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21th February 2024, Mumbai – India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC), a public sector undertaking under the aegis of the Ministry of Tourism, unveiled its mascot Adyant-beginning to the end, and tagline “सबसे श्रेष्ठ आतिथ्य की ओर” in a grand ceremony led by Dr. Sambit Patra, Chairman, ITDC. The event was attended by esteemed dignitaries including Ms. Manisha Saxena, IAS – Director General, Ministry of Tourism,Mr. M.R. Synrem, IAS – Managing Director, ITDC, representatives from travel and trade associations, FICCI, CII, ASSOCHAM, Senior ITDC officials and AIHTM students.

A preview of ITDC’s campaign centred around iconic hotel ‘The Ashok’ as premier wedding venue was unveiled. This is in alignment with the “Wed in India” call given by Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This initiative aims to keep economic prosperity within the country by promoting India as a preferred destination for weddings. Ms. Saxena’s introduction of the wedding venue teaser aligns with the ‘India says I do’ campaign of Ministry of Tourism, a broader effort to boost the wedding tourism sector.

The key highlight of the event was the unveiling of the tagline “सबसे श्रेष्ठ आतिथ्य की ओर.”This fresh tagline symbolizes ITDC’s dedication to delivering unmatched hospitality and service in the tourism sector, reflecting its journey towards excellence.

Accompanying the new tagline was the introduction of ITDC’s new mascot—Adyant, selected through a contest organized amongst the students of the National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad (NID). The ant, symbolizing teamwork, innovation, sustainability, cost-effectiveness, and a pioneering spirit, perfectly embodies the values, vision, and objectives of ITDC. With its friendly appearance, the mascot serves as a welcoming guide for travellers, showcasing ITDC’s commitment to providing exceptional 360 degres tourism services.

Expressing his enthusiasm about the developments, Dr. Sambit Patra, Chairman, ITDC, stated, “India and ITDC have solidified their brand identities, with the new mascot representing the unwavering resilience of an ant, symbolizing ITDC’s strength. Adyant embodies the spirit of our organization and will become a symbol of excellence and warmth in the tourism industry. The unveiling signifies a transformative moment, setting new standards in the evolving landscape of tourism. The mascot stands as a testament to ITDC’s enduring strength, and together, we aim to propel the tourism industry to unprecedented heights, fostering a lasting positive impact on the brand and the broader sector.”

Mr. M.R. Synrem, IAS, Managing Director of ITDC, shared his thoughts on the occasion, and said, “The introduction of our mascot and tagline is a significant milestone for ITDC. It serves as a testament to our unwavering dedication to delivering unparalleled hospitality experiences. With the unveiling of these distinctive elements, we are not just redefining our brand identity but also setting a new benchmark for excellence in the tourism sector. We thank the faculty and Students of NID for collaborating with us.”

The introduction of the new mascot and tagline signifies ITDC’s ongoing pursuit of establishing fresh benchmarks for hospitality and service excellence in the nation, reinforcing its commitment to progress in the industry.

NTPC Ltd., India’s largest integrated power company has signed a Land Lease Agreement in order to realize the green energy and green hydrogen objectives of NTPC and the GoI’s efforts towards energy transition. The agreement was signed on 20th February, 2024 between NTPC Green Energy Limited (NGEL) and Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (APIIC) for development of “Integrated Green Hydrogen Hub” on 1200 acres land near Pudimadaka village of Atchutapuram Mandal, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.

The Land Lease Deed was exchanged between Shri Sivakumar V V, Chief General Manager, NGEL and Shri Pravin Kumar, Vice-Chairman & Managing Director, APIIC at Secretariat, Govt. of AP, Amravati in the presence of Shri K S Jawahar Reddy, Chief Secretary, GoAP; Shri R Sarangapani, Executive Director, NTPC and other senior officials of GoAP, APIIC, NTPC and NGEL.

The Pudimadaka Green Hydrogen Hub aims to create a world-class ecosystem for technologies in the new energy paradigm, such as electrolyser and fuel cell manufacturing, related ancillary industries, start-up, incubation, testing facilities, production and export of green hydrogen and its derivatives (green ammonia/green methanol etc.). The project includes construction of India’s largest green hydrogen production facility (1200 TPD), which will be converted to derivatives of hydrogen such as green ammonia and green methanol, primarily catering to various export market.

NTPC is India’s largest Power Utility with core business of power generation having a total installed capacity of 74 GW (including JVs and subsidiaries). As part of increasing its renewable energy portfolio, a fully owned subsidiary has been formed as “NTPC Green Energy Limited” (NGEL) which shall take up Renewable Energy Parks and Projects including business in the area of Green Hydrogen, Energy Storage Technologies, and Round the Clock RE Power.

NTPC Group has ambitious plans of 60 GW of RE capacity by the year 2032 and currently it has 3.4 GW of installed RE capacity and 22 plus GW under pipeline. NTPC is committed to supporting Andhra Pradesh’s and India’s decarbonisation goals.

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Guruji presents the award at SMX CSR Leadership Summit 3.0.

Bengaluru, Feb 20: The “Spark of Curiosity” event of Synopsis India flagship programme of Taare Zameen Par – has bagged the Best CSR award at the SMX CSR leadership summit 3.0 at the Art of Living Centre on Saturday.

B. U. Chandrashekar, Senior Architect of Synopsis India, Founder of Taare Zameen Par organisation Dinesh Bhadagandi, Operational Chief Abhijit Chaudhary received the award at a glittering function in the presence of more than 200 CSR companies from Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Guruji.

Taare Zameen Par Trust, in collaboration with Synopsis India, has triggered interest among students in Astronomy, Mathematics, Science and Technology as well as Space Science.

Dinesh Bhadagandi has undertaken this project in as many as 15 schools in the Gadag district and has left an indelible impression on young minds.

Disclosing the information about the concept, Dinesh Bhadagandi said in all till now 23 lakh students have benefited by watching mobile Planetarium in the state.

“Our objective is to create a scientific temperament and trigger a keen interest among the students in Science and related subjects. We have gone beyond our expectations. We have actually transformed the students thinking. The response from the students is phenomenal,” Dinesh Bhadagandi explained.

According to Dinesh, this concept has not only generated interest among the students but has also enhanced the interest to learn. This has, infact, qualitatively transformed the educational atmosphere in the 15 schools of Gadag district. “In the last three years, about 10 000 students have been benefitted from this programme in North Karnataka region,” he added.

In his speech, Abhijit Chaudhary of Taare Zameen Par Trust, said “the spark of curiosity programme has not only made students to develop interest in science but has also become a source of inspiration. Interaction with scientists, seminars, science fair and kaun banega sou pati intellectual quiz competition have been a totally different experience for the students.

“Every student is given a science kit. This will enable the students to learn science beyond the school hours,” Chaudhary added

B. U. Chandrashekar of Synopsis India, in his speech said, “this concept has enabled the students to choose their career and opt for the subjects of their liking. We are happy and satisfied to see students learning science and Technology with great enthusiasm. This programme will enable the students to choose their career instead of succumbing to parental pressure.”

Former Chairman of ISRO Kiran Kumar has been a great visionary and a noble guide to our activities. After our success in Gadag, we intend to extend this programme to all districts, said Dinesh Bhadagandi.

He further said that this best award will further act as a fillip and has inspired us to take up more such projects in a much bigger way.

“If we get CSR help like we are getting from Synopsis, we can extend the project to many districts of North Karnataka region,” Dinesh added.

New Delhi, February 20, 2023: Mother’s Recipe, a renowned brand known for its delectable and traditional flavors, has announced the launch of its revamped Ready to Cook product packaging. The new design embodies a modern and contemporary look, setting a fresh and vibrant tone for the popular Ready to Cook range. It also aligns seamlessly with the brand’s values and commitments to authenticity, innovation, and consumer well-being.

The revised packaging features bright background colours in a matte finish, with green for all vegetarian variants, pink for all non- vegetarian variants, yellow for regional variants, and purple for seafood variants. The food shots captured with a special spot of glossy lamination showcases the deliciousness awaiting inside. The packaging highlights Mother’s Recipe Ready to Cook products made with superior quality products with no added Class II preservatives, keeping in mind the health and well-being of the consumers.

The redesigned packaging specifies the cooking time for each food variant. The one-step cooking method is illustrated visually on the front bottom of the pack – simply take the pack, add water, and vegetables/paneer/chicken as desired. For user convenience and to ensure access to diverse consumer base, the back panel now has usage instructions in both Hindi and English. A unique ‘Ready To Cook’ band in gold adds refinement and symbolizes the product’s ease of use.

Mother’s Recipe Ready to Cook products cater to individuals who seek minimal effort and convenience while enjoying home-cooked meals. While other market players essentially have a three-step process for their ready to cook range, Mother’s Recipe has a unique one step process as it already contains onion, tomato, ginger garlic, spices & oil. The redesigned packaging complements today’s dynamic consumer base’s lifestyle and tastes while still having a pleasing visual appeal. Mother’s Recipe strives to provide a healthy substitute for takeout food by providing an easy way to offer homecooked food.

A well-ironed outfit can transform you from shabby to smart in a matter of minutes, reflecting a well-groomed look. However, at times when we are in a real rush, the time required to set up the conventional ironing board and heating the iron before we can get down to smoothening out the wrinkles and creases of our chosen garments can be challenging. Enter garment steamers – the unsung heroes who can work their magic super quick.

Designed to cater to the most pressing consumer needs, Usha’s Techne Direct 1000 Garment Steamer conditions clothes and gives them a wrinkle-free finish thanks to its powerful steam output. It also has an overheat safety auto shutoff to prevent any untoward accidents due to overheating.

Priced at ₹5,190, the Usha Techne Direct 1000 Garment Steamer comes with a two-year warranty.

Hyderabad, February 20, 2024: Platform 65, India’s largest toy-train-themed restaurant, has introduced a new “Telangana Special Menu” across all its restaurants in Telangana. This initiative aims to preserve and promote the culinary heritage of the state, offering authentic flavours that will delight food enthusiasts throughout the region.

The brand-new Telangana special menu underscores Platform 65’s commitment to providing customers with a blend of traditional and modern culinary experiences. The menu features a variety of dishes inspired by a fusion of culinary traditions and heritage, ensuring that diners can savour the rich tapestry of Telangana’s culinary history. Dishes such as Telangana Kodi Vepudu, Aakku Kura Mutton, Murgh Dhaniya Shorba and Green Chicken are some of the highlights of the menu. Starting on the 12th of February this special menu will be made available to customers till the end of March 2024. The Telangana special menu will be carefully implemented under the direct leadership of Srikanth Bandaru, Corporate General Manager at Platform 65.

On this note, Mr. Sadgun Patha, Managing Director and Founder of Platform 65, said, “It’s a wonderful opportunity for us to showcase the rich and diverse culinary traditions of Telangana to our valued customers. Being able to bring the authentic taste and essence of Telangana to their plates is a true privilege. Many of us associate food from our childhood with warm feelings and good memories. The flavours of Telangana are deeply rooted in its history, culture, and local ingredients. Food ties us to our families, holding a special and personal value for all of us. We believe that this Telangana special menu will offer our customers a fresh and exciting dining experience.”

Venkatesh Gopisetty, Vice President of Platform 65 said “Our goal is to ensure that every bite from our special Telangana menu is a journey through time and tradition. We have carefully crafted each dish to capture the essence of Telangana’s cuisine, embracing its vibrant colours, bold flavours, and intricate textures. We want our customers to not just taste the food, but to feel the warmth of Telangana’s hospitality and the pride of its people.”

Platform 65 Restaurant is India’s largest toy train-themed restaurant, offering a unique dining experience with a delightful toy train running through the restaurant. With 11 branches in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, Platform 65 is committed to creating memorable moments for its patrons, combining good food with a playful atmosphere.

Gurugram, February 2024: India’s most acclaimed cuisine that carries the country’s heritage taste, the North West Frontier Cuisine, is being celebrated at The Leela Ambience Gurugram Hotels & Residences.

 Known for its aromatic spices, North West Frontier Cuisine is beautifully curated and prepared by Indian Masterchef Bobby Jaiswal at Diya. A ten day food pop-up, from February 16 to February 25, will be a treat for your taste buds with an unparalleled spread of dishes. Experience the authentic flavors of the Indian North-West Frontier region, where food is cooked in clay ovens or tandoors, preserving traditional culinary techniques.

 The crafted menu revolves around a variety of delectable dishes, from starters and main courses to desserts. At the food festival, indulge in signature dishes such as Potli Kebab, Barra, Raan, Tandoori Pomfret, Bharwan Tandoori Aloo, and Malai Paneer Tikka. Relish the must-try Makhan wali dal and savor the exquisite Kabool ka murg pulao, both of which have been expertly curated by Chef Jaiswal.

 Roasted well in the tandoor, the meat, kebabs, and pomfret are tender and well-cooked; on the other hand, coated with seeds, the vegetarian delights are rolled into minced vegetables and flavored with spices. Soft and delicate—ready to melt in your mouth!

 Enjoy the authentic taste and variance of North Western Frontier cuisine at The Leela Ambience Gurugram Hotel & Residences! Your quest for traditional North West Frontier cuisine ends at Diya, where a food pop-up awaits to transport you to the royal courts of the frontier!

Bengaluru: Tuesday, February 20, 2024: Plum, India’s leading insurtech platform offering group health insurance and business insurance solutions to over 3500+ corporations, has shared a report card of its proprietary PolicyGPT tool which was launched in April 2023. The AI-powered bot has seen a threefold increase in adoption (from launch), successfully resolving 68% of customer inquiries and empowering customer success agents to focus on personalised claims support to deliver a superior customer experience.

PolicyGPT has been built upon a sophisticated architecture called RAG (Retrieval Augmented Generation) powered by OpenAI’s most capable GPT model and is used to provide users with information about their health insurance policy purchased from Plum. It has access to user policy details and general knowledge of health insurance, with the primary goal of educating users about their policies’ benefits and instilling transparency in an otherwise hairy industry.

Saurabh Arora, Co-Founder and CTO of Plum said, “The integration of technology and insurance is crucial for simplifying complex issues and driving efficiencies. PolicyGPT represents a significant step in empowering consumers with seamless and swift resolution of their queries. Plum’s endeavour to advance its technological capabilities adds value to customers’ lives by ensuring they can navigate the complexities of insurance easily and confidently. Industries such as health and insurance often evoke feelings of anxiety among consumers when faced with problems or emergencies. The ability of PolicyGPT to promptly address these concerns without the need for human intervention can significantly alleviate these sentiments.”

The future of LLMs lies in increasing bot-led interactions and decreasing response time. Even with PolicyGPT, the goal is to scale by increasing the ticket deflection rate and reducing manual responses – this will help with customer delight for the overall claims process. Some of the areas identified (based on customer queries) include:

● Medical coverages – diseases, treatments covered

● Policy inclusions, exclusions

● Claims processes and how to file claims

Debankur Biswas, Senior Vice President and Head of Operations at Plum expressed, ‘’PolicyGPT highlights Plum’s commitment to change customer service and experience in the insurance industry. Insurance is a business of customer-centricity, trust and timeliness, and PolicyGPT has proven to be a powerful tool in addressing these aspects. With a ticket deflection rate of 68%, PolicyGPT helps the customer service team to save up their valuable time, allowing them to focus on resolving more complex and challenging inquiries, ultimately enhancing the overall quality and effectiveness of customer service operations.”

Plum has introduced several innovative features in the past to improve customer experiences, such as WhatsApp claims, paperless reimbursements (e-imburse), and its highly-rated mobile app, which currently holds a 4.1 rating on Android and a 4.3 rating on iOS. With PolicyGPT and the adoption of GenAI, Plum continues to lead the way in the insurtech industry, providing exceptional value to its consumers.

20th February, 2024, Mumbai: L’Oréal Professionnel, the leading professional hair tech brand, has announced the launch of its revolutionary Absolut Repair Molecular range, a cutting-edge line of products that repairs damaged hair at the molecular level. This innovative range consists of four transformative products: Pre-treatment (exclusively available in salons), Sulfate-free shampoo, Rinse-off serum and Leave-in mask, to repair inner damage with strength. The range repairs up to 2 years of damage, in one use*.

The way consumers face hair damage has evolved. From surface damage, conversations are now increasingly around inner damage**. Today, hair damage is one of the top 2 hair concerns in India with 50% of 18–24-year-olds complaining about damage***. Repair remains a huge hair need.

For the first time ever, L’Oréal Advanced Research has achieved the decomposition of peptides to re-inject amino acids and peptide bonds into the hair, to actively reform and rebuild the hair’s molecular structure.

The Absolut Repair Molecular Range is set to disrupt the hair repair industry with its unique focus on rebuilding the molecular structure of the hair, delivering unparalleled strength, elasticity, and movement. This range goes beyond traditional bond repair approaches and focuses on peptide repair.

Key products in the Absolut Repair Molecular Range are:

Concentrated Pre-treatment: A pure strength shot that restores hair elasticity and rebuilds the hair’s molecular structure with long-lasting efficacy.

Sulfate-free shampoo: An ultra-caring shampoo that cleanses, strengthens, and repairs the fiber. It also provides 86% more smoothness****.

Rinse-off serum: A pure strength shot that rebuilds the hair’s molecular structure and provides 3X more strength*****.

Leave-in mask: Strengthens and protects hair for ongoing care. Provides up to 230 degrees heat protection******.

The Absolut Repair Molecular Range is co-developed with three top repair professionals from around the world, ensuring the highest-performing protocol for effective hair repair. It is also backed by 6 patents and is completely sulfate-free.

Commenting on the launch, Mathilde Barthélemy-Vigier, General Manager – L’Oréal Professionnel India said, “We are thrilled to introduce the Absolut Repair Molecular range, a groundbreaking innovation that goes beyond conventional hair repair methods. This range leverages cutting-edge technology to rebuild the hair’s molecular structure and repair up to 2 years of damage in one use. With the Absolut Repair Molecular Range, we aim to redefine the standards of haircare and empower individuals to restore their hair to its optimal strength and health. With this launch, we are all set to disrupt the hair repair market in India”

Continuing its expansion plan in India, Radisson Hotel Group is excited to announce the signing of 150-room Radisson Blu Hotel, Ayodhya. A greenfield project, the hotel is being developed by Jeewani Hospitality in partnership with EaseMyTrip and is expected to open in 2027. This is Radisson Hotel Group’s second hotel in Ayodhya as it continues to invest in the potential of the city’s immense historical and cultural significance. Previously, it announced the opening of Park Inn by Radisson Ayodhya in January 2024.

The hotel is strategically located within two kilometers of Shri Ram Mandir, Ayodhya. It is at a convenient distance from the Maharishi Valmiki International Airport, Ayodhya Railway Station and further enjoys excellent road connectivity via National Highway-27. The hotel will boast excellent visibility while providing effortless connectivity to the region.

Guests can also explore revered religious sites within 2-5 kilometers, such as Hanuman Ghari, Kanak Bhawan, Nageshwarnath Temple, and Treta Ke Thakur. This strategic location enables the hotel to capture significant demand from devotees, pilgrims, and tourists visiting Ayodhya.

“The signing of Radisson Blu Hotel, Ayodhya marks a significant milestone in our expansion strategy for India and the country’s high-potential tier 2/3 markets. Our decision to open another hotel in Ayodhya is greatly influenced by the robust guest demand and positive feedback that underscores the attractiveness of this holy city. Ayodhya stands strong as a promising market for Radisson Hotel Group, occupying a significant position in our expansion plans in 2024 and beyond.” said K.B. Kachru, Chairman Emeritus and Principal Advisor, South Asia, Radisson Hotel Group.

Radisson Blu Hotel, Ayodhya, is set to redefine the hospitality landscape of the city, with its grand opening scheduled in two phases. With a total inventory of 150 rooms, the hotel will provide a seamless blend of opulence and comfort for the guests. From culinary venues to recreational facilities like a swimming pool, fitness center, spa, and expansive banquet halls, the hotel also makes an ideal choice for corporate events and social gatherings.

Nishant Pitti, CEO & Co-Founder, EaseMyTrip and an investor in Jeewani Group, said, “We are excited to partner with Radisson Hotel Group to open Radisson Blu Hotel, Ayodhya. This collaboration reflects our commitment to enhancing hospitality offerings in the city and providing exceptional experiences to travelers. By joining forces, we aim to set new benchmarks in the hospitality industry and create a landmark destination in Ayodhya.”

“We are delighted to collaborate with Radisson Hotel Group for the opening of Radisson Blu Hotel, Ayodhya. Through this collaboration, we aim to provide a world-class hospitality experience for guests visiting Ayodhya with a blend of our expertise in the region. As we join forces with a renowned global leader in the industry, we are confident that this property will become an iconic landmark in the city” said Dhruv Jeewani, Director, Jeewani Hospitality.

Radisson Hotel Group continues to command a leading presence in the Indian market and is one of the country’s largest international hotel operators with over 165 hotels in operation and development. It continues to be the largest hotel operator in tier-1 markets like Delhi NCR and at the same time, more than 50% of its portfolio is in tier-2 and 3 markets where it has benefited by being the first mover. With hotels dotted across 70+ locations in India, there is a Radisson Hotel Group hotel in every 4 hours of drivable distance across the length and breadth of the country operating under brands, including Radisson Blu, Radisson, Radisson RED, Park Inn by Radisson, Park Plaza, Park Inn & Suites by Radisson, Country Inn & Suites by Radisson and Radisson Individuals and its extension Radisson Individuals Retreats.