Archives November 2024

New Delhi – November 28, 2024 – Each year, stubble burning releases high concentrations of particulate matter, pushing the Air Quality Index (AQI) in regions like Punjab, Haryana, and Delhi NCR to “severe” levels. These pollutants not only degrade air quality but also contribute to seasonal health crises.

As a transformative step, Trident Group has adopted the use of parali (paddy stubble) as a fuel source in its industrial boilers, preventing the burning of stubble from approximately 2000 acres of land. This practice, commonly used to clear fields post-harvest, is a primary contributor to the hazardous Air Quality Index (AQI) levels in Northern India, with cities like Delhi seeing AQI readings exceed 400 during peak season—levels deemed “severe” and dangerous for public health.

Traditional stubble burning releases high concentrations of particulate matter contributing to respiratory issues, smog, and a significant rise in pollution across Punjab, Haryana, and Delhi NCR. These emissions, often attributed to over 44% of Delhi’s seasonal pollution spike, have made stubble burning a critical environmental and public health issue.

Trident’s use of parali as a sustainable fuel is a step towards mitigating these emissions, directly reducing air pollution and promoting a circular economy approach. By converting this agricultural waste into energy, Trident exemplifies a solution that addresses both environmental sustainability and public health, setting a benchmark for responsible industrial practices.

Grand Hyatt Gurgaon is thrilled to announce its recognition as one of the Top 5 Luxury Hotels, with General Manager Tarun Seth being honored as one of the Top 5 GMs of Luxury Hotels at Hospitality Horizon 2024. These accolades celebrate the hotel’s exceptional guest experiences and Tarun Seth’s exemplary leadership in elevating service standards.

Exemplifying the spirit of today while embracing the grand vision of tomorrow, the hotel offers the epitome of sophistication, where unparalleled service meets extraordinary design. Exhilarating moments unfold through delectable cuisines, breathtaking backdrops that create lasting memories, and offerings that showcase the hotel’s dedication.

Under the leadership of General Manager Tarun Seth, this glorious property blends modern living with sustainability, all while offering some of the finest dining experiences in the city. Each venue radiates theatrical flair—to indulge in a culinary journey across the globe, from antipasti and cocktails at Aperitivo to a gastronomic adventure at Maison Maiya, featuring its signature ‘buffet à la minute’ concept, blended in a theatrically inspired menu. Savor authentic Italian cuisine at Cena Pranzo, sip on whiskies with a lively atmosphere at Bar Musui, or unwind at The Parlour, our inviting lobby lounge. Whether it’s high-street retail or distinctive culinary destinations, at the heart of Grand Hyatt Gurgaon lies a celebration of the extraordinary and distinct experiences.

Grand Hyatt Gurgaon’s breathtaking embodiment of sophistication, where every detail reflects sublime grandness. Its luxurious rooms and suites provide an exclusive enclave with expansive windows that bathe the space in natural light. Grand Hyatt Gurgaon stands out for its cutting-edge interiors designed by Hall of Fame awardee Toni Chi & Associates, New York. The hotel is known for its impressive event spaces and has become a prime destination for a range of events. The Grand Ballroom and Campus provide ideal settings for occasions from weddings to corporate summits. With bold architecture that combines modern design and timeless elegance, the hotel offers unforgettable experiences and destinations, creating lasting memories for every guest.

Mumbai, Date: Whistling Woods International (WWI) has announced its first entrance exam schedule for the July 2025 intake. Prospective students interested in pursuing a career in film, media & creative arts fields can apply for WWI’s full-time degree, postgraduate, and diploma programmes, which are offered in association with the prestigious Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS). With a strong alumni network of over 3,700 graduates excelling across the media and entertainment industry, WWI provides a solid foundation for aspiring professionals.

WWI is recognised as a Centre of Excellence by the Media and Entertainment Skills Council (MESC) and has also been awarded the Excellence in Creative & Performing Arts at the 6^th FICCI Higher Education Excellence Awards in 2019. Additionally, WWI is globally acclaimed, having been listed among the ‘Top Institutes of Influence’ by Forbes India.

Applications are now open for all the programmes in Filmmaking, Animation & Game Design, Fashion & Costume Design, Visual Communication Design, Media Communication & Management, Acting, and Music. These courses combine hands-on learning with industryaligned education to prepare students for thriving careers in their chosen fields.

Entrance Exam Dates:

The entrance exams are scheduled for December 12th, 13th, and 14th, 2024, with dates allocated to specific courses as follows:

• 12^th December 2024 – BSc Filmmaking, MA Filmmaking, MA Screenwriting, Diploma in Screenwriting, BA Music Production & Composition
• 13th December 2024 – BDes Animation, BDes Game Design, BDes Fashion Design, BA Acting, MA Acting
• 14th December 2024 – BBA Media & Communication, MBA Media & Entertainment, BDes Visual Communication Design (VCD)

India – November 28, 2024 – Publicis India, part of Publicis Groupe, has unveiled a new captivating TVC in celebration of World TV Day for ZEE TV, a leading Hindi General Entertainment Channel (GEC) from the Zee Network. The distinctive campaign, titled “Thank You TV”, celebrates television’s remarkable 65-year journey.

As a source of entertainment, television has been a constant companion, evolving alongside society, culture, and technology, and witnessing everything from historic moments and shifting family dynamics to significant societal progress. Through it all, television has remained a powerful medium that unites and connects people.

The TVC tells a unique story from the perspective of a sofa, illustrating how television not only brings joy and smiles to the family but also offers a sense of fulfillment in itself. The ad highlights television’s enduring importance in our lives and shows how storytelling, along with generational connections, has evolved—set to a catchy and memorable song.

Oindrila Roy, Managing Director, Publicis India, said, “With the ‘Thank You TV’ campaign, we aim to celebrate television not only as a source of entertainment but as a medium that has profoundly shaped how families connect and share moments together. At Publicis India, we are proud to collaborate with ZEE TV to bring this heartfelt narrative to life. Through compelling storytelling and innovative ideas, we continue to support ZEE TV in strengthening its bond with audiences, ensuring television remains a cherished and integral part of millions of lives.”

Sharing insights on the campaign, Aman Mannan, National Creative Director, Publicis India stated, “TV is still one of the best modes of entertainment for getting families and friends together. It makes us laugh, cry, think, and reflect. It even makes us jump in fear and joy. So, we wanted to pay our respects to this incredible box of wholesome entertainment with an out-of-box idea. ‘Thank you, TV’ campaign is Sofa’s ode to TV.”

Kartik Mahadev, Chief Marketing Officer, Zee Network further added, “As 10 crore homes watch TV together every minute, we are reminded of its unparalleled ability to spark joy, ignite conversations, and shape the collective aspiration of a nation. On World TV Day, we wanted to celebrate this unique bond, and our partners at Publicis India brought it to life with a playful twist — seeing TV through the eyes of the sofa, the constant companion to countless shared moments. This idea beautifully captures TV’s role as the heart of togetherness in Indian homes. This film is a tribute to TV’s role as a timeless storyteller that evolves with us while keeping the spirit of togetherness alive.”

Mumbai, November 27, 2024: ABP LIVE, one of India’s most trusted digital news platforms, is proud to announce the inaugural edition of “Green Vision Conclave 2024,” an event dedicated to advancing sustainability across industries. Taking place on November 28, 2024, in New Delhi, the Conclave will serve as a vital platform for leaders and innovators to discuss actionable strategies for building a greener future.

This landmark event by ABP LIVE will bring together policymakers, thought leaders, and industry changemakers to address critical sustainability challenges, including renewable energy, sustainable urban development, and eco-friendly business practices. With India emerging as a key player in global sustainability, the Conclave aims to foster collaboration and inspire solutions that align with global and national goals.

The ABP LIVE Green Vision Conclave 2024 will feature a distinguished lineup of speakers renowned for their expertise and commitment to environmental progress. Attendees will have the unique opportunity to engage in interactive sessions and explore innovative ideas that can shape the future of sustainability.

As part of its mission to empower individuals and institutions to contribute meaningfully to societal progress, ABP LIVE is committed to driving impactful discussions that inspire real change. This Conclave underscores the organisation’s dedication to supporting a global sustainability movement and empowering its audiences to take informed action for the planet.

The ABP LIVE Green Vision Conclave 2024 is not just a dialogue, it’s a step toward meaningful change. By uniting diverse voices and perspectives, the event promises to be a defining moment in the pursuit of a sustainable future.

Sapna Moudgil, CEO at NIIT Foundation, stated, “With the ever-evolving digital landscape, more and more people are going online – and 99.9% of internet users utilise a mobile device. to access the web for a plethora of services – be it for paying bills or ordering food and shopping. That said, digital and financially literacy – which, today, go hand in hand to a great extent – still remain amiss. With this in mind, our collaboration with Mahindra Finance allows us to empower gig workers and nano enterprises with financial and digital literacy by not just imparting knowledge but also opening doors to economic opportunities and financial stability.”

Further commending the partnership, Neelima D’silva Dalvi, Lead CSR  at Mahindra Finance, said, “Our partnership with NIIT Foundation aligns perfectly with our commitment to fostering inclusive growth. This program will play a crucial role in creating a more financially savvy and digitally empowered community, ultimately contributing to India’s economic progress.”

Global, November 27 – WadzPay Worldwide Pte. Ltd. (“WadzPay”), a leading innovator in the blockchain technology and financial services company, today announced that it has secured a capital commitment of SGD $50 million in the form of a Share Subscription Facility (SSF) from GEM Global Yield LLC SCS (“GEM”). The SSF will accelerate the company’s growth strategy via acquisitions, partnerships and organic initiatives.

The agreement establishes a Share Subscription Facility granting WadzPay the option to call upon GEM to subscribe for Ordinary Shares up to a total value of SGD 50 million (approximately USD 36.7 million) upon a successful public listing for a thirty-six-month period. This binding commitment underscores GEM’s confidence in WadzPay’s potential to positively disrupt the financial services landscape.

“This partnership with GEM is a powerful validation of the transformative impact WadzPay is making in the financial services and blockchain space. Securing this substantial commitment early in our journey fuels our mission and equips us with the resources to accelerate innovation and scale rapidly. We are thrilled to have GEM’s support as we pursue our public listing and expand our global reach,” said Anish Jain, Founder & CEO of WadzPay.

GEM’s backing signifies a pivotal moment for WadzPay, demonstrating strong endorsement of its vision and direction. This strategic investment from GEM marks a significant milestone for WadzPay, solidifying its position as a leading player in the global financial services and blockchain industry.

Guwahati/Kokrajhar; November 27, 2024: Filmmaker Kenny Basumatary’s first Boro film – ‘Bibo Binanao’ (My Three Sisters) – was showcased at the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa.

Produced by the National Film Development Corporation of India (NFDC), ‘Bibo Binanao’ is a dramedy, a story of four sisters in rural Bodoland. Pansy Brahma plays the youngest sister Mizi, who stands by her sisters as they try to raise chickens, deal with deaths in the family, an abusive husband, life-threatening health scares and other hurdles that life throws at them. The other three sisters are played by Sangeena Brahma, Helina Daimary and Mithinga Narzary.

“It was an absolute pleasure to work with all these actresses. They were all always prepared with their dialog, so we could happily shoot long takes without having to frequently cut. And all of them have fabulous scenes that they’ve performed exactly as I envisioned,” Kenny said.

Rubul Boro, the Boro film industry’s most regular supervillain, who also played Dog Da in ‘Local Kung Fu 3’ recently, has his first gentlemanly role in ‘Bibo Binanao’.

At IFFI, Kenny walked the red carpet along with National Award-winning director Kulanandini Mahanta, who worked as production designer on ‘Bibo Binanao’, and Alex Leo Pou, executive producer from NFDC. In fact, Kenny walked the red carpet a second time as part of team ‘Swargarath’, which is in the Panorama section of the festival.

Speaking of the first show of ‘Bibo Binanao’, Kenny said: “We were actually apprehensive. Who on earth would come to watch a Boro film, and that too by me – I’m not exactly a festival famous director. But to our pleasant surprise, around 70 people turned up. While the film isn’t an out-and-out comedy, it was good to hear the audience laugh at the right places. Many of them came up to us after the end and said that they really liked it.”

People in Guwahati can watch ‘Bibo Binanao’ at the upcoming Brahmaputra Valley Film Festival (BVFF), where it will have its Assam premiere in the competition section. A theatrical release isn’t on the cards yet. “NFDC will hopefully send the film to more festivals,” said Kenny.

New Delhi, November 27, 2024 – Broadway’s much-awaited beauty festival ‘Shop Till You Glow’, held from November 22nd to 24th ‘2024, has successfully positioned itself as the go-to event for beauty lovers in the capital.The event marked over 6,000+ people walking in. This led to a significant 3X surge in sales within the beauty category. The festival featured an impressive lineup of 35+ participating brands and 100+ esteemed creators. Additionally, the event garnered a remarkable reach of over 20 million, further solidifying its impact.

This three-day event combined brand discovery, interactive activities, and expert insights to reinvent beauty buying for many new-age brands- D’you, Nish Hair, Neude, Typsy, Vinci Botanicals, Charmacy, Juhst, Sereko, Derma Co, Mama Earth and more. The attendees experienced innovative styles and products that aligned with the rapidly changing beauty industry of today.

The event highlight included ‘Experience Zones’ where participants took part in gamified sampling activities like claw machines loaded with 3000+ product samples and interactive product trials. Face and hair makeovers, facials, and hair styling were available in the ‘Beauty on Air’ area, where visitors could sample products and find new favorites for all 3 days. Inspiring and educating guests through lively and educational sessions on skincare and elevating beauty, the event also included masterclasses and workshops hosted by well-known makeup artist Bhumika Bhal on Day 2.  It also saw prominent beauty and lifestyle enthusiasts like Sakshi Sindwani, talking about inclusive beauty and self love. The event concluded with Meenakshi Dutt making a surprise appearance to meet and greet with her fans. Broadway sparked excitement among 100+ creators of all levels, fostering meaningful on–ground community connections through intimate, interactive sessions. Broadway created excitement and drove huge on–ground sales throughout the event by presenting exclusive offers, bundles, and limited-time discounts to stimulate on-the-spot purchases. The standard for interactive beauty events has been raised with ‘Shop Till You Glow’.

The ‘Shop Till you Glow‘ festival at Broadway enabled our large portfolio of D2C brands  to interact and connect with customers beautifully. We plan to make this our annual IP which will give customers a taste of both established and emerging beauty brands in one space. This helped us establish our beauty credentials and we hope to do many more such immersive experiences for our brands and customers” said Mr. Vivek Biyani, Founder, Broadway.

Broadway’s Shop Till You Glow Festival proved that beauty retail can be more than just shopping—it’s an experience. As Broadway continues to elevate its offerings, this festival underscores its commitment to leading the way in creating unforgettable, consumer-centric retail experiences.

The Sports Department and Student Sports Council Team of Noida International Uninversity, NIU are thrilled to announce the triumphant conclusion of the much-anticipated Mega Internal Sports Event “Urja 2024”, held from 19th to 21st November 2024 at the university’s cricket ground.

The event was graced with the auspicious presence of Dr. Mukesh Parashar, Registrar, Dr. T. A. Wani, Dean Research & Development, Dr. P. K. Tomar, OSD NIU, and Lt. Pratima Pandey, Dean Student Welfare & Director of Sports, NIU under the vision of Dr. Vikram Singh, Chancellor NIU and Prof. (Dr.) Uma Bhardwaj, Vice Chancellor of NIU with the event beginning with the Torch Ceremony.

Dr. Parashar encouraged students in his address and said, NIU is offering various opportunities to grow and Urja 2024 is to see the talented students of the NIU family. Tournaments encourage students towards fitness and keep them engaged in physical workout. It also increases their ability to work with team spirit and with this NIU began the sport event Urja 2024.

This inter-school tournament brought together the brightest young athletes from schools across NIU, fostering sportsmanship, teamwork, and a spirit of healthy competition. With over 11 exciting games including Cricket, Volleyball, Basketball, Football, Kabaddi, Tug of War, Badminton, Table Tennis, Chess, Carrom, and Athletics, the event buzzed with energy and enthusiasm throughout.

Highlights of the Event:

Grand Opening Ceremony: The event began with an electrifying opening ceremony at 11:00 AM, setting the tone for three days of intense competition and camaraderie.

Thrilling Matches: Participants showcased their remarkable talents, leaving the audience in awe with their skill and determination. Every game echoed the values of perseverance and teamwork.

Memorable Closing Ceremony: The event concluded on a high note of Lt. Pratima Pandey, with a grand closing ceremony celebrating the incredible achievements of all athletes.

Lt. Pandey extended heartfelt congratulations to all the winners and participants for their extraordinary performances and sportsmanship. A special appreciation certificate presented to the organizing team, referees, and volunteers for their seamless coordination and dedication that made this event a grand success. Lastly, thank all the dignitaries, faculty members, and spectators whose presence added to the excitement and encouraged the athletes to give their best.