Archives February 2023

JustMyRoots has announced the submission of their two revolutionary patents that are going to change the course of the food delivery industry. Along with CSIR-CFTRI (Council of Scientific & Industrial Research) (Central Food Technological Research Institute), have developed Biodegradable thermo-stable containers for cold and hot supply chains for food products. The containers developed for hot food chain supply are capable of keeping perishable food hot between 42-65 degrees Celsius for up to 10 hours. This technology will reform food delivery for restaurants located 10+ km away or even in another city. The technology used for cold supply chain containers is capable of keeping perishable food fresh for up to 72 hours by maintaining its temperature between 2-8 degrees Celsius. The new technology will help JustMyRoots to expand its services both domestically and internationally. They already use a state-of-the-art packaging system that keeps the flavors intact, and a cooling system that stores the food at 2-8 degrees Centigrade, keeping the food fresh without preservatives for up to 24 hours.

Mr. Samiran Sengupta, CEO & Founder, JustMyRoots is an alumnus of IIM-A and IMD Lausanne. He has held many global and regional roles in Shell and Reckitt Benckiser, mostly in the area of Supply Chain and Business Processes. He is experienced in Building Technology based Supply Chains and Demand Management Enterprise Applications. He says,

“With JustMyRoots you are never away from either your favorite restaurant or the nostalgic dish cooked by your mom, we have perfected the art of intercity perishable food delivery without adding preservatives or freezing the food. Our two new patents are going to allow us to expand our horizon domestically as well as internationally.”

With the new packaging, JustMyRoots will pick up the food from the restaurant in the original restaurant container and transports it to the JustMyRoots office, where it would be placed in thermo-stable, biodegradable, reusable packaging and air shipped to the receiving city. The order is picked up from the airport and delivered to the customer by a delivery agent in the receiving city.

The technologies that are available in the market are rigid non-biodegradable containers that are not suitable for reverse logistics and therefore do not help in reducing carbon footprint, nor are they capable of holding food at the required temperatures for as long as JustMyRoots is offering. This technology invented by JustMyRoots will significantly change the way we look at take-out food. You can visit https://justmyroots.com/ or download their app ‘justmyroots’ from the play store or App store

Feb 16, 2023: India’s leading financial technology providers Craft Silicon and Legality have forged a strategic alliance to transform the Microlending Industry into a delightful and paperless experience. The partnership will address logistical and operational challenges in the processing of paperwork for seamless disbursal while enhancing technology adoption.

The partnership between Craft Silicon and Leegality will enable financial institutions to streamline field operations along with providing secured digital verification, digital paperwork, and smooth customer onboarding. Leegality’s Secure Virtual Signature, in conjunction with Face Capture, ensures 100% compliance and security in every transaction and is readily Integrated with Craft Silicon’s Loan Origination System. Microfinance Institutions will no longer have to look for separate service providers for digital paperwork and its integration with LOS / LMS.

Speaking on the partnership, Siva Kumar, CEO – of Asia, Craft Silicon, said, “Over the last few years, rural India has seen a significant rise in technology adaption and India Stack has further helped in supporting various digital initiatives. Our alliance with Leegality will open new avenues for financial institutions and will offer a comprehensive solution to automate the documentation process securely and seamlessly. This is in addition to our efforts to fully digitize the financial inclusion loan origination process and reduce the operational costs for both end borrowers and the institution.”

Digitization helps Microlending Institutions attain better portfolio management, improved service, and reduced time as compared to the manual offering.

Shivam Singla, Founder & CEO, Legality, “We are extremely proud to partner with Craft Silicon, one of the leading providers of next-gen tech solutions for the banking and microfinance sector in India. Both Craft Silicon and Leegality are committed to driving financial inclusion in India by helping financial institutions increase their coverage to unbanked and underbanked segments through secure digital solutions. This partnership will provide BFSI companies a one-stop solution to digitally transform their operations for a better customer experience and accelerated business growth.”

Core loan management solution runs on a modern enterprise platform with robust architecture and easy-to-use technology that are custom developed to meet every micro-lending requirement. Craft Silicon worked closely with Leegality to deliver a remote implementation, providing expert support and consultation to ensure a smooth installation.

Maintaining physical paperwork poses business costs to microlending institutions:

• · High Cost: Printing all loan application forms, KYC documents, and identification documents for verification. Warehousing, transportation, and courier costs.
• · Compliance Risk: Physical paperwork is prone to damage, wear and tear, and manual errors – leaving financial institutions vulnerable during RBI audits.
• · Team Utilization: Manpower is wasted on mundane paperwork-related tasks like physical verification and transportation of voluminous documents. With a digital solution, their productivity can be better utilized in collections and other services.
• · Delayed Disbursals and Customer Experience: Physical paperwork significantly increases turnaround time and delays disbursals. With a faster verification process and remote onboarding, Financial Institutions can now boost customer experience to a higher level.

With technology adoption, documents are just one click away and are easily accessible on its DMS. They can be auto-populated via the template Engine eliminating any chance of human error.

Hyderabad, 16 February 2023: Heartfulness held a press conference to announce an upcoming three-day Yog Mahotsav campaign called ‘Har Dil Dhyan, Har Din Dhyan’ that will be organised by Heartfulness in association with the Ministry of Culture at Lal Bahadur Stadium in Hyderabad between 17-19 February. The campaign is aimed at promoting the benefits of Yoga and Meditation among youth, corporates, and governmental bodies.

The Yog Mahotsav has four themes viz., 1. Anxiety 2. Weight management 3. Hypertension and 4. Diabetes is dedicated to each day respectively. Arrangements are being made for 10000 participants that will include students (mainly college-goers) and corporates. Anyone above 15 years of age can join. Chairs are being provided for the elderly or those who have ailments. The three-day event starts on 17 Feb between 5-6.30 pm on Anxiety followed by Day 2 event at 8-10 AM on Weight Management & 5-6.30 PM on Hypertension. The programme closes on Day 3 with a session on Diabetes between 8-10 AM.

Each Yoga session will be followed by Heartfulness meditation. While there is no virtual participation, there will be live streaming. Participation is free as well.

Shri Srinivas Goud – Hon’ble Minister of Prohibition & Excise, Sports & Youth Services, Tourism & Culture and Archaeology of Telangana said, “Today the entire world people have begun to understand the relevance of Yoga. We are fortunate that our motherland India is the birthplace of Yoga. Shri Ram Chandra Mission played a pivotal role by enabling millions of people to practice Yoga and spread it across the world. The three-day Yog Mahotsav campaign at LB Stdium is being beautifully launched by Rev. Daaji (Shri Kamlesh Patel). He had earlier too hosted a global suryanamaskar campaign wherein the likes of Baba Ramdev alongside the Ministry of Health and I had the fortune of making a presence. Today Heartfulness is beginning a series of 75 Yog Mahotsav campaigns beginning from Hyderabad’s LB Stadium. Only sound health permits better sports, better academics, and other activities. Healthy thoughts come from a healthy body. Immunity power also develops through yoga. Sportsmen, youth, and those from all walks of life must take up yoga. All it requires 15 minutes devoted practice of yoga for your own wellbeing.”

Shri Kamlesh Patel ‘Daaji’, Guide of Heartfulness Meditation Worldwide said, “Yog and Meditation must go hand in hand if you want to get the full benefit of them. People need to understand that yoga is much more than just physical exercise. It is also a way of connecting with the inner self. Heartfulness meditation through Prananhuti takes it one step ahead. It gives you an easy access to the inner journey. I am very happy that the Ministry of Culture and the Telangana Govt. have come forward to support us in this initiative that will see a participation of almost 10000 people.”

Shri Pullela Gopichand, ace Indian Badminton Coach said, “We have a great mediation center right in Hyderabad. The man behind this is Shri Kamlesh Patel fondly called Daaji who transformed the once barren land by putting lakhs of saplings. He has brought hope into many lives. Fitness and health have taken precedence, especially after covid. The Govt. of India is celebrating 75 years of Azadi ka Amrit Mahostsav. Let us celebrate it with Yoga. For the first time in LB Stadium, we are bringing the Yoga festivities coinciding with the 75th glorious year of India’s independence to make Yoga beneficial for all. He added a few words on the latest book by ‘Daaji’ – The Wisdom Bridge saying, “He has beautifully woven in an understanding of balancing both the material and spiritual aspects of life. The last three years I have met him Daaji has always come across as a calm person despite all the chaos outside – it is a great association I have had with him.”

New Delhi, February 16: The Vice President, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar interacted with a group of Indian Information Service (IIS) probationers at Upa-Rashtrapati Nivas today & asked them to be “real protectors of democracy and nationalism.” Praising the role of IIS officers in fighting misinformation during the Covid-19 pandemic and in addressing vaccine hesitancy, Shri Dhankhar told young officer trainees to remain ever-alert & vigilant as things get viral in a split second these days.

Shri Sunil Kumar Gupta, Secretary to the Vice President, Shri Apurva Chandra, Secretary, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Shri Sanjeev Shankar, Joint Secretary, Ministry of I&B, Prof. Sanjay Dwivedi, DG, IIMC, Shri Ashish Goyal, ADG, IIMC, Dr. Rinku Pegu, IIS officer trainees of 2020, 2021 & 2022 batches and senior officials were present.

Addressing the officers, Shri Dhankhar described India as the land of opportunities & investments and highlighted the role of effective communication in further enhancing these strengths. Describing the ‘dumping of information’ as ‘another way of invasion’, he called for bold and effective steps to neutralize it. The Vice President also underlined the need to remain alert to effectively counter the doctored narratives to run down India’s growth story. “We no longer have the luxury of delayed response,” he told young officers.

The Indian Information Service is a Central Group ‘A’ Service whose members work as media managers for the Government of India. The IIS officers, in their various capacities, act as a vital communication link between the Government and the citizens of the country by way of disseminating information and communicating various Government policies and schemes to the public at large.

Mumbai: February 16, 2023 – Chain Reactor Music & Media, a new-age, multi-dimensional music licensing and music marketing agency, was able to procure licenses of over 50 Bollywood songs from 10 major labels in just under 48 hours! This quick turnaround of sorting out the legalities related to these music licenses made the live broadcast of the grand opening ceremony of the Hockey World Cup a truly mesmerizing and entertaining experience for the audience.

The dazzling opening ceremony of the mega sports event was recently attended by hockey fans from all over India and overseas in Cuttack, Odisha, and featured action-packed performances by Ranveer Singh, Disha Patani, Pritam and Lisa Mishra among others, all grooving to Bollywood hits. The ceremony was aired on DD Sports, Star Sports and YouTube.

“We are overjoyed to be given this opportunity to make the Hockey World Cup a memorable experience for the audience, through what was probably, one of the fastest licensing deals ever. We were able to pull this off because of our long-term relationships with the majors. This would not have been possible without their support,” said Anurag Rao, CEO, of Chain Reactor.

Chain reactor’s long-term relationships with major record labels, collecting societies, and artists enable them to provide end-to-end music supervision and licensing solutions across TVC, live entertainment, and brand campaigns. Chain Reactor has also licensed music and content for premium brands such as Dream 11, Swiggy, Amazon Prime, A23, Hotstar, ISL, Purplle cosmetics, and Nokia amongst others.

“The demand for popular music in advertising is on an upswing. However, many brands are still unaware of ‘music rights’ and how to procure content the right way. We help bridge that gap,” added Rao.

Chain Reactor’s other areas of specialization are dialogue licensing, brand anthems, footage licensing, music supervision, and talent booking in the media and entertainment space.

16th February 2023: Travelling makes us collectors of memories—of moments that opened our eyes; of strangers who guided us on the right path; of food that took us home while being in a strange land; and so much more. These moments live on in our minds and hearts, but by preserving them on a vast canvas, we preserve a part of ourselves. That’s exactly what made Swati and Siddharth start Inland, a curated travel apparel brand that presents some of their cherished memories on exclusive garments. The founders hope that by doing so, they will inspire you to take the road less travelled and return to places that have captured your heart and soul.

It all started in 2015, when Swati and Siddharth went on their first bike ride in the mountains of Ladakh. This was the trip that changed their lives and left them enthralled and exuberant. They kept going for more rides before getting back to their fast-paced life in Mumbai. Then the pandemic came and put a pause on all their travel plans, but they found themselves yearning to go back. “Being a photographer and an artist, the idea of creating a travel-inspired apparel brand felt like the most natural expression of our love for the mountains. In literal terms, we want to carry the mountains on our sleeves!” says Swati.

The brand website showcases a collection of jackets that feature scenic stills from the founders’ travels. On one jacket, one can catch a glimpse of a bike ride in the middle of a snowy paradise, while another gives an ethereal view of a morning in Manali. Every jacket is meant to tell a story and entice the wearer to become a part of it. Furthermore, what makes these jackets so special is the little poem written inside each of them. These writings are an ode to the picturesque beauty and the mystic aura of the places shown on the outside. All the jackets are unisex, made up of 100% polyester, which makes them anti-wrinkle, and are available in sizes ‘XS’ through ‘7XL’. “We are looking forward to launching T-shirts, scarves, kaftans, skirts, shirts, and other merchandise phase wise,” says Siddharth, while stressing the fact that all products will be based on real images taken by them on their travels without any filters and are size and gender inclusive.

In terms of future plans, Inland intends to become a force to be reckoned with in the international market, owing to their first mover advantage with their distinctive prints. The brand is also passionate about building a community of like-minded travellers on social media who are enthusiastic about sharing real stories that are meant to be seen, heard, and felt. These are the stories that are sure to inspire someone to take the road less traveled, to explore the unexplored, and to create moments that will last a lifetime. This is how the thrill of travelling can be kept alive, which will eventually rub off on all those who are yet to be consumed by wanderlust.

Inland strives to rekindle the spirit of adventure within you with its travel-inspired apparel. It is meant to make your heart yearn to go places and discover yourself while you discover the wonders around you. So, get ready to be a part of a larger story and flaunt the same through Inland’s stunning garments!

Bengaluru, 16 February 2023: Tata Motors, India’s leading commercial vehicle manufacturer, today announced the delivery of 218 Winger veterinary vans to the Government of West Bengal. The vehicles were flagged off by the Hon’ble Chief Minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee, and Hon’ble Minister of Animal Resources Development, Government of West Bengal, Shri Swapan Debnath, along with delegates from the Government of West Bengal, Department of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services and Tata Motors. The specially customized Tata Winger will be utilised by the Department of Animal Resource Development for animal and livestock welfare. Tata Motors emerged as the top bidder, as per the terms and conditions of the Government body and delivered the fleet of fully-built Winger veterinary vans equipped with state-of-the-art features. The e-bidding process was carried out through the Government e-Marketplace.

Commenting on the occasion, Mr. Vinay Pathak, Vice President, Product Line – SCV, PU and Vans, Tata Motors, said, “With Tata Motors’ firm commitment towards enabling improved animal healthcare mobility, we are elated to deliver 218 Winger veterinary vans to the Government of West Bengal. We are happy to associate with the Government’s vision of providing veterinary services across the state. Built on Tata Winger’s versatile platform, the veterinary van is engineered to facilitate smooth operations in the state.”

The Tata Winger is powered by a 2.2-liter engine with improved torque and better fuel economy. It also offers an ECO switch and Gear Shift Advisor that helps in increasing fuel efficiency. Additionally, the Winger’s independent front suspension with anti-roll bars and hydraulic shock absorbers assure a smooth ride, as does its monocoque body design, which enables car-like driving dynamics and low levels of noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH).

February 2023, India– Raffles Udaipur, the ultimate destination for luxury and opulence, played host to the most spectacular event of the year as Indian cricketer Hardik Pandya and Serbian model and actress, Natasa Stankovic, tied the knot in a white wedding fit for royalty.

The couple’s high-profile nuptials drew a star-studded guest list from the worlds of sports, fashion, and entertainment, including designer Nikhil Mehra, celebrity stylist Nikita Jaisinghani, fitness guru Yasmin Karachiwala, cricketer Ishan Kishan, Dinesh Karthik, Akash Ambani and many more who gathered to celebrate the couple’s unforgettable union.

The exchange of vows was a magnificent affair, set in the expansive Polo Lawn, evoking a sense of timeless elegance and sophistication that transported the guests to a world of enchantment. The stunning Polo Lawn was the perfect backdrop for this momentous occasion, and the breathtaking beauty of the surroundings only added to the grandeur of the ceremony.

The excitement of the exchange of vows continued with an electrifying after-party in the Ballroom, where guests reveled in the magical ambiance of the venue’s luxurious interiors, creating memories that will last a lifetime.

The second day of the festivities is set to begin with a Mehendi Brunch in the Compass Lawn, where guests will be transported to a world of exquisite flavors and scents, creating a feast for the senses. This will be followed by the Safa Bandi and Baraat, where the couple will embark on their journey to the Great Park for their Royal Hindu Wedding, a momentous occasion steeped in tradition, grace, and grandeur.

Bringing this beautiful amalgamation to a spectacular end will be the Sangeet at night, a dazzling celebration of music and dance that will create an unforgettable experience for everyone.

“We are honored to host such an extraordinary event at Raffles Udaipur,” said General Manager Rajesh Namby. “Our team is going above and beyond to ensure that every aspect of the wedding is executed flawlessly. Raffles Udaipur’s stunning location and exceptional service, combined with the couple’s timeless elegance, has created a magnificent celebration of love that will be remembered for generations to come.”

Raffles Udaipur has quickly become known as the premier destination for elite events in India, and this wedding has only cemented its status as one of the most extraordinary venues in the world.

New Delhi, India – February 16, 2023 – Rentokil PCI, the leading pest control and hygiene service provider in India and known for its expertise in pest control, has acquired Envocare Pest Control Solutions, a Mumbai-based pest control service provider through a 100% asset deal, from parent company SILA.

Envocare Pest Control Solutions is a provider of full-service environment management including general pest control services. It offers environmentally friendly services and products to customers. It caters to residential and commercial buildings and infrastructure projects. In 2016, SILA bought a majority stake in the company which it has now sold to Rentokil.

With this acquisition, Rentokil PCI expands its customer reach within the pest management sector. Rentokil PCI will further strengthen its position in the Indian pest control market as a result of this acquisition by adding leading companies in the corporate, facility management, and construction sectors as its customers. With this acquisition, RPCI demonstrates its willingness to deploy capital and acquire quality businesses in Pest & Hygiene.

Mr. David Lewis, MD of Rentokil PCI, said, “Envocare Pest Control Solutions will help expand Rentokil PCI’s industry-leading capabilities into the fast-growing market of integrated pest control services. Furthermore, Envocare specializes in eco-friendly pest management solutions, which aligns with Rentokil PCI’s goal of continuing to be the most sustainable and eco-friendly pest control company in India.”

Rushabh Vora, Co-founder & MD, SILA, said, “Over the past 6 years, we have enjoyed working with Envocare Management to get the business off the ground. We will continue to focus on the organic and inorganic growth of our core businesses. We are confident that the Envocare team will continue to excel under its new owner, Rentokil PCI, which is the market leader in the Pest Control space.”

“Rentokil PCI’s global reach and expertise will bring new products and solutions to our existing and future customers. The acquisition will facilitate long-term engagements with customers in the pest control services sector. We would like to thank the SILA team for their support in setting us up for the next leg of our journey.” said Mr. Dilip Murkute, Managing Director, of Envocare Pest Control Solutions.

Rentokil PCI is preferred for pest control by households and companies in India because of our extensive national network, highly qualified pest control specialists, and research and development (R&D) capabilities.

Chennai, 16th Feb 2023: The 3rd Dr. KCG Verghese Equestrian competition will be held at the Hindustan Institute of Technology and Science on the 18th and 19th of February 2023. This Equestrian competition will see the participation of over 10 teams on these two days.

The teams will compete in the following categories including DRESSAGE, SHOW JUMPING, TENT PEGGING & ARENA POLO. This event is being held in commemoration of the completion of the 10th year of the Horse Riding club of the Institution.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Anand Jacob Verghese, Chancellor, of Hindustan Institute of Technology and Science said, “We are the only private university to have a full-fledged Stable with over 20 horses. With the support and vision of our Founder, our campus had an equestrian facility even way back in 1996. A Horse Riding Club was established in 2011 and in commemoration of 10 years of the club, we have decided to start a rolling Trophy named after our Founder. This trophy will reiterate our commitment to maintaining a fully functional stable to encourage participation in this unique sport.

Also, in addition to the extracurricular and sporting facilities offered at HITS, This club is a stellar example to provide our students an all-rounded experience including horse riding as part of their period of study at the campus.”

The 3rd Dr. KCG Verghese Trophy will see the following teams competing:

1.  OFFICERS TRAINING ACADEMY – Indian Army
2.  TN POLICE
3.  NCC
4.  CHENNAI EQUITATION CENTRE
5.  EAST COAST EQUESTRIAN
6.  CHENNAI RIDING SCHOOL
7.  EQUINE DREAMS
8.  CHENNAI POLO 2.0
9.  SPT TANJAVUR
10. AMBUR EQUESTRIAN CLUB and HINDUSTAN UNIVERSITY