Expanding the Company’s skill development initiatives, Maruti Suzuki India Limited announced its partnership with Delhi Skill & Entrepreneurship University (DSEU). Aligned with the Government of India’s Skill India Mission, the initiative will train youth in automobile retail, making them employable.

As part of the partnership, Maruti Suzuki and DSEU will offer a BBA (Automotive Retail Management) course spanning over a 3-year period. The industry-integrated program is a blend of academic learning and skill development where students will acquire theoretical knowledge through classroom learning in the first year followed by two years of on-the-job training at Maruti Suzuki dealerships in Delhi NCR. During the on-the-job training, students will receive a stipend and an incentive basis their performance as per dealership policy.

In addition to the practical learning, the course entails an enhanced focus on work ethics, soft skills, Indian and Japanese work culture, etc. Bridging the industry-academia gap, industry experts will also impart sessions on the automobile industry and its best practices.

The curriculum is designed and developed jointly by Maruti Suzuki and DSEU as per the guidelines of the University Grants Commission (UGC).

Offering 100% placement support, the students on successful completion of the course, and based on their performance during on-the-job training, will stand a chance to get a placement at Maruti Suzuki dealerships.

The first batch of the program will be initiated this month.

Announcing this initiative, Mr. Rajesh Uppal, Member Executive Board (HR, IT, Safety, DE) & CIO, Maruti Suzuki India Limited, said, “Our collaboration with DSEU will help students aspiring for career options in the automobile retail sector. Skill gaps and the non-availability of a trained workforce is a challenges for the industry. Real-time on-the-job training will help bridge the skill gap. Professionally structured skill training will go a long way to strengthen their career in the automobile retail Industry.”

Elaborating on the tie-up, Dr. Amita Dev, Vice Chancellor, DSEU, appreciated Maruti Suzuki for the initiative and said, “We are delighted to partner with India’s leading passenger vehicle manufacturer to launch the well-equipped BBA (Automotive Retail Management) program. Through the initiative, we endeavor to train students in skills relevant to the industry and contribute to bridging the skill gap. Offering a holistic platform for theoretical as well as practical learning, the course will surely help to boost their employability, knowledge, and intellectual skills.”

In FY 2020-21, Maruti Suzuki collaborated with Shri Vishwakarma Skill University in Haryana for an industry-integrated bachelor’s program to equip youth with automotive retail skills required at dealerships and create a pool of skilled and professional Dealer Sales Executives (DSEs). Later, the initiative was further expanded to other parts of the country. At present, Maruti Suzuki has similar tie-ups with Savitribai Phule Pune University in Pune, GLS University in Ahmedabad and Tata Institute of Social Sciences – School of Vocation Education (TISS-SVE) in Mumbai, and B.K. Birla College (Autonomous) in Kalyan. A total of 340 students are being trained as a part of these partnerships.

Edelweiss General Insurance has announced its new identity as Zuno General Insurance Limited (Zuno GI). Zuno GI is a new-age digital insurer with an aspiration to reimagine and redefine Insurance to make it easy, friendly, and transparent. It is built on the premise that any kind of general insurance should be simple, easy, and straightforward.

The name brings alive the company’s passion, enthusiasm, and singular focus on providing customers with the most convenient and hassle-free experience powered by tech that’s responsive and intuitive. The name and identity represents the young, innovative, approachable, digital native, and upbeat personality of the brand and resonates with the Millennial and GenZ audience.

Along with the new identity, the company has launched a consumer study titled ‘Usage Based Insurance: Decoding Awareness, Perception, and Behaviour’. The study was done to understand Millennial and GenZ’s awareness, understanding, and consideration for UBI. Zuno General Insurance has been forefronting the concept of usage-based insurance (UBI) in India for almost three years now.

Key highlights of the research:

•  65% of respondents feel that people in India are safe drivers.
•  90% respondents want to get a driving score that indicates how safe they drive.
•  58% respondents are aware of usage-based insurance.
•  70% respondents have strong intention to buy usage-based insurance over other insurance options.
•  Rewards for safe driving’ & ‘Driving scores’ are the top two influential factors to opt for usage-based insurance.
•  76% of respondents strongly believe that getting a driving score will help improve their driving skills.
•  95% of respondents believe rewarding safe driving will positively influence driving behavior.

Speaking at the launch, Shanai Ghosh, MD & CEO, of Zuno General Insurance, said, “Zuno GI is all about reimagining Insurance to make it easy, transparent, and friendly using three pillars of customer experience, innovation, and digital delivery platforms. We will always listen to our customers and offer them smart, simple solutions in the most convenient and hassle-free way. We put this aim to action with the UBI report where we sought to assess the understanding and perception of UBI among young, mobile-savvy Indian customers. The findings have been extremely insightful and has validated our conviction about the potential of UBI in India, encouraging us to continue investing in this category that we pioneered in 2020.”

“Telematics is a silver lining for the motor insurance industry in India. It allows us to offer personalized solutions and experiences to our customers. Given the exponential growth of smartphone users in the country, telematics-based solutions will appeal to the digital natives empowering them to see and influence the pricing they get on Motor Insurance. With the findings of the report, we wish to drive awareness of new concepts like UBI which will not only link premium to your usage and driving but also encourage safe driving practices in the country”, Shanai added.

Zuno GI was the first in the country to launch usage-based insurance using mobile telematics and has been developing this category since 2020. Last year, the company launched SWITCH, India’s first mobile telematics based, on-demand motor insurance product. The policy is an app that shows customers the savings that is accumulating because of good driving for every drive. SWITCH encourages people to become safer drivers which is good for their own safety, their family, and overall, for society.

Zuno General Insurance conducted the survey in eight cities – Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune, and Ahmedabad, in collaboration with Crownit.

February 11, 2023, Mumbai: L&T Financial Services (LTFS), one of the leading Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs), has recorded strong growth in Insta Loan disbursements. The growth is in line with the Company’s journey towards becoming a customer-focused, retail finance company as envisaged in its strategic plan Lakshya 2026.

Since its inception in September 2022, Insta Loan disbursements have recorded robust growth, reaching Rs. 91.4 crores at the end of January 2023 as compared to Rs. 22 crores at the end of October 2022.

Loans in this category are processed within 7 minutes of application by the customer, thereby providing superior Turn Around Time (TAT), ease, and comfort – a customer value proposition for the product. This is a completely paperless loan process with instant eligibility checks. Customers can avail of loans ranging between Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 7,00,000 with a repayment tenure of 12 months to 48 months.

Mr. Dinanath Dubhashi, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, L&T Finance Holdings Ltd. said, “At LTFS, we are expanding our retail portfolio with an increased focus on customer needs, best-in-class products, and the use of digital and data analytics for improved turnaround time and servicing for customers. It is evident from our last quarter’s financial results that we are moving in the right direction to achieve our Lakshya 2026 goals. Insta Loans has one of the lowest TATs in the industry and customers have appreciated the efficiency of this product as is evident from the growing number of customers each passing month. More than 50 percent of the loans have been disbursed to people in the age bracket of 25-35 years and unlike other financial institutions, we offer these loans even to new LTFS customers in the same TAT.”

The Consumer Loans business is the first digitally native business of the Company and continues to scale up with disbursements reaching Rs. 1,228 crores in the third quarter that ended December 31, 2022 compared with Rs. 650 crores in the same quarter, a year ago. In addition, the Consumer Loans business has partnered with over 70 fintech players, thus offering customers a seamless journey.

In line with accelerated retailisation, the Company recorded the highest-ever quarterly retail disbursements of Rs. 11,607 crores in the third quarter that ended December 31, 2022. This has resulted in the retail portfolio mix at 64 percent of the total loan book of the company.

Valentine’s Day is dedicated to showing love and affection toward a special person in your life. It is a day you choose to spend with your special one and shower her with love through special gifts. There is no better way to show your lady love your affection other than giving them an accessory from Language.

The language introduces its all-new curated range of Accessories, offering the finest quality of genuine leather indulgence to women. Language has curated a range of soft-hued, spring-colored products to compliment your wardrobes and add a splash of color to your outfits. The language uses the finest quality genuine leather to ensure you revel in the experience of comfortable luxury.

This assortment of soft-hued accessories from Language will surely enhance your style and be a dependable companion for life. It features cross-body bags, wallets, and belts, each of these products from Language is available in color options that please your soul.

A fashionable Cross-Body bag from Language is the perfect accessory to keep your hands free and valuables safe. The cross-body bag is available in several color options and it is made of genuine smooth-grain leather. The Wallet on the chain is glamorous to behold and the perfect size to carry, this premium leather wallet is the perfect companion piece for your outfit. Bring your ensemble together with a leather belt from Language, and flaunt your true style and class. The belts from Language are refined and streamlined to exude a flair of sophistication.

Explore the range of Accessories for women from Language at its exclusive brand outlets at Nungambakkam Chennai, VR Mall Chennai, Express Avenue Chennai, Sarath City Mall, Hyderabad, Lulu Global Mall Bengaluru, and Lulu Mall Kochi. You can also shop the collection online at www.languageshoes.com and www.amazon.in

With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, the Indian dating and friendship app, QuackQuack, ran a poll among 15,000 users from tier 1 and tier 2 cities, both GenZ and Millennials, on how they prefer to celebrate their valentine’s day. The study throws light on the V-day trends and how the day of love impacts the online dating industry. The survey participants range between 18 to 32 and comprise primarily students and working professionals.

QuackQuack’s Founder and CEO, Ravi Mittal, commented, “Every year, we see a spike in the number of users during this time of the year. And this is also the time when people look beyond romance. Among the 22 million users, almost 33% of the users seek friendship on the app. There’s also an 8% increase in virtual dates on the day of love.”

Budget dates

A recent study by QuackQuack shows that 47% of daters prefer to have a budget-friendly Valentine’s day date over fancy dining and exchanging expensive presents. Daters below 23, essentially the GenZ daters from tier 1 and 2 cities, disclosed having a pact with their date to exchange meaningful yet practical gifts, and most of them have a set budget. It makes sure that no one has to burn a hole in their pockets to enjoy the day of love and makes it easier for the young daters who are just starting their careers.

The busiest times

QuackQuack says the weekend before Valentine’s day is one of the busiest times of the year for them. They see most traffic the day before, with singles trying to land a quick date for V-day. According to their data, the surge is more from Tier 1 cities since people from tier 2 cities flock to the metros for jobs and higher studies. 35% of dates are arranged the night before V-day than any other day.

Where’s my soulmate?

22% of women from tier 1 and 2 cities mentioned joining the app to find a date because they felt lonely. The app’s data shows there is almost a 13% spike in the number of people joining the app on Valentine’s Day compared to other days of the month. Upon surveying the participants, it was understood that singles join dating apps during this time of the year out of the urgency to find a soulmate, especially on the day of love.

Communidating

37% of the survey participants between 25 and 30, primarily working professionals in 9 to 5 jobs, mentioned beating their loneliness by participating in communidating. It’s the trend where daters use the app to find new friends and connections beyond romantic relationships. QuackQuack noticed almost 33% of its users seeking genuine companions during this time of the year.

Rebounds

11% of male daters over 25 and 18% below 23 years from tier 1 and 2 cities disclosed rounding back to their old matches on this day. More than 15% of women over 28 revealed rebounding with their ex on the day of love.

Self-Love

Self-care and me-time are on the top of the GenZ single daters’ list of ideal ways to spend V-day without falling off the wagon. 28% of the survey participants between 18 and 23 mentioned having a fun night planned with friends. 12% of women daters from tier 1 and 2 cities are planning Galentine’s day instead of wallowing in self-pity.

Mumbai, February 11, 2023: Puravankara Limited (BSE:532891), one of India’s most trusted real estate players, announced its financial results today for the third quarter (Q3FY23) ending December 31, 2022.

Commenting on the company’s performance, Ashish Puravankara, Managing Director, Puravankara Limited, said, “We have recorded the highest ever sales booking of Rs. 2,100 Cr. in the first nine months of the financial year. This outstanding result was supported by the launch of seven new projects in 9MFY23, as well as the continuing interest by home buyers in our ongoing projects.”

On Puravankara’s future plans, he said, “We will continue to work towards expanding our market share, and we are excited to announce that in Q3FY23 the group has achieved increased revenue from projects by 77%, increased collection from operations by 87% from construction and delivery against the similar quarter in the previous year. This is supported by increased sales and new launches of over 4.11 msft in 9MFY23 with the last quarter of the current financial year adding another 2.17 msft. Our per Sq. Ft. of debt on under construction area has reduced by 49% from Rs. 2,524 to Rs. 1,291 over the last four years.

Our focus continues to be on the customer with our ‘You philosophy’, and the results are a testament to the team’s commitment, anchored by Puravankara’s value loads of quality, trust, and customer experience.”

Highlights

Operational Highlights for Q3FY23

• Area sold stood at 1.02 msft (+3% Y-o-Y)
•  Sales value stood at Rs. 796 Cr. (+20% Y-o-Y)
•  Sales realization stood at Rs. 7,767 per sq. Ft. (+15%Y-o-Y)

Consolidated Q3FY23 Financial Performance

•  Net Revenues stood at Rs. 410 Cr. (+67% Y-o-Y)
•  EBITDA stood at Rs. 128 Cr. (+51% Y-o-Y)
•  Profit After Tax stood at Rs. 21 Cr. (1,213% Y-o-Y)

Cash Flows

As on 31st Dec 2022,

•  Balance collections from sold units (completed + ongoing) in all launched projects stood at Rs. 2,643 Cr.
•  Total estimated value of unsold inventory open for sale stood at Rs. 5,641 Cr.
•  Total estimated pending project cost to be incurred stands at Rs. 3,517 Cr.
•  Total balance estimated collection from sold and unsold inventory including not open for sale is Rs. 12,582 Cr.
•  Total estimated surplus after construction cost and contingency is 6,774 Cr.

Debt

The overall net debt reduced by Rs. 109 Cr., from Rs. 2,144 Cr. (as of Q2FY23) through operations, while debt increased by Rs. 100 Cr. (in Q3FY23) owing to land acquisition resulting in overall net debt of Rs. 2,135 Cr.

While the repo rate increased over a 12-month period by 225 bps, the cost of debt for the group has increased by only 67 bps. The weighted average cost of debt stood at 11.18% as of 31st December 2022.

Net debt-to-equity ratio stood at 1.09 for Q3FY23.

Outlook

In spite of the rise in home loan rates, we see sustained strong demand, particularly for grade-A developers. The government’s focus on infrastructure, investment and housing for all in the budget is commendable. The steep hike in outlay for the PM Awas Yojana by 66% to Rs. 79,000 Cr. will give the much-needed fillip to the affordable housing sector. An estimated growth rate of over 6% for the Indian economy for the next financial year is likely to support the current momentum of sales in the real estate sector.

News18 Bihar Jharkhand announces the conclusion of its road safety campaign “हेलमेट लगाइये, सुरक्षित घर आइये.” The grand finale is scheduled for Saturday, 11th February at 5 pm. The special episode will include discussions with prominent guests, words of support from celebrities, and musical performances by folk artists.

Viewers will get a chance to see the impact of the road safety campaign through a segment showcasing the perspectives of citizens and traffic authorities of the twin states. The show will also feature a discussion panel including Champai Soren, Minister of Transport, Jharkhand; senior officers from the Transport Departments of Bihar & Jharkhand; Raghvendra Singh popularly known as Helmet Man of India and Satyendra Sangeet, Folk Artist.

Music has always been a powerful tool in spreading messages. To convey the importance of road safety, the finale will feature performances from folk artists who will entertain viewers while spreading the message of the campaign.

Road safety is of paramount importance. In recent years, road-related casualties have been on the rise in Bihar and Jharkhand. In order to spread awareness among the mass and initiate a behavioral change in them toward road safety, News18 Bihar/Jharkhand launched this campaign during road safety week this year.

The success of this month-long campaign is a proud testimony to the role of media in creating awareness and bringing about a positive impact in our society.

The finale of the News18 Bihar Jharkhand’s Road Safety Campaign will be an event to look forward to as it will bring together the collaborative efforts of the people, traffic authorities, celebrities, and folk artists to spread the message of road safety.

Bangalore, February 10, 2023: Syska Group, the leading FMEG brand in India today announced the launch of the BLDC Effecta SFR1500 ceiling fan. The BLDC fans have energy-saving technology that can reduce power consumption by up to 50%. The line of fans by Syska has been designed and developed with the goal of meeting consumer needs and preferences while being ecologically sound.

Ceiling fans are the major means of cooling with over 90 million fans installed in homes. Fans consume 25% of all domestic energy, making it one of India’s biggest consumers of energy. With the aim to support Syska’s energy-saving objectives, the company introduced the most energy-efficient ceiling fan, which is quieter and requires less maintenance. Along with its powerful BLDC motor, the fan offers air delivery of 220 cm and a blade sweep of 1200mm and consumes 30 watts.

Commenting on the fan, Mr. Rajesh Uttamchandani, Director, of Syska Group said, “Affordability and sustainability are at the heart of what Syska does. In keeping with this tradition of providing both components in our products, we are pleased to introduce the newest model to our line of ceiling fans. Our brand-new BLDC Effecta SFR1500 ceiling fan is made with the goal of reducing energy consumption while helping consumers in reducing power costs and electricity bills, thus addressing the fundamental issue of energy consumption when using an appliance.”

Key features of Syska BLDC Effecta SFR1500 ceiling fan:

•  Dust resistance- Dust resistance has been added to the fans by the application of corrosion-free paint
•  Remote control- The fan can be operated through the remote
•  Silent Performance- The fan blade has been carefully designed to offer silent performance
•  Superior metallic finish- The fan has been given a superior metallic finish that adds a touch of beauty and elegance to the consumer’s home
•  Aerodynamic blade- The aerodynamic blades ensure higher air delivery

This Made in India fan can be easily installed without any hassle. Customers will be able to purchase the product across leading retail stores. To make it aesthetically pleasing for the consumers, the BLDC Effecta ceiling fan is available in White, Black, Bakers brown, Sand grey, Black & White, and Black & Ivory. The fan can be purchased at Rs. 6,999/- across leading retail stores.

It’s the season of love and you can feel the romance in the air. Novotel Vijayawada Varun is welcoming this season of love with special Valentine’s offerings at the hotel starting from the 7th till the 14th of February across their distinguished outlets.

Valentine’s Week with a sweet gift of love:

The celebration of Valentine’s week will begin on a sweet note with special Valentine’s Day-themed desserts at their artisanal lobby bar, Gourmet Bar. The bar will be flaunting desserts like Tarte aux fraises, Strawberry and Matcha Rocher, Fraise de Coco Petit Gateaux, and Dark chocolate Strawberry Gateaux, among others which will indeed be the sweet gift of love for your beloved.

Valentine’s Day Buffet:

Nothing speaks the language of love like delicious food. The hotel will be hosting a scrumptious Valentine’s Day buffet at their all-day dining outlet, Food Exchange to celebrate the day of love. Expect dishes like Poached Pear Blue Cheese Fondue, Mesclun Salad with Avocado and Citrus, Kesariya Paneer Tikka, Cannelloni Verdure, Blueberry Lavender Cake, and Raspberry Bavarian, among others that are sure to take you and your beloved on a delightful culinary journey. While the savories are sure to tantalize your taste buds, the desserts will provide the perfect ending to a lovely meal.

Price: 1399++
Timings: 7:30 pm onwards

A starry night with your loved one at Skydeck:

Valentine’s Day is all about making your loved one feel special. For this, the hotel has curated a special candlelight dinner at Skydeck, a resto-bar perched on the breezy rooftop. The couple can enjoy a candlelit set up while overlooking the cityscape of Vijayawada with a 5-course set dinner menu featuring dishes like Asparagus and Squash Velouté, Pea and Brie Gallots, Chicken Yakitori, Gosht Noorjahani Sheek, Murgh Jugalbandi, Wok Tossed Tofu, Pan Seared Seabass, Cherry Mascarpone with Fresh strawberry Cremieux, among others. For the extra special touch, the hotel will be serving a complimentary glass of wine per person and the table will also have treats like Chocolate Coated Strawberry, Marinated Olive, Marshmallow Popsicles, and Candied Palmier.

Price: Rs 7000/- per couple
Timings: 8 pm onwards

India, February 10th, 2023: Valentine’s Day- a cultural commemoration of love and romance, is around the corner and while the 14th of February is generally celebrated the world over as the day of love and affection, a love interest could also be something other than the usual and cherished with equal passion.

redBus, a MakeMyTrip group company, and the world’s largest intercity bus ticketing platform has released a short video to that effect, as a tribute to those whose first love is traveling. The 54-second film drives this narrative and calls out the message – ‘This Valentine’s Day, Chalo #PyaarKeRaaste redBus ke Saath, encouraging and enticing people to have a passionate love affair with traveling. The film also concurs with redBus’ larger brand narrative of ‘Apno ko, sapno ko kareeb layer, which calls upon people to bring their loved ones and dreams closer to redBus.