Category business

New Delhi, 14th March 2023: SohanLal Commodity Management (SLCM), one of India’s leading comprehensive service providers in the global post-harvest space for agricultural commodities, has received the coveted accreditation from the National Accreditation Board for Testing & Calibration Laboratories (NABL) for its ground-breaking AI ML QC application which falls under its Patented Process Management system “Agri Reach”. This is the first time in the history of NABL that a Mobile App has received a NABL Certification.

The Agri Reach app puts the power of recent scientific advancements in agriculture into the hands of regular smartphone users. People in rural India are making the most of this application’s advantages. In just two months since its launch, it has been utilized to inspect 21.59 lakh metric tons of crops at 303 locations in 17 states.

Using this AI ML QC module smartphone application to conduct a quality check of agricultural products is as simple as taking a picture. A simple click and submission through the app will analyze the image for a variety of quality metrics. The user will then receive a quality report that details the photographic evidence’s evaluation on specifications like damaged, shrunken, shriveled, or immature grains, foreign matter, and a host of other physical parameters like height, length, grid, color, and pattern of the commodity. Results are automatically compared with pre-fed data in the back-end system, which updates itself on a regular basis utilizing a combination of technologies including artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) with Python programming language.

Commenting on the NABL accreditation, Mr. Sandeep Sabharwal, Group CEO, SLCM said, “We had the vision for ‘phygitalizing’ (physical + digital infrastructure) the warehouse management system over a decade ago. With a dedicated team of professionals, SLCM created ‘Agri Reach’ – a system that enables effective warehousing solutions agnostic of infrastructure, geography, and crops. We are the only company in the Indian agriculture sector that has registered a technology patent in the Agri-Logistics (warehousing) segment to date which spans 75 years post-Independence and now I am proud to state that we have reaffirmed our leadership status by being again the first and only company in this space to get the coveted NABL accreditation for an Application which will transform the way Agri industry assays the Quality of its Commodities.”

In addition to this, SLCM recently added new proprietary solutions to its product line under the ‘Agri Reach’ umbrella, such as ‘Agri Suraksha,’ which enables REAL TIME remote audiovisual monitoring of storage facilities that are holding commodities, regardless of whether the commodities are kept inside a Godown or out in the open. Also, according to a study conducted by FICCI, India’s oldest and largest top business association the “Agri Reach” framework of services implemented in warehouses has contributed to reducing post-harvest losses to a mere 0.5% from a normally accepted loss of 10%

New Delhi, March 14, 2023: Welspun One Logistics Parks (WOLP), India’s first integrated fund and development management platform focusing on warehousing and industrial real estate, today announced the launch of its second fund of INR 2,000 crores, including a green shoe option of INR 1,000 crores.

Welspun One Logistics Parks Fund 2 is the successor of WOLP Fund 1, a SEBI-regulated Alternative Investment Fund or “AIF” offering for domestic investors which it launched in early 2021. WOLP Fund 1 received a favorable response from investors and successfully raised capital commitments of ~INR 500 crore from a set of high net-worth investors including marquee individuals and family offices. WOLP Fund 1 has delivered strong performance with a track record of 100% commitment across a portfolio of 6 investments, aggregating to ~6.5MM sf in a short span of ~1.5 years from its first close. Further, the portfolio has also seen excellent traction on the ground with ~50% of the portfolio expected to be physically delivered, leased, and operating by mid-CY2023. The fund’s performance is reflected in its inception to-date gross IRR of ~21% basis its 30 September Net Asset Value (NAV) which is computed based on an independent third-party valuation by a leading international property consultant.

Due to its unique integrated fund and development management offering, the warehousing and industrial real estate platform not only raises, invests, and manages capital on behalf of its investors, but is also able to execute the real estate side of the business in-house, including securing approvals, master planning, and design, leasing, and project management/execution, thereby providing its investor’s access to “full cycle” returns right through land acquisition, leasing, development and sale of the completed assets. In order to deliver this, the Company has built a team of 150+ professionals led by a highly experienced senior management team.

The Company places a strong emphasis on creating and implementing robust processes for a high level of governance and transparency across its business. A recent initiative on this front is the “WOLP investor portal”, a first-of-its-kind offering in the real estate private equity space which provides investors with online access to comprehensive information on their portfolio assets and performance along with a full repository of fund documents, all at the click of a button.

Balkrishan Goenka, Chairman, of Welspun Group said, “The warehousing industry is now a fully integrated priority sector in India that contributes to the USD 1 Trillion economies. Owing to the country’s favorable policy changes, this resilient asset class has drawn the significant interest of national investors; Welspun One is the only warehousing platform to permit domestic capital to be invested in the Indian warehousing growth story. This sector provides lucrative development returns and stable long-term yields proving to be an attractive investment destination. In the current climate, Welspun One will continue developing Grade-A warehouses that will serve prominent and emerging businesses across the country.”

Anshul Singhal, Managing Director, Welspun One Logistics Parks, said, “Our strong performance in WOLP Fund 1 has encouraged us to launch our second Fund on a larger scale allowing domestic investors to be part of this exciting asset class which has already attracted US$5-6BN of foreign institutional capital. With the financialization of real estate taking center stage with REITs, our fund takes this a step further by allowing investors to participate across the entire asset creation cycle without any of the hassles of owning and managing physical real estate. We’re also pleased to offer this product in collaboration with India’s leading wealth management franchises.”

Karan Bhagat, Founder, MD & CEO, of 360 ONE, (formerly IIFL Wealth & Asset Management) said, “The Indian warehousing sector presents an excellent investment opportunity while checking all the right boxes. It offers robust growth potential, with favorable demand-supply dynamics and potentially attractive returns. Additionally, its de-risked nature is noteworthy, as warehouses are quick and easy to construct, and are typically built only after securing a lease commitment from a tenant. We are excited to offer Welspun One as an extension of our real asset/infrastructure investment options; it’s perhaps the only platform through which, domestic investors can access this opportunity in an institutional, transparent, and organized manner.”

@Novotel Hyderabad Convention Centre

Come and explore the delectable world of Pate De Fruit (real fruit jelly made from a variety of fruits) at Le’ Cafe. An indulgent experience of the pure joy of savouring French classics awaits you. Get ready to fall in love with Pate de fruit this season and enliven your senses.

Where: Le Café at Novotel Hyderabad Convention Centre, Hyderabad, Telangana.

When: 20th to 29th March, Time – 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM

                                                For Reservations, call: +91 9642326164

Kolkata 14th March 2023: DUDigital Global is pleased to announce the opening of a new Bangladesh Visa Information Centre at Kolkata Railway station in (Chitpur) Kolkata, India. The purpose of this centre is to facilitate and empower the process to visa Applicants of Indian citizens who wish to visit Bangladesh for business, tourism, or other purposes. The Bangladesh Visa Information Centre in Kolkata will be operated by DUDigital, a leading visa processing company, which already operates Bangladesh Visa Application centres in Kolkata and Siliguri. Existing Centres are located at the 1st Floor, Plot No. 15 (Infinium Digispace) CP Block, Sector 5, Salt Lake in Kolkata and Shop No. 30 & 31,2nd Floor International Market, Sevok Road Near Pani Tanki More in Siliguri.

The opening of the Bangladesh Visa Information Centre in Kolkata is a major step forward in strengthening the bilateral relations between Bangladesh and India. It will make it easier for Indian citizens to obtain visas to Bangladesh, thereby increasing trade and tourism between the two countries.

The Bangladesh Visa Information Centre in Kolkata will provide updated information and complete the visa application process. Applicants can apply for Bangladesh Visa by visiting the application centre in Salt Lake, Kolkata and Siliguri by walk-in, and they don’t require any prior appointment to submit their application. The centres will also provide a wide range of services, including visa application form filling, photograph taking, passport collection and delivery, and more. We hope that the opening of the Bangladesh Visa Information Centre in Kolkata will serve as a catalyst for increased travel and trade between Bangladesh and India. It is part of our ongoing commitment to improving the ease and convenience of travel between India and Bangladesh. We look forward to welcoming more visitors from India to Bangladesh.

DUDigital Global Limited is focused on and has served 6 Governments through our own 35 Visa Application Centres and some partnered 3,546 Application Centres, operating in 143 countries across the world. We deliver the highest quality of service through our own trained staff, the utmost use of safe and secure technology and best-in-class infrastructure.

Mumbai: 14th March 2023: Mumbai-based asset securitization and reconstruction company, Invent Assets Securitisation and Reconstruction Pvt. Ltd has appointed well-known banker Mr. Jagdish Capoor as its Chairman. The appointment was made by the board of the company at its meeting held recently in Mumbai.

Mr. Jagdish Capoor has had an illustrious career in the finance sector having served as the Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of India. He has also been the Chairman of HDFC Bank and the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and has served on the boards of several leading banks like State Bank of India, Bank of Baroda, National Housing Bank, NABARD, and EXIM Bank among others.

Speaking about the appointment, Mr. Pankaj Gupta, Vice Chairman, of Invent Assets Securitisation and Reconstruction said, “We are fortunate to have an eminent and respected professional like Mr. Jagdish Capoor on our board as Chairman of Invent Assets Securitisation and Reconstruction. His vast experience in this space and in the industry overall will be of immense value to our growth plans in the years to come.”

Pune/Mumbai, March 14, 2023: DroneAcharya Aerial Innovations Limited, a Pune-based drone service provider and DGCA certified Drone Pilot Training organization, today announced its partnership with Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU. SPPU is one of India’s top Universities and a globally acknowledged knowledge Center and a Center of Excellence in teaching and research-based in Pune city. SPPU is also known as the ‘Oxford of the East’.

The major purpose of the partnership is to work together with SPPU to initiate courses concentrating on the applications of drones like drone building, drone data processing, applications of drones in disaster management and agriculture, and Python coding, in addition to the flagship DGCA Certified Drone Pilot Training Course.

To date, DroneAcharya has certified more than 230 DGCA-certified drone pilots within a span of only nine months from their RPTO in their Pune Headquarters and overall, more than 600 students. They aim to train 25000 pilots each year.

Drones have become more integral to the operations of a wide range of companies and government agencies, breaking through previously uncharted territory in a variety of industries. Drones provide several benefits to companies throughout the world, including increased efficiency and productivity, decreased labor and production costs, improved accuracy, refined service, and customer interactions, and worldwide solutions to security challenges.

The opportunity for individuals in the drone industry is increasing by the day as the drone industry is expanding rapidly. This has opened up new career avenues for young people. With the increase in demand for skilled professionals in the industry, there is an increasing need for drone-specific training and education. Shri Nitin Gadkari, Minister of Road Transport and Highways in the closing ceremony of the ‘Agrovision’ exhibition said, “Use of drones in the farm sector can generate 50 lakh jobs.”

“DroneAcharya Aerial Innovations through our association with Savitribai Phule Pune University will become an integral source to cater to the significant increase in the need for qualified professionals in the drone business as a result of increasing demand for drones in every industry in light of the Honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s goal of making India a drone hub by 2030,” says Prateek Srivastava, Founder, and Managing Director of DroneAcharya.

NEW DELHI, 13th March, 2023: Magicbricks, India’s leading real estate platform, announces the launch of India’s first AI-powered marketing solution tool: Project Market Scanner (PMS) for developers and real estate agents. This unique tool sets Magicbricks apart as the first in the industry to offer an artificial intelligence tool that matches buyers with the right properties in real time.

The AI-powered PMS tool helps developers access relevant and high-intent homebuyers by using sophisticated algorithms and data analytics to personalize and automate search results, increasing reach by up to 65%.

Project Market Scanner (PMS) acts as a reach maximizer, predicting results based on customers’ previous search history so that each project reaches its maximum Response Generation Capacity. It also takes into account buyers’ preferences for specific property attributes and optimizes images that they are most likely to respond to. This can lead up to an 82% increase in lead-to-impression ratio and helps close the gap between what buyers expect and the projects activated on the portal offer, creating a win-win situation for both.

Commenting on the launch of Project Market Scanner, Rohit Manghnani, Chief Product Officer, Magicbricks said “The residential demand for homes increased 8.5% in 2022 and will continue to grow at a rapid pace in 2023 as well. With lots of available options, matching interested homebuyers with the right property is a classic Big Data problem for the real estate industry. Project Market Scanner is a customer-centric solution that enables developers to sell faster in this highly competitive market. This is a significant step forward for Magicbricks in the realm of prop-tech, delivering accurate and comprehensive search results to our users while maximizing returns for the advertisers.”

Ashu Gupta, National Sales Head at Magicbricks, believes that Project Market Scanner is a cutting-edge technology and a game-changer in the real estate industry. “We are constantly pushing the bar on innovation at Magicbricks by bringing new tools to the disposal of our customers looking to sell their properties. One of the biggest challenges that developers face is to access high intent, relevant customers, and we aim to improve their lead generation efforts with this high-utility innovation.”

Magicbricks has pioneered many industry-first innovations and with the PMS tool, it continues to empower its 55,000+ strong community of developers and real estate agents to sell over 2 lakh projects and maximize their revenue.

Warm Regards

14th March 2023 | Pune: Naiknavare Developers, renowned for its well-thought-out community-centric residential and commercial projects in Mumbai, Goa, and Pune, has today announced the launch of its last 100 units from the total inventory of its cutting-edge residential project, Avon Vista in Balewadi Pune.

Naiknavare Developers in collaboration with Profile Developers is offering 2 and 3 BHK apartments spread across 6 impressive towers on 6 acres of land, of which, 2 towers have already been delivered and 2 remain under construction. The luxurious residential project provides 30+ lifestyle amenities including a convenience store, pet zone, co-working spaces, indoor game zone, jogging and walking track, pool table, tennis court, futsal court, squash court, party lawns, well-equipped gymnasium, aerobic and yoga room, children’s play area, multipurpose sports court, skating rink, infinity swimming pool, and pet zone among others.

Sited in a strategic location in close proximity to the Mumbai-Pune Expressway and Hinjewadi IT Park, the project facilitates additional perks to its residents, such as Vivz World Pre-School and the Indian Academy of Digital Marketing, coupled with several recreational spots. In terms of construction capabilities, the project is meticulously designed using developed technologies, like automated steel cutting machines to fabricate parts by the removal of material and aluminium panels to cut, shear, bend, punch, and drill materials; reduce manpower; and fasten the construction speed. In addition to this, the project has utilized aluminium framework panels for column shuttering, as they are light in weight and thus help to handle and shift heavy materials with ease. These panels are bolted together with stub pin and wedge connection that enables quick erection of the column forms.

Speaking on Avon Vista residential project, Mr Anand Naiknavare, Head of Business Process at Naiknavare Developers, said, “This is one of our biggest residential projects in recent years and comes within two months after the launch of our ambitious projects, Neelaya Gruhashodh and Kutumb India’s First Intergenerational Community and Avasa Meadows. The launch of the final 100 units from the total inventory of Avon Vista at such a critical time reflects our confidence in Pune’s real estate market, which will continue to flourish due to emerging tech hubs, educational institutions, and a better quality of life. While this is the scenario across the city, the western part, especially, is the fastest growing area and has witnessed high demand for residential projects in the recent few years. In fact, the housing prices, too, are anticipated to increase by 2 to 3 per cent in the ongoing year across the city, as the demand remains strong for premium housing options. Avon Vista will attract a large number of new home buyers and investors who were earlier apprehensive due to price constraints, lack of amenities, or limited inventory.”

“We are happy and satisfied with the response we have received so far on this project. With the launch of the remaining 100 units, we are enabling potential home buyers to invest in a project that redefines class-leading quality and luxury real estate,” he added.

Commenting on the progress of the project, Mr Neel Naiknavare, GM of Operations and Team Building at Naiknavare Developers, said, “We are thrilled to bring forth the final set of our inventory from the Avon Vista project in Pune to our customers. With the intent to narrow the time period between the last launch and this one, without compromising the construction quality, we deployed multiple contractors on-site, which helped us monitor the construction work closely, save time, and prepare the residences for sale. At the end of it all, we want to deliver our projects as per the committed timeline and fulfil customer expectations. To achieve the same we are deploying double shuttering sets, steel bending machines, platforms and safety cages to deliver the project in record times.”

Avon Vista towers have also made use of a concrete batching plant to obtain the desired strength and quality of construction. The project is backed with alum-form technology to cut down the need for conventional building methods, save time, and create more efficiency with quality. Out of the total towers, three of them are equipped with cup lock systems to support vertical loads, improve construction finishing, and keep work platforms safer to navigate. The integration of the M.S. platform projected at mid-height of the towers help complete all the external finishing activities, which run simultaneously with upper floor RCC work. Additionally, the bricks utilized for the construction purpose are manufactured in-house, which furthermore helps to keep quality in check and save sourcing time.

To facilitate appropriate dwelling and working conditions for workers and their families, the developer has established a labour camp in the adjacent neighbourhood of the main site, comprising of tents, common toilets and washrooms, and a dedicated study space for kids – run and monitored by two teachers. From the safety perspective, three specialized safety officers are hired on-site to oversee employee safety and security.

Naiknavare Developers is planning to further reinforce its presence across markets like Mumbai and Goa along with Pune with more project launches in the pipeline that are set to be unveiled this year and in the following one.

March 2023: Indulge in a novel culinary experience that is not only delectable but also sustainable and ethically sourced – it’s time to tantalize your taste buds with Wakao Foods’ latest creation, the Continental Burger Patty. Made from the finest jackfruit, this vegan patty is the epitome of wholesome nutrition, providing an optimal balance of protein, fiber, and essential spices.

Boasting a remarkable 53% of jackfruit as its core ingredient, the Continental Burger Patty is further fortified with pea protein and a melange of flavorsome spices, all carefully curated to deliver an unparalleled gustatory experience. Not only does this vegan delicacy mimic the texture of pulled meat with remarkable accuracy, but it also serves as a healthier option for health-conscious, vegans and vegetarians alike.

Prepared with the utmost care and attention to detail, this vegan patty can be effortlessly grilled or fried, just like any regular patty. The succulent texture and robust flavor are sure to gratify the palates of even the most discerning burger aficionados.

Sairaj Dhond, Founder and CEO of Wakao Foods, stated, “Our ardent mission is to offer our valued patrons healthy and nutritious culinary options that are both sustainable and ethically sourced. We are proud to launch the Continental Burger Patty, an innovative addition to our line of vegan products that will appeal not only to our loyal customer base but also to meat enthusiasts searching for healthy and plant-based options.”

Containing an impressive 113 Kcal, 10.1 grams of protein, 11.6 grams of carbohydrates, and 7.2 grams of dietary fibre per 100 grams, the Continental Burger Patty is a bona fide dietary powerhouse, offering a complete and balanced diet.

With a one-year shelf life under ambient temperature, the 400-gram pack of this product is affordably priced at INR 450, making it an accessible and attractive option for all.

Wakao Foods’ state-of-the-art facilities in Goa ensure that their products meet the highest quality standards, thereby ensuring that the Continental Burger Patty is not only delectable but also free of any compromise in terms of quality.

To get your hands on the Continental Burger Patty and a range of Wakao Food products, including this awe-inspiring vegan patty, visit their website at www.wakaofoods.com or select e-commerce platforms. The Continental Burger Patty is a must-try for all burger enthusiasts searching for a wholesome, sustainable and scrumptious alternative. Get your hands on this culinary masterpiece today and savour the delightful and nutritious taste of jackfruit.

Thrissur, March 14, 2023: Manappuram Finance Limited, one of India’s leading NBFCs, and Digital University Kerala (DUK) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance digital learning and capacity building. The partnership will allow Manappuram Finance to leverage the expertise of DUK in digital education and technology.

The MoU aims to facilitate the capacity building of Manappuram Finance’s employees and upskilling through customized learning solutions provided by DUK. The two organizations will also collaborate on product developments in advanced technologies such as blockchain. Digital University Kerala will provide Manappuram Finance with customized training and development programs to enhance the digital skills of its employees.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. V.P. Nandakumar, MD & CEO of Manappuram Finance, said, “We are delighted to partner with Digital University Kerala. This partnership will help us to develop new products with cutting-edge technologies and enhance the digital skills of our employees. It is a testament to the importance of digital education and the critical role it plays in helping organizations stay competitive and relevant in today’s fast-changing business environment.”

Digital University Kerala is a state-of-the-art digital university that provides online courses and training programs to help individuals and organizations acquire the necessary skills and competencies required to succeed in the digital age.