New Delhi, 26th August 2023 – Godrej Agrovet Limited’s (GAVL) Crop Protection Business today announced that its biostimulant, Combine, has completed 25 years of enabling Indian grape farmers grow better-quality grapes.

Today, India is the 11th largest exporter of grapes in the world with ~1.2 Lacs farmers growing grapes across ~3 Lac acres of total land every year. With 70% of total grapes sown being exported, the total exports have surged at a CAGR of 12.6% in the last decade. And it is herein that Diamore Combine has aided Indian farmers in achieving the right berry size and colour for exports whereas Supershakti Combine has aided in achieving an elongated variety of grapes for domestic market.

Commenting on 25 years of Combine, Balram Singh Yadav, Managing Director, GAVL, said “In a tropical country like India, Combine has been instrumental in aiding farmers get better yield and quality for their grapes. We serve ~90K farming families who grow grapes in close to ~1.5 Lacs acres of land every year. We are happy to have contributed towards putting India on the global grapes map and bringing prosperity to grape-growing farmers.”

Aligned with the guidelines set by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), ‘Combine’ has been a critical instrument in elevating grape quality. With the right application, grape growers are able to achieve premium parameters such as a bunch weight of 400-500 g, berry diameter of 18 mm and above, uniform berry colour, and improved shelf life. These attributes, in tandem with an ability to reduce impact of disease spreading pests like powdery mildew and downy mildew.

Burjis Godrej, Executive Director & COO, Crop Protection Business, GAVL affirmed, “Grapes stand as a significant contributor to India’s export prowess, holding immense potential to bolster our agricultural economy. At Godrej Agrovet, we take pride in our role as enablers, and our product ‘Combine’ emerges as a key to realizing this potential. By enabling grape farmers to grow their harvest aligned to the global quality standards, ‘Combine’ empowers them to attain exceptional grape quality.”

Considering that the grape is an important fruit with high export potential, it is imperative to have a robust system in place to tackle pests as around 50-80% of the yield is lost due to pest attack. As an integral component of the Integrated Disease Management approach, Combine offers solutions that not only target specific pests but also address potential disease issues in grape cultivation.

The company also launched a celebratory pack marking 25 years of Combine and its commitment to better farming in addition to protecting farmers from counterfeit products. Combine’s new pack is user-friendly and comes in a safe packaging bottle. It has a tamper-evident seal which blasts open and falls when anyone tries to open the bottle. The label has complex watermarks to avoid duplication and the bottle also has a hologram – a unique 9-digit code on each and every bottle to ensure authenticity. While the hologram also has smartly embedded letter ‘G’ to assure the customer that the product is genuine, a ‘Braille’ marking on the neck reading danger has also been added for the visually impaired.

Commenting on the same, Rajavelu N.K, CEO, Crop Protection Business, GAVL said, ‘As pests and diseases threaten grape yields, there is a need to popularize Integrated Disease Management in farming community by imparting training to farmers at grass root level. Right from usage of recommended quantity to authentic product, industry-wide collaboration in need of an hour. Additionally, innovative use of biostimulants as an effective integrated pest management tool in horticulture will come a long way in increasing contribution of grapes to overall exports of the country ”

The burgeoning field of biostimulants in Indian agriculture is projected to significantly enhance crop productivity. These compounds have gained increasing importance in modern crop management due to heightened concerns about synthetic chemicals and the impact of climate change. The inclusion of biostimulant regulation in the Fertilizer Control Order since 2021 is a significant step towards responsible and judicious product usage.

Physics Wallah (PW), a leading unicorn Ed-Tech company that has played a pivotal role in democratizing education at scale in India, is launching 26 new tech-enabled offline centers PW Vidyapeeth across India. Students have the opportunity to secure up to 100% scholarships through PWNSAT 2023 (Physics Wallah National Scholarship cum Admission Test), through which PW is offering scholarships worth 200 crores to meritorious students. The exam will be conducted in both offline and online modes and will be open to students from class 6 to 12, as well as droppers aspiring to study for JEE or NEET.

The PWNSAT exam will be held on October 1st, 8th, and 15th, 2023, in offline mode, and students can take the exam from October 1st to 15th, 2023, in online mode. Registration for the exam can be completed through the PW website, app, or at the nearest offline Vidyapeeth center until October 15th, 2023. The results of the exam will be announced on October 20th, 2023.

Classes for this academic session will commence in October 2023. Meanwhile, students can obtain information on topics related to admissions, scholarships, registration, courses, fees, counseling, and other relevant details by visiting Infocentres located inside the upcoming Vidyapeeth Centers in their respective cities.

PW Vidyapeeth currently operates 67 centers across 38 cities in India, with a student base of nearly 1.5 lakh students. PW is expanding its offline presence by opening 26 more centers. The offline Vidyapeeth centers offer a comprehensive curriculum covering everything students need to learn for JEE/NEET, and Physics Wallah consistently delivers exceptional results.

Ankit Gupta, CEO Vidyapeeth Offline, PW, said, “After COVID-19, the education paradigm has undergone significant changes. Students now seek the advantages of both online and offline learning. At PW, we firmly believe in the hybrid approach as the way forward. By expanding our tech-enabled offline Vidyapeeth Centres across cities, our goal is to ensure access to quality education for students in their own towns, eliminating the need for them to relocate to education hubs in distant cities. To further support our students, we aim to give back and help them achieve their dreams of studying engineering or medicine through our PWNSAT exam. Last year, 1.1 lakh students benefited from the PWNSAT scholarships, which were worth over 120 Crores. Continuing the same, this year, we are providing scholarships worth 200 Cr.”

IHH Healthcare Bhd (“IHH”), through its wholly-owned subsidiary Gleneagles Development Private Limited, has today entered into an agreement to buy out the entire remaining stake held by Dr Ravindranath Kancherla and his affiliates in Ravindranath GE Medical Associates Private Limited (“RGE”)for a total purchase consideration of approximately INR 7,400 million(equivalent to approximately RM 415 million).

Dr Ravindranath is the founder of RGE, which owns the chain of Gleneagles GlobalHospitals, a leading tertiary and quaternary healthcare chain in India, specializing in comprehensive multi-organ transplant services. Gleneagles Global Hospitals operates 6 multi-super-specialty hospitals across Hyderabad, Chennai, Bangalore, and Mumbai, with a capacity of approximately 1,500 beds and state-of-the-art, world-class facilities.

The transaction is expected to be completed by the fourth quarter of 2023. With this transaction, IHH will strengthen its leading position as a tertiary and quaternary care platform, including multi-organ transplants, in India and across its key markets.

In the realm of fashion, discovering accessories that strike the perfect balance between style and functionality becomes a true game-changer. Language, a brand renowned for its exceptional craftsmanship and attention to detail, presents a captivating collection of tote bags exuding simplistic elegance and fashion, catering to the diverse needs of women seeking a touch of flair in their daily lives.

The Lily Mini Tote is a true embodiment of sophistication. Its delicate lace fabric beautifully contrasts the supple leather, creating a striking visual appeal. The detachable handle with a card holder and magnetic closure adds an element of convenience, making it a practical choice for any occasion. Available in Grey and Tan colour options.

For those seeking a blend of style and practicality, the Willow tote is the perfect choice. The outer floral pattern exudes elegance, while the spacious interior accommodates all your daily essentials. Available in Sage, Black and Red colour options.

If you’re a fan of woven design with a modern twist, the Mocha tote is a perfect match. Its structured look and sturdy top handles make it a versatile accessory, equally suitable for complementing colourful casual outfits or adding an elegant touch to more formal attire. Available in Rose and Tan colour options.

Indulge in the sophistication of milled leather with the Amethyst tote. Its luxurious, refined texture and leather handles emanate a sense of opulence, while the soft and

Bengaluru, 26th August 2023 Heads Up For Tails, India’s leading petcare brand, proudly announces the grand opening of its spectacular flagship store in Bangalore. Located at Vittal Mallya Road, the new establishment marks the opening of their biggest and 16th outlet in Bangalore, which provides pets with the finest products and pet owners with the utmost convenience.

Sprawling across an impressive 4,700 square feet, the flagship store promises to be more than just a retail space—it’s a destination for pet enthusiasts to explore, connect, and discover a wide range of top-tier petcare essentials.

Highlights of HUFT’s new flagship store:

1. Great Location: The new store is located in the heart of Bengaluru city, making it super easy for pet lovers all around to come and explore top-notch petcare offerings.
2. A Pet Lover’s Paradise: The store boasts an extensive collection of high-quality pet care products, including premium pet food, stylish accessories, grooming essentials, toys, and bedding, catering to the needs of every pet.
3. World-class Grooming Services: HUFT’s flagship store has a state-of-the-art grooming salon equipped with the latest technology and staffed by skilled professionals who understand the unique needs of different breeds and coat types.
4. Pet-Friendly Environment: The store offers an inviting and inclusive pet-friendly environment that encourages customers to bring their furry friends along for a shopping experience like no other.
5. Well-trained staff: The new store employs a team of well-trained and consultative staff to provide personalized advice and recommendations, ensuring customers make informed choices for their pets.

The grand opening witnessed a day filled with captivating activities, ensuring a delightful time for the guests and their furry babies. The launch activities included pet photography, a delectable treat bar offering scrumptious pup cakes, adorable paw painting sessions, and exciting hampers for all attendees.

Rashi Narang, the founder and CEO of Heads Up For Tails, said, “We mark a milestone with our biggest store in Bangalore, exquisitely designed and situated in a prime location that is easily accessible to the consumers.  Bangalore is a very important market for us since there’s a significant growth in the number of pet communities. The pet-loving population here seeks exceptional products and experiences, and our expansion is not just a strategic move but a testament to our commitment to providing unparalleled quality and fostering long-lasting relationships with our valued customers.”

With the launch of this new flagship store, HUFT fortifies its retail footprint, boasting an impressive network of 83 stores across the country. The brand’s expansion plans ensure that the thriving pet population in every corner of India can access the unparalleled HUFT experience, nurturing the bond between pets and their adoring owners.

Bangalore,26th August 2023 – Alcon, the global leader in eye care, has launched a patient education campaign, ‘See Brilliantly, Live Brilliantly’, to increase awareness of the benefits of cataract surgery. Cataract surgery removes the cloudy cataract lens and replaces it with an artificial lens known as an intraocular lens, or IOL. The campaign highlights that the procedure presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to restore vision to pre-cataract clarity while also correcting refractive errors such as presbyopia and astigmatism and reducing the need for glasses. A recent Alcon Eye on Cataract Survey shows that globally, many patients do not know they can choose from several types of IOLs to fit their unique needs, and in India, more than 1 in 2 people stated they feel older because of wearing glasses, highlighting a gap in patient understanding.

The key element of Alcon’s campaign is a brand film that captures relatable moments in everyday life of four aging adults whose life experiences are compromised because of cataract. The film goes on to show how their quality of life improves after cataract surgery with the use of advanced cataract solutions.

Commenting on the launch of this campaign, Amar Vyas, Country Franchise Head & Country Manager of Alcon India, said, “The Alcon Eye on Cataract global survey showed that globally and in India, vision is the most important aspect as people age. For adults aged 50+ years, cataract is the most common vision condition. Those awaiting cataract surgery look forward to going about everyday activities such as reading, driving, and using electronic devices with ease. Our campaign highlights that today, cataract surgery and advanced cataract solutions offer patients clarity of vision while reducing the need for glasses and positively impacting their lives.”

The campaign, conceptualized by Edelman India and Alcon, captures patients’ emotions when cataract gets in the way of pursuing their passions or cherishing life’s precious moments with family. Adhitya Veeraraghavan, Health Sector Head, Edelman India said, “The insight that drove this campaign is that cataract surgery is one of the most performed procedures, and yet, patients do not always understand the various lens options available or how choosing the right lens can affect the quality of vision and life post-surgery. Cataract surgery is a once-in-a-lifetime procedure that can help revive vision and vitality for patients. With people living longer, staying active requires eyesight that supports their lifestyle and vision needs. Our task was to educate patients about cataract surgery in an emotional and engaging way so that they can have informed conversations with their doctors.”

The campaign film will be uploaded on Alcon India’s new webpage. This portal will serve as a comprehensive guide for patients who want to know more or are preparing for cataract surgery. It contains blogs, articles and infographics designed to support patients and their caregivers with helpful information about every point in their journey, from diagnosis of cataract to the choice of IOLs before surgery and post-surgery care. The campaign will be activated across digital, social media, in doctors’ clinics and eye hospitals to ensure nationwide reach. Other elements of the campaign include patient stories and a QR code that makes it easy for patients and caregivers to access this content.

The campaign effectively captures the key findings of the Alcon Eye on Cataract global survey conducted this year in 10 countries, including India. Key findings among those surveyed include:

•  86% of people aged 50+ years in India rank vision as the #1 most important aspect as people age
•  90% are willing to invest in cataract surgery to ensure better vision
•  Globally, 45% and in India, 50% of cataract patients felt that after surgery, their vision had become like that of someone much younger2

Bangalore, 26th August 2023 – DBS, in partnership with commodities trader Maptrasco, announced the completion of the first “live” transaction of electronic Bills of Lading (eBL) for shipments between Singapore and India today. The transaction was implemented under the TradeTrust framework, an initiative by the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) and supported by Enterprise Singapore.

With this first shipment, businesses across Singapore and India can participate in the TradeTrust network via their respective choice of TradeTrust-enabled platforms to enable the digital trade finance of live shipments of goods between the two countries. Companies keen on executing eBLs in digital Letter of Credit transactions can reach out to DBS.

The project leverages the United Nation’s Model Law for Electronic Transferable Records and aims to drive cross-border document and title exchanges. The successful transaction ushers in a new chapter of more efficient, and interoperable digital bills of lading and is a key milestone in the digital transformation of trade financing.

Bills of lading are essential documents in shipping and logistics, representing legal proof ownership of goods in transit, as well as receipt of goods. Globally, only about 1.2%[1] of bills of lading are issued electronically due to limitations in platforms that are not interoperable or use differing rulebooks and standards, which makes scalability challenging.

Lim Soon Chong, Group Head of Global Transaction Services, DBS, said: “The successful live transaction between Singapore and India is a first step towards a truly digital trade corridor between the two nations. DBS is proud to be able to partner Maptrasco to deliver this solution that makes use of IMDA’s TradeTrust framework and look forward to commercialising this solution at scale across the region and beyond.”

Pawan Khaitan, Founder and Chairman of Khaitan International Pte Ltd and Maptrasco, said: “The implementation of electronic bills of lading, in partnership with DBS, has helped to improve efficiency, reduce operating costs, and significantly speed up transaction times. We believe that digital solutions will be key to help bring in new and expanded business opportunities for Maptrasco.”

Hyderabad, 26th August 2023: The time at which the whole nation is celebrating the success of Chandrayaan 3. The times at which the entire world is hailing India’s progress in science and technology. The times at which the tricolor flag is proudly fluttering around the globe. It is the same time that the nation is proud to celebrate the success of Indian Sports men and women in for their victorious performances in the games part of the International Blind Sports Federation held at Birmingham.

For the past week, Indian men’s (blind) cricket team successfully defeated England, Australia and Bangladesh and racing towards their place in the semi-finals. Whereas Pakistan already reserved that position in the final match. The final match is held on Saturday, the 26th of August at 3:30 PM local time.

Indian woman (blind) cricket team is unbeaten in all three games played against England and Australia and confirmed that position in the final match held in Birmingham on 26th of August. At 11 AM local time.

The arrangements for the Sportsman, woman are not adequate. The local Indian community along with the Solihull United Cricket Club are doing their best to help the teams for their needs towards accommodation and food. Hyderabad based renowned Construction Company Pranava group is also extending their help in UK.

In the past Indian teams has won 3 times T20, 2 times ODI championships and once the Asia Cup. If the teams are provided with better facilities, no doubt in say that the teams will perform much better.

Indian Women’s Squad for IBSA World Games 2023

Varsha U                           – B1              – Karnataka (Captain)

Valasanaini Ravanni             – B1              – Andhra Pradesh

Simu Das                          – B1              – Rajasthan

Padmini Tudu                     – B1              – Odisha

Killaka Sandhya                  – B1              – Andhra Pradesh

Priya                                – B1              – Madhya Pradesh

Gangavva Neelappa Harijan  – B2              – Karnataka

Sandra Davis Karimalikkal     – B2              – Kerala

Basanti Hansda                  – B2              – Odisha

Prity Prasad                       – B2              – Delhi

Sushma Patel                     – B3              – Madhya Pradesh

1. Satyavathi                     – B3              – Andhra Pradesh

Phula Saren                       – B3              – Odisha (Vice captain)

Jhili Birua                          – B3              – Odisha

Ganga Sambhaji Kadam       – B3              – Maharashtra

Deepika T.C                       – B3              – Karnataka

Indian Men’s Squad for IBSA World Games 2023

Basappa Waddagol                       – B1             – Karnataka

Mohammed Jafar Iqbal                  – B1             – Odisha

Maharaja Sivasubramanian             – B1             – Tamil Nadu

Omprakash Pal                            – B1             – Madhya Pradesh

Nareshbhai Balubhai Tumda            – B1             – Gujarat

Nilesh Yadav                               – B1             – Delhi

Ajay Kumar Reddy Illuri                  – B2              – Andhra Pradesh (Captain)

Venkateswara Rao Dunna               – B2              – Andhra Pradesh (Vice-captain)

Pankaj Bhue                                – B2             – Odisha

Rambir Singh                               – B2             – Haryana

Nakula Badanayak                        – B2             – Odisha

Irfan Diwan                                 – B2             – Delhi

Prakasha Jayaramaiah                   – B3              – Karnataka

Sunil Ramesh                              – B3             – Karnataka

Deepak Malik                               – B3             – Haryana

Durga Rao Tompaki                      – B3              – Andhra Pradesh

Dineshbhai Chamaydabhai Rathva   – B3             – Gujarat

Points Table:

Pune: Shaadi.com, India’s no. 1 matchmaking platform announces the opening of its new office in Pune, from August 2023. This significant step heralds a fresh chapter for the company, setting the stage for a broader nationwide presence. With Maharashtra being one of the important markets for the Shaadi.com, this move will fortify its presence in the state. The new office is located at Meridian Plaza on the well-connected Senapati Bapat road, which is a cultural epicenter due to its proximity to the Chaturshringi Temple. The new office spans across approximately 5000 sq. ft. and is poised to accommodate a dedicated sales team of around 70+ professionals. As a special gesture, this facility also welcomes individuals to visit the premises and personally meet the company’s highest-rated advisors to discuss their prospective marriage needs.

Talking about the expansion, Anupam Mittal, Founder & CEO of People Group expressed, “With the opening of our Pune office we aim to further strengthen our foothold in the Western region. It’s a growing market with an incredibly young talent pool. Our office is designed keeping in mind an inclusive work atmosphere which will not only enhance efficiency but also help us match our vision of creating positive experience for our newly inducted team.”

This strategic move by Shaadi.com underscores its commitment to expanding its reach across various cities in India. With a steadfast focus on customer satisfaction and aligned with its progressive business objectives, Shaadi.com aims to cater to its thriving customer base in the country. This expansion initiative will effectively address the dynamic requirements of its clients while further enhancing its extensive business activities. With recently opened offices in Mumbai (Andheri), Chennai, Kolkata and now Pune, the company has plans to further expand in the South market as well. With offices in Hyderabad and Coimbatore in the pipeline, the move would also see Shaadi.com bolster its workforce by 30% by the end of the financial year.

We hold the firm belief that this fresh establishment will empower us to extend meticulous and efficient service to our valued customers, further amplifying our regional presence.

New Delhi: Shri Hardeep Singh Puri, Hon’ble Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs & Petroleum and Natural Gas, today (25th August 2023) inaugurated a conference on “Adoption of New and Emerging Building Materials and Technologies in Construction Industry” at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. Shri Kaushal Kishore, Hon’ble Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs also graced the occasion. The day-long event was hosted by Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), in partnership with Confederation of Real Estate Developers Association of India (CREDAI).Shri Manoj Joshi, Secretary, MoHUA and several key dignitaries from real estate, housing and construction sectors, senior officials from the Ministry and State/UT Governments also attended the event.

The conference brought together real estate developers, subject matter experts, urban practitioners and stakeholders from various sectors of the construction industry for cross learning and sharing of ideas for adoption and mainstreaming of innovative construction technologies, materials and processes.

In his keynote address, Hon’ble Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs, spoke about how the Ministry has adopted several innovative technologies under different projects. The Hon’ble Minister said, “The Government has laid down the roadmap for the construction industry and this conference has brought together some of the finest minds in construction technology and the Indian Real Estate industry. It is imperative we find feasible ways to increase the adoption of emerging materials and technologies in the construction industry and I am confident that the deliberations of this conference will be beneficial for reforming the future discourses in this regard.”

The conference raised awareness on emerging and sustainable building materials and construction technologies among a wide range of stakeholders which would ensure a more sustainable future.

CREDAI President Boman Irani shared his remarks “This conference is a testimony of the labours of the Government of India to give a decisive impetus to all around infrastructural growth of the nation. We laud the efforts of the Government to introduce major policy guidelines and initiatives such as the RERA, GST, Housing for All, Smart cities, among others, that have helped streamline the regulatory process and bring contemporary development. This visionary leadership has paved the path for developers to embark on this journey of building the way to the future. We at CREDAI are grateful to host this conference as it acts as a pivotal platform for all stakeholders to explore, learn and share knowledge about new building technologies that we’re constantly trying to amalgamate in all our projects to achieve sustainability and innovation.”

Technology transition through Light House Projects (LHPs) under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) and the experience of constructing the model housing project at six locations, namely Chennai, Rajkot, Indore, Lucknow, Ranchi and Agartala was discussed in detail during the event.

Following the inaugural event, sessions with experts and prominent speakers were held. Two panel discussions on the topics – “Role of Private Sector in Mainstreaming Innovative Construction Technology Ecosystem” and “Promotion of New & Emerging Building Materials and Processes”, were held during which experts from different organisations shared their views.

The conference on “Adoption of New and Emerging Building Materials and Technologies in Construction Industry” saw a huge footfall of developers and other stakeholders who engaged in insightful discussions and shared innovative ideas and explored the latest trends in adoption of new and emerging building materials and technologies. The participants included officers from private and government sectors, representatives of technology providers, innovators, construction agencies, professionals, academicians among others.

Manoj Gaur, Chairman, CREDAI, while expressing his gratitude through a vote of thanks said, “Today, we are paying a tribute to the progress in propagating building technologies and materials in the construction sector in the nation. The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs should be thanked for how they have played a key role in the incorporation of global housing technologies here in India.”