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New Delhi, 07 October 2024: Punjab National Bank (PNB), nation’s leading public sector bank, was awarded the Green Ribbon Champions under the Green Banking Initiative of the Year 2024 category. This prestigious award highlights PNB’s outstanding efforts through its transformative “Go Green” initiative, under the project “PNB Palaash – Uniting for a Greener Tomorrow”, that is aimed at driving sustainability within the organisation.

The award was presented by Bollywood Actress and Sustainability Advocate Ms. Gul Panag, along with Distinguished Fellow at TERI Mr. Ajay Shankar, during the prestigious event in New Delhi.

The “PNB Palaash” initiative promotes eco-friendly practices to reduce the bank’s carbon footprint. Key actions include tree planting, reducing plastic usage, encouraging recycling, and financing green projects. Over 100,000 employees pledged to make environmentally responsible choices, resulting in the installation of EV charging stations. PNB has also reduced paper consumption through digitalisation, introduced biodegradable materials, and building eco-friendly data centre in Gurugram.

Mumbai, October 07, 2024 – Bank of India, one of the leading public sector bank, enters into an MOU with the Coal India Limited, a Maharatna Company for providing Salary account facilities to the employees of Coal India Limited and its Subsidiaries.

The Signing Ceremony was held on 04th October 2024 at the CIL Headquarters, Coal Bhawan, Action Area-1, Kolkata. The CIL was represented by Shri Vinay Ranjan, (Director- Personnel & Industrial Relations) and Bank of India was represented by Shri Sharda Bhushan Rai, (Chief General Manager- Resource/ Marketing/ GBD, Head Office- Mumbai), Shri Manoj Kumar Singh, (General Manager, FGMO- Kolkata), Shri Amit Kumar (Deputy General Manager) & Shri MMI Lodhi (Asst. General Manager, Large Corporate Branch- Kolkata).

Bank of India shall offer numerous benefits to the Employees of Coal India Limited & its subsidiaries through this exclusive BOI Salary Package. It includes Group Personal Accidental Insurance Cover, Permanent/ Partial Disability Cover & Air Accidental Insurance Cover. Additionally, the Bank shall also offer Child Education Benefits, Concessions in ROI & Processing Charges in Retail Loans, Locker Rentals etc.

The MOU is a reflection of Bank of India’s constant endeavor to serve the Coal India Employees and help them to meet their financial requirements seamlessly.

BOI’s digital Initiative and BOI Mobile Omni Neo app shall also help the Coal India personnel at remote areas to stay connected and get easy access to bouquet of Financial Solutions.

VitrA, the leading bathroom solutions brand of Eczacıbaşı Building Products Division, presents a breathtaking ensemble of comprehensive offerings that transform your bathroom into a haven of exquisite beauty and functionality. VitrA has recently introduced Hiera, which provides a shower experience that is designed to maximize relaxation and pleasure, allowing individuals to feel truly human, intimate, and connected with themselves.

VitrA Hiera provides a shower experience that is designed to maximize relaxation and pleasure, allowing individuals to feel truly human, intimate, and connected with themselves. The concept draws inspiration from Hierapolis-Pamukkale, renowned for its natural springs, and the name “Hiera” is derived from this region. Hiera takes you on an inner journey with a shower experience that rejuvenates and stimulates the mind, body, and soul.

Hiera transforms your shower into a personal spa retreat, offering a variety of water flow options and incorporating chromotherapy for complete physical, emotional, and spiritual relaxation. With its distinctive design and availability in two different size options, Hiera is adaptable to fit the dimensions of any shower area, revolutionizing the ambience of bathrooms.

Experience the unparalleled atmosphere of rainforests in your shower with Aquarain and Aquarain XL. As the water embraces your body with every droplet, you will feel rejuvenated.

Immerse yourself in a luxurious multi-sensory journey and treat your skin and soul to the invigorating Aquastream, which flows with intense pressure from a single source. With the Waterfall feature, you can revel in the sensation of water gently cascading over your body. Let your mind and body indulge in a cleansing and revitalizing experience, embracing the rejuvenating power of nature.

Experience the profound sensation of water permeating your very cells through Aquamist, an extraordinary feature that elevates your shower into a realm of lavish spa-like bliss. Surrender your body and soul to the soothing waters and allow them to effortlessly unwind within the serenity of this captivating shower experience.

VitrA is dedicated to crafting luxurious and functional bathroom spaces that offer a perfect balance of comfort and style. The Hiera shower system reflects this commitment, transforming daily routines into serene, spa-like experiences. With its elegant design and thoughtful features, VitrA ensures that every shower becomes a moment of pure relaxation and rejuvenation, enhancing both the ambience and functionality of your bathroom.

National, 7th October 2024: This Diwali, Tanishq, India’s largest retail jewellery brand from the house of TATA, launches a film directed by internationally acclaimed filmmaker Mira marking her first-ever Indian TV commercial. Conceptualised by Lowe Lintas, Tanishq’s festive campaign, titled Nav-Raani, pays homage to the Modern-day Queens—the women who rule their worlds with grace, strength, and unyielding confidence. The film beautifully showcases women who don’t necessarily need crowns to feel royal but wear their strength, beauty and elegance as a badge of royalty. The Nav-Raani collection’s exquisite designs embody each woman’s unique qualities, offering jewellery crafted with unmatched artistry to highlight her regal spirit.

Made by Women, for the Women is the essence of the campaign, highlighting the characteristics of the Modern-day Queens, who are ruling the world with grace. This campaign shines a light on women’s multifaceted roles, from nurturing family bonds to excelling in their careers, showcasing their ability to balance the boardrooms and living rooms effortlessly. It reflects the solidarity among women and how they are queens of hearts by uplifting each other in their journeys. The collection Inspired by the splendour of royal courts, majestic palaces, and storied heritage; Nav-Raani redefines traditional jewellery by merging intricately handcrafted artisanship with contemporary flair.

The film opens on a magical Diwali night, spotlighting four Nav-Raanis in different settings, each highlighting the beauty, power, and sophistication of the modern woman. While she may not have the luxury to embody a queen every day, her regal persona radiates during festive moments like Diwali, when she adorns herself with exquisite jewellery from the Nav-Raani collection. Whether lighting diyas or hosting family gatherings, the film showcases how the collection is designed to enhance her inner majesty, making her feel elegant.

Pelki Tshering, Chief Marketing Officer, Tanishq, said, “This Diwali, we are excited to bring to you “Nav-Raani” – Royal Jewellery for Modern-Day Queens. In true Tanishq tradition, our campaign celebrates the brilliance of women who wear their grace, warmth, and elegance like a crown, effortlessly winning hearts and shining in every aspect of their lives. It reflects Tanishq’s enduring belief that every woman is a modern queen, deserving of jewels that mirror her inner beauty and strength. Through her deeply personal and nuanced storytelling, Mira captured the essence of Tanishq and modern royalty in a truly compelling manner.”

Speaking about the campaign, Vasudha Misra, President (Creative), Lowe Lintas, added, “The age of royalty may well have set in India, but if you look closely, you will still find many queens ruling, nurturing and expanding their kingdoms. These are the Nav-Raanis that Tanishq seeks to celebrate through this campaign. Queens who might not be at their resplendent best every day of the year. But come Diwali, she adorns herself with the jewels that befit her inner beauty and strength. The grand empress of cinema, Mira Nair, has infused each sequence with splendour of course, but also with a personal, intimate touch that makes each woman in the film, identifiable to every woman who’ll watch them.”

Tanishq has long been a brand that speaks to women and their stories. With campaigns that extend beyond jewellery and dive deep into the lives of its consumers, the brand continues to resonate with women across India. The latest campaign reflects Tanishq’s enduring belief that every woman is a queen, deserving of jewels that mirror her inner beauty and strength. As India prepares to celebrate Diwali, Tanishq invites every woman to embrace her inner Nav-Raani and adorn herself with the unique jewels of the season.

Chennai – October 7, 2024: Six restaurants across Taj hotels in Chennai have been awarded the prestigious Tripadvisor Traveller’s Choice Awards for Restaurants 2024, recognizing their commitment to delivering unique dining experiences. The restaurants are Southern Spice, Golden Dragon, Anise and Chipstead at Taj Coromandel, Chennai; and Raintree and The Verandah at Taj Connemara, Chennai. These celebrated dining establishments, spanning various cuisines and culinary styles, have been delighting guests with exceptional cuisine and impeccable service, over several decades. Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.

Commenting on this achievement, Mr. Sarabjeet Singh, Senior Vice President- Operations said, “I am delighted that several of our restaurants have won the Tripadvisor Traveller’s Choice Awards 2024. This recognition is a testament to the excellence of our cuisine, the rich heritage of our restaurants and the dedication of our teams to serving our guests. We thank our patrons for their continued support and trust, and we remain committed to delivering exceptional dining experiences across all our restaurants.”

Taj Coromandel, an iconic landmark in the heart of the Chennai, celebrates five decades of unparalleled hospitality and timeless sophistication. From glorious menus from around the world to hip nightspots, the unique Taj culinary experience can be enjoyed in all its glory at Taj Coromandel. Southern Spice, the country’s most iconic South Indian specialty restaurant, offers guests the quintessential South-Indian dining experience showcasing the culinary legacy of the four Southern States of India – Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. Golden Dragon, one of the first restaurants to introduce fine Sichuan cuisine to Chennai, today boasts one of the most extraordinary repertoires of Chinese cuisine with an expat master chef, Lian at the helm of the kitchen. Anise, named after the popular Indian spice star anise, is a contemporary all-day-dining restaurant that serves a variety of world flavours, from regional and Italian to Mediterranean, European and coastal dishes. Chipstead, the stylish bar and lounge offers guests to unwind over music, heady concoctions and sparkling conversations.

Taj Connemara, 127+ Years old – South India’s oldest hotel, is a proud relic of the colonial era with its deep historical roots and stands as a testament to the heritage of the city. Two celebrated restaurants, Raintree and The Verandah made it to the list of the Tripadvisor Traveller’s Choice Awards. Raintree is a well-known address for bonafide Chettinad cuisine, giving culinary adventurers an authentic taste of the Chettinad province of Tamil Nadu, with bursts of pleasant surprises, while The Verandah is an all-day dining multi-cuisine restaurant well known for its global cuisine. The highlight of this restaurant is the unique Anglo-Indian menu, which is reminiscent of the ‘days of the Raj’.

Gurugram, August 2024: A sweet revolution is brewing in Gurugram as Le Rêve, the artisanal patisserie amidst The Leela Ambience Gurugram Hotel & Residences, gears up for an extraordinary collaboration. On October 15th, Le Rêve will present an immersive showcase featuring two of India’s leading pastry experts, Chef Anil Rohira and Chef Vikas Bagul, owners of the esteemed School for European Pastry & Culinary Arts.

Over the past year, Le Rêve has been living up to its name. The name, French for “The Dream,” perfectly captures the essence of this sweet sanctuary. Now, Le Rêve is set to elevate its offerings even further with an extraordinary collaboration. With master chefs in-house, visitors can expect a symphony of flavours and a feast for the eyes as years of expertise meet Le Rêve’s commitment to authentic tastes and impeccable craftsmanship.
The luxury patisserie has been creating delights that resonate with both the soul and the palate. Each pastry, each loaf of bread, and each delicate dessert forms a verse in an edible tribute to culinary artistry. Le Rêve is all set to persistently explore new frontiers where luxury and emotion harmoniously converge on the plate through a remarkable collaboration with master chefs.

Following The Leela Ambience Gurugram Hotel & Residences’ tradition of excellence, Le Rêve has reimagined classic baking. The patisserie invites you to indulge in the craftsmanship that dedication creates as it celebrates an extraordinary collaboration with Chef Anil Rohira and Chef Vikas Bagul from the renowned School for European Pastry & Culinary Arts.

Hyderabad, 7th Oct, 2024: Honoring his legacy of service and empowerment, the 5148th historic birth anniversary of Agrasen Maharaj was celebrated with many gala festivities and grandeur by Agarwal Samaj, Telangana. Many cultural programmes were organised by Agarwal Samaj. The event featured esteemed guests, including Chief Guest Shri Dr. Jitender (IPS) Director General of Police, Telangana Govt and dignitaries like Shri Sandeep Sultania (IAS)- Principal Secretary, to Govt. Finance Dept. TG, Smt. Shikha Goel (IPS) – DGP CID, & Women Safety Wing, Anjani Kumar Agarwal – IPP and SriSailam Guest House Committee Chairman, , Purshotam Agarwal- Vice President and Jayanti Mahotsav Chief Convener, Kapoor Chand- Hon.Secretary, Mr. Naveen Kumar Agarwal- Treasurer, Ms. Kanchan Agarwal – Joint Secretary, Dr. Mohan Gupta, Mr. Badri Vishal Bansal, Mr. Mahesh Naretha, Dr. Anirudh Gupta, Mr. Anil Kumar Agarwal ( advisors ), Mr. Rakesh Jalan – Agarwal Samaj Banquet Hall President among others along with Agarwal community members, all united in a spirit of gratitude and progress. Few cultural programs like Ganesh Vandana by Miyapur Mahila Shakha, Rasleela by Varsha Team and Rakt Beej by Kukatpally Shakha were organized. Shri. Jitender ji, IPS and Shri. Sham Sunder Gupta ji was honored as Agra Ratan. Shri Anurudh Ji Gupta was honored with Agra Udyog Ratan.

Chief Guest Shri Dr. Jitender (IPS) Director General of Police, Telangana Govt commemorating the celebrations said ” Agarwal Samaj has been playing a prominent role in development of Telangana by following the teachings of Agrasen Maharaj. The community has been doing various social services, medical programs, women empowerment initiatives, blood donation camps among many such activities. It gives us great enthusiasm knowing that there were so many members and branches of the community who have been actively participating in all such initiatives. The teachings and values of the community are very impressive”.

Mr. Manish Agarwal, President – Agarwal Samaj expressed heartfelt thanks to attendees for their support in implementing the program’s community initiatives over the past year. He said, “We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to all our guests who have attended today’s programme. The community was founded in 1998. Various social works are being done by our community and under the corpus fund we are collecting donations. Our notable programs are Ekal Nari Initiative – supporting the education for 14 women, Dhan Patr Scheme – Promoting financial literacy – Tally with GST Training ( so far 130 trained, with 60 securing jobs ), Kanyadaan Scheme: Facilitating two marriages, Career Counseling and Job Mela: Over 100 jobs offered, Mega Tree Plantation Drives, Water Conservation Projects: Implemented five “Jal Shala” programs and food distribution activities. Our community is proud of the strides made through these initiatives. We want to encourage everyone in the Agarwal community to add Agarwal after their name so that we can promote our identity and be a great support to our community. The Srisailam project and Ayodhya efforts were also recognized for their contributions to community development”.

This year, the Shakas (branches) have shown remarkable activity, fostering engagement and innovative programs. The youth vows continue to take an active role, as the Agarwal community is poised for significant growth driven by positive thinking and unity. As part of their ongoing commitment to community welfare, last year’s proposal to reduce marriage expenses by 20% and redirect those funds toward assets has received positive feedback.

The collective aim of a united Agarwal community remains paramount. The members extend special thanks to Agrasen Bank for their support through the corpus fund, facilitating the initiatives.

Few announcements for the future months include: Srisailam Guest House, the dream project of Agarwal Community, for which land has been acquired from AP Govt, New Shakas in Bhagyanagar and Malkajgiri are being established. The Hitech City Shaka is in the process of formation.Ekal Nari initiative participation increased from 7,200 to 10,000 women annually.

In conclusion, heartfelt gratitude was expressed to the entire organizing team for their dedication, especially the Chief Convenor and other convenors, who played a crucial role in the success of the Jayanti Mahotsav. Maharaja Agrasen Jayanti is an important Hindu festival celebrated in honour of Maharaja Agrasen, a legendary king and a revered figure in the Agarwal community.

Delhi, 7th October 2024: ixigo, India’s leading OTA for the Next Billion Users, is delighted to announce its much-anticipated Grand Travel Utsav Sale, from October 4th to 8th, 2024. In this period, travelers can enjoy flat 15% off on domestic and international flight and hotel bookings, making their upcoming festive travels more affordable and delightful.

During the sale, travelers can take advantage of the exclusive offer with multiple banks and get flat 15% off, on flight tickets and hotel bookings! ICICI Bank customers, using Credit Cards, Net Banking, or Credit Card EMIs, can enjoy the offer on 4th and 5th October 2024. RBL Bank credit card holders can claim their discount on 6th October, followed by AU Small Finance Bank credit card holders on 7th October. BOBCARD users can grab the deal on 8th October.

Aloke Bajpai, Group CEO & Rajnish Kumar Group Co-CEO, ixigo, said, “With the festive season approaching, we’re making travel more affordable and accessible for everyone with our Grand Travel Utsav Sale. We want travelers to enjoy their festive journeys without the burden of high costs. With flat discounts on domestic and international flights, plus hotels, and exciting bank deals, there’s no better time to plan your perfect getaway. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to make your festive travel dreams come true!”

For the sale, ixigo has collaborated with reputed airline partners like Indigo, Air India, Spicejet, Emirates, Egypt Air, Cathay Pacific, Air Mauritius, Gulf Air, Oman Air, Myanmar Airways International, Cambodia Angkor Air and Vietnam Airlines.

This festive sale is designed to meet the growing demand for affordable travel during India’s most joyful season. Whether you’re planning a family vacation or a solo trip, this offer ensures that you can book your festive journeys at exceptional prices.

New Delhi, October 7, 2024: The Global Disability Innovation Hub (GDI Hub) and the National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People (NCPEDP) will co host a Demo Day for Assistive Technology (AT) startups at the Empower 2024 event. The event will take place at the National Institute for Speech and Hearing (NISH) in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, on October 17. Startups focusing on Assistive Technology are encouraged to apply for pitch opportunities, and investors are invited to attend and support these ventures. The event will be a critical step in advancing assistive technologies that positively impact lives across India.

NCPEDP will be launching the Assistive Technology Hub project during Empower 2024 as part of its broader mission to enhance accessibility and inclusion for people with disabilities and the elderly. The Assistive Technology Hub will serve as a center of excellence focused on research, innovation, and policy interventions in the AT space, ensuring solutions are tailored to India’s unique needs.

GDI Hub’s Attvaran, a collaborative effort between University College London, the Global Disability Innovation Hub, IIT Delhi, and IIT Madras, with support from the UK Government’s AT2030 program, will play an important role in the event. Empower 2024 offers a platform for AT startups to pitch their innovations to key investors, angel funds, and grant providers, helping them gain momentum in developing cutting-edge solutions that improve accessibility and empower people with disabilities.

The day’s events will include a plenary workshop on managing grants and a panel discussion on investment in assistive technology. Two parallel pitching sessions will be held – one for grant funding and another for angel and venture capital investment.

Arman Ali, Executive Director of NCPEDP, emphasized the significance of this initiative: “India is undergoing a transformative phase in disability empowerment, particularly in the area of Assistive Technology. The AT Hub project unites key stakeholders across public and private sectors, driving forward innovations that address the challenges faced by people with disabilities. Our goal is to create sustainable, inclusive solutions that contribute to a self-reliant and accessible future.”

Hyderabad, October 06, 2024…… Komatireddy Venkat Reddy, Minister for Roads, Buildings and Cinematography, Government of Telangana grace as chief guest at the prizes presentation ceremony at Quambiant Global Grace Cancer Run 2024.

Earlier Ms Jennifer Larson, Consular General US Consulate, Hyd; Sri VC. Sajjanar, IPS, MD TSRTC and Dr. Bart S. Fisher, IPS, Chairman, Give Life Foundation flagged off three different categories of runs—10K, 5K and 2K. A total of 20,000 people participated in the run.

Komatireddy Venkat Reddy along with other guests gave away prizes to the winners of “Quambiant Global Grace Cancer Run-2024”.

In the men’s 10K category, Mohit Chowdary stood first completing the 10K run in 33.22 minutes and earning Rs 12,500/- prize money. Bodupally Ramesh stood second by completing the run in 34.15 minutes and was awarded Rs 7500/- prize money and Ramesh Chandra came third by completing the run in 34.15 minutes and bagged Rs 5000/- prize money.

In the Women 10K run category Uma completed it in 40.41 minutes, Maheshwari in 42.45 minutes and Rajeshwari in 43.58 minutes and stood first, second and third and walked away with the prize money of Rs 12,500/-, 7,500/- and 5000/- respectively.

Speaking on the occasion the Minister appreciated the Grace Cancer Foundation and Dr Chinnababu for helping the poor by screening free of cost for cancer at their doorstep. It is a yeoman service. I am pleased to note that 20,000 have participated in the Hyderabad event, which may be the biggest in India as far as Cancer Awareness Runs are concerned. Also, I am happy to note that it is the world’s biggest cancer awareness run which is being organised in dual mode—both physical and virtual across 130 countries and well over one lakh participate in it.

Hyderabad is a health capital. 40 to 50% of drugs supplied to various countries are manufactured here. It is a Vaccine capital and health tourism hub. An event like this happening in such a happening city is praiseworthy. Early detection is the key to cancer treatment. We can save lives if diagnosed in the first or second stage. But, it will be difficult to save if diagnosed in advanced stages, the Minister said.

Health is wealth. Fitness is important for health. Everyone must take part in sports. Rightly our Chief Minister declared a Sports University in Hyderabad to encourage more and more to get into sports, he said. I am also a fitness freak. I get up at 4 am and run for 10kms every day except on Sundays, he shared and advised all to get fit

The Congress Government initiated the Outer Ring Road in 2024. Now, the same Congress has started a Regional Ring Road, at a project outlay of Rs 30,000 crore. This will put Hyderabad on the world map for its infrastructure. The works of the same will begin in December, he said.

Kiran Tanuja, India’s first blade runner from Faridabad participated in the run. People from various walks of life and ages such as 3 years to 80 years participated in the run. The run was organized to raise funds for free cancer screening. Kiran said anything can happen in life. And don’t stop your efforts. Now with this blade, I run 21 kms. So believe in yourself, she said.

HYSEA, SCSC, CII, LIC and many other organisations supported the run. It was the 7th edition of the run. The run is planned to raise funds to deploy free cancer screening.

The run was organized with the theme “Run for Grace Screen for Life” disclosed by Dr. Chinnababu Sunkavalli, Senior Consultant Robotic Surgical Oncologist and the Founder of GRACE (Global Research and Cancer Education) Cancer Foundation.

The run was organised by GRACE Cancer Foundation, a Hyderabad-based non-profit organisation founded to alleviate the burden of cancer through education, early detection, treatment, rehabilitation, and cutting-edge research.

The objectives for the Run according to Dr. Chinababu are to make a meaningful impact on people’s lives by creating awareness about Cancer, to promote physical activity as a means to prevent and combat cancer in society and to help people lead active lifestyles and also to raise funds for screening the underprivileged right at their doorstep, for free.