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03 May 2023, New Delhi: ORGAN India, The Organ Receiving & Giving Awareness Network (ORGAN) India, an initiative of the Parashar Foundation hosted a press conference on the 2nd of May at Juniper Hall, Habitat Center. The conference welcomes back our transplant athletes from their successful participation at the World Transplant Games in Perth Australia. World Transplant Games to be held in Perth, Australia in 2023. This was the largest contingent of 32 players ever to go from India to the WTG, and Team India athletes won 35 medals in the World Transplant Games 2023, which concluded in Australia’s Perth on 21st April 2023. It is the highest tally ever for India.

The conference hosted players who represented India at the World Transplant Games, including Mr. Vijaybahadur Yadav, a kidney donor to his wife, and Outstanding athlete of the World Transplant Games in the donor category; 13-year-old Varun Anand who won 3 gold medals; Mr. Karhun Nanda, Captain, Indian Contingent at the World Transplant Games and winner of 2 silver medals; Mr. Digvijay Singh Gujral, Squash Player & World Transplant Games Medalist; Heera Singh Daspa, Winner of Gold in Javelin Throw amongst others.

The Guest Speakers include Ronjan Sodhi, Arjuna Award and Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna awardee and Dr Amit Bhalla, Vice President of Manav Rachna Educational Institutions (MREI) who met the players and congratulated them for their wonderful performance. Speakers also included Ms Anika Parashar, Chairperson, Parashar Foundation; Ms Kunti Jhaveri, Managing Trustee, Dinesh Vyas Public Charitable Trust; Dr. Vipin Koushal, Nodal Officer, ROTTO North (Regional Organ & Tissue Transplant Organization), Ms. Priti Agarwal, Director, Geekay Winding; Satyajit Gupta, Head Legal & CSR, EXL, Dr. Ashish Sharma, HOD Renal Transplantation, PGIMER Chandigarh, and Team Manager Shankar Arora. The press conference also witnessed a soulful performance by Raag Suri from whistling Woods International who sang the Team Song Hissa Bann for the audience.

Dr Amit Bhalla, Vice President of Manav Rachna Educational Institutions (MREI), who helped train the athletes – “I am thrilled with the performance of Indian Athletes at the world Transplant Games 2023. Their participation and winning performances have made India proud. These athletes are a shining example of resilience and the power of the human spirit. We welcome them back with hearts filled with pride and joy.”

“We are overwhelmed with the amazing performance of the Indian transplant athletes at World Transplant Games. Our collective effort has put India firmly on the map at the Games, and this conference is to celebrate this brilliant innings. The athletes’ participation in WTG 2023 has created more awareness about organ donation across India and we are confident that their victory will inspire all Indians”, shared Sunayana Singh, CEO ORGAN India & Country Representative from India at the World Transplant Games Federation (WTGF).

Anika Parashar, Founder Chairperson, ORGAN India shared, “It was a privilege to take the Indian delegation of Athletes for The World Transplant Games in Perth in April 2023. The participation of Transplant patients or Donors in this International event was not only a of patriotism but also a demonstration of the limitlessness of the human spirit in overcoming adversity whilst inspiring others and their stories deserve to be heard.”

New Delhi, 03 May 2023: Known for its cool quotient and vibrant designs among the masses, flip flops brand Bahamas launched its new TV campaign for the season. The commercial leverages the fact that most often, people stress and fret over every other thing, leaving little time to enjoy the precious moments of life.

The film opens with superstar Salman Khan picking up a couple of instances out of everyday life, nudging in the fact that indeed, stress has silently pervaded in all walks of life. In his typical quirky style, he urges us not to miss out on small joys while managing the daily stressful situations of life, effortlessly weaving in the colorful product range in a peppy beach setting.

Expressing his joy amidst the campaign, Gaurav Dua, Director (Sales & Marketing) for Relaxo Footwears Ltd. said, “Bahamas is symbolic of the mindset of youth- colourful, peppy, carefree- and every action of the brand is a reflection of the same. Salman Bhai and his stardom fits so well with our brand’s voice because he is known for style, is trendy and someone, that today’s youth vibes with. However, in today’s fast paced lifestyle, people are burdened with some or other stress even at a young age, many a times taking it to heart. Bahamas takes this very cue and uses Salman Khan to smoothly connect the brands’ philosophy with the inner calling of youth”.

Gifting is a beautiful experience and nobody does it better than Izzhaar. A passion turned into a business by Ruchita Bansal, Izzhaar is a bespoke service specializing in timeless, luxurious, and handcrafted gifting. Izzhaar’s philosophy is to promote sustainable gifting practices by applying thoughtfulness and attention to detail every step of the way.

Over the last few years, Izzhaar has become synonymous with celebrities and the most revered and prestigious award functions like IIFA, Filmfare, and Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival. And this year is no different with Izzhaar being the official gifting and invitation partner for the 68th Filmfare Awards.

At Izzhaar, our passion is to create beautiful connections with every gift chosen. With title sponsors like Hyundai, this year’s invitation draws its inspiration from the glamourous and always-moving lifestyle of the stars from the tinsel town. The ‘Carbar’, as it is called, is a beautifully crafted invitation for the 68th Filmfare awards that are refined down to the finest detail, making every box extraordinary and every ride unforgettable. This handcrafted box has a special compartment for a bottle, along with all the accessories like an Ice bucket, Shaker, Peg Measurer, Muddler, Ice cube holder, Opener, Stainer along with Gourmet Nuts. What we have created is more than a gift. It’s a piece of a Bollywood life lived every moment in the most opulent way.

Available at:

Gurugram – 775, Udyog Vihar Phase V, Sector 19, Gurugram, Haryana-122016
Mumbai – 187, First Floor, Zainab Villa, Turner Road, Bandra West, Mumbai-400050

May 29, 2023, Chennai: Tamilnadu Petroproducts Limited (TPL), part of the petrochemicals division of Singapore-headquartered AM International Holdings (AMIH) and among India’s leading manufacturers of industrial intermediate chemicals, is the first company in the country to have it’s Linear Alkyl Benzene (LAB) certified under IS 12795: 2020. The company was recently honored for this feat at the prestigious All India First License – Award Ceremony in Chennai. The event was conducted by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).

As the National Standard Body of India, the BIS is the largest of all Indian certification bodies and plays a significant role in the country’s standardization, marking, and quality certification of goods. While the BIS certification is voluntary, compliance to these is made compulsory by the Central Government for select products under various considerations, viz. public interest, protection of human, animal, or plant health, the safety of the environment, prevention of unfair trade practices, and national security.

Congratulating the company on the recognition, Mr. Ashwin Muthiah, Vice Chairman of TPL and Founder-Chairman, of AM International, said, “At TPL, we take pride in being an industry leader committed to delivering high-quality products to our customers. The recognition by BIS demonstrates our unwavering commitment to the highest manufacturing standards and continuously investing in R&D and innovation. The team’s dedication and hard work have enabled us to serve our customers and build long-term relationships.”

LAB is one such product that requires compulsory compliance with the standards stipulated by the BIS. According to the provisions of The Linear Alkyl Benzene (Quality Control) Order, 2021, only LAB manufacturers with ISI 2795:2020 certification can sell their products in the Indian markets. The certificate is a means to provide a third-party guarantee of the quality, safety, and reliability of products to customers.

The demand for LAB is rising in India due to the growing awareness through government initiatives such as the Swachh Bharat Mission. Other factors include changing lifestyles due to a considerable increase in per capita disposable income. It has led to the detergent manufacturing industry’s growth, further boosting the demand for LAB in the country.

LAB is a crucial raw material for manufacturing synthetic detergents and industrial cleaners. TPL is India’s leading manufacturer of LAB and the only producer in South India. Around 40% of the fabric detergents used in Indian households constitute TPL’s products. Its ‘Superlab brand is among the most trusted LAB brands in the country today. The compliance under IS 12795: 2020 further establishes the company as the preferred partner for the industries having LAB applications.

CHENNAI – Marriott International, Inc. today celebrated the recent visit of its President and Chief Executive Officer Anthony Capuano, who underscored the company’s deep commitment to growing its footprint in India. During the visit, which took place between April 10-14, the company opened the JW Marriott Goa, its 150th hotel in South Asia as well as the Mulberry Shades Bengaluru Nandi Hills, A Tribute Portfolio Resort. In addition, the company announced its plans to open 15 hotels this year in South Asia across its luxury, premium and select brand segments. Marriott also has plans to launch the brand debut of Moxy in India with the anticipated openings of Moxy Bengaluru Airport Prestige Tech Cloud and Moxy Mumbai Andheri West in 2024.

During his tour of the country, Mr. Capuano was a featured speaker at the Hotel Investment Conference – South Asia (HICSA) in Bengaluru and met with Minister of Tourism G. Kishan Reddy to discuss capitalizing on India’s G20 presidency to accelerate the industry’s development. A highlight of Mr. Capuano’s visit was his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss the company’s plans for continued growth in the region. Accompanying him at the meeting was Ms. Ranju Alex, Marriott’s Area Vice President for South Asia. India is one of Marriott’s top global markets and the company is building a pipeline of diverse leadership talent, with a heavy focus on supporting women in leadership, a topic that was discussed during the meeting with Prime Minister Modi.

Mumbai, April 25, 2023: Marico Limited’s premium hair-nourishment brand, Parachute Advansed has released a heart-warming TVC for its Parachute Advansed Onion Hair Oil. The TVC highlights how two powerful ingredients – coconut & onion, come together to boost hair growth & reduce hair fall. The film shows the unbreakable, unique bond between a daughter and her mother, with the mother guiding her daughter for the future of her impending marriage and her hair.

The film opens with a loving conversation between a soon-to-be-wed daughter and her mother, about the change in responsibilities after marriage. In a friendly banter, her younger sister also talks about the various changes that the new life will bring, including hair fall, taking a cheeky dig at her older sister. The mother lovingly assures her that she does not need to worry and that using Parachute Advanced Onion Hair Oil will not only help reduce hair fall but also promote hair growth.

Speaking on the new campaign, Somasree Bose, Chief Marketing Officer, Marico Limited said, “Parachute Advansed has been a woman’s trusted ally for generations. A mother-daughter relationship is truly unique, with a daughter seeing her mother as her most trusted advisor and rightly so. The mother’s want for only the best for her child backed by the years of wisdom, is unparalleled. That is exactly what our latest film tries to capture, where the daughter finds comfort in her mother’s advice just before marriage. Parachute Advansed Onion Hair Oil is a fusion of two powerful ingredients. It harnesses the power of onion and combines it with the nourishing goodness of coconut. These two together are a powerful combination to boost hair growth and reduce hair fall. We are optimistic that our latest offering under Parachute Advansed will gain the trust of our consumers and will be a brand that will transcend generations.”

With an emotive visual playout and a powerful storyline, the Parachute Advansed Onion Oil’s TVC is set to delight the audience. The brand film will be released first on TV & digital media in Andhra Pradesh & Karnataka and then on the brand’s YouTube page in Hindi and English later.

Speaking on the creative conceptualization of this TVC, Hans Saxena, Director at Shot Ready Hai said, “Parachute Advanced is a very trusted & loved brand across India. While shooting for Parachute Advanced Onion Hair Oil it was important to understand and capture the emotion that would resonate with the consumer while bringing out the benefits of coconut and onion, two very powerful ingredients.”

Credits:

Agency: Shot Ready Hai

Director: Hans Saxena

Producer: Nikita Sharma

Music Director: Akash Patwari
Script Writer: Aniket Sharma

24 April 2023 Utopia, the innovative smart e-bike technology company, is excited to announce its collaboration with world-renowned pianist Maksim Mrvica as the first brand ambassador for its sleek and stylish Chord E-bike.

Maksim, with over 4 million albums sold in 57 countries, is a pioneering pianist, widely recognized as the world’s best-selling crossover artist. At our initial meeting, Maksim had just concluded his latest recital. With a towering height of 6 feet 9 inches, he exuded warmth and courtesy, elegantly dressed in a black suit complemented by rock-inspired accessories and tattoos adorning his arms. In an interview, Maksim revealed that he appreciates the personalized touch and perfect fit conveyed by his fashion choices. It is evident that Maksim is not only a renowned classical crossover pianist but also a tasteful fashionista with high standards. Since his foray into crossover music in the early 2000s, Maksim has consistently breathed new life into the classics while preserving the genre’s essence. His passion for music and high-quality design made him the perfect fit for Urtopia’s philosophy of “design is soul.” When he first laid eyes on the Chord E-bike, he was instantly drawn to its simple yet elegant design, stating that it is “passionate and innovative at the same time.”

Urtopia, a technology-driven Ebike company, challenges the traditional design standards of the bicycle industry with its unique style. Urtopia Chord E-bike is inspired by the piano, with its unique design style capturing the essence of the musical instrument. Maksim was impressed by the Chord’s power, reliability, and elegant design, stating that it was “just like my favorite E-bike.”

What’s more, Urtopia is committed to providing excellent customer service, with free shipping and 14-day returns throughout the EU and the US. Its warehouse and after-sales center are located in Germany and the United States, and it has over 50 test ride service points. Anyone interested in the Chord E-bike can book a free test ride on the website. Additionally, Utopia has partnered with the German JobRad platform to offer bike leasing. This benefit is not available with all E-bike brands.

Experience the power and elegance of Urtopia’s Chord E-bike, as endorsed by the world-renowned pianist Maksim Mrvica. Visit the Utopia website to learn more about the innovative Chord E-bike and the company’s commitment to quality and service.

Hyderabad 24 April 2023: The International Association of Rice Bran Oil (IARBO) in association with The Solvent Extractors Association of India (SEA) organized the 7th International Conference on Rice Bran Oil (ICRBO)-2023 in Hyderabad. The theme of ICRBO 2023 is Awesome Rice Bran Oil for Sustainable Ecosystem (ARISE). Mr. The conference was inaugurated by Mr. G. Kamala Vardhana Rao, IAS, CEO, FSSAI & Secretary, Government of India, along with Mr. Jayesh Ranjan, IAS, Principal Secretary to Govt, Ministry of Information Technology, Electronics & Communications Department, Govt. of Telangana, in the presence of Mr. Ashok Sethia, President, IARBO, Mr. Ajay Jhunjhuwala, President, of SEA India, Dr. B.V.Mehta, Secretary General, of IARBO & Executive Director, of SEA India, Dr. Prabodh Halde, Convener, ICRBO Conference, edible oil industry leaders, international delegates and other industry representatives. Over 500 delegates representing the rice bran oil industry including special invitees from all the Rice Bran Oil producing countries like India, China, Thailand, Japan, Vietnam and Bangladesh attended the conference for a closer interaction for promoting Rice Bran Oil and its value-added products.

Speaking on the occasion Mr. Jayesh Ranjan, IAS, Principal Secretary to Govt, Ministry of Information Technology, Electronics & Communications Department, Govt. of Telangana said, “Telangana is witnessing a Yellow revolution with the growth in Edible oil production. The Government is continuously focusing on building Agri infrastructure in the state and 60% of the Government budget is on Agri growth. We have offered direct benefits to farmers with Rythu Bandhu and crop insurance benefits through Rythu Bima. We have set up Agri University for research and development. The Government is always encouraging industry and has a unique platform TS-IPass to facilitate entry into the state. A few years ago we had a problem of plenty with Rice production but we have now transferred about 20L hectares of land for the cultivation of oil palm. With this, Telangana has the largest area under oil production. This offers great economic benefits by reducing the country’s import dependency on edible oils and fuelling growth. We have set up special food processing zones in Telangana, and offer the best infrastructure and support systems for growth. Telangana is strategically located in heart of the country and can be easily accessed with logistic connectivity. I am delighted to see such a huge gathering of Edible oil stalwarts and it’s an honour that such a prestigious conference is being organized in Hyderabad”

Lifetime achievement awards were presented to industry veterans for their contribution to the identification, research, and promotion of Rice Bran Oil. Mr. O. P. Goenka – Pioneer in Rice Bran Oil In India. Dr. V. Prakash- Scientific contribution for promoting RBO as edible oil, Dr. RBN Prasad-Revolutionary development of Enzymatic degumming process. Dr. A R Sharma- Visionary Leadership in Promoting branded RBO, Dr. Xuebing Xu- Scientific contribution in value addition of Rice Bran Oil (China) and Dr. Riantong Singanusong- Founder of IARBO & ICRBO and Product development of Rice Bran (Thailand)

Speaking at the conference, Mr. G. Kamala Vardhana Rao, IAS, CEO, FSSAI & Secretary, Government of India said, “India has a huge import bill for edible oil and is essential commodity for the people . The government is increasing excise duties on some edible oils to encourage the use of domestic oils. Rice Bran oil, with all its benefits, can help bridge the gap as it has a huge potential. In fact, in the recent budget, a lot of emphasis was made on nutrition security. Edible Oils are a very important source of nutrition. Even historically, oils were a main source of nutrition in India. Already, the fortification of rice with iron, folic acid, and B12 for school children is being done. Research organizations should focus on identifying ways to enhance the nutritional value of edible oils. FSSAI should set standards to ensure the implementation and production of fortified edible oils. India also witnesses a lot of adulteration in food products, this needs to be stopped. Consumers should be educated about the health benefits of edible oils like Til, Groundnut, and rice bran oil. The best way forward for India is to increase oil cultivation, increase extraction, and spread the education about benefits of Indian oils to increase consumption, this will help reduce the price and enhance the consumption of Rice Bran Oil.”

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Ajay Jhunjhuwala, President, of The Solvent Extractors Association of India said, “We are thrilled to host the 7th International Conference on Rice Bran Oil (ICRBO) organized by the International Association of Rice Bran Oil (IARBO) at Hyderabad. This is the 2nd time India is hosting the conference. At ICRBO 2023, we have the leading experts and researchers in the field to explore the latest developments and advancements in this important area through Technical, and Nutritional sessions. This conference is a unique opportunity to share knowledge, exchange ideas, and collaborate on new initiatives that will help improve the research on rice bran oil and its value-added products and improve the usage of this ‘Wonder oil’. I am sure the sessions will help us understand the latest information on the nutritional research on rice bran oil, wastage minimization, R&D, Marketing, and dynamiting future advancements. As an industry we need to look at innovative ”

Hyderabad, April 24, 2023: The Telangana and Andhra Pradesh franchise Telugu Talons announced its entry into the Premier Handball League (PHL) on Saturday. The team, owned by Abhishek Reddy Kankanala, a prominent sports entrepreneur based out of Hyderabad known for his involvement in various sports leagues including volleyball, badminton, golf, and other sports teams will compete in the inaugural edition of the PHL.

The Talons will be looking to put together a robust team at the Premier Handball League Auction slated to be held at the Taj Lands End in Mumbai on April 23, 2023. Each team will select a squad consisting of 11 Indian players and 3 international players.

. By investing in the Telugu Talons team, Abhishek Reddy aims to promote the sport and provide a platform for talented athletes to showcase their skills on a larger stage, while also supporting the development of the sports ecosystem in India. Abhishek is dedicated to expanding his diverse sports portfolio and contributing to the growth of the handball community, particularly in India. With this, Abhishek is adding to his earlier sports investments in Volleyball, Badminton, and Golf sports leagues.

“I am thrilled to venture into the world of handball and support these incredible athletes,” said Abhishek Reddy Kankanala. “Handball is an exciting and engaging sport, and I believe it has immense potential to grow in popularity, especially in India. I am committed to developing the Telugu Talons to compete at the highest level within the Premier Handball League and to bring a new sense of pride and accomplishment to the handball community, both nationally and internationally.”

The inaugural season of the Premier Handball League is set to kick off on June 8 and run until June 25, 2023, and will be broadcast on the Viacom18 network on JioCinema, Sports 18-1 (HD & SD) and Sports 18 Khel.

Bengaluru, 22 April 2023: Adding another feather to the road safety initiative, Rapido – India’s leading auto-tech aggregator – is introducing a nationwide safety campaign, #RapidoSafetyFirst. The campaign aims to raise awareness about road safety, promoting Rapido’s daily ride safety features nationwide.

As part of its campaign, Rapido is equipping auto-rickshaws in Bengaluru with seatbelts to reduce the risk of accidents, fatalities and injuries during sudden stops or collisions. The company has also ensured rider safety by implementing a four-step background verification process for its captains. Additionally, it uses a unique information-masking feature to protect the privacy and identity of female riders. Rapido also offers live ride tracking with access to granular latitudinal and longitudinal data and 24/7 on-ground support for shared rides.

Speaking at the launch, Pavan Guntupalli, Co-founder of Rapido Auto, emphasized the importance of road safety and Rapido’s commitment to promoting awareness and minimizing accidents and fatalities. “Being a responsible service provider, we truly believe that road safety is an important concern today, so running an awareness campaign to taking strict training sessions for captains is part of our policy from day one. The #RapidoSafetyFirst campaign covers seatbelts and 360-degree solutions for customer data and safety. The Rapido app’s safety features ensure passengers feel safe, secure and well-protected throughout their ride. Since road accidents in India have startling statistics, Rapido’s initiative seeks to reduce fatalities and injuries,” said Guntupalli.

Rapido Auto has also implemented several safety measures to facilitate safe travel for riders and passengers. These include mandatory safety training for riders, regular vehicle maintenance checks, and real-time tracking of rides to monitor safety compliance. Furthermore, all Rapido Captains must complete a Learning Module System and Training Exercise learning customer-appropriate behavior, road safety training, and operational training.

Moreover, Rapido Auto has conducted safety awareness programs in collaboration with city traffic police departments across India. These initiatives involved CPR and basic life support training for their captains and a mime program to demonstrate the criticality of road safety at heavy traffic junctions in cities such as Gurgaon, Hyderabad, Chennai, Bengaluru, Vijayawada, and Madurai. Rapido will continue collaborating with the police and allied stakeholders to develop a comprehensive road safety program that transforms road safety norms.

As road safety remains a monumental challenge pan-India, initiatives such as these are the need of the hour for minimizing accidents and fatalities. The #RapidoSafetyFirst campaign intends to boost Rapido’s Safety-First approach nationwide with multiple initiatives.