but he was supported by the likes of fellow raider Mohit Goyat and defender Abinesh Nadarajan. However, Pawan’s magnificent moves kept the Telugu Titans afloat throughout the second 20 minutes of the match.

With the match entering a very important stage, the Telugu Titans, who had the lead, were inflicted with an ALL OUT with little over two minutes left to the end of the match. Vijay Malik was the second Telugu Titans player to score a Super 10, but at the end, defender Ajit Pawar got Ajith Kumar off the mat, to give the home side a one-point lead, which was enough to seal the victory.

Please find below the schedule for PKL Season 11 match on Sunday, November 10:   

Match 1 – UP Yoddhas vs U Mumba – 8 pm

Match 2 – Gujarat Giants vs Haryana Steelers – 9 pm

Delhi. 11th November 2024– As the much-awaited wedding season approaches, Panash Wellness (panashwellnessdotcom), a leading brand in affordable luxury personal care, is thrilled to announce the launch of its latest campaign, ShaadiWalaGlowWithPanash. Dedicated to helping soon-to-be brides and grooms achieve a natural, radiant glow, Panash Wellness presents a curated collection of skincare essentials to support their journey to flawless skin on their special day. With the ShaadiWalaGlowWithPanash campaign, with roots in age-old Indian wedding rituals, the Ubtan range is a central highlight of this campaign. Celebrated in weddings across generations, the ceremonial application of Ubtan—also known as Batna—symbolizes beauty, purity, and the blessings for a radiant new beginning. The Ubtan ritual remains a treasured pre-wedding practice for brides and grooms alike, cleansing, brightening, and rejuvenating the skin for their big day.

With the ShaadiWalaGlowWithPanash campaign, Panash Wellness introduces its Ubtan range alongside the Kumkumadi and Bhringraj collections to help brides, grooms, and wedding attendees prepare for the season with a natural, healthy glow. Rich with Ayurvedic ingredients like turmeric, chickpea flour, and sandalwood, Panash’s Ubtan range is crafted to deeply cleanse and revitalize, leaving the skin radiant and beautifully soft—a perfect tribute to the beauty rituals of the past.

The Ayurvedic Skincare Collection for Weddings:

– Kumkumadi Collection: Infused with the legendary Kumkumadi oil, known for its brightening and anti-aging benefits, this collection is designed to even out skin tone, reduce blemishes, and deliver a luminous glow.

– Bhringraj Range: Ideal for those wanting to achieve balanced and deeply nourished skin, this collection is formulated to improve skin elasticity, repair damage, and hydrate intensively. Bhringraj, traditionally used for its rejuvenating properties, helps restore the skin’s natural health and resilience.

– Ubtan Essentials: Inspired by age-old Indian bridal rituals, Panash’s Ubtan range gently exfoliates and rejuvenates the skin, removing impurities and leaving the skin soft and smooth. This range is perfect for anyone looking to add a traditional touch to their pre-wedding skincare routine.

In addition to skincare, Panash Wellness is passionate about encouraging a holistic approach to beauty and wellness. The brand advocates for regular exercise, balanced nutrition, and self-care practices to support both the physical and mental well-being of all soon-to-be-weds. The ShaadiWalaGlowWithPanash campaign extends beyond just skincare, promoting the importance of health and the inner glow that radiates on the outside.

Limited-Time Offer: Buy 2, Get 1 Free

To celebrate the wedding season, Panash Wellness is delighted to offer a limited-time “Buy 2, Get 1 Free” promotion on their range. This offer is an opportunity for brides, grooms, and anyone in the wedding party to stock up on their skincare essentials and enjoy the benefits of Panash’s luxurious Ayurvedic products at an unbeatable value.

Udaipur, 11th November 2024: Hindustan Zinc Limited (NSE: HINDZINC), India’s largest and the world’s second-largest integrated zinc producer, successfully concluded its Shiksha Sambal Diwali Camp 2024, supporting more than 4,000 students from underprivileged rural hinterland across its operational areas. This initiative, part of Hindustan Zinc’s Siksha Sambhal program, an education-focused CSR program, has been operating in Rajasthan since 2008, uplifting the lives of over 2 lakh children annually in underserved rural areas.

The purpose of the camps is to support first-generation learners who are likely to opt out of pursuing studies and a fulfilling career, owing to financial and social constraints. This year’s camp took place in two phases offering academic assistance to Class IX and X students who are in the final stages of finishing their schooling during the festive break. The camps provided support in foundational subjects such as reading, writing, mathematics, and science through structured sessions, featured workbook exercises and practical lab work for science students, along with enhanced library work for mathematics and English.

By focusing on these core subjects, the camp aimed to strengthen student’s understanding and boost their academic performance. Additionally, the program emphasized consistent attendance to maximize learning outcomes, ensuring that every student could benefit from the comprehensive educational support provided. The Shiksha Sambal Diwali Camp 2024 in partnership with Vidhya Bhawan Society reached students across various locations, including Udaipur, Rajsamand, Chittorgarh, Ajmer, and Agucha in Rajasthan. Overall, the camp successfully impacted students, providing essential academic support during a crucial time in their educational journeys.

Hindustan Zinc’s Shiksha Sambal Program is integral to the broader commitment to uplift underprivileged children through education in rural Rajasthan. The company recently signed an MoU with Department of Education, Rajasthan committing an investment of ₹36 crores over the next five years to enhance educational development in the state. The company has established over 1400 Nand Ghars across Rajasthan and Uttarakhand to promote early childhood development of rural children, which has benefitted over 2.5 Lakh women and children. Over the years, the company has significantly transformed the educational landscape of the state with other initiatives such as Unchi Udaan, which supports aspiring IIT candidates from low-income backgrounds, and Jeevan Tarang, which empowers children with disabilities.

Beyond education, Hindustan Zinc has been a strong force in promoting sustainable livelihood opportunities for rural women and farmers, healthcare access, water conservation, and sanitation, impacting over 2 million lives across more than 3,700 villages. Ranked among India’s top 10 CSR companies, Hindustan Zinc’s initiatives reflect its commitment to building a resilient, self-sufficient Rajasthan that champions inclusivity, innovation, and environmental responsibility.

Hindustan Zinc Limited, a Vedanta Group company, is the world’s second-largest integrated zinc producer and the third-largest silver producer. The company supplies to more than 40 countries and holds a market share of about 75% of the primary zinc market in India. Hindustan Zinc has been recognized as the world’s most sustainable company in the metals and mining category by the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment 2023, reflecting its operational excellence, innovation, and leading ESG practices. Hindustan Zinc is also a certified 2.41 times Water-Positive company and is committed to achieving Net Zero emissions by 2050 or sooner. As a world leader in the metals and mining industry, Hindustan Zinc is pivotal in providing critical metals essential for the global energy transition for a sustainable future.

Mumbai, 11th November 2024: Life Insurance Council has released updated industry business numbers for the month of October 2024. Amongst several key highlights, new business premiums (NBPs) underwritten by Indian life insurers has achieved a robust Y-o-Y growth of 13.16% in the month of Oct’24, with YTD figures recording a 18.56% growth over the same period last year. New business premiums expanded from ₹26819.01 Crs in Oct 2023 to ₹30347.6 Crs in Oct 2024, with YTD collections growing even more from ₹185195.81 Crs to ₹219561.64 Crs this year. Despite the underlying demand for enhanced insurance protection from both individual consumers and corporate clients alike, new policy issuances decreased by 41.6% to 12,01,214 in October’24 as compared with 20,56,928 policies sold in the same corresponding period last year.

According to data released by the Life Insurance Council, the life insurance industry saw individual single premiums growing by 8.60% on a Y-o-Y basis to close at ₹3397.07 Crs for Oct’24 while YTD growth stood at 14.16%. Individual non-single premiums came in at ₹7453.5 Crs and grew by 2.76% in Oct’24, even as YTD collections settled at 18.23% higher than the corresponding period last year. This strong performance can be ascribed to the fact that life insurers are increasingly focusing on encouraging first-time life insurance buyers to buy essential life insurance solutions, contributing to the 4.52% growth in combined individual premium collections for the month of Oct’24 and 16.89% growth on a YTD basis. In the Group policy segment, single premiums grew by 15.81% with monthly collections coming in at ₹18258.37Crs. In fact, the Group policy category witnessed a 18.61% growth in premiums collected in Oct’24 while new policy issuances expanded by 2.70% on a Y-o-Y basis.

The life insurance industry in India has been making significant strides forward by expanding access to insurance and making an effort to reach out to areas and segments of the country’s population that were previously underserved when it comes to their insurance needs. Towards this end, life insurers added more than 5,82,565 individual life insurance agents, with an overall 2.64% growth in cumulative agent count. Still, the sustained pace of agent addition is being complimented by the high speed of digitisation by life insurers, paving the way for additional gains in insurance penetration that should provide a significant boost to new business premiums in FY25 and beyond.

November 11th 2024 – Delhi, India – Asttrolok, a leading institute for astrology and Vedic sciences, is proud to announce a milestone achievement with a panel of over 150 expert astrologers from diverse professional backgrounds. This dedicated team includes individuals from high-profile fields—such as doctors, IIT graduates, lawyers, and chartered accountants—who bring their unique expertise and perspectives to astrology. Notably, Asttrolok has also provided a platform for several housewives to enter the workforce, transforming them into successful working professionals in the field of astrology.

The diversity of Asttrolok’s astrologer panel underscores the institute’s commitment to inclusivity and excellence. By opening doors for women who previously devoted their time to homemaking, Asttrolok has empowered many to establish themselves as working women, achieving financial independence and professional fulfillment. These housewives-turned-astrologers are now making significant contributions to clients seeking astrological guidance, alongside experienced professionals from various industries.

“Astrology is a field that values both wisdom and empathy,” said Mr. Alok Khandelwal, founder and managing director of Asttrolok. “At Asttrolok, we believe that anyone with passion and dedication can thrive as an astrologer. Our diverse panel is a testament to this, and we are incredibly proud of the journey our astrologers have undertaken—whether they come from science, finance, or a home-based background.”

Asttrolok’s unique panel not only elevates the quality of its services but also reflects the institute’s mission to democratize astrology, making it accessible, reliable, and inclusive. By bringing together professionals from all walks of life, Asttrolok has created a rich tapestry of insights and perspectives, enhancing the depth and quality of astrological guidance available to its clients.

Day two of the 29th European Union Film Festival (EUFF) was a whirlwind of emotions, laughter, and thought-provoking cinema. From the comedy-drama “Death is a Problem for the Living” directed by Teemu Nikki, to the romantic-drama “Five and a Half Love Stories In An Apartment In Vilnius, Lithuania” helmed by Tomas Vengris, the day was a rollercoaster of cinematic experiences.

After the screening of the film Five and a Half Love Stories in an Apartment in Vilnius, Lithuania, the audience enjoyed an engaging panel discussion featuring Tomas Vengris, the director of the film, and Yile Yara Vianello, actress from the opening film La Chimera. The session was moderated by Padmapriya Janakiraman—founder of Padma’s Lit Club, an accomplished dancer, and a seasoned actor with over 15 years in Indian cinema, including lead roles in more than 60 films across six languages.

The panel delved into the theme “Longing and Desire: On Screen,” with each speaker sharing personal stories that explored the complexities of relationships, love, and the tension between personal dreams and societal pressures. Their insights resonated deeply, leaving a lasting impact on the audience.

During the panel, Tomas Vengris, the director of Five and a Half Love Stories in an Apartment in Vilnius, Lithuania, shared how he was drawn to the complex, often absurd emotions within relationships and aimed to bring these to life through his film.

He further added that, at some point, he decided to show these stories through the perspective of an apartment, through the POV of a physical building that has been there for centuries and has lived through a million stories, with people who’ve come in and gone out of it. As per him, this somehow allowed him to step back and reflect on things. According to him, part of working in the comic genre is being able to watch from the side. Drama is when you’re looking directly into the perspective, but comedies allow you to step back a little bit, and that gives you the permission to laugh, and by placing the camera in the perspective of the apartment, gave one the permission to laugh. The camera is therefore in another room—behind a shelf, higher up and lower, at every angle so it doesn’t feel like a human being is watching the scene. Some of the little dream sequences in the film or interludes were also meant to show the feeling of this apartment’s spirit.

Bengaluru, November 9, 2024: The International Institute of Information Technology Bangalore organized its annual Public Lecture series “Bangalore on IT” on November 6, 2024, at IIIT-Bangalore.

This year’s guest speaker was Dr. Vivek Raghavan, Co-Founder, Sarvam.AI. He spoke on the topic “Building Generative AI for a Billion Voices.”

Bangalore on IT is a public Lecture series of IIIT-Bangalore and it is an annual series. Originally launched in the institute’s early years, the ‘Bangalore on IT’ was relaunched in January 2019. The series aims to bridge academia, industry, and the public by bringing in eminent thought leaders working at the forefront of research and technology. We aim to foster innovation and inspire the next generation of tech leaders. Through these lectures, our community gains valuable insights from experts addressing today’s most pressing technological advancements and challenges. ‘Bangalore On IT’ is more than just a technical platform; it’s a space to explore the societal implications of technology.

“We are happy to host Dr. Vivek Raghavan, Co-founder of Sarvam.AI, at this year’s “Bangalore On IT“, public lecture series. His groundbreaking work in developing generative AI for India’s multilingual landscape is not only pioneering but also essential in shaping the future of technology for a billion voices. Dr. Raghavan’s insights into training AI models with diverse datasets and his dedication to advancing Indian language AI are truly inspiring and align with our vision of fostering innovation through inclusive technology” said Prof. Debrabrata Das, Director, IIIT-Bangalore.

“Addressing young minds at the Bangalore on IT public lecture by IIIT-Bangalore is an opportunity to share Sarvam AI’s mission of building Generative AI for a billion voices. This is truly a thoughtful event, and our work focuses on creating accessible, inclusive AI for every Indian by curating high-quality, diverse data and developing foundational models that reflect India’s linguistic diversity. Through our Indian language voice initiatives, we aim to demonstrate how AI can address nation-scale challenges and empower voices across the country” said Dr. Vivek Raghavan, Co-Founder, Sarvam.Ai.

In an inspiring session attended by over 600 people, Dr. Vivek Raghavan, co-founder of Sarvam AI, captivated the audience with his insights into the transformative potential of generative AI and foundational AI technologies for Indian languages. At ‘Bangalore on IT’ public lecture series hosted by IIIT-Bangalore, Dr. Raghavan broke down the complexities of generative AI, discussing how advancements in this field are set to revolutionize industries, government initiatives, and everyday life in India. His lecture also highlighted Sarvam AI’s pivotal work in creating language models tailored to India’s diverse linguistic landscape, promising broader digital inclusivity and accessibility for Indian communities. This landmark event brought together technology enthusiasts, students, and professionals, each eager to explore the future of AI through Dr. Raghavan’s expert lens.

GURUGRAM, 09 November 2024: Air India, India’s leading global airline, today introduced a new ancillary service, ‘Fly Prior’, to provide greater flexibility in travel plans to its guests flying within India.

With ‘Fly Prior’, Air India guests now have the option to take an alternative flight departing up to 12 hours before their originally booked flight, provided the departure dates of both flights is scheduled on the same date. This allows travellers to make last-minute amends to their travel plans according to their needs, whether it is to make an unscheduled appointment or simply to arrive at their destination earlier.

The added flexibility of the ‘Fly Prior’ service is subject to seat availability in the same cabin class as originally booked.

Available exclusively at Air India’s ticketing counters and check-in desks at airports across India, the service is complimentary for Gold and Platinum members of Air India’s Flying Returns loyalty programme. All other guests can easily purchase the service at reasonable additional fees.

Upon opting for the service, Air India guests will receive instant confirmation of their modified booking on the earlier departing flight and their checked baggage (if any) will be instantly accepted. Any other purchased ancillary services previously added to a booking such as excess baggage, priority handling, upgrade, etc., will be transferred to the earlier flight, except seat selection and special meal requests.

The ‘Fly Prior’ service fees are structured based on flight routes:

• INR 2,199 for flights between major cities, namely Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai, and Pune.
• INR 1,499 for flights to or from any other destinations within India.

The launch of ‘Fly Prior’ is yet another step for Air India to advance its commitment to providing a seamless travel experience across touchpoints.

Guwahati; November 8, 2024: Across the world, there is an unprecedented need to explore natural resources, and increasingly high-end technologies are being deployed to enhance operational efficiency, precision, and safety besides minimising costs. Technologies like Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Drones, and even the Internet of Things are being deployed for hydrocarbon explorations. Nowhere is this more useful than in hilly and rough terrains including the Northeastern part of the country. Given the huge hydrocarbon potential in the region, experts suggest that future explorations should be further leveraging such technologies.

The Hydrocarbon Vision 2030 for North East India envisaged investment of Rs 1.3 lakh cr in upstream, midstream, and downstream sectors gave fillip to the region. The Vision called for development of the North East region as a dominant hydrocarbon hub at the forefront of India’s energy economy. It also aimed at doubling the production of oil and natural gas by 2030, enabling access to clean fuel for 100% households at affordable price in the region, generating employment opportunities through skill development among others.

Recognising the potential, the policy makers have highlighted the importance of the North East region. Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, in a reply to a question in the Parliament in December 2023, had said that Assam contributes 14% of the total crude oil production and 10% of total natural gas production in the country. He also highlighted that the government is infusing capital expenditure of Rs 61000 cr for increasing production in coming years including a large infusion of investments into new technologies.

In the period 2019-20 to 2022-23, the State has earned royalty of over Rs 9,000 cr for crude oil and Rs 850 cr for gas production.

“Coupled with abundant natural resources and the advanced technology of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML), the oil and gas sector, traditionally rooted in heavy engineering and capital-intensive processes, is undergoing a profound digital transformation. The integration of AI and ML has unlocked new possibilities, enabling companies to optimize operations, enhance safety, and reduce costs. From exploration to production, AI and ML technologies are reshaping how the industry tackles challenges, especially in difficult terrains and complex environments like those found in Northeast India,” said Doja, an industry veteran and ex-ONGC official.

One of the most impactful applications of AI and ML in the oil and gas industry is in exploration and reservoir management. “Recently, the successful completion of a first-of-its-kind LiDAR Drone survey in one of the Northeast operational areas mark a cutting-edge advancement that addresses the specific challenges of operating in remote and inaccessible regions. The drone technology was employed for a LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) survey in the hilly terrains of Northeast India. This was a significant milestone, as it allowed for a faster, safer, and more cost-effective process,” he said.

LiDAR technology uses rapid light pulses to collect data, generating precise 3D models of the landscape. By incorporating AI/ML algorithms, companies can process this data in real-time, enabling faster decision-making and more accurate planning for civil engineering works, such as road construction for transporting rigs. The drone survey has not only reduced material costs for infrastructure but also provided detailed road design specifications, expediting further development in the region.

“Traditionally, seismic data interpretation, which is critical for identifying potential drilling sites, has been laborious and time-consuming. AI can now analyze vast amounts of seismic data with high precision, significantly reducing the time needed to identify optimal drilling locations. This not only saves capital expenditure but also mitigates the risk of drilling in unproductive sites—crucial in regions with challenging geographies.” said Atul Kumar, CEO of Shriv ComMedia Solutions, a software company.

This is the first time the technology is being applied in the Northeast. “This digital transformation is a key component in driving Northeast India’s economic growth while safeguarding the region’s ecological balance. As Industry 4.0 technologies continue to evolve, they will play an increasingly vital role in the future of the oil and gas industry, particularly in challenging terrains like the Northeast,” said Stalin Prabakaran V R, Skylark Drones.

This initiative has set a benchmark for future projects, demonstrating how technology can facilitate infrastructure development in remote areas with minimal environmental disruption.

The Northeast region has become a focal point for India’s oil and gas development, and the adoption of innovations like the LiDAR drone survey highlights the importance of integrating technology into these processes, ensuring that progress is both swift and sustainable.