Category business

Mumbai, February 27: Hydrogen is our future fuel and India’s future vehicles will run on hydrogen and green fuels, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari said here today. Addressing the second Ideas of India Summit organised by the ABP Network, he said although he never spoke about India’s EV targets for the year 2030, in the coming years India will certainly shift to electric vehicles. “We import Rs. 16 lakh crore worth of fossil fuel every year but pretty soon our farmers will produce green fuel and green hydrogen,” he said adding that Lithium ion batteries will lead the shift from petrol and diesel driven cars.

Reiterating that Lithium ion battery costs will come down in the next year or so, the minister said that India will soon become a net exporter of Lithium and become a major global player.

Expressing satisfaction with the development of highways in the country, Gadkari said, “In the coming years, public transport will be revolutionized in the country and the new highways will bring down travel time between key cities drastically.”

The minister also expressed confidence that the NDA and BJP will form the government both at the Centre and in Maharashtra in the coming elections and said that the performance audit of the ministers was more important than financial audit. He said that the government had created positivity among people which will bring growth.

The minister however, said that his ministry and government had failed to curb the accident rate on Indian roads. “We wanted to reduce road accidents by 50 per cent by 2024 but we are not going to achieve it,” he said. For this, he said, human behaviour has to change as people were still not following rules of red lights, car seat belts or two wheeler helmets. He urged the society to introduce road safety education at the primary level to make Indians aware about this at a young age.

Gadkari also said that his target is to build 60 kms of roads every day and announced that new facilities like helipads and drone pads will be built on new toads for quick and emergency transport.

The ABP India Summit brought together the brightest brains from diverse sectors to address the question- where does India stand at this moment in history, with its burgeoning economy successfully tackling the energy divisions of yet another war in Europe, with a post-pandemic recalibrating world looking up to her as a global leader and a whole new generation of Indians impatient to lead across sectors? This year, the grand second edition of the ‘Ideas of India’ summit was woven around the theme of Naya India: Looking Inward, Reaching Out.

The second edition of ABP’s ‘Ideas of India’ Summit is taking place at a time of extreme global churn where India has a critical role to play in the changing global dynamics. With the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections just a few months away, issues like geo-political tension, inflation, unemployment and digitization have become important points of discussion. The two-day event will put the spotlight on where India stands today amidst such turbulence. The two-day event will help people know more about these prevailing issues and disruptions through the lens of those dealing with them at the strategic and core levels.

Hyderabad, February 27, 2023: KFin Technologies Limited (“KFin Technologies”), a leading provider of investor and issuer solutions, today announced its decision to invest in Fintech Products and Solutions India Private Limited (FPSIPL), a Technology Service Provider (TSP) having a wholly owned subsidiary, FinSec AA Solutions Private Limited, India’s first Account Aggregator, licensed by Reserve Bank of India (RBI). The partnership will help KFintech venture into TSP and AA business as it looks to diversify beyond its current offerings across asset classes in the financial services ecosystem.

MoneyOne, the brand of FPSIPL, is in the business of providing technology solutions for the BFSI sector. Their primary offering, as a TSP, is to provide a platform for enabling data sharing, data governance and analysis, and related solutions to the clientele in the BFSI domain. OneMoney, the brand of FPSIPL’s wholly owned subsidiary, is India’s first Account Aggregator (AA), with an NBFC AA license from the RBI. OneMoney is a leading player with over 45% market share in a competitive and emerging Account Aggregator domain.

After this investment, KFin Technologies will own 25.63% of the post-issue equity share capital of FPSIPL. KFintech can acquire additional equity share capital of FPSIPL, taking its aggregate shareholding in FPSIPL to 75.01%, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions and receipt of regulatory approvals.

Sreekanth Nadella. CEO of KFintech, photographed in Hyderabad.

On the occasion, Sreekanth Nadella, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of KFin Technologies, said, “As a scaled multi-asset global solution provider for fund management, we are focusing on expanding our portfolio of products and solutions to foster the financialization of India’s economy. KFintech has an extensive reach of over 5000+ clients locally and globally being serviced through at-scale and innovative technology solutions. Combined with the proven capabilities of the market leader in Account Aggregation – OneMoney, we are excited at the prospect to deliver several best-in-class fintech solutions across the sectors of Lending, Asset & Wealth Management, administration & onboarding solutions amongst several others.”

Krishna Prasad Atluri, Founder and Chief Executing Officer, of FPSIPL, said, “This investment is highly synergistic and shall enable FPSIPL to leverage KFintech’s technological finesse to deliver world-class and agile TSP solutions, high-end data analytics, and best-in-class AA solutions and Open Banking solutions to the markets in India and abroad, especially to serve the underserved and unserved segments.”

This acquisition shall enable KFin Technologies to leverage its technology competence to deliver best-in-class TSP solutions to BFSI players and new-age start-ups and scale up AA value propositions beyond lending as a used case to wealth management for retail consumers.

Ahmedabad, February 27, 2023: The Phoenix Mills Limited (PML), India’s leading developer and operator of retail-led mixed-use developments, and BSafal Group announce the launch of Palladium, Ahmedabad to public on 26th February 2023. Spread over 5 acres, Palladium Ahmedabad has a gross leasable area of over 750,000 sq. ft. and brings over 35 international luxury brands including Kate Spade, Coach, Michael Kors, Hugo Boss, and Tumi for the first time to the vibrant city of Ahmedabad. Palladium Ahmedabad has been developed by the BSafal Group under its joint venture with PML.

At Palladium Ahmedabad, shoppers can expect to find a carefully curated mix of over 250 national and international brands, offering latest fashion trends as well as classic pieces that always remain in style. But what sets this mall apart is its commitment to creating a truly unique and unforgettable shopping experience for its visitors. Palladium Ahmedabad is designed to be a complete luxury destination that offers experiences that go beyond shopping. A wide range of hospitality and entertainment options, along with a luxury retail await to delight customers at Palladium Ahmedabad, making it the perfect destination for the entire family.

Consumption hub in the Heart of the City

Situated on the Sarkhej-Gandhinagar Highway, Palladium Ahmedabad is centrally located in the city and has excellent connectivity and reach. It has easy access to commercial areas, residential areas, and top hotels in the city and it is about 30 minutes away from Gujarat International Finance Tech City (GIFT City). With its superior connectivity and wide range of offerings, Palladium Ahmedabad is well-positioned to attract shoppers from Gandhinagar, Rajkot, Vadodara, Mehsana, Anand, and other cities.

Speaking on this grand opening, Mr. Atul Ruia, Chairman, The Phoenix Mills Limited said, “Gujarat has always been an attractive landscape for us because of its cosmopolitan population and growing exposure to the luxury ecosystem. Palladium Ahmedabad is an artistic and architectural marvel, which is set to bring coveted luxury brands and a unique, immersive shopping experience to Ahmedabad. With Palladium Ahmedabad, which marks our entry into the state of Gujarat, we present a luxurious destination for the people of this remarkable city, and we continue to bring out our vision of creating unparalleled experiential retail destinations for customers across the country.”

A Magnificent Sight to Behold

One of the unique facets of Palladium Ahmedabad is the façade that transforms its appearance by changing its colour depending on the reflection of the sun, the viewing angle, and the time of the day. Made with a beautiful balance of an earthy color palette, the façade gives the illusion of movement and can be spotted from the highway itself. At night, the elevation is backlit and, along with the giant LED screen, adds to the overall appeal of the structure.

Spread over 5 floors, the mall itself is an architectural phenomenon and has been built specifically keeping the convenience of shoppers in mind. The stunning interiors of Palladium Ahmedabad are a realm of sophistication and luxury. From gleaming marble floors to opulent lighting, every detail has been carefully crafted to create an unforgettable shopping experience for patrons.

The mall is decorated with various art pieces by globally renowned artists of India. “The Apocalyptron” by Thukral and Tagra and “The woman” by Radha Patel which is dedicated to the strength and power of women are some of the art pieces that adorn the mall. There are many more such spectacular art pieces that can catch the eye of shoppers and engage them in the world of art.

Mr. Rajesh Brahmbhatt, Chairman, B Safal Group, said, “We believe that Ahmedabad is the perfect destination for a mall of such grandeur, and we are thrilled to partner with The Phoenix Mills Limited to bring Palladium to the vibrant city of Ahmedabad. Built to be a landmark for decades to come, Palladium Ahmedabad will usher in a new era of luxury shopping in the city.”

A shoppers’ paradise and an entertainment hub

Palladium Ahmedabad brings over 250 brands, including 35+ luxury labels like Coach, Diesel, Michael Kors, Dyson, Steve Madden, TUMI, and many more for the first time to the city. This mall has a fine mix of luxury, bridge to luxury, and boutique brands across fashion and accessories, fine jewelry, beauty, home décor, and other luxury goods.

Palladium Ahmedabad is also home to Fun City, Time Zone, and Hamleys Play where visitors can engage in a range of state-of-the-art arcade games and entertainment experiences in a bright, family-friendly space. Moviegoers have a superior cinema-watching experience in store for them, with 9 screens multiplex and immersive luxe screens at PVR Cinemas that provide an elevated edge to the other cinemas.

Spread over two floors, the Food and Beverage Zone at Palladium Ahmedabad has an exquisite and delectable spread to offer from remarkable restaurants like Foo, Cha, Jamie’s Pizzeria, and a lot more. The mall has over 50 dining options comprising fine dining restaurants, casual dining, QSR, cafes, and kiosks. The food and beverage options at Palladium Ahmedabad, which range from Indian and Chinese to Asian, Italian, Greek, and many more cuisines, cater to the diverse palates of customers, serving up something for everyone.

Rashmi Sen, COO, The Phoenix Mills Limited, said, “At Palladium Ahmedabad, we are introducing an elevated level of luxury for the people of Gujarat and setting new standards in the industry. With over 50 food and beverage outlets serving cuisines from all around the globe, and over 220 inline stores ready to provide world-class service to our patrons, Palladium Ahmedabad will lead the way in writing a new story on luxury shopping experiences in the city.”

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Wurfel, a premium modular kitchen brand is launching a brand new studio for the first time in Jaipur. This state-of-the-art studio is a one-of-a-kind establishment located at the illustrious Civil Tower on Pandit TN Mishra Marg, near Metro Pillar No. 34 in Swami Vihar, Nirman Nagar, Jaipur, 302019. People can walk into the studio to touch, feel & experience European modular kitchens and wardrobes. The studio exhibits the state of modern modular kitchen designs. All kitchens are eco- friendly and promote healthy living in a home. The brand has 46 studios, each offering a unique customer experience.

Würfel is India’s biggest Premium Modular Kitchen Brand and has revolutionized the modular kitchen industry in our country. The brand handpicks the best of Europe and is always visioned to provide aspirational European modular kitchens and wardrobes to every Indian home at a great price. The secret behind its success is its superior quality standards in designing, manufacturing, installation, servicing and other comprehensive solutions. It was awarded the ‘Best Modular Kitchen Brand’ by Times Business Awards consecutively for the years 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 & 2023.

‘The Most Innovative Kitchen Award’ in 2019 & 2020 by India Kitchen Congress, Most Valuable Interior Brand of the Year 2022 – World Signature Awards IBARC Asia and Best Modular Kitchen Brand 2023 – Radio City Business Icon Awards.

Being a responsible brand, Würfel manufactures Cancer free kitchens that promote healthy living within the home. A healthy kitchen should have the necessary interiors that are completely eco- friendly and aseptic. Würfel uses only E0 Grade boards that are obtained primarily from self- cultivated, sustainable forests. This ensures the environment is also sustained while maintaining premium quality standards of the products. Hence every product of Würfel is eco-friendly and FSC certified.

It is worth noting the distinctive approach that Wurfel has taken to the art of designing modular kitchens. One should visit the showroom to delve into the intricate details of their innovative approach that has never been seen before. A conversation with their team of experts will help the netizens learn more about the craftsmanship and skill that goes into owning an aspirational modular kitchen.

A spokesperson from Würfel commented at the launch of the new studio, saying, “Our studio provides a diverse range of modular kitchens, spanning traditional and classic styles to modern and contemporary designs, each tailored to the unique requirements and tastes of our customers. With our functional and visually appealing kitchen designs, we are eagerly anticipating the public to experience them.”

The wide range of Würfel products comes with a 10-year warranty period with Flexi-EMI options.The Würfel Product Portfolio:

Modular Kitchens: The modular kitchens at Würfel mainly constitutes of three components, the base cabinets, the wall cabinets and the tower units. The primary types of boards used for the products are High Density, Water Resistant Particle Board, MDF (Medium Density Fibre) Board and Synchronised Plywood. Würfel also provides a lot of finish options, such as laminate, lacquer, poly-

lacquer, glass, stone and more. Their modular kitchens are timeless and crafted to make every meal a pleasurable experience. Luxury Modular Kitchens at Würfel start at Rs 3 Lakhs.

Personalized Wardrobes: Würfel wardrobes provide a practical solution to organizing clothes and belongings. They are made from the highest quality materials curated from across Europe. The personalized wardrobes come in a variety of designs built to provide maximum space efficiency and comfort of use. The PUR glue technology is used throughout the wardrobe, which makes it long- lasting. Würfel designs wardrobes that suit every lifestyle and are solely personalized to address unique requirements. Personalised wardrobes at Würfel start at Rs 75,000.

TV Units: The TV units at Würfel not only flaunt personal sense of style but also help to organise all belongings. One can opt between a floating TV unit design or freestanding, depending on what compliments the theme of the living room style. Eliminate clutter and create a designated space to studio all collectables with Würfel TV units.

Vanities: Würfel vanity units are sleek in design and bring the essence of European finesse to the interiors. They are bound to create an element of sophistication in every home. The right bathroom vanity helps to enhance the aesthetics, while adding both style and functionality.

The brand is on a mission to bridge the gap between quality and pricing by providing high-quality kitchens & wardrobes at a great price point. They are able to achieve this strategically by importing all the finished raw materials and hardware, only from the best vendors in Europe. The raw materials are then processed in the state-of-the-art European manufacturing unit in India. All processes adhere to European standards under the able supervision of the production VP from Europe.For more information, contact 1800 3000 2926 or write to contact@wurfel.in

Mumbai, 27 February 2023 – Specialty chemicals company LANXESS, is presenting its extensive portfolio of flavor & fragrance applications for the first time at XXV FAFAI International Convention & Expo in Kolkata, from February 24-25. The Flavors & Fragrances (F&F) business unit is showcasing its finest aroma chemicals range in Hall A, booth no: F-12.

LANXESS is a leading provider of high-quality flavor & fragrance applications and offers an extensive range of fragrances which includes more than 30 aroma chemicals. These offerings are high purity, consistent, nature identical and provide earthy, floral, fruity, cinnamic or woody notes. They are found in perfumes and personal care items, food and beverages, and home cleaning products.

At the exhibition, we are exhibiting our broad range of products including – Benzyl Benzoate, Benzyl Acetate, Hexyl Cinnamic Aldehyde (also known as HCA or alpha-hexyl cinnamaldehyde) and Ocimene PQ. Benzyl benzoate has a high molecular weight and nearly odorless nature, making it an extensively used fixative in the fine fragrance and perfume industry whereas Benzyl Acetate is a clear, colorless liquid at ambient temperatures and has a slight, jasmine-like odor.

Similarly, HCA is the preferred choice of many perfumers looking for characteristics that are more floral and less fatty. HCA brings green, floral notes with aromas of jasmine and muguet (lily-of-the-valley) to many household care and personal care products, such as fabric softeners, deodorants, shampoos, and soaps.

Ocimene PQ imparts a novel top note of citrus, lavender, and spicy herbs to fragrances, colognes, and stimulated essential oils, such as bergamot oil and lavender oil. It is especially valued in mango fragrances as well as fragrances in personal care and a variety of household products on a limited scale.

In addition to flavors and fragrances, the F&F business unit also develops and produces preservatives and animal nutrition products. These substances are found in various everyday consumables such as cosmetics and personal care products, detergents and cleaning agents, beverages, baked goods, candles, oils, and animal feed.

Speaking at the event, Anand Karaka, Senior Sales Director, Head of Sales APAC – Business Unit Flavors & Fragrances, LANXESS India, said, “We are excited to participate in the FAFAI exhibition this year. Our focus has always been on creating formulations that are sustainable and consumer-friendly, combined with advanced technical and regulatory expertise. As an organization, we constantly strive to provide our customers with the best products and applications, and this exhibition provides us an opportunity to demonstrate our commitment to excellence and highlight our latest offerings to the industry.”

India, February 27, 2023 –– Infibeam Avenues Limited’s (IAL) flagship brand CCAvenue through its app TapPay has disrupted the Indian payment market by replacing card-swiping POS machines with a smartphone-based payment app. Merchants have doubly benefitted from this app. Not only have they saved on the cost of the card swiping machine, but also on its operational cost. Since October 2022, more than 1.20 lakh merchants have downloaded the TapPay app.

CCAvenue was adjudged ‘Best Payments Solution Provider of the Year’ at the ETBFSI Excellence Awards 2022 at a glittering ceremony attended by top Corporates in Banking, Insurance, Finance, Fintech, Asset Management and Financial Services. The company’s innovative mobile app CCAvenue TapPay is the reason behind CCAvenue receiving this award.

The ETBFSI Excellence Awards are an initiative to recognize the latest innovations and unique initiatives and acknowledge top achievers for outstanding contributions in providing services or solutions in the BFSI sector.

Commenting on the achievement, Mr. Pankaj Dedhia, Chief Business Officer, Infibeam Avenues Ltd, said, “On behalf of the company, I would like to thank ETBFSI for honouring us with this prestigious award and recognizing our various innovative initiatives. CCAvenue’s TapPay Solution had been designed to digitise cash transactions and enable millions of businesses to accept payments securely with zero hardware cost and, in the process, become a catalyst in India’s journey towards the ubiquity of digital payments. We aim to empower ‘EVERY BUSINESS & BUSINESSMAN’ with a simple-to-use technology, right in their palm and at the click of a button, anytime, anywhere.”

India’s first listed software platforms and payments infrastructure company, Infibeam Avenues Ltd, is also among India’s most profit-making fintech companies. In nine months ended December 2022, the company earned INR 98 crore Profit After Tax (PAT) with a y-o-y growth of 77%. More than 8.4 million merchants and corporates are registered across their payment and e-commerce platforms. The company caters to major leading banks of India like HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, Kotak Bank, etc., offering them payment infrastructure services.

As per a market estimate, the payment industry consisting of banks, fintech and payment gateway companies, processes approximately INR 7 lakh crore of person-to-merchant (P2M) payment transactions in India on a monthly basis and the monthly income (revenue) stands at approx. between INR 3000 crore to INR 3500 crore for the payment industry.

In recent times, Infibeam’s CCAvenue has won several awards and recognition including:

•  CCAvenue has been recognized as Superbrand 2023 for the third time in a row by Superbrands India
•  ‘Best Use of Technology and ‘Best Innovator’ awards at the Unlocked Awards 2022
•  ‘Best Tech for E-Commerce’ award at the 12th India Digital Awards
•  ‘Best Online Payments Solution – Merchant’ title at the Business Innovation Awards
•  ‘Best Online Payments Solution’ title at the Drivers of Digital (DOD) Awards
•  Excellence in Technology (Incumbents) at the ASSOCHAM 2nd Fintech & Digital Payments Awards 2022
•  Fintech award for Digital Payments at Governance Now’s BFSI Awards 2022.

Feb 2023: Online K-12 tutoring platform Focus Edumatics to create opportunities for Chennai graduates to serve as tutors. The company is targeting to hire 2000 graduates from Chennai by the end of this year. To enhance teachers’ skills, Focus Edumatics aims to provide free training to teachers and create 14000 online tutors jobs in India in 2023.

As part of the free training curriculum, Focus Edumatics provides candidates with world-class instruction and certification to excel as one-on-one instructors. The training includes advanced English competency, student engagement techniques, computer skills, and soft skills (e.g., communication) to teach international students effectively. After successful completion of the program, candidates will be hired by Focus Edumatics as online tutors on payroll with a highly competitive starting salary apart from other perks.

Commenting on the initiative, Mr. U.K. Rana, President/CEO of Focus Edumatics, said, “We believe in the power of education and its ability to bring desired changes in society. And we can provide quality only if we have qualified teachers. Our initiative aims to enhance the teaching ability of talented graduates passionate about educating young minds. Focus Edumatics seeks to sharpen the candidates’ communication and core subject skills, eventually making them job-ready.

The program is designed for those who want to become online tutors to mentor USA K12 students. It will offer job seekers, recent graduates, and experienced individuals a great chance to become online tutors. It will also provide a good opportunity for teachers, parents, and other professionals looking for a flexible work arrangement.

New Delhi, February 27, 2023: Exam time could be a stressful time for students of all levels. But, mental health expert Dr. Jyoti Kapoor, Founder-Director and Senior Psychiatrist, of Manasthali Wellness, said rewarding yourself between study time is the best way to beat stress. She further added that this will motivate the students to continue studying and reduce stress. A small amount of stress can challenge you and stimulate you to work harder. Exam stress becomes problematic when it interferes with your ability to perform and achieve your
academic and learning goals.

“Exam stress is the feeling of tension and worry that comes from test-taking situations. It is normal to feel some stress about upcoming tests, exams, papers or presentations. Therefore, when you’re studying, ensure that you’re taking breaks in between Indeed For example, after studying hard for an hour, take a break and play on the internet for 20 minutes or watch an episode of a TV show that you enjoy. This will help you get your mind
off the exam while acting as a motivational carrot that may help you pick up studying again after your break,” Dr. Jyoti Kapoor said.

Below are the tips that will help you avoid stress so that you can ace your exams:

•  Make yourself a study schedule, breaking down the topic you want to study day by day
•  Be realistic about how much you can study each day when allocating your time
•  It’s very difficult to sustain your concentration for hours at a time so when you find your mind wandering it’s probably a sign you need a short break
•  Eating healthy and limiting your caffeine intake is essential
•  Taking time out from studying to exercise may be the last thing you feel like doing, but there’s a reason exercise is a classic stress reliever
•  Physical activity is a great way to clear your mind and boost your mood
• After just 20 minutes of exercise, you can hit the books with renewed focus
•  Talking to a friend, significant other, family member, or advisor when you’re feeling
  really worried can be a huge help
•  Don’t be afraid to speak to a professional or the mental health services at your school if you are concerned about your mental health during exam season or at any point in the year

VitrA, a leading global brand for complete bathroom solutions from Turkey has appointed Tirthankar Sarkar as the new Senior Country Manager of VitrA Bathrooms India. He succeeds Serhan Ates Yagiz, who will now take over as Senior Country Manager for China & South East Asia after a remarkable 7 years in the position.

Sarkar continues in the bathroom industry as Sr. Country Manager with a wealth of experience. In his new role, he will be managing business operations for VitrA across India. He has over 22 years of professional experience in sales and has a track record of consistently winning high levels of business within a competitive marketplace. Sarkar, holding a core position at VitrA, is familiar with the system at VitrA and fully understands the brand and company which makes him deserving of his current position.

During the past year, Sarkar has displayed significant drive and energy as he has undertaken the demanding task of delivering business value to sales and operations while expanding the consumer base and strengthening it for the future. He will lead VitrA into its next century of business, with his industry experience, strategic vision, and customer-centric approach. With his leadership experience in consumer goods, Sarkar is an excellent fit to lead VitrA with a commitment to innovation and market activation strategies. He will now oversee the implementation of the operations across India with a focus on driving revenue and market share expansion.

Mr. Tirthankar Sarkar, Sr. Country Manager, VitrA Bathrooms India says, “India is a complex, multifaceted nation that offers tremendous opportunities, which is where our years of experience come into play. It is with great pleasure that I take up this new position. I joined VitrA because I could see the company’s potential. I appreciated the value of the skills and expertise needed to deliver challenging, important projects and operations, and develop innovative products. In my brief time with the company, I have been impressed by the tenacity of our culture, and the quality of our client relationships, all of which serve as solid foundations for future growth.”

Kolkata, 26th February 2023: The Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) organized an exclusive session with Dr. Sanjeev Chopra, Former Director of LBSNAA, Ex-IAS Officer on Saturday, 25^th February 2023. The session witnessed valuable insights into the post-independence era and the consolidation of princely states. There were other esteemed members in the panel including Mr. Soumitra Mohan, IAS, Secretary, Dept. of transport, Govt. of West Bengal, Dr. Sandeep Chatterjee, F.R.C.S Ed, DNB (Surg.), M.N.A.M.S, (Neurosurgery), F.R.C.S (Neurosurgery), M.S.M.B.B.S Academic Coordinator of Neurosurgery, Mr. Sanjay Budhia, Past President, Indian Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Rudra Chatterjee, Past President, ICC and Dr. Rajeev Singh, Director General, ICC.

While delivering the welcome address, Mr. Sanjay Budhia, Past President, Indian Chamber of Commerce, said, “Our author has great passion for literature, which is very much reflected in his book, focusing down on the cherished career of the country. The book takes us back in time to discuss the history of Bharat. The book clearly mentions the national ability to distinct through socio-economic boundaries. The discussion will enlighten with readers with enriching ideas given in the book.”

Commenting about the book, Mr. Soumitra Mohan, IAS, Secretary, Dept. of transport, Govt. of West Bengal, said, “The book speaks broadly about the Indian Independence Act. It covers the state of three provinces following the Britisher’s exit from our country. It further sheds light on chief commissioner areas, governor provinces and thirdly the princely states. Almost 552 princely states, were later organized by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. The way that he along with VP Menon worked tirelessly to annex the princely states has been mentioned in the book. A lot of autonomy was given to the princely states. Henceforth, two agreements were signed to serve as the instrument of accession, while autonomy was restricted to the government to ensure this practice was implemented. Interestingly there were 20 names again suggested for Uttar Pradesh such as Aryabhatta, Aryabhatta Pradesh, Brahma Pradesh etc. So, these are very interesting issues highlighted in the book projecting the division of states and its development which has been discussed further in the book.”

Commenting on the event, Dr. Sandeep Chatterjee, F.R.C.S Ed, DNB (Surg.), M.N.A.M.S, (Neurosurgery), F.R.C.S (Neurosurgery), M.S.M.B.B.S Academic Coordinator of Neurosurgery, said, “The book is intriguing when you read it showcasing the ultimate paradox. Having said that, the book reveals the history of geography at the beginning and the geography of history during its end.”

Commenting at the event, Mr. Rudra Chatterjee, Past President, ICC, said, “The book interestingly narrates not only the history or geography but an overall summary of our country. The Bangladesh partition in 1971 was one of those periods whose impact was felt at our borders. The partitions of 1905 and 1947 have also been explored in the book.”

Commenting on the theme of the book, Dr. Sanjeev Chopra, Former Director of LBSNAA, Ex-IAS Officer, said, “Today, we see West Bengal seeking changes. There is a very interesting story about when Karnataka was previously called Mysore. There were sections from the local community that did not want to change the name, keeping in mind people’s emotions. India after partition had several names, Hindustan, Bharat, India but Britishers mentioned that they never wanted to call themselves dominant of Pakistan. Further V.P. Menon and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel worked tirelessly to make our country the centralized factor. Demographic changes have been affecting politics, and most of them did not face the same wrath after the partition which Bengal and Punjab had gone through. Having said that Bengal was not treated well after the partition whereas the Punjabi refugees were accepted with open arms by the other princely states. Precisely the book mentions Identity is fluid and not cast in stone.”

While delivering the vote of thanks, Dr. Rajeev Singh, Director General, ICC, said, “Everyone in this room has got the flavor of history and seen a multifaceted personality. This book is what people of India need to know, especially the young generation.”