12th October 2023 — Arete Group of Companies, a distinguished business conglomerate, announced a momentous partnership with Fortune Hotels, a renowned member of the esteemed ITC hotel group. This partnership is marked by the signing of a significant management agreement that heralds the commencement of the upscale premier hotel in Kevadia, on the banks of the sacred Narmada River, situated in the picturesque locale of Ekta Nagar.

The partnership between Arete Group and Fortune Hotels promises to bring an elevated standard of hospitality to Kevadia, known for its natural beauty and the iconic Statue of Unity and an awe-inspiring and grand tribute to the Iron Man of India, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. The Premier Hotel is poised to become a premier destination, offering guests an exceptional blend of luxury, comfort, and convenience.

Siraj Saiyed, Director of Arete Group, expressed his optimism about the partnership, “This collaboration with Fortune Hotels is a significant step forward in our commitment to providing unparalleled hospitality experiences. This premier hotel will not only elevate the tourism landscape in Gujarat but also reflect our dedication to innovation and excellence.”

The signing event, graced by prominent executives and dignitaries representing both entities, signifies the commencement of an exhilarating venture aimed at establishing a hospitality sanctuary in the heart of Kevadia, situated along the revered Narmada River. This endeavor will address the requirements of both leisure and business travelers, promising a distinctive and unforgettable stay.

Samir MC, Managing Director of Fortune Hotels, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “We are dedicated to expanding our presence in key locations as part of our business development strategy. Kevadia is an exciting addition to our portfolio, representing our sixth signing this year. This partnership is the second collaboration between Fortune Hotels and Arete Group in Gujarat, a testament to the strong foundation of trust and shared vision between our two organizations.”

Mumbai: RecycleKaro, a prominent player in sustainable, lithium-ion battery recycling, has announced a strategic partnership with Bajaj Auto, a global leader in the automotive manufacturer space, for the recycling of lithium-ion batteries. Under this partnership, Recyclekaro will employ its cutting-edge Hydrometallurgy technology to recycle end-of-life batteries from Bajaj Auto vehicles. The innovative Hydrometallurgy technology allows for the recovery of an astounding 95% of high-purity battery raw materials like cobalt, lithium, nickel and manganese, which can then be repurposed to manufacture new batteries.

This collaboration represents a significant milestone in the quest for responsible battery disposal and resource conservation. The partnership is expected to recycle 500 metric tonnes of end-of-life batteries per annum. This ambitious undertaking will not only significantly reduce battery waste but also harness resources more efficiently, aligning with global sustainability goals and the principles of a circular economy.

This ground-breaking initiative not only addresses the mounting challenge of battery disposal but also underscores the imperative need for sustainable practices in the automotive industry. By partnering with RecycleKaro, Bajaj Auto reaffirms its commitment to environmental stewardship and the responsible management of resources.

RecycleKaro’s Founder & Director, Mr. Rajesh Gupta, commented on the partnership, stating, “As the EV market continues to grow rapidly, we are witnessing a significant surge in battery waste, which demands our attention. Leveraging our battery recycling expertise, our commitment is to support Bajaj Auto in their dedication to the circular economy and drive progress in the EV industry. Embracing the circular economy is not just essential; it’s imperative. Through the recycling of these end-of-life batteries, we’re not only reducing waste but also reshaping resource utilization for a sustainable future. This marks a significant stride toward net zero targets.”

RecycleKaro has established India’s largest zero-waste, lithium-ion battery recycling facility in Palghar, near Mumbai, spanning 17 acres. Equipped with cutting-edge technology, including a Solvent extraction system, it ensures efficient and safe processing. Achieving over 90% metal extraction efficiency with purity above 99% from scrap batteries, the plant currently handles 2500 metric tonnes of lithium-ion batteries and 7500 metric tonnes of electronic waste. Plans are underway to expand to 50,000 metric tonnes by 2025

Bangalore, 12th October 2023 — Uber, India’s favorite ride-hailing service has rolled out the Uber Scholar initiative to support children of the driver community on the occasion of its 10th anniversary in India. This initiative extends far beyond the boundaries of Uber and is open to the community of drivers associated with various companies across Delhi NCR and Bangalore.

Uber acknowledges that education is the foundation of personal and societal advancement. As part of this initiative, Uber is supporting 1000 children from primary to post-graduation in their education pursuits by providing them with support including tuition fees and online devices and tools essential for their success.

As it marks its 10 years in India, Uber also recognized and celebrated the unwavering dedication of its top 100 driver partners in an appreciation event hosted across 10 cities. Uber honoured the children of its top-rated drivers with e-learning devices to support their academic pursuits in an ever-growing digital world. This initiative underscores Uber’s steadfast commitment to the driver community that powers the platform.

Prabhjeet Singh, President, Uber India and South Asia, said, “Uber’s 10-year celebration is incomplete without our drivers and for us it’s not just about looking back at our collective achievements but also about giving back to the communities we serve. We believe that every child deserves access to education and through this initiative, we aim to bridge the gap and do our bit in offering better opportunities to all.”

As Uber continues to grow its presence in India, it has remained committed to empowering driver partners with improved access to financial support, health insurance, medical consultations and education.

Mumbai, 12th October 2023: Amazon miniTV, Amazon’s free video streaming service, recently premiered its latest medical drama series, Who’s Your Gynac? starring Saba Azad. Talking about women’s health and their emotional well-being, the series is a delightful blend of emotions, love, drama, and heartwarming moments. Currently available for free on Amazon miniTV, the story follows the journey of Dr. Vidushi, a fresher Obstetrics, and gynecologist juggling between her professional and personal life. This captivating drama stars Karishma Singh, who truly excels in her portrayal of Swara Iyer, and she candidly spoke about her role in the series.

Talking about her character, Karishma shares, “I portray Swara Iyer, who hails from Chennai and has been raised by her grandparents since she was seven. She is a career-driven woman who balances her life and work well and is always there for her family,” she shared.

When asked about her co-actors, she expressed her gratitude and said, “It has been a wonderful journey, all of them are so talented and amazing to work with. Saba is an exceptional performer, and I learned a lot of things from her, she kept motivating me to perform better. With Aaron, he always kept the environment of the set bright with so much positivity and fun. Coming to Vibha Ma’am, her experience in the industry speaks for itself, she is the best at what she does. Kunal is yet another gem to work with. Working with each one of them was truly enjoyable and I hope the audience likes the show.

Unfold the journey of a Gynac filled with drama, emotions, love, and quirky-confused patients with ‘Who’s Your Gynac?’ streaming live on Amazon miniTV, for free within the Amazon shopping app, on Fire TV, and on Playstore.

Karnataka Tourism, renowned for its rich cultural heritage, picturesque landscapes, and vibrant traditions, enthralled visitors at the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA). The event held in New Delhi from the 4th to 6th of October 2023, served as a remarkable platform for Karnataka Tourism to promote its heritage and wildlife with an 18-sq mts stand.

The Karnataka Tourism stand featured a stunning representation of Heritage Temple Marvels, including iconic landmarks such as the Hampi Chariot, Hoysaleshwara Temple, Chennakeshava Temple, Badami, and more, offering attendees a visual journey through Karnataka’s historical treasures. Additionally, there was a prominent display of the majestic tiger, symbolizing Karnataka’s commitment to wildlife conservation and the state’s rich biodiversity.

The stand effectively combined elements of heritage temples and wildlife, providing a comprehensive representation of the state’s unique attractions. By seamlessly integrating heritage and wildlife, the Karnataka Tourism stand at PATA 2023 offered visitors an immersive experience.

The event was attended by Shri. Janardan HP, Joint Director of the Department of Tourism Karnataka. During the event, he engaged in discussions with tour operators, travel agents, and other key stakeholders. These interactions aimed to strengthen existing ties and establish new partnerships, ultimately boosting tourism to Karnataka.

Karnataka Tourism’s presence at PATA New Delhi 2023 underscores the state’s commitment to fostering sustainable tourism, promoting diverse cultural experiences, and showcasing its unique offerings to a global audience. The event served as a platform for Karnataka Tourism to collaborate, innovate, and discuss the latest trends shaping the travel industry. With its incredible diversity, Karnataka remains a top tourist destination throughout the year, inviting visitors to revel in its splendid wonders. The success of Karnataka’s participation at PATA New Delhi 2023 reaffirms Karnataka’s position as a must-visit destination.

New Delhi, 12th October 2023: To address one of the most pressing issues impacting the education of girl children in India, Delhi-based NGO Wishes and Blessings organized a workshop on menstrual hygiene at Kasturba Balika Vidyalaya in Ishwar Nagar in Delhi on the occasion of International Day of Girl Child. At the workshop, the volunteers from the NGO educated female students at the school on the importance of sanitary hygiene and its benefits. Following the informative workshop, Wishes and Blessings distributed sanitary pads in collaboration with Bliss Natural Pads among the students to further raise awareness on the issue.

“Menstrual cycle has always been a stigmatized topic. Through this workshop, we aim to normalize the topic of menstruation and menstrual hygiene. Teenage girls often lack proper knowledge about menstruation due to taboos and sociocultural restrictions, leading to health issues and shame in families and communities, as they are often unaware of scientific facts and sanitary practices. This has also led to several girl students dropping out of school. Our objective is to keep spreading awareness on the issue and help girl children get equal access to quality education,” said the Founder and President of Wishes and Blessings Dr Geetanjali Chopra.

More than 150 students and faculty of Kasturba Balika Vidyalaya participated in the workshop. The zealous participation of the students depicted their curiosity on the issue and their interest in talking about sanitary hygiene freely. Wishes and Blessings team apprised the participants on various issues related to menstrual hygiene.

“As noted in many previous scenarios, the lack of sufficient knowledge about sanitary health practices related to menstruation often leads to girls dropping out of school. According to a study by the UN’s child protection agency, UNICEF, 71 percent of adolescent girl children in the country lack proper awareness of menstruation. We are thankful to NGO Wishes and Blessing for conducting the workshop, which will significantly help the children feel safe and have equitable knowledge regarding the matter,” mentioned Anita Sharma, Vice-Principal of Kasturba Balika Vidyalaya.

Navratri, a lively and extravagant celebration, is commended with tremendous energy and commitment in India and by Hindus around the world. This nine-night celebration, devoted to the Goddess Durga, denotes the triumph of good over evil and represents the victory of light over dimness. As we celebrate the beginning of the festive season here are some products from Shopclues that will make you and your loved ones dazzle with sparkle as you prepare to dance away and play dandiya.

SILVER SHINE Silver plated Designer Necklace Set:

This set, comprising a pendant necklace and earrings, boasts an ethereal blend of traditional and contemporary elements. The oxidized silver pendant features self-textured design and a graceful pearl drop, adding a modern twist to ethnic aesthetics. Secure the necklace with the adjustable Drawstring closure and revel in its exquisite charm.

JSD Gold Plated Bangles Set:

Elevate your style with the JSD Gold Plated Bangles Set for Women and Girls. This stunning set features size-adjustable bangles, promising a perfect fit for all. The captivating gold colour adds a touch of radiance to any ensemble. Rest assured with JSD’s commitment to 100% qualitative products. Remember to store these beauties in air-tight pouches and keep them away from deodorants and perfumes to maintain their allure.

Sharda Creation Rama & Red Woven Art Silk Saree:

Embrace the timeless charm of Indian tradition with the Sharda Creation Rama & Red Woven Art Silk Saree. This woven art silk saree beautifully blends the hues of Rama and Red, creating a captivating visual. Drape yourself in this elegant saree to make a statement at any occasion, blending sophistication with cultural richness.

Prijam Men’s Orange Long Straight Fit Kurta:

Experience the perfect blend of style and comfort with the Prijam Men’s Orange Long Straight Fit Kurta. Crafted from fine cotton silk fabric, this kurta is a timeless choice for weddings and festive occasions. With its vibrant orange hue and meticulous tailoring, it exudes a classic and traditional aura, making it ideal for both everyday wear and special events.

Adjustable Rings Set:

This Beautiful Ring set is crafted from high-quality alloy and silver plating, these rings showcase a solitaire with adjustable sizing, ensuring a perfect fit for both him and her. Express your love on a daily basis or on significant occasions with these elegantly designed rings, adding a touch of charm and grace to your personality. A thoughtful gift for your beloved, suitable for Valentine’s Day, birthdays, or anniversaries. Stay stylish and keep shining with this stunning jewellery ensemble.

                                                                                                                            Bhuwal fashion Bangalore satin semi-stiched embroidery lehenga:

Explore the epitome of style and tradition with our Bhuwal Fashion Banglory Satin Semi-Stitched Embroidery Lehenga. Crafted from premium-quality Banglory Satin, it offers a superbly embroidered design. Versatile and customizable, it’s semi-stitched for a tailored fit up to your preferred size. Ideal for family functions and festivals, promising genuine quality and timeless style.

Mumbai 11,October, 2023: The season of gifting and festivities is almost here and Walnuts from Chile are in India now to be a part of our celebrations! ChileNut, the grower and exporter association of Chilean walnuts with the support of ProChile, the institution of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that promotes the supply of Chilean goods and services in the world is launched in India to embark the new season of the Chilean Walnuts to Indian consumers.

Chile being in the southern hemisphere, perfectly complements the Indian walnut production period. This counter seasonality allows Indian consumers to try out fresh Chilean products when supplies from other origins are unavailable. Chilean walnut is recognized as being the best in the world, thanks to its extra-light color, freshness and its high yield. Chilean walnuts are being exported to over 70 countries and India is one of our fastest growing markets.

Ms. Marcela Zúñiga Alegría, Trade Commissioner of ProChile, New Delhi said that “Chile has unique natural conditions that allows it to grow very high-quality walnuts that are renowned across the globe. The Andes to the east, the Pacific Ocean to the west, the Atacama Desert in the north and Antarctica in the south provide natural barriers to Chile and guard the orchards from any harm. Indian consumers love the taste of these walnuts that are preferred across the world,” she added.

Speaking on the India campaign, Mr. Sumit Saran, In-Country Marketing Representative for Chilean Walnuts remarked, “We foresee immense potential of Chilean Walnuts in India. The demand here for high quality walnuts is continuously rising. Chile will have an important role as the production of walnuts in Chile is 100% counter seasonal to Indian walnuts and also to other northern hemisphere walnut origins that are supplying to the market. The harvest of Chilean walnuts happens in May-July period and the walnuts are available in India, August onwards, perfectly in time for our festive period. We have chalked out an extensive trade and media strategy to take this clearest and the freshest walnut to discerning Indian consumers across the country. These walnuts are available both with retailers and on e-commerce platforms,” Saran added.

Hyderabad saw the opening of Interwood ‘s 16th exclusive brand outlet at the Asian sun city Building located behind the AMB mall at Kothaguda Circle. The event was a day long soirée that witnessed the congregation of the best design minds comprising of architects, interior designers and boutique builders alike.

With more than 14curated ensembles of Modular Kitchens and wardrobes, the experience centre is replete with an entire suite of the brand s best offerings. It works on a design, develop and install principle where every Kitchen and wardrobe solution is made to order based on the customer’s requirements.

Enumerating the brand’s vision, Mr. Hardeep Sawhney (Chairman Interwood) said “Interwood, over the last thirty years in existence has evolved into a mature brand fulfilling aspirations and desires of premium Indian households helping them transform the way they cook and live.” He further stated the readiness of Interwood in catering to the demand drive caused by growing demographics of cities like Hyderabad.

The brand has its USP as – “The best of European grade quality, at honest Indian Prices. It stands up to its reputation of having serviced more than 20,000 premium households over the last three decades boasting of an impressive repertoire of clients. Speaking on the occasion Ms. Kasturi Sawhney (Executive director) stated “With a wide range of design and finishes being offered, the architects and interior designers will experience a latitude of options to express their design sensibilities.”

With a captive manufacturing facility spread over 1 lac sft. at Bangalore, Interwood has a capacity to produce about 1000 kitchens and wardrobes in a month.

About Interwood:

Interwood is a legacy brand and a leading provider of high-quality Modular Kitchens & Wardrobes for premium homes. Their products are made using state-of-the-art German technology, and they use the most modern of materials and manufacturing techniques.

Their products are also designed to reflect contemporary design trends. Their goal is to provide customers with products that accentuate the living ambience in their homes with human safety and wellness as their core purpose. They are committed to offering products that are stylish, functional, and durable.

They also offer excellent customer service, and stand behind their products with a satisfaction guarantee. Their products are made from smart and sustainable materials and incorporate contemporary design methods reflecting innovation and their commitment to providing only the best for their customers.

Bengaluru, October 11, 2023: Nuivio Ventures Inc., a US-based tech venture builder, has onboarded Basant “Baz” Venugopal as its Partner and Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Baz will assume a pivotal role in shaping Nuivio’s financial management and driving fundraising initiatives to support Nuivio’s startup studio model of ideating, building and scaling up promising startups, fostering their growth and success.

Baz comes to Nuivio with significant financial and leadership experience in the startup and venture capital industry, previously serving KPMG and EY in deal and business advisory teams. He had successfully launched and managed a North America based capital advisory firm wherein he had raised capital of over USD 350 million over the last 5 years for startup and midcap clients. He has led and delivered on finance transformation and has a proven track record of finance control, risk and compliance, fund raise and M&A.

This appointment reflects Nuivio’s commitment to strengthen its leadership team to support its portfolio companies. Nuivio’s current portfolio companies include Ignitho, a successful AI & Digital Engineering services company; Piqual, a B2B sales lead generation SaaS platform and Talentou, an AI-driven talent scouting SaaS platform. The venture-builder has been bootstrapped thus far and is planning a potential pre-Series A fund raise of USD 7-8 million by mid-2024.

Commenting on Baz’s appointment, Joseph Olassa, CEO of Nuivio Ventures, said, “We are thrilled to have Baz Venugopal join our leadership team. His financial acumen and commitment to disciplined financial management align perfectly with Nuivio’s mission to create value for our investors and portfolio companies. Nuivio Ventures has been growing its portfolio through internal revenue accruals and Baz’s experience will enable us to raise external capital by showcasing Nuivio as a great investment opportunity to potential investors”.

Scott Nugent, CCO at Nuivio, stated, “Baz’s appointment underscores our dedication to building a strategic portfolio of AI companies with streamlined financial management. Nuivio is firmly committed to creating sustainable value for our stakeholders, and Baz will play a central role in achieving this goal.”

 

Baz Venugopal shared his excitement about joining Nuivio Ventures, “I’m excited to be part of Nuivio and its commitment to creating value for entrepreneurs and investors. Nuivio provides me with a unique platform and opportunity to build a strong foundation for its growth, innovation and impact in the startup community. I look forward to leading the financial management and fundraising efforts that will support our portfolio companies and drive returns for our investors.”