Archives April 2023

On the occasion of World Health Day 2023, SAAOL (Science and Art of Living) Trust signed a collaboration with the NCR-based M3M Foundation and CHC, Government of Haryana to spread heart care awareness under the project “Beat Heart Disease”.

Dr. Payal Kanodia, Trustee-M3M Foundation, Gurugram, signed the MoU for a donation of Rs 2.34 Crore, in an endeavor to support the “Beat Heart Disease” project. Dr. D Solanki signed the MoU on behalf of Govt. of Haryana. Dr. Rajarishi Bhattacharya – Chief Advisor signed this MOU on behalf of SAAOL Trust in presence of Dr. Bimal Chhajer.

The main aim of this conglomeration is to create a sustainable and healthy society by spreading awareness about lifestyle diseases.

Dr. Bimal Chhajer, the noted Heartcare and Lifestyle Expert, and Chairperson of SAAOL Trust, on the occasion of World Health day while signing the collaboration, said “The diseases caused by infection has been controlled mostly by the modern medicines and vaccinations. Smallpox, Polio have been eliminated, Covid is also contained – but the incidence of Lifestyle Diseases, especially heart disease, Diabetes, high BP have been growing ever since. All of these being Chronic diseases, the healthcare burden to control these diseases are enormous. Moreover, the cost of complications of these diseases and the emergency treatment (of heart attack, Stroke, Kidney failure) are exorbitant if these diseases are not controlled. The cheapest and the best solution to control and cure these diseases are getting the population at large, and specially the vulnerable population educated on healthcare, Yoga, exercises, diet modification. SAAOL’s aim is to educate 50-70 crore of Indian population on diet, yoga, exercises and tips to prevent heart disease. We are looking forward for more such partnerships for support of this massive project of Beat the heart disease’ and spread it to every Indian.”

“Beat Heart Disease” is taking a giant leap with M3M Foundation to enlighten the community members about their physical health and lifestyle-related issues and update them on different health parameters. The total cost of the project is 2 crore and 34 lakhs per year which will be utilized to conduct health camps around Tauru Block of Nuh District, Haryana, India over a span of 3 years.

The program “Sarvoday” will organize 48-50 Health Camps focused on lifestyle diseases especially heart diseases in Tauru block and other blocks of Nuh district, Haryana. Free Health Screening will be conducted for more than 12500 community members identified with CHC through its industry partner’s detailed health screening package and will deploy The Health Screening Van and the experts in the area to do the needful activities.

The program will spread awareness about lifestyle diseases across the community and empower them with knowledge of vaccines to assist community members in lifestyle modification to endure a healthy life with the help of the Foundation and CHC.

This will also include training 300 qualified youth as Healthcare workers with the support of “Healthians” and providing them the Livelihood Opportunities as a phlebotomist, as per the set parameters.

There’s no better way to spend a Sunday afternoon with friends & family other than over a bountiful brunch and that’s exactly what our food connoisseurs did. MoMo Café recently unveiled an exclusive brunch which was further extended to Vibe Bar & Grill. The brunch at MoMo Café encompassed a variety of gourmet experiences with interactive live stations, encompassing a variety of cuisines, delicious desserts paired with live music, refreshing cocktails. Our team of expert chefs curated an exclusive menu with an array of delicacies like Fennel orange and Poached Fish Salad, Multigrain Coated, Chicken Drum Sticks with red pepper fondue, Jamaican Jerk Marinated Cottage Cheese Steak, and Tiramisu.

The beautiful alfresco of Vibe Bar & Grill showcased a range of scrumptious grills paired with refreshing cocktails for the season. This sold-out brunch was a great success attended by some renowned influencers and our patrons. If fun times, delicious food, and groovy vibes are what you’re looking for, look no further than MoMo Café. The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, providing guests with the flexibility to dine at any time of the day.

Venue: MoMo Café, Courtyard by Marriott, Hinjewadi, Pune
Time: 12.30 PM – 3.30 PM | Every Sunday
CTA: +91 90283 77540

India, 8th April 2023: GreenLine (Green Planet Logistics Pvt Ltd.), India’s first and only LNG-fueled heavy trucking logistics company, has announced the deployment of its LNG-powered trucks at UltraTech Cement’s Bulk Terminal located in Pune, Maharashtra.

UltraTech is making strides in its commitment to sustainability and decarbonization of its operations with this second deployment of GreenLine’s LNG-powered fleet of trucks, after the first deployment at its Awarpur Cement Works near Nagpur. The use of LNG trucks is a significant step towards achieving the company’s sustainability targets. This development underscores UltraTech’s commitment to scaling up its LNG fleet at its plants across the country in the coming months.

The trucks were flagged off by Mr. Tanmay Pradhan, AVP Logistics, UltraTech Cement, Ms. Nisha Jain, Plant Head, UltraTech Pune Bulk Terminal, along with Mr. Anand Mimani, CEO, GreenLine, and other key officials.

Speaking on the association, Tanmay Pradhan, AVP Logistics, UltraTech Cement said, “At UltraTech, we are dedicated to creating a sustainable future, and we are fully committed to collaborating with our partners and stakeholders to achieve our goal of a cleaner environment. Our association with GreenLine is a step forward on our ongoing efforts to decrease emissions, enhance the energy efficiency, and promote sustainability.”

GreenLine’s LNG-powered trucks reduce CO2 emissions by ~28%, translating to an emission reduction of ~24 tons CO2 per truck per annum, compared to conventional diesel trucks. In addition, these LNG trucks significantly reduce other dangerous emissions – SOx emissions by up to 100%, NOx emissions by upto 59%, and Particulate Matter by upto 91%.

Commenting on the occasion, Anand Mimani, CEO, GreenLine, said, “We are proud to again be the chosen green mobility partner for UltraTech Cement in their endeavor to reduce carbon emissions from their heavy trucking. Reducing toxic, polluting emissions from road logistics is crucial for businesses, and GreenLine is actively supporting corporations in this endeavor through our fleet of LNG-powered heavy-duty trucks.”

GreenLine is on a green mobility mission and is paving the way for the widespread adoption of LNG-fueled long haul trucks by showcasing its immense advantages for corporates. GreenLine has collaborated with multiple organisations to create India’s first & only integrated green logistics ecosystem to make LNG trucking a reality in India.

8th April 2023: Kirloskar Brothers Limited, one of India’s leading pump manufacturing companies, has announced the launch of its latest product, the DB xe Pump. The pump is designed to set new standards in the pump industry with its exclusive design parameters and a wide variety of expansive features.

Commenting on this latest development, Mr. Alok Kirloskar, Non-Executive and Non- Independent Director, and Managing Director, Kirloskar Brothers International B.V. said: “The DB xe pump promises superior efficiency and high performance. The pump is designed to provide superior value and world-class features that meet the global benchmark of the minimum efficiency index. The pump will be manufactured in India with the aim to export the product into key international markets such as United Kingdom, Europe, United States of America, Africa, Southeast Asia, Middle East, and Countries in Indian Subcontinent. The product conforms to global standards EN733 & DIN24255 and boasts of exclusive design parameters such as a back pull-out design, wide interchangeability dry shaft design, as well as cylindrical and conical stuffing box.”

The expansive features of the pump include a temperature range of -10 degrees to 90 degrees Celsius, suction pressure up to 5 kg/cm2, and sealed bearings. In addition, the pump is made of optional material of construction, including CF8M and CF8 impeller in addition to cast iron and bronze, which provides longer life.

Furthermore, the DB xe pump leverages decades of experience from the DB platform and is tested to ISO9906 Gr.2B for guaranteed performance while other options are also offered. The pump has a delivery sizes of 32 to 150 mm, a capacity of up to 550 m3/hr, head of up to 100 metres, with speeds of 1450, 2900, 1760, and 3500 rpm. The working
pressure of the pump is 16 kg/cm2 (MAWP). DB xe pumps are mainly used for clear liquids which are free from suspended solids/ particles such as water supply, drinking water, air-conditioning, firefighting, industrial water.

By Ms. Neetha Joy, Director at ACT For Health

Tech-led innovations have the potential to revolutionize the public health landscape in India by improving access, affordability, and quality of healthcare services. With the increasing adoption of digital technologies, healthcare providers can leverage data analytics, telemedicine, mobile health, and other emerging technologies to address the challenges faced by the healthcare sector in India.

In rural areas, where healthcare facilities are limited, telemedicine can enable remote consultations with doctors and specialists, reducing the need for patients to travel long distances. Mobile health apps can provide patients with access to health information and reminders for appointments and medication, improving adherence to treatment protocols. Data analytics can help healthcare providers identify trends and patterns in disease outbreaks, allowing for more effective prevention and treatment.

Moreover, the use of technology can lead to cost savings in the healthcare sector by reducing administrative overheads and improving efficiency. With the implementation of digital health records, patients can have a unified medical record accessible to all healthcare providers, leading to better care coordination and reduced medical errors.

Talking about the same, Ms. Neetha Joy, Director at ACT For Health says, “Private innovations can play a significant role in bridging the accessibility to affordability gap and strengthening the public healthcare ecosystem in India. Technologies like telemedicine, point-of-care diagnostics and artificial intelligence have great potential to address need gaps in the care continuum. But while such innovative solutions hold a lot of potentials, they require more collaboration across the board to create sustainable impact – public-private partnerships that can leverage the innovation and expertise of the private sector, while also utilizing the reach and distribution capabilities of the public sector to achieve greater impact”

Overall, tech-led innovations have the potential to transform the public health landscape in India by increasing access to healthcare services, improving health outcomes, and reducing healthcare costs. However, it is crucial to ensure that the benefits of these innovations are equitably distributed to all sections of society, including underserved communities.

Bangalore, April 08, 2023: In keeping with consistent demand for coworking spaces, 315Work Avenue, a cutting-edge coworking space provider has leased around 25,000 sq ft, in Bangalore to Urban Company, a one-stop destination for home services for a total tenure of 60 months. This premium workspace is located at Krimson Square, Hosur Road, HSR Layout, Bangalore, and is home to multiple renowned companies. This workspace which is in one of the 40 locations of 315Work Avenue across India has state-of-the-art infrastructure and is customized to meet multiple requirements of the client.

Founded in 2014, Urban Company is Asia’s largest technology marketplace for home services such as beauty & spa at home, cleaning, plumbing, carpentry, appliance repair, painting, etc. through its mobile app & website. It operates in 50+ cities in India, the UAE, Singapore & The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It has a partner network of over 42,000 hand-picked service professionals transforming them into organized & high-quality micro-entrepreneurs. This new office of Urban Company is expected to house more than 500 employees.

315Work Avenue, known for its technology-driven hubs, customized workflow, and productive work ambiance, manages around 35,000 seats across multiple prime locations in Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Pune. The company currently manages 1.75 million sq ft of space and aims to add another 2 million sq ft by the next financial year.

Commenting on the same, Mr. Manas Mehrotra, Founder, 315Work Avenue said: “The world of commercial real estate is witnessing a sea change as coworking spaces have become an increasingly popular choice for businesses of all sizes. This deal is a further testament of the rising demand for the coworking sector where companies have realized the benefits of flexible working and are increasingly shifting from a centralized conventional office to decentralized and distributed flex offices for their workforce. While we see large enterprises vying for coworking spaces, the younger workforce too is choosing to be part of the new age office spaces.”

Commenting on the association, Mr. Gaurav Bajetha, VP – of Global Workplace, Administration & Risk Management, Urban Company said “The work culture has undergone a profound change. We are happy to associate with 315Work Avenue for our new workspace with entirely new modern infrastructure, coupled with IT-enabled services that meet new-age requirements to transform our employee experience. We are now more focused on investing in employee well-being and finding sustainable ways to conduct our business. We are sure that 315Work Avenue will live up to its high standards and set high precedents. This will further strengthen our relationship as we move forward.”

JLL assisted Urban Company in sourcing and securing their Bangalore real estate space at 315Work Avenue.

Several players in the industry have not only been able to gain the trust of their customers but have also received investments from private equity and venture capital firms. According to a recent report, the flexible space stock in India is expected to cross 80 million sq ft by 2025. With opportunities becoming more abundant, the segment will become more lucrative for growth.

Pune, 8 April 2023 – ANAROCK Group has announced the sale of a 5.76-acre land parcel on Wellesley Road in Sangamwadi, Pune. Sudarshan Chemical industries, a leading global player of colour and effect pigments, has sold this land to Birla Estates Private Limited, the real estate arm of the Aditya Birla Group housed under Century Textiles and Industries Limited. The deal was concluded on 6th April 2023.

Commenting on this land deal, Mr. Rajesh Rathi – Managing Director, Sudarshan Chemical Industries Limited, says, “We are glad to have been able to monetize our unutilized land situated at Wellesley Road in Sangamwadi, Pune. This deal would not have been possible without our partners ANAROCK Group, a leading independent real estate services firm, and M/s. Crawford Bayley & Co. a leading solicitor’s firm and legal advisors to the transaction. This land has been pivotal in the transformation of Sudarshan and many of our technologies were first developed here. We are happy that the land has been bought by a reputed group and are confident that it will flourish under them. The proceeds from the sale will be used to strengthen our balance sheet.”

Anuj Puri, Chairman – ANAROCK Group, says, “This is a significant land deal which once again underscores Pune’s importance as a preferred residential real estate destination. Only recently, ANAROCK concluded another land transaction for 12.5 acres in Wagholi. The timing of this sale is impeccable. Driven by the ceaseless demand for high quality real estate in the city, leading developers have been on a land acquisition spree.”

This acquisition comes at a time when Pune’s real estate market is breaking all previous records, with high-end housing stealing the show. Q1 2023 housing sales data by ANAROCK indicates that of a total of 1.14 lakh units sold across top 7 cities in Q1 2023, approx. 24% were in the high-ticket segment priced >INR 1.5 Cr. MMR and Pune accounted for a massive 48% of the overall sales in the quarter, with Pune recording an annual sales increase of 42%

April 08 2023 The Innova Hycross was launched recently during Nov 2022 to cater to the needs of customers seeking the proportions & poise of an SUV with the spaciousness of an MPV. The versatile Innova Hycross, available in both a self-charging strong hybrid electric variant [SHEV] as well a gasoline variant is for every occasion owing to its glamor quotient, advanced technology, comfort, safety features, and a thrill to drive. We are grateful to our valued customers for the overwhelming response that they have shown to Innova Hycross across all its variants within a few months of its launch.

However, owing to the ongoing supply challenges, we deeply regret to announce the temporary halt of bookings for top-end grades of Innova Hycross i.e., ZX and ZX (O) only, with effect from 8th April 2023. The bookings of the other grades of Innova Hycross both the hybrid and gasoline will continue.

The same people who break into a dance to the tunes of ‘Sheila Ki Jawani’ at weddings and discos make a break for it when they have to discuss their ‘Jawani.’ Fortunately, the sex-tech industry is on the cusp of breakthroughs in Asia and more specifically in India accounting for an untapped market worth a whopping $1.1 billion. Interestingly, Manzuri is aiming to make a lion’s share for the same.

The word ‘Manzuri’ is derived from a Japanese word that translates to “female masturbation”. Literally, it translates to ‘ten thousand rubs’. The word also roughly translates to consent in Hindi. Therefore, the founders firmly believe that consent and pleasure go hand-in-hand. Manzuri is built on the brainchild of creating a sex tech start-up in India with a focus on innovation they aim to democratize pleasure and destigmatize sex in India. The brand strives to become a trusted partner in pleasure for all-things-sex.

According to recent statistics, a surprising 30% of consumers for a certain product or service are married couples above the age of 30 living in Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities. The second largest group of consumers, making up 23% of the customer base, are women aged 18-30 who identify as single. Married women in the 30+ age group make up 15% of the customer base, while single men aged 21-30 account for 20%. Interestingly, the Queer community, also residing in Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities, makes up 12% of the consumer base.

Manzuri emphasizes the importance of pleasure in the overall health and well-being of life of an individual and how it can impact other aspects of your life like career and relationships. Fortunately, our range of 200+ products ranging from INR 499 to INR 24,999 provides a perfect balance between affordable and premium. With the motive of normalizing buying of sex toys in India, Manzuri offers a wide range of products like male and female masturbation toys, dildos, vibrators, prostate massagers, and many more.

Ms. Aastha Vohra, Co-Founder

They are laser-focused on building a platform that is inclusive and caters to every gender and identity; and most importantly easily accessible to every citizen of the country, Manzuri has started to explore deeper into a market for sex toys in India beyond the metros and is foraying into smaller towns to reach a wider audience. Chennai and Assam are among the top five cities in their demographics, and the acceptance and increasing consumer base in Tier 2 and small towns is proof that Indians are embracing their sexual well-being everywhere.

The responsibility of bringing this movement to far-reaching areas and spreading awareness on these taboo subjects in India is one of the primary goals of Manzuri. Therefore, they believe that just selling is not enough. Manzuri aims to build a sex-positive community through its social channels, delivering innovative tools (a questionnaire designed to tailor your sex toy to you, for example) and bringing life-changing education about safe sex, sexual well-being, and even the way the human body works, to people worldwide.

“We’re committed to making our customers feel like they can think about their sexuality as they think about the rest of their health and wellness.”

Meaning, creating a space free from shame in a dumbed-down marketing manner and with an experience that doesn’t feel sleazy or patronizing. More importantly, they see it as a way into people’s hearts and minds.

The global sexual wellness category is valued at a whopping $74 billion, and the domestic market in India is expected to touch $2 billion over the next three years. The sex toys market is globally valued at $34 million, and the domestic Indian market is approx valued at $91 million and projected to touch $200 million by 2026. Manzuri is ambitious to become a key player in this category, and they are already making waves in over 100 cities. Since their inception in 2020, they’ve sold over 10,000 products, garnering business of over INR 2 cr. It’s all thanks to the enterprising duo, Mr. Ritesh D. Ritelin, Founder, and Ms. Aastha Vohra, Co-Founder, who are determined to make a difference.

Chennai, April 7, 2023: Increase in Tamil Nadu SC/ST Startup Fund to Rs. 50 Crore, establishing new Regional Startups Hubs in Salem, Hosur and Cuddalore, a plug and play Startup Manufacturing Centre in Chennai, Global Coordination Centre in Dubai and a Bilingual Call Centre were among the slew of announcements for Startups in 2023-24 by the Hon’ble Minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Thiru. T.M. Anbarasan in the Tamil Nadu Assembly on Thursday (06.04.2023).

StartupTN Mission Director and Chief Executive Officer Thiru. Sivarajah Ramanathan expressed confidence that these announcements by the Hon’ble Minister for MSME in addition to the announcements by the Hon’ble Minister for Finance Dr. Palanivel Thiaga Rajan and Hon’ble Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Thiru M.R.K. Panneerselvam in Budget 2023-24 will add strength to the efforts taken by the Government of Tamil Nadu to create a robust Startup Ecosystem in the State. The Tamil Nadu SC/ST Startup Fund is being increased to Rs. 50 Crore this
financial year from Rs. 30 Crore last year.

With the aim of ensuring social justice at all levels, the Government of Tamil Nadu, in the financial year 2022-23, launched the Rs. 30 Crore Tamil Nadu SC/ST Startup Fund. Implemented through StartupTN, the special fund was launched to provide financial assistance in the form of equity investment or collateral-free loans to innovative Startups founded and run by entrepreneurs from the Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe communities. Considering the overwhelming success of the scheme, the fund is being increased to Rs. 50 Crore in the financial year 2023-24.

“StartupTN Regional Hubs” will be established in Salem, Hosur and Cuddalore with the aim of taking Startup activities across the State. Launch of Regional Startup Hubs at Madurai, Tirunelveli and Erode districts
as announced in the budget 2022-23 has created a positive impact in spreading awareness of the Startup culture and increased Startup activities in the respective regions. Establishment of the Thanjavur Regional Startup Hub was announced in the Agriculture Budget this year to promote Agro Technological Startups. StartupTN Regional Hubs will also be established in Salem, Hosur and Cuddalore.

The uniqueness of Tamil Nadu is taking Startups and Innovation to Tier II and Tier III cities and towns across the State, unlike most developed and developing ecosystems in the country, and globally, where the concentration is in their metros.

“Through our existing hubs we organised nearly 200 events in 2022-23 and reached over 29,000 persons including Startups, students, aspirants, officials and other prospective Startup ecosystem stakeholders,” Mr. Sivarajah Ramanathan said. “By adding four more hubs this year, the total number of Hubs will climb to eight and strengthen the Startup ecosystem further in the corners of the State,” he added.

“Startup Manufacturing Centre” will be established at the SIDCO Industrial Estate in Guindy, Chennai, as a plug and play facility on rental basis for eligible Startups for a period of three years.

A “Startup Manufacturing Centre” will be established in the upcoming multi story industrial park at the SIDCO Industrial Estate in Guindy, Chennai, to encourage Startups by enabling them to commence production without having to heavily invest on land. Eligible Startups will be provided with manufacturing space on rental basis
for a period of three years.

One of the major misconceptions about Startups is generalisation that they need a few seats for a small team to work. But many new age enterprises in EV, IOT, Robotics and a host of other sectors require ample space for production
facilities. Investing in land and constructing physical structures for a manufacturing facility to commence operations is an uphill task for Startups. The Startup Manufacturing Centre is the first step to bridge the gap, Mr. Sivarajah Ramanathan said.

“Global Coordination Centre” will be established in Dubai to coordinate and provide resources required for Startups in Tamil Nadu With the aim of raising investment and increasing market access opportunities for Tamil Nadu-based Startups, Global Coordination Centres will be established in various countries with the support of the Tamil diaspora. In the first phase, the centre will be set up in Dubai this year.

“We took extensive steps to directly reach out to the Tamil diaspora entrepreneur, investor and trade bodies in Dubai and in a few other countries directly and online last year for investment, market access and R&D partnerships. They are eager to give back to their homeland and their role will be instrumental in strengthening the Tamil Nadu Startup ecosystem,” Mr. Sivarajah Ramanathan added.

A “Bilingual Call Centre” will be set up to get information pertaining to Startups and entrepreneurship with ease.
A bilingual call centre is being set up with a team conversant in both Tamil and English to answer any queries related to Startup and Entrepreneurship over the phone. Startup founders can get the information they need by calling ‘155343’. This initiative will help Startup aspirants, early-stage Startups, investors and mentors to get the required information and complete their activities with ease.