India, 27th March 2023: IMPACT by Honeywell, a leading player in the Automatic Identification and Data Capture (AIDC) segment, has successfully concluded its Holi special customer connect campaign ‘Let’s make an impact together’. Through this campaign, it engaged with the end users and partners to recognize their contribution and celebrate collective success together on the occasion of Holi.

Honeywell has conducted this drive over 5 locations like, Lamington road and Andheri IT market in Mumbai, Nehru place and Janakpuri IT market in New Delhi, Naza IT Market in Lucknow, PCMC IT market in Pune and Kocher IT market in Ludhiana. The campaign brought together customers and partners to showcase the brand’s latest offerings and build lasting relationships.

With the IMPACT series of AIDC solutions like barcode printers, barcode scanners, and mobile computers, Honeywell has established trust in the market that global brands can also offer localized offerings and support at competitive pricing without compromising on product quality.

IMPACT by Honeywell is a brand created by Honeywell International to cater to the growing mid-market segment in India. The brand has been delivering innovative, sustainable, affordable, simple, and connected solutions that cater to sectors such as retail, manufacturing, healthcare, e-commerce, and supply chain. Their offerings include point-of-sale solutions, warehouse automation, digital safety & productivity solutions, and asset tracking.

New Delhi, 27th March 2023:- Jaipur-based Retail Jeweller player Motisons Jewellers, has filed its draft red herring prospectus (DRHP) with the markets regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) to raise funds through an initial public offering (IPO) with a fresh issue of 3,34,71,000 equity shares, with no offer for sale component.

The company had filed preliminary IPO papers with Sebi in September last year.

The issue has a face value of Rs 10 per equity share for the proposed share sale. The Offer is being made through the Book Building Process, wherein not more than 50% of the Offer shall be available for allocation to Qualified Institutional Buyers, not less than 15% of the Offer shall be available for allocation to Non-Institutional Bidders and not less than 35% of the Offer shall be available for allocation to Retail Individual Bidders.

The company, in consultation with the lead banker to the issue, may consider a pre-IPO placement of up to 60,00,000 equity shares for cash consideration. If such placement is completed, the fresh issue size will be reduced.

The proceeds from its fresh issuance worth Rs 58 crores for the repayment of existing borrowings availed by the company from scheduled commercial banks, Rs 71 crore for funding working capital requirement besides general corporate purposes.

Motisons Jewellers is managed by second generation entrepreneurs, Sandeep Chhabra, Chairman & Whole Time Director and Sanjay Chhabra, Managing Director, sons of Late Moti Lal Chhabra, who have over two decades’ years of expertise in the jewellery industry. It began operations in 1997 by opening a showroom in Johri Bazaar in Jaipur, Rajasthan, with approx. 304 sq. ft. in area and with growth in the business expanded it to 1355 sq. ft. by 2002. The flagship store ‘Motisons Tower’ is located at Tonk Road, Jaipur with an area of approx. 11,700 Sq Ft and has 3 floors, a floor each dedicated for silver, gold, and diamond jewellery respectively.

Currently it has a 4 showroom networks under the “Motisons” brand, located across the city of Jaipur, with the most recent outlet, opened in the year 2021, at Vaishali Nagar. Its manufacturing facilities are located at Sitapura Industrial area and Bapu Nagar, Jaipur.

It primarily sources finished jewellery from third party suppliers located across India and its business involves sale of jewellery made of gold, diamond, kundan and sale of other jewellery products that include pearl, silver, platinum, precious, semi-precious stones and other metals, gold and silver coins, utensils and other artifacts across multiple prominent locations in Jaipur, Rajasthan.

Its product portfolio comprises of over 300,000+ jewellery designs that includes traditional, contemporary and combination designs for special occasions such as weddings and festivals to daily wear jewellery for all ages, genders and across various price points.

The jeweller launched its website in 2011 and commenced online sales in 2018 to serve younger and tech-savvy customers, who can browse the catalogue based on preferences, collections and designs, and purchase the jewellery directly and have it delivered to their homes. It also arranges virtual appointments to assist its customers.

Motison’s clocked a profit of Rs 14.75 crore in the financial year FY22 against Rs 9.67 crore in the previous year. Its profit for the six-month period ended September 2022 stood at Rs 10.00 crore on revenue of Rs 162.02 crore. The companies’ revenue from operations climbed 47.55% from Rs 213.04 crore in fiscal 2021 to Rs 314.33 crore in Fiscal 2022, attributable to an increase in sale of jewellery i.e., gold and studded jewellery.

According to the CareEdge Report in its DRHP, in FY22 it recorded the second best Debt EBITDA ratio of 3.91 amongst its listed peers in India. Its Debt to Equity Ratio has fallen from 1.50 in 2020 to 1.28 as on September 30, 2022 where as other players like Thangamayil Jewellers have seen an increase in its debt to equity ratio from 1.07 in FY19 to 1.50 as on September 30,2022

Additionally states, the G&J industry’s market size was estimated to close at USD 60 billion in CY21. The Indian jewellery market is traditionally dominated by gold jewellery. In CY21, the total demand for gold by Indian consumer was estimated at 800 tonnes. Compared to the previous year the demand for gold witnessed a growth of approximately 78% in CY21. A majority of the demand in CY21 came from gold jewellery which was approximately 75% (600 tonnes). There has also been a noticeable shift towards more informal and everyday use of diamond studded jewellery.

Holani Consultants Private Limited is the sole book running lead manager to the issue and Link Intime India Private Limited is the registrar to the issue.

New Delhi, 27th March 2023 – As working women are often struggling with psychological issues like role conflict, job strain, mental fatigue, stress, anxiety, frustration, depression, anger, phobias, and other social and emotional distress while striking a balance between professional and personal life, Manasthali, a leading mental health and wellness platform, has announced a mental well-being initiative to support such women.

As a part of this initiative, Manasthali offers a range of mental health programs and resources that are tailored to meet the unique needs of women in the corporate world. These programs include online counseling sessions, stress management workshops, mindfulness and meditation sessions, and self-care tips.

“Our goal is to create a safe space for women in the corporate world to address their mental health issues and empower them to live healthy and fulfilling life. We understand the challenges that women face in the workplace, and we are committed to providing them with the tools and resources they need to overcome these challenges,” said Dr. Jyoti Kapoor, Founder and Director, Manasthali Wellness.

According to a study conducted by the World Health Organization, depression is the second largest condition in the world. Women are approximately 75% more likely than men to report having recently suffered from depression or any other mental issue. In the corporate world, it has been reported that women often face additional challenges such as discrimination, harassment, and the pressure to balance work and family responsibilities

Manasthali has a team of experienced mental health professionals who work closely with women in the corporate world to provide them with personalized support and guidance. The platform also has an active community of women who share their experiences and support each other through their mental health journey.

“We believe that mental health is just as important as physical health, and we are dedicated to creating a culture of well-being in the workplace. We aim to break the stigma surrounding mental health issues and encourage women to seek help when they need it,” added Dr. Jyoti Kapoor.

The Celebrity Cricket League 2023 – Reloaded: Telugu Warriors beat Bhojpuri Dabanggs to clinch their 4th Celebrity Cricket League title. Telugu Warriors outplayed Bhojpuri Dabanggs in the finals. The bowlers and fielders did the job of containing Bhojpuri Dabanggs and Ashwin Babu, Thaman, and Sachiin Joshi completed the formality in the second innings as Telugu Warriors emerged Champions. Skipper Akhil Akkineni led from the front with an aggressive knock in the first innings to take the game away from Bhojpuri Dabanggs.

CCL 2023 Final: Bhojpuri Dabanggs Vs Telugu Warriors

Playing XI Bhojpuri Dabanggs: Manoj Tiwari (c), Dinesh Lal Yadav, Pravesh Lal Yadav, Vikrant Singh, Uday Tiwari, Aditya Ojha, Anshuman Singh(wk), Ayaz Khan, Asghar Khan, Raghav Naiyyar, Sudhir Singh.

Playing XI Telugu Warriors: Akhil Akkineni(c), Sudheer Babu, Raghu, Samrat, Ashwin Babu, Prince, Harish(wk), Nandakishore, Thaman, Roshan, Sachiin Joshi.

Toss: Telugu Warriors won the toss and decided to field.

Highlights:

1st Innings Bhojpuri Dabanggs: Bhojpuri Dabanggs scored 72 Runs for 6 wickets in the allotted 10 Overs. Aditya Ojha top-scored with a blitzing knock of 26 runs off 15 balls. Asgar chipped in with 11 runs off 10 balls, and Uday Tiwari scored 10 runs off 7 balls. Nandakishore from Telugu Warriors took 2 wickets for 14 runs from his allotted 2 Overs.

In reply: On a wet outfield due to rain

1st Innings Telugu Warriors: Telugu Warriors scored 104 Runs for 4 wickets in the allotted 10 Overs securing a lead of 32 runs. Captain Akhil Akkineni played a blitzing knock of 67 runs in 32 balls with 2 boundaries and 6 sixers. Raghu chipped in with unbeaten 13 runs off 7 balls and Prince added 10 runs off 10 balls.

In the 2nd Innings

2nd Innings Bhojpuri Dabanggs: Bhojpuri Dabanggs scored 89 Runs for 6 wickets in the allotted 10 Overs. Setting a target of 58 runs to win for Telugu Warriors. Uday Tiwari top scored with 34 runs from 18 balls hitting 3 boundaries and 2 sixers. Aditya Ojha gave Bhojpuri Dabanggs a good start scoring 31 runs off 13 balls hitting 3 boundaries and 2 sixers. Thaman from Telugu Warriors picked up 2 wickets for 13 runs in his allotted 2 overs.

Telugu Warriors need 58 Runs to win the CCL 2023.

2nd Innings Telugu Warriors: Telugu Warriors chased the target by scoring 58 runs for 1 wicket in a great team performance. Ashwin Babu scored the winning runs in style and remained unbeaten on 31 runs off 21 balls. Sachiin Joshi remained not out on 14 runs off 9 balls.

Result: Vasavi Telugu Warriors beat Bhojpuri Dabanggs by 9 wickets and lift the coveted CCL Trophy for the 4th time in 2023.

The league has Parle as the Title Sponsor for CCL 2023 and A23 – a skill-based gaming platform- as this season’s Presenting Sponsor.

BriBooks and Education World announced the successful conclusion of India’s National Young Authors Fair, the first of its kind event which inspired over 100,000 students to publish their first book and experience a journey of entrepreneurship.

The fair provided young authors with a lifelong souvenir of their published works, an opportunity to speak, a writing experience, an entrepreneurial journey, and hundreds of hours of reading and writing. Schools from across the country participated, with Cambridge School – Indirapuram, JBCN International School – Parel Branch, Apeejay School NOIDA, Modern Public School – Shalimar bagh, Birla Vidya Niketan, The Shriram Millennium School, Bal Bharati Public School, and The Heritage School Vasant Kunj winning multiple awards.

In conclusion of the event, Ami Dror, founder at BriBooks said “We are thrilled to have organized the National Young Authors Fair and given an opportunity to young authors to publish their first book. We hope that this experience has provided them with a lifelong love for reading, writing, and entrepreneurship.” Bhavin Shah, CEO of Education World said “As the curtains close on the National Young Authors Fair, we can’t help but feel a sense of pride and awe at the incredible stories written by the children who participated. We believe that writing has the power to transform lives and communities, and we are honored to have been a part of this transformative event. We thank BriBooks for their expertise and passion in making this event a reality.”

An awards ceremony was held on March 25th to recognize jury award winners and best-selling authors. The awards ceremony was attended by 500 people, including jury members, young authors, and esteemed guests. The jury included renowned personalities like Pulitzer Prize winner journalist Dele Olojede, bestselling author (of Start-Up Nation) and columnist Saul Singer, and Edesia Nutrition founder & CEO Navyn Salem.

Jury member Saul Singer shared that “I am truly impressed by the talent and creativity of the young authors. It is inspiring to see the next generation of writers and entrepreneurs take charge and showcase their work. I wish these budding writers all the luck and hope to hear more of their stories in the coming years.”

Winners of the Jury Award included Tara Kumar for ‘The Dead Alive and In Between’, Advik Yambalada for ‘Lessons from The Animal Kingdom’, Dia Shangbag for ‘Emotional Well-Being’, Utsa Banerjee for ‘Riki and Her Dream’, and Tvarita Guliani for ‘Princess of Beauty Island’. Tara Kumar, author of ‘The Dead Alive and In Between’ and winner of the jury award said that “Winning this award is a dream come true. It has encouraged me to write more and continue to share my thoughts with the world. I heartily thank BriBooks for giving me and all the other authors this opportunity to tell our stories to the world.”

After the books were printed and published, young authors promoted their work through social media, public readings, and school events. Some authors sold over 1000 books in just 30 days. The best-selling authors included Dhairya Sudarshan with ‘Savi Our Saviour’, Keya Hatkar with Dancing on My Wheels’, Kshipra Moreker with ‘Learning From the Jungle’, Kunwar Vikram with ‘Nature Teaches Love’, Rudraang Goenka with ‘The Rise of The Great Insane’, Subasree Bharathi with ‘My Talking Cat’, Roohi Sharma with ‘Memories Miracles Magic’, Hiyansh Joshi with ‘The Rescue Rabblets’, Tania Boya with ‘The Journey’, and Tvarita Guliani with ‘Princess of Beauty Island’.

Pune, India – March 27, 2023 – VTP Realty, the leading real estate brand of Pune in terms of sales revenue, has reinforced its market dominance by delivering an impressive 36 Lakh Sq.Ft. in a single financial year. With over 38 years of group legacy and a strong commitment to excellence and innovation, the company has been on an exponential growth trajectory for the past seven years and has been the market leader for five consecutive years.

The brand has not only established brand dominance on the business front but also in terms of delivery. Based on a solid foundation of Better Build, Better Design and Better Care as our core philosophy, the organization is a well-oil machinery when it comes to delivering homes that their customers have entrusted them with.

Brand VTP currently has 3 crore square feet under construction simultaneously out of which 36 lakh square feet has been delivered only in a single year! That amounts to 4117 homes handed over in a year. Such a feat is rare in the industry and very few other brands have such massive strength.

Additionally, VTP Realty hosted the single largest Gruh Pravesh event on Gudi Padwa, one of the most auspicious days for new beginnings in the Hindu calendar. The event saw 1778 families conducting Gruh Pravesh ceremonies on the same day across 5 projects. This extraordinary accomplishment has shattered all previous records in the Pune real estate market and perhaps the India market too.

These milestones have solidified VTP Realty’s position as the leading real estate company in Pune for the fifth consecutive year in terms of revenue generation. The brand’s unwavering commitment to excellence and innovation has consistently placed it at the forefront of the industry. What sets the brand apart is its customer centricity, strong partnerships with all stakeholders, its choice of strategic locations for development, its experienced management team, and above all a strong vision and commitment to its customers.

With VTP Realty, the real estate industry has got a very strong brand with solid credentials. It is one of the few brands that deliver more than promised. This is a rarity in the industry and thereby improving the trustworthiness of the entire industry.

VTP Realty is a part of the VTP Group, which has a diverse range of businesses, including cement, construction materials, and engineering services. This backward integration allows VTP Realty to leverage the resources and expertise of the group, leading to cost savings and operational efficiencies.

Mr. Sachin Bhandari, Executive Director and CEO of VTP Realty, expressed his pride in the company’s achievements. “Our dedication to quality and customer satisfaction has been the driving force behind our record-breaking success. Our team’s tireless efforts have enabled us to make a difference in the lives of thousands of families and ensured our strongest financial performance yet. By the end of this financial year, VTP Realty will cross the 4000 crore mark in revenue as well! We’re thrilled to be expanding our offerings with the launch of VTP Homes and VTP Luxe, our two new offerings that will change the real estate landscape of Pune completely over the next few years.” said Mr. Bhandari.

With VTP Realty, the real estate industry has a strong brand with solid credentials that delivers more than promised, improving the trustworthiness of the entire industry.

New Delhi, March 27, 2023: 143 meritorious students from underprivileged communities across 21 states and 130+ cities were awarded the ’Sensodyne IDA Shining Star Scholarship’ to pursue a Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) today at the Oral Health Innovation Conclave (OHIC) in Delhi.

OHIC is a first-of-its-kind national event organised by Indian Dental Association (IDA) focusing on innovations, entrepreneurship, and research in oral healthcare. The event was graced by dignitaries such as Dr L. Swasticharan (Additional Deputy Director General of Health Services) as the Guest of Honour, Lt. Gen. Satish R Iyer (Director General Dental Services), Dr Puneet Girdhar (President IDA), Dr Ashok Dhoble (Hon Sec General IDA), Dr. Meera Verma (Chairperson for DDS), and Dr Vandana Agarwal (Organizing Secretary DDS), Mr Navneet Saluja, MD – India Sub-Continent, Haleon India and Ms Anurita Chopra, Head of Marketing, India Sub-continent, Haleon India.

This scholarship programme for BDS students is a CSR initiative by Haleon India (erstwhile GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare) which is in line with the company’s purpose “to deliver better everyday health with humanity”.

An amount of more than INR 6 crores will be disbursed under this programme amongst these 143 students to support their academic and living expenses incurred during their 4-year BDS programme. Each of these students will be provided with the financial assistance of INR 1,05,000 per year for 4 years of their BDS course.

With the mission to facilitate underprivileged and exceptional dental students to bring their dreams to life, Haleon India launched this programme in partnership with IDA and Buddy4Study (B42), NGO in July 2022. It is a step to address the disparities around the dentist–population ratio. 2000+ applicants had registered, after which IDA and B4S initiated the selection process to shortlist the 143 deserving students.

Speaking on the celebratory occasion, Ms. Shanu Saksena, CSR Head, Haleon India (GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare) said, “We are elated to announce the well-deserving winners of this scholarship and many congratulations to them. We would like to thank Indian Dental Association for being our trusted knowledge partner and sharing their knowledge and support throughout this endeavour. Together, we are proud to provide an opportunity to these aspiring dental students to achieve their dreams and make a difference in the world. This initiative is a true representation of Haleon’s purpose “to deliver better health with humanity”, and we are excited to play this pivotal role in their professional and educational journey.”

Dr. Ashok Dhoble, Hon. Secretary General, Indian Dental Association said, “First of all, a huge congratulations to the 143 students who have been awarded the Sensodyne IDA Shining Star Scholarship to pursue Bachelor’s in Dental Surgery through government dental colleges. The Indian Dental Association (IDA) has always been in the forefront to support dental college students and has been their friend, advocate and guide. As the knowledge partner to the Sensodyne IDA Shining tar Scholarship Programme, IDA wholeheartedly supports this initiative by Haleon India. IDA believes that this project would not only touch the lives of the financially less privileged, meritorious students but also fulfil their family’s dreams. IDA is committed to handhold every student until their goals are achieved.”

New Delhi: Augustana University in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, US, announces scholarships worth up to $25,000 per year for undergraduate programs starting this Fall 2023. These scholarships are designed to support and reward academically exceptional students who are seeking to pursue higher education in the US.

To be eligible for the scholarship, applicants must meet the following criteria: a minimum SAT score of 1230, an IELTS score of 7.0 or equivalent, a GPA of 3.25, and submission of a compelling essay. Augustana University is highly regarded for post-graduate employment and ranks among the top 10 in the Midwest by U.S. News & World Report 2022.

Augustana University offers a diverse range of undergraduate programs, including popular fields of study such as computer science, software engineering, data science, business, and hard sciences. The university is committed to providing students with a well-rounded education that combines technical skills with the liberal arts approach, to help students develop critical thinking, communication, and interpersonal skills.

“At Augustana, we believe in quality over quantity. Our small classrooms provide ample opportunities for students to receive individual attention and focus on their learning,” says Ben Iverson, Director of International Programmes & Enrollment at Augustana University. He further adds, “In Spring 2023, we are expecting nearly 50 international students from 17 countries to join us, and around 10% of them will be from India. Currently, we have 9 Indian students studying at Augustana, and we are looking forward to welcoming more students from India and around the world.”

The scholarships offered by Augustana University present a cost-effective opportunity for students to fulfill their dream of studying in the US. With its outstanding reputation, diverse range of programs, and focus on quality education, Augustana University is an excellent choice for students seeking to further their academic and professional careers.

AU Recognition and Awards: AU was listed among the top 650 colleges in the US according to Forbes’ ranking of “America’s Top Colleges 2017.” Augustana ranked 98th out of all the Midwest-based universities. In addition, Augustana University boasts a 97% employment rate for 2020 graduates in their major or chosen field, is ranked as the best regional university in the Midwest (in the Top 10) by U.S. News & World Report 2019, and has a 12:1 student-to-teacher ratio in its classrooms due to its emphasis on quality.

A quick glimpse into scholarships at Augustana University for UG courses:

Who may apply?

Indian students and young professionals can apply for undergraduate scholarships worth up to $25,000 during four years of education in fields including business, computer science, physics, math, accounting, and more. The organization states that to be eligible for the minimum $ 20,000 scholarship, applicants must have a SAT score of 1100 or an IELTS score of 6.5 or equivalent, a GPA of 3.0, and submit an essay. IELTS score of 7.0 and an average of at least 75% grades in classes 10 and 12 are required for the scholarship, which has a maximum value of $25,000.

Important dates to remember

Admissions open: For Fall 2023

Last date to apply: April 30, 2023

New Delhi, 27.3.2023: Odisha Parba shines back once again after a gap of three years. New Delhi witnessed the start of Odisha Parba 2023, with joy and excitement. Odisha Parba showcases the rich and diverse culture of Odisha. The grand evening commenced with the great historic play, ‘Ahe Nilashaila’ which beautifully depicted the valour and legacy of Gajapati Maharaj Ramachandra Dev. Odisha Parba is being organised in New Delhi’s Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium for 3 days, from March 24th to 26th.

Hon’ble Union Minister for Education, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, Hon’ble Union Minister for Law and Justice Shri Kiren Rijiju, Hon’ble Union Minister for Culture, Tourism and Development of North Eastern Region Shri G. Kishan Reddy graced the grand opening of the event. The program was inaugurated with the lighting of the ceremonial lamp with vedic chanting followed by Odisha’s anthem ‘Bande Utkal Janani’. President of Odia Samaj, Shri Sidhartha Pradhan delivered the welcome address.

The excited Delhiites will once again witness Odisha’s unique art, culture, heritage, and tradition and taste its delectable cuisine. Organized by the non-profit, socio-cultural institution, Odia Samaj, New Delhi, this cultural delight has already started to mesmerize the entire Delhi. The highlight of the inaugural function was the stage play ‘Ahe Nila Shaila’ by Choklate Productions. The soulful performance of the artist playing the role of Puri Gajapati won the hearts of the audience. The play shows how Gajapati Ramachandra Dev had to endure difficulties in order to protect the shrine of Mahaprabhu Sri Jagannath from the greed and treachery of the Muslim ruler Naib Nazim. It also shows how he defeated the Muslim ruler with his patience and courage.

The theme for this year’s Odisha Parba is “Ananya Odisha”. The idea is to showcase the strength and composure of Odias that has helped Odisha to emerge as a dominant community in India. Odia Samaj had planned and successfully conducted an Essay Writing Competition in tandem with this year’s theme. Essays were invited from Odia students and the winners of the competition are invited to visit Delhi during the Odisha Parba. Besides students, cross sections of farmers from the rural heartland are also invited to Delhi for a familiarization program.

First time in Odisha Parba, a three-day Odisha Conclave is being organized, from 11 am -1.00 pm daily at the event grounds. The talking point for the Conclave is Odia Asmita(Odisha Identity), Odia Swabhiman (Odisha self-respect) and Odia Swabalamban(Self-reliant Odisha). These discussions will feature some of the most reputed names in the national academic and intellectual spheres.

The first day of the event witnessed an enlightening discussion on Odisha Asmita in the presence of eminent speakers like Dr. Dipti Ranjan Pattanaik, Professor in the English Department, Faculty of Arts, Banaras Hindu University; Shri. Sabyasachi Mohapatra, a 3 times National Award winner and popular film director and producer from Odisha; Prof. K.K. Basa, Chairman of the National Monument Authority and a famous anthropologist and Shri. D B Garnayak, Superintending Archaeologist, Puri Circle. Prof. Gourang Charan Das, a retired Professor from Ravenshaw College was a virtual speaker in the conclave. At the end of the program, Mr. Sandeep Mohapatra, Trustee, Odia Samaj delivered the vote of thanks.

Stalls for street foods from every corner of Odisha have also been set up at Odisha Parba 2023. Be it delicious Dahibara & Chat from Cuttack, or Pahala Rasagolla, several other odia dishes are available for the Delhi people to taste. Sacred Jagannath Mahaprasad from Puri, Nakula Bhuja, a famous dish from Bolangir, Madhu Basanti Bhojan from Balasore, Baba Dhabaleswar Pitha from Jagatsighpur, Chatpati Masala chai from Ravi tea stall will be a wonderful delight for people’s taste buds. Apart from these amazing dishes and refreshing beverages we also have popular catering food stalls like Ama Odisha from Bhadrak, Jara Chakhlo & Keshab Caterer from Baripada, Toshali Foundation of Odisha, Madhav sweets and Sarala Byanjan will give the people an unforgettable food experience.

Odisha Parba 2023 has also got a lot to offer to the art and crafts lovers residing in Delhi. Around 15 stalls have been set up to showcase the exquisite handicrafts and handlooms from Odisha. Beautiful handicrafts from different districts of the state, such as Silver Filigree from Cuttack, artistic Pattachitra paintings, several amazing jute products, beautiful wood crafts from Maa Mangala Handicrafts, breathtaking brass products from Nilamadhaba Handicrafts, appliqué works from Applique handicrafts are attracting all the avid shoppers.

Apart from handicrafts, Odisha’s unique handlooms are also available for handloom lovers of Delhi. Elegant Odissi handlooms from Boyanika, Sonepuri sarees from Sonepuri Handlooms, Khurda Lungi and Gamchha from Taraboi WPG, classy cotton sarees from Shubhashree Handlooms, Tassar, and Silk Handlooms from Sambhav and gorgeous Silver Jewellery, including ethnic Odissi fabrics and readymade garments from Samuka, are the highlights of the event.

Kolkata, 27th March 2023: The Indian Chamber of Commerce organised the “5th Gems & Jewellery Summit 2023” on March 24th to discuss the Gold Industry Vision 2025. The session witnessed valuable insights on India’s Gold Market – the stimulus to exports, economic growth and employment from Mr Somasundaram PR, Regional CEO – India, World Gold Council; Mr Rajeev Garg, CEO, Gem & Jewellery Skill Council of India (GJSCI); Ms Vandana Yadav, I.A.S., Principal Secretary, Department of Industry, Commerce & Enterprises Government of West Bengal & MD, WBIDC; Mr Vinod Bamalwa, Chairman, Indian Chamber of Commerce Expert Committee on Jewellery & Lifestyle and Mr Suvankar Sen, Co-Chairman, Indian Chamber of Commerce National Expert Committee on Jewellery & Lifestyle.

While delivering the welcome address, Mr Vinod Bamalwa, Chairman, Indian Chamber of Commerce Expert Committee on Jewellery & Lifestyle, said, “The demand for gems and jewellery in the nation and throughout the world has been significantly influenced by the rising middle-class customers in a developing country and a growing fashion chain. Diamonds are currently more in demand than ever, especially in terms of new fashion trends. The most recent styles in the gem and jewellery sector are these cross-cultural ones. Emerging companies have altered customer habits around accessories, such as the decision to wear less jewellery.”

Commenting on the theme, Mr Somasundaram PR, Regional CEO – India, World Gold Council, said, “East India is the biggest market for gold. During the past few years, the administration has achieved great strides. India has the second-largest gold market in the world and the second-largest consumption of gold. India spends $60 billion on gold annually. However, we must consider global developments because gold is currently making a comeback. It is once more becoming an important financial asset. One important investment is gold. Around the world, gold is the subject of numerous events. In our own country, we have a need for resources, growing costs, and a wide range of future uses for gold. According to our survey, Consumers are worried about the industry’s purity, per our poll, which highlights the need for a single voice for the gold sector. A self-regulatory body is also necessary for the gold sector. The Indian Chamber of Commerce can play a crucial role in India’s ability to significantly enhance its gold exports.”

Commenting on the aspect of Skill Development, Mr. Rajeev Garg, CEO, Gem & Jewellery Skill Council of India (GJSCI), said, “The gem and jewellery industries depend heavily on skill, yet regrettably, we often overlook it when calculating labour costs. In terms of creativity and expertise, gold is just another metal. If we don’t value creativity, this sector will have serious issues in the future. There is no reason to talk about the gold rate or other issues if there is no aesthetic quality. There are not enough qualified workers in the field. GJSCI is continually exploring new ways to increase its capabilities and effectiveness. With the Ankurhati Association, we have been discussing opening our own training facility in Kolkata. Yet this sector needs to emerge. It is time for every sector to step up and create its own infrastructure. In an effort to employ artificial intelligence in the gem and jewellery sectors, we are collaborating with IIT Bombay on a project. On the other side, IIT Chennai is working on lab-grown diamonds since eventually, the market for natural diamonds would be replaced by these lab-grown diamonds. We ought to discuss issues like these in an open manner.”

Commenting on the development of West Bengal Gold Market, Ms Vandana Yadav, said, “West Bengal has a very long history and involvement with this industry. We have talked about exports of diamonds, gold, and other commodities, but we must also consider the future today. The enormous amount of gold that we import needs to be given additional value before being converted to dollars. I think this is where the Bengali Karigar’s handcrafted excellence stands, and it might be its USP, particularly given that gold is a lifestyle item and everyone wants a one-of-a-kind, hand-crafted piece. We seldom ever have the capacity to offer that. We may thus educate our craftsmen about the latest technology, enhance their working environments, and produce better designs. A training programme in Ankurhati would be something we are extremely interested in organising, aside from hallmarking facilities, any sort of standardisation, and any kind of certification agency we can put up. During the last three years, I have discussed the training curriculum with several municipalities. I sincerely hope E-Council or Stay-Council would take this up because we have a complete training facility.

While delivering the vote of thanks, Suvanker Sen, Co-Chairman, Indian Chamber of Commerce National Expert Committee on Jewellery & Lifestyle, said, “I want to express my gratitude to everyone who has participated in this summit. Both time and the world around us are evolving. The most crucial element is transparency, which is immediately clear if you get the purpose of this summit. As an industry participant in this digital age, you have the option of resisting the changes or embracing them. There are ties between Bengali and Karigari. Bengal is proud of their majority contribution to the gold karigar industry. Attracting the upcoming generation to the sector, however, is now a struggle. We appreciate that the government has offered its assistance to us so that both the states and the country may continue to thrive.”