All posts by Sujata Achary

Chandigarh, 23 January 2025: The Association of Investment Bankers of India (AIBI) successfully hosted the 13th Annual Convention at the Jio World Convention Centre, Bandra Kurla Complex, Mumbai. This prestigious event, themed “IPOs in Emerging Global Superpower,” brought together over 1000 delegates, including industry stalwarts, regulators, and market experts, to discuss the pivotal role of IPOs in India’s economic ascent.

Graced by esteemed leaders such as Ms. Madhabi Puri Buch, Chairperson, SEBI, Mr. Ashwani Bhatia, Wholetime Member SEBI, Mr. Manoj Kumar, Executive Director, SEBI, Mr. Ashishkumar Chauhan, MD & CEO, NSE, and Mr. Sundararaman R., MD & CEO, BSE, the convention spotlighted India’s record-breaking IPO achievements and its emergence as a global hub for capital market activity.

Keynote sessions from NSE and BSE leadership underscored the transformative role of stock exchanges in driving economic growth, while an interactive session with the Chairperson of SEBI focused on regulatory innovations shaping India’s IPO ecosystem. Engaging panel discussions explored critical themes, including scaling startups to IPO success, growth opportunities in SME IPOs, enhancing India’s IPO framework for global competitiveness, global benchmarking of IPO diligence, and market trends shaping the future of capital markets.

AIBI unveiled a series of landmark initiatives designed to further strengthen the merchant banking ecosystem and support India’s growing capital markets:

•  AIBI 1st Annual Magazine: A publication featuring industry insights, legal updates, and an overview of India’s primary market, along with a report on AIBI’s past and future initiatives.
•  SME Manual: A guide to standardising the preparation of offer documents for SME IPOs, developed in consultation with stock exchanges.
•  White Paper on Capital Formation: An exploration of India’s journey toward becoming a ten-trillion-dollar economy, highlighting liquidity trends and the role of merchant bankers in economic growth.
•  AIBI Membership Database: A tool for tracking merchant banker performance, including operational metrics and transaction track record.
•  Certificate Program in Merchant Banking: A six-month residential program in collaboration with NISM to address the growing need of skilled investment banking professionals in merchant banking.
•  MOU between AIBI and MBAN: A partnership with the Merchant Bankers Association of Nepal to foster cross-border collaboration.

Elaborating on insights from the 13th Annual Convention, Mr. Mahavir Lunawat, Chairman, AIBI, said, “The initiatives launched at this year’s Convention mark a significant step toward building a robust and future-ready merchant banking ecosystem. New initiatives aim to address critical gaps, such as growing need of skilled professionals and the need for standardising practices. These efforts underscore AIBI’s commitment to fostering innovation, transparency, and cross-border collaboration to support the nation’s ambitious economic growth agenda.”

“As we look forward to the Union Budget 2025, we are optimistic about transformational initiatives that will further propel India’s hospitality sector to new heights. The sector holds immense potential, as evidenced by an impressive occupancy rate of 68% in the last financial year—the highest in a decade—driven by a surge in both leisure and business travel. However, despite over 230 million international arrivals recorded in the Asia-Pacific region in 2023, India accounted for just 7.2 million, highlighting significant untapped opportunities. To capitalize on this potential, continued investments in robust infrastructure development are essential. We anticipate that the Union Budget will prioritize policies that accelerate infrastructure growth, streamline approvals, and encourage private sector participation. Granting the industry full sector status could be an effective way to fast-track financing and approvals, and strengthen India’s position as a global tourism hub.

Policies which will foster innovation in sustainable tourism and introduce incentives for adopting green practices, which will not only benefit businesses but also ensure long-term environmental stewardship could add another dimension to the progress of the industry.”

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Chandigarh, 23 January 2025: Air India, India’s leading global airline, has rolled out an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven feature eZ Booking whereby customers can complete their reservation on its website in fewer steps than currently available by just texting or talking to the AI Agent his detailed travel itinerary.

Currently available exclusively for members of Maharaja Club, Air India’s loyalty program, the innovation helps customers book their tickets on the Air India website, airindia.com, by eliminating several commands and without having to navigate multiple screens. eZ Booking is another step in Air India’s endeavor to give its customers an enhanced and seamless experience.

eZ Booking is powered by intelligent ‘Agentic AI’ tools and simulates the role of a travel agent by listening to the customer’s requirements and generating a customized itinerary. ‘Agentic AI’ helps users complete complex tasks with minimal human intervention by utilizing machine learning, natural language processing, and automation technologies to take decisive action.

The reservation journey on digital channels for airline customers involves navigation through multiple screens to enter travel details, make selections from available choices, feed in information about travelers, etc. before making the payment and getting the ticket. eZ Booking aims to streamline the process to fewer clicks and pages by eliminating multi-step navigation on the website.

How eZ Booking works:

•  Simple and Minimal Steps: Customers can express their travel needs in simple natural language. For example, they can say ‘Give me the first flight from Delhi to Mumbai tomorrow’ or ‘I need to go to Chennai from Mumbai next Thursday and return on Friday,’ just like they would convey their travel needs to a human travel agent. The eZ Booking would promptly provide a complete itinerary which the user can accept or modify if required and simply make the payment to get the ticket.
•  Voice Input: Guests can also talk to eZ Booking instead of entering text. This further simplifies the effort needed to convey the travel intention and creates an almost human-like interaction.
•  Changes or Choices with Minimum Commands: In case guests are not satisfied with the itinerary provided, they can easily change it with additional input on what needs to be modified through text or voice commands. This combination of visual presentation and text or voice driven changes speeds up the entire reservation process sparing the customer the hassle to navigate back and forth several screens to change and re-enter the choices made earlier.

“In our pursuit of developing technologies to elevate customer experience and provide them a seamless and intelligent digital interface, we have introduced eZ Booking on our website, initially for our loyalty programme members. This is an industry-leading initiative and we are taking early steps in deploying the emerging ‘Agentic AI’ capabilities across all our digital footprint. We hope our guests will enjoy the ease-of-use, speed and convenience of eZ Booking, that further enriches our strong digital channel presence,” said Dr. Satya Ramaswamy, Chief Digital and Technology Officer, Air India.

Air India’s pioneering experience in using the latest artificial intelligence technologies helps the airline offer a smooth reservations journey making eZ Booking customer friendly. The patent-pending design concept for eZ Booking had won the ‘Red Dot Design Concepts’ award recently which is showcased in the Red Dot Design Museum in Singapore.

eZ Booking further enhances experience for Air India’s online customers by leveraging learnings from Air India’s innovative AI-driven chatbot ‘AI.g’, launched in May 2023. The global airline industry’s first generative AI chatbot, the AI.g has responded to over 7 million guest queries so far, answering 50,000 queries per day across multiple issues. It answers an impressive 97% of queries autonomously, with just 3% of the queries escalated to human agents.

Guests can find the eZ Booking feature on the top navigation bar once they log into the Maharaja Club website on www.airindia.com. Air India plans to launch the eZ Booking feature on its mobile website and mobile app in the coming weeks.

Chandigarh, 23 January 2025: This Republic Day, Croma is offering savings worth remembering with massive price drops on electronics and home appliances. The eagerly awaited Republic Day Sale, running from January 16 to 26, 2025, is packed with incredible deals both in-store and online at www.croma.com and Tata Neu.

Croma’s Republic Day Sale offers consumers the perfect opportunity to upgrade their lifestyle with the best prices on a wide selection of electronics and home appliances. From January 23, beat the heat with the Croma 1.5T 3 Star AC starting, or revamp your kitchen with a Croma 303L Frost Free Refrigerator. Make laundry easier with a Croma 8Kg Top Load Washing Machine, or opt for the Croma 7Kg Front Load Washing Machine. Home entertainment enthusiasts can grab the 55-inch UHD TV or the premium 65-inch UHD Google TV. Tech-savvy shoppers can enjoy unbeatable deals with the Intel i3 Laptop. For those looking for the latest gadgets, the Samsung Galaxy Fold 5 starts, while the Apple iPhone 16.

To make purchases even more rewarding, consumers can avail of special offers with up to ₹26,000 instant cashback on select bank cards from ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank, Amex, BoB Cards, Federal Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank, South Indian Bank, and HSBC. In addition, consumers can also avail of up to ₹26,000 cashback through consumer finance providers like Bajaj Finserv, HDB Financial Services, HDFC Bank, and IDFC First Bank.

Shibashish Roy, Chief Executive Officer, Croma – Infiniti Retail Ltd, said, “Croma’s Republic Day Sale underscores our commitment to delivering savings that our consumers will find worth remembering. With exclusive offers and partnerships with leading banks and consumer finance providers, we aim to make top-quality electronics and appliances accessible to all. Whether you’re shopping in-store or online, our vast range of options ensures something for everyone.”

With over 550+ stores nationwide and a seamless online shopping experience at www.croma.com, Croma ensures that consumers across India can enjoy these exceptional deals and upgrade their lifestyle during this Republic Day Sale.

Chandigarh, 23 January 2025: Voltas Beko, a leading brand in the consumer appliances space, is excited to announce the launch of its new influencer campaign to promote its revolutionary HarvestFresh technology in refrigerators. Following the success of its TV and digital campaigns launched in October last year, this new influencer campaign aims to reach a wider audience by leveraging the power of 20 influencers across various genres, including lifestyle, nutrition, food, and parenting.

The campaign will feature prominent influencers such as Kishwer Merchant, Ambika Dutt, Uma Raghuraman, Rashmi Rai, Aarti Madan, and many others. These influencers were carefully selected based on the audience profile and brand resonance with Voltas Beko. These personalities will be showcasing the innovative features of Voltas Beko’s refrigerators, which boast advanced technology that preserves the freshness of fruits and vegetables for longer periods. The influencers will highlight the key benefits of this cutting-edge product, with a clear call to action directing their followers to visit Voltas Beko stores or explore the website for more details.

At the core of the HarvestFresh refrigerator range is a groundbreaking technology that mimics the natural 24-hour sun cycle, using a three-color light system. This innovation ensures the preservation of essential vitamins such as Vitamin A and Vitamin C in fruits and vegetables, helping them last longer while retaining their nutritional value. This technology supports healthy living by keeping fresh produce at its nutritional best, making it easier for families to incorporate more fruits and vegetables into their daily diets. The HarvestFresh technology is available in both FrostFree and Direct Cool refrigerator categories, offering an energy-efficient solution that meets the needs of modern homes.

Speaking about the new campaign launch, Mr. Prasenjit Basu, Head of Marketing at Voltas Beko, said, “As trailblazers in the introduction of innovative technology in India, Voltas Beko takes pride in leading the charge to redefine freshness and establish new benchmarks in food preservation. Our latest campaign unites a dynamic group of influencers renowned for their authentic and impactful content, reaching a diverse audience of over 7.5 million. This initiative not only enhances our messaging but also drives increased foot traffic to our stores, where customers can experience the groundbreaking HarvestFresh technology firsthand.”

He added, “Our mission transcends mere education; we aim to inspire families to adopt this technology, transforming their kitchens into smarter, more efficient spaces that excel in preserving nutrition. By harnessing the power of HarvestFresh, we empower consumers to enjoy fresher and more nutritious food, ultimately enhancing their overall well-being and lifestyle.”

With its strong emphasis on innovation, style, and functionality of products, and an engaging influencer collaboration campaign, Voltas Beko is poised to be the brand of choice for Indian families this year.

Chandigarh, January 23, 2025: Essar Renewables Ltd (ERL), Essar’s venture into the green energy sector, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Maharashtra at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos. The MoU paves the way for Essar Renewables’ proposed investment in the state, with plans to develop 2 GW of renewable energy capacity for its green mobility initiative.

Under the terms of the agreement, Essar Renewables will invest approximately ₹8,000 crore in a mix of round-the-clock renewable energy projects, primarily aimed at supporting the Electric Vehicle truck charging ecosystem of Blue Energy Motors and Greenline.

This investment is expected to generate direct employment for over 2,000 individuals, contributing to the state’s transition to green energy and economic growth.

The proposed projects are slated to commence in the fiscal year 2026-27.

Commenting on the partnership, Ankur Kumar, CEO, of Essar Renewables said, “We are excited to embark on this transformative journey with the Government of Maharashtra. This collaboration represents a crucial milestone in our renewable energy projects and also establishes us as a formidable player in the sector.”

Prashant Ruia, Director, Essar, added, “As we navigate the global energy transition, this partnership with the Government of Maharashtra is a critical step in reshaping the future of sustainable energy for green mobility. With our investment in renewable energy and green mobility solutions, we are driving the state’s growth while positioning India as a global leader in the green economy.”

The partnership aligns with Essar Renewables’ ambitious goal of surpassing 8 GW of renewable energy capacity over the next five years.

Chandigarh, 23rd January 2025: Ashok Leyland, the Indian flagship of the Hinduja Group and the country’s leading commercial vehicle manufacturer, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), with ESAF Small Finance Bank to enter into a strategic vehicle financing partnership for its customers. This MoU will enable both Ashok Leyland and ESAF Small Finance Bank to offer customized financial solutions to the customers.

The MoU was signed by Mr. Viplav Shah, Head – of LCV Business, Ashok Leyland, and Mr. George Oommen – Business Head – of General Loans & Mobility Loans, ESAF Small Finance Bank in the presence of Mr. Amandeep Singh, President- of LCV, IO, PSB & Defence, Ashok Leyland. Under this partnership, ESAF Small Finance Bank will provide end-to-end financial solutions to the customers of Ashok Leyland. The partnership will focus on meeting customer needs by providing vehicle loans with convenient monthly repayment plans tailored to their preferences.

Mr. Amandeep Singh, President- LCV, IO, PSB & Defence, Ashok Leyland said, “At Ashok Leyland, we are dedicated to continuously enhancing our customers’ experience and delivering greater value. With the combined strength of ESAF Small Finance Bank and Ashok Leyland, our customers will now have access to comprehensive financing solutions with specially curated easy repayment plans”.

Mr. Viplav Shah, Head-LCV Business, Ashok Leyland said, “Ashok Leyland Light Commercial Vehicle Business is delighted to partner with ESAF Small Finance Bank to provide attractive financing solutions to our customers. This strategic partnership will strengthen Ashok Leyland’s market position. Driven by innovative technology, our products offer an unmatched total cost of ownership, ensuring optimal profitability for our customers. We are steadfast in our commitment to delivering exceptional experiences that exceed customer expectations.”

Mr. George Oommen — Business Head – General Loans & Mobility Loans, ESAF Small Finance Bank said, “We are delighted to join forces with Ashok Leyland to provide commercial vehicle owners access to seamless financing solutions customized to their needs. At ESAF Small Finance Bank, our mission has always been to empower businesses and individuals with financial solutions that drive growth and prosperity. This partnership with Ashok Leyland allows us to extend our commitment to financial inclusion by supporting commercial vehicle customers with accessible and customized financing options. Together, we aim to enable entrepreneurs and businesses to achieve their goals while contributing to economic growth and community development.”

Ashok Leyland today offers a comprehensive range of trucks and buses to meet the full spectrum of commercial vehicle needs, from intercity light commercial vehicles to long-haul trucks and a wide variety of buses. Ashok Leyland’s vehicles ensure safe transport and driver-friendly options. As a pioneer in technological innovations within the truck and bus segment, Ashok Leyland is fully equipped with a range of buses powered by alternative fuels, dedicated to reducing pollution and promoting an eco-friendly transport system in India.

New Delhi, January 22, 2025 – Tajurba, India’s leading business networking platform for SMEs, successfully organized a full-day workshop on the topic “SME to IPO” at Hotel Crowne Plaza, Okhla. The event witnessed an overwhelming response, with over 200 SME business owners from across India attending to explore the potential of taking their businesses public through SME IPOs.

The workshop was conducted by Suresh Mansharamani, India’s top SME IPO coach, celebrated for his unparalleled expertise in guiding small and medium-sized enterprises on the path to growth, fund-raising, and stock market listing.

During the session, Suresh Mansharamani shared deep insights on every critical aspect of the IPO journey, including:

•  Fundraising Strategies
•  Valuation Essentials
•  Step-by-step process of Listing on the SME Exchange

He also stressed the importance of building a strong financial foundation for businesses aspiring to go public. “SMEs must ensure their books are clean, all compliances are strictly adhered to, and their balance sheets are healthy and transparent. These are essential prerequisites for a successful listing,” Mr. Suresh Mansharamani, co-founder of Tajurba Business Network emphasized.

The workshop provided attendees with actionable strategies and practical knowledge, empowering them to scale their businesses and unlock new opportunities through public listings.

Speaking about the workshop’s success, Tajurba’s co founder Uma Mansharamani said, “Our mission is to help SMEs scale up and achieve their true potential. This workshop is another step towards enabling business owners to realize their IPO dreams and become key contributors to India’s economic growth.”

The event concluded with interactive Q&A sessions, networking opportunities, and success stories of SMEs that have already made their way to the stock exchange.

Mumbai: In a remarkable achievement, a team led by Dr Rajashri Tayshete Bhasale, Consultant Obstetrics & Gynaecologist and Laparoscopic Surgeon, consisting of Nephrologist Dr Puneet Bhuwania, Hematologist Dr. Muralidaran C. successfully treated a 26-year-old pregnant woman who arrived in critical condition with a hemoglobin level of 2 (g/dL) and a rare diagnosis of catastrophic antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (APLA). The woman delivered a healthy preterm baby weighing 1.2 kg following an emergency cesarean section and an intensive medical intervention, including plasmapheresis therapy, multiple blood transfusions, and steroid treatments to improve the baby’s lung maturity.

Patient Isha ( name changed), a resident of Palghar, multigravida (in her second pregnancy) experienced low hemoglobin of 4 (g/dL) in her 8 months of pregnancy in November 2024 The patient’s hemoglobin dropped to 2 (g/dL) by the time she reached Wockhardt Hospitals, Mira Road. Fortunately, the mother and the baby were safe due to the timely intervention by the skilled team of doctors.

Dr Rajashri Tayshete Bhasale, Consultant Obstetrics & Gynaecologist and Laparoscopic Surgeon at Wockhardt Hospitals, Mira Road said, “This was one of the most challenging and unique cases. The patient arrived with severe anemia with hemoglobin of 2, pulmonary edema, and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) which means her blood thinning power had been lost as this was confirmed via a D-dimer, her USG reports were normal. However, the baby’s health started deteriorating. First, we suspected abruption after extensive blood product transfusions, we stabilized enough for surgery while taking care of failure and Pulmonary edema. Emergency LSCS done after stabilization 1.2 kg baby was delivered, but there were no signs of Abruption. Further evaluation with the team including a Haematologist, diagnosis of Catastrophic APLA was made. Catastrophic APLA syndrome was been detected. The condition, seen in approximately 1 in 2 to 5 lakh individuals, posed severe risks to both mother and baby. This rare immunological condition caused her body to destroy hemoglobin, necessitating plasmapheresis therapy which is a type of dialysis procedure to remove harmful proteins

Dr Rajashri added, “The team’s collective effort and timely intervention saved both mother and baby. Thankfully, we could stabilize her and deliver a healthy baby weighing 1.2 kgs despite the odds.”

Dr. Puneet Bhuwania, Consultant Nephrologist & Transplant Physician highlighted, “The successful use of plasma therapy (type of dialysis) in such a critical case highlights the importance of rapid diagnosis and advanced therapies in saving lives. Catastrophic APLA syndrome is a rare, life-threatening condition, and this case showcases how a holistic approach can achieve remarkable outcomes. The patient’s history of unexplained anemia two years ago likely points to an earlier undiagnosed episode.”

The patient and her baby have since been discharged, while the baby received three weeks of preterm care in the NICU. This case underscores Wockhardt Hospitals, Mira Road’s commitment to providing cutting-edge medical care and their expertise in handling complex, life-threatening conditions. It is also a testament to the importance of multidisciplinary teamwork in saving lives.

“I am thankful to Dr Rajashri and her team as they provided us with timely diagnosis and treatment. When I was admitted, I was so weak that I thought I wouldn’t survive, But the team at Wockhardt Hospitals, Mira Road didn’t give up on me. They explained everything clearly and treated me with care and compassion. My baby and I are alive today because of them, and we are forever grateful,” concluded the patient Isha ( name changed).