India, 29th May 2023— Barracuda Networks Inc. (Barracuda), a trusted partner and leading provider of cloud-enabled security solutions, today published its 2023 spear-phishing trends report, which shows that 53% of Indian organizations studied were victims of spear-phishing in 2022 — and on average, 24% had at least one email account compromised through account takeover.

The report presents propriety spear-phishing data and analysis, drawing on a data set that comprises 50 billion emails across 3.5 million mailboxes, including nearly 30 million spear-phishing emails. The report also features survey findings from Barracuda-commissioned research. The survey, conducted by independent researcher Vanson Bourne, questioned IT professionals from frontline to the most senior roles at 150 Indian companies with 100 to 2,500 employees, across a range of industries.

Overall, the research revealed that cybercriminals continue to barrage organizations with targeted email attacks, and many companies are struggling to keep up. While spear-phishing attacks are low-volume, they are widespread and highly successful compared to other types of email attacks.

Spear phishing is widespread: 53% of Indian organizations analyzed were victims of spear phishing in 2022, and overall, a typical organization received 5 highly personalized spear-phishing emails per day.

These attacks are highly successful: Spear-phishing attacks make up only 0.1% of all e-mail based attacks, according to Barracuda data, but they are responsible for 66% of all breaches.

Organizations are feeling the impact: 63% of Indian respondents that experienced a spear-phishing attack reported machines infected with malware or viruses; 61% reported having stolen login credentials or account takeover; and 56% reported having sensitive data stolen.

Threat detection and response remains a challenge: On average, organizations take nearly 100 hours to identify, respond to, and remediate a post-deliver email threat — India organizations take 67 hours to detect the attack and 53 hours to respond and remediate after the attack is detected.

Remote work is increasing risks: Users at companies with more than a 50% remote workforce report higher levels of suspicious emails — 12 per day on average, compared to 9 per day for those with less than a 50% remote workforce.
Having more remote workers slows detection and response: Companies with more than a 50% remote workforce also reported that it takes longer to both detect and response to email security incidents — 55 hours to detect and 63 hours to response and mitigate, compared to an average of 36 hours and 51 hours respectively for organizations with fewer remote workers.

“Even though spear phishing is low volume, with its targeted and social engineering tactics, the technique leads to a disproportionate number of successful breaches, and the impact of just one successful attack can be devastating,” said Fleming Shi, CTO, Barracuda. “To help stay ahead of these highly effective attacks, businesses must invest in account takeover protection solutions with artificial intelligence capabilities. Such tools will have far greater efficacy than rule-based detection mechanisms. Improved efficacy in detection will help stop spear-phishing with reduced response needed during an attack.”

27th May 2023  After two marvellous days of Knowledge Seminars, and Conclaves by industry experts and creative minds battling it out at the ABBY One Show Awards, the final day of Goafest 2023 is here. We kickstarted the day in the most spectacular way, yet again! Papon, an Indian Playback Singer, assured the crowd was mesmerised by his voice and persona! The crowd swayed from beginning to end as his tunes, lyrics, harmony, and glorious voice captivated them!

We commenced the final day at Goafest with a Knowledge Seminar by Anymind, titled, Seven Principles For The Future Of Creativity led by Nick Law, Global Creative Chairperson – Accenture Song. This session deep-dived into the necessity of establishing and embodying principles as a brand; to this end, Nick stated, “Every company needs to have consistent principles and dynamic practices. Sometimes, our industry sometimes forgets that it needs to be dynamic.”

Nick has crafted a compelling set of principles that ignite a fresh perspective on the future of creativity. His principles act as a guiding light, illuminating the path forward for artists, designers, marketers, and anyone seeking to harness the power of creative potential. Law offered profound insights and a deep understanding of the ever-changing landscape.

The seven principles for the future of creativity, guided by Nick Law, emphasize the importance of embracing creativity, technology, and its collaboration to drive innovation, create meaningful experiences, and deliver effective creative solutions in the evolving digital landscape, ultimately transforming the way brands connect with audiences and shape the future of advertising.

Following this session, we closed the first half of this eventful day with a sumptuous lunch break.

The first half of Day 3 also witnessed two masterclasses; the first one laid emphasis on storytelling, which was presented by Bharat Avalani, the visionary founder and CEO of Connecting the Dots Marketing Consultancy. With the AFAA’s ‘Communicators as Storytellers’ as its focus, the session discussed the art of becoming a business storyteller and the profound role that stories play in shaping brand experiences. As compared to brands, people are naturally interested in people, which is why the masterclass focused on consumer insights, strategy, and brand communication through storytelling.

The second masterclass, Silverpush — Dynamic Video Optimization: Unlocking the Full Potential of Video Advertising by Rahul Joshi, explored Dynamic Video Optimisation, unveiling the immense potential of video advertising and sharing strategies to optimize and leverage its impact for maximum results. A major focus of Rahul’s was to build sustainable technology to make marketers excited about videos and drive conversions from them. In addition, the masterclass discussed how advertisers can boost conversions through videos and create tremendous impact through DVO and storytelling. The session ended with Rahul demonstrating how DVO helps advertisers present their products based on region, language, or user behaviour based on Silverpush’s Himalaya face wash use case.

Stay tuned for Day 3. To know the agenda for Day 3, please log on to: https://www.goafest.com/goafest2023/event-schedule.php

27th May 2023, New Delhi: Asian Footwears, a renowned Indian shoe brand, has recently launched an affordable and unique range of color-changing shoes, which are a first-of-its-kind product in the fashion industry. When worn indoors, the shoe boasts a clean and classic full white color, but as you step outside into the sunlight, it transforms into a vibrant combination of blue, pink, and yellow color”. Priced under INR 1000, the Magic Series Collection is not only fashionable but also comfortable.

The shoes come in various designs and patterns, making them a must-have accessory for fashion-conscious millennials and GenZ. The color-changing unique feature is a magical and eye-catching aspect that alters the shoe color based on the temperature and surroundings, due to presence of a photochromatic coated PVC rexine. This shoe has already received over 1000+ mentions from users across various social media platforms & its video has also gone viral with over 3 crore views. Seeing the popularity & success of color changing sneaker for girls (Asian Trendy 21 magic Girl’s sneakers), the company has also launched color changing magic collection in men’s sneakers (Asian Thunder-01 Magic Mens Sneakers), women high ankle sneakers and sliders (Asian Slider-25 magic Sliders), hereby launching India’s first color changing slider under 1000 price point.

The company provides clear and simple cleaning instructions for these shoes. To keep them looking their best, avoid using any chemicals or detergents and instead opt for a gentle clean with a damp cloth.

Asian Footwears was founded by Shri Rajinder Jindal and his wife Kiran Jindal in 1994 & has been providing modern and fashionable shoes at affordable prices since then. The company’s vision is to improve the quality of its products continually and introduce new technologies to make its shoes even better. Asian’s 100% made-in-India products are aligned with Prime Minister Modi’s vision of achieving self-reliance and boosting the local economy.

Last year Motilal Oswal’s private equity arm, MO Alternates invested INR 225 Crores in Asian Footwears. This capital infusion will accelerate growth of the company through investments in brand, distribution, people and supply chain infrastructure. Endorsed by legendary cricketer Virender Sehwag and official footwear partners of the Delhi Capitals cricket team, Asian is one of the most loved footwear brands in the country. Asian offers more than 500 active styles of shoes between INR 500-1,500 price points. The Company retails its products across all leading e-commerce platforms, Asian exclusive brand outlets and through an offline network of 200+ distributors and 10,000+ retailers.

According to Research and Markets, the global footwear market is predicted to reach $530.3 billion by 2027. The increasing demand for comfortable and attractive footwear, increased health & fitness awareness, higher spend on lifestyle products, rising disposable incomes, and the popularity of e-commerce are some of the factors contributing to the market’s expansion.

Asian Footwears has leveraged the latest technological advancements under Aayush Jindal, the CEO of Asian Footwears and an IIT Delhi graduate, to develop world-class manufacturing processes, resulting in superior quality shoes. The company has been constantly bringing latest technological innovations in footwear development & global trends for the mass India consumers. Additionally, the brand has been committed to sustainability, utilizing eco-friendly materials and processes in its manufacturing units.

Asian Footwears has established itself as a promising brand in the Indian shoe market, providing customers of different age groups and genders with stylish, trendy and comfortable footwear. With the launch of the Magic Series Collection, the brand has set a new standard for fashion and innovation, and customers can look forward to what other exciting products Asian Footwears will introduce in the future.

Bengaluru,27th May 2023: With the onset of summers, Simpl, India’s only 1-tap checkout platform, partnered with BookMyShow, India’s leading entertainment destination, joining its #MySummerBucketList campaign and enabling seamless access to scores of adventure sports and other fun- filled activities across the country.

From thrilling water sports to scuba diving, camping, backpacking trips, an increasing number of customers in the age group of 16-40 years have been spending heavily on gaining new experiences in the summers over the last few years. To cater to this growing demand and streamline the booking experience for customers, Simpl’s integration with BookMyShow will offer a one-tap access to the widest range of activities with over 1000 options across multiple categories including adventure, amusement parks, kids activities, workshops, tourist attractions, nightlife and unique experiences.

Metros such as Mumbai, Bengaluru, Delhi-NCR, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Chennai are amongst the cities opting for most summer activities such as amusement parks and adventure across formats and age groups while cities such as Kochi, Pune, Jaipur, Lonavala lead the charge for treks and camping, cycling, heritage walks, monuments and unique experiences.

Commenting on this development, Nitya Sharma, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Simpl said, “As a customer focused organisation, we are committed to fulfilling the evolving requirements of customers in a seamless fashion. With travel and its experiences gaining prominence since the last few years, we are delighted to partner with BookMyShow as our entertainment and activities partner for their #MySummerBucketList campaign, to offer the widest selection of adventure sports and other activities this summer. Customers will be able to pre-book their tickets to amusement parks, treks, camps and scores of other activities with just one-tap with Simpl, eliminating any transaction failures, which is a key pain point for them.”

According to the Indian Brand Equity Foundation (IBEF), the travel market in India is projected to reach US$ 125 billion by FY27 from an estimated US$ 75 billion in FY20. This opens up huge opportunities for organising this by offering a seamless booking and checkout experience which is key to maintaining customer experience. The partnership with Simpl will simplify customers’ journey and contribute to bringing more customers online.

New Delhi, 26th May, 2023: Gateway Distriparks Limited (GDL), a leading integrated inter-modal logistics facilitator in India, today announced its audited financial results for the March quarter of the current financial year.

Note: The Company was operating CFS Punjab Conware in Nhava Sheva for 10 months in FY22 after which the O&M agreement expired. Punjab Conware FY22 revenue was Rs. 87.52 crores and EBTIDA was Rs. 15.84 crores. However, after payment of license fees Rs. 16.44 crores to Punjab State Warehousing Corporation, it was a loss making facility for the company. For a like-to-like comparison, excluding Punjab Conware CFS from the Company’s throughput and financials, on a YoY basis, the total throughput grew by 6.91% , total revenue grew by 10.5% and total EBITDA grew by 1.2% for the full financial year.

Prem Kishan Gupta, Chairman and Managing Director, commented, “We are pleased to report healthy financial performance for the company for the quarter and year ending 31st March 2023. While there has been a slowdown in Export volumes in the past six months, signs of recovery are now being seen from April onwards. Import volumes have been growing to a large extent. Our focus remains on improving efficiencies and expanding our network. In the beginning of FY23, we had allocated Rs. 500 crores towards capital expenditure to be utilised by fiscal year 2025, with about Rs. 200 crores already invested thus far towards the acquisition of ICD Kashipur and land procurement and initial development of ICD Jaipur. Our goal is to invest the remaining amount in new projects and we are actively exploring both greenfield and acquisition options in Northern and Central India to expand our network of ICDs in the next two years.”

27th May 2023: Patel Integrated Logistics Ltd, one of the leading logistics service providers in India, announced its financial results for the quarter and twelve months ended March 31st, 2023, at the Board Meeting held on 25th May 2023.

Financial Highlights for the year ended March 31, 2023:

Total Income at Rs. 280.29 crores, growth of 18.35% yoy

EBITDA increased by 20.82% yoy to Rs. 12.33 crores

Operating EBITDA increased by 34.05% yoy to Rs. 10.33 crores

Profit after Tax jumps 1.15x yoy to Rs. 4.90 crores

FY23 operational highlights:

Total volume increased by 22.06% YoY to 54,231 tones.

The company is in the process of complete digitalization of its operations .

Temporary closure of Go First Airlines will not affect the company operation.

Air India being privatized, creates a lot of synergy between Vistara, Air Asia and Air India giving an overall boost to the cargo sector.

Aviation sector is now quickly reaching the growth cycle of the pre-pandemic levels paving an opportunity for growth in the overall business.

As per Aviation Ministry, airlines are going to add 100 to 110 aircrafts per year. Total number of aircrafts by 2027 is likely to be around 1200 from the current level of 700.

New airline FLY91 is expected to be operational by September’23 .

Aviation industry is growing at 22% as per Honorable Minister Nitin Gadkari.

In the recent Union Budget, Mission UDAN gets a lift, 50 small airports to be revived.

Logistics is among the top 5 priority sectors identified by India for its G20 presidency.

Speaking about FY23 performance, Mr. Mahesh Fogla, Patel Integrated Logistics Ltd. commented, “We have continued with our growth momentum and delivered a robust performance in FY23. For FY23, the Total Income grew 18.35% yoy while PAT witnessed 1.15 times yoy improvement. Over the last few years, the company has been consciously reducing debt on the books. This has helped us in lowering the interest cost and in turn improving the profitability.

We are confident that with positive headwinds and favorable macro environment for the logistics business, we should be able to maintain this momentum and create value for our stakeholder”

Bengaluru, 27th May 2023: Varthana, India’s largest school financing-focused Non-Banking Finance Company (NBFC), and Opportunity EduFinance, an international NGO that supports local affordable private schools, today partnered to launch EduQuality, a program providing low-cost, quality professional development training to affordable private schools in Tamil Nadu.

Varthana clients from Chennai, Madurai, and Coimbatore will benefit from this partnership through access to EduQuality, a three-year holistic school development program of Opportunity EduFinance which seeks to improve the quality of education for learners and support the growth of sustainable school businesses. Through Varthana’s investment in their client’s growth and success, they have committed to cost-sharing 10% of the total cost of the program. Opportunity EduFinance will subsidize 80% of the program cost as aligned with their mission of supporting affordable private education across India. The remaining 10% (₹10,000 per year) will be the only cost born to participating schools.

The EduQuality program will bring together 120-150 affordable private schools to deliver the following intervention:

•  School Leadership Professional Development: Professional development training delivered to senior school leaders with a focus on instructional leadership and business and financial management to support the growth of sustainable school businesses.
•  Teacher Mentor Professional Development: In-service professional development delivered to teacher mentors with a focus on foundational teacher training, i.e., pedagogy, literacy, and classroom management. Teacher mentors then deliver professional development to their teaching staff at their respective schools.
•  Pathways to Excellence: Strategic school improvement planning which begins with a School Self-Assessment where the school owner diagnoses the quality of education at their school using measurable indicators of school quality and then develops a School Development Plan to improve upon areas of greatest need.

A recent KPMG India study commissioned by Opportunity EduFinance found only 44% of schools in Tamil Nadu conduct teacher training. The study highlighted a greater need for training that focuses on classroom management, overcoming learning loss, improving learning outcomes, and lesson planning. This EduQuality program delivered through the Varthana and Opportunity EduFinance partnership will directly address these identified needs, providing critical professional development training access to equip senior school leaders and teachers of affordable private schools with skills and tools necessary to invest in holistic school quality improvements that can be sustained beyond the life of the program.

Mr. Steve Hardgrave, CEO and Co-founder, Varthana, said, “We feel ecstatic announcing this partnership with Opportunity EduFinance. With affordable private schools growing in the country, and today’s generation thriving on use of technology we see a huge need for upskilling of School leaders and teachers to deliver more result-oriented teaching experience. Through this tie-up we are striving to provide quality education to all affordable private schools that we are associated with in the state of Tamil Nadu.”

Mr. Andrew Mccusker, Head of Education Finance at Opportunity International said, “Varthana is known for building strong relationships with owners of affordable private schools across the country. These relationships help enable schools to develop not just strong infrastructure but also provide academic support via digital learning tools and teaching methods. It is for this reason that we chose to partner with Varthana and develop robust smart schools by empowering teachers with all necessary tools. Our experienced trainers will provide a blended training – digital & in-person – approach delivered in the local language of the respective cities.”

Bangalore, India,27th May 2023: Nykaa today announced its financial results for the quarter and full year ended March 31, 2023. Over the last two years, Nykaa has continued to prioritize growth, profitability and creating long-term sustainable value for shareholders, customers and the larger ecosystem.

India’s BPC market today stands at $21 billion, having grown from $17 billion in 2021. This growth is indicative of the increasing consumer appetite and demand which will fuel the potential of the BPC industry. With its commitment to customer-centricity and innovation, Nykaa has played a pivotal role in building India’s BPC market through consistent education, investments in technology and bringing a diverse range of Indian and international brands on the platforms.

In FY23, Nykaa’s Revenue from Operations stood at Rs 5,143.8 Cr, demonstrating a strong growth of 36% YoY, and the company achieved EBITDA margins of 5% and EBITDA at Rs 256.0 Cr, demonstrating a 57% growth YoY. Gross Margin expanded by 73 bps YoY. EBITDA margins expanded 65bps YoY which was aided by rationalization of fulfilment expenses (164 bps) and marketing optimisation (129 bps).

Over the last two financial years, and further to the IPO, our Revenue from Operations grew from Rs 2440 Cr in FY21 to Rs 5143 Cr in FY23 and EBITDA expanded from Rs 156 Cr to Rs 256 Cr in the same period. We have balanced business growth and profitability by focusing on the right drivers.

Owing to the strength of our platforms, focused offerings and differentiated value propositions our new customer acquisition nearly doubled on a two-year basis, indicating strong post-covid customer interest. Existing customers also expanded their category choices and made repeat purchases with increased frequency.

We continue to invest in technology and marketing to improve platform capabilities and drive healthy new and repeat customer behaviour, while working towards perfecting the experience in each visit. These investments have led to the order-to-visit conversions improving over the last two years, from 2.6% to 3.7% in BPC and 0.6% to 1.0% in Fashion, reaffirming confidence in our overall long-term strategies as we build out differentiated shopping experiences.

Falguni Nayar, Executive Chairperson, MD, and CEO, Nykaa said:

“Visit conversions, as a north star metric, speak a lot towards the platform strength of our business and customer interest in Nykaa as a brand. With steady improvements of over 40% and 60% 2-year growth in beauty and fashion platform conversions, our investments towards building the right technology stack as well as customer-first shopping experiences are paying off. This strong step-function growth also comes on the back of improvements across personalization capabilities, breadth and depth of product portfolio, UI UX enhancements, marketing optimizations and quality of in-bound visit traffic. This metric is reflective of a successful experience right from one downloading the app till they open their delivery package. On a visitor conversion level, this number is even higher as customers tend to browse and explore the platform and its wide offerings before finalizing a purchase.”

To cater to widening consumer demand, we expanded our fulfilment centres to 15 cities, with a total area of almost 1.5 million sq. ft. Strategic investments in regional warehousing have led to us go closer to the customer, improve warehouse manpower productivity, reduced air shipment as well as reduced split shipments. Most importantly, it has reduced the order-to-delivery duration, leading to customer delight.

Our retail business which continues to be a strategic priority, witnessed robust growth over the last two years and has achieved profitability at a business unit level. Nykaa has doubled its own physical store count from 72 at the end of FY21 to 145 beauty stores in FY23, with a total area of more than 1.4 Lacs sq. ft. spanning across 60 cities.

Nykaa takes immense pride in offering an extensive array of beauty and personal care brands and has consistently built this offering in response to consumer demands and evolving trends. We have introduced multiple renowned domestic and international names, such as The Ordinary, Anomaly, Lancome, Acne Squad, Inde Wild, Fable & Mane, and many more. With a comprehensive portfolio of over 3,400 brands, Nykaa continues to redefine beauty retail, making it a go-to destination for all beauty and personal care needs. Our Fashion business has witnessed an impressive growth trajectory of its own, with a 293% growth in GMV over a period of two years. We now showcase over 2,850 brands, including 650 global brands such as Alo, Cider, the multi-brand fashion platform Revolve and an amazing 600+ sustainable brands. We believe in offering not just the latest trends but also choices that align with the values of our customers.

We have continued building a strong house of brands across beauty and fashion with a sharp focus on innovation and consumer delight. The portfolio includes 25 brands including Kay Beauty, Nykaa Naturals, Nykaa Cosmetics, Wanderlust in beauty and Nykd, Gajra Gang, Likha, RSVP, Pipa Bella and Mixt in fashion, that have quickly become household names, as they consistently deliver on inspiration and high performing products to the consumers. Four of these brands have crossed the Rs 100 Cr GMV mark. We recently launched two BPC owned brands in Q4 FY23 – entering the Ayurveda and Wellness space, Nyveda – a potent ayurveda brand and Nudge- a beauty nutraceuticals brand. In Q4 FY23, Nykaa Fashion launched MIXT, a unisex fashion forward brand targeted towards Gen-Z

Emboldened by the support of our partners, we forayed into the GCC market to create a distinct beauty retail experience and forged a strategic alliance with the Apparel Group to build an omnichannel presence in the emerging beauty hotspot.

Our FY23 performance has demonstrated our commitment to growing lifestyle choices for our consumers through our core beauty and fashion businesses.

Kolkata, 27th May 2023: The Indian Chamber of Commerce organised the 2nd East Energy Conclave, a premier gathering of industry experts, policymakers, and investors held on Friday, 26th May 2023. This significant event aimed to shed light on the abundant opportunities for growth and investment within the power sector. The conclave also served as a crucial forum for participants to discuss the emerging trends, challenges, and advancements in the power industry. With a focus on the Eastern region of the country, the event is intended to highlight the untapped potential and investment prospects in this rapidly evolving sector. This facilitated meaningful dialogues to explore avenues for sustainable growth and explore investment opportunities that can further propel the power sector’s development. Renowned personalities from various sectors of the power industry graced the event as esteemed speakers such as Shri Aroop Biswas, Minister-in-Charge, Power, Youth Services and Sports and Housing, Govt. of West Bengal, Mr. Anil Razdan, Former Secretary, Power GOI, Mr. Gautam Ray, President (HR-Power Group), RPSG Group of Companies, Mr. Tanmoy Kumar Banerjee, CMD, Bhavika Commercial Pvt Ltd, Mr. Naresh Juneja, Director, Fenasia Ltd & Honorary CG, Cuba, Mr. Rajib Sutradhar, ED, Eastern Region Load Despatch Centre, and Dr. Rajeev Singh, Director General, Indian Chamber of Commerce.

Mr. Anil Razdan, Former Secretary, Power GOI, expressed his anticipation in the virtual welcome address, stating, “The East Energy Conclave serves as a remarkable platform for discussing the immense potential for growth and investment in the power industry. I am honored to be part of this event and share my thoughts on this crucial subject. I am amazed how the Eastern energy sector not only presents opportunities for growth but also attracts investments. The region boasts an impressive 87% share of hydrocarbon fuels, showcasing its immense potential. Furthermore, the transition towards renewable energy sources is the way forward. Shifting from fossil fuels to non-fossil alternatives will benefit us all. Additionally, the Eastern region, including Assam, Orissa, and Kolkata, holds great potential for growth in sectors such as automobile manufacturing. Strengthening ties with Bangladesh will be beneficial, especially in the areas of hydroelectric power generation and establishing hydroponic houses in the North East. Furthermore, Kolkata’s strategic position as the heart of the region’s industry and commerce, combined with its favourable climate, makes it an ideal hub for energy development. I must also mention that the Eastern region boasts the best pump storage facility in Purulia, which serves as a reliable source of hydroelectric power. It is an exciting time for the energy sector in this region, and I am eager to engage in fruitful discussions and explore ways to harness its full potential.”

As a leading figure in Bhavika Commercial Pvt. Ltd., Mr. Tanmoy Kumar Banerjee brought a unique perspective to the conclave. He conveyed his enthusiasm, stating, “In the face of economic turmoil and geopolitical uncertainties, we witness remarkable growth in the Indian economy. Termed one of the fastest-growing economies globally, India’s GDP is bolstered by the contributions of Jharkhand, Bihar, Orissa, and West Bengal. In particular, West Bengal stands out with its significant 23% contribution, surpassing its population share. Initiatives aimed at promoting business and fostering a favourable investment climate play a pivotal role in the region’s development. West Bengal is a state that has a great deal of potential to accelerate the expansion of the nation because of the East’s distinctive personality and strategic location. We must harness the power of both quantitative and qualitative data to further strengthen the state’s commerce. It is worth noting that West Bengal, with a land area equal to the size of Serbia, possesses abundant human capital and natural resources. The state has made significant strides in the power sector, including hydroelectric, solar, wind, and tidal energy. The contribution of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to the growth and economy of the region is noteworthy. Industrialization plays a crucial role, and initiatives like ‘Make in India’ are instrumental in fostering this transformation. Addressing climate change is a pressing issue, and the transition to renewable energy sources is of paramount importance. We must unlock new avenues and facilitate a seamless transition towards sustainable practices. In this context, business matters, as it holds the key to our collective betterment and the long-term prosperity of the region.”

Director, Fenasia Ltd & Honorary CG, Cuba, Mr. Naresh Juneja’s expertise in energy management and international collaboration added immense value to the conclave. He expressed his optimism, stating, “As the Director, Fenasia Ltd & Honorary CG, Cuba, I am proud to share my insights that we are the 3rd largest electricity producer in the region, generating and selling power to meet the growing demand. Due to increased digitalization and the active incorporation of AI technology, the power sector has seen a phenomenal 7.2% annual growth in the output of renewable energy. The dynamics of the market have seen a significant shift, with the increasing importance of power reserves and the surge in demand for electricity, particularly from industries like the leather sector. To address environmental concerns and reduce carbon footprints, it is crucial that we tap into renewable resources as a sustainable solution. I understand the need to embrace renewable energy sources and work towards a greener future. I believe that by combining innovation, technology, and responsible business practices, we can create a positive impact and contribute to a more sustainable energy ecosystem. It is essential for the industry to recognise the significance of reducing our dependence on fossil fuels and actively seek alternative energy solutions. Through collaboration and continuous efforts, we can pave the way for a cleaner and more sustainable energy landscape, benefiting not only our present but also future generations.”

As a prominent representative of the Eastern Region Load Despatch Centre, Mr. Rajib Sutradhar provided valuable insights into regional energy management. He stated, “As the Executive Director of the Eastern Region Load Despatch Centre, I am closely observing the emerging issues in the power sector. One notable trend is the increasing amount of solar energy generation and the challenges associated with its integration into the grid. We need to address issues such as pattern recognition, ramping, and variability in solar generation to ensure a stable and reliable energy supply. Two key solutions that have gained prominence are battery storage and pump storage. Many ongoing projects focus on enhancing battery storage capacity, enabling better management of intermittent renewable energy sources. Additionally, pump storage facilities, like the one in Purulia, have proven to be effective in balancing the grid during peak demand periods. While there is a significant number of pump storage projects, there is a need to augment solar power generation in the region. Collaboration with neighbouring countries such as Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh holds great promise as they are well-connected and possess abundant sources of power generation. These partnerships allow us to explore opportunities for power exchange, taking advantage of each country’s strengths and addressing the energy demands of the entire region. The Eastern region, with its strategic location and diverse energy resources, has the potential to become a hub for power generation. By leveraging these resources and fostering cross-border collaborations, we can achieve a more robust and sustainable energy landscape in the Eastern region.”

As the esteemed Minister-in-Charge, Power, Youth Services and Sports and Housing, Govt. of West Bengal, Shri Aroop Biswas shed light on the government’s initiatives and policies aimed at driving the power sector’s growth. He expressed his commitment, stating, “It is with immense pride and satisfaction that I reflect on the remarkable progress we have achieved in harnessing solar power sources under the leadership of Mamata Banerjee. In the past, load shedding was a common occurrence, but the visionary efforts of our Chief Minister eradicated this issue from the roots. West Bengal has emerged as a frontrunner in the power sector, with notable contributions from NTPC, DVC, Reliance Power, and Adani Power. We have successfully reduced our reliance on imported coal, ensuring energy self-sufficiency for the state. Notably, the installation of 33 KV power plants since 2011 has been a significant milestone, with a staggering capacity of 85 lakh households receiving uninterrupted power supply. Our commitment to renewable energy is evident with the introduction of solar power plants such as Tungadhowa Solar Park and ACDCL, contributing to the clean and sustainable energy transition. The transformational initiatives implemented have witnessed the reduction of carbon emissions, with Durgapur Power Plant’s law seduction resulting in a commendable decrease from 1706 megawatts to zero. Looking ahead, we are determined to continue our efforts towards further power plant introductions, with a target of installing 4,000 megawatts of additional capacity. The East and North East regions of India hold immense potential and play a vital role in providing access to power for all. Inspired by the words of Rabindranath Tagore, ‘Amar ghore esho’, we invite and encourage all stakeholders to join hands in this transformative journey, fostering progress, prosperity, and a brighter future for all.”

Mr. Gautam Ray, President (HR-Power Group), RPSG Group of Companies, a respected figure within the power industry, enlightened the audience with his profound knowledge. He emphasized, “I wholeheartedly agree with Aroop Biswas’s inspiring quote by Rabindranath Tagore, as it resonates with the global energy landscape. As we gather at the 2nd East Energy Conclave, it is crucial to recognize the urgency of transitioning from fossil fuels to non-fossil fuel sources. With a staggering global target of 2.2 billion watts and 2,500 megawatts in Kolkata alone, the growing energy consumption signifies a holistic growth trajectory. To achieve this transition successfully, we must focus on energy dispatch optimization, scheduling, and the utilization of rich renewable resources. The energy sector has witnessed a qualitative change, with a shift in our approach towards the responsible use of energy. Over the past decade, we have witnessed a significant shift in equipment utilization, particularly in the rapidly emerging e-mobility sector. This shift presents immense opportunities for commercial and technical investments. In our pursuit of a net-zero future, we must prioritize energy efficiency and adopt new, innovative products and technologies. Emphasizing the need for commercial and technical investment, we can drive efficiency, enhance capacity building, and unlock the vast potential for job opportunities. Together, by fostering collaborations and leveraging the collective expertise, we can navigate the challenges and seize the opportunities that lie ahead. Let us work towards a sustainable energy future, where efficiency, innovation, and responsible utilization of resources lead us to a better and brighter tomorrow.”

Dr. Rajeev Singh, the Director General of the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC), emphasised the importance of the conclave, stating, “The ever-increasing energy demand is a reality we cannot ignore. As the pie continues to grow, we must recognise the need for greener and more sustainable options to meet this demand. The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has disrupted power plant operations, further emphasising the urgency to explore alternative and more environmentally friendly solutions. Sustainability and green growth must be at the forefront of our agenda. It is essential to embrace innovative technologies and policies that promote a cleaner and more sustainable energy ecosystem. We must prioritise the development and implementation of strategies that balance economic growth with environmental stewardship. In conclusion, I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to all the esteemed speakers who have shared their valuable insights and expertise. The credit goes to the Chief Minister and Minister Aroop Biswas for their visionary leadership and commitment to driving positive change in the power sector. Aroop Biswas’s emphasis on presenting factual numbers rather than mere rhetoric demonstrates his dedication to practical solutions. I am hopeful that this conclave is rewarding enough for the set of business minds present here and this will create an optimistic effect on the industry.”

Photo Caption of Pic 3 (L-R): Mr. Naresh Juneja, Director, Fenasia Ltd & Honorary CG, Cuba, Mr. Rajib Sutradhar, ED, Eastern Region Load Despatch Centre, Dr. Rajeev Singh, Director General, Indian Chamber of Commerce, Shri Aroop Biswas, Minister-in-Charge, Power, Youth Services and Sports and Housing, Govt. of West Bengal, Mr. Gautam Ray, President (HR- Power Group), RPSG Group of Companies, Mr. Tanmoy Kumar Banerjee, CMD, Bhavika Commercial Pvt Ltd

While WhatsApp calls might seem one of the most convenient options for many, receiving voice/ video calls or messages from unknown international numbers might land one in trouble.

There has been a massive increase in the number of fraudulent calls/ messages received via WhatsApp. People started complaining on Twitter that they are getting calls from countries like Ethiopia (+251), Malaysia (+60), Indonesia (+62), Kenya (+254), Vietnam (+84). Observing the sudden increase in cybercrime, the Zee Business team decided to release an informative video to help citizens avoid falling into the trap of fraudulent WhatsApp calls or messages.

With an aim to let WhatsApp users in India understand the mechanism of fraudulent WhatsApp calls/ messages? Deepika Singh, Social Media Expert & CEO of, DeepCytes presented facts mentioning that specific data sets are sold to hackers. She also mentioned interesting facts on how automation using Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP) becomes a convenient option for hackers as compared to cellular numbers. There is a high possibility that these WhatsApp calls have been automated for mass calling.

Sachin Dedhia, Ethical Hackers also stated that there are also high chances that hackers might try to hack your phone through missed call on an experimental basis.

As this issue was responsibly raised by Zee Business, WhatsApp further carried out certain measures to block calls from international numbers.

The rise of online scams has prompted tech companies to invest heavily in developing innovative solutions that can identify and prevent fraudulent activities in real time. DoT asked the company to take action, by making SIM card mandatory. WhatsApp will soon make SIM cards mandatory to use the app on the phone. WhatsApp has also started intensifying its efforts toward deploying Artificial Intelligence to combat this menace.

Ashwini Vaishnaw, Telecom Minister, further stated, “The government has discussed the issue of fraudulent calls/messages with WhatsApp. In response to the same, WhatsApp has assured continuous commitment to user safety in India.” The Telecom Minister also launched the Sanchar Sathi portal on the occasion of World Telecommunication and Information Society Day This portal aims at helping users track their lost and stolen phones as well.

Highlighting the relevance of timely reportage on Cyber Crime, Anil Singhvi, Managing Editor, Zee Business said, “Zee Business has been consistent in reporting issues that can heavily impact the daily lives of citizens. We hope the informative videos and regular news updates on the ongoing fraudulent calls / messages have been an eye-opener for WhatsApp users to not answer / reply to calls or messages and report it immediately to the concerned authorities.”

Zee Media Corporation Ltd, one of India’s leading media companies, has a strong presence in the news and regional genres, with 13 news channels in seven different languages, reaching more than 528+ million viewers through its linear and digital properties.