News18’s L’Aspiration Summit brings Royalty, History, Food, and Fashion together in Udaipur

L'Aspiration Summit -Shailesh Lodha (1)

3rd March, 2023, Udaipur: News18, India’s leading news network, hosted the L’Aspiration Summit earlier this week at the historic Durbar Hall in Udaipur. The summit offered a unique perspective into changing lifestyles as well the contemporary definition of luxury and royalty through wide-ranging discussions on heritage, fashion, cuisine and culture. Erstwhile royals from Udaipur, Sirohi, Jaisalmer, and Rewa (Madhya Pradesh) participated in the event along with various celebs from the entertainment, fashion and culinary worlds.

During the session “Breaking Barriers,” News18’s Amish Devgan and the renowned actress Saumya Tandon spoke with Maharaj Kumar Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar. Lakhsyaraj ji Mewar highlighted the historical significance of the venue of the Summit, Durbar Hall from where the first steps to liberate India were taken. He also spoke at length about the role that the Mewar royal family has played in integrating various princely states into India as well as in advancing various social causes including the education of girls. He also emphasized the importance of cultural heritage including one’s linguistic heritage and stated that it is important for everyone to feel a sense of pride in their history and culture. Social media, he said, has given a window to the world into the private lives of erstwhile royals, also allowing them to connect with the outside world and opined that “time” is the real luxury that one can have.

The session “Redefining Royalty” featured Maharaj Daivat Singh of Sirohi, who spoke at length about how sustainable living should become a cornerstone of everyone’s lifestyle today and how it is important and a luxury in present times. He also spoke about how luxury tourism in a particular region greatly supports the local economy. Maharaj Vikram Singh of Jaisalmer described how the definition of luxury is changing with time and highlighted the benefits of heritage tourism.

Manya Singh, Miss India 2020 runner-up, stated that she views luxury from the lens of what makes her comfortable. She also spoke extensively about her own journey in the world of fashion coming as she did from a very conservative and underprivileged background – highlighting how it is important to dream, build one’s confidence and never give up on one’s passion. discussed luxury as being comfortable, and emphasized the importance of being true to oneself.

The session “Rooted and Resilient” featured the brother-sister pair of Princess Mohena Singh and Prince Divyaraj Singh of the Rewa royal family. They spoke about how the erstwhile royal families are having to combine legacy with modernity today. Princess Mohena Singh also spoke about the critical importance of sustainable lifestyles sharing that given the current situation access to clean air has become a luxury.

In the session ‘Regal Spread’ session, celebrity chef and winner of Masterchef India Shipra Khanna said that luxury can be viewed from many different lenses – money, time etc. She also spoke about the relevance of Ayurveda and how ingredients like ginger, black pepper, and turmeric are not only for the kitchen but also for treatments. “We apply gold and silver varak to sweets to make them look royal. Hindustani cuisine today is being served in the US, UK, Spain, Muscat, and Oman. We are running towards the west, whereas there are so many recipes available in India that we can offer to the world.” she said.

In the session of ‘Queen or Hearts’, actress Saumya Tandon stated luxury is having the power to make your own choices. Reminiscing about her childhood, she shared how poets like Shivmangal Singh Suman had a great impact on her. “I remember writing my first poem at the age of 6 after witnessing a wedding and funeral together,” she said. When asked about the future of luxury, she emphasised that a local connect will become more and more important.

The Summit came to a close with an enthralling session on royalty and poetry by the renowned poet, and actor, the ever so eloquent Shailesh Lodha who spoke about how kings and emperors used to support poets. He further said that poetry is close to his heart just like acting is to his body and that poetry will always be important for society. Acknowledging that poetry today pays well, he shared that he was indeed happy to break the traditional mould in which poets were cast and was happy to re-invent the idea of a kavi as someone who could be very high on the tyle quotient.

The 2nd edition of the L’Aspiration Summit brought together diverse perspectives on luxury, heritage, and culture, and showcased the evolving trends in the space of luxury.

Experience the Best of North Indian Cuisine at DoubleTree by Hilton Goa-Panaji’s Family Soiree Brunch

Facade - DoubleTree by Hilton Goa -Panaji (1)

Experience the vibrant streets of North India and embark on a flavorful journey through the region’s culinary treasures at DoubleTree by Hilton Goa – Panaji’s North Indian Sunday Brunch on March 5th, 2023 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Savor a delectable spread of authentic dishes, prepared with the perfect blend of spices to tantalize your taste buds. From fiery curries to fragrant live stations and flavorful chaat counters, indulge in the best of North Indian cuisine with delights such as Soya Palak, Peshawari Paneer Handi, Bharwan Simla Mirch, Bhune, Kathal ki Sabzi, Dal Pakhtooni, Murgh Awadhi Korma, Gosht ki Galouti, Rajma ki Galouti, Sheermal, and more.

Don’t miss this culinary extravaganza! Reserve your table now and experience the enchanting flavors of North India right here in Goa.

Reservations / Details: 09607975314 or 0831 2491900

When: Sunday, 26th February
Time: 1 pm – 4 pm
Venue: Comida, DoubleTree by Hilton Goa – Panaji
Price: INR 2,800++ per person (alcoholic brunch)
INR 1800 ++ per person (non-alcoholic brunch)
INR 1800++ per child (6yrs – 12yrs)

Celebrate Happiness Day with Comedy Central’s exclusively curated programming line-up for March

Parks and Recreation

3rd March 2023 Comedy Central – the one-stop solution for all your English comedy shows, is here with a brand-new programming line-up for the month of March. Keeping the theme ‘Happiness Buffet – New Comedies, Served Fresh’ at its heart, the channel is bringing hilariously captivating shows for the celebration of Happiness Day. So, gear up for a month full of hilarity, interesting stories, and much more, only on Comedy Central!

Let’s take a peek into the stellar line-up for March 2023 on Comedy Central

Atypical

With the element of comedy at its very heart, Atypical is one such show that raises a sensitive issue like autism and tries to create awareness about the same. This is the story of an 18-year-old Sam Gardner who deals with autism. He decides to give romance and love a shot and sets out to find the perfect girl for himself. The show then takes us around his life, including his family and friends. Watch Atypical from 7th March, Monday to Friday at 10 pm.

Parks and Recreation

Created by Greg Daniels and Michael Schur, this mockumentary is a story that revolves around the life of a mid-level bureaucrat, Leslie Knope. The show is a work of fiction that portrays the issues and challenges that Leslie Knope faces in the Parks and Recreation Department in the fictional town of Pawnee, Indiana. Watch this enticing story exclusively for the first time in India on Comedy Central from 14th March, Monday to Friday at 9 pm.

Brooklyn Nine-Nine

One of the funniest and most watched shows is here on Comedy Central to celebrate Happiness Day, and it’s here for you to binge throughout the entire day! This show, which is based on a police procedural comedy, is here to take viewers on a comedic journey like never before. Watch all seasons of Brooklyn Nine-Nine on the 18th, 19th, and 20th of March as a daylong binge-watch.

Tune into Comedy Central and be a part of the entertaining journey of exceptional shows all through the month of March

Quest Global is Great Place To Work Certified in India, for the Second Year in a Row

March 3rd, 2023, Bangalore, India: Quest Global, one of the world’s fastest-growing engineering services firms, today announced it has been Great Place To Work® Certified™ in India. It is the second time that the organization has earned this recognition. The organization last received this recognition in January 2022.

Quest Global fared well on the five critical dimensions of Trust Index™ – credibility, respect, fairness, pride, and camaraderie. The company remains committed to promoting and sustaining a High-Trust, High-Performance Culture, and guiding the firm towards strengthening its aim to be a centenary organization. The successful participation and vote of confidence in the assessment held across the organization by Great Place To Work anonymously helped Quest Global benchmark the people practices in India.

Speaking on the occasion, Ms. Colleen Doherty, Chief People Officer, Quest Global, said, “It truly is a proud feeling to be Great Place To Work Certified. The excitement is more this year as our extraordinary people once again ensured the Certification stays with us second time in a row. It says a lot about the culture we have fostered for over 25 years and continue to nurture. Our culture unites us on our journey. It is deeply rooted in everything we do and shines brightest in our behaviours, attitudes, and values.”

She elaborated, “We believe our inclusive work environment is one we each contribute to and can be proud of. We remain committed to prioritizing every employee’s health, safety, and well-being. This esteemed title is an important step towards acknowledging our efforts to embrace diversity and inclusivity in the ever-changing workplace culture.”

Great Place To Work Certification™ is the gold standard that organizations around the globe aspire to accomplish. The recognition is a testament to the organization’s consistent efforts to build and sustain a High-Trust, High-Performance Culture.

Great Place To Work is the global authority on workplace culture. In India, the institute partners with more than 1,400 organizations across 22+ industries annually to help them build a High-Trust, High-Performance Culture designed to deliver sustained business results. The institute’s research shows great workplaces are characterized by outstanding leadership, consistent employee experience, and sustainable financial performance. These organizations can deliver the same experience to all of their employees irrespective of their role, gender, tenure, or level.

Vh1 celebrates strong female singers with a specially curated playlist exclusively on Vh1 Boss Lady

The world is all set to celebrate International Women’s Day on the 8th of March and so is Vh1. India’s favourite pop music channel is gearing up to celebrate this day with their specially curated playlist, Vh1 Boss Lady. This playlist will feature some exceptionally talented female singers such as Nicki Minaj, Taylor Swift, Miley Cyrus, Camilla Cabello, Selena Gomez, and others who have dazzled the international music platform/rostrum with their talent. So, get ready for all the fun on the occasion of International Women’s Day with Vh1 Boss Lady, exclusively on Vh1, on 8th March, 12 PM, and 6 PM.

Let’s look at the different genres and artists that you can experience on Vh1 Boss Lady, this International Women’s Day!

Hip Hop

Get ready to witness the energetic rhythm of hip hop music with the leading ladies of the industry. American rapper Nicki Minaj, extremely gorgeous Cardi B, and the supremely talented rap goddess of India, Dee MC will all feature in the hip hop segment of Vh1 Boss Lady. Get ready to groove to their music throughout the day and make your Women’s Day special only with Vh1.

K-Pop
Keeping in mind the growing popularity of K-pop music, Vh1 is all set to bring the best of the same for its viewers. The K-pop section of Vh1 Boss Lady will include some energetic music by the three most popular K-pop female bands, BLACKPINK, TWICE, and (G)I-DLE. Just make sure to celebrate this day with your gal pals on your cozy comfortable couches as you listen to your favorites.

Legends
Talking about Vh1 Boss Lady, how can one forget about the legends of the industry? Artists like singer, songwriter, actor, and dancer, Beyoncé alongside Taylor Swift who is known for artistic reinventions, and Adele who is popular for her melodious voice will be featured in Vh1 Boss Lady. Well, don’t forget to brace yourselves as GOATs from the music world grace the playlist with their iconic music.

Pop
Vh1 is all decked up to celebrate the ladies from the pop genre who have entertained the world with the magic of their musical beats. Megastars such as Camilla Cabello, Selena Gomez, and Miley Cyrus will all entertain you with some of their chart-topping hits. So be ready to shake it off to some great beats with your friends only with Vh1 Boss Lady.

Latinas
What is better than chilling in your room listening to some groovy music in Vh1’s exclusive playlist Vh1 Boss Lady? To celebrate this day, songs by the popular Colombian singer and songwriter Shakira, the leading vocalist from Spain, Rosalía, and the gorgeous American singer and actress Becky G will be on the playlist. Tune in to Vh1 and get the party started with all these great ladies and groove on their beats.

Tune into Vh1 on 8th March, 12 pm and 6 pm, and be a part of the musical conclave of Vh1 Boss Lady

New Survey by HID Reveals Five Pressing Themes Reshaping the Security Industry

Bengaluru, India, March 3, 2023 – HID, a worldwide leader in trusted identity and physical security solutions, today announced its inaugural State of the Security Industry Report, which gathered responses from 2,700 partners, end users, and security and IT personnel across a range of titles and organization sizes representing over 11 industries.

Commenting on the survey, Prabhuraj Patil, Commercial Director, Physical Access Control Solutions, South Asia, HID said, “We are grateful for the opportunity to share insights with the security community as part of this year’s State of Security Industry Report. Mapping our industry’s dynamic trends helps provide a deeper understanding of customer needs and challenges. We are confident that our report will help security teams adapt faster and better capitalize on innovative solutions.”

By looking at what’s driving the next innovations and the technology that supports them, the security industry is empowered to create more value for its organizations and its people. Conducted in quarter 4 of 2022, the survey reveals five common threads, as follows:

  • Nearly 90% of respondents acknowledge sustainability as an important issue End users are increasingly demanding that suppliers provide footprint transparency in terms of their operations, product sourcing and research and development practices, with 87% of respondents stating that sustainability ranks as “important to extremely important.” Mirroring this trend, 76% said they have seen the importance of sustainability increasing for their customers.To support this growing demand, security teams are leveraging the cloud and the Internet of Things, even more, to optimize processes and reduce resources. Additionally, new products and solutions are being strategically developed to address sensible energy usage, waste reduction and resource optimization.
  • Most organizations still need to fully embrace identity “as-a-service” (IDaaS) to support hybrid work The majority of survey respondents—81% of them—stated they are offering a hybrid work model. As an example, 67% of respondents state that multifactor authentication and passwordless authentication are most important to adapting to hybrid and remote work, while 48% point to the importance of mobile and digital IDs.Interestingly, the survey also reveals almost half of the organizations aren’t quite ready to implement a comprehensive IDaas strategy.
  • Digital IDs and mobile authentication to propel many more mobile access deployments Identification and authentication are more commonly completed via mobile devices, including smartphones and wearables. The growing popularity of digital wallets from major players such as Google, Apple and Amazon is a key driver of this trend. And expanded capabilities allow smartphone users, for example, to add keys, IDs and digital documents directly in the wallet app. These include, but are not limited to, drivers’ licenses in eight states, verifiable COVID-19 vaccination information, employee badges, student IDs and hotel room keys. Commercial real estate companies (40%) are outpacing other verticals as large commercial real estate firms are leveraging mobile access as part of their larger tenant experience apps, according to the HID survey.
  • Nearly 60% of respondents see the benefit of contactless biometrics Biometric technologies represent a major break from more conventional means of access control. Using biometrics as an additional authenticating factor (e.g., biometric scans to verify an individual’s physical identity) can help organizations eliminate unauthorized access and fraud. The importance of this trend is exemplified in the survey data, which shows that 59% of respondents are currently using, planning to implement, or at least testing biometric technologies in the near future.
  • Supply chain issues continue to be a concerning factor, but optimism begin to emerge According to the survey, 74% of respondents say they were impacted by supply chain issues in 2022, although 50% are optimistic that conditions will improve in 2023. Most affected are commercial real estate companies, with 78% citing supply chain problems as their main concern. More than two-thirds of organizations with fewer than 1,000 employees indicate that they were highly impacted by supply chain issues in 2022, but they are also the most optimistic that these issues will resolve in 2023.

By better understanding the aforementioned topics, security professionals will be better prepared to adapt faster, deliver exceptional digital plus physical experiences, and capitalize on breakthrough innovations in solutions and services. Read the survey in its entirety here.

Stay Connected with HID

Yatra Online Limited celebrates women cricket; partners with Women’s Premier League team Delhi Capitals

New Delhi, India | March 03, 2023: Yatra Online Limited (“Yatra”), India’s leading corporate travel services provider and one of India’s leading online travel companies, has announced their partnership with Delhi Capitals for the much-awaited maiden edition of the Women’s Premier League (‘WPL’). Delhi Capitals, a franchise team co-owned by India’s eminent business groups JSW and GMR Group, is regarded as one of the world’s leading sports franchises. With women cricket taking center stage in the country, this partnership will celebrate and empower women in sports.

The T20 cricket tournament for Women organized by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is being looked at as a game-changer in women sports. Women’s cricket and players have long wished for the WPL, which will now be a reality within a week. With all eyes on the tournament, it will rapidly become a platform to inspire younger talent from different parts of the country to realise their full potential and have a presence and voice at the world stage right from the hinterlands.

Commenting on the partnership, Dhruv Shringi, Whole-time Director and Chief Executive Officer, Yatra Online Limited said, “At Yatra, we have always been ahead of the curve and we believe in supporting platforms that reflect the same vision. As a leading corporate travel services provider and one of India’s leading online travel companies, we are extremely proud to partner with Delhi Capitals, Women’s Premier League. Indian women are making significant strides in sports today and inspiring the entire country. We are happy to be a part of this journey of Delhi Capitals players as they make a historic  debut in this format in the coming days. We are sure that WPL will garner eyeballs and win the hearts of millions of cricket fans across the country and globe ”

 

Dhiraj Malhotra, CEO, Delhi Capitals on the announcement said, “It’s our privilege and honour to have Yatra Online Limited on board as our official partner for the Women’s Premier League 2023. Yatra.com is synonymous with travelling far and high, and we are certain that the leading online travel company will play a huge role in the growth of Delhi Capitals as a brand.”

The initial season of the WPL begins on March 4th 2023 and will be broadcast in India on the Sports18 TV channel and the Jio Cinema app. Overall, the Yatra Online Limited and Delhi Capitals partnership is a win-win for both parties, as it allows them to leverage their respective strengths and capabilities. This partnership has the potential to drive value for both Yatra and the Delhi Capitals, while also providing a great experience for cricket fans across the country.

 

This Women’s Day, Kalyan Jewellers Introduces Digital Campaign – #HerMilestones

Delhi, 3rd March, 2023: Kalyan Jewellers, one of India’s most trusted and leading jewellery brands, has launched the #HerMilestones digital campaign to celebrate International Women’s Day. The campaign aims to inspire and empower women by honoring their achievements and celebrating their strength, resilience, and perseverance.

The digital campaign features Kalyan Jewellers’ regional ambassador Pooja Sawant, who reflects on the challenges she has faced and the milestones she has achieved as a womanpreneur. The campaign pays tribute to incredible women who are making a difference every day, from all walks of life, breaking barriers and shattering stereotypes in their respective fields.

“We believe that women deserve to be celebrated every day, but International Women’s Day is a special opportunity to recognize and honor the contributions of women around the world,” said Mr. Ramesh Kalyanaraman, Executive Director – Kalyan Jewellers. “Through this campaign, we are attempting to empower and inspire women to continue pushing boundaries and reaching new heights.”

To further encourage and engage women across the country, regional brand ambassadors Ritabhari Chakraborty and Kinjal Rajpriya shared their personal stories of milestones through an Instagram Live event. The event aimed to inspire fans and encourage them to share their personal experiences with Kalyan Jewellers, creating a platform that highlights the diverse achievements and challenges faced by women hailing from different cultures, backgrounds, and communities.

The stories gathered from this crowd-sourced initiative are being featured on the social media channels of Kalyan Jewellers with the hashtag #HerMilestones. The brand hopes to create a powerful collection of narratives that inspire women to pursue their dreams and celebrate their milestones.

MMTC-PAMP Commemorates World Wildlife Day with Limited Edition Silver Coins

 

Cub Series_ElebhantMumbai, March 3rd, 2023: MMTC-PAMP, India’s only London Bullion Market Association (LBMA) Good Delivery gold & silver refinery, is commemorating World Wildlife Day through its limited-edition silver coins that were created in collaboration with the World Wildlife Fund.

In order to raise awareness about wildlife conservation, the ‘Nature & Nurture’ series by MMTC-PAMP features a mother and cub together in their natural habitat. Through this association, MMTC-PAMP hopes to contribute towards stopping the degradation of the planet’s natural environment.

The coins come in 31.1 gms 999.9 purity silver and feature four iconic species- Red Pandas, Snow Leopards, Asian Elephants, and Asiatic Lions. This year World Wildlife Day will be celebrated under the theme “Partnerships for wildlife conservation” and this partnership between MMTC-PAMP and WWF is aimed at raising awareness towards building a future in which humans live in harmony with nature.

Speaking on the collaboration, Vikas Singh MD & CEO said, “Our collaboration with WWF India is a significant stride towards driving awareness around their conservation efforts. As the leading trusted brand for precious metals in the country, we are pleased to present the 999.9+ purest silver collectibles featuring India’s most iconic and endangered species, crafted to the highest standards of purity with MMTC-PAMP’s unmatched Swiss craftsmanship. These limited-edition silver collectibles are ideal for gifting. The purchase of each coin furthers a strong message that can be your contribution towards preserving nature and raising awareness towards excellent initiatives undertaken by WWF India. We are excited about this initiative and the impact beyond business this would create.”

These exclusive purest 999.9+ silver collectibles offer unmatched Swiss craftsmanship, and purity beyond compare and mark a token of togetherness, warmth, and love that a family shares. These individually serial-numbered limited-edition coins come in bespoke display packaging and remain ideal for gifting. Every coin created by MMTC-PAMP goes through a rigorous purification process to ensure 999.9 + purity of the metal.

Each product bought from MMTC-PAMP offers positive weight tolerance, which guarantees that every coin or bar weighs more than the listed weight, ensuring the highest value for investment.

Hindustan Zinc’s four mines achieved 5- star rating award under ‘A’ list category of Mines

5 Star Rating Award

Udaipur, 3rd March 2023: On the 75th Anniversary of Khanij Divas, Hindustan Zinc’s four mines – Zawar Group of Mines, Rajpur Dariba Mine, Kayad Mine and Sindesar Khurd Mine received the prestigious 5 Star Rating Mines award by the Ministry of Mines, Government of India. Mr Pralhad Joshi Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Coal and Mines, awarded Hindustan Zinc at the 17th National Conclave on Mines and Minerals at the National Fire Centre, Nagpur.

Hindustan Zinc’s four mines received the award for their efforts and initiatives in sustainable mining. Hindustan Zinc has been continuously taking initiatives to achieve the goal of Net Zero by 2050. For its sustainability mission, the company has developed a roadmap that includes more than $1 billion in investments over the next five years to convert diesel-operated vehicles to battery-operated vehicles.

On this occasion, Mr. Arun Misra, CEO, of Hindustan Zinc said, “With the prestigious 5 Star Rating, Hindustan Zinc is honoured to be recognized as a leader in sustainable mining by the Ministry of Mines and the Government of India. Our commitment to safe, smart, sustainable mining operations is ingrained in our culture which also keep us an integral part of the nation’s development. We continue to make progress on different environmental and energy conservation initiatives in line with our country’s goal of net zero by 2070″. Hindustan Zinc is a pioneer in the sector, continually deploying transformational and sustainable technologies in pursuit of sustainable mining.”