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Merino Industries has embarked on a transformative journey in its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, aiming to change lives and champion sustainability. With a legacy of nearly 60 years, Merino has diversified its business interests into Interior & Architectural Products, Information Technology, and Food & Agro business. Throughout its journey, Merino has prioritized exceptional product quality and stakeholder engagement, earning the trust of consumers, channel partners, and employees.

At the heart of Merino’s CSR efforts lies a commitment to sustainability and societal welfare. The company is aligning its economic pursuits with positive outcomes, ensuring a complete sync with its CSR values. Merino’s leadership takes pride in its history, which is characterized by humble beginnings and ambitious forays into new ventures. Guided by its mission of “Universal Weal through Trade & Industry,” Merino is dedicated to benefiting the environment & society at large.

Drawing inspiration from the words of Swami Vivekananda, “Don’t be afraid of a small beginning, great things come afterwards. Be courageous!”, the Merino Group is actively engaged in structured programs for education, women’s empowerment, healthcare, and conservation of natural resources to ensure environmental sustainability.

Merino Group’s social initiatives are focussed on uplifting the lives of people from economically weaker sections, bringing joy, hope, and prosperity among them. Merino Industries’ philosophy revolves around the interconnectedness of business success and societal advancement. At Merino, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is a mindset that leverages expertise and resources to foster positive change in marginalized communities, while also prioritizing environmental welfare.

When we talk about corporate social responsibility (CSR) at Merino, we are working for socially responsible thinking and formulating strategies to utilize our skills and resources to create a positive change in the lives of the underprivileged. Merino is deeply committed to fostering social development through education and healthcare initiatives. These efforts are carried out through the Shri Hara Kasturi Memorial Trust, which has been specifically established for this purpose.

The Educational Program is designed to address key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by providing quality education and reducing inequalities. Initiatives such as the Swami Vivekananda Arunoday Vidyalay (SVAV) and the Yogakshema Scholarship Program have empowered numerous underprivileged children, giving them access to quality education and opportunities for a brighter future.

Additionally, SVAV ensures the nutritional needs of its students by offering them three nutritious meals daily, fostering their holistic development. Merino also extends its support to two other low-income schools in Hapur, by providing nutritious mid-day meals, catering to over 100 children.

These initiatives have not only delivered quality education and nutritional assistance to underprivileged children but have also played a vital role in breaking the cycle of poverty and inequality. Top of Form

Merino’s CSR initiatives yield a multiplier effect. By offering educational and nutritional support to students, parents are empowered to educate their other children, expanding the reach of education. Additionally, these efforts have instigated fundamental changes in over 250 households associated with Swami Vivekananda Arunoday Vidyalay (SVAV) and 100 households associated with Yoga-Kshema Scholarship. These families now embrace positive values such as cleanliness, sanitation, honesty, social responsibility, and healthy living.

Merino is also extending support to Savera School in Jhajjar, near its manufacturing location at Rohad, catering to mentally challenged children, and to Bal Griha in Bahadurgarh, an orphanage for girls, in Jhajjar district, Haryana. Through these programs, Merino has been able to serve 85 inmates (50 boys and 35 girls) of Savera School and 23 girls of Bal Griha, positively impacting their lives.

Yogakshema is a scholarship program designed to support bright and needy students, currently implemented in the eastern part of India, specifically in Kolkata, West Bengal. Launched in September 2018, Yogakshema aims to assist poor and disadvantaged yet meritorious students. The scholarship is offered for two years to students who have scored over 80% in their 10th Board Examination. These students receive a scholarship of Rs. 4000 per month to help them complete their studies up to Higher Secondary (Class XII). The scholarship covers expenses for their studies, provides for some nutritional needs, and includes a Mediclaim policy for the family. The students of Yogakshema also gets the benefit of special online coaching, by expert teachers on 6 different subjects like, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics, English and Bengali.

Shri Prem Chand Lohia Health Centre (SPCLHC) caters to Merino’s healthcare initiatives, that plays a crucial role in addressing public health challenges, particularly tuberculosis (TB). Through strategic partnerships and focused interventions, Merino has made significant contributions to the successful treatment of over 6,250 TB patients. These efforts represent significant progress towards the goal of TB elimination by 2025. The health centre currently operates three dispensaries with doctors and supporting medical staff, providing general outpatient services and specialized treatment for tuberculosis (TB). These dispensaries are located in Achheja, Garhmukteshwar, and Hapur town, catering to the healthcare needs of the underprivileged in nearby areas. Apart from allopathic healthcare facilities, the centre also offers Ayurvedic medicine treatments.

Merino Industries’ women empowerment program is dedicated to achieving Gender Equality. With economic autonomy as a key focus, our initiatives include a Stitching Centre in Rohad, Haryana, nurturing female skills since September 2017. To date, 200 female have benefited from successfully completing 14 training batches. Presently, 16 girls are honing their stitching skills at this centre under the guidance of two skilled trainers.

Merino’s CSR strategy champions the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs), aligning business practices with global sustainability targets. Through technological advancement and innovation, Merino promotes renewable energy, efficient water management, soil enrichment, emission reduction, and also promoting circular economy via effective waste management. Today, Green Energy makes up 74% of Merino’s total energy requirements. This reflects Merino’s commitment to fostering positive change and shaping a more sustainable future.

Merino stands as a beacon of hope and progress in the corporate sphere. As we gaze ahead, let us draw inspiration from its remarkable leadership and collaborate to build a more sustainable and inclusive world for generations to come.

Mumbai, 17 February 2024: PayNearby, India’s leading branchless banking and digital network has unveiled the Digital Naari platform that aims to generate long-term self-employment for women across Bharat. This program is designed to provide additional income generation opportunities for women in rural and semi-urban areas, recognising their pivotal role as equal contributors in the nation’s growth.

Aligned with the Government’s ‘Lakhpati Didi’ initiative, the platform seeks to onboard and uplift 1 lakh women by the end of 2025, facilitating their economic empowerment. The goal is to help women business owners, single women, and women with literacy challenges to have sustainable livelihood opportunity while enhancing their financial well-being and fostering self-reliance.

Through our Digital Naari platform, the uplifted banker didi can provide a diverse range of financial and digital services to the masses. The banker didi will have the flexibility to offer services at her convenience in terms of time, location (from home/store), and product preferences. Catering to the needs of rural women, the services include cash withdrawal, bank account opening, money transfer, recharge, assurance (insurance + assets), credit, and e-commerce, facilitating their path to financial literacy and financial independence.

Currently, PayNearby has a strong network of over 10,000+ women collectively steering more than INR 1000 crores of transaction annually. The Digital Naari platform aims to broaden this network by partnering with organizations, self-help groups, and individuals dedicated to promoting sustainable livelihood among rural women.

Commenting on the launch, Mr. Anand Kumar Bajaj, Founder, MD & CEO, PayNearby, said, “In the journey of a nation’s progress, true advancement is achieved when women stand as equal contributors. At PayNearby, we recognize women as the GDP reserve of our nation, wielding the power to drive social and economic change. It is our privilege to participate in the ‘Lakhpati Didi’ initiative, dedicated to unleashing their potential and contributing to a sustainable future. Our collaborations with various livelihood missions, including Uttar Pradesh State Rural Livelihood Mission (UPSRLM), Rajasthan Grameen Aajeevika Vikas Parishad (Rajeevika), Grameen Foundation India, are propelling countless women towards economic independence and societal recognition through our Digital Naari app. We extend an open invitation to like-minded institutions and self-help groups to join us in maximizing the reach of this initiative and empowering women.”

Jayatri Dasgupta, CMO, PayNearby, stated, “Launching the Digital Naari platform marks a crucial stride in fostering economic empowerment for women across Bharat. We believe that economic empowerment is key to women’s self-reliance and their transformative journey. With ‘Digital Naari’ program we are sowing the seeds of strength, resilience, and self-reliance across the nation by giving every woman in the country a sustainable livelihood and an opportunity to lead life at her own terms. Sashakt Naari, Sashakt Desh.”

India, February 16, 2024 – Gathr Data Inc. today unveiled its plan to formally launch a set of Generative AI (Gen AI) capabilities, that will significantly expand the scope and depth of its data to outcome platform and strengthen its claim as a powerhouse in the data and AI space.

As a data-to-outcome platform, Gathr serves leading global enterprises. The upcoming launch will significantly strengthen Gathr’s existing data engineering clients, many of whom have shown interest in building Gen AI-powered solutions. Additionally, Gathr aims to break the status quo in the fragmented market of Gen AI tools, offering a simpler, unified approach to building Gen AI solutions.

“As CXOs in various industries strive to stay competitive, the adoption of Gen AI has become a top priority for them. Businesses’ focus has shifted significantly towards leveraging Gen AI to enhance customer experiences and streamline operations. While organizations are keen on embracing this technology, yet they don’t have the necessary expertise. Hence the demand for ready-to-use Gen AI platforms and infrastructure solutions has surged. We are already talking to many industry leaders, who are upbeat about harnessing Gen AI to simplify and optimize data-driven workflows, as well as launch new innovative solutions. At the same time, they are grappling with concerns such as IP and data security, compliances, cost and performance issues, responsible and ethical usage, among others. In the coming days, we will make some important announcements on how we plan to address most of these challenges, and make Gen AI more accessible to startups and enterprises, alike.” said Gathr’s CEO, P.C. Kiran.

For the uninitiated, Gathr offers a unique data-to-outcome platform that helps enterprises handle real-time and batch data at petabyte scales and derive actionable insights for operational and strategic decision-making.

Fourth Quarter 2023
• Revenues of $1.157 billion, down 6.0% year-over-year
• GAAP Income from Operations was 10.6% of revenues and Non-GAAP Income from Operations was 17.3% of revenues
• GAAP Diluted EPS of $1.66, a decrease of 36.4%, and Non-GAAP Diluted EPS of $2.75, a decrease of 6.1% on a year-over-year basis
Full Year 2023
• Revenues of $4.691 billion, down 2.8% year-over-year
• GAAP Income from Operations was 10.7% of revenues and Non-GAAP Income from Operations was 16.3% of revenues
• GAAP Diluted EPS of $7.06, a decrease of 0.4%, and Non-GAAP Diluted EPS of $10.59, a decrease of 2.8% on a year-over-year basis

Newtown, PA, USA, February 15, 2024 — EPAM Systems, Inc. (NYSE: EPAM), a leading digital transformation services and product engineering company, today announced results for its fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2023.

 “EPAM’s performance in 2023 reflects our ability to successfully navigate a volatile demand and macro-economic environment,” said Arkadiy Dobkin, CEO & President, EPAM. “After rebalancing the majority of our delivery platforms across Europe, India, Asia and Latin America, and refining our growth strategy, we are now focused on harmonizing our delivery quality, optimizing cost-effectiveness, and proactively leveraging our extensive data, engineering and consulting experience to capitalize on Generative AI opportunities.”

 Fourth Quarter 2023 Highlights
• Revenues decreased to $1.157 billion, a year-over-year decrease of $74.0 million, or 6.0%. On an organic constant currency basis excluding the impact of the exit from Russia, revenues were down 7.1% compared to the fourth quarter of 2022;
• GAAP income from operations was $122.5 million, a decrease of $48.0 million, or 28.1% , compared to $170.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2022. GAAP income from operations was negatively impacted by $27.9 million of costs incurred in connection with the Company’s Cost Optimization Program;
• Non-GAAP income from operations was $200.4 million, a decrease of $19.2 million, or 8.7%, compared to $219.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2022;
• Diluted earnings per share (“EPS”) on a GAAP basis was $1.66, a decrease of $0.95, or 36.4%, compared to $2.61 in the fourth quarter of 2022; and
• Non-GAAP diluted EPS was $2.75, a decrease of $0.18, or 6.1%, compared to $2.93 in the fourth quarter of 2022.

Full Year 2023 Highlights
• Revenues decreased to $4.691 billion, a year-over-year decrease of $134.2 million, or 2.8%. On an organic constant currency basis excluding the impact of the exit from Russia, revenues were down 2.6% year-over-year;
• GAAP income from operations was $501.2 million, a decrease of $71.7 million, or 12.5%, compared to $573.0 million in 2022. GAAP income from operations was negatively impacted by a $25.9 million loss on the sale of the Company’s remaining holdings in Russia and by $35.1 million of costs incurred in connection with the Company’s Cost Optimization Program;
• Non-GAAP income from operations was $765.1 million, a decrease of $53.1 million, or 6.5%, compared to $818.2 million in 2022;
• Diluted EPS on a GAAP basis was $7.06, a decrease of $0.03, or 0.4%, compared to $7.09 in 2022; and
• Non-GAAP diluted EPS was $10.59, a decrease of $0.31, or 2.8%, compared to $10.90 in 2022.

Cash Flow and Other Metrics
• Cash provided by operating activities was $171.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2023, a decrease from $186.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2022; and was $562.6 million in 2023, an increase from $464.1 million in 2022;

• The Company repurchased 143 thousand shares of its common stock for $36.5 million during the fourth quarter of 2023 under its share repurchase program. During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company repurchased 686 thousand shares of its common stock for $164.9 million under its share repurchase program. As of December 31, 2023, the Company had $335.1 million remaining under its share repurchase authorization.
• Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash totaled $2.043 billion as of December 31, 2023, an increase of $359.5 million, or 21.4%, from $1.684 billion as of December 31, 2022; and
• Total headcount was approximately 53,150 as of December 31, 2023. Included in this number were approximately 47,350 delivery professionals, a decrease of 10.4% from December 31, 2022.

2024 Outlook – Full Year and First Quarter
Full Year
EPAM expects the following for the full year:
• The Company expects the year-over-year growth rate for revenues to be in the range of 1% to 4% for 2024. The Company expects foreign currency translation will have a negligible impact on year-over-year reported revenue growth. This guidance also reflects a minimal contribution from inorganic revenues.
• For the full year, EPAM expects GAAP income from operations to be in the range of 9.5% to 10.5% of revenues and non-GAAP income from operations to be in the range of 14.5% to 15.5% of revenues;
• The Company expects its GAAP effective tax rate to be approximately 21% and its non-GAAP effective tax rate to be approximately 24%; and
• EPAM expects GAAP diluted EPS will be in the range of $7.20 to $7.60 for the year, and non-GAAP diluted EPS will be in the range of $10.00 to $10.40 for the year. The Company expects weighted average diluted shares outstanding for the year of 59.3 million.

First Quarter
EPAM expects the following for the first quarter:
• The Company expects revenues will be in the range of $1.155 billion to $1.165 billion for the first quarter reflecting a year-over-year decline of 4% at the midpoint of the range. The Company expects that foreign currency translation will have a negligible impact on year-over-year revenue decline during the quarter. This guidance also reflects a minimal contribution from inorganic revenues;
• For the first quarter, EPAM expects GAAP income from operations to be in the range of 9% to 10% of revenues and non-GAAP income from operations to be in the range of 13.5% to 14.5% of revenues;
• The Company expects its GAAP effective tax rate to be approximately 11% and its non-GAAP effective tax rate to be approximately 24%; and
• EPAM expects GAAP diluted EPS will be in the range of $1.79 to $1.87 for the quarter, and non-GAAP diluted EPS will be in the range of $2.26 to $2.34 for the quarter. The Company expects weighted average diluted shares outstanding for the quarter of 59.1 million.

Conference Call Information
EPAM will host a conference call to discuss results on Thursday, February 15, 2024, at 8:00 a.m. EST.

We are thrilled to announce that Jacob John Paul has joined InterContinental Chennai Mahabalipuram Resort as the Director of Human Resources through the “Room to Grow” program. Jacob is well-known within IHG Hotels and Resorts, having previously spearheaded people strategies at Crowne Plaza, Chennai, as the Director of Human Resources.

 Over his 2+ years with IHG, he has made substantial contributions to the hotel’s success. Jacob’s journey in the hospitality industry commenced after he completed his Master’s in Business Administration from Thangavelu Engineering College. He has consistently prioritized instilling IHG’s culture of high performance and recognition. Outside of work, Jacob is passionate about driving, and dancing is a cherished hobby.

 Please join us in extending a warm welcome to Jacob in his new role and wishing him the very best. Your support as he settles into this position is invaluable.

Gurugram, 2024: Nestled in the heart of Gurugram city, The Leela Ambience Gurugram Hotel & Residences invites you to experience the perfect Holi long weekend featuring its welcoming hospitality. The hotel presents The Leela Getaway, available from March 23rd to March 25th.

 The stay package features an exciting lineup of offerings, including deluxe rooms, traditional Indian sweets upon welcome, a hearty breakfast buffet, a souvenir from your stay, and a hotel credit of INR 2000 and ‘Leela hi Holi’ celebrations. This exclusive opportunity offers a luxurious The Leela Getaway to celebrate the festival with joy and festivity.

 At The Leela Ambience Gurugram Hotel & Residences, detailed attention is devoted to fulfilling guests’ needs and ensuring a satisfying experience. The sparkling swimming pool,  health spa, and refined award-winning restaurants promise a comfortable and unforgettable stay. The hotel is all set to take the lead in welcoming you this upcoming festive long weekend.

Bengaluru, 17 February 2024 – HONOR, expanding its portfolio in the market, has announced the launch of its globally acclaimed X Series line-up with the introduction of HONOR X9b today. With this launch, HONOR aims to deliver extra to consumers across all segments, bringing them unparalleled display quality, enhanced battery, along with an optimised software performance, catering to diverse user needs.

In addition to the HONOR X9b 5G smartphone, the brand also announced the launch of its HONOR CHOICE X5, offering superior audio, and the HONOR CHOICE Smartwatch equipped with the HONOR Health app for fitness tracking, aiming to establish a connected ecosystem in India.

HONOR X9b – Redefining Excellence with eXtra durability

HONOR X9b comes with HONOR Ultra-Bounce Anti-drop 360° Display, ensuring outstanding durability and stability. Its airbag cushioning technology and innovative shock-absorbing structure around the phone provides impressive resistance to drops up to 1.5 meters. The phone guarantees 360° protection to all six faces and four corners, even on hard surfaces like marble. Housing eXtra durable 5800mAh battery in a premium sleek design, allows users to go through their day in style without constantly worrying about running out of power. For prolonged usage and eye-comfort, HONOR X9b uses dynamic light with hardware-level low blue light that helps reduce eye fatigue for users. Boasting a 6.78-inch display with a 120Hz panel supporting an impressive 1.5K resolution (429 PPI), 1.07 billion colors, and 100% DCI-P3, this smartphone delivers visuals that are not just smooth but sharp and filled with intricate detail.

● The HONOR X9b 5G will be available at a MOP of Rs. 25,999 starting 12 noon 16-February across Amazon.in, brand website – www.explorehonor.com and mainline stores near you . Consumers can purchase the smartphone with an exciting offer of Rs. 3000 Instant Bank discount for ICICI Bank users available on all bank cards or an Exchange Bonus of Rs. 5000 on first sale day, bringing the effective price down to Rs. 22999. Consumers will also have the convenience of No Cost EMI for up to 6 months.

● Additionally, HONOR is giving away a complimentary Charger worth Rs 699 free of cost as an introductory offer

● HONOR has also announced a free-of-cost HONOR Protect Plan powered by Onsitego valued at Rs 2,999 that includes interesting offerings like one-time screen replacement in six months, six-month extended warranty, 30-day Assured Buyback upto 90%

HONOR CHOICE Earbuds X5 – Ultimate Audio companion

Complementing the ‘X’ series, the HONOR CHOICE Earbuds X5 are designed to provide a balanced and premium quality audio experience, featuring advanced connectivity through HONOR AI Space for effortless switching between devices. Featuring an ergonomic in-ear design, innovative 30 DB ANC (Active Noise Cancellation) algorithms, IP54 rating for dust and water resistance, and a 35-hour battery life, these earbuds are the perfect companion for those who demand exceptional audio performance on the go.

HONOR Choice Earbuds X5 will be available starting 16-February 12 noon across Amazon.in, brand website – www.explorehonor.com and mainline stores near you at an affordable price of Rs. 1999.

HONOR CHOICE Watch – Introducing the Latest HONOR Smartwatch

In addition to the X series smartphones, HONOR is proud to introduce the latest smartwatch with a built-in HONOR Health app designed to complement your active lifestyle. Featuring cutting-edge technology, the smartwatch boasts an AMOLED Ultra-thin display showcasing 21 dynamic ‘Always-on’ watch faces, alongside 5ATM water resistance ideal for aquatic activities like swimming and surfing. With built-in GPS and one-click SOS calling functionality, coupled with an ultra-long 12-day battery life, this smartwatch effortlessly synchronizes with your smartphone, ensuring a seamless and connected experience.

National, 17th February 2024: THE Park Hotels, pioneers of luxury boutique hotels in India, unveils the whimsical experience ‘The Red Tree Canopy’ at India Design ID – India’s best luxury design week. It is a concept that aims to bring art, design, architecture, and an exciting culinary menu together.

In this truly immersive space of myriad forms overhead and around, red manifests in different shades, textures, and forms—origami tessellations, sharp edges, soft curves, arching leaves, twirling tendrils, stiff branches, billowing mushrooms—all converge to form a cardinal canopy. A canopy that invites you to take a moment, and experience the various gradients of a narrative that is unique to guests.

Commenting on the occasion, Ms. Priya Paul, Chairperson, Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels Limited said, “It gives us immense pleasure and pride to be the Strategic Design Partners of India Design ID for 13th consecutive year. We enjoy bringing artists from different genres together, who work in different forms and mediums to bring our vision alive. For ‘The Red Tree Canopy’ we’re delighted to associate with Mrinalini and Sneha, Ankon Mitra, Studio MNT and we hope to continue this partnership in the future.”

Mrinalini Ghadiok and Sneha Ullal Goel, Curators of The Red Tree Canopy said, “We are always looking for opportunities to do exciting collaborations within the space of design and architecture. With THE Park Hotels, it will bring people towards an immersive space captured to explore new meanings of ‘Red’, intermeshing with art, design, food and architecture. This project has been a catalyst for bringing together individuals with diverse skill sets uniting to celebrate the emotions evoked by the color red. It invites guests to indulge in a casual meal with their loved ones under the canopy.”

Just like the colour red, the expertly curated menu by Amit Wadhera (Director – F&B and Production Operations, THE Park New Delhi), is a sum of flavourful contrasts—converging the old with the new, the nostalgic with the exciting, and evergreen favourites with contemporary delights.

You can visit till 18th February 2024.

Hyderabad, India – February 17, 2024: Shri Thummala Nageswara Rao, the Agriculture Minister of Telangana, marked the inauguration of Marut’s AG365 Drone at Agritech South 2024, a premier agricultural technology event hosted by Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University (PJTSAU), Hyderabad and Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). With this initiative, Marut Drones is part of the Telangana government and PJTSAU’s commitment towards harnessing innovative technologies to empower women, youth, and farmers in the state.

PJTSAU acquired two cutting-edge drones from Marut Drones – India’s leading agricultural drone technology manufacturer. The drones are procured for research and utility purposes to enhance agricultural practices and research initiatives within the university. Additionally, the drone will be used for training rural youth, self-help groups (SHGs), and agricultural graduates. The PJTSAU Drone Academy will conduct training sessions using these drones.

Minister of Agriculture Shri Thummala Nageswara Rao emphasized the transformative role of drones in agriculture, stating, “The Government of Telangana gives full support to companies and universities that explore drone technology in agriculture. An extensive training and adoption, will help farmers with better management and the Telangana government to formulate a drone-based agriculture policy.”

On this occasion, Prem Kumar Vislawath, CEO of Marut Drones said, “Marut’s technology is reaching remote districts to resolve the crisis afflicting the farmer’s community. We are extremely thankful to the Minister of Agriculture for encouraging drone adoption. With Marut’s AG365 drone, the farming practices will be revolutionized, AG-365 is designed and developed for Indian conditions and can be used for multiple purposes giving a higher return on investment to the farmers. Marut drones will generate economic and employment opportunities in districts, the drones are safe to operate and have flying endurance of 22 minutes. With govt support and partnerships with agriculture departments and universities, we will ensure that Marut’s technology reaches across villages and towns of Telangana.”

Speaking on the collaboration, Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University (PJTSAU), Hyderabad stated, “Marut Drones has been a trusted long-term partner. Marut’s multi-utility AG365 drone is instrumental in providing a comprehensive training to farmers, women drone pilots, young farmers, and agriculture graduates who are keen towards adoption of drone technology in agriculture.”

Marut Drones was part of the 4th edition of Agri-Tech South 2024, organized by the Government of Telangana and CII from February 16th to 18th, 2024, at PJTSAU’s campus. This event serves as a pivotal platform to introduce and showcase the latest agricultural inputs, products, services, and technologies aimed at shaping the future of agriculture.

A three day annual event, Agritech South aims to facilitate discussions among key stakeholders, including government officials, industry leaders, academic experts, and farmers, to identify priorities and propose strategies for the growth and advancement of the agricultural sector in India.

National, 17 February 2024 — Hero Vired, a leading LearnTech startup by the Hero Group, takes center stage in the latest documentary series, ‘The Indian EdTech Story’ which premiered nationwide on Disney+ Hotstar today. This enlightening series, produced by Edstead, sheds light on the significant impact and outcomes achieved by Hero Vired in transforming the educational landscape for millions of students across India.

The documentary provides a compelling narrative of Hero Vired’s commitment to making education more affordable and accessible, showcasing the organization’s profound influence on the learning experiences of countless individuals across the nation. Through a focus on the positive contributions to the sector, the docuseries explores the highs and lows of the edtech journey, demonstrating how the sector continues to play a pivotal role in creating a lasting impact despite the roadblocks.

Commenting on the release, Shekhar Bhattacharjee, Founder of Edstead, expressed, “The entire objective behind producing this series was to illuminate the transformation of education into an affordable and accessible realm for millions. The series not only captures the highs and lows of the edtech sector but also underscores its ongoing commitment to creating a positive impact.”

In the documentary, Akshay Munjal, the Founder & CEO of Hero Vired, shares his vision behind Hero Vired’s inception, rooted in the realization of the challenges deserving graduates face in securing employment opportunities across the nation. The genesis of Hero Vired stems from the recognition of the gap in accessibility to education in India and the evolving demands of the job market. At its core, Hero Vired is driven by the mission to onboard the best professionals across industries to impart skills to their learners that will remain relevant in the upcoming decade. Mr. Munjal, in the documentary, further highlights the importance of emerging technologies in shaping the future job landscape and Hero Vired’s notable role in preparing learners for this transition.

“India is an ocean of talent, and its demographic dividend, with the world’s youngest population, should be utilized to the optimum level. At Hero Vired, we believe in empowering individuals to embrace change and become architects of their own success. Indeed, the timing of this series is impeccably opportune, aligning seamlessly with the burgeoning momentum of the Indian Edtech sector, poised to ascend as a global powerhouse. It serves as a compelling testament to the relentless endeavors underway, meticulously crafting the landscape of education technology in India. With unwavering conviction, I assert that India harbors the latent potential to emerge as the unrivaled capital of Edtech worldwide.” remarks Akshay Munjal, the Founder & CEO of Hero Vired, underscoring the importance of empowering the youth with relevant skills and opportunities.

Additionally, the documentary features stories of two Hero Vired alumni- Shivanshu Pandey and Jenny, who have testified to the transformative impact of the platform’s courses on their careers. Shivanshu credits Hero Vired’s Full Stack Development course for equipping him with both the essential soft and hard skills to become a successful developer. Jenny recounts how Hero Vired’s Certificate Program in Gaming and Esports helped her turn her passion into a successful career as the world’s first apex legend predator player.

Through its prominent feature in ‘The Indian EdTech Story’ series, Hero Vired’s journey serves as a beacon of inspiration, showcasing the organization’s dedication to quality education and its enduring impact on India’s growing EdTech landscape.