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Delhi, 5th February 2024: Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today dedicated NTPC Darlipali Super Thermal Power Station (2×800 MW), NSPCL Rourkela PP-II Expansion Project (1×250 MW) and laid the foundation stone of NTPC Talcher Thermal Power Project, Stage-III (2×660 MW) with a total investment of Rs 28,978 Crore during a programme at Sambalpur.

Located in Sundargarh district of Odisha, Darlipali STPS is a pit-head Power Station with Supercritical (highly efficient) Technology and is supplying low-cost power to its beneficiary states, such as Odisha, Bihar, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Gujarat and Sikkim.

The 250 MW project of NTPC-SAIL Power Company Ltd is established in Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP) to provide reliable power for the steel plant which is vital for economic growth.

Further, NTPC is developing Talcher Thermal Power Project, Stage-III within old TTPS plant premises in Angul district of Odisha, which was taken over by NTPC from Odisha State Electricity Board in the year 1995. The old TTPS plant was decommissioned after completing more than 50 years of service to the Nation.

The upcoming plant will have highly efficient Ultra Super Critical Technology-based units and approximately three times capacity of the old TTPS plant. While 50% capacity from this project is dedicated to the state of Odisha, other beneficiary states such as Tamil Nadu, Gujarat and Assam will also get low-cost power from this pit-head station.

This project is being constructed with all modern environmental features like efficient electrostatic precipitator, Flue gas desulphurization, bio-mass cofiring, covered storage space for coal and will thus help in lesser Specific Coal Consumption and CO2 emissions.

Besides creating direct and indirect employment opportunities in the region, these projects have contributed to improvement of physical infrastructure such as approach road, drainage, transportation and communication facilities. Various community development initiatives are also being undertaken by NTPC in the surrounding villages in the area of education, drinking water, sanitation, health, women empowerment, rural sports, etc. NTPC has also set up a Medical College cum Hospital in Sundargarh, Odisha.

The occasion was graced by the presence of Shri Raghubar Das, Hon’ble Governor, Odisha, Shri Naveen Patnaik, Hon’ble Chief Minister, Govt of Odisha, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, Hon’ble Union Minister of Education, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, Hon’ble Union Minister of Railways; Communications; and Electronics and Information Technology, Shri Bishweswar Tudu, Hon’ble Union MoS of Tribal Affairs; and Jal Shakti, Shri Nitesh Ganga Deb, Hon’ble Member of Parliament, Shri Nauri Nayak, Hon’ble Member of Odisha Legislative Assembly, Shri Gurdeep Singh, CMD, NTPC along with other dignitaries.

Bangalore, February 5: Komatsu India Private Limited (KIPL) and L&T Construction & Mining Machinery jointly unveils and bring to you the unique Machine Care Program (MCP-5), first-of-its-kind in the Indian construction equipment industry. This extended powertrain warranty program of 5 Years/12,500 Hours* is offered for the Komatsu Hydraulic Excavators that are produced in the state-of-the-art Komatsu’s manufacturing facility at Oragadam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

Komatsu, a global leader in construction and mining equipment, has partnered with L&T Construction & Mining Machinery and introducing unique Machine Care Program (MCP-5) tailored specifically for Komatsu models PC205-10M0 and PC210/PC210LC-10M0 excavators, this comprehensive service initiative is poised to redefine customer experience and satisfaction by optimizing equipment performance.

The Key Highlights of the Machine Care Program (MCP-5) are;

Digitally Enabled Service: Avail 1 year of complimentary filters up to 3000 hours and Extended 5 Years/12,500 Hours* powertrain warranty for maximum uptime.

Comprehensive Support: Energy-saving operator training, KOMTRAX reporting for enhanced monitoring, Regular maintenance, PM clinics and more Undercarriage inspections.

Genuine Spares: Expedited access to genuine Komatsu parts, lubricants, and services for peak performance.

Predictive Maintenance: Leverage cutting-edge KOMTRAX & KOWA technology for timely interventions and minimized breakdowns.

L&T Construction & Mining Machinery, with its extensive nationwide network of dealerships and service stations, guarantees best-in-class sales and after-sales support for Komatsu equipment in India. This special program is a game-changerin the construction industry, ensuring that our customers experience unparalleled equipment efficiency, productivity, and reliability.

Experience the True Peace of Mind when you purchase our new Komatsu Hydraulic Excavators with this unique special program. Feel the power, efficiency, performance, productivity, and peace of mind.

Bangalore, 5th Feb 2024: Uber’s global flagship electric vehicle service, Uber Green, is now available in Delhi, allowing residents to book sustainable, eco-friendly rides with just a few taps on the app. Now, riders will see the Uber Green option when they fire up the Uber app to book their rides. The service will help support riders make a conscious choice to pick more sustainable means to travel in all new, quiet and clean EVs.

The Uber Green display at the Bharat Mobility Expo 2024 received a lot of love with visitors clicking photos at the ‘Location par aa gaya hun’ selfie booth. Shri Piyush Goyal, Hon’ble Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and Textiles, Government of India, visited the Uber Green display at the Expo today.

Mr. Nitish Bhushan, Director – Central Operations, Uber India & South Asia, said, “We believe the future of transport is shared and electric and are committed to becoming a zero-emission platform in India and globally by 2040. Delhi is our third stop in India where we have launched Uber Green, with several riders in Bengaluru and Mumbai already swearing by the latest offering, to reduce vehicular emissions in the city. We will take this product to more cities soon and continue to invest in the sustainable mobility value chain.”

How to book an Uber Green Trip:

· Open the Uber app and enter your destination in the ‘where to’ box

· Select Uber Green at the bottom of the screen

· Review the booking details including the price for the trip and tap Confirm Green

· Enjoy your ride

Gurugram, India, 5th Feb 2024: India’s leading integrated supply chain and logistics solutions provider, Transport Corporation of India Ltd., announced its financial results today for the 3rd quarter and Nine months ended 31st December 2023. The Company’s total revenue for the quarter recorded a growth of 2.2% over the corresponding quarter last year while the profit recorded a growth of 0.3% during this period.

Standalone

Performance Highlights: Q3 FY2024 vs. Q3 FY2023

Revenue from operations of Rs. 8,999 Mn, growth of 2.2% y-o-y

EBITDA of Rs. 1,386 Mn compared to Rs. 1,376 Mn in FY2023

EBITDA Margin of 15.40% compared to 15.62% in FY2023

PAT of Rs. 956 Mn compared to Rs. 953 Mn in FY2023 and grew by 0.3%

PAT Margin of 10.62% compared to 10.82% in FY2023

Consolidated

Performance Highlights: Q3 FY2024 vs. Q3 FY2023

Revenue from operations of Rs. 10,020 Mn, growth of 3.7% y-o-y

EBITDA of Rs. 1,276 Mn compared to Rs. 1,316 Mn in FY2023

EBITDA Margin of 12.73% compared to 13.61% in FY2023

PAT of Rs. 802 Mn compared to Rs. 865 Mn in FY2023

PAT Margin of 8.00% compared to 8.95% in FY2023

Commenting on the results, Mr. Vineet Agarwal, Managing Director, said, “The Company has demonstrated a stable performance in the current quarter and nine months ended December 2023, given challenges in the macro environment. Our supply chain solutions, rail multi-modal and cold supply chain solutions witnessed traction.

We strive to remain the preferred logistics partner for our customers across the Indian sub-continent by prioritizing investments in warehousing, multimodal infrastructure & cutting-edge technology.

As we look ahead, TCI remains poised to seize new opportunities that contribute towards shaping a more efficient and competitive logistics ecosystem for the country.”

Kolkata: With 1.4 million square feet leased last year, demand for office space is at a nine-year high. Driven by strong tenant demand in all industries, the city saw the greatest level of office space sale in nine years in 2023—1.4 million square feet. The next-highest amount was leased in Kolkata in 2019 for 1.3 million square feet.

As per CBRE, the number of commercial real estate projects is expected to rise from 37% in 2022-23 to more than 40% in 2023-24. A lot of projects that had been delayed last year due to rising costs and other delays are in line to be finished by year-end and 2024, with several big-name developers behind them.

Significantly, demand and expansion have been propelled by the rise in transactions, particularly in outlying areas such as Rajarhat, Salt Lake Sector V, Topsia, and EM Bypass.

It must be noted that besides enterprises located in Kolkata, numerous national brands are also growing their corporate offices in the city, with a particular emphasis on the rapidly increasing startup and service sector companies searching for suitable space in the city.

Speaking on this, Mr B.P.Singh Roy, COO of Keventer Realty said, “As the modern office undergoes a transformative journey, Keventer Realty recognizes the pivotal role of open-concept workspaces, remote collaboration, and employee well-being. Embracing change is essential in shaping a dynamic and efficient work environment. We believe that by fostering collaboration, prioritizing technology, and emphasizing well-being, we not only enhance productivity but also redefine the very essence of work itself.”

Echoing similar lines, Mr Hemanshu Pathak COO of Keventer Realty, mentioned, “We recognize the pivotal role of space planning in shaping the modern office environment. Strategic design is not just about aesthetics; it’s a powerful lifestyle tool for optimizing collaboration, accommodating remote work, and prioritizing employee well-being. Keventer Realty is committed to innovative space planning that goes beyond physical layouts, creating environments that seamlessly integrate technology, foster teamwork, and adapt to the evolving needs of our workforce. Our approach ensures that our workspaces are not just places to work but dynamic hubs that inspire health, productivity, and innovation.”

Mumbai, India (Feb 5, 2024) – Lyra Network, an established leader in securing eCommerce and POS payments with deep expertise in fintech and paytech solutions platforms, has propelled Digital Innovation with UPI (Unified Payments Interface) to the French market. Lyra Network achieves a historic milestone by enabling UPI transactions in France, starting with online bookings for the iconic Eiffel Tower. The France Consulate marks this momentous occasion with the first-ever UPI transaction at Lyra’s Mumbai office for online buying of Eiffel Tower tickets.

The inaugural UPI transaction at Lyra’s Mumbai office by the France Consulate General Mr. Jean-Marc Séré-Charlet on Lyra India’s 16th anniversary highlights a robust partnership, promoting digital payments and enhancing economic collaboration between India and France. The Consulate’s participation reinforces trust in Lyra Network’s capabilities and the UPI system. This milestone underscores Lyra’s commitment to global payment innovation and the growing acceptance of UPI as a reliable cross-border digital payment solution.

On the groundbreaking inauguration move, Rajesh Desai, CEO and MD, Lyra Network, said, “Lyra Network is thrilled to launch UPI transactions in the French market, signalling a new era in cross-border financial interactions. UPI’s introduction is a strategic move, fostering economic collaboration between India and France. UPI provides a seamless and secure payment experience, transcending geographical boundaries. As Lyra expands UPI globally, the synergy of technology and finance redefines cross-border transactions, creating an interconnected financial ecosystem with transparent, real-time currency exchange rates. In 2024, Lyra Network aims to enter the global UPI arena, emphasizing POS and Switch solutions and collaborating with fintech, banks, government projects, and merchants while expanding our customer base”.

In 2023, UPI accounted for 40% of global real-time payments. Year-on-year, UPI witnessed a 59.2% growth in volume to Rs 9.33 billion and a 45.5% increase in value to Rs 14,75,464 crore by June. As of January 31, 2024, UPI transactions in value surged to Rs 18.41 lakh crore, as reported by the National Payment Corporation of India (NPCI). In terms of volume, transactions rose to 1,220.301 crore on January 31, up from 1202.023 crore in December.

“I am thrilled about the groundbreaking launch of UPI transactions in France. This move redefines cross-border dynamics, offering businesses and individuals a modern, efficient, and secure payment method. UPI’s significance lies in transcending geographical boundaries, providing a seamless and interconnected financial experience. Introducing UPI in France isn’t just a transactional leap; it’s a technological evolution. The underlying technology ensures a robust and real-time fund exchange, enhancing overall efficiency and transparency in financial interactions. This launch encourages UPI adoption among French merchants and contributes to the broader narrative of global financial integration.” said Manoj Varma, Head – Payments, Lyra Network.

The UPI integration in France is a transformative milestone, revolutionizing payment methods for businesses and individuals. It accelerates UPI adoption among French merchants, ensuring secure, interoperable cross-border transactions. This innovative move showcases Lyra’s commitment to cutting-edge solutions, enhancing the global payment landscape for diverse users.

Lucknow, February 5 2024: Malabar Gold & Diamonds, the leading jewellery retailer, opened its new store in Alambagh, Lucknow, further expanding its footprint and commitment to delivering a world-class jewellery shopping experience. The inauguration ceremony of the sprawling 5844 sq. ft. store located at A-100, Sector-B, Kanpur Road, LDA Colony, Alambagh, Lucknow, took place on February 3, 2024.

The inauguration was graced by the esteemed presence of Shri Kaushal Kishore, Minister of State for the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of India.

Commenting on the new store launch, M. P. Ahammed, Chairman of Malabar Gold & Diamonds, stated, “We are excited to bring the Malabar experience to Alambagh, Lucknow. Our new store is not just about selling jewellery but also about creating memorable moments for our customers. With our diverse collections and commitment to fairness, we aim to become the city’s ultimate jewellery shopping destination. This store will be a haven for jewellery enthusiasts, offering an extensive and exquisite range of pieces at best prices and fair making charges.”

The store features popular sub-brands of Malabar, such as Mine Diamond Jewellery, Era Uncut Diamond Jewellery, Divine Heritage Jewellery, Ethnix Handcrafted Jewellery, Precia Gemstone Jewellery, Viraaz Polki Jewellery, and a vast array of unique collections under each brand. Customers can also explore a diverse array of designs in gold, diamonds, precious gemstones, platinum, and more, catering to varied preferences from traditional and contemporary to lightweight and everyday wear. The store also showcases exclusive bridal collections meticulously crafted to make weddings truly unforgettable.

Malabar Gold & Diamonds is renowned for its commitment to transparency and fairness in pricing. The brand’s Fair Price Promise ensures customers can purchase their favourite jewellery with reasonable making charges. In addition, the brand’s initiative ‘One India One Gold Rate’ scheme, provides uniform pricing for gold across all its stores in the country.

To strengthen the brand’s commitment to customers, Malabar Gold & Diamonds offers 10 promises, including transparent price tags indicating stone weight, net weight, and stone charge of the jewellery, assured lifetime free maintenance for the jewellery, 100% value for gold when reselling old gold jewellery, 100% HUID-compliant gold, IGI and GIA-certified diamonds ensuring a 28-point quality check of global standards, buyback guarantee, complimentary jewellery insurance, responsible sourcing, and fair labour practices.

Hyderabad, February 03, 2024…. IACG Multimedia College (International Academy of Computer Graphics), receives The Rookies Certified School Certification is a quality benchmark that identifies the schools that are best suited to prepare artists for a career in the Creative Industries.

The Certification shows that IACG Multimedia College is among the world’s finest, Rama Krishna Polina, Founder & Managing Director of IACG informed addressing a press conference on Saturday.

It is the only Indian Institute out of over 4000 education institutions and academies in Media and Entertainment space to have received Rookies Accreditation – informed Rama Krishna Polina, Founder & Managing Director of IACG Multimedia addressing a press conference at its posh 45000 sq. ft. campus in the heart of the city in Jubilee Hills.

With this coveted recognition IACG Multimedia College’s Visual Effects, 2D Animation, 3D Animation and Game Art & Design programs are acknowledged as a Rookies Certified School.

Based in Australia, The Rookies is a highly respected resource. Getting certified by The Rookies is a stamp of prestige for any school. It shows that the school is among the world’s finest in delivering quality education for its students.

This accreditation is awarded to the very best schools that provide the most up-to-date and relevant training and education for students aspiring to work in creative media industries.

IACG is the city’s 22 years pioneering Multimedia Institution and a name to reckon with for Gaming, Animation, VFX and Art & Design education as well as a production house that worked for many movies of great success and the director known the world over receives global recognition as

IACG is Asia’s first Academic Partner of UNREAL ENGINE, the world’s most advanced real-time 3D creation tool.

IACG’s students recently got the recognition of COMIC CON INDIA for the character Khonshu. COMIC CON INDIA for the character Khonshu as the Best Cosplay Artist in the MOVIES & TV Category and the INDIAN CHAMPIONSHIP of COSPLAY 2024 HYDERABAD in the VFX Category

IACG Multimedia College offers an array of comprehensive full-time graduation and postgraduate programs. These programs cater to various specializations including Gaming, Animation, VFX, and Art & Design

Recognizing the need for foundational education in multimedia and computer science, IACG has recently introduced Intermediate courses in CGA (Computer Graphics & Animation) and CS (Computer Science) for students who have completed their 10th standard. These programs are aimed at providing students with early exposure to career options in these fields, equipping them with the necessary knowledge and skills to pursue advanced studies in multimedia and computer science.

IACG expanded its educational offerings to include 1-year and 2-year Diploma courses.

The role of computer graphics in today’s life has become very important as computer graphics are viewed as the intersection of design and computer science, to delight and engage audiences.

Computer graphics today is a core technology in many areas such as digital photography, film, video games, digital art, mobile phones and computer displays, and many specialized applications.

We have seen the impact of Computer-generated imagery (CGI), in the success of many recent movies Avatar, Bahubali, RRR, Eega, and Hanu-Man, which opened doors to storytelling possibilities previously considered impossible. CGI effects enable filmmakers to create breathtaking fantasy worlds, fantastical creatures, and mind-bending visual effects. CGI has enriched cinematic experiences, expanded the boundaries of imagination and contributed to the box office success of many movies. Today movies without make-to-believe real-life CGI, films are not doing too well.

Computer Generated Images were prevalent in movies for many years. But, movies like Avatar, Baahubali, and RRR and their success made people recognize their importance. However, extensive use is reaching its peak now. Hence there is a lot of demand for trained professionals. And IACG stands as numerous uno and is among the best in the world.

Roorkee, February 03, 2024 – Rethink! The Tinkering Lab, a dynamic multi-disciplinary central facility of IIT Roorkee, stands as a crucible for nurturing curiosity, creativity, and imagination among young minds. Dedicated to cultivating essential skills such as design thinking, computational prowess, adaptive learning, and physical computing, the lab has become a beacon of innovation.

With a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility, the lab supports the design and implementation of diverse prototypes, elevating their technology readiness level. Committed to comprehensive skill development, the lab conducts workshops, training programs, facility exposure initiatives, expert talks, and webinars throughout the year. These initiatives aim to foster innovative thinking and instill curiosity among students, researchers, and faculties, aligning with the Institute Innovation Council (IIC) mandate.

Notably, Rethink! The Tinkering Lab has embarked on a groundbreaking endeavor with the support of the Technology Innovation Hub, iHub DivyaSampark, at IIT Roorkee. This collaborative effort has birthed a state-of-the-art facility dedicated to research and innovation in Cyber Physical Systems.

The distinguished presence of key personalities elevated the inaugural ceremony. Prof. Kamal Kishore Pant, Director of IIT Roorkee, lent visionary leadership, while Prof. Apurbba Kumar Sharma, Dean Academics, added valuable academic insights. Dr. J.B.V Reddy, Scientist-F at DST, and Ms. Rajani Kushwaha, JA, NM-ICPS, DST, brought scientific excellence to the forefront. Sh. Manish Anand, CEO of iHub-DivyaSampark, infused an entrepreneurial spirit, complemented by the collective expertise of Prof. Vivek Kumar Malik, Associate Dean of Innovation & Incubation, Prof. Sai Ramudu Meka, Associate Dean of Corporate Interaction, and Prof. Karun Rawat, Coordinator of Rethink! The Tinkering Lab.

Address the gathering Prof. K. K. Pant, Director, IIT Roorkee said, “We believe in nurturing a culture of innovation and exploration at IIT Roorkee, and the inauguration of the cutting-edge Cyber Physical Systems facility at Rethink! The Tinkering Lab marks a significant leap towards this commitment. This state-of-the-art hub is designed to inspire the curiosity, creativity, and imagination of our students, setting the stage for groundbreaking research and innovation. As we delve into the future of technology, we envision our students becoming pioneers in shaping the world through their inventive endeavors.”

The newly established facility boasts a cutting-edge studio equipped with Motion Sensing Cameras, drone kits, and comprehensive support for the manufacturing of drone parts. It aims to be a catalyst for students involved in validating and testing control algorithms for autonomous ground and flying vehicles. The Motion-Sensing Lab within the facility opens doors to extensive biomechanics studies, spanning applications in athletics, yoga, and posture correction.

Beyond traditional research, the facility emerges as a hotbed for innovation in augmented and virtual reality. Students are empowered to apply innovative ideas in this burgeoning field. Notably, the potential for creating promotional virtual tours in augmented and virtual reality holds the promise of attracting tourism towards major attractions such as Chardham Yatra and Ganga-Arti events in Uttarakhand.

This collaborative initiative underlines the lab’s commitment to introducing new interdisciplinary technologies, fostering a culture of innovation, and contributing to the thriving start-up ecosystem. Rethink! The Tinkering Lab’s relentless pursuit of excellence positions IIT Roorkee at the forefront of technological advancements and innovation in academia.

Kolkata, 3rd February 2024: ABID Interiors 2024 International Architecture and Interior Design Expo, an exclusive architecture and design B2C exhibition was inaugurated today by Chief Guests Ms. Sussanne Khan, Celebrity Interior Designer and Ms. Ridhi Khosla Jalan, Premier Interior Design Influencer along with ABID President Kamlesh Agarwal at Milan Mela Fair Ground. This four-day expo will be thrown open to public from 2nd February, 2024 till 5th February, 2024. This year

The exhibition curated by a team of dedicated talented designers, focuses on the world of aesthetics but not without functionality. This year over 200 stalls will be created by visionary designers that will set the trend in the interior world. Driven by a passion for creativity and a keen understanding of spatial dynamics, most of the stalls that encompass diverse domains have brought forth a collection that transcends all conventional boundaries. With the theme ‘Harmony in Design’– they are sure to be the talk of the town not just among the industry stalwarts but also for common people who take an interest in interiors, something that has been the aim of ABID Interiors since its inception.

The special attraction of this year is the Art exhibition and workshops that will be showcase various art forms of Bengal such as the Dokra Art, Mark Making art and others. Four special stalls will hold Cermic Workshop, the Dokra Workshop, the Mask Making Workshop and Print Making Workshop have been dedicated to this purpose where the visitors will get the opportunity to learn various art forms. There are also various life size Installations such as “The Life”, “Feelings”, “Generations by Generations” etc. to give a clear vison of design and art forms. A model sustainable Village has been set up to showcase crafted furniture and artifacts by underprivileged Artisan. Visitors can enjoy several art works at the Art Gallery of Eminent Artists and ABID members and also those of interiors students.

Mr. Kamlesh Agarwal said, “This is the only expo which houses top interior designing firms, companies but is also committed to promote the indigenous art and craft of Bengal. In an era of Environmental Consciousness, our designers have embraced sustainability without compromising on elegance.”

Vice-President Mr. Raja Sinha thanked the attendees and the participants stating, “We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the designers, whose unwavering dedication has made this exhibition an occasion.”