Archives August 2023

Vadodara, 24th August 2023: Re-emphasizing the need to build a culture of safe riding habits in India, Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India (HMSI) took forward its National Road Safety Awareness Campaign in Vadodara, Gujarat.

Road Safety is a global priority for Honda. Through this three-day camp across four institutions – Ebrahim Banawal ITI College, Sigma University, CK Shah Institute of Management and RMS Polytechnic, Vadodara, HMSI spreads awareness on safe riding practices to over 5000 college students and staff members. HMSI’s road safety instructors utilized age-appropriate road safety learning programs to enhance the retention of road safety awareness among all.

Till now, in the state of Gujarat, HMSI has imparted education to more than 145000 adults and children, focusing on promoting responsible road usage and cultivating safe riding habits.

Speaking on HMSI’s commitment towards building a collision-free India, Mr. Vinay Dhingra – Senior Director, HR, Admin, IT & Corporate Affairs, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India said, “At HMSI, we strongly believe in nurturing the future road users – children by imparting essential road safety knowledge to them. Our mission is to cultivate a positive mindset among youngsters, instilling in them the understanding that road safety is cool and is a gateway to discipline in life. As we aspire to build a society that places road safety at the forefront and values responsible conduct on the roads, we are committed to empowering and educating the next generation of riders about the crucial significance of safe road usage. To promote this mindset, HMSI has taken the initiative to launch an extensive nationwide road safety awareness campaign.”

Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India’s CSR Commitment towards Road Safety:

For Honda globally, road safety comes first. As announced in April 2021, “Honda will strive for zero traffic collision fatalities involving Honda motorcycles and automobiles globally by 2050”.

Since inception, HMSI too has integrated safety into all its business endeavors, making it a cornerstone of its social responsibility. As part of our global commitment, we strive to instill safe riding as a daily habit nationwide. Honda’s safety philosophy emphasizes the development of appropriate technologies for its products, to ultimately achieve maximum riding comfort for its customers. Our vision encompasses a society where people experience a collision-free mobile environment, where roads are shared harmoniously, and individuals ride with confidence. To achieve this, we continuously identify and implement impactful road safety initiatives.

At the heart of our efforts are Road Safety Awareness programs held across various locations in India. These interactive and engaging sessions cater to diverse age groups, from children to elders, and take place in schools, colleges, government, and non-government organizations. Through interactive games, role plays, virtual experiences, and more, we aim to raise awareness and promote responsible road behavior among all road users. This awareness initiative has already spread to more than 55 lac Indians. Its team of skilled safety instructors conduct daily programs at its 10 adopted traffic parks across India and 6 Safety Driving Education Centers (SDEC).

HMSI’s National Road Safety Awareness program made learning fun yet scientific through:

1.  SCIENTIFICALLY DEVISED LEARNING MODULE: Honda’s skilled instructors set the foundation with theory sessions on road signs & markings, driver’s duties on road, riding gear & posture explanation and safe riding etiquettes.
2.  PRACTICAL LEARNING: A special training activity on Honda’s virtual riding simulator was executed for all to experience over 100 possible dangers on road before actual riding.
3.  INTERACTIVE SESSION: Participants were given danger prediction training known as Kiken Yosoku Training (KYT) which helps in enhancing rider/driver’s sensitivity to danger and ensures safe driving behaviour on roads.
4.  EXISTING DRIVERS HONING RIDING SKILLS: Students & school staff members who are already existing riders tested & honed their riding skills through slow riding activities and riding on narrow planks.
5.  LEARNING IN A FUN WAY: To ensure that the young students could learn more about road safety, Honda also conducted fun educational activities like road safety games and quizzes on daily basis.

24th August 2023: Amazon miniTV – Amazon’s free video streaming service, has hit the top charts with their one-of-a-kind dance reality show, Hip Hop India. The show recently announced the Top 6 contestants and will reveal the super semifinalists in the upcoming episode. Judged by dance gurus Remo D’Souza and Nora Fatehi, the show has witnessed some of the most renowned dancers like Bboy Tornado, Kansas City’s Fikshun, the talented Tushar Shetty from Nalasopara, etc.

As the contestants prepare themselves for the super semifinals, it was recently learned that the upcoming episode will also witness the very famous rap fame King as a guest judge who will be joining in for the super semi-finals. With every episode, the competition seems to get more challenging for the contestants, raising the competition a notch higher, and leaving the judges and the viewers spellbound.

On being asked about his thoughts, the talented rapper said, “Hip Hop India has proven to be the perfect launchpad for the underground hip hop dance community, bringing them to the fore and giving budding and extremely talented dancers a platform to showcase their skills. As an individual, I really relate to hitting glory from the gullies! The passion, the jaw dropping performances, and the sincerity with which these dancers take the art form is something that struck a chord with me. Can’t wait to witness their performances live in action of the Top 6 and for viewers of Amazon miniTV to see these guys shine.”

Hip Hop India is streaming exclusively on Amazon miniTV – Amazon’s free streaming platform for FREE to create a frenzied buzz and ignite an urban street culture revol

Mumbai,24th August 2023: California-based global preschool chain Safari Kid has announced the appointment of edupreneur veteran Jitendra Karsan as its new Chairman for its India Business. In this role, Jitendra Karsan will be focused on steering not only the routine operational activities but also the overarching strategic endeavors of the organization. The appointment comes on the heels of Safari Kid’s eight-year anniversary in India.

Shy Mudakavi, Founder & Global CEO, Safari Kid Global is optimistic of the new leadership appointment and said, “JK is a well-known figure in the early education segment and having lead Safari Kid India earlier, it was only natural for us to join hands again to lead India and other markets eventually. His sharp acumen in the early education space makes for incisive foresights on the type of business expansion Safari Kid can achieve in the coming years. Our decades long association at different capacities have always led to fruitful results and I’m bullish about our India journey.”

Safari Kid is a global preschool chain providing premium services in child care, has enrolled over 5000+ students in India alone in the last eight years. Their award-winning curriculum has resulted in consistently better early childhood brain development, skills and confidence building from an early stage that enables in the development of well-rounded grown individuals.

Speaking about the global pre-school chain’s growth journey, Jitendra Karsan, Chairman, Safari Kid India said, “Safari Kid though currently has limited number of preschools in India, but still manages to be a household name because of its aspirational value as well as the belief of the decerning parents in its pedagogy and purpose design preschools. With support from our investors and franchisees, we are poised to contribute to the development of young minds and make a lasting impact on the preschool industry in India and around the globe. Though from US we still are a truly Global Indian brand as our founder and 50% of top management is Indian.”

With several pre-schools foraying into India from global markets along with Indian entities expanding into wider cities, the potential of early education is at the cusp of increased adoption in cities beyond the top(tier one) cities of India. According to insights from the IMARC Group, the preschool and childcare market is projected to attain a substantial value of US$ 7.3 Billion by the year 2028. This projection anticipates an impressive growth rate, with a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 11.2% anticipated during the span of 2023 to 2028. These numbers reflect the upward trajectory of the industry, a testament to its resilience and potential for expansion.

Safari Kid India plans to open 50 preschools by 2028, with 20 ready to open by March 2024, with an investment of 100 crores in the early education sector

Hyderabad, 24th August 2023 – Savart, one of India’s largest investment advisors, is all set to launch its unique Portfolio Management Service (PMS), The Ad Astra Fund, on 26th August 2023, in Hyderabad. The announcement about the launch was made today at The Plaza, Begumpet.

Addressing the media, Mr. Sankarsh Chanda, Founder & CEO of Savart briefed in detail about the launch event which is expected to be graced by the presence of eminent investors from across the country. This unique fund transforms the traditional human-led investment research processes and increases the probability of achieving a superior return on investment.

The fund features end-to-end research automation, from investment opportunity discovery until exit i.e., the entire research and investment decision-making is driven by their AI research system APART (Advanced Process Automation & Research Technology), which comprises of three engines:

Quant: This engine is responsible for all quantitative & mathematical analysis of securities including Profit & Loss, Balance Sheet, Cash Flow statements & over 2000 other parameters.

Iris: This engine interprets qualitative & abstract information like corporate governance, moat, sustainability, stakeholder relations, ethics and litigation pertaining to the promoters and the underlying asset, business from annual reports, con-call transcripts, social media & 4,000+ other sources.

Synapse: This engine functions similar to the nervous synapses of the human body, transmitting information between Quant & Iris, while making portfolio construction decisions including asset allocation, re-balancing & trade execution management.

What sets APART a class apart?

Unlike the popular technical & mathematical analysis obsessed quant funds, APART also covers thorough fundamental & qualitative analysis at a scale and speed which is beyond the practical scope of a human research team. APART also evolves and adapts faster than a human fund manager, in line with the prevailing market conditions and opportunities. APART is immune to strategy rigidity and stagnation, which often lead to cycles & long periods of under-performance for even the best human fund managers in the world. APART does not predict or forecast security pricing & financials (which is futile!), but assesses the current market, business situation objectively & makes swift investment decisions.

Speaking about the announcement Mr. Sankarsh Chanda, Founder & CEO of Savart, stated: “Savart’s PMS marks a ground-breaking shift in the way we manage portfolios. While AI has become a hot topic at the moment, Savart had embraced its power since inception, initially for its investment advisory services and then for the enterprise division as well. We believe that Ad Astra has an edge over most human fund managers, who mostly fail to beat even the benchmark returns. This is partly due to APART’s unbiased research, exponentially larger coverage & ability to build digital mental models at a lightning speed & scale.

APART’s stellar track record of creating wealth for Savart’s investment advisory clients since 2019 gives us further confidence that bestowing it with the additional freedom to execute investments would further strengthen its wealth creation abilities.”

The Ad Astra Investment Philosophy

•  The Ad Astra Fund is a long term investment vehicle. Savart defines long term as a minimum of 3 years and an optimum of 7-10 years.
•  The Ad Astra Fund is designed to keep the portfolio churn as low as possible. In the asset management industry, portfolio in-activity is often looked down upon or considered inadequate effort – APART has no such humanly bias!
•  The Ad Astra Fund shall maintain a concentrated portfolio, primarily comprising of stock.
•  The Ad Astra Fund is agnostic across sectors and market capitalization, thus ensuring access to varied investment opportunities.

Hyderabad, ,24th August 2023:: BNI – the world’s largest referral networking organization; is hosting the 2nd Edition of the ‘Kamadhenu Real Estates Bharath Shah Badminton League’; for entrepreneurs on 25th and 26th August 23, at Game Point, Kondapur. Mr T Satish Kumar, Area Director, BNI Hyderabad; unveiled the trophy and Jerseys, on Wednesday at B-Hub Trainings Space, Banjara Hills. Also present on the occasion were Mr Himavanth, MD, Kamadhenu Real Estates; Ms Swathi, Partner, Kamadhenu Real Estates; Mr Arjun Singh, Mr Saksham & Mr Sunny Sahay, Badminton committee Members.

We, as entrepreneurs are always striving to achieve our business goals with dedication and hard work. It’s equally important to take some time out to unwind, recharge and foster a sense of camaraderie among the members of BNI fraternity. By nurturing the bonds formed on the sports field, we are creating lasting friendships which help us to excel in business too, says Sanjana Shah, Executive Director, BNI Hyderabad.

The league meant exclusively for the BNI members, involves 160 members from across 45 BNI chapters in the city. This is a Doubles only tournament and is divided into 3 power packed categories of ‘Novice’ for beginners; ‘Intermediate’ and ‘Pros’ for seasoned players. Over 80 teams will vie for the Trophy by playing matches spanning over 2 days at the Game Point, Kondapur. The tournament will be strictly governed by the professional Badminton rules. The finals will be held on August 26th, 2023, and the winners and star performers in all the three categories will be felicitated on the occasion.

Sportsmanship embodies a set of values critical to success, be it mutual respect, collaboration, ethical behavior, emotional intelligence and more, transforming us into well rounded individuals. The second edition of ‘Kamadhenu Estates Bharath Shah Badminton League’ will be one such opportunity to equip us to succeed and thrive in variety of situations, T Satish Kumar.

Mumbai, ,24th August 2023:– India’s No. 1 Skill-education partner to schools, BeyondSkool announced the first chapter of their Education Leaders of India (ELI) initiative in Mumbai today. This announcement comes a month after their launch in Pune. Education Leaders of India is a platform which is born as a tribute to our education leaders who are the shapers of our children’s future. The initiative is dedicated to acknowledging and enhancing the contributions of these education leaders, empowering them with vital tools to create a substantial influence within their schools. ELI is committed to assist the educational fraternity for not only their own professional development but also the enhancement of their schools.

The Mumbai chapter commenced with a pioneering conference for school principals, seamlessly blending the realms of academia and industry. A focal point of the event was a dynamic panel discussion on the topic – Will AI Take Over Schools: Debunking Myths and Redefining Education, which delved into the evolving role of artificial intelligence in shaping learning environments, featuring Ms. Nikita Kothari, Principal of IndoScott, Thane, as the moderator, alongside Mr. Avinash Kulkarni, Principal of RamSheth Thakur, Navi Mumbai; Ms. Seema Kshatriya, Principal of Kanakia International, Chembur; Ms. Zeenat Sayyed, Principal of Podar International School, Ambernath; Mr. Prashant Sharma, Principal of Jindal Vidya Mandir, and Ms. Vaidehi Vilas Kenia, CEO of Anchorwala Education Academy, Mumbai. The discourse, held at the prestigious Fortune Select Exotica in Vashi, garnered participation from more than 40 distinguished school leaders. This event marked an innovative stride in fostering insightful conversations around the intersection of technology and education.

Speaking on the launch of the second chapter, Payal Gaba, Founder and CEO – BeyondSkool said, “We are thrilled to unveil the second chapter of the ELI initiative as a testament to our unwavering commitment to shaping India’s educational landscape. We believe that large value can be driven, and real transformation can happen only when Academia and Industry works together and hence we are committed to get then under one roof through such engaging conferences. I would like to thank our panellists for throwing light on AI’s impact on education allowed us to engage in enriching discussions that challenge conventional norms and provide insights into the evolving landscape.”

After successfully launching in Pune and now Mumbai, the ELI initiative by BeyondSkool is now all set to spread educational excellence across India.

For those who missed the event, recordings and highlights will be available on the official BeyondSkool website www.beyondskool.com/eli to ensure that the insights and discussions continue to inspire educators and stakeholders across the nation.

Benchmark Gensuite, a global pioneer in offering complete and integrated EHS and ESG management solutions, today hosted a webinar on “Sustainability Made Simple: Streamline Your Data Collection, Reporting, and Disclosures with Benchmark Gensuite”. The virtual event showcased how Benchmark Gensuite’s integrated software solutions paved the way for effortless and audit-ready sustainability data and disclosures by addressing voluntary, regulatory, and stakeholder reporting needs.

The “Sustainability Made Simple” webinar also highlighted Benchmark Gensuite’s cutting-edge software solutions, designed to streamline both qualitative and quantitative sustainability reporting processes. For organizations facing the challenge of managing and reporting extensive volumes of environmental data, this software promises to be a game-changer. The webinar also provided insights into how to shift their focus from data management hassles to cultivating positive change and sustainability.

During the webinar, Ms. Amanda Petzinger, Associate VP, Sustainability, Stewardship, Supply Chain, & ESG Solutions, Benchmark Gensuite, shared in-depth insights around Bechmark’s unique software solutions – Automation of Monthly Quantitative Data Collection, Easy Tracking Progress towards Reduction Targets, Identifying Projects and Assess Impact and Facilitating Disclosures in Accordance with Regulatory Frameworks. Additionally, Ms. Petzinger discussed why Benchmark Gensuite was ranked a leader in the 2023 Verdantix Green Quadrant for ESG Reporting and Data Management Software.

Chennai, ,24th August 2023: Startup graduates from the StartupTN – Villgro Accelerator Cohort showcased their products and services at StartupTN’s ‘TamilNadu Startup Thiruvizha 2023’, the first annual mega event of the Government of Tamil Nadu’s nodal agency for Startups and Innovation. The two-day event to celebrate Startups and Entrepreneurship at CODISSIA Trade Fair, Coimbatore, on August 19 & 20, 2023, showcased 450+ stalls, predominantly by Startups and ecosystem enablers, and 60+ speakers, attracting more than 15,000 participants and delegates.

Villgro took the opportunity to honour and showcase all 22 Startups from the StartupTN – Villgro Accelerator Cohort. The Startups included pioneering ventures such as DbyT Dynamics Mobility Solutions, Ariviya Deep Tech, Freshrooms Lifesciences, Keerai Kadai Ventures, Transity, Samudhyoga Waste Chakra, Paraclete Image Labs, Infinite Inland Farmers, Green Delight Innovations, Arola, Yaadhum, Raatai, D2D Angaadi, Thiruvalluvar Tailoring Centre, and EETA. They had received 40+ mentoring sessions, 15+ diagnostic panels, 10+ investor meetings and more.

StartupTN introduced TANSEED 3.0, the 3rd edition of Tamil Nadu Startup Seed Grant Fund – their flagship grant program last year, to support early-stage financing requirements of Startups to fill the gap in fund requirements for research & innovations with a grant of Rs. 10 lakhs each. StartupTN collaborated with Villgro, a social enterprise incubator, to identify and nurture emerging businesses in the Agriculture, Climate Action, and Livelihood sectors through this accelerator program. Post 9 startups getting INR 10L each funding through TANSEED 3.0, Villgro provided additional funding of INR 96L to 2 startups, while 2 other startups raised INR 1.44cr of follow-on funding.

Villgro provided mentoring, industry networking and partnerships support to the startups through boot camps, 1-on-1 mentoring sessions and pan-India networking events. Villgro also guided Startups with valuable support, encompassing comprehensive portfolio management, expert mentorship, and hands-on assistance in critical areas such as product design, validation, testing, and establishing go-to-market partnerships. On successful completion of the accelerator programme, the Startups were presented at the Tamil Nadu Startup Thiruvizha 2023, a high-impact platform to showcase their ideas to investors and mentors and network with potential investors.

“We were delighted to witness the resounding success of the Tamil Nadu Startup Fest, which served as a testament to our dedicated efforts in fostering innovation. The collaboration between StartupTN and Villgro greatly enriched the startup ecosystem, evident through the impactful output of the StartupTN – Villgro Accelerator program. The startups funded through the program are working diligently on innovating, developing, or enhancing products and processes with the potential to generate employment, create social impact, and foster wealth. This collaboration undoubtedly played a pivotal role in advancing our objective of propelling economic growth and nurturing a dynamic startup ecosystem in Tamil Nadu”, said Mr. Sivarajah Ramanathan, StartupTN Mission Director & CEO.

Mr. Srinivas Ramanujam, CEO of Villgro, said, “We are honoured to have collaborated with the Tamil Nadu Government through StartupTN, which exemplifies our shared dedication to nurturing social innovation and Startup growth. Tamil Nadu Startup Thiruvizha provided an invaluable platform to connect Startups with potential investors and stakeholders. This collaboration underscores our commitment to fostering a thriving ecosystem that empowers startups to drive positive change and economic progress.”

24th August 2023:Hindustan Zinc, a Vedanta Group company and India’s largest integrated producer of Zinc-Lead-Silver signed an MoU with CSIR-CIMFR to accelerate research and development in mining. The MoU explores potential opportunities to establish collaboration by impanelling renowned scientific institutions with experience for availing the technical services in the field of mineral/coal and fuel sectors and allied industries.

The signing of the MoU was done at the inaugural session of the “One Week One Lab” program of the institute to work on critical novel technologies. Through this industry-leading MoU, CISR-CIMFR and Hindustan shall identify potential areas of Research & Development in various areas of exploration, mining, and other areas.

On the signing and exchanging MoU, Arun Misra CEO Hindustan Zinc & Executive Director Vedanta, said “This collaboration will pave way for developing and delivering sustainable cutting-edge technologies for advancement of the mining industry. The noteworthy work being undertaken by the institute will strengthen our vision of Safe, Smart & Sustainable mining and praise the institute for solving various challenging issues that keep on coming during the mining operations.”

The inaugural session was graced by Dr N Kalaiselvi, Director General CSIR and Secretary DSIR, Mr. Arun Misra, CEO Hindustan Zinc, Praveen Sharma, Head CoE Mining Hindustan Zinc, Prof. Arvind Kumar Mishra, Director, CSIR-CIMFR Dhanbad, Prof. Shaliwahan, Director IIPE, Visakhapatnam and Dr N. V. Ramana Rao, Director, NIT Raipur. The exchange of MoUs was done with conglomerates like Hindustan Zinc, Tata Steel, Adani, NMDC, and SRK Minerals Ranchi.

24th August 2023:: The International Cricket Council (ICC) today announced an exciting association, with Mastercard becoming a Global Partner for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 to be held in India between 5 October and 19 November 2023.

Mastercard will continue its rich legacy of sports sponsorships to provide unique experiences to its cardholders and customers through exclusive benefits. With cricket being one ofthe most popular sports in India, South Asia and many other regions across the globe,the World Cup places fans at the centre of the action enabling them to experience the game like never before.

In addition to the exclusive 24-hour pre-sale window, Mastercard cardholders will be able to avail a number of benefits. These opportunities include the chance to meet cricket legends, get up close to the Men’s Cricket World Cup trophy and experience unique access on match days. Children of cardholders aged between 12-18 years will also have the chance to be a part of the flagbearer programme and there will be a wide range of offers for Mastercard cardholders on official ICC merchandise.

Mastercard’s tie-up with the ICC highlights the brand’s commitment to cricket and adds to the global technology company’s prestigious international sports sponsorship portfolio which includes associations with the likes of UEFA Champions League and the PGA Tour.

ICC Chief Executive, Geoff Allardice said: “We are delighted to announce Mastercard as a global partner for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, the pinnacle event of the one-day game. Mastercard brings its rich experience of sports partnerships to the table, and the ICC is looking forward to collaborating with a renowned global brand to bring many benefits to cricket lovers around the world.”

Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at Mastercard,Raja Rajamannar said:“Cricket is a huge passion for millions of people across the globe, particularly in India and South Asia. We are excited to partner with the ICC for the 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, allowing us to bring fans closer to their passion for the sport. We’re dedicated to connecting our customers, cardholders and all cricket enthusiasts to priceless possibilities throughout the tournament.”