Archives February 2023

India-wide release, 15th February 2023: One of India’s leading pharma brands, Torrent Pharmaceuticals Ltd, recently unveiled its first-ever 12-week-long campaign across TV and digital. With this new campaign #BeShelcalStrong, the pharma giant announces the entry of its brand Shelcal 500 – a market leader and the no. 1 doctor-recommended calcium supplement$ – as an over-the-counter (OTC) calcium supplement brand.

The ever-rising consumer empowerment, demand for relatable storytelling and expectation of engagement has necessitated creating of multi-channel marketing campaigns. Nowadays, consumer healthcare marketers understand that engaging consumers in out-of-the-box marketing practices is increasingly helpful in getting their point across. These subsequently encourage conversations around health issues and offer solutions to help individuals fix them.

In India, close to 40% of people are calcium deficient and 79% are Vitamin D deficient*. With this campaign, Torrent Pharma aims to raise awareness about the importance of fulfilling one’s calcium and Vitamin D3 needs in a way that is relatable to the daily lives of people.

As a part of the #BeShelcalStrong campaign, Torrent Pharmaceuticals has added a highly interactive calcium calculator on the website, www.shelcal.com, which will calculate the approximate daily dietary calcium intake of the user, meeting 100% RDA of calcium. Based on the analysis, consumers can make an informed decision about their calcium intake. In addition to this, consumers can connect via the toll-free number 18002020240 to seek assistance and resolve calcium-related queries.

Additionally, the TVC created under the campaign aims to address the aforementioned lack of dietary calcium amongst people by educating them to pay heed to their exhaustion and listen to their aching bones, especially after they turn 40. By depicting everyday instances, the film further highlights the need to supplement one’s diet with Shelcal 500 daily.

With its composition of 500mg of Calcium and 250 IU of Vitamin D3, Shelcal 500 helps optimize calcium absorption, increases bone density, improves muscle strength, and helps boost immunity. The calcium is sourced from natural ingredients like oyster shells, having good absorption/bioavailability in the body.

Furthermore, Shelcal500 is a consistent market leader in the Rx category, with a market share currently at ~43% that continues to rise$. And going OTC will see Shelcal further increase its market share substantially in the consumer healthcare segment.

Aman Mehta, Director at Torrent Pharmaceuticals Ltd, said, “With Shelcal’s entry into OTC, the brand is poised to become the largest calcium supplement brand in India. Via this campaign launch, we wish to encourage consumers to take calcium supplements regularly to make up for their dietary deficiencies. #BeShelcalStrong is a strong value proposition that intends to not only build on Shelcal’s brand awareness but also educate people about calcium’s importance to their diet, which in turn can positively affect their quality of life.”

Amal Kelshikar, Executive Director at Torrent Pharmaceuticals Ltd : “According to data, 40.6% of Indians are calcium-deficient, while 79% of Indians are Vitamin D-deficient*. Moreover, while RDA recommends 1000 mg/day of calcium, 1 out of every 2 Indians consume less than 50% of the recommended range*. However, the awareness amongst the consumers in this regard is low, or despite awareness, it is not acted upon. This is why it is important to not just spread awareness about the prevalence of calcium deficiency but also to get people to act upon filling their deficiencies. Thus, by taking Shelcal 500 to OTC while presenting a relevant, relatable and engaging campaign that is driving awareness about how critical it is to complete one’s calcium requirements, Torrent Pharmaceuticals is actively endeavoring to bridge the gap between consumers and a healthy, active lifestyle.”

Marketing of Consumer Health Care products can be interesting and powerful, while still remaining informative. In order to be successful, pharma marketers also need to recognize the importance of building long-term relationships with customers based on trust and care. Today’s hectic and fast-paced lifestyle often gives way to food habits and a diet that may lack adequate nutritional value, giving rise to several health implications. Owing to the pervasive Calcium and vitamin D deficiency in India, and with a vision to offer care via providing better and greater access to dietary calcium, Torrent Pharmaceuticals thus curated this compelling campaign that urges people to #BeShelcalStrong.

India Enhancing its efforts toward early detection of Lung diseases, India-Sweden Healthcare Innovation Centre and its knowledge partner AstraZeneca India collaborated with the Directorate of Health Services (DHS) Jammu to integrate Qure.ai’s smart artificial intelligence technology to detect lung cancer early on.

Under the aegis of Indo Sweden Healthcare Innovation Centre (ISHIC), Qure.ai is scaling up the integration of its AI-powered chest x-ray interpretation tool that can benefit the early and easy detection of lung diseases including lung cancer. The collaboration with DHS Jammu is a significant example of how technology can be leveraged and simply integrated in primary healthcare settings. Cecilia Oskarsson, Swedish Trade Commissioner to India said, “Innovation is critical to address the healthcare challenges in the country and we at the India-Sweden healthcare innovation centre are working towards a mission to support these innovative solutions. We are delighted to initiate this first project in Jammu towards early screening and diagnosis of lung diseases in the state. We look forward to supporting the start-up ecosystem and the states towards building an innovative ecosystem in the country.”

Dr. Sanjeev Panchal, Country President and Managing Director, AstraZeneca India said, “We celebrate the progress that has been made in cancer care, including advances in screening, the development of innovative therapies, greater public-private collaboration and increased prioritisation of health equity. As a global cancer community, we have many reasons to be optimistic about the future. We are moving ever closer to achieving our ambition – eliminating cancer as a cause of death.”

The AI-powered chest X-ray is designed to distinguish lung nodules in under a minute and minimise the chances of lung cancers going undetected. Importantly, this tool is being accessed in a primary care setting where x-rays are utilised most commonly. Commenting on the technological advantage of the solution, Prashant Warier, CEO of Qure.ai said, “Our mission is to use AI to make healthcare more accessible and affordable. Our machine-based learning tools are enhancing the analysis of simpler diagnosis tools such as x-rays, and ultrasounds to catch serious diseases at very early stages that significantly reduce the mortality rates. AstraZeneca has helped us spread our offering across the world which has led to approximately 170,000 scans in 25 countries, with high malignancy risk lung nodules identified in 1.6% of scans. Today we are tapping further into technology to enable faster diagnosis and speedy treatments.”

In 2020, there were an estimated 18.1 million cancer cases worldwide with Lung Cancer being the second most common form of the disease. The constant increase in the incidence of lung cancer highlighted the need for healthcare organisation around the world to come together, collaborate and innovate the way lung cancer was addressed. In India, ISHIC-a tri-part collaboration with AIIMS Delhi, AIIMS Jodhpur and Business Sweden with AstraZeneca and NASSCOM as the knowledge partner was formed to fortify the healthcare ecosystem by identifying, mentoring and integrating some of the smart and best-in-class healthcare solutions, in alignment with the health priorities of the country. To date, the centre has mentored over 37 promising start-ups that can enhance the way healthcare is accessed and delivered.

Hyderabad: 15th February, 2023: The Celebrity Cricket League 2023 is back with a mesmerizing season that promises to be more entertaining, full of glitz, and a powerhouse of cricketing fun. CCL 2023 introduces an all-new format, for the first time in cricket history where a T20 match will be played in 2 innings of 10 overs each. The new format will offer More Cricket, More Entertainment, and More Fun with the Cine Stars from 8 teams representing the respective Film Industries (Telugu Warriors, Karnataka Bulldozers, Chennai Rhinos, Kerala Strikers, Bengal Tigers, Bhojpuri Dabanggs, Mumbai Heroes and Punjab De Sher) competing for the CCL 2023 crown.

This 5-weekend tournament, a never-before entertainment, and competition will be played in 5 cities.

The month-long Sportainment affair will kickstart on the 18th and 19th of February 2023 from Raipur with each team playing its opening games. The league will continue every weekend till the semi-finals on 18th March and the grand finale on 19th March at Hyderabad. Fans from every nook of India will be able to tune in and watch the tournament in their favorite languages as the broadcast partner Zee Network will televise the entire season on 7 channels. Parle has also signed up to be a title sponsor.

According to Mr. Vishnu Vardhan Induri, Founder & Managing Director of Celebrity Cricket League, “We are delighted to bring back the Reimagined, Refreshed, and Reloaded edition of Celebrity Cricket League 2023. This season offers More Cricket, More Celebrities, and More Fun for the visitors with the new format of a T20 with 2 innings of 10 overs per team. This new format will give celebrities more cricket and visitors more fun with their favorite cine stars as they compete fiercely for the CCL 2023 crown.”

Like in the past, CCL teams have a power-packed star cast ie. Salman Khan himself is the team ambassador of Mumbai Heroes owned by Sohail Khan. The audience will also see Kiccha Sudeep in action as the icon player for Kannada Bulldozers, along with Sonu Sood, the captain of Punjab De Sher. Captain of the Bhojpuri Dabanggs is Manoj Tiwari; Arya leads Chennai Rhinos, Akhil Akkineni leads Telugu Warriors, the captain of the Bengal Tigers, Jisshu Sengupta, Captain of Kerala Strikers, Kunchacko Boban; and many other A-list stars represent their teams. Media veteran Raj Nayak along with Vishnu Induri the Founder and Managing Director of the Celebrity Cricket League and Mayank Shah from Parle Biscuits unveiled the CCL 2023 trophy

CCL 2023 is all set to thrill cricket and movie fans alike in its new season – Reimagined, Refreshing, and Reloaded!

Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh, 15 February 2023: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy inaugurated 20 tourist police stations in the major tourist and spiritual places from his camp office in Tadepalli on Tuesday.

“We are starting another good program under the police department. Unlike in the past, many good reforms are being implemented, which has never happened before like women police available at the village level through secretariats. Zero FIR has been made available for the first time in the state,” said Chief Minister Jagan.

“We are also setting up a receptionist at the police stations to stand with the complainants. Further, Disha App has crossed over 1 Crore 20 Lakh downloads. Once the person presses the SOS button, within five or ten minutes, the police officer will respond like an elder brother and a younger brother to help. They call and ask for information… If they do not respond on the phone, they go there themselves and stand by them.,” he added.

“As part of such changes, today we are setting up tourist police stations in 20 tourist and spiritual areas,” said CM Jagan. Speaking on the security of the people visiting tourist areas and spiritual places, he said the department has identified key locations and set up kiosks that are connected to the local police station.

Each kiosk is designed to have around 6 staff working in two shifts. They are supervised by an officer of the rank of SI or ASI. A dedicated telephone number will also be displayed for anyone in distress. All the staff are given a special telephone number, radio set, first aid box, map of the area, emergency telephone numbers, and vehicles, said the Chief Minister.

He added that the government is taking necessary measures to ensure that the tourists and pilgrims in the area are safe. Henceforth, these tourist police stations will start working towards providing the necessary assurance for a fearless stay in tourist areas and spiritual areas.

“All these steps have been taken to ensure women’s safety and not cause any inconvenience to the tourists in the area. It will also stand as another golden chapter in the police department,” said CM Jagan.He said, “Half of the staff working in tourist police stations are women who can help the women in distress.”

Mumbai, February 15, 2023: Footwear major Bata India Limited today announced results for the quarter that ended 31st December 2022. Revenue from operations for the quarter stood at Rs. 9002 million (a growth of 7% over the quarter that ended December 21). The Operating Profit stood at Rs. 1021 million, a growth of 22% over the quarter that ended in December 2021.

The results for the quarter showcased momentum behind the strategic levers driving strong portfolio evolution, strong footprint expansion across touchpoints coupled with improving cost efficiencies, helping drive revenue growth and increased margins despite significant inflationary pressure.

 
Speaking on the Q3FY23 performance, Gunjan Shah, MD and CEO – of Bata India Limited, stated:

“Continuous focus on refreshing product portfolio with our strategy of casualization and offering premium fashionable products reflected in overall ASP growth and expansion in share of our premium category brands like Hush Puppies, Marie Claire, Red Label, etc., that was backed by festivity and wedding season in the quarter. We also saw encouraging demand for our comfort and casual wear ranges of Bata Comfit, Floatz, etc. The quarter also marks the highest ever addition of Franchise stores with a total footprint crossing the 2000+ milestone for the 1st time.

We continue to drive various cost optimization initiatives across the value chain. In the mass categories, the demand remains sluggish due to inflationary pressures. We have continued investments in marketing and technology to fuel accelerated momentum.”

Hyderabad, 15th February 2023: Apollo Institute of Medical Sciences & Research Hospital (AIMSR, Apollo Medical College) commemorated World Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Day – 14th February 2023; by reaching the spectacular milestone of 150 Pediatric cardiac procedures and surgeries performed for congenital heart defects in the last one year alone, at the Apollo Medical College, Hyderabad.

Congenital heart defect (CHD) is the most common type of birth defect, 1 out of 100 infants are impacted by this. 25% of the CHDs require surgery or a procedure within the baby’s first year of life. More than 90% of children with CHD live into adulthood.

The team of pediatric specialists at Apollo Medical College, involved in achieving this humongous landmark, Dr. Sri Krishna, Head of Department of Pediatrics; Dr Amol Gupta, Pediatric Cardiologist; Dr Meena Trehan, Pediatric Anesthetist and Intensivist and Dr Sunil Kumar Swain, Paediatric Cardiothoracic & Vascular Surgeon; were felicitated on the occasion. The parent Mr. Kuruva Sri Ramulu & Mrs. Uma Devi of the 150th child Master Kuruva Manoj, a 2 years 8 months boy who had been discharged from the Pediatric ICU, from Arikera village, Kurnool district, Andhra Pradesh; were also felicitated on the occasion. This baby boy was suffering from a rare condition caused by a combination of four heart defects that are present at birth. Tetralogy of Fallot defects causes oxygen-poor blood to flow out of the heart and into the rest of the body. Risk factors include a viral illness such as rubella (German measles) during pregnancy, maternal alcoholism or a family history of the condition and were treated for the same by performing a critical ICR – Complete Repair of Tetralogy of Fallot, and he had recovered well and was discharged.

Apollo Medical College marked World Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Day by hosting a Congenital Awareness Walk, early in the morning, to raise awareness about congenital heart problems and the need to detect them early, for the child to lead a normal life. The College conducted a Continuous Medical Education program to build awareness in the medical fraternity about congenital heart disease and the paramount importance of early detection.

Mumbai, 15th February 2023: The Indian adaptation of The Night Manager is creating history! The show, which is set to release on Disney+ Hotstar on 17th February 2023, is an adaptation of John le Carré’s book of the same name and in a first, the book will now feature the film’s leading men, Anil Kapoor and Aditya Roy Kapur, as its cover. This is the first time ever that an Indian show will be featured on an international bestseller.

Gaurav Banerjee, Head – Content, Disney+Hotstar & HSM Entertainment Network, Disney Star said, “John le Carre is the king of espionage. Our show ‘The Night Manager’ is based on his book and now it is being featured on the book cover which is seeming like a fantastic full circle of the show’s journey! It’s such a strong validation of what we have done with the Indian version and we couldn’t have been more thrilled.”

On this milestone, Anil Kapoor said, “To be featured on the cover of a bestselling novel…this has to be one of the most incredibly memorable moments of my acting career! When you’ve been in the industry for as long as I have, it’s easy to think that you’ve seen everything, but I could not have imagined something like this even in my wildest dreams. So grateful and humbled by this honor!”

“The Night Manager has been a very special project for me. I’m a huge fan of the book and for our poster to make it to the cover of the book it’s based on, we couldn’t have asked for more! It’s wonderful validation for all the work the whole team has put in.” adds Aditya Roy Kapur.

Nick, Stephen, and Simon Cornwell, sons of the author, said “Our father John le Carré was hugely excited by the Indian adaptation of The Night Manager. Even though sadly he did not live to see the finished show, we know he would have been thrilled by this breath-taking adaptation brilliantly helmed by Sandeep Modi and Priyanka Ghose and the brilliant performances of Anil Kapoor, Aditya Roy Kapur, Tillotama Shome, Sobhita Dhulipala and the whole cast. It’s a gripping and much-loved book and it’s wonderful to see it taking on new life in this way. Moments like these prove how well the story has traveled, and how it has echoed across the globe. And it’s incredibly exciting to see two of Bollywood’s greatest actors, Anil Kapoor and Aditya Roy Kapur, on the cover of the book!”

“Night Manager is John Le Carré’s best-known work of espionage writing. This is a moment of absolute joy for us to witness an international book of such renown being made into an Indian OTT show. We hope this endeavor spreads the thrill of reading Mr. Carré’s works amongst a wider audience set.” Manoj Satti, Group Vice President – International Product & Marketing, Penguin Random House India

Two powerhouses, two different sides, one massive clash – witness loggerheads Shelly Rungta and Shantanu Sengupta get into the cinematic showdown of the year! Get ready to check in as Disney+ Hotstar introduces you to the spiraling world of revenge, deception, and revelation, the much-awaited spy thriller Hotstar Specials’ The Night Manager. A Hindi-language adaptation of John le Carré’s novel “The Night Manager”, produced by The Ink Factory and Banijay Asia, the series is created and directed by Sandeep Modi and second director Priyanka Ghose. The series is wrapped in lavish drama, and picturesque sights and features eclectic talent including Anil Kapoor, Aditya Roy Kapur, Sobhita Dhulipala, Tillotama Shome, Saswata Chatterjee, and Ravi Behl.

15th February, Mumbai: A woman from Kandivali offered her husband a new lease on life this Valentine’s Day by donating one of her kidneys. 46-year-old Shivani Mittal volunteered to donate her kidney to her husband Tanuj (48) who has been suffering from chronic kidney failure for four years due to diabetes. After two bouts of COVID infections and hypertension, Tanuj’s health had deteriorated, and doctors were unable to sustain him on dialysis.

The successful transplant took place at Nanavati Max Super Speciality Hospital, where senior nephrologists Dr. Anup Chaudhary and Dr. Harish Pathak have been managing Tanuj on Dialysis for the past four years. The doctors praised Shivani’s selfless act, stating that it was a testament to the power of love and the strength of the human spirit.

Speaking about the transplant, Dr. Chaudhary said “the transplant had been postponed three times due to Tanuj’s COVID infection and subsequent mild lung fibrosis. Even on the day of the operation, the patient developed anxiety, and his blood pressure shot up, but Shivani, who owns a business of imitation jewelry, calmed him down and counseled him in the Operation Theatre alongside us.”

Dr. Pathak emphasized the importance of organ donation and the need for more awareness, saying that Shivani’s gesture not only saved her husband’s life but also serves as an inspiration for others to come forward and help those in need. “With the number of people in need of organ transplants increasing every day, it is essential to raise awareness about the benefits of organ donation and encourage more people to come forward and help save a life,” he added. The couple, who have been married for 25 years, are now recovering well and will be discharged soon.

February 15, 2023: Providing a differentiated immersive experience to premium motorcycle customers across the country, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI) today inaugurated an all-new premium big bike sales & service outlet – Honda BigWing at Kannur (Kerala).

Located near K P Tower, 28/684-1, Tahazhe Chovva, Kannur 670018, Kerala, the facility aims to elevate the #GoRidin spirit amongst new as well as prospective customers.

Speaking on the inauguration of BigWing in Kannur, Mr. Atsushi Ogata, Managing Director, President & CEO, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India said “Our focus is on expansion of Honda BigWing (Honda’s exclusive premium motorcycle network) to deliver a truly differentiated immersive experience closer to customer. Today, we are delighted to inaugurate BigWing in Kannur. Through this new premium outlet, we aim to take Honda’s fun motorcycles closer to customers in Kannur and bring to experience our mid-size range of premium motorcycles.”

Expanding their last mile presence to cater to the aspirational customers, the differentiated Silver Wing can be experienced at more than 100 operational touchpoints. In the state of Kerala, the company currently operates over 15 outlets with exciting premium offerings from HMSI.

Diverse Product Portfolio

Honda’s premium motorcycle retail format is led by the BigWing Topline in top metros and BigWing in other demand centers. While the marquee Honda BigWing Topline houses Honda’s complete premium motorcycle range starting from the newly launched CB300F, CB300R, H’ness-CB350 and its Anniversary Edition, CB350RS, CB500X, CBR650R, CB650R, CBR1000RR-R Fireblade, CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP, adventure tourer Africa Twin Adventure Sports and flagship model Gold Wing Tour, the BigWing delights mid-size motorcycle fans of Honda.

Premium Experience

Adorned with the black & white monochromatic theme, BigWing showcases the displayed vehicles in their full glory. Resolving customer’s product related queries or accessories are the well-trained knowledgeable professionals at BigWing. Easing the journey from search to purchase, the dedicated website (www.HondaBigWing.in) is available for all detailed information. The online booking option on the website ensures a quick, seamless and transparent booking experience for customers at their fingertips. Capturing real time customer feedback, Honda BigWing is also actively available across all social media platforms.

Ensuring safety and convenience of customers, Honda BigWing brings Immersive Digital Experience. The virtual platform allows customers to experience the complete fun motorcycle line-up, riding gear and accessories in granular detail while sitting in the comforts of their home.

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Mumbai, February 15th 2023: The two-day Mira-Bhayandar Mega Food festival received an overwhelming response from food lovers who thronged the venue in large numbers. The food fest was held at the JP North Garden City Backroad, Vinay Nagar, Mira Bhayandar and was supported by JP Infra Mumbai Pvt. Ltd.

The Mira Bhayandar Food Festival has established itself as the ‘must go to’ festival for localites as well as food lovers from Mumbai looking for a weekend to remember. The festival is the largest of its kind in Mira-Bhayandar and is more than just about being a food festival. With so much to see and do, the visitors were spoilt for choice over the entire weekend. Kids loved the festival as much as the adults, with a whole host of activities to keep them entertained.

Mr. Shubham Jain, Managing Director, JP Infra Mumbai Pvt. Ltd., said, “We are absolutely delighted to have received such a fabulous response from food lovers who came from across Mumbai. We were successful in creating this community of ardent food lovers and hope to consume and cherish this platform further from here on. Community events like these act as a stage to connect with people, build relationships, and create a sense of belonging. The people of Mira- Bhayandar came out in large numbers and actively participated, making this event such a memorable success.”

The Mira-Bhayandar mega food fest had an unbelievable spread of over 50 lip smacking dishes by the best of F&B brands offering cuisines from Indian, and Chinese to Chaat and Continental. The delectable spread of cuisines had foodies asking for more. In addition to these amazing food pop-ups, this mega fest also included musical performances, unique games, special kid’s zone, flea market, entertainment area, and lots more.