All posts by Rabindra

Mumbai/Pune(S.N) – IKEA India has lowered prices for many of its products without an end date as part of its long-term steps to make home furnishings more affordable and accessible for the Indian market. It is applicable for both its offline and online offers.

Considering recent unprecedented situations such as the pandemic, rising costs of living, supply chain disruptions, and increased inflation, IKEA India has taken a step further to restrengthen its affordability agenda. These concerns were also highlighted by most Indians in IKEA’s Life at Home report 2022. The company announced lower prices for products across categories including store and organise furniture, storage solutions, living room seating, bedroom furniture, office storage, kitchen accessories, children’s storage, etc. This is a long-term initiative for IKEA to strengthen its affordability agenda. The prices of these products have been reduced starting from 16% to as much up to 39%. This initiative is aligned with IKEA’s omnichannel experience for the consumers as the low prices are also reflected in their food offerings and services.

Susanne Pulverer, CEO & CSO, of IKEA India said, “At IKEA we believe that everyone should be able to afford home furnishing products and solutions to be able to create homes they love. We are constantly challenging ourselves to find new ways to keep production costs as low as possible without compromising on design, function, quality, sustainability, health, or safety. Local sourcing, new & innovative solutions & materials, construction techniques, distribution, and transportation are some of the ways that help IKEA keep a competitive price point. We will continue to invest in creating a positive impact on society and the economy.”

IKEA India offers over 1100 products below 200 INR to become more affordable and accessible to many people. You can buy your favorite IKEA products at lower prices at any of their stores in Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Bengaluru, from their online store or the IKEA app.

Anuj Puri, Chairman – ANAROCK Group

The 25 bps rate hike is much along the expected lines. With repo rates now at 6.5%, there could be some repercussions on housing uptake as home loan interest rates will head further north. The rates had already crept up after five consecutive rate hikes over the last year. This will add to the financial burden on homebuyers as apart from home loan interest rates, property prices have also inched up in the recent past two to three quarters.

Given that interest rates may breach the 9.5% mark with today’s hike, we may see some pressure on sales volumes in the affordable and lower mid-range housing segments, which are more cost-conscious. The affordable segment has already been in the doldrums and adding further to the cost of acquisition obviously does not help.

That said, the Indian housing market continues to be largely end-user-driven – and end-users, unlike investors, focus less on ROI and more on the perceived value of homeownership. Furthermore, commodity prices are now falling and inflation is moderating. As such, we are unlikely to see any hikes in the near future, which will be positive for the housing sector in the times to come.

The monetary policy impacts real estate demand in several ways. When the central bank raises interest rates, borrowing costs for buying real estate increase, which can reduce demand for housing. Conversely, when interest rates are low, borrowing costs are lower, and demand for real estate may increase. Also, an expansionary monetary policy, which increases the money supply, can lead to increased consumer spending and borrowing, potentially driving up demand for real estate.

Finally, confidence in the economy is closely tied to monetary policy. When the central bank is seen as effectively managing the economy and maintaining stability, it can increase consumer confidence and demand for real estate.

Hyderabad, February 8th, 2022 – NASSCOM, the premier trade body and chamber of commerce of the Tech industry in India, has today hosted an insightful panel on the democratization of software development through Low Code and No Code technology. The tools gained massive acclaim worldwide for their ability to simplify software development. The NASSCOM panel scrutinized how LCNC is reshaping software development through its ability to deliver new capabilities with lower dependence on developers. Quixy, a leading No-Code technology platform from Hyderabad, in its expert capacity, was invited to share insights on the phenomenon of citizen development and to break down the myths surrounding this novel technology.

During the panel, Mr. Guruprasad Pammi, Head, of Customer Success, Quixy, said “There’s a rapidly growing receptivity in India and overseas for no-code technology owing to its efficiency. At Quixy, we have recorded a growing trust from customers, who have evolved from deploying no-code for simple use cases to more complex and integral functions. Quixy works with over 15 industries that have exploited novel technology to digitize their functions in the nimblest and most cost-efficient way. It is crucial for the government and the IT ecosystems across industries to leverage the opportunities for growth posed by LCNC technologies.”

The panel also witnessed the active participation of Mr. Siddhartha Mohanty, Co-founder & CTO, ARETEANS, and Mr. Manne V. Chowdary, Founder & CEO, AmpleLogic. The panel also widely discussed the success stories born out of the incorporation of NCLC technology into organizational functions.

Pune(S.N): Global Alliance for Mass Entrepreneurship (GAME) has launched its program to build the capacity of women entrepreneurs (Wes) to access finance and strengthen their enterprises. In October 2022, GAME formally signed an MOU with NRLM to launch a Women Entrepreneur Empowerment Program in 3 States of Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan to support over 10,000 women entrepreneurs with access to credit across 15 districts in the 3 states.

The program will be initially supported by strengthening National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) and State Rural Livelihood Mission (SRLM) architecture through capacity building and augmentation, training existing field cadres called Vitta Sakhis. The program also entails supplementing the existing NRLM (National Rural Livelihood Mission) training protocol and using it to train 3000 Vitta Sakhis, who will support potential entrepreneurs from among women SHG members to take up viable business enterprises.

The trained Vittal Sakhis will review compliance and eligibility of NRLM and SRLM (State Rural Livelihood Mission) identified women entrepreneurs. They will also mentor and help develop business plans to formalize their enterprise, as well as secure financial linkages. This program will also enlarge the narrative to establish a comprehensive onboarding process for financial institutions such as Public Sector Banks and Regional Rural Banks to unlock formal credit for the identified women entrepreneurs in rural areas.

GAME has collaborated with Haqdarshak to roll out this program in the 3 States. The collaboration is for a year and aims to link 10,000 women entrepreneurs with format credit.

Madan Padaki, Co-founder, of GAME said, “Our mission is to build a mass entrepreneurship movement that focuses on women specifically through a series of focused interventions and ecosystem support. Our MoU with NRLM in three states seeks to create a local ecosystem that supports women, by addressing issues with access to financing and assisting in realizing maximum growth potential. With this initiative, we intend to co-create a model that can be used across the country, while also learning quickly with all of our partners”.

Nita Kejriwal, Joint Secretary (RL), DAY-NRLM said, “The ability of women entrepreneurs (WEs) to obtain formal credit and strengthen their businesses must be improved in order to inspire and drive more women on the path of entrepreneurship. Through our enterprise finance initiative in partnership with GAME, we will assist 10,000 women entrepreneurs with formal financing, show them how to apply for formal credit, avail of benefits of various government programs, and persuade them to adopt digital tools for expanding their businesses. We hope to encourage more women to start their own businesses, support those who are already doing so, and foster a larger ecosystem for women entrepreneurship to thrive.”

India, February 8th, 2022 – Quixy, the leading no-code platform company, is thrilled to announce its Great Place to Work certification. This accolade reflects Quixy’s dedication to fostering a positive and inclusive work environment for all employees. An outstanding 87% of Quixy’s workforce has shared that Quixy is a great place to work, which is significantly higher than the average among tech companies.

Great Place to Work, the global expert authority on workplace culture, has conducted research that shows that job seekers are 4.5 times more likely to find a great boss in a certified great workplace. Moreover, at certified workplaces, employees are 93% more likely to look forward every day to come to work & are twice as likely to be paid fairly & do have a fair chance at promotion.

84.6% of Quixy employees participated in the extensive Great Place to Work Employee Survey that assesses employee perspectives on their workplace and the organization’s unique culture through the Culture Brief & Culture Audit. The survey included questions that evaluate different aspects of the workplace, such as trust in management, pride in the company, teamwork among coworkers, and job satisfaction. The assessment process combined the employee survey results, culture audit, and data analysis to determine the organization’s overall score on the Trust Index.

Description automatically generated Great Place to Work certification model is built on 5 integral criteria – Credibility, Respect, Fairness, Pride, and Camaraderie, based on which the survey is formulated. In a comparative study with the top IT Software companies listed in the report, Quixy has far excelled in most of the categories on average. In areas such as egalitarian treatment, gender equality, appreciation and recognition, and managerial geniality, Quixy has hit the top, surpassing the average of the Top 75 mid-sized workplaces and IT Software companies. Quixy, thus reiterated its commitment to providing its employees with a positive and fulfilling work environment and its customers with innovative solutions that drive growth and success.

Quixy’s results include the following highlights:

• 88% of Quixy employees rate management as credible (trustworthy, believable) in terms of communication practices, competence, and integrity.
• 86% of Quixy employees feel respected by management based on the amount of support, collaboration, and caring they perceive from their actions.
• 87% of Quixy employees feel that management practices are fair based on their perceptions of equity, impartiality, and justice.
• 89% of Quixy employees feel that their job, their team, or their company gives them a sense of pride.
  88% of Quixy employees feel that their work is enjoyable.

“The Great Place to Work certification is an incredible achievement and indicative of our work culture, which fosters trust & respect for people, promotes impartiality at work, & fosters a sense of camaraderie among our team members. At Quixy, we strive to create a positive and inclusive culture where all our employees feel valued and supported. We will continue to prioritize the well-being and development of our team members as we work towards achieving our mission”, said Mr. Gautam Nimmagadda, Founder & CEO, Quixy.

“Receiving the Great Place to Work certification is proof of the dedication & hard work of our team and the high-trust work environment we have collectively built over the last three years as a team. It also recognizes leadership’s resolve to empower all associates to thrive in their current positions and throughout their careers. Let’s keep up the great work and let us cherish this moment as we continue down the path of success.”, added Mr. Vivek Goel, VP of Marketing, at Quixy.

The Great Place to Work certification comes from employee feedback and an in-depth analysis of the company’s policies, practices, and culture. Quixy scored high in areas such as trust in leadership, feeling valued, and overall employee satisfaction.

February may be the shortest month of the year, but it’s got major gift-giving potential.
While each day is special when you are in love, this is your chance to make your partner feel extra special by expressing your love through gifts or words. So why not forgo the tradition of flowers and chocolates and opt for more practical gifts this year that will make you famous with your partner?

French Essence has put together special gift sets this Valentine’s Day that will totally make your leading lady or man swoon, while maybe even taking your relationship to the next level.

Luxury Perfume Gift Sets for Men and Women (INR 999)

The gift set includes variants like Grace which is a blast of floral and citrusy goodness; Intense and Bloom which have woody, spicy & earthy Fragrance; Amber Magic which takes its inspiration from Exotic flowers from French fields; Recharge, Triumph and Oud has Fresh citrusy notes blended with the sweetness of coconut, along with spicy and woody patchouli

Perfume & Deodorant Gift Set – Intense | Luxury Long Lasting Fragrance | Premium Body Spray | Combo Pack (INR 749)

A perfect gift for any event or celebration, this set of deodorant and perfume is carefully crafted for your loved ones.

Perfume & Deodorant Gift Set – Oud | Luxury Long Lasting Fragrance | Premium Body Spray | Unisex Gift Pack | Combo Pack (INR 749)
A perfect gift for all occasions, the Oud deodorant and perfume set is a heady indulgence of woody notes, from the exotic lands of Arabia

Perfume & Deodorant Gift Set – Bloom | Luxury Long Lasting Fragrance | Premium Body Spray | Gift Kit | Combo Pack (INR 749)
A gift set that can make the receiver feel oh-so-special…Grace deodorant and perfume entice you with the magical sweetness of French flowers blended with tangy citrus.

Perfume & Deodorant Gift Set – Grace | Luxury Long Lasting Fragrance | Premium Body Spray | Gift Kit | Combo Pack (INR 749)
A gift set that brings one closer to nature, Grace Perfume and deodorant have a splash of floral and fruity freshness… Perfect for those dear to you!

Available at their Website – www.frenchessence.com, Amazon, and Flipkart.

Besides these gift packs, French Essence is having an unmissable sale on their website from 8th February – 15th February where you’ll get up to 40% off.

French Essence believes that Valentine’s Day’s not only about couples celebrating their love. It’s also a day when you cherish everything and everyone you love. So, whether you’re shopping for your partner, your friend, your sister, your mum, or even yourself, French Essence has got you covered.

Love can’t be defined. It is an emotion that is differently placed in everyone’s heart. Valentine’s Day becomes a medium to express your affection and feelings to your loved ones. An aura of unsaid passion and sentiments is spread. Zest of love surrounds the dreams. If you are single, you begin to procrastinate and if you are in a relationship, you begin to ponder upon bestowing a present. Take a deep breath and think about what surprises your love! Feeling a bit confused, don’t worry, we have a solution to your problem!

Archana Aggarwal’s latest collection will be a spellbound tour, Valentine. The perfect gift for beaus, darlings, and single pals that encapsulates romantic feelings or self-love. Her collection enthralls the presence and creates an angelic look. The embellishments radiate the essence of togetherness and intimacy. Each piece hones the look creating a youthful appearance. The pristine collection sets your mood and attracts attention from the rest. The fusion of traditional and contemporary styles satisfies the fashion palette. The collection diffuses bounce and vibrance.

Price: On request

Showroom: Ambawatta One, H-5/1, Kalka Das Marg, Mehrauli, New Delhi 110030

Nothing beats a romantic getaway to The Maldives, especially around Valentine’s Day. Consider the spectacular views, tranquil cottages, and intimate candlelit dinners as examples of the kind of mastery we seek when celebrating love. Delve yourself in the charm and splendor of Sangeli island, which has 137 solitary villas divided into six categories and is positioned in the Maldives. These villas, which are spread along the white beaches and hoisted on stilts over the cove, meld tropical and contemporary design with captivating interiors.

The beachfront honeymoon suites have a plush enclosed patio with sunbeds and homely reclining, as well as an incredible private pool, thereby making them the perfect romantic hideaway for newlyweds and couples. Glamorous decor and a chic lasting impression establish an affectionate nest from which to enjoy magnificent sunset views and direct lagoon availability. The property only has six overwater Maldives honeymoon suites with retractable roofs, each with a plush round bed overlooking the lagoon, a soulful round bathtub, mirrored walls and ceilings, clerestories, and more. From luxe toiletries to the all-essential complimentary Wi-Fi, you’ll find everything you need for an extravagant stay. The mini-bar is replenished daily with alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, as well as a selection of snacks.

Experience a variety of dishes artfully served in gorgeous island settings at some of the finest Maldives restaurants. Choose from four outlets – changing buffet experiences in The Courtyard, snacks at The Sangs, or visit their specialty restaurants – Just Grill or Just Wok. And beyond gourmet food, enjoy the finest cocktails, wines, and drinks all day long.

Sangeli is also ideal for adventure seekers who want to explore the Maldives’ underwater world entirely on their own. The resort has a sandy lagoon as well as a sheer coral cliff edge with a rope attached to buoys that enable semi to snorkel on their own.

This Valentine’s Day, immerse yourself in the charm of the Maldivian ocean breeze with your beloved and revel in romance at the ocean villas at OBLU Select Sangeli that provide the perfect romantic setting to celebrate the day of love.

By Dr. Brajmohan Singh, Consultant – Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, HCG Hospitals Bhavnagar.

Our heart beats around 2.5 billion times in the average lifetime, circulating millions of gallons of blood throughout the body. This blood carries oxygen, fuel, hormones, and several other essential compounds that our body requires to stay functional. The heart’s workload is never ending, and it keeps on beating and keeps us alive. When the heart stops, almost all essential functions of the body fail. Poor diet, lack of exercise, smoking, infection, genetic issues are some common risk factors that cause various heart-related disorders. While winters are favorite for a large number of people in our country owing to the comfortable cold weather, it is also the time when one must be cautious about keeping one’s heart healthy. This is because winters are found to increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Here’s why and what to do to amp up heart health during winter.

How winters affect the heart health

The cold weather during winter contracts the blood vessels, thereby narrowing them. This results in increased blood pressure which enhances the risk of heart attack and stroke. Also, angina – chest pain due to coronary heart disease may worsen in the winter as the coronary vessels get narrowed. Also, the cold weather puts extra pressure on the heart as it has to work harder to maintain a healthy body temperature against the cold wind which makes the body lose more heat at a faster rate. In extreme cases, hypothermia can occur when the body temperature drops below 95 degrees and that could damage the heart muscle.

Here are various ways by which cold weather can affect one’s heart and what can be done to protect heart health.

Cold weather: Chilly winds and cold can cause arteries to narrow, restricting blood flow to the heart. Doing strenuous activities that put pressure on the heart at this time can make one more prone to a heart attack or stroke. Also, those with persistent heart disease must be more conscious during winter as it could aggravate and cause chest pain or trigger an attack.

Watch out for the signs of heart attack

The most common sign of a heart attack is acute chest pain. While men may experience nausea and dizziness, heart attacks among women are mostly asymptomatic which could lead to disregarding the signs.

Seasonal flu: Winters are known for influenza or flu including inflammation, dehydration, and fever. These could enhance the stress on the heart. It has been observed that the risk of getting a heart attack after getting the flu increases by 6 times.

Sedentary lifestyle: When winter, one prefers to stay indoors and become inactive. A sedentary lifestyle isn’t good for heart health and can anyway increase the risk of heart-related issues.

Overindulgence: It is hard to resist alcohol and comfort foods during winter but excessive consumption of alcohol and oily foods can increase the risk of heart attacks. One can, however, choose healthy food to warm up during winter like low-sodium, cream-free soups, oatmeal, roasted carrots, and other winter veggies.

Tips to keep the heart healthy during winter

•  Strenuous exercise must be avoided as that could put excessive pressure on heart health
•  One must dress in layers so that it is easier to remove clothing as overheating may also trigger a heart attack or stroke.
•  One must avoid excessive alcohol as it can make one feel warmer than the body temperature and can be specifically dangerous when one steps out in the cold.
•  Washing hands frequently ensure keeping flu and other respiratory infections at bay. Respiratory infections can also increase the risk of a heart attack.

One must get clinical help at once if one experiences any signs of heart-related disorders.

India, 08 February 2023: Genius Consultants Limited, India’s leading Integrated HR Solutions provider, recently conducted a comprehensive nationwide survey on “Work Spillover and Carrying Back Work at Home.” The entire process conducted between November 16th, 2022, and December 16th, 2022, has received participation from 1173 individuals across various sectors.

Work spillover has been identified into two categories mainly- Positive & Negative. While Positive spillover can occur when an employee’s job satisfaction and positive experiences at work lead to improved mood and well-being outside of work. On the other hand, negative spillover can occur when an employee’s job stress and undesirable experiences at work lead to adverse effects on their mood and well-being outside of work, potentially leading to burnout.

The survey revealed that 38% of India Inc believe that work spillover has a negative effect on employees, causing increased levels of anxiety and stress in their daily lives. Despite the fact that a significant portion of employees engages in this practice, a notable 37% of respondents expressed their opposition to it. The survey was designed to gather insights from employees and aimed to investigate the prevalence of work spillover and the carrying of work back home.

The study conducted by Genius Consultants Limited has unveiled that a majority of 52% of participants carry their work back home as a result of excessive pressure and an overburdening workload. Additionally, 39% of participants have attributed this trend to unjustified work timelines and persistent follow-ups from senior management while the remaining 9% have called out unsupportive or unskilled team members as a reason for carrying work back home to meet work delivery timelines. Furthermore, a significant 32% of participants acknowledged that work spillover leads to reduced family time, while 23% cited decreased work efficiency and productivity as a consequence. The study also highlighted that not only does work spillover cause increased anxiety and stress, but an overwhelming 37% of participants concurred that they are often required to work on holidays and during leaves. A mere 30% reported not preferring to engage in work-related activities while on leave, while 21% of participants considered this to be a necessity based on the urgency of the job.

The prevalent issue of work spillover has been widely acknowledged, yet a significant 32% of participants in the survey expressed confidence in the resolution of this problem through the development of a skilled team through training. Moreover, 38% of participants believed that the redistribution of workload could effectively address the crisis. On the other hand, a handful of 10% placed their trust in senior management and sought their support in addressing this issue.

Commenting on the same, R P Yadav, CMD, Genius Consultants Ltd. shared his thoughts on the survey results, stating “Given the current situation of work spillover, it is imperative for employees to establish clear boundaries and effectively manage their time to avoid burnout. Employers must also shoulder the responsibility of providing their employees with the necessary resources and support to manage their workloads. The daily struggles of individuals have taken a toll on the mental health of many employees. However, effective communication between employees and employers can help to alleviate this problem and foster a better understanding among them. We firmly believe that conducting such surveys periodically is essential to gather valuable Industry perspectives on pressing issues.”

The survey was conducted on all social media platforms – Official GCL pages of LinkedIn, LinkedIn Polls, Twitter, Facebook & Instagram, relevant Facebook groups, and Google Free Sites (Survey Monkey, Type form, Google forms, etc.).