All posts by Neel Achary

Chennai, 22.03.23: Indian Overseas Bank conducted the SHG Special Campaign at Chennai District on 21-03-2023. Indian Overseas Bank General Manager & SLBC Convenor Shri. Reyazul Haque and TNULM Chennai, Asst. Project Officer Thiru E Ravi participated as a special guest for the campaign. Loans to the tune of Rs. 507.80 lakhs were sanctioned and disbursed to 87 Self Help Groups across Chennai District. Financial Literacy to SHGs was also conducted. Chennai-I, Chennai-II region, and Lead Bank, Chennai conducted the second SHG campaign of the month totaling Rs. 1010.70 lakhs to 171 Self Help Groups in Chennai District alone during the month of March 2023.

—

Mumbai, March 22, 2023: Global warming and its resultant impact on the environment and mankind have forced countries globally to take concrete measures to curb the damage and preserve for the future – and India is at the forefront of this movement.

SEBI has mandated the top 1,000 listed companies in India by market capitalization to make filings as per the Business Responsibility and Sustainability Reporting (BRSR) from FY23. Coming against this backdrop, Thomas Cook (India) Limited, India’s leading omnichannel travel services company and its Group Company SOTC Travel, announced their partnership with global technology consulting and digital solutions company LTIMindtree, to launch “Green Carpet” – a global platform to monitor and manage business travel emissions.

Green Carpet is built on the combined prowess of Thomas Cook & SOTC’s deep expertise in the travel industry, LTIMindtree’s ESG consulting and digital solutions capabilities, and also leverages the global expertise of Fairfax Digital Services (a Fairfax company).

A SaaS-based platform, “Green Carpet” is designed to address specific concerns faced by organizations, helping them capture, monitor, analyze, and reduce their carbon emissions from business travel. It offers real-time insights related to Scope 3 emissions and helps organizations to significantly reduce their ESG reporting costs.

“Green Carpet” enables:

1.  Simplified data capture & analysis of travel emissions with real-time dashboards
2.  Adherence to BRSR and alignment to global audit requirements
3.  Swift and easy integration with current business travel platforms of corporates
4.  Advanced AI & ML to provide analytics & recommendations
5.  Decision-making to drive enterprise net zero goals

Mr. Madhavan Menon, Chairman & Managing Director, Thomas Cook (India) Limited said, “Under its G20 Presidency, India has set ambitious ESG (Environmental, Social & Governance) goals, & India Inc. has been called on to implement SEBI’s BRSR mandate starting FY23. The need for a trustworthy partner to provide accuracy and speed in reporting is hence imperative. At Thomas Cook & SOTC, our leadership in the travel sector formed the basis of our partnership with LTIMindtree – a leading technology solutions provider. “Green Carpet” therefore, not only embodies this potent partnership of leaders but also leverages the global expertise of Fairfax Digital Services to collectively empower enterprises with the ability to seamlessly monitor and manage business travel emissions and drive their net zero goals.”

Mr. Sudhir Chaturvedi, President and Executive Board Member, LTIMindtree said, “ESG has become a board-level priority for nearly all organizations, especially in cognizance of India’s ambitious goal to reach net-zero emissions by 2070. To achieve this goal, organizations are investing in initiatives and infrastructure that will enable them to track, reduce and report carbon footprint seamlessly. The Green Carpet, powered by LTIMindtree’s ESG digital platform and advanced analytics techniques and Thomas Cook & SOTC’s travel expertise, will help climate-conscious clients to comply with regulatory expectations. It will accelerate their net-zero journey through data-driven engineering solutions, cloud computing data analytics, and enable business decisions towards sustainable future.”

Mr. Sanjay Tugnait, CEO of Fairfax Digital Services said: “Green Carpet is a scalable and powerful to l that will enable the enterprise customers accelerate their journey to Net Zero. This is an exemplary partnership between Thomas Cook, SOTC & LTIMindtree powered by the Global Knowhow of Fairfax Digital to create ESG solutions. To capture, measure, benchmark and report is not only a requirement by SEBI for scope 3 emissions but also a social obligation for us to do our bit and save the planet. In this the year of India’s G20 Presidency, as a member of the G20 Startup 20 Task Force on Sustainability, under the leadership of Dr Chintan Vaishnav, I am delighted we have built this digital solution that India can showcase amongst the G20 nations.”

India-wide release, 22 March 2023: After the successful Bangalore edition last year on its home turf, India’s greenest music festival, Echoes of Earth, is now making its way for the first time ever to the metro cities of Delhi and Mumbai along with Bangalore, the event’s home turf by bringing forth the ‘Echoes of Bangalore, Mumbai, Delhi’. As a 3-city concert India tour with a single-stage concert format, the event will be a one-day affair in each city, offering the unparalleled experience of Echoes while highlighting each city’s local ecosystems. British nu-jazz collective, The Cinematic Orchestra will be touring all three cities.

The 3-city concert India tour will begin from Bangalore on the 14th April, Mumbai 15th April, and culminates in Delhi on the 16th April. The event will take over each city to foster awareness about issues related to diverse ecosystems unique to these cities via art forms, ranging from workshops, art spaces, and interactive installations to food, flea markets, and more. Through its unique format, the concert envisions focusing on education and celebrating these urban ecosystems through powerful art and music, connecting with the audience, and starting important, inclusive conversations about the need for their conservation and sustainability.

Furthermore, the event will also serve as a platform for experts to deep-dive into the wealth of environmental diversity in the most prominent ecosystems across the three cities through various talks and panel discussions. At the same time, Echoes will also lend a voice to powerful human-impact conservation and restoration stories and struggles of local communities and ecowarriors whose positive human interventions are actively aiding in preserving these ecosystems at a grassroots level.

The festival will culminate in a music performance by the British nu jazz collective, The Cinematic Orchestra, celebrating the Earth and enthralling the audience through the evening.

Festival director Roshan Netalkar said, “When we think about biodiversity, we rarely picture cityscapes. However, urban areas are home to multitudes of ecosystems and natural wealth, hosting rich biodiversity. We are an intrinsic part of nature, and yet we know very little about it. Through the 3-city concert India tour, we aim to support the audience in exploring their local natural environment and put it at the heart of urban life.”

He further added, “Echoes of Earth offers a unique experience of coming together as a community to celebrate the Earth responsibly through music, art, and environmental workshops. The 3-city concert India tour will reflect this ethos while allowing room for more sustainable conversations to take place pan-India.”

Udaipur’s entertainment destination Urban Square Mall organised a movie screening of Bollywood’s cult classic rom-com, Jab We Met, on 19th March, in collaboration with Sunset Cinema Club. As many as 1500 cinephiles participated in the event and enjoyed the movie joyfully with their families and friend groups. The event was themed on Rajasthan’s first-ever ‘Movie Under the Stars’ theme-based screening, named ‘Weekenders ’, which was shifted indoors at Food Court due to rainy weather conditions.

Sharing his thoughts on the first-time experience for Udaipur, Mr Uddhav Poddar, MD, Bhumika Group, said, “The Jab We Meet movie screening was one of our efforts to position Urban Square as a prominent center of popular entertainment which was conducted successfully due to our team’s conviction. We are elated to see that we got such a humungous engagement at our first film screening organised in association with Sunset Cinema Club. The positive reception of the audience motivates us to come up with many such events. Many more unique and first experiences with community engagement are planned for the future as well.”

The Urban Square project is a mixed-use development spanning over 3 acres and includes phases I and II. Urban Square Mall phase has already leased out close to 91% of its space to over 75 lifestyle brands from India and abroad. Brands such as Go Karting, Shopper’s Stop, Lifestyle, Smash, Crossword, Nini Kitchen, Ghoomar, Forest Essentials, and Looks are already open.

Urban Square Mall has become a prominent retail destination in Rajasthan, just 25 km from the famous Shrinathji Temple in Nathdwara.

Mumbai, March 22, 2023: SOTC Travel, a leading omnichannel travel, and Tourism Company has been honored with two awards for ‘Best Outbound Travel Operator’ and ‘Best MICE Travel Operator’ at The Economic Times Travel & Tourism Annual Awards. The first edition of The Economic Times Travel and Tourism Annual Awards brought together top leaders from the travel and tourism industry on a single platform. The selection criteria covered a range of parameters, with the nominations being judged by an eminent grand jury and validations by Ernst & Young.

SOTC Travel was recognized for innovative product development across its Outbound and MICE teams that reassured and inspired customers to travel once again. The Company was the first to deliver a mega group of over 750 delegates each to Dubai and Switzerland. Further, they also successfully managed multiple mega MICE groups ranging from 700 to over 3500 to destinations across India and internationally.

SOTC Travel strategically developed products based on sustained consumer research to target the strong travel desire emerging from India’s metros, mini-metros, and tier 2 – 3 cities. The Company leveraged multiple opportunities like special occasions, public holidays, long/extended weekends, summer/winter breaks and the festive season to create exceptional holiday portfolios. This played a vital role in maximizing their business potential.

SOTC Travel launched a range of offers: Holiday Now and Pay After You Return, Buy One-Get One Companion offers, family discounts, and more; also consumer roadshows to assist customers with travel and health protocols and accelerate spot bookings. The Company built & leveraged strong partnerships & alliances to deliver distinctive experiences to its MICE corporates and leisure travel customers.

SOTC Travel’s Outbound and MICE teams successfully demonstrated innovation, agility, and digital astuteness in consistently leveraging technology – ensuring seamless delivery of contactless, scalable, secure solutions. The Company launched a Virtual Holiday Store and a Live Video Connect platform enabling customers to connect with experts via video call and chat.

SOTC Travel’s powerful hybrid omnichannel network continues to offer customers the choice and convenience of selecting their preferred mode or a combination of channels: virtual holiday store, website, call center, or extensive retail network pan India.

To build customer confidence in travel, SOTC Travel launched its Safe Travel Program in association with Apollo Clinics; “TravShield” – with only vaccinated staff and co-passengers among many other precautions featuring a 360° safety commitment.

Mr. Daniel D’souza President & Country Head – Holidays, SOTC Travel said, “We are truly honored to be selected as the Best Outbound Travel Operator at the first Economic Times Travel & Tourism Annual Awards. This prestigious award acknowledges our leadership in the outbound sector and recognizes our efforts toward revival and growth post the challenges of the pandemic.

With the reopening of borders and restart of commercial aviation, our multipronged strategy across product development, health & safety initiatives, technology, and Marcomm has served us well in inspiring customers to go on their much-awaited holiday. Our wide range of products and offers ensured the best deals for our customers, and we continue to create more such exciting offers/value propositions. I would like to thank the grand jury and the team for recognizing our sincere efforts to create exceptional holiday experiences for our customers with this prestigious award.”

Mr. S D Nandakumar, President & Country Head – Corporate Tours, SOTC Travel said, “We are delighted to be awarded as Best MICE Travel Operator at The Economic Times Travel & Tourism Annual Awards. At SOTC Travel, we aim to deliver superior experiences to our corporate MICE customers and this special award recognizes our strong delivery.

With the pandemic putting a halt on MICE travel, India Inc. displayed increased interest to organize incentive trips for their key growth contributors as restrictions began to ease. We were quick to seize the opportunity and were the first travel company to a deliver mega group of 750 delegates each to Dubai – as early as January 2021 – followed by another mega group of 750 to Switzerland. Post this, we continued to successfully manage multiple mega groups ranging from 700 to 3500 to various destinations across India and internationally. Further, we leveraged technology to deliver seamless, contactless, and secure solutions to our MICE corporates while also reassuring them of their safety during their travel. We are grateful to our customers for investing their trust in us and inspiring us in our continuous service. We dedicate this award to them!”

Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh, March 22, 2023: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy has formally launched the additional nutrition in Jagananna Gorumudda by providing Ragi Malt Drink to 37,63,698 students of 44,392 government and aided schools across the state by spending Rs.86 Crores annually from his camp office in Tadepalli on Tuesday.

Addressing the students and officials virtually, the Chief Minister said, “We have taken many radical steps from the first day of coming to power by working towards reducing the number of school dropouts, providing facilities to school, and increasing the intellectual development of the students.”

Highlighting the schemes taken by the government, Chief Minister Jagan said, “From pregnant women to children, we provide nutritious food. English Medium in schools, CBSE Syllabus, Bilingual Textbooks, and IFAP Panels are set up from the 6th class onwards, Tabs are given to the 8th class children. We are guiding the children by hand at every step.”

“Schemes like Amma Vodi, Vidya Deevena, and Vasathi Deevena are undertaken by the government so that all our children can compete with the future world. From now on, we will also provide Ragi Malt to the children. These practices are to make the Gorumudda even better. This food provides useful iron and calcium which helps the growth of children,” the Chief Minister added.

Taking a dig at the previous government, he said, “How were the conditions before our government came? How are things now? Notice the difference for a moment. In the past, Rs 450 crores were spent by the previous government in a year. They kept 8-10 months of arrear bills pertaining to Aayas and groceries, which affected the quality. We are running a mid-day meal program by spending Rs.1824 crore rupees per year, and with 86 crores for Ragi Malt drink, it adds up to Rs 1910 crore.”

“We are feeding children with a daily menu, and never before a Chief Minister has thought about what children are eating. If we don’t do it, who else will do it? A total of 15 types of food items are provided to children. We give boiled eggs 5 days a week, Peanut Chikki for 3 days and from now on Ragi Malt Drink for 3 days. It is a pleasure to have Sathya Sai Trust as a partner in this program,” the Chief Minister added. Before signing off his address, Chief Minister Jagan also wished the students who will be writing the public exams next month.

Mumbai, March 22, 2023: NTPC REL has signed an MoU with INDIAN ARMY for setting up Green Hydrogen Projects in its establishments on Build, Own, and Operate (BOO) model. The intent is to reduce complex logistics, and dependence on fossil fuels and to accelerate decarbonization.

The MoU was signed by Shri Mohit Bhargava, CEO (NTPC REL), and Lt. General Rajinder Dewan, PVSM, AVSM, VSM, QMG.

Various locations of Indian Army are powered through DG sets in off-grid locations. The Indian Army, in line with Hon’ble Prime Minister’s vision of “Panchamrit” and Carbon Neutral Ladakh, intends to reduce the dependence on fossil fuel and their logistics for power generation and heat. NTPC REL will design, develop, and install renewable energy projects (solar, wind, etc.) and Hydrogen Energy Storage systems in a phased manner.

Under the ambit of the MoU, joint identification of potential sites would be undertaken for setting up of green hydrogen projects for supplying electricity, in a phased manner.

The MoU signals an advanced approach for modernization by Indian Army and NTPC’s commitment to serve the nation and assist its decarbonization goals. This agreement is a first of its kind and ushers in a new era of border security backed with energy security for the lines of defense of the country.

NTPC REL is a wholly subsidiary of NTPC Limited and currently, it has a portfolio of 3.6 GW RE capacity under construction. NTPC Group has ambitious plans of 60 GW of RE capacity by the year 2032 and currently, it has 3.2 GW of installed RE capacity.

NTPC has taken several initiatives in Hydrogen technologies and already commissioned the Hydrogen blending with Piped Natural Gas project at Gujarat and currently executing a hydrogen-based mobility project (in Ladakh and Delhi) and a green methanol project in MP.

Ahmedabad -VISHALWIN FOUNDATION awarded over 60 special needs sector contributors in a ceremony, GUARDIAN ANGEL AWARDS 2023 at Lemon Tree Premiere Hotel. This is the 3rd Edition of the awards. This sector cannot sustain without the efforts of Special Educators, Counsellors, Caretakers, Therapists, Doctors, Progressive parents, Social workers, Startup and Innovation entities, Early Intervention Centers, Unsung Heroes, and Inclusive Schools working in this area. Vishalwin Foundation felt that it is very important to recognize the efforts of these angels who make a big difference in the lives of these children, young adults, and adults.

VISHALWIN also announced a scholarship for parents of children with special needs, Parents were enrolled in Diploma Special Education in Intellectual Development Disability (DSEID) from the Composite Regional Centre (CRC, A unit of the Department of Social Justice, Government of India). In addition, VISHALWIN has also signed an MoU with CRC for enrolling children with special needs at their Early Intervention Centre at Odhav and support under carpet area, no gender bias, below the poverty line and economically weaker section. VISHALWIN surveys slums and similar areas and identifies these children and works towards their Medical, Education and Social Rehabilitation.

21st March was World Down Syndrome Day and to spread awareness about Down Syndrome VISHALWIN FOUNDATION today invited Children with Down Syndrome who gave a message of ‘INCLUSION’ to society. The foundation has been working with children from economically weaker sections having Down Syndrome and other intellectual disabilities, their early education and therapies are sponsored by the foundation and their identification happens through medical camps conducted across the year.

Over 100 plus NGOs from across Gujarat participated in this event like the Blind People Association, Prabhat Education Foundation, Samara Sikhsha Abhiyaan, Raahi Foundation, Jaipur Foot, B M Institute of Mental Health, SAATH Charitable Trust, DEIC Nadiad, Samvedana Learning center for Special children, Gujarat Spastic Society, Atul Foundation, Ashatha Charitable trust for welfare of the mental challenge, Amba Angel Parents Association for Special Children, SEWA and many more.

This event is the brainchild of Ms. Puunam G Kaushik, Managing Trustee of VISHALWIN FOUNDATION. She wants to appeal to a society that “Inclusion should not be propagated only by parents of Children with Special Needs, we must talk about it as a SOCIETY and work towards disability inclusion at home, communities, workplaces and at most in our hearts” Special Needs sector often gets unnoticed in the larger scheme of ‘Diversity and inclusion’, such programs highlight persons with special needs – which forms a considerable proportion of the population, creating awareness across the society. In the coming years, I hope and wish Vishalwin expands such an initiative and reaches the hard-to-reach cities across India.

Bengaluru, March 22, 2023: Global fashion’s best-kept secret in menswear, boohooMAN, has initiated its foray into the Indian market in association with Myntra, one of India’s leading fashion and lifestyle destinations. UK-based boohooMAN will be offering 600+ options of the freshest, uber-trendy, and most in-demand styles to choose from.

Launched in 2016, boohooMAN has scaled to be one of the fastest-growing online men’s fashion destinations in the world. Quickly establishing itself as a fashion trailblazer, the versatile brand is known to capture and envision fashion, in tandem with the fast-paced and constantly changing global trends. Focusing on edgy streetwear, boohooMAN works with leading global celebrities on fashion-led collaborations to cater to shoppers globally. The brand’s offerings will include graphic and backprint t-shirts, graphic hoodies, track pants, and cargo joggers, which give off a laid-back, in-vogue, and casual vibe. Streetwear, as a category in the fashion apparel segment, has prevailed since the 1980s. It is a style of comfortable casual clothing that draws inspiration from sub-culture communities such as skateboarding, surfing, and hip-hop, with its own blend of style and punk.

In line with Myntra’s recent brand campaign, ‘Extraordinary Every Day’, boohooMAN caters to various male shoppers across lifestyles, personalities, and fashion senses, with looks inspired by global trends like athleisure, plaids, wide-cut trousers, tonal layering, utility vests and jackets, clean shirts, neutral basics, and textured pieces, among others. With its primary focus on fashion-forward men, boohooMAN will be available at a starting range of ₹2000. As a seasoned leader in global fashion, boohooMAN’s vision is to empower a social media-inspired, trend-first generation, to look and feel confident every day, across occasions. The brand is present in 15+ countries, with the USA and the UK being major fashion hubs for the brand.

The brand will be housed under a dedicated Online Brand Store (OBS) on Myntra, enabling shoppers to easily browse and discover their favorites across the brand’s portfolio. With a focus on urban, metro, and tier 1 audiences, the brand will also indulge in marketing activities that include influencer activation and visibility across Myntra’s pioneering social commerce initiatives, Myntra Studio and M-Live. Wishlisting for the brand began on 18th March, with the entire collection going live on the 21st of March.

Speaking on the association with Myntra, James Pryer, Buying Director, boohooMAN, said “BoohooMAN is excited to announce its entry into the Indian market with our launch on Myntra. Our brand provides affordable fashion to everyone. We are confident that our collaboration with Myntra will help us establish a strong presence & bring a fresh perspective to menswear fashion in India.”

Touching upon boohooMan’s foray in India, Jayanti Ganguly, Business Head – International Brands, Marketplace and Omni, Myntra said, “With younger and younger, fashion-forward men embracing brands that are global, trendy and experimental, men’s casual wear, especially streetwear has steadily been gaining popularity with our male shoppers. We are thrilled to be boohooMAN’s destination of choice as they strengthen the culture of men’s streetwear in India by introducing an array of uber-stylish options. Being one of the fastest-growing online men’s fashion destinations in the world, boohooMAN is poised to disrupt the Indian market that is rife with opportunities.”

According to an industry report, the streetwear segment is worth $185 billion in sales globally, and it is gaining steady traction in India as well, with the country capturing a sizable community experimenting with street styles and looks. While some category enthusiasts are devoted to the segment’s pioneering brands, the heritage and culture associated with street fashion, and the storytelling abilities of streetwear, others are drawn to street luxe inspired by streetwear, and still, others are enamored by the hype and trends that dominate social media. The category’s popularity is not limited to the metros; streetwear is also becoming popular in tier 2 and tier 3 cities. The men’s fashion industry has shifted focus from casual wear to streetwear, mirroring the women’s wear trend and driving demand for the category.

India, 22 March 2023: Self-love is an invaluable skill for kids to learn. In light of this, Nickelodeon – India’s leading kids’ entertainment franchise, in association with Orchids The International Schools, hosted an engaging forum with industry honchos on how understanding the importance of being #OneOfAKind from a young age is of primal importance. The discussion further emphasized that being comfortable in one’s own skin can encourage young minds to celebrate their individuality and challenge societal norms and conventions in the long run.

The panel discussion titled ‘I am #OneOfAKind: Nurturing Self-Love in Children’ was graced by Neha Dhupia – actor and mother, Dr. Swati Popat Vats – President of Podar Education Network and Early Childhood Association of India, Dr. Bharti Rakheja – Self-love coach & Founder of ‘I am Enough’ society, and Archana Rushal Padhye – HOD, Special Needs and Counselling Department, Orchids The International Schools. The panel further discussed and defined the roles of family, schools, and communities in helping kids embrace their unique qualities.

Opening the discussion, Neha Dhupia said“In today’s society, children are exposed to an increasing amount of pressure to conform to societal norms and expectations. From a young age, they are bombarded with messages about how they should look, act, and behave. As parents, we have the power to help our kids to overcome these societal pressures by leading by example. By embracing our own individuality and practicing self-love, we can show our children that it’s okay to be different and encourage them to do the same.”

Speaking on the role of schools and educators in helping kids embrace their unique qualities, Dr. Swati Popat Vats, “I am thrilled to be part of the #OneOfAKind panel that recognizes the importance of celebrating individuality in children. Every child is unique and deserves to be celebrated for who they are. It is the role of schools and teachers to foster a culture of individuality and self-love, empowering children to embrace their strengths and differences, and paving the way for a brighter, more inclusive future. By working together as educators, we can create a supportive environment where students feel valued, respected, and empowered to pursue their dreams.”

Dr. Bharti Rakheja felt that every child deserves to know their worth and celebrate their uniqueness. “Being a self-love coach, I have witnessed first-hand the transformative power of self-love in people’s lives. By teaching kids to love them unconditionally, we can inspire a generation of confident, resilient individuals who are equipped to navigate life’s challenges with grace and authenticity. It’s wonderful to see a brand that not only entertains but also enriches the lives of its young viewers.” Rakheja concluded.

Commenting on the collaboration with Nickelodeon, Jayashri Bhake, Principal, Orchids The International Schools, Malad West said, “At our schools, we are committed to creating an inclusive and supportive learning environment where every student feels valued and respected. It is great to see Nickelodeon taking a proactive approach in engaging with kids and establishing a warm connection with them beyond entertainment and setting an example for other organizations to follow. We are honoured to join hands with Nickelodeon to host this engaging discussion on being #OneOfAKind and contribute to this meaningful cause. We believe that this collaboration will bring positive change in our school community and beyond.”

The panel discussion was a part of Nickelodeon’s ongoing pro-socio initiative “Together for Good” which aims to inspire self-acceptance and self-love amongst kids and will help them in developing a strong sense of a positive self-image. The discussion, held at Orchids The International Schools – Malad West branch, was a huge success, attracting a diverse audience of over 200 participants, including parents, educators, social media influencers, and children.