Senco Gold & Diamonds achieves national footprint of 150 showrooms; opens its largest showroom in India

Senco Gold & Diamonds

Mumbai, 31st October, 2023: Senco Gold & Diamonds, a leading jewellery retailer with over eight decades of legacy reached a landmark of 150 showrooms nationally with the opening of two new showrooms in Kolkata in the presence of its brand ambassador Actress Vidya Balan.

To celebrate this milestone, Vidya Balan graced the inauguration of the company’s two new showrooms in Kankurgachi and Hatibagan, alongside Mr. Suvankar Sen, MD & CEO, Senco Gold & Diamonds and Mrs. Joita Sen, Director and Head of Design & Marketing, Senco Gold & Diamonds. While the Kankurgachi showroom is spread across 2100+ sqft. to cater to the cosmopolitan crowd in the neighbourhood, the Hatibagan showroom spread across 11500+ sq.ft. is Senco’s largest showroom nationally.

The new showrooms at Kankurgachi and Hatibagan are designed to provide the customers a luxurious and an immersive shopping experience, with an extensive collection of jewellery pieces in gold, diamonds, and precious gemstones, to cater to diverse customers of the city.

As part of the grand celebration, Senco Gold & Diamonds launched an array of designs and jewellery pieces under Shagun Collection, a range of exquisite pieces for all occasions, from contemporary light weight to the royal traditional designs. The Lotus collection by Everlite is inspired from the motifs of Lotus with enamel and meenakari work signifying auspiciousness and prosperity and blessings of Goddess Laxmi for Dhanteras and Diwali. The Signature Collection was inspired by the Senco’s logo created with motifs of swan and lotus, representing the serenity and blessings of Lakshmi Puja. The Power Collection is inspired by the power that resides in nature and within us. The collection represents the innate power and resilience of every individual that shines through with time and the tide of life experiences. The Meenakari, Nakshi, Filigree and Jadau work on each jewellery piece, brings forth the finesse of Senco Gold and Diamonds’ craftsmanship.

Commenting on this historic occasion, Mr. Suvankar Sen, MD & CEO, Senco Gold & Diamonds said, “We are excited to celebrate this incredible milestone with the launch of our 150th showroom, and we are privileged to have Vidya Balan with us to make this occasion even more special. Vidya Balan, an embodiment of grace and elegance, has been an integral part of the Senco Gold & Diamonds family for several years. Her association with Senco Gold & Diamonds has been characterized by a shared commitment to celebrating the beauty and spirit of women, and she has been instrumental in showcasing our jewellery collections that resonate with the contemporary Indian woman. We shall continue our endeavour to offer exquisite jewellery while ensuring customer satisfaction.”

Mrs. Joita Sen, Director and Head of Design & Marketing, Senco Gold & Diamonds said, “Celebrating our 150th showroom is not just a milestone for Senco Gold & Diamonds; it’s a testament to our unwavering commitment to adorning the dreams of millions. With the grace and elegance of Vidya Balan, our beloved brand ambassador, this moment shines even brighter, reflecting our shared values of beauty, tradition, and the spirit of every Indian woman.”

Vidya Balan said, “My association with Senco Gold & Diamonds goes back a long way. Senco’s journey has been a remarkable one and the milestone of 150 showrooms showcases their commitment to providing exceptional craftsmanship and exquisite designs that has won the hearts of millions of jewellery connoisseurs over the years. It is a pleasure to be present today on this momentous occasion and I wholeheartedly congratulate Suvankar Sen, Joita Sen and the entire team of Senco Gold & Diamonds.”

To celebrate this grand occasion, there are a host of special offers for the customers – up to 25% off on making charges of Gold Jewellery; only Re.1 making charge on Diamond Jewellery and upto 8% off on Diamond value for Diamond Jewellery. These offers will be available at all Senco Gold & Diamonds showrooms and on its online platforms sencogoldanddiamonds.com

CapitaLand Hope Foundation partners Pratham Education Foundation to expand its holistic learning programme

CapitaLand Hope

Bangalore,31st October 2023 — CapitaLand Hope Foundation (CHF), the philanthropic arm of CapitaLand Group (CapitaLand), is collaborating with Pratham Education Foundation to pilot the latter’s holistic learning programme “Hamara Gaon” in 12 more underserved communities in Karnataka state where the children of the two schools supported under the CapitaLand Hope School Programme are from. CHF has committed to kickstart the programme with a donation of S$108,000 (INR 6.5 million) to support the first year’s funding. The funding will also support the ongoing programme in 50 communities located across Devanahalli and Kolar districts. This will increase the total number of beneficiaries to more than 3,000 children aged three to 14.

CHF’s support for the learning programme is part of CapitaLand’s #GivingAsOne 2023 and is announced during the CapitaLand International Volunteer Expedition (IVE) to improve the facilities and engage the students of Government Kannada and English Medium Higher Primary School in Bangalore. Over three days from 28 to 30 October 2023, more than 50 CapitaLand staff volunteers from six countries – India, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, United Kingdom and Vietnam – decorated the school classrooms and common areas with hand-painted wall murals, enhanced the play area with a sandpit, and added more shelves and books in the reading room. They also organised CapitaLand’s “Little Architect Programme” workshops to broaden the students’ knowledge and interest in architecture, sparking their imagination and creativity.

Government Kannada and English Medium Higher Primary School is one of three schools in India under the CapitaLand Hope School Programme. The other two are Government Hi-Tech Kannada and English Medium Higher Primary School, also in Bangalore, and Government Marathi Medium Higher Primary School, in Pune. To date, CHF has contributed over INR 100 million to support the development of the schools, which serve close to 1,300 students yearly. Including these three schools, the CapitaLand Hope School Programme has supported the educational needs of underserved children from 32 schools in China, India and Vietnam by providing them with a safe and conducive learning environment.

Mr Tan Seng Chai, Executive Director of CHF and Senior Executive Director of CapitaLand Investment, said, “At CapitaLand, we are committed to doing good and building resilience in the communities where we operate. Through our long-running IVE programme, which has returned after a three-year COVID-19 hiatus, we hope to strengthen our employees’ sense of purpose by providing them with an opportunity to make a meaningful difference to the communities we support and witness first-hand the social impact of our giving efforts. The IVE is a highlight of CapitaLand’s annual #GivingAsOne campaign, which rallies our staff, tenants and partners to augment our giving effort through collective participation. We are grateful to our volunteers for their dedication, compassion and commitment in making our #GivingAsOne campaign a success.”

Mr Sanjeev Dasgupta, CEO, CapitaLand Investment India, said, “Our commitment to improving access to learning among underserved children extends beyond enhancing their school facilities to providing them with continual support, as exemplified by our collaboration with the Pratham Education Foundation. The learning programme enables us to reach out to a wider society beyond our immediate communities and make a meaningful impact in their lives. We also take immense pride in welcoming staff volunteers from all around the world to India, showcasing the potential of collective action and the positive change we can achieve when we come together.”

“Pratham is committed to helping children build and sustain their foundational learning skills. We’re thrilled to partner with CapitaLand Hope Foundation, and for getting us closer to ensuring every child is learning well,” added Dr Rukmini Banerji, CEO, Pratham Education Foundation.

Amplifying collective impact through CapitaLand’s #GivingAsOne 2023

The third edition of CapitaLand’s annual #GivingAsOne global campaign was held from September to October 2023 for staff, tenants, business partners and customers to do good together by uplifting the lives of vulnerable groups in communities where CapitaLand operates. In all, over 1,300 staff, tenant and community volunteers from various parts of the world came together to support over 7,300 beneficiaries in China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam.

35 activities were organised during the campaign months, contributing to over 9,700 volunteer hours. For every volunteer hour contributed to #GivingAsOne, CHF has committed to donate S$20 to support education, health and well-being initiatives for children, youth and seniors. In conjunction with the CapitaLand IVE to Bangalore, CHF has also committed to donate S$20 for every CapitaLand employee who took part in recording a “Namaste India” video greeting to delight the students of Government Kannada and English Medium Higher Primary School. At the conclusion of #GivingAsOne 2023, CHF has pledged to donate over S$600,000 (INR 36 million) to support a variety of community initiatives, including committing S$108,000 (INR 6.5 million) to the learning programme with Pratham Education Foundation.

Manav Rachna Educational Institutions Sign MoU with the International Baccalaureate

Manav Rachna Educational

In a significant development that promises to revolutionize education and empower students to thrive and make a difference, the Manav Rachna Educational Institutions (MREI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the International Baccalaureate (IB).

This partnership aims to establish the IB continuum curriculum (PYP, MYP, DP and CP) in schools, implement the IB’s Career-related Programme (CP) in Manav Rachna group of Schools, enable CP students to enrol in the two local universities – Manav Rachna (MRU) and Manav Rachna International Institute of Research and Studies (MRIIRS) – and establish a Centre for Advanced Learning.

The Centre for Advanced Learning will offer the IB Educators Certificate, intended for aspiring educators who seek to acquire the knowledge and skills required to deliver the IB framework effectively and proficiently. The newly launched Centre is dedicated to providing world-class training to IB educators, making Manav Rachna Group the first-ever institution to offer such training in the region.

The IB Leadership Team was represented by Dr. Amy Parker Dixon, Director of Marketing and Communications and Mr. Haif Bannayan, Global Director of Business Development, Mr. Mahesh Balakrishnan, Development and Recognition Manager for India and Nepal, and Mr. Shashikant Vishwakarma, Development & Recognition Associate Manager for India.

The collaboration with the IB represents a shared commitment to providing holistic education for all students, expanding access to IB programmes and offering professional and training development opportunities and resources for educators. The MoU was signed in the presence of Dr. Prashant Bhalla – President, MREI; Dr. Amit Bhalla – President, MREI; Prof (Dr.) Sanjay Srivastava – VC, MRIIRS; Prof (Dr.) I K Bhat, Vice Chancellor, MRU; Dr. Sangita Banga, Pro Vice Chancellor, MRU; Ms Rashima V Varma, Director, IB Schools; Prof (Dr.) Gauri Bhasin, COO & Executive Director, Admissions & Marketing; Mr. Rajiv Kapoor – Managing Director, MREI; Ms. Ritu Dubey – Head of School, IB at MRIS Sector 14; Mr. Emanule Pesoli – Head of Academics, IB at MRIS Sector 14 and Ms. Sunitha Nambiar – CEO Kunskapsskolan Eduventures Pvt Ltd.

Mr. Haif Bannayan, stated “It has been a pleasure visiting the campus and being welcomed by Manav Rachna. It’s wonderful to see the group of institutions behind the Manav Rachna International Schools and to know about their achievements. I feel the IB continuum fits beautifully as a piece of the puzzle in providing education. We are very excited about this MoU and look forward to further collaboration.”

Dr. Amy Parker Dixon, also shared, “It is wonderful seeing how our values and ambitions align. We place a strong emphasis on the well-being of students and taking a holistic approach to learning, and we have found the same at Manav Rachna.”

Dr. Prashant Bhalla affirmed the partnership, stating “This collaboration will strengthen the efforts and initiatives that we at Manav Rachna have undertaken through various education programmes in a multitude of verticals. IB has given the much-needed global perspective to the learners who prepare for education and career across the world.”

According to Dr. Amit Bhalla, further representing Manav Rachna schools “Our focus has always been on the holistic growth of every learner and with this MoU with the IB, excellence in education will take a new shape at Manav Rachna, taking learning one notch higher. This collaboration will open the doorway for IB learners to get industry aligned education at Manav Rachna.”

The signing ceremony for this MoU took place on October 17, 2023, at the Manav Rachna campus in Faridabad The event was attended by distinguished guests, educators, and students, marking a pivotal moment in the institution’s history. This MoU will benefit all the Manav Rachna International Schools and Kunskapsskolan Schools that are a part of the MREI tree.

Mr. Mahesh Balakrishnan further expounded, “It’s wonderful to see what Manav Rachna has been doing in the domain of sports, teaching-learning in the government schools of Haryana, and in the culinary space. There are vast opportunities for industry-aligned education for the students here and we are happy and excited about IB students coming to Manav Rachna.”

Experience Sony’s best-in-class customer service for cameras and lenses at the newly revamped Alpha Service Center in Thane

Experience Sony

Mumbai, 31st October 2023: Sony India announces upgrade of its service center in Thane to Alpha Camera Body repair center to provide best-in-class customer service for camera body and lenses. With upgrade of this Alpha Service Center in Thane, Sony has now expanded its footprint across 25 cities in India including Delhi, Ghaziabad, Jaipur, Ludhiana, Chandigarh, Chennai, Coimbatore, Cochin, Trivandrum, Kozhikode, Hyderabad, Vijayawada, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Pune, Nagpur, Indore, Kolkata, Guwahati, Bhubaneswar, Bangalore, Mangalore, Lucknow, Patna and Thane.

Vishal Mathur, National Head of Customer Service at Sony India, said, “We have always strived to deliver the best services to our customers and this has led us to widen our service network across India. This expansion for Alpha Camera body and lens repairs facilities is a testament to the brand’s continued dedication to customer satisfaction”.

Sony India now has the widest service network of after sales support for Digital Imaging products with 8 service centers for lens repairs, 29 service centers for Alpha Camera Body repair across 25 cities, 40+ service centers which can offer basic services like CCD Imager cleaning and firmware updates and 220+ collection centers pan India.

Mukesh Srivastava, Head of Digital Imaging Business at Sony India, said, “By supporting and assisting partners in local markets, Sony aims to ensure customers receive exceptional service and satisfaction along with quicker and faster turnaround at all outlets across the country. The new service centers will offer customers a seamless experience across multiple touch-points to provide a consistent brand experience that surpasses expectations.”

The service centers are equipped with the necessary jigs and tools to deliver the best quality repair of Alpha camera body, Camera Lens, Professional Cameras, and other digital imaging products like Digital Still Cameras and Camcorders. Customers can also avail of instant services for basic support like CCD Imager cleaning and getting the latest firmware update to enjoy the best performance from their products. The friendly customer care staff at these service centers will help customers to register their in-warranty products on the Sony Alpha Community portal to enable them to avail free of cost additional one-year warranty on applicable products.

Sony India will soon roll out a free checkup camp at these service centers where customers can get CCD imager cleaning for a maximum of three products and get the latest software version updated.

Popeyes India’s Mega Chance to Score ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Final Tickets

Popeyes India'

India, 31st October 2023 Popeyes®, the iconic US fried chicken brand, is thrilled to present an extraordinary opportunity for all Indian cricket enthusiasts. Get ready to win coveted match tickets for the ODI Men’s Cricket World Cup Final Live in Ahmedabad on 19th Nov’23.

To kick off the cricket season with unmatched enthusiasm, Popeyes India has unveiled an array of World Cup Special Combos. When you purchase any of these special Combos, not only do you receive a complimentary branded sipper, but you also earn 1 run for every Re. spent. The top 4 scorers between 15th September and 31st October will be the lucky winners of these exclusive match tickets to witness the Men’s Cricket World Cup Final.

Popeyes made its grand debut in India with the launch of its flagship restaurant in Bengaluru, followed by a rapid and successful expansion into multiple cities, including Chennai, Manipal, Coimbatore, and Hyderabad and Madurai. Chicken aficionados across these cities have warmly embraced Popeyes in India. The meteoric success of Popeyes® can be attributed to its meticulous hand-breading, battering, and marinating of locally sourced fresh chicken for a full 12 hours in distinctive Cajun seasonings – a classic fusion of cayenne pepper, garlic, onion, black and white pepper, and celery, guaranteeing a truly memorable gastronomic experience with every bite.

Gaurav Pande, Executive Vice President and Head of Business at Popeyes India, shared his thoughts on this unique campaign, saying, “Cricket in India is more than just a game; it has the power to unite people from all walks of life. Similarly, Popeyes India aims to unite friends and family through their iconic Louisiana-style fried chicken and signature Cajun flavors. During the ongoing ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, we at Popeyes India have a special treat for our die-hard cricket fans. Order any World Cup Special combo at our participating Popeyes stores and stand a chance to win two tickets to the ICC Men’s ODI World Cup final. Popeyes®, renowned for its world-famous Chicken Sandwich and a range of freshly sourced, antibiotic-free chicken special combos, offers not only flavor in every bite but also this unique opportunity for cricket enthusiasts to witness the ICC Men’s World Cup final LIVE.”

With India hosting the ICC ODI World Cup, emotions are set to reach fever pitch as millions of fans come together to support their favorite teams and players. ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup tickets are scarcely available as most of them have been sold out. Fans of Popeyes across Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Coimbatore, and Manipal have this golden opportunity to turn their dreams into reality. Simply visit any of our restaurants, purchase any of our World Cup Special combos, and stand a chance to enjoy the Men’s Cricket World Cup Final Live from the stadium!

To further enhance the flavor, excitement, and passion for the sport, Popeyes has partnered with Coca-Cola. This innovative and seamless collaboration between two beloved global F&B giants, each deeply embedded in the hearts of millions, promises an experience filled with joy and delight.

Social Welfare & Women Empowerment Dept., Government of Tamil Nadu and APCC brings Hope to Women’s Health with their latest Self Breast Examination Drive

Social Welfare & Women Empowerment Dept

Chennai, 31st October 2023 In a significant move to raise awareness about breast cancer and emphasize the importance of early detection, Apollo Proton Cancer Centres (APCC), the first and largest Proton Therapy Centre in South Asia and the Middle East, along with the Department of Social Welfare & Women Empowerment, Government of Tamil Nadu, released a Self-Breast Examination Chart and Animated Video. The unveiling of this pivotal initiative took place at Commissioner of Social Welfare office in Chennai. The awareness video and chart will be played in 2286 Primary Health Centres, 434 Child Development Project Offices, 38 District Social Welfare Offices, 38 District Project Offices and 38 Collectorate Offices and all Corporations.

The Chart was unveiled by Ms. P Geetha Jeevan, Hon’ble Minister for Social Welfare & Women Empowerment Department, Government of Tamil Nadu, along with Thiru. Shunchongam Jatak Chiru, I.A.S Principal Secretary to Govt. Social Welfare and Women Empowerment Dept., Tmt. V. Amuthavalli, I.A.S Commissioner of Social Welfare and Women Empowerment Dept, Tmt. S. P. Kaarthiga, I.A.S, Additional Director, Social Welfare and Women Empowerment Dept, Mr. Harshad Reddy, Director- Group Oncology & International, Apollo Hospitals Group, and key medical experts including, Dr. Sapna Nangia, Senior Consultant, Radiation Oncologist, Dr. Manjula Rao, Consultant Breast Oncosurgeon, Dr. Prasad E, Senior Consultant- Medical Oncologist, and Dr. Muktha Mahajan, Lead – Breast & Interventional Radiology.

The Self Breast Examination Chart and Animated Video are aimed at empowering women with the right knowledge and skills to perform regular self-breast examinations, a critical step in the early detection of breast cancer. Early detection is a key factor in enhancing the chances of successful treatment and a better survival rate. This collaborative endeavor aligns with the commitment of both Apollo Proton Cancer Centres and the Tamil Nadu Government to enhance healthcare awareness and outreach to a larger audience. The Self Breast Examination Chart will be prominently displayed in over 2800+ Government centres across Tamil Nadu, ensuring that the message reaches women across diverse regions of the State.

Sharing her thoughts on the impact of this initiative, Ms. P Geetha Jeevan, Hon’ble Minister for Social Welfare & Women Empowerment Government of Tamil Nadu, said, “Empowerment through knowledge is the key to women’s well-being. We are proud to be associated with this initiative that aims to educate women about their health, encouraging them to take charge and make informed choices. Our collaboration with Apollo Proton Cancer Centres brings an innovative way to promote health education and empower the women of Tamil Nadu in their own healthcare journey. These self-breast examination charts and videos are an essential tool to raise awareness and promote early detection of breast cancer, potentially saving countless lives across the State.”

Dr Manjula Rao, Consultant – Breast Oncoplastic Surgery, highlighted the importance of early detection, saying, “Breast cancer is associated with excellent prognosis and survival when detected early. If detected before it spreads to the regional lymph nodes, 5-year survival outcomes are as high as 99%. Self-breast examination is a simple tool that women can use, to be mindful of their breast health and catch a breast tumour early. While the majority of breast lumps are not cancerous, it is important to get them shown to a doctor who can rule them out. Painless breast lump, spontaneous nipple discharge, nipple retraction, skin redness, dimpling, non-healing ulcer, etc. are some signs and symptoms to look out for.”

Dr. Prasad E, Senior Consultant – Medical Oncology, shed light on various methods available for early detection, stating, “Numerous methods are available for the early detection of breast cancer, with the goal of treating people on time. For women aged 40 and above, digital X-rays and mammograms are imperative. When there is a strong family history of cancer, early screening with ultrasounds, mammograms, and, in some instances, MRI scans are recommended to detect early lesions. The primary focus should always be on preventing breast cancer through lifestyle adjustments, even though the latest treatments offer exceptionally high cure rates.”

Apollo Proton Cancer Centres continues to further the cause of Breast Cancer Awareness among women and their latest initiative with the Tamil Nadu Government represents a major stride towards improving women’s health and well-being in the region. Through knowledge and awareness, they are advocating early detection of breast cancer and ensuring that no woman’s health is compromised.

NAREDCO Maharashtra Sets the Stage for India’s Largest Real Estate Property Expo, Homethon

The HOMETHON Expo 2023

31st October 2023, MUMBAI: The National Real Estate Development Council (NAREDCO) Maharashtra is all set to host the second edition of HOMETHON Property Expo 2023, India’s largest real estate property expo at the JIO World Convention Centre, BKC, Mumbai from November 24 to 26, 2023. The inaugural HOMETHON Expo held last year received phenomenal success and this year’s expo is seeing an even larger developer presence.

The HOMETHON Expo 2023 will showcase over 500 top-notch projects from Maharashtra’s leading developers. Home buyers will get to choose from an array of properties across segments; be it affordable or luxury housing. These include properties from across Mumbai and MMR as well as Thane, Kalyan, Navi Mumbai, Panvel, Raigad, Mira Road, Vasai, Virar etc. In addition, properties from Pune, Nashik and Nagpur along with second home projects and plotted schemes will also be on display.

Leading housing finance companies have attractive home loan offers awaiting home buyers. The three day property extravagance will showcase premium real estate brands from across the state.

Property prices on offer will range from Rs. 20 lakhs to 15 crores, presenting home buyers a plethora of home buying options to choose from, thus ensuring that they fulfill their dream of owning their desired home. Further facilitating this process, developers on their part are coming up with sweeteners like No stamp duty and no registration charges, No GST, No processing fee, spot benefits and other festive offer benefits.

Commenting on the HOMETHON Property Expo, Mr. Sandeep Runwal, President, NAREDCO Maharashtra, says, “This property exhibition is here at an appropriate time, just a week after Diwali, where home buyer sentiments are at an all time high; further driving housing demand. This expo will further boost home sales as most developers are offering attractive discounts and Diwali offers specially curated for this event. Home buyers should take advantage of all these offerings and take that important decision of buying their dream home at HOMETHON Property Expo 2023.”

Dr. Niranjan Hiranandani, Chairman, NAREDCO says, “The housing market is buoyant with high expectations from home buyers given better job stability, increase in disposable income and aspiration levels on the rise. Taking all these factors together along with the festive cheer, this property exhibition promises to fulfill home buyers long cherished desire of owning a home.”

Mr. Rajan Bandelkar, Vice Chairman, NAREDCO says, “NAREDCO Maharashtra is committed to fostering an ecosystem of trust, transparency and innovation which has significantly improved home buyer sentiments. HOMETHON Property Expo 2023 is a perfect platform for developers to showcase their premium projects to home buyers at special discounted rates.”

Mr. Abhay Chandak, Secretary, of NAREDCO Maharashtra says, “This property expo will act as a catalyst for the rise in housing demand. Bringing developers, home buyers and all stakeholders under one roof will ensure smooth operations in the home buying process.”

The venue of HOMETHON Property Expo 2023 will also include a business lounge and networking centers where attendees can interact with industry veterans and stalwarts. To ease the commute, transportation from key locations in Mumbai to the exhibition venue will be made available. For the visitors, there will be no parking charges and they will get ample of opportunities to win lucky draw prizes

Prominent developers who are slated to participate in this event include Hiranandani Group, Godrej Properties, K Raheja Corp, Piramal Realty, L&T Realty, Birla Real Estate, Shapoorji Pallonji, Adani, Runwal Group, Tata Housing, Prescon, Raunak Group, The Wadhwa Group, Chandak Group, Ekta World, Kanakia, Arkade, Dynamix, Transcon, and many others. Housing Finance Companies like ICICI Bank, Central Bank of India, HDFC Bank, State Bank of India and Aditya Birla Housing Finance, among others, to help facilitate home loans at the event.

Admissions Open to the UG and PG Programme at Krea University

Krea University has commenced the first round of Admissions for the 2024 intake to the 4 year BA (Honours) and BSc (Honours) programme at the School of Interwoven Arts and Sciences (SIAS), as well as the 5 year Integrated BBA+MBA Programme and 2 year MBA Programme at IFMR Graduate School of Business (GSB).

The 4 year BA (Honours) & BSc (Honours) degrees at SIAS helps students identify the Major that best suits their career and life interests. Students can choose a Major in their second year after they complete 11 Core and Skills course requirements at Krea. The University offers Majors in thirteen disciplines, four Double Majors and sixteen Minors, all housed in the Division of Humanities and Social Sciences, Division of Literature and Arts, and Division of Sciences respectively.

The flagship 5 year Integrated BBA+MBA Programme was launched at IFMR GSB, rooted in the belief that a leader needs to get started young, straight out of school, and be offered domain knowledge and gain an understanding of the world of business and management through their undergraduate journey. Designed strategically with flexibility, this programme allows learners the freedom after three years of BBA, to either choose to pursue the MBA programme at IFMR GSB or exit the fourth year with a PG Diploma or head for a year-long sabbatical before joining the MBA programme, again. Specialisation options include business management, entrepreneurship, managing a family business or business journalism.

The 2 year residential MBA Programme allows students to specialise in Data Science & Information Systems, Economics, Finance, Accounting & Quantitative Finance, Organizational Behaviour & Human Resources, Marketing Management, Operations Management and Strategic Management. All courses are taught by scholars with top degrees or by industry leaders from the corporate sector.

“At Krea,” says Professor Nirmala Rao, Vice-Chancellor, Krea University, “we recognise that a solid well-grounded liberal arts and sciences education is central to a 21st century global imagination. Led by our unique interwoven learning pedagogy, our holistic education fosters creativity, intellectual curiosity, and helps in the process of creating knowledge in subjects ranging from the arts, humanities, and social sciences to the natural and applied sciences. Krea’s mission is to attract young minds towards the best educational experience and to prepare them to be global citizens, capable of solving intricate problems through rational and critical thinking. Our students play an important role in co-creating their own learning journey, guided by some of the finest faculty members from across the world. We are excited to welcome a new batch of young learners to script their own unique chapters at Krea.”

Krea University was born with a mission to re-imagine education for the 21st century, guided by a pedagogy that transcends the interdisciplinary and is led by the unique Interwoven Learning philosophy. The University houses two schools, SIAS and IFMR GSB, preparing young students with skills and aptitude in the fields of Liberal Arts and Sciences and Management Education.

Antara Senior Care forays into South India; receives encouraging response from citizens of Bengaluru

Bengaluru,30th October 2023 Antara Senior Care, a subsidiary of the $4 billion Max Group, is expanding its operations into Southern India. As an integrated service provider for all senior care needs, Antara has already positively impacted the lives of more than 15,000 seniors, in its 12 years of operations, primarily in North India. Aligned with its vision to impact more seniors through the delivery of exceptional senior care services, the brand is poised to launch all its products and services in Bengaluru.

With an existing presence in Dehradun and Noida, Antara’s successful independent living Residences for seniors will soon arrive in Bengaluru. The company has signed a non-binding term sheet with a leading realty developer to develop approximately 1 million square feet, delivering around 500 senior residences in a prominent location in Bengaluru.

Under its Assisted Care Services, Antara plans to set up 3 Care Homes, i.e., assisted living facilities in a home-like environment with integrated health care services, in Bengaluru with a total capacity of ~200 beds. Its second offering, Care-at-Home services, are designed to offer tailored and individualised care solutions for seniors in the comfort of their homes. The services include critical care at home, in-home diagnostics, skilled nursing care, patient caregivers, mobile health check-ups, and assistance with daily activities. The third offering, Antara’s MedCare product range, is aimed at aiding the recovery and well-being of seniors and offers a comprehensive range of medical products and equipment readily available on rent and/or for sale. Designed for the unique needs of seniors, the range comprises over 1100 SKUs, from adult diapers, powered wheelchairs, commode chairs, walkers and more, Antara’s MedCare range is available through Antara’s website, Amazon and in chemist retail stores.

AGEasy by Antara, the latest offering from the brand, aims to empower seniors to age with ease and joy through customised health and wellness solutions. It is a holistic D2C platform to help seniors manage common chronic conditions like joint pain, diabetes, hypertension, gut health, fall-management and more. Launching with joint care and fall-management to begin with, the solutions leverage expert-assisted technology, and offer curated products and services. Antara has opened its first AGEasy Health Studio in Koramangala, where customers can walk in, interact with experts, and explore the solutions in person. Other than the Health Studio, customers can interact with Antara’s experts through a scheduled virtual call or home-visit.

Speaking on the developments, Tara Singh Vachani, Vice Chairperson, Max India and Executive Chairperson, Antara Senior Living, said, “While we still enjoy the demographic dividend as a country, this will change over the next few decades. We already have ~120 mn seniors and by 2050, this number will grow to ~300 mn making the country an aged society by the UN’s definition. This will impact several sectors significantly, ranging from healthcare, to housing, to consumer goods and services. The question is – are we effectively equipped for such a demographic shift? Over the last 12 years, our vision for Antara to positively impact the lives of our seniors has manifested through our independent-living senior residences and assisted care services in North India. Expanding our approach to become an integrated ecosystem for senior lifecare and lifestyle solutions, I am happy to note that we will now offer our complete suite of products & services in the southern market, starting with Bengaluru.”

Elaborating on the business expansion, Rajit Mehta, MD Max India and MD and CEO, Antara Senior Living, said, “The senior care sector is rapidly evolving in response to the changing demographics of our country. By mid-2050s, it is projected that we will have more over-65 years population than under-15 years. At Antara, we recognize that this will mean shifting the trajectory, both in terms of business models and scale-up. This implies more investment in senior care and exploring industry alliances to continue to drive innovation in this sector. We are excited to announce our entry into the southern market with all of Antara’s products and services, bringing our expertise and commitment to promote the well-being of seniors in this region. We look forward to creating a holistic ecosystem that uplifts the quality of senior care in India and ensures a dignified and fulfilling life for our seniors.”

Ishaan Khanna, CEO, Antara Assisted Care Services, said, “We are excited to bring all our services to the city of Bengaluru. Our Care-at-Home services and MedCare products have already received overwhelming response from seniors and with plans to open Care Homes soon, we aim to positively impact many more lives in Bengaluru. Through these comprehensive products and services and the innovative AGEasy platform, we, at Antara, are determined to provide seniors with the superior support and resources they need to age with ease and joy.”

MGM Cancer Institute Making Strides for Breast Cancer Walk in Pink Namma Chennai Walkathon

MGM Cancer Institute Making Strides

Chennai, 30th Oct 2023: MGM Cancer Institute, a leading healthcare facility dedicated to pioneering advancements in cancer care, is thrilled to announce the resounding success of the “Walk in Pink @ Namma Chennai” Walkathon. This event, held on the 28th of October, 2023, marked a significant milestone in the ongoing battle against breast cancer, garnering enthusiastic participation and community support.

The Walkathon, which started at the MGM Cancer Institute on Nelson Manickam Road and culminated at Thiru Vi Ka Park in Shenoy Nagar, witnessed an overwhelming response with over 300 registrations. The event was inaugurated with great pomp and enthusiasm by the esteemed presence of Dr. M A Raja, Senior Consultant- Medical Oncology, Director- Oncology Services and Chairman the medical Advisory Board.

The primary objective of “Walk in Pink @ Namma Chennai” was to raise awareness about the risk factors associated with breast cancer and to empower women to take charge of their breast health through regular self-examinations and screenings. The event aimed to foster a sense of communal responsibility and dispel misconceptions surrounding breast cancer.

In addition to the walk itself, the participants, representing a diverse cross-section of society, including cancer survivors, students, doctors, healthcare professionals, and dedicated volunteers, enjoyed an array of engaging activities. These activities were designed to uplift and inspire cancer survivors, including a captivating fashion show, invigorating Zumba sessions, and other surprise elements to enhance their physical and mental well-being.

Early detection is a crucial step in saving countless lives, and “Walk in Pink @ Namma Chennai” stands as a vital stride in breast cancer prevention. By breaking the silence and challenging the stigma surrounding cancer, the event aimed to empower women to openly discuss their health and embrace annual mammography screenings.

The success of this event highlights MGM Cancer Institute’s unwavering commitment to advancing cancer research, treatment, and support services. We are elated to witness the remarkable enthusiasm and sense of community that surrounds the Walkathon. This event not only promotes a healthy lifestyle but also serves as a beacon of hope for all those affected by cancer. Together, we can make a difference and bring about positive change in the fight against cancer.

MGM Cancer Institute extends its heartfelt gratitude to all participants, sponsors, and supporters for making “Walk in Pink @ Namma Chennai” a resounding success. We look forward to continuing our mission to raise breast cancer awareness and provide unwavering support to those affected by this disease.