Category business

5th February 2024 India: Kognoz, a leading technology-driven people consulting company, has announced a strategic partnership with Giift, a global leader in loyalty and rewards technology. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in the realm of workplace dynamics, introducing a revolutionary platform named “IMMERSE” designed to address the challenges posed by the hybrid model of work.

IMMERSE is a cutting-edge employee engagement approach that prioritizes self-determination and fosters an environment of immersion – specifically, immersion in purpose and well-being. In an era where remote and hybrid work models have become the norm, it aims to redefine the employee experience by providing a unique and tailored solution for immersive engagement.

The partnership between Kognoz and Giift aims to leverage their respective strengths to create a comprehensive solution for businesses seeking to overcome the challenges of employee engagement in the evolving landscape of work. With the hybrid model presenting unprecedented hurdles in fostering a connected and engaged workforce, IMMERSE emerges as the solution to bridge the gap.

Kognoz, known for its technology-driven people consulting expertise, brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table. The company’s innovative approach to human capital development aligns seamlessly with Giift leadership in employee engagement solutions. Together, they aim to create a holistic platform that addresses the dynamic needs of modern workplaces.

Talking about the partnership, Mr. Lokesh Nigam, Co-founder and Director, Kognoz said, “We are thrilled to partner with Giift on this groundbreaking initiative “IMMERSE is not just a platform; it’s a paradigm shift in how we perceive and approach employee engagement. In collaboration with Giift, we are excited to bring forth a solution that goes beyond the conventional, offering an immersive experience that caters to the unique needs of the hybrid workforce”.

Giift, recognized for its loyalty management solutions around the globe, adds its extensive insights and technology prowess to the partnership. The collaboration envisions empowering organizations to build a culture of sustained engagement, promoting employee well-being, and enhancing overall productivity.

Mr. Manoj Agarwal, Co-Founder, CPO & CMO – Giift said “We are looking forward to this strategic partnership with Kognoz as IMMERSE aligns perfectly with our mission to create meaningful and memorable experiences for employees, regardless of their work location. Together, we aim to redefine the employee engagement landscape and set new benchmarks in fostering a connected and motivated workforce”.

The partnership between Kognoz and Giift is poised to usher in a new era of employee engagement, providing organizations with the tools and strategies needed to thrive in the hybrid work environment. Immerse is set to be a game-changer, offering a unique blend of technology, human-centric design, and a forward-thinking approach to employee well-being.

Bengaluru, 5th February 2024: NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL) in partnership with Lyra, a French leader in securing e-commerce and proximity payments, has announced the acceptance of Unified Payments Interface (UPI) payment mechanism in France starting with the iconic Eiffel Tower. Indian tourists can now book their visit to the Eiffel Tower by purchasing tickets online using UPI — making the transaction process quick, easy, and hassle-free.

The official announcement was made in Paris at an event organized by the Indian Embassy in France to celebrate the Republic Day of India. His Excellency M. Jawed Ashraf, the Ambassador of India to France and Monaco, along with distinguished guests including Prisca Thevenot, Minister Delegate to the Prime Minister and Government Spokesperson, France, Alain Lacour, President of the Lyra Group, Christophe Mariette, Commercial Director of Lyra France, and Patrick Branco Ruivo, CEO of Société d’Exploitation de la Tour Eiffel, graced the occasion.

This announcement is of particular significance considering that Indian tourists rank as the second largest group of international visitors to the Eiffel Tower. With this development, Indian tourists can make secure online transactions by simply using their UPI-powered apps to scan the QR code generated on the merchant website and initiate a payment.

Acceptance of UPI in France not only provides Indian tourists with a seamless payment option but also opens up numerous opportunities for merchants across France and Europe operating in the tourism and retail sectors. While the Eiffel Tower is the first merchant to offer UPI payments in France, this service will soon be extended to other merchants in the tourism and retail space. This will make it significantly easier for touring Indians to remotely book hotels, museum visits, etc. for their stay in France.

Ritesh Shukla, CEO of NIPL, said, “At NIPL, our ambition is to enable acceptance of NPCI’s payment solutions in international markets and create a truly interoperable global payment system. We aim at actively collaborating with financial institutions worldwide to establish partnerships and provide consumers with convenient and secure cross-border payment solutions. Through this strategic partnership with Lyra, we have taken another step forward towards this goal.”

Christophe Mariette, Commercial Director of Lyra France, said, “It is a great pride to have the trust of the Indian government and NIPL to launch UPI in Europe. We have been present in India for 17 years, and this partnership confirms the strength of our collaboration with this vast country. We also demonstrate our ability to stay ahead of market trends and strengthen our ambition to offer all payment methods used worldwide. For the players in the French and European tourism ecosystem, this partnership represents a major advancement and the promise of new business opportunities to come.”

With over 380 Million users, UPI as a payment method has significantly marked its presence in India, evidenced by its recent milestones. In January 2024 alone, UPI recorded over 12.2 billion transactions, emphasizing its widespread adoption. This remarkable achievement solidifies its position as the world’s most efficient instant payment system.

Kolkata, 5th February 2024 The announcement of the much-awaited fifteenth edition of the Apeejay Kolkata Literary Festival (AKLF) took place at the iconic century-old Oxford Bookstore, located at Park Street, Kolkata. The event was graced by the esteemed presence of dignitaries, including Maina Bhagat, Director, Apeejay Kolkata Literary Festival; Anjum Katyal, Director, Apeejay Kolkata Literary Festival; Swagat Sengupta, CEO, Apeejay Oxford Bookstores; and Neeta Sreedharan, Programming Head, Apeejay Kolkata Literary Festival.

The festival is scheduled to take place on 9th, 10th and 11th February 2024, featuring various sessions across multiple venues throughout these dates. Allen Park will serve as the central hub, hosting majority of the events, while the Poetry Café is all set to be hosted at Alliance Française du Bengale. Other noteworthy sessions, including the OJLF, will take place at the Oxford Bookstore and a special session with Jerry Pinto and Anuja Chauhan is scheduled to be held at the Tollygunge Club, adding to the richness of this literary feast.

The AKLF 2024 boasts an impressive lineup of speakers, with 126 stalwarts gracing the occasion. Notable names to include Abhijit Gupta, Anuja Chauhan, Alka Pande, Anita Agnihotri, Anuja Chauhan, Arshia Sattar, Aruna Chakravarti, Bickram Ghosh, Bittu Sahgal, Carina Rozenfeld, Chandan Gowda, Debkumar Mitra, Divrina Dhingra, Durjoy Datta, Gargi Rawat, Indrajit Hazra, Jerry Pinto, Kunal Basu, Louise Fowler-Smith, Maria Goretti, Meghna Pant, Monideepa Banerjie, P. Chidambaram, Pandit Kumar Bose, Pierre Bordage, Riddhi Sen, Ruchir Joshi, Ruchira Gupta, Sam Miller, Shaun Kenworthy, Somnath Batabyal, Sonal Ved, Srijato Bandopadhyay, Sudeshna Roy, Swapna Liddle, Swastika Mukherjee, Tara Gandhi, Upamanyu Chatterjee, Urvashi Butalia, Ushoshi Sengupta, Veer Rajwant Singh, Vivaan Shah are among others. The festival will also embrace virtual participation of prominent personalities like Dia Mirza, Lennie Goodings and Priti Paul.

This edition shall witness the announcement of the shortlisted names for the prestigious Oxford Bookstore Book Cover Prize. The festival to provide a first look at the upcoming works of distinguished authors, including Upamanyu Chatterjee, P. Chidambaram, Meghna Pant, Somnath Batabyal, Santanu Bhattacharya and Pt Kumar Bose, presenting a sneak peek into the literary gems awaiting readers. This year’s edition also aims to bring together a wide array of voices, with authors from Australia, France, the UK and Singapore gracing the festival. The global perspective shall add depth and richness to the literary discussions, promoting a cross-cultural dialogue on various themes.

The announcement pertaining to the Oxford Junior Literary Festival (OJLF), to be held at the Oxford Bookstore, aims to captivate the younger audience with interactive ‘meet the author’ sessions, a dance workshop, word games, and storytelling sessions. The festival aims to instill a love for literature and creativity among the next generation. The Poetry Café, held at Alliance Française du Bengale, will provide a vibrant space for established and emerging poets to share their verses.

The valued partners for the three-day-long literary festival include Kenilworth Hotel, Kolkata, as the hospitality partner; Cha Bar as the refreshment partner; Typhoo Tea as the gifting partner; AMRI Hospitals as the healthcare partner; 93.5 Red FM as the radio partner; iIEAD and Apeejay School as the institutional partners. Australian High Commission, Alliance française du Bengale and Tollygunge Club are among some of the valued partners of the 15th Apeejay Literary Festival as well. Several renowned publishing houses such as Speaking Tiger, Penguin Random House, Hachette, HarperCollins, Niyogi Books, Rupa Publications, Westland Books, Juggernaut, Simon and Schuster, Bloomsbury, Om Books, Zubaan Books and many more to appear as the festival partners, creating a collaborative literary environment.

Speaking about the 15th edition of AKLF, Priti Paul, Director, Apeejay Surrendra Group said, “Oxford Bookstore Kolkata was the first bookstore to launch a literary festival, and we are delighted to be announcing the 15th edition of AKLF in 2024. When we began, our vision was for AKLF to be a gift to this city of books, art and culture, an international literary festival that was free and open to all. It was one more way of reaffirming our commitment to the world of readers, reading, writers and books. We are proud to see that over the years AKLF has become an important part of the city’s annual cultural calendar.”

Anjum Katyal, Director, Apeejay Kolkata Literary Festival said, “AKLF celebrates variety, diversity and inclusiveness. Our sessions range from popular genres like sci-fi, mystery, horror, fantasy and food to gender, current affairs and history. The world of reading, publishing and the book is one of the last bastions of discussion and debate, freedom of expression and alternate points of view. Environment and climate change, gender and identity, women’s empowerment, our diverse heritage and the state of the nation today are some of our themes in this edition.”

Announcing the partners, Swagat Sengupta, CEO, Oxford Bookstores said, “As we celebrate this landmark of 15th edition of the Apeejay Kolkata Literary Festival, we feel grateful for the unwavering support from our cherished partners, who have joined hands in adding meaning and value to our festival.

Apeejay Kolkata Literary Festival is the only literary festival that is created by a bookstore – Oxford Bookstores. We are the passionate curators and connectors who celebrate literature every day. For more than 100 years we have bridged the gap between authors, publishers, and readers. Oxford Bookstore does not just sell books, we foster a vibrant community and offer a breeding ground for literary enthusiasts where conversations spark and connections are made. And as we emabrk on this special edition of AKLF, we continue driving our heart and soul to being more than just a bookstore.”

About Apeejay Kolkata Literary Festival: Apeejay Kolkata Literary Festival, India’s only literary Festival created by a bookstore and Kolkata’s first literary festival, reflects our city’s vibrancy of thought, its engagement with the literary world at large and explores literature as part of our tangible and intangible heritage. Celebrate books, music, art, film, and more with the finest creative minds in the nation and globally, as events unfold at the city’s magnificent heritage sites. Please visit www.aklf.in to know more.

About Oxford Bookstores: Established in 1919, Oxford Bookstore is one of the oldest heritage bookstores of the nation. It is India’s only bookstore to curate multiple literary festivals like Apeejay Kolkata Literary Festival, Apeejay Bangla Sahitya Utsob and Hindi Sahitya Utsav. The Oxford Bookstore not only offers book lovers access to the very best books and ambience, but also India’s first of its kind tea boutique, Cha Bar. At Oxford Bookstores, success is measured by the smiles on millions of happy readers that the brand has served over the last 100 years. Each time you walk into our iconic store in Kolkata, its old-world charm leaves you enchanted and desiring for more. Our fleet of ‘happy to help’ the knowledgeable booksellers and conversant hosts, work round the clock to bring to our vendees and world-class reading experience. Be it through our books or our fine teas we abide by the brand’s motto – Much more than a bookstore – at every Bookstore.

 Chairman of Meritor Organisation Dr N. Muthukumar on Friday emphasized the need to adopt green technology in the manufacturing sector. “We need to give thrust on solar energy to a great extent,” Dr Muthukumar added.

He was speaking at the three-day 72nd Indian Foundry Congress and IFEX 2024 exhibition organized by The Institute of Indian Foundation at the International Exhibition Centre.

He said several sectors are functioning under the Indian Foundry Congress such as Aviation, Defence, Electric Vehicles, and mobile phones, and there is a need to cut down on expenses by switching on to Green Technology in order to give thrust to sustainable manufacturing.

“Solar energy will enable the industry to become sustainable,” Dr Muthukumar added.

According to Dr Muthukumar, India is the country of future and it is necessary to develop sustainable manufacturing system for the future generations.

“We need to prepare an action-plan to make sure that 80 percent of the manufacturing process are done with renewable energy and solar energy. We also need to ensure the re-use and re-, cycling of water,” he added.

Dr Muthukumar said the average life span of those working in Foundry sector is comparatively low. In this background, we need to ensure that we adopt a technology that will stand the test of time for next 100 years.

“Positive work culture and dedication must be our thumb rule to make India a number one country in the manufacturing sector,” he said.

D. M. Girish, Vice President & Head of Volvo Group Purchasing India, in his speech said, “There is a very good future for the manufacturing sector that needs to be properly utilized. It is expected that 1.2 trillion dollar worth of manufacturing equipment’s are being imported out of which 400 thousand dollars’ worth of equipment’s are earmarked for automobile sector.

“There will be a great demand for battery-run vehicles, goods vehicles. We need to keep this in mind when we undertake our work,” he added.

Indian Foundry Congress Organising Chairman IFC 2024, S Rudre Gowda in his speech said there is an increase in the demand for automobiles, earth moving equipment’s, aerospace and Defence sector. “We need to make the best use of this opportunity,” he said.

More than 350 exhibitors have exhibited their product and latest technology, dyes, inspection equipment’s, robotic automation and security equipment’s are on display in the exhibition.

More than 1500 exhibitors from India and abroad are taking part in the exhibition.

IIF President D S Chandrashekar, Vice President of the Organising Committee D. G. Benkappa, Secretary IFS 2024 Organising Committee, Ankit Diwakar, Secretary IFS 2024 Organising Committee Vignesh Ramanan were present on the occasion

Mumbai,5th February 2024: JioCinema, India’s leading streaming destination has announced its partnership with Celebrity Cricket League (CCL). In line with this partnership, the platform will exclusively live-stream Celebrity Cricket League Season 10. Regarded as the ultimate sportainment spectacle, CCL is the convergence of sports and entertainment and is the only IP of its kind in India. Spread over four weekends, and with 20 entertaining matches that appeal to a wide audience cohort beyond cricket fans, the adrenaline-pumping tournament will be live-streamed, starting 23rd February 2024, exclusively on JioCinema.

Launched in 2011, Celebrity Cricket League has evolved to become India’s most-watched sport and entertainment event. With an impressive cumulative TV and digital reach, the previous season of Celebrity Cricket League reached out to over 250 million viewers across the country. Comprising 8 teams representing India’s major film industries including Hindi, Punjabi, Bhojpuri, Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam, CCL Season 10 will bring together over 2JioCinema00 most followed and loved film celebrities, under a single platform, making way for unmatched entertainment.

Among the luminaries associated with CCL are Salman Khan, the brand ambassador of Mumbai Heroes, Riteish Deshmukh, Captain of Mumbai Heroes, Sohail Khan, Owner of Mumbai Heroes, Venkatesh, Brand Ambassador of Telugu Warriors, Akhil Akkineni, Captain of Telugu Warriors, Arya, Captain of Chennai Rhinos, Sudeep, Captain of Karnataka Bulldozers, Mohanlal, Co-owner of Kerala Strikers, Indrajith, Captain of Kerala Strikers, Manoj Tiwari, Captain of Bhojpuri Dabbangs, Sonu Sood, Captain of Punjab De Sher, and Boney Kapoor, Owner of Bengal Tigers along with its team’s Captain Jissu Sengupta.

Speaking about the association, Ferzad Palia, Business Head, JioCinema, said, “JioCinema is loved by users across the spectrum and is home to the best of sports and entertainment content. The unparallel viewership we enjoy is a testimony to that. Celebrity Cricket League brings the best of both these worlds, and we are happy to partner with them to entertain India.”

Sharing his enthusiasm, Vishnu Induri, Founder of Celebrity Cricket League (CCL), said, “Celebrity Cricket League has become a cultural phenomenon, and we’re delighted to partner with JioCinema to elevate the reach of our 10th season. The combination of sports and entertainment on this scale is unparalleled, and we look forward to engaging fans across the nation.”

Witness an unparalleled fusion of sports and entertainment with the 10th season of Celebrity Cricket League (CCL) only on JioCinema, starting 23rd February 2024.

New Delhi,5th February 2024 – FlixBus, a global travel-tech leader offering the world’s largest bus network across 42 countries, announces its arrival in India. In the second biggest* bus market in the world, the company promises to revolutionize intercity passenger transportation with convenient traveling at a competitive price and the best-in-class safety standards.

With FlixBus making its debut in the country, a multitude of comfortable, safe, and reliable travel choices are now available for thousands of Indians, connecting cities and routes across New Delhi, Himachal, J&K, Punjab, Rajasthan, and UP.

Tickets for FlixBus India will be available starting today, 1 February, with the first routes starting from February 6th at a special launch price of INR 99 connecting Delhi with Ayodhya, Chandigarh, Jaipur, Manali, Haridwar, Rishikesh, Ajmer, Katra, Dehradun, Gorakhpur, Varanasi, Jodhpur, Dharamshala, Lucknow, and Amritsar. The routes will include 59 stops and more than 200 connections in total.

In strategic collaborations with local bus operators, FlixBus is employing its proprietary tech platform to empower its partners to enhance their business operations. Taking the lead in network planning, revenue management, and yield optimization, FlixBus ensures an efficient and seamless travel experience for passengers and operators alike, committing to quality, safety, consistency, and delivering exceptional customer experience. Moreover, FlixBus is exclusively operating premium bus models equipped with BS6 engines, adhering to stringent emission norms that significantly reduce pollutants, and reinforcing the dedication to environmental sustainability.

The company’s unwavering commitment to passenger safety is evident through innovative measures which it will replicate in the Indian market. Some of the features include gender seating (i.e., seats next to women will be automatically reserved for other women), a 24×7 incident response team, a traffic control ward, 2-point seat belts for all seats, and exclusive FlixBus lounges. These features set new benchmarks for safety and security in the industry.

On launching India operations, André Schwämmlein, CEO of Flix, said, “We are delighted to announce FlixBus’ expansion into India, a large move as we reach our 43rd country and one of the largest bus markets globally. Entering the dynamic Indian market is a huge opportunity for us, filled with anticipation and the recognition of the significant potential to change the mobility landscape in India. Our mission is perfectly fitting what India strives for – sustainable, safe and affordable travel options for all. Acknowledging the growing demand for such services in India, we are committed to upholding consistent quality, safety, and delivering a seamless customer experience in every region we operate.”

Surya Khurana, Managing Director, FlixBus, India, said, @⁨Neeti⁩ @⁨~Jit Shankar Banerjee⁩ I’ve edited my quote to: _We’re thrilled to introduce our services in India. Our commitment to safety, comfort, and cost-effective journeys make us the global choice for millions exploring diverse destinations. Our success lies in close collaboration with local operators, optimizing for growth and efficiency. We champion shared mobility to reduce congestion and emissions in cities. We’re anticipating a transformation in the Indian intercity travel space, we’re excited to lead the charge, setting a global standard for seamless, reliable, and affordable intercity transport_

Ticket sales will be available from February 1, 2024 on www.flixbus.in

Dr. Philipp Ackermann, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to India & Bhutan, “The German transportation major Flixbus is coming to India! I am convinced that it is a great opportunity for both of our countries. Both governments cooperate under the umbrella of a Green and Sustainable Development Partnership to modernize the Indian energy sector and to help reduce CO2 emissions in many other sectors, including transportation. Having a private company providing sustainable transportation as a business model and having the reduction of CO2 emissions as part of the company’s DNA is very encouraging. Strengthening collective travel in order to reduce emissions of the transport sector is a global undertaking that requires significant efforts from both the German and Indian Governments, our societies and industries. Making bus travel more convenient and accessible is an important lever to increase the attractiveness of collective transport.”

5th February 2024 Bengaluru: Introducing Ouro, Bengaluru’s premium fine-dining establishment, redefining culinary boundaries with a fusion of authentic European sophistication and vibrant Mexican influences. Spearheaded by the illustrious Chef Cyrus Daniels, Ouro promises an unparalleled gastronomic voyage, intertwining personalized craft cocktails with bespoke cuisine.

Set in the heart of the city, Ouro is spread across a lavish 7000 sq ft with tasteful minimalistic decor that puts the focus right back on food. Described as sophisticated yet whimsical, the ambiance allows patrons to immerse themselves in the flavors of the food without distractions and savor the delicacies and presentation. Backed by Teja Chekuri, Ouro aims to become the preferred choice for discerning diners seeking an unforgettable escape into the world of fine dining.

Chef Cyrus Daniels, the culinary genius behind Ouro, expressed his excitement on the launch: “Ouro is not just a restaurant; it’s an embodiment of passion, creativity, and a commitment to delivering unparalleled dining experiences. My team and I have carefully crafted a menu that reflects our dedication to pushing the boundaries of culinary artistry. The fusion of authentic European sophistication and vibrant Mexican influences creates a unique dining experience tailor made for the Indian palate that is bound to leave a lasting impression on our discerning patrons.”

“I had been following Chef Daniels work for some time and when he pitched the idea of Ouro to me, over a delicious meal no less, there was no way I could have said no. I want the world to taste his culinary genius. With his skills and my business acumen, we have the potential to be a winning combination that takes this concept places. And that’s the plan.”, Teja Chekuri, Co-Founder, of Ouro also added.

Chef Cyrus Daniels consistently showcases his culinary prowess by crafting each dish as a masterpiece, skillfully combining seemingly unfamiliar ingredients with flair to breathe life into the culinary creation. Paired with attentive service, tailor-made experiences and an array of bespoke cocktails the interactive menu is a delight for all food connoisseurs. Each experience stands apart through his culinary mastery that seamlessly blends luxury with innovative gastronomy to create an unparalleled dining experience that captivates the senses. Ouro also boasts about an extensive wine list, carefully curated to complement the diverse flavors presented in each dish.

As Bengaluru’s newest culinary gem, Ouro aims to become the most preferred choice for discerning diners seeking a sophisticated escape into the world of fine dining. The restaurant’s commitment to excellence is reflected not only in the culinary creations but also in the attentive service and meticulous attention to detail.

Ouro is set to make a lasting impact on Bengaluru’s culinary scene, offering a gastronomic experience that transcends boundaries and transports guests to a world where European sophistication and Mexican vibrancy converge in perfect harmony. The grand opening of Ouro signals the beginning of a new era in fine dining, inviting patrons to indulge in a culinary journey like never before.

Ouro will open its doors on the 7th of February 2024. Be a part of the adventure. Be mesmerized at Ouro.

Must Try Signature Dishes:

Veg: Veg Ceviche / Goat Cheese Terrine / Wild Mushroom, Aerated Porcini Sauce with Gluten Free Crumble Tart / Taco’s

Non-Veg: Pomfret Tiradito / Spicy Crab Thermidor / Lobster Thermidor / Tenderloin Carpaccio / Ouro’s Signature Creole Boil

Dessert: Rise of Ouro / Lemon Posset Brulee / Raspberry Diplomat

Cocktail: Rubellite / Amarilla / Scarlet Symphony

Address: Ouro, 4th Floor, 171-172, Forum Rex Walk, Brigade Road, Shanthala Nagar, Ashok Nagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560001

Bengaluru,5th February 2024 In a major move to deepen the 2W EV penetration and offer a significant push to India’s electrification efforts, Ola Electric has today launched an S1X 4kWh with a powerful 6kW motor and a long range of 190 Km. The all-new S1X 4kWh is priced at INR 1,09,999 with deliveries starting April 2024 onwards. The company has also announced an industry-first extended battery warranty of 8 years or up to 80,000 km across all its products, addressing customer concerns about battery health and eliminating the biggest barrier to EV adoption.

Bhavish Aggarwal – Founder, Chairman & MD of Ola Electric Mobility Limited, said: “Our latest initiatives spanning across products, service, charging network and battery warranty is a big leap towards breaking all barriers in EV adoption across the country. The all-new S1 X 4kWh is an extremely compelling value proposition with an extended range of 190 Kms at an highly accessible price point. Our 8 year extended battery warranty at no added cost coupled with the expansion of our service and charging network across India will set a new benchmark in the EV industry, and will elevate the ownership experience of all our customers.

With these initiatives, we have addressed all possible barriers to 2W EV adoption, and we are confident that these will further accelerate the transition to EVs across the country.”

As a company with deep R&D, engineering, and technology capabilities, we will continue to innovate and democratize EVs for all our customers.”

#EndICEAge with S1 X 4kWh: Unbelievable Range, Unbeatable Price

The new S1X 4kWh gets an IDC range of 190 kms with top speed of 90 Km/h with a quick acceleration of 0-40 Km/h in 3.3 secs. The scooter comes with a powerful 6kW motor and offers blistering quick performance and superior ride quality. S1X 4 kWh is aggressively priced at par with ICE models and caters to customers with different range requirements. The S1X is available in Red Velocity, Midnight, Vogue, Stellar, Funk, Porcelain white and Liquid Silver.

Built on the most advanced and sophisticated Gen-2 platform, the S1 X range is designed for customers with different daily commute needs. The entire S1X range of 4kWh, 3kWh, and 2kWh is available for purchase starting today at a price of INR 109,999*, INR 89,999*, INR 79,999* respectively. The deliveries of the same will start by April 2024.

Extended Battery Warranty

Launched the industry’s first 8 year/80,000 Kms extended battery warranty for the entire range of products at no extra cost. With this, the company has addressed the biggest barrier for EV adoption by extending the lifespan of the vehicles by 2X of ICE vehicles.

Over and above the extended warranty, customers can now also opt for Add-on warranty and increase the upper limit of the kilometers traveled up to 125,000 Kms. The Add-on warranty could be availed at a nominal starting price of INR 4,999.

Expansion of service network

Ola Electric has also unveiled the plans to expand its service network by 50% from the current 414 service centers to ~600 centers across the country by April 2024.

Fast-charging network

Additionally, the company has announced plans to ramp up its fast-charging network rapidly to 10,000 points by the next quarter. The company has also introduced a portable fast charger accessory of 3KW and is available for purchase at INR 29,999.

Ola Electric’s scooter portfolio now has six best-in-class products. Priced at INR 1,47,499, S1 Pro (2nd Generation) is the company’s flagship scooter while S1 Air is available at INR 1,19,999. The S1X has four variants – S1 X+, S1 X (4kWh), and S1 X (3kWh), S1 X (3Kwh) to cater to the requirements of riders with diverse preferences. The S1 X+ is available for purchase at INR 99,999.

*Prices are subject to change with Fame Subsidy revision

Disclaimer:

OLA ELECTRIC MOBILITY LIMITED is proposing, subject to applicable statutory and regulatory requirements, receipt of requisite approvals, market conditions and other considerations, to undertake an initial public offering of its equity shares and has filed a draft red herring prospectus dated December 22, 2023 (“DRHP”) with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (“SEBI”). The DRHP is available on the websites of SEBI at www.sebi.gov.in, stock exchanges i.e., BSE at www.bseindia.com and NSE at www.nseindia.com, respectively and is also available on the website of our Company at www.olaelectric.com and websites of the book running lead managers, i.e. Kotak Mahindra Capital Company Limited at https://investmentbank.kotak.com, Citigroup Global Markets India Private Limited at www.online.citibank.co.in/rhtm/citigroupglobalscreen1.htm, BofA Securities India Limited at https://business.bofa.com/bofas-india, Goldman Sachs (India) Securities Private Limited at www.goldmansachs.com, Axis Capital Limited at www.axiscapital.co.in, ICICI Securities Limited at www.icicisecurities.com, SBI Capital Markets Limited at wwww.sbicaps.com and BOB Capital Markets Limited at www.bobcaps.in, respectively. Investors should note that investment in equity shares involves a high degree of risk and for details relating to such risk, see the section titled “Risk Factors” on page 28 of the DRHP. Potential investors should not rely on the DRHP filed with SEBI in making any investment decision.

The equity shares have not been and will not be registered, listed or otherwise qualified in any other jurisdiction outside India and may not be offered or sold, and bids may not be made by persons in any such jurisdiction, except in compliance with the applicable laws of such jurisdiction. The equity shares have not been and will not be registered under the US Securities Act of 1933 (“U.S. Securities Act”) or any state securities laws in the United States and may not be offered or sold within the United States, except pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and in accordance with any applicable United States state securities laws.

Gurugram, 5th February 2024  In a major push to enhance road safety and promote responsible riding, Zypp Electric, India’s leading tech-enabled EV-as-a-service platform, launched an engaging and informative ‘Road Safety Week Campaign’ in Gurugram on 2nd February 2024, for its delivery partners with the Gurugram Traffic Police and RSO Gurugram. The initiative encompasses a series of targeted activities, including helmet distribution, public awareness drives, educational workshops, and no-cost insurance coverage for all participants.

As a part of the campaign, Zypp Electric is hosting a comprehensive workshop event at the Zypp Electric Hub in Sector 69, Gurugram. The event agenda includes a series of activities designed to engage and educate participants, followed by an opening ceremony addressed by Tushar Mehta, Co-Founder and COO of Zypp Electric. The ceremony will include a keynote session by ACP, Traffic Gurugram, a workshop on road safety guidelines and awareness, and a live interactive road awareness drive with the public.

A key feature of the Road Safety Campaign is the Zypp Suraksha program, an innovative insurance offering that provides no-cost coverage to all riders, with benefits up to INR 5 lakh. This program emphasizes the company’s commitment to the welfare of its riders by offering accidental cover.

Tushar Mehta, Co-Founder and COO, Zypp Electric stated, “Our initiative goes beyond the provision of sustainable transportation solutions; it is about creating a culture of safety and responsibility on the roads. We already provide helmets to our delivery partners during their onboarding process and over 100+ delivery partners joined the event today which is a good start to educating them about their well-being while driving and safety. By integrating road safety awareness with our services, we aim to make a tangible difference in the way people commute. The Road Safety Campaign, especially combined with initiatives like Zypp Suraksha, represents a crucial step towards our goal of reducing road accidents and building a safer commuting environment for everyone.”

Bengaluru, 5th February 2024: Manipal Academy of Higher Education Bangalore in a bid to create a more sustainable & eco-friendly campus inked a Memorandum of Understanding with Vedan Trust, and partner/ funder SVP India, to initiate making the newly developed campus a zero-waste site. This initiative will mark MAHE Bengaluru as a first private educational institution to do so.

The Zero Waste Campus project is one of many initiatives of the rewilding MAHE B’lru Task Force at the campus, to work towards long-term sustainability goals. The initiative is oriented towards reducing wet and dry waste generation inside campus, segregating refuse, and finding the best opportunities to reuse, recycle, regenerate (through composting), and other modes. MAHE B’lru is committed to ensuring the long-term sustainability of this and other initiatives through engaging students, staff and faculty in awareness and action-oriented programs and events, aligning with the UN Sustainable Development Goals 2030.

Commenting on the initiative, Dr Raghavendra Prabhu, Deputy Registrar, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Bengaluru, says “Seeing the commitment and teamwork put into our mission to achieve the campus zero trash makes me incredibly proud. This project not only demonstrates our dedication to environmental sustainability, but it also emphasizes our role in forming responsible global citizens. Not only are we diminishing our ecological footprint through creative waste management techniques and the enthusiastic participation of our college community, but we are also cultivating an environmental stewardship culture that will extend well beyond our campus walls. Let’s continue this revolutionary journey together toward a more sustainable and greener future”.

Suhasini Hathwar, Project Coordinator, Vedan Trust, said, “Simple act of dropping the waste in right bin saves natural resources and becomes the raw material for recyclers. We are glad that MAHE Bengaluru has taken the right step where they are ready to walk the talk.”

Attendees of the MoU from Vedan Trust included the Secretary of Vedan Trust, Mr. Sathyanarana, and volunteers Ms. Suhasini and Mr. Rakesh. From SVP India were Mrs. Padmashree Balaram, and Ms. Sashi Rajamani.

MAHE representatives included Deputy Registrar Dr. Raghavendra Prabhu, Dr. Deepta Sateesh (Chair of the Rewilding Task Force), Dr. Navaneetha Krishnan, Dr. Shilpa (DLHS), Dr. Harini Santhanam, Dr. Harish (SPOC for the Zero Waste Campus initiative), Dr. Sunil John, Mr. Prashant (IT), Ms. Divyadarshini (Admissions), Mr. Gaurav (Admissions), Ishappa (Library), and other representatives from the faculty across campus.