All posts by Neel Achary

“We are truly overwhelmed and would like to thank our customers & other stakeholders for believing in us and firming Okinawa’s position in the market as a leading electric two-wheeler brand in the country. The 2.5 lakh milestone is a strong testament to the quality of our robust product portfolio and a representation of our unwavering commitment to achieving a sustainable future and meeting the demand of our customers.

As the industry pioneer and a responsible corporate, our emphasis is on faster adoption of electric mobility in India with best-in-class products, and cutting-edge technologies. With sustainable mobility at the core of our value proposition, our aim is to establish a benchmark in reliability and quality standards that would augment our customers’ experience by several notches. This accomplishment marks a stepping stone to many more accolades as we move forward in our journey.

With a strong pipeline of new products planned to be launched in India very soon, we aim to achieve the magical number of One Million milestone by 2025.”

Jeetender Sharma, MD & Founder, Okinawa Autotech

Achieving yet another milestone in fostering the growth of electric mobility in the country, Okinawa Autotech, a leading Indian electric two-wheeler manufacturer today announced that it has reached its 2.5 Lakh sales milestone in India. The company rolled-out its 250,000th unit, the popular Praise Pro model from its state-of-the-art manufacturing plant in Rajasthan to mark its achievement as the first and, currently the only EV manufacturer to have attained this feat.

Leading the EV revolution from the front, the company started its operations in 2015 and introduced its first model Ridge in 2017. The company now boasts of widest product portfolio, 540+ 3S touchpoints, unmatched after-sales service and enhanced customer connect. The journey of achieving this milestone is also in-line with Okinawa’s vision of sustainable future. It’s 2,50,000 EV two-wheelers have saved approximately Rs. 12.5 Billion as petrol cost and 300.3 million* Kilograms of Carbon Dioxide.

(*Assumption an avg daily commute of 30 km & Petrol at Rs. 90 per liter)

Recently, the company announced the inauguration of its first Research and Development (R&D) Center in Italy, Europe, in association with its joint venture (JV) partner Tacita®️ with a total investment of Euros 25 million over a period of the next three years. The partnership will focus on new product development, upgrading the existing product portfolio and developing an all-new e-powertrain to support the next generation of products. The company is further planning to unveil its first electric cruiser motorcycle very soon, followed by other new models in 2023. Keeping in sync with the rapid growth of the industry, the company is planning to expand its touchpoints to 1000+ dealerships across India by 2025. Currently, Okinawa holds more than 542 touchpoints across the country.

Journey of Okinawa Autotech

Access to safe blood is a critical issue around the world, as millions of people require transfusions each year. However, not all countries have reliable systems for collecting and distributing blood, which can lead to shortages and safety concerns. Fortunately, several global companies are working to address this issue and increase access to safe blood. In this listicle, we will highlight 10 companies that are making a difference in this important area. From developing innovative technologies to organizing blood donation campaigns, these companies are committed to saving lives and improving public health.

• Novartis: Novartis is a global pharmaceutical company that is committed to increasing access to safe blood in developing countries. The company has partnered with blood centers and national health authorities in countries like Ghana and Kenya to improve blood safety and availability.
• B Medical Systems: B Medical Systems is a global manufacturer and distributor of medical cold chain solutions. Based in Hosingen, Luxembourg, the company was established in 1979, when the WHO approached Electrolux to provide a solution to store and transport vaccines safely around the world. Across its three business portfolios of Vaccine Cold Chain, Medical Refrigeration, and Blood Management solutions, the company offers 100+ products. B Medical Systems’ products are used across 140+ countries and have an installed base of more than half a million products worldwide. The company has been a long-trusted partner of global humanitarian organisations such as UNICEF, the WHO, the Red Cross, and more and has extensive experience working with Ministries of Health, hospitals, research organisations, universities, and blood transfusion companies across the world. B Medical Systems delivers its products worldwide and has subsidiaries in the USA and India.
• Pfizer: Pfizer is another pharmaceutical company that is working to increase access to safe blood. The company has partnered with organizations like the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies to provide training, resources, and equipment to blood centers in developing countries.
• Abbott Laboratories: Abbott Laboratories is a global healthcare company that is focused on improving access to safe blood in developing countries. The company has developed a range of diagnostic tools and technologies that help to improve blood safety and reduce the risk of transfusion-transmitted infections.
• Roche: Roche is a leading healthcare company that is committed to improving access to safe blood around the world. The company has developed a range of blood screening and testing technologies that help to ensure the safety and quality of donated blood.
• Grifols: Grifols is a global healthcare company that specializes in the production of plasma-derived medicines and other blood products. The company is committed to improving access to safe blood and has implemented a range of programs and initiatives to support this goal.
• CSL Behring: CSL Behring is a global biopharmaceutical company that is focused on developing and producing innovative therapies for rare and serious diseases. The company is committed to improving access to safe blood and has implemented a range of initiatives to support this goal.

New Delhi, 15th March 2023: Hisense, a global leader in consumer electronics and home appliances, has announced the appointment of two seasoned professionals: Vipin Yadav as Director of Marketing, HOD, and Kamalika Deka as Director of HR & Admin, HOD, to the company’s leadership team. With a focus on integrity, innovation, customer focus, and sustainability, Hisense is committed to bringing innovative and world-class products to customers in India and around the world. Vipin and Kamalika’s extensive experience in their respective fields will be crucial in driving the company’s growth and success in India and helping achieve its vision of providing customers with state-of-the-art products and services that offer unparalleled comfort and convenience at home.

With expertise spanning over 15 years of marketing and brand management across multi-niche sectors, including mobile handset, IoT, consumer durables, healthcare & BFSI, Vipin has been graciously awarded for his skills at various industry forums. He has previously worked with OPPO Mobiles India, Aquionics Developments India, Wellspring Healthcare, Religare Enterprises, and Fullerton India (Temasek Holding, Singapore). During his last assignment with OPPO, he had a successful stint of over 7 years and was one of the core members to help create a strong brand in India. He led the brand and marketing of key product portfolios.

Expressing his delight over joining Hisense, Mr. Vipin Yadav commented, “I am thrilled to re-experience the journey of creating a strong brand, which is in its early days in India. I am excited to bring my management vision to action while leveraging my marketing and brand management expertise to help drive the company’s growth. Hisense is known across the world for its innovative and high-quality products, which makes them a global leader. This excites me to be a part of the team that is committed to providing great value proposition to its customers with a delightful experience.”

Kamalika on the other hand comes with an unparalleled experience of 16 years in the HR domain. Before Hisense, Kamalika had a stint with VisionSpring as Director of HR & Admin services along with Nicobar Design Pvt. Ltd., Domino’s India, Titan Company Ltd, and Apollo hospitals enterprise. She was recently awarded T A PAI young HR leader 2022 and is also a TED X speaker.

In Ms. Kamalika Deka’s words, “I am excited to be a part of Hisense and to have the opportunity to work with such a talented and dedicated team. I believe that HR plays a crucial role in driving the success of any organization, and I am committed to helping Hisense India attract, retain, and develop top talent. I look forward to contributing to the growth and success of Hisense India.”

Welcoming Vipin and Kamalika, Mr. Steven Li, MD of Hisense India, said, “It gives me immense pleasure to have Vipin and Kamalika onboard our team. Their talent, experience, and expertise will undoubtedly be invaluable in driving growth and success for our company. We share a common vision of providing innovative and world-class products to our customers, and I am confident that their contributions will help us achieve this goal. Together, we will work towards providing unparalleled comfort and convenience to our customers, making their experience with Hisense accessible and comfortable. I am excited to see what the future holds for our company with our newest leadership members.”

Hisense remains committed to the India market and is confident that the appointment of Vipin and Kamalika will further strengthen their leadership team and help the company grow and achieve its goals. Hisense is excited about the future and looks forward to providing exceptional products and services to its customers in India.

By Lokendra Ranawat, Co-Founder & CEO, Woodenstreet

With accelerated growth in technology, India is becoming digital in almost all fields. The adaption of technology by people is also improving the capability and demand for technology everywhere. This growth is one of the reasons which has made technology both a necessity and a luxury. And home furniture and decor is the sector which is both our basic necessity and a way to determine luxury that requires the involvement of technology. Well, the demand has already started, and you can find hundreds of products in home furnishing which are tech-inspired—sensor-controlled, automated and voice-controlled home decor items. You can find a world filled with tech-inspired home decor.

On this topic, Interior designer at WoodenStreet, Sejal Parikh, stated, “Technology is simply a medium to make our lives easier, and nothing is better than bringing its convenience to our home space. However, maintaining the balance of the tech blend with aesthetic and stylish designs in home decor is what WoodenStreet aims to deliver to the techno-driven world.”

So, read below if you are also interested in transforming your space with minimal yet innovative tech-inspired home decor ideas.

1- Voice Command Massagers

With covid amplifying our sanitising habits, it has also broadened our minds to adopt technology for avoiding health issues. One such product available in malls, fun parks, and airports is voice-automated massagers. This furniture item is the perfect combination of technology added with luxury. The voice efficiency sensor makes it easier to control the temperature, pressure and all other features with a voice command. It also becomes a tech-smart home decor element which attracts all your guests and their compliments.

2- Beds with Hydraulic Mechanism

The struggle we faced planning a day when the whole family came together to flip open the bed storage is long gone. It required hard work, unnecessary effort, and strength; and was hazardous to our health. However, with our favourite mechanism of technology, you can now flip open the bed with easy and handy mechanism. You can find these hydraulic beds and enjoy their comfort and convenience.

3- One-Click Automated Recliners

Adjusting to your body, and supporting it effortlessly, is the work of a basic recliner. However, old designs of recliners required more work than they returned pleasure. Changing the position from a sofa to reclining was itself a task. This task is also taken over with upgraded technology to make our lives uncomplicated. You can purchase reclining seats that change position with a click of a button. It also has other mind-blowing features, such as built-in speakers, a charging port, cupholders, and cushioned seats.

4- Human Sensor Aroma Diffuser

It was a hassle to prepare the material and essentials for your aroma diffuser for hours before actually using it. Now you can find attractive designs of aroma diffuser which dispenses the aroma by just sensing the human presence nearby, based on a set timer. These sensory aroma diffusers are convenient as they remain in the device and effortlessly add to the aesthetic beauty of your home decor.

5- In-Built Remote Operated Study Table

Lastly, a study table is another gorgeous and effortless home decor and furniture item laced with technology for a more manageable lifestyle. You need to flick a button to adjust the height of this study table and make it highly comfortable for a more personalised setting. The simple change in position makes it a mindblowing innovation because the adjusted setting helps avoid health issues caused because of working on an uneven surface.

Closing Words

Technology and digitalization open endless possibilities for us. We can take it as far as we want for a smart, convenient, and stress-free lifestyle. However, in a few years, with upgraded technology, creative designers and an energy-efficient solution, the world fully embraces the tech-inspired lifestyle for their homes. Start by owning the gadgets mentioned above for your home to experience and value the gift of automation.

Mumbai, 15 March, 2023: Aditya Birla Sun Life AMC Limited, a subsidiary of Aditya Birla Capital Limited, an investment manager to Aditya Birla Sun Life Mutual Fund, further strengthened its presence in the ETF space. The Aditya Birla Sun Life Nifty Bank ETF registered a growth of over 25x in its AUM during from 1st April 2022 to 28th February 2023 and surpassed the milestone of Rs 2000 crore.

The Aditya Birla Sun Life Nifty Bank ETF, an open-ended exchange-traded fund tracking the Nifty Bank Index, launched on 23rd October 2019 is for investors looking for long-term capital growth.

Nifty Bank Index is comprised of the most liquid and large-capitalized Indian Banking stocks. It provides investors and market intermediaries with a benchmark that captures the capital market performance of Indian Banks.

Commenting on ETF’s milestone and growth, A. Balasubramanian, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Aditya Birla Sun Life AMC Ltd. said, “We are thrilled to see a tremendous response from investors for Aditya Birla Sun Life Nifty Bank ETF. The strong performance of the banking sector has played a significant role in the success of the fund, and we believe that the trend will continue in the future. I firmly believe, a robust banking system is a must to support India’s growth.”

The asset under management for Aditya Birla Sun Life AMC Ltd in the ETF space has grown over 3x to over Rs 4000 crore as on the end of 28th February 2023 since the start of the current financial year.

In addition to Aditya Birla Sun Life Nifty Bank ETF, the other ETFs offered by the company have also witnessed substantial growth in AUM demonstrating the company’s commitment to providing investors with a diverse range of investment options that cater to their needs.

FY23 Highlights of other ETF’s offered by Aditya Birla Sun Life AMC Ltd

1. Aditya Birla Sun Life Nifty 50 ETF’s AUM up 72% at Rs 1095 crore

2. Aditya Birla Sun Life Gold ETF’s AUM up 50% at Rs 534 crore

3. Aditya Birla Sun Life Silver ETF’s AUM up 76% at Rs 169 crore

For disclosures of quarterly AUM/ AAUM and AUM by Geography, please visit our website: https://mutualfund.adityabirlacapital.com/

Mutual Fund investments are subject to market risks, read all scheme related documents carefully.

NSE disclaimer: It is to be distinctly understood that the permission given by NSE should not in any way be deemed or construed that the Scheme Information Document has been cleared or approved by NSE nor does it certify the correctness or completeness of any of the contents of the Draft Scheme Information Document. The investors are advised to refer to the Scheme Information Document for the full text of the ‘Disclaimer Clause of NSE’.

Tajurba Business Network, a business networking firm that provides a growth ecosystem for entrepreneurs and practicing professionals to network and grow their businesses, has begun its new chapter in Pune. Founded by a family of serial entrepreneurs, Suresh Mansharamani and Uma Mansharamani in 2017, Tajurba Business Network is successfully empowering businesses in India through four of its ongoing chapters in Mumbai, and three in Delhi and one in Kolkata.

The platform’s founder, Dr. Suresh Mansharamani, states that “MSMEs are the real value creators in any economy, and Tajurba’s aim is to assist and guide businesses on their journey to growth and success by helping them launch their own IPOs. This helps start-ups become profitable, Scale up their business, and in turn lead to the growth of the economy.”

Mr. Suresh Mansharamani further states that “Pune, being the hub of innovative ideas, is their next destination for expansion. The Tajurba Network is expanding its chapters across various cities and has collaborated with several entrepreneurs in Pune to help them accelerate their businesses and increase their profitability. “

Through its vast network spread all across India, Tajurba has created a corporate culture of family and is actively fostering a platform for entrepreneurs to connect, interact, and undertake growth through collaboration. The community’s leadership team, which comprises growth experts, has mentored scores of entrepreneurs and guided them in tackling business challenges.

In addition, the Tajurba platform is focused on building a network of 10 million members by the end of 2027 and get listed at Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and National Stock Exchange (NSE).

Commenting on the same Makrand Palnitkar & Venkat Iyer, Regional Director States that “We are excited to see what Pune adds to our mission of empowering MSMEs. Our team is pumped up to build a great chapter in Pune and we look forward to networking and building meaningful relationships with businesses to lead a future of growth and collaboration.”

Mumbai, 14th March 2023: Promate, a global leader in Mobile Accessories, has partnered with Sangeetha Mobiles, India’s leading multi-brand retail chain, to strengthen its retail presence in India. With this association, Promate shall establish its retail footprint across 800+ stores of Sangeetha Mobiles spread across Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Telangana, Gujarat, Tamilnadu, and Goa states. The available categories & products in the first phase at the stores shall include – GaN chargers, fast-charging power banks, Type C Hubs with Multi Streaming Transport, TWS, and neckbands.

Speaking on the association, Gopal Jeyaraj – Country Head, Promate India & SAARC, said, “We are glad to associate with one of the oldest and trusted multi-chain retail stores – Sangeetha Mobiles. We are confident that Sangeetha Mobiles’ in-depth understanding of the market and its substantial reach will be instrumental in establishing our strong retail presence.”

Commenting on the tie-up, Mr. Anil Prabhas – Director – Sangeetha Mobiles Pvt Ltd said, “We look forward to a long-lasting association with Promate. With this partnership, our customers will be able to explore the wide range of Promate products with some exciting deals & offers. On top of it Promate offers 2 years warranty to all their products which definitely gives more confidence to us as a retailer and in turn supports our customers.

Sangeetha Mobiles has a strong market in South India. The association will help Promate in serving a larger customer base, especially those who like the touch & feel the experience of goods before taking any purchase decision. This association further reiterates the importance of India as its priority market for Promate. Very recently, Promate extended a warm welcome to Sangeetha Mobiles in Dubai, hosting a training and meet-and-greet with international associates.

Promate, a global brand, has sold over 90+ million units worldwide. Promate makes the right fit to Indian market and will be focusing on bringing new innovative lifestyle accessory products to India consumers at aggressive price points.

Website

Guests traveling to Four Seasons Resort Maldives at LandaaGiraavaruthis year will benefit from the island nation’s most elevated arrival experience, thanks to two superlative new additions: The Flying Boxfish seaplane and The Island Café – a Landaa haven located in the new Seaplane Terminal at Velana International Airport.

The Flying Boxfish is the second marine-inspired marvel to take to the Maldivian skies as part of Four Seasons private seaplane fleet, following the 2019 launch of its Picasso-inspired predecessor, The Flying Triggerfish.

With a bold yellow and black spotted livery, the new customized premium 10-seater DHC-6-300 Twin Otter Flying Boxfish is a striking option for private seaplane transfers from Velana International Airport to LandaaGiraavaru, a scenic 35-minute flight from Malé in the secluded Baa Atoll UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve.

International arrivals can now experience Four Seasons service in The Island Café: a retreat with a wrap-around balcony, revitalizing dining options, areas for lounging, dining, resting, and refreshing, as well as a play area, and an observation telescope to watch the seaplanes take off and land.

The Island Café isn’t just an arrivals haven. As seaplanes only fly during daylight hours, late international departers can now take the last flight from Landaa and stay in The Island Café until their international check-in gate opens.

To be one of the first to experience the Maldive’s most elevated arrival experience, contact the Central Reservations Department team at tel: (960) 66 00 888 or email: reservations.mal@fourseasons.com.

14th March 2023, India Garuda Aerospace who has created a huge impact with their defense drone showcased four of tis indigenous drones at the 54th Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) day. The event, which took place at the National Industrial Security Academy (NISA) in Hyderabad, was attended by the Hon’ble Minister of Home Affairs Amit Shah. The showcased drones included Tethered Drones for disaster communication, aerial surveying, inspection, surveillance, and rescue operations for the NDRF. Other drones like Munition & Ordinance Dropping Drone, Fire Fighting Drones, Bomb Dropping Drone,s and Tactical Surveillance Drones were also exhibited, displaying Garuda Aerospace’s latest innovations in drone technology.

Agnishwar Jayaprakash, Founder and CEO, of Garuda Aerospace, said, “We are proud to showcase our latest innovations in drone technology to the Hon’ble Minister of Home Affairs Amit Shah Ji and the CISF. Our drones are designed and manufactured in India and we are committed to promoting indigenization and self-reliance in the drone industry.”

New Delhi, 14th March 2023: SohanLal Commodity Management (SLCM), one of India’s leading comprehensive service providers in the global post-harvest space for agricultural commodities, has received the coveted accreditation from the National Accreditation Board for Testing & Calibration Laboratories (NABL) for its ground-breaking AI ML QC application which falls under its Patented Process Management system “Agri Reach”. This is the first time in the history of NABL that a Mobile App has received a NABL Certification.

The Agri Reach app puts the power of recent scientific advancements in agriculture into the hands of regular smartphone users. People in rural India are making the most of this application’s advantages. In just two months since its launch, it has been utilized to inspect 21.59 lakh metric tons of crops at 303 locations in 17 states.

Using this AI ML QC module smartphone application to conduct a quality check of agricultural products is as simple as taking a picture. A simple click and submission through the app will analyze the image for a variety of quality metrics. The user will then receive a quality report that details the photographic evidence’s evaluation on specifications like damaged, shrunken, shriveled, or immature grains, foreign matter, and a host of other physical parameters like height, length, grid, color, and pattern of the commodity. Results are automatically compared with pre-fed data in the back-end system, which updates itself on a regular basis utilizing a combination of technologies including artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) with Python programming language.

Commenting on the NABL accreditation, Mr. Sandeep Sabharwal, Group CEO, SLCM said, “We had the vision for ‘phygitalizing’ (physical + digital infrastructure) the warehouse management system over a decade ago. With a dedicated team of professionals, SLCM created ‘Agri Reach’ – a system that enables effective warehousing solutions agnostic of infrastructure, geography, and crops. We are the only company in the Indian agriculture sector that has registered a technology patent in the Agri-Logistics (warehousing) segment to date which spans 75 years post-Independence and now I am proud to state that we have reaffirmed our leadership status by being again the first and only company in this space to get the coveted NABL accreditation for an Application which will transform the way Agri industry assays the Quality of its Commodities.”

In addition to this, SLCM recently added new proprietary solutions to its product line under the ‘Agri Reach’ umbrella, such as ‘Agri Suraksha,’ which enables REAL TIME remote audiovisual monitoring of storage facilities that are holding commodities, regardless of whether the commodities are kept inside a Godown or out in the open. Also, according to a study conducted by FICCI, India’s oldest and largest top business association the “Agri Reach” framework of services implemented in warehouses has contributed to reducing post-harvest losses to a mere 0.5% from a normally accepted loss of 10%