All posts by Neel Achary

Mumbai, March 03, 2023: Tata AIG General Insurance Company Limited, one of the leading general insurance firms, has unveiled its brand campaign ‘Fizul Kharche’ to create awareness of smart money saving practices, using health insurance to cover medical emergency costs and saving tax on insurance premiums. This campaign has three light-hearted, witty short ad films showcasing the magnified spending behaviour of customers when they have excess money. The campaign goes live on 01 March 2023 and will run on all digital platforms of Tata AIG.

The campaign aims to spotlight Tata AIG’s Health Insurance Product and emphasizes the tax savings one can avail of with their health insurance policy premium. The three short films under this campaign titled ‘#FizulKharche’ showcase a few extreme scenarios of customers spending excess money that they have saved by investing in Tata AIG’s health insurance.

Speaking about the campaign, Mr. Riaan Rodrigues – Senior Vice President – Digital Business & Marketing, Tata AIG, said, “Changing lifestyles have led to a rise in disorders and this has increased the burden of hospitalization and healthcare expenses for men and women of all ages. Through our #FizulKharche campaign, we want to make customers financially wiser by making them aware of savings instruments that can help them prepare for the future. The campaign #Fizul Kharche has been designed in a quirky way to simply convey the idea of investing in health insurance as the first step to create emergency funds for healthcare needs and save tax under 80D of the Income Tax Act.”

Saikat Sengupta, Creative Director, Social Panga, said, “The campaign captures the very common customer tendencies of overspending and we thought of highlighting this very nature to create the need to first save with health insurance. The development of the theme has showcased with extravagant spending habits to create a conscious understanding amongst customers around the campaign name Fizul Kharche.”

Bangalore, March 3rd 2023: In line with its commitment to support the growing healthcare needs of the local communities, Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) today handed over the state-of-the-art Community Health Centre (CHC), to Ramanagara district health department – Government of Karnataka, located at Bidadi (near Bangalore, Karnataka). This newly constructed CHC was inaugurated by Dr. C. N. Ashwath Narayan, Hon’ble Minister of Higher Education & IT/BT and Ramanagara district in-charge – Government of Karnataka, Dr. K Sudhakar, Hon’ble Minister of Medical Education & Health – Government of Karnataka, and Mr. A. Manjunath, Hon’ble MLA of Magadi constituency – Government of Karnataka. The event also witnessed the presence of senior executives from TKM, Mr. Raju B. Ketkale, Executive Vice President and Mr. Sudeep. S. Dalvi, Senior Vice President & Chief Communication Officer.

The CHCs plays an integral role in the overall healthcare infrastructure of a nation. Needless to mention, it is essential to provide quality healthcare facilities which are not only affordable but are also accessible to citizens across geographies.

The Community Health Centre, built by TKM, is spread across 15,000 square feet with one building block including ground and first floor facilities that shall cater to more than 120,000 patients. With a cumulative investment of INR 13.3 crores, this facility also includes an exclusive oxygen plant set-up for the benefit of the patients, thereby enhancing the modern facilities needed for emergency medical treatments. The CHC unit also has an Outpatient Department (OPD)s for Medicine, Paediatrics, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Dental, Anaesthetist, Emergency Ward (male and female wards), amongst other facilities.

TKM places sustainability at the forefront of all its initiatives and the newly built CHC has been designed and developed keeping in mind energy efficiency, water conservation and longevity. The building is in the process of getting a Green Building certification and is also the first CHC project that TKM has invested in, with a vision to provide modern health facilities, to combat any health emergencies.

Commenting on this development in the region, Dr. C. N. Ashwath Narayan, Hon’ble Minister for Higher Education & IT/BT and Ramanagara district in-charge, Government of Karnataka, said, “Access to healthcare facility is the basic right of every citizen and Community Health Centres are of extreme importance when we want to reach out to every citizen in the state. The Government of Karnataka has always given Healthcare and necessary infrastructure paramount importance and it gives me immense pleasure today to be here at the inauguration of the Community Health Centre in Bidadi, through which we can support 120,000 citizens access quality healthcare facilities. Toyota’s support in developing this Centre is commendable and we are confident this will go a long way in serving the community, at the grassroot level.”

Marking the inauguration of CHC, Dr. K. Sudhakar, Hon’ble Minister of Medical Education and Health, Government of Karnataka, commented “Providing access to affordable and quality healthcare facilities has been a constant endeavour by the Government of Karnataka. We believe everyone is entitled to a healthy lifestyle, detection and prevention of diseases and illness. All of this leads to a healthy community, ecosystem and environment, which we strive to maintain at all times. We are happy to collaborate with Toyota Kirloskar Motor for developing this Community Health Centre and hope to have more such collaborations.”

Commenting on this occasion, Mr. A Manjunath, Hon’ble MLA – Magadi Constituency, Government of Karnataka, stated “This new facility is a testament to our shared commitment with Toyota Kirloskar Motor in providing quality healthcare services to all. We are happy that the people of Bidadi and nearby areas will be able to access the brand-new Community Health Centre which will provide a variety of medical facilities and help in addressing the needs of people across age groups in the community. “

Speaking during the handover of CHC, Mr. Raju B Ketkale, Executive Vice President of Toyota Kirloskar Motors said, “We are proud to be part of this initiative, which aims to provide quality healthcare services to the local community. The new CHC in Bidadi is an important addition to the local healthcare infrastructure and is expected to benefit over 1.2 lakh people. We believe that healthcare is a basic human right and are committed to supporting initiatives that promote better health outcomes.”

TKM continues to contribute positively to the local communities where it operates in. The company has undertaken several community development projects aimed at improving the lives of people. The handing over of the new CHC is a significant milestone in the company’s journey towards creating a healthy community and for the betterment of the larger society. With sustained contributions to the society, so far TKM has touched 2 million community lives. In this direction, TKM remains committed to enhance its social reach to make meaningful differences towards creating an ever better & happier society through various significant interventions.

Overview of TKM

Overview of TKM 1st Plant:

Overview of TKM 2nd Plant:

Bengaluru, 3rd March 2023: Madras Diabetes Research Foundation (MDRF), the R&D wing of the leading Diabetes Specialities Hospital Chain – Dr. Mohan’s Diabetes Specialities Centre today celebrated the tenth anniversary of its landmark partnership with Deakin University, Melbourne, Australia. Joining hands in the year 2013, the collaboration was announced with an objective to further strengthen research led treatment for Diabetes Management and Care. In its ten years journey, Deakin University and MDRF have jointly launched several path-breaking initiatives like PhD programs in various aspects of diabetes and the country’s first Diabetes Nurse Educators Certificate course to enhance the knowledge of nurses on the basic sciences pertaining to diabetes and understanding the underpinning principles in evidence-based management of diabetes. Through this course, 75 students have been successfully trained.

In an effort to further nurture the research ecosystem in Diabetes care, Deakin University has also launched a 100% scholarship for PhD students through its In-Country PhD Program (ICPP). 7 PhD students had benefited from this PhD program till date and 15 research papers have been published so far, with several others in the pipeline.

Commenting on the occasion, Chairman and Chief Diabetologist, Dr. Mohan’s Diabetes Specialties Centre and MDRF, Dr. V. Mohan said “It has been a great pleasure and privilege to commemorate the decade long collaboration between Deakin University, Australia and MDRF. This has led to not only several research projects having been taken up but also has provided a platform for students in India to pursue and obtain their PhD from the prestigious International University by doing the research and skill development courses in India itself.”

Dr Anjana, President, MDRF said “Another offshoot of the collaboration is the Diabetes Nurse Educators Course which was started for the first time in India. As we celebrate the decade of milestones between MDRF and Deakin University, we look forward to more path-breaking research in the coming years.”

Prof. David Austin, Associate Dean (International), Faculty of Health, Deakin University added “We at Deakin are delighted to celebrate this great milestone with MDRF and look forward to increasing our research and academic collaborations in the coming years”.

Delhi: Mark your calendars for March 12th, as the largest stock market educational event in the history of India, the Stock Market Education Conclave, is set to take place at the esteemed Thyagaraj Stadium in New Delhi.

This event is geared towards providing financial education and promoting stock market awareness to a mass audience and is a collaboration between influencers and leading educators.

The Stock Market Education Conclave boasts over 6000 live participants and 40+ influencers and educators, making it a must-attend event for anyone seeking to financial growth and prosperity.

The event promises to provide a proactive, radical, and breakthrough perspective that, if applied, will take your profitability to the next level, whether you’re a fresher in the stock market or an investor seeking growth and distribution.

Leading the charge is Pushkar Raj Thakur, India’s Leading Finance Educator, Motivational Speaker, Business Coach, and Entrepreneur, who holds an esteemed mention in the Guinness Book of World Records 2022 for hosting the largest social media event of the year, the Social Media Growth Conclave 2022. Thakur’s mission is to help individuals understand stock market jargon and gain financial independence while contributing to the country’s
development.

Pushkar Raj Thakur and other top influencers and educators will be present to offer a day of learning, networking, and enhancing financial prowess at the Stock Market Education Conclave. Thakur is renowned for his training in Digital Marketing, Entrepreneurship, Online Business Development, and other core disciplines, as evidenced by his features in top publications such as the Times of India and Hindustan Times. This is an opportunity that should not be missed!

Kolkata, 3rd March 2023 –: India’s most prominent early-stage angel networks FAAD announces the launch of its regional office in Kolkata. The network, comprising 1600+ investors, recently hosted its 1st Investor Meet in Kolkata. Over 50 handpicked and serious investors attended the event held at The Saturday Club.

Three new age businesses including co-workingaggregator Stylework, HRtech We360.ai, and consumer brand Auntie Fung’s – presented their business pitch to the curated audience.

The Meetup held at the FAAD’s regional office in Kolkata, was led by Bikram Saraf and Rishi Nad. Both of them are startup enthusiasts and angel investors across various successful startups.

Kolkata is among the top ten startup hubs in India. With myriad investment opportunities, the city is rapidly growing as one of the leading startup investing ecosystems in India.

FAAD launched the Kolkata office to bridge the gap between the investment community and fledgling startups in the region. By helping early-stage investors find investible startups and entrepreneurs receive capital and network support, the network aims to foster growth and collaboration across the ecosystem.

FAAD Co-founder and Director Dr. Dinesh Singh, “FAAD is one of the finest go-to investor networks for pre-series A and Series A startups to build and grow their business ideas. With the launch of our Kolkata office the network wants to create value for both investors and startups in the eastern region by hosting networking tools and sessions for professionals to interact and gain insight into the startup ecosystem. These events are a great platform for aspiring entrepreneurs to grow their business ideas and receive the mentorship and financial assistance required for their success.”

FAADRegional Partner, Mr. Bikram Saraf,said, “We are delighted to expand our presence in Kolkata with the launch of our regional office. The city has immense potential for entrepreneurship and innovation, and we are excited to support and invest in promising startups in the region. The successful turnout at our recent Investor Meet is a testament to the growing interest and enthusiasm among investors in Kolkata. With our network of over 1600 investors, we are committed to fostering a thriving startup ecosystem in the region and beyond.”

Attendees had the chance to network with other investors, entrepreneurs, and financial experts to explore the potential of the startup sector in Kolkata. The meeting was highly successful and provided a boost to the startup culture in the city. With the launch of the Kolkata office, FAAD will be looking at hosting local investor meetups regularly to embrace serious investors in its ecosystem.

Recently FAAD has received approval of Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) for a category 1 INR 300 crore Alternative Investment Fund (AIF).

New Delhi3rd March 2023 – Evera- an EV Cab service provider, has marked the final closure of its pre-Series A funding round at $7 million. The company secured the investments in two tranches, initially led by IEG Investment Banking Group, Germany and later Direct Capital- subsidiary of Devonshire Capital, Thailand & Westova Global, Singapore came together in the closure of this round.

Evera has raised $7 million in total funding till date.

With this investment, the company aims to utilize the added funds to expand its EV cab services across the capital and expand technological advancements.

On the growth, expansion, and investment, Mr. Nimish Trivedi, Co-founder & CEO –Evera, said, “We are privileged to have a strong set of prominent global investors who believe in our mission of building sustainable commutes as it is a pressing need. We have already logged 10 million green kilometers in the Delhi NCR. The current investment will be utilised towards advancement of tech and expand our business to establish a bigger & stronger customer base. “

Mr. Arthit Narula (Partner), Direct Capital- subsidiary of Devonshire Capital commented on the funding and said “Having been a part of Armstrong Asset Management (Singapore) and successfully witnessed its journey, we are excited to invest in sustainable business. Transportation is one of the major reasons for environmental pollution, brands like Evera came with a strong agenda to make the environment pollution free. Cab aggregator is a growing market in India, also trending globally and we are investing in EV cab services which will definitely help us in investing in Greener tomorrow”.

Mr. Parag Solanki, (Partner), Westova Global also expressed his views and said, “Our investment in Evera reflects our view that sustainability and having a green and healthy planet is our priority. With the government introducing new policies and laying out a roadmap for EV firms, we firmly believe that this association will bear fruits that will benefit the masses.”

The company has recently partnered with GMR and started its services from Indra Gandhi International airport in New Delhi with the aim to build a sustainable tomorrow. Last year, Evera also signed the MoU with TATA Motors to increase its fleet size by 2000 EV cars.

India, 3rd  March 2023: GreenLine Logistics (Green Planet Logistics Pvt Ltd.), India’s first and only LNG-fueled heavy trucking logistics company, has entered into an LNG supply agreement with Baidyanath LNG Private Limited (BLNG).

GreenLine Logistics has currently deployed its LNG fleet with leading cement manufacturers for inbound and outbound transportation of raw materials as well as finished products. The company plans to deploy ~1,600 LNG trucks by March 2024. These state-of-the-art LNG trucks, manufactured by Blue Energy Motors, reduce CO2 emissions by ~28%, translating to emission reduction of ~24 ton CO2 per truck per annum, compared to conventional diesel trucks. Over GreenLine’s planned fleet of ~1,600 LNG trucks by March 2024, this adds up to a significant reduction of 38,400 ton CO2 per year.

BLNG is building a network of LNG refueling stations on key trucking routes across the strategically placed Vidarbha district of Maharashtra.

Commenting on the association, Anand Mimani, CEO, GreenLine Logistics, said, “We are pleased to enter into this arrangement with BLNG for LNG supply for our heavy trucking fleets, enabling rapid scale-up of our operating routes for faster decarbonisation of heavy trucking in the region. As the preferred partner of many leading corporates for lower emission trucking, we are investing heavily to enable this transition. Given the higher order of magnitude of a range of toxic emissions from heavy trucking, it is crucial for corporates to focus on reducing emissions from this aspect of their business operations.”

Commenting on this initiative, Vaddadi Subbarao, CEO, BLNG, said, “Taking forward the initiatives by Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, for promoting LNG as automotive fuel for clean Nagpur and Vidarbha, we are delighted to enter into this agreement with GreenLine Logistics. This agreement provides us with an added impetus in our mission to create a wide network of these LNG stations across Vidarbha district. We look forward to enabling GreenLine’s mission of decarbonizing heavy trucking by ensuring uninterrupted LNG supply on its key trucking routes.”

GreenLine Logistics is on a mission to decarbonize heavy trucking in India and is paving the way for widespread adoption of LNG fueled long haul trucks by showcasing its immense advantages for corporates. GreenLine has collaborated with multiple organisations to create India’s first & only integrated green logistics ecosystem to make LNG trucking a reality in India.

Gurgaon, March 03, 2023: Pramerica Life Insurance Limited has taken a significant step towards powering its growth trajectory with the appointment of Pankaj Gupta as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer. The appointment has been approved by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) and the Board of Pramerica Life Insurance. Pankaj succeeds Kalpana Sampat, who was the previous MD & CEO.

As MD & CEO, Pankaj will be responsible for driving strategic growth-led transformation to bring Pramerica Life among the leading Life Insurance companies in India. Pankaj joins Pramerica Life Insurance from HDFC Life, where he was Group Head – Distribution Strategy & Alliances and was part of HDFC Life’s top Leadership team. He has also held senior leadership roles at Citigroup, ICICI Bank, and TCS.

Pankaj has around 27 years of experience in financial services across Distribution, Marketing, Operations and Technology & Digital transformation. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Technology from the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur and a Post Graduate Diploma in Management from the Indian Institute of Management, Lucknow.

Mr. Jairam Sridharan, Chairman, Pramerica Life Insurance Limited & MD, Piramal Capital & Housing Finance Ltd., said, “The Board is delighted to welcome Pankaj as MD & CEO. The sector has also witnessed a series of very progressive interventions by the regulator in recent times. At Piramal, we are very excited about these developments and are looking forward to building a great insurance business with our partners PFI.”

Mr. Pavan Dhamija, Director, of Pramerica Life Insurance Limited and Regional President, International Businesses for PFI, said, “Pankaj’s broad experience and track record of building and operating profitable businesses, combined with an enabling regulatory environment and strong alignment with Piramal, points to a future of sustained high growth for Pramerica Life. We look forward to Pankaj’s leadership, and as shareholders, stay committed to supporting Pramerica Life in the next exciting phase of its journey.”

On his appointment as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Pramerica Life Insurance, Pankaj Gupta said, “It is an honour to be appointed by the Board of Pramerica Life Insurance and to be entrusted with the responsibility of building a strong company. Life Insurance sector presents a long-term structural opportunity. The economic, demographic and regulatory drivers of the sector are compelling. With support from the Board and the shareholders, I look forward to working with my teams to create a thriving and sustainable franchise that is customer centric and works to deepen the penetration of Life Insurance in the country and contribute towards the mission of ‘Insurance for All by 2047’.”

New Delhi, March 3, 2023: Owing to better living standards and evolving healthcare in India, life expectancy has gone up significantly over the last few decades, resulting in the rise of the elderly population. India has nearly 138 million elderly persons, comprising 67 million males and 71 million females. Also, the proportion of the elderly population in India has increased to 10.1% in 2021 and is further likely to increase to 13.1% in 2031 reveals the ‘Elderly in India 2021’ report. [1]

The years 2021-2030 have been declared by the United Nations as the ‘Decade of Healthy Ageing’. And in the next few decades by approximately 2050, the ageing population in India is set to grow to about 330 million according to the LASI survey. Considering the growing need for geriatric care in India because of several allied factors involved, it is imperative to organise the fragmented elder care ecosystem.

On one hand, the shift in the demographic across the world has accentuated pressure on the already burdened care ecosystem. On the other hand, today, the elderly prefers to age within the comforts of their homes while remaining equally active contributors to their communities and societies. But to age, this way needs handholding which is primarily absent for numerous reasons. Though so many developed countries have started increasingly integrating the private sector into the community and home-based care models for the elderly to reduce the burden on the already stressed public resources, India lacks on this front.

To fill the massive gap in elder care in India, ELDERCARE (https://www.eldercare.co.in/) has emerged as a one-stop eldercare service provider with certain standout features. This is a proud partner for the elderly worldwide as it provides a comprehensive range of services for elders and their families. The company, consisting of a group of dedicated veterans, doctors and social work specialists, is committed to providing customised assistance for all the needs of seniors living away from home.

“Eldercare is committed to providing customized assistance for all your problems back home. The company understands the importance of providing trustworthy healthcare and security to our loved ones and is honoured to be able to do so. With a team of dedicated veterans, doctors and social work specialists, the company is committed to providing customized assistance for all the needs of elderly ecosystem,” said Dr A.K Kathuria, MBBS, MD, DHM (U.K), a geriatrician from the eldercare team.

Eldercare offers a wide range of healthcare services, including skilled nursing, administration of medications, medical tests, monitoring of health status, pain management, rehabilitation, and wound care. These services are directed towards bringing meaningful and healthy differences in the quality of life of elders.

In addition to its healthcare services, the company also offers physiotherapy to help overcome physical limitations such as difficulty in walking and problems with balance. Its counselling services are designed to deal with isolation, neglect, boredom and abuse. The company also provides emergency response services for trauma and critical care.

Eldercare also offers illness and hospital care services, including home visits by a psychological counsellor, physiotherapist, dietician, nursing assistant for minor procedures, dental treatment, and ambulatory support. The company provides medical concierge facilities, post-operative/post-trauma rehabilitation, bedridden care, pharmacy support, diagnostic support, and 24/7 emergency support.

The last few years have seen a lot of innovation in the health-tech industry in India. Moreover, to fill the existing gap in elderly care, we need to reinvent to the next level by leveraging technology to offer services such as hospital management systems, doctor discovery, home delivery of medicines, and now, more importantly, home healthcare services.

“To care for those who once cared for us is one of the highest honours. Our elderly population is an asset, and they are a rich source of lived experiences. However, we understand that age comes along with various challenges,” says Mr. Vishwas Tripathi, Chairman, Eldercare.

He also said that “Eldercare” is the pioneer in engaging veteran and ex-army officials in Elderly care services.

3rd March 2023 -, Kolkata: How our actions or Karma affect the various aspects of our life was the crux of the interaction with author and entrepreneur Ram K Sharma at the launch of his book Karma and You: Create Your Own Destiny at a special function organized by Kolkata based non-governmental organisation, Prabha Khaitan Foundation (PKF).

The book was formally launched by the Chief Guest Mr Aroop Biswas, West Bengal Minister of Power, Housing, Youth Services and Sports, and Guest-of-Honour, Mr SanjivPuri, Chairman and Managing Director, ITC, in the presence of an august gathering of book lovers, literary enthusiasts, spiritualists and other dignitaries. The book release event, supported by Shree Cement Ltd as a part of their corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative, was hosted by ITC Royal Bengal.

Author-entrepreneur Ram K Sharma said, “My book touches upon every aspect of life or karmic situations. I have divided Karma into different aspects and tried to explain how it affects your family, children, relationships, business and everything.”

Though there have been many books on the subject of karma, the author, however, revealed that his book is experiential in nature – outcome of his long years of varied life experiences and hence a kind of life guide.

Conversationalist, Ms. Jyoti Kapoor of Ehsaas Women of Nagpur, engaged author Mr. Ram K Sharma – managing director of 100-year-old nature cure company Baidyanath – in a serious discussion that made the audience dive deep into a contemplative mood wondering how the wheel of Karma moved due the cause and effect of their actions.

“Literature and books take centre stage in our City of Joy. It is a pleasure to be a part of this book launch, I share a close association and bonding with PrabhaKhaitan Foundation and express my gratitude for organizing this amazing event. I congratulate Mr Sharma for writing a book full of wisdom, wonderful ideas, visions and new thoughts,” Mr Aroop Biswas said.

“Karma is a part of our daily life. As human beings, we work from morning to evening for our family and society and for ourselves. Unknowingly, our Karma affects us, our families, society, and even the country. Hence, we should always try to do positive things in all aspects of life. So, we should always try to uplift the condition of the society and the country,” said Mr Biswas.

Mr SanjivPuri, CMD, ITC, said, “A fascinating book that delves into a very difficult and complicated subject and explains it in simple terms from the author’s perspective. It speaks of timeless values and covers all the aspects of personal and professional spheres of life by introducing concepts of `Global Karma’ and `Corporate Karma’. I thank PrabhaKhaitan Foundation for organizing and enriching us with this wonderful event.”

Conversationalist Jyoti Kapoor’s free-flowing discussion was informative and insightful, the audience were introduced to various aspects of karma like family karma, spousal karma, corporate karma, karma for wealth, healing karma, karma and food, divine karma and so on – which the author has written at length in his book. The book is a ready reckoner and guide to lead one’s life through meaningful actions in order to get positive outcomes.

The organiser Prabha Khaitan Foundation is a non-profit trust founded by Late Dr PrabhaKhaitan in the early 80s – is dedicated to social, cultural and humanitarian causes promoting performing arts, culture, education, literature, gender equality and women empowerment.