All posts by Neel Achary

Visakhapatnam, 04th March, 2023 : Get ready for a special Art Brunch at Novotel Visakhapatnam Varun Beach celebrates Holi and Women’s Day with a colorful twist! A completely delightful brunch spread while one can immerse oneself in the world of art and expression on March 8th from 12:30 – 3:30 pm at their all day dining outlet , The Square.

The Art Brunch is an event that will showcase the creativity of young, talented artists through live paintings. Attendees will have the opportunity to witness the artists’ unique styles and perspectives through various mediums, including canvas and face painting. It promises to be a vibrant and exciting event that celebrates the beauty of art and womanhood.

Let the children explore their creative journeys and the inspiration behind their work, as one enjoys the delicious flavors of our brunch menu.

Main Highlights

Canvas painting

Caricature artist

Face painting

Balloon twisting

When: 8th March 2023, 12:30 to 3:30 PM

What: Art Brunch

Where:Square

Price: Chef Choice buffet menu 2499+1500 + Beverages to unlimited pour of IMFL beverages.

Join us in celebrating the festival of colors and women’s empowerment with our Holi Brunch on March 8, 2023, at Comida, DoubleTree by Hilton Goa Panaji. This year, we’re offering a special treat to all the lovely ladies who join us – a 20% discount on the brunch!

Our expert chefs have curated a special menu for the occasion, featuring traditional Holi delicacies with a modern twist. From flavorful chaat counters to juicy kebabs, aromatic biryanis, delicious curries, and delectable desserts, all inspired by the vibrant colors and flavors of Holi. With live music and entertainment, this promises to be an unforgettable Holi celebration.

Gather your loved ones and join us for a memorable brunch, and ladies, don’t forget to avail of our special Women’s Day discount.

Book your table now and indulge in the flavors of Holi with us.

Reservations / Details: 09607975314 or 0831 2491900

When: Wednesday, 08th March

Time: 1 pm – 4 pm

Venue: Comida, DoubleTree by Hilton Goa – Panaji

Price: INR 2,800++ per person (alcoholic brunch)

            INR 1800 ++ per person (non-alcoholic brunch)

             INR 1000++ per child (6yrs – 12yrs)

4 March 2023: On the sidelines of the ongoing 39th HKTDC Hong Kong International Jewellery Show and 9th HKTDC Hong Kong International Diamond, Gem & Pearl Show, GJEPC organised an Event and Discussion on INDIA ADVANTAGE in the august presence of His Excellency Mr. Pradeep Kumar Rawat (Hon. Ambassador of India, People’s Republic of China) and Ms. Satwant Khanalia (Consul General, Consulate General of India, Hong Kong); Mr. Vipul Shah, Chairman, GJEPC; Mr. Sabyasachi Ray, ED, GJEPC, the global trade fraternity and international media.

Mr. Pradeep Kumar Rawat (Hon. Ambassador of India, People’s Republic of China) said, “The strengths of the Indian gems & jewellery sector, intricate jewellery designs are known the world over. As we emerge from the pandemic, we expect the gems & jewellery exports to Hong Kong and through Hong Kong to the wider region to gain momentum.”

Ms. Satwant Khanalia (Consul General, Consulate General of India, Hong Kong), said “With the restart of physical gems & jewellery fairs, we expect a fillip to exports in this sector on the back of India’s leadership in diamonds, gemstones, gold jewellery and now, Lab Grown Diamonds as well”

Speaking on the occasion Mr. Vipul Shah, Chairman, GJEPC said, India is the leading supplier of cut & polished diamonds, silver, and synthetic stones to Hong Kong and has the potential to become the leading supplier of lab grown diamonds (LGDs) to this market. India is the third-largest supplier of gems & jewellery to Hong Kong, accounting for 12% of its total annual G&J imports of $77 billion in 2021. The trade synergy between Hong Kong and India has been a vital growth avenue for India’s gem and jewellery export sector.”

“The Indian gem & jewellery industry is well-positioned to meet the demands of the future. Our aim is to take the India’s gem & jewellery exports from 40 billion dollars to USD 75 billion by 2030.”

Shah further added, “India is actively engaging in FTAs with strategic markets to boost gem & jewellery exports. FTAs with UAE and Australia have already started the benefiting Indian exporters, especially the gem & jewellery sector. Jewellery exports to UAE grew 21% since India-UAE CEPA. FTAs with UK, EU, and Canada being negotiated, while ECTA with Australia to double exports in 3 years. GJEPC has set up India Jewellery Exposition Centre (IJEX) in Dubai which offers a one-stop global marketplace for ‘Made in India’ jewellery.”

Giving a perspective about the diamonds sales, Mr. Shah of GJEPC said, “The three things that will impact the global diamond trade are responsible sourcing; evolving consumer demand post pandemic; and continuing geopolitical unrest that will affect consumer sentiment. The industry is seeing an increasing interest in traceable, responsibly sourced diamonds. In addition, supply chain transparency, sustainability and ethical practices are becoming more important to consumers. The impact on consumer sentiments and demand for diamond jewellery in the U.S. and Europe will be offset by the end of China’s zero-Covid policy and will reboot demand for polished diamonds.”

The India Pavilion, organised by GJEPC at the Hong Kong show, has an impressive presence, prime location and pride of place among other country pavilions. The Pavilion has 111 booths spread over 999 sq m area occupied by 76 exhibitors. The exhibitors are located in Hall 3G, Hall 5B & Hall 5F. Product categories include Loose Diamonds, Jewellery & Gemstones.

Sabyasachi Ray, Executive Director, GJEPC commented, “India’s gem and jewellery sector presents a lucrative investment opportunity, given the substantial investments made in infrastructure development. The first-of-its-kind Jewellery Park and Mega Common Facility Centre in Mumbai are poised to transform the sector significantly. We look forward to serving our customers and partners with the same level of commitment and quality that has made India a leading player in the global gem and jewellery market.”

GJEPC has been taking several steps towards the Govt.’s mission of Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India). India is the world’s largest production centre for diamonds and a top consuming market as well. Council has taken the lead and engaged in extensive collaboration and aggressive promotion of Diamonds and Diamond Jewellery and Gold jewellery to appeal to millennials and Gen-Z consumers as it’s the need of the hour. The Council has been working closely with the custodians of these 2 product categories – the Natural Diamond Council and World Gold Council – to promote diamond and jewellery both domestically and internationally. With the support of Council towards maintaining and securing future diamond demand, the NDC has been spending $70-80 million per annum to grow consumption in key markets such as the US, Hong Kong, China and India.

India is rapidly emerging as the largest manufacturer of Lab Grown Diamonds (LGDs) with more than 6,000 machines/reactors for LGD. The LGD industry in India is growing at an impressive 53%. India already boasts undisputed leadership in cutting & polishing diamonds, and now with the added Govt. support, the country will become the world leader in HPHT diamonds as well. Govt. has pledged US$30 million grant for LGD research & development. India’s LGD exports are expected to reach $8 billion in the next 3 to 4 years, according to GJEPC estimates.

India’s gem and jewellery industry is becoming increasingly organised, setting an example of self-regulation and good delivery standards that will help the country maintain its position as a global leader in the jewellery market.

Mumbai, March 04, 2023: PayNearby, India’s leading branchless banking and digital network, today released an awareness campaign on the occasion of “World Hearing Day”. The campaign promotes the importance of sign language and looks to spread awareness about the importance of maintaining good hearing health. It urges people to be aware and learn basic Indian Sign Language (ISL) gestures to communicate better with people who have hearing difficulties. It is in sync with World Health Organization’s (WHO) theme for 2023 – Ear and hearing care for all! Let’s make it a reality!

According to WHO estimates, there are approximately 63 million people in India who are suffering from hearing impairment. Communication barriers can cause social isolation, exclusion, and discrimination, which can affect the mental health and well-being of people with hearing difficulties. Learning basic ISL gestures is an essential step towards breaking down these communication barriers and helping build inclusive and diverse workplaces. PayNearby’s campaign features Rahul Bhosale a PayNearby employee, who shows how easily everyone can communicate with him using ISL. A special colleague himself, Rahul shares common gestures in the video, including simple signs for common phrases such as ‘hello’, ‘thank you’, ‘sorry’, and ‘goodbye’.

On the campaign, Jayatri Dasgupta, CMO, PayNearby, said, “Staying true to our brand philosophy ‘Zidd Aage Badhne Ki’, we have always stood and taken a stand for social causes. This campaign is reflective of that. We are an inclusive and diverse organization where we want all our colleagues to feel included. By featuring our colleague, Rahul, in this campaign, we want to send out a message that even with a disability, nothing is impossible. All it takes is empathy on our part and a little bit of sign language. All this can go a long way in facilitating communication with people with hearing difficulties and help create a more inclusive and accessible world for all.”

New Delhi, 4th March’23: Blue Dart Express Limited, South Asia’s premier express air-integrated transportation and distribution express logistics company, launched its new campaign capturing the wide reach of its services, including in Tier II & III cities of the country. Through its efforts on customer centricity, Blue Dart is available across 55,400+ locations in the country, including its underserved markets.

Digitisation, affordable data, and smartphones are bridging the long-standing gap between India, which resides in

cities, and Bharat, which is home to the country’s Tier II and III cities. The impact of this can be seen in the spike in the number of e-commerce platforms, which serve nearly all the PIN codes in the country, bridging geographic, linguistic, and social divides along the way, benefitting both buyers and sellers. The market share of tier 3 cities, in e commerce industry, grew from 34.2% in 2021 to 41.5% in 2022, while that of tier 2 cities rose from 19.4% to 21.4%, during the same period. Also, Government’s programs like Make in India, Vocal for Local, have fuelled this growth, leading to an increase in the logistics requirements of smaller towns in the country.

Equipped to service these needs, Blue Dart is available in towns and villages like Saifai in Uttar Pradesh, Dhar Kalan in Punjab, Ani in Himachal Pradesh to Balua in Bihar, Zunheboto Sadar in Nagaland, Haflong in Assam to Khammam in Telangana, Sringeri in Karnataka, Manamelkudi in Tamil Nadu to Vadali in Gujarat, Quepem in Goa, Sonhat in Chhattisgarh and Ashti in Maharashtra, among many other locations that are part of the nation’s geography. Blue Dart, as a provider of choice for its customers, has dedicated and specialised infrastructure required for handling shipments, from sending a document to a charter load of aircraft. The company has a fleet of 6 Boeing 757 freighters, 2 Boeing 737 aircrafts (to be inducted soon), 12,000+ on-ground vehicles along with 2,347 facilities across the country. Additionally, as part of Deutsche Post DHL Group’s DHL eCommerce Solutions division, Blue Dart accesses the largest and most comprehensive express and logistics network worldwide, covering over 220 countries and territories.

Commenting on the reach, Ketan Kulkarni, Chief Commercial Officer, said, “Blue Dart is serving the length and breadth of the country, particularly the underserved markets in Bharat, with an emphasis on customer delight. Hence this campaign rings true to our commitment of being ‘The Logistics Company of Bharat’. Our continued focus remains on being the Provider of Choice for all our customers, across markets.”

Through its services, Blue Dart is enabling effective and efficient operations for SMEs and MSMEs across all the pin codes, by working with them to expand their services to reach even the remote pockets of the country. When it comes to operational efficiency, Blue Dart acts as a catalyst in facilitating business for sectors such as Ecommerce, Pharmaceuticals & Medical devices, BFSI, Consumer Electronics and Automotive among others.

Blue Dart, a market leader in technology and digitisation, uses application programming interface (API) integration-based solutions to improve the exchange of manifests at the most detailed levels, ensuring an automated and seamless supply chain. Teams operating using this real-time solution can command nationwide activity, which involves the first mile, network connection, and last mile delivery, including returns and reverse logistics.

India, 3rd March 2023: PVR Limited, the largest and the most premium cinema exhibition company in India, after the merger with INOX Leisure Limited, today announced the launch of its new 5-screen multiplex at Capital Mall in Nalasopara, MMR, Maharashtra marking its maiden entry into the city. The newly launched property stands as the latest entertainment hub for cinema lovers in the lakeside Capital City, a completely self-reliant, modernistic town. The Cinema is located in Nalasopara in Palghar district near Mumbai’s western suburbs, part of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) has become one of the most-populous urban areas in the state.

With this launch, PVR consolidated its foothold in Maharashtra with 281 screens in 59 properties across 16 cities and a total of 1663 screens across 357 properties in 114 cities (India and Sri Lanka).

The Multiplex has a total seating capacity of 1070 audiences and is equipped with plush recliner seats for enhanced comfort. The cinema is equipped with the best-in-class theatrical solutions to offer an immersive and enhanced cinematic experience. This includes the SP4K Laser projectors that deliver ultra-high resolution, sharp, and bright images. Furthermore, the audis feature advanced Dolby 7.1 audio and Next-Gen 3D technology for an immersive experience.

Speaking on the launch, Mr. Ajay Bijli, Managing Director, PVR Limited, said, “Maharashtra is an important market for us and we are delighted to strengthen our presence in the state. In this year, our focus will be on solidifying PVR’s presence in the existing markets as well as foraying into new territories with a combination of metros, tier 2, and tier 3 cities. Through the cinema, we aim to bring in the finest of movie-going experience among several suburban areas in the outskirts of Mumbai”.

The foyer area with its chandeliers, adds to the opulence and grandeur of the overall foyer space while teal color seating and plasma frames add freshness to the space. Multiple framed custom artworks with a “V” theme celebrate legendary actors and actresses while Gold accents through metal/ film inlays have been used as accent in Audi door.

“We have expanded our presence in the West after our successful run in 17 cities. Maharashtra has a strong base for movie going culture and as the hub of cinema, the state offers great scope of expansion. The Vasai-Virar area is very well-connected to important locales of other parts of Mumbai and Thane via rail, road and bus networks. Introducing new concepts and offerings have been at the core of our business strategy and we are confident that the new multiplex will be well received by our patrons”, said Mr. Sanjeev Kumar Bijli, Executive Director, PVR Limited.

With this opening, the merged entity has strengthened its growth momentum and has opened 148 screens across 27 properties in 22 cities in this fiscal.

Chennai, March 4, 2023: Earlier today, the New India Assurance Co Ltd. announced the launch of its Surety Bond business. It becomes the second insurer to offer Surety Bonds in the country.

The IRDAI permitted general insurers to issue Surety Insurance Bonds since April 2022. Surety bonds are legally enforceable tripartite contracts that guarantee compliance, payment and/or performance. The insurance company provides an underwriting guarantee, for a premium, in case of a default in execution of a project. It assures one party – the obligee, that the party responsible for project or service delivery – the principal, delivers on the project in a timely manner by adhering to the prescribed stipulations. The principal is also reassured that the surety will assume responsibility for timely payments. If the principal defaults on the performance, the Surety Insurance provider pays damages to the obligee.

Commenting on the launch, Mrs. Neerja Kapur, Chairman cum Managing Director, New India Assurance Co Ltd. said, “Surety Bonds will soon revolutionise the dynamics of India’s infrastructure industry. Surety Bond Insurance will act as a security shield for infrastructure projects and protect the interests of both the contractor and the principal. In today’s increasingly uncertain and volatile business environment, our Surety Bonds will provide much-needed financial reassurance to all parties involved in infrastructure projects. Going forward, we believe that surety bonds will drive India’s infrastructure push. We aspire to grow in the surety insurance business in India and are geared up for it.”

For small businesses, surety bonds are a useful tool as the collateral requirements of insurance companies are mostly less than Bank Guarantees. Surety Bonds can enable smaller infrastructure developers to compete with larger, more established players for bigger contracts. The authorities issuing the contracts, usually Governments, are generally hesitant to deal with smaller contractors as they are apprehensive about timely delivery. When the contractors furnish a Surety Bond, the authorities will readily consider them as the bonds indemnify them to the extent of the bond issued in the event of non-performance.

Bengaluru4th March 2023: Ideas2IT, a high-end product engineering company, and IdeaRX, a HealthTech startup, today officially announced the launch of “Pledge2Propel”, a career enhancement initiative to help tech professionals affected by the economic slowdown and layoffs. This unique initiative aims to provide all the support they need to re-group and pursue new opportunities by means of upskilling or venturing into entrepreneurship while prioritizing their mental health.

This upskilling program promises free mentorship to pursue the latest technologies and tools including:

« Artificial Intelligence, Data Engineering, Cloud Computing, Machine Learning, DevOps, Robotic Process Automation, languages like Python and more. The mentors will be industry experts in their respective fields, with a focus on practical, hands-on learning.

Pledge2Propel can also help during the job search, but does not promise or guarantee a job.

Meanwhile, budding entrepreneurs will be guided by veterans in navigating the various challenges ahead. The workshops, training sessions and networking opportunities provided will foster the growth of the business leaders of tomorrow.

With a decade of world-class product development for clients like Facebook, IKEA, and Microsoft under their belt, Ideas2IT and IdeaRX are keenly aware of how to produce and nurture next-gen tech talent. Both companies have also created and spun off numerous startups and products that give them clarity and depth in navigating the hurdles of entrepreneurship. Therefore, taking this opportunity to give back to the tech community was a no-brainer.

“With this association, we intend to transform the lives of many tech professionals through Empathy, inspiration and empowerment,” stated Gayathri, CEO of Ideas2IT. “We are proud to be a part of the tech community and grateful for this opportunity to contribute to the growth of the industry.”

Saravanan Vivekanandan, Founder and CEO of IdeaRX, said, “As a result of job loss, many professionals undergo emotional trauma and economic challenges. To address the same, we provide mental wellness counseling as well as financial counseling to help individuals move forward in life.”

This non-profit program is available for free to tech professionals around the world who have been impacted by the recession and are looking to upskill and find new job opportunities.

Hyderabad,4th March 2023: Obesity is a problem that plagues millions of people around the world. Body weight gain as a result of modern lifestyle is seen in all economic groups irrespective of age. Excess body weight is a medical problem. Uncontrolled obesity has a negative effect on various organs of the body and causes serious illness. Reducing life expectancy. Obesity and severity are estimated based on BMI (Body Mass Index), which is calculated based on the person’s height and body weight. B.M.I. 25 kg/m2 to 30 kg/m2 is considered overweight. If it exceeds 30kg/m2, it is considered obese.

Speaking on World Obesity day, Dr. Sandeep Reddy, Senior Endocrinologist, Kamineni Hospitals said, “ It is estimated that around 135 million people in India are affected by obesity and overweight. This represents a significant increase from previous years and is largely attributed to changing lifestyles, unhealthy eating habits, and lack of physical activity. Over the last few decades, there has been a significant increase in the prevalence of obesity in India, particularly in urban areas. It is expected that around 31% of urban Indians are overweight or obese, while the figure for rural areas is lower at around 12%.”

Obesity is a major risk factor for a range of health problems, including diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and some cancers. In India, these conditions are becoming increasingly prevalent, with an estimated 77 million people living with diabetes and around 50 million people affected by cardiovascular disease” Dr. Sandeep added.

Due to genetic reasons, Indians are more prone to obesity due to the large amount of fat around the waist. In addition to this, some factors related to lifestyle have also been found to increase body weight excessively. These are: consuming food that provides more calories than needed, lack of physical activity, endocrine disorders (diseases of the endocrine glands), mental illnesses, and certain types of drugs. Dietary habits, lack of adequate sleep, and heavy reliance on vehicles also contribute to weight gain.

The first thing to do is to make sure that the physical activity is enough to burn more calories than the food intake. For this, exercise, a low-calorie diet, and the use of weight loss drugs should be done. If these efforts are unsuccessful and obesity persists, weight loss surgery may be recommended. Surgeries have been shown to give good results in reducing excess stubborn body weight. Obese people have been able to reduce their weight significantly with these operations. By making some changes in the digestive system, these surgeries limit the calories we get through food. Reducing the calories from this kind of food can be the real solution to all kinds of problems of excess body weight. Therefore, opting for bariatric surgery can help you get rid of excess body weight.

New Delhi, March 4, 2023 – MakeMyTrip, India’s leading online travel company, has witnessed an increasing trend of consumers opting to give Shagun in the form of an ‘online gift card’ to their friends, relatives, and colleagues.

“We have seen a direct correlation between the sale of online gift cards with the marriage season,” says, Raj Rishi Singh, Chief Business Officer, MakeMyTrip. “Increasingly, people want to gift experiences, a shift from the past where cash and gold were the only options. We surveyed to understand the needs of the consumers, and two distinct groups emerged. High-flying executives between 45-55 years, keen to gift something memorable to their friends/ relatives. The comparatively younger group, between 30-45 years, want to gift something thoughtful and trendy. Travel Shagun in the form of an online wedding gift card fits the bill for both categories.”

Interestingly, Rs 10,000 card is the most sold denomination, followed by Rs 5000, and Rs. 1000. The card allows couples to book holiday packages, hotels, flight tickets, train tickets, bus tickets, and fun activities. MakeMyTrip has seen a 30% increase in sales of travel Shagun this wedding season (Dec 22-Jan 23) compared to last year (Dec 21-Jan 22). “Undoubtedly, this is our best season yet in terms of sales of online wedding gift cards, but we believe that the peak is still far away. The emergence of the concept of travel Shagun will play a significant role in the times to come.”

The legacy of India’s culture continues even in the modern-day online gifting paradigm. More than 47% of online Wedding Gift Card buyers added Rs 1 to the total as a symbol of Shagun. The pattern prompted MakeMyTrip to start gifting a Shagun of Rs. 101 on every purchase.

With the return of ‘in-person events’, more than 25% of the respondents surveyed expressed a need to give a physical gift at the wedding ceremony. MakeMyTrip followed suit with the launch of a decorated envelope carrying the ‘e-voucher’ in the form of a boarding pass, delivered at no extra cost to the buyer’s doorstep. Almost 10% of the current users prefer this option. The overwhelming majority of 90% prefer the online wedding gift card.

Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, and Pune form the top 5 cities in terms of sales. However, MakeMyTrip has observed increased traction from cities such as Patna and Jaipur, among the top 10 cities.