Archives February 2024

Hyderabad/New Delhi, 1st February, 2024: Honda Cars India Ltd. (HCIL), a leading manufacturer of premium cars in India, has introduced Ultra Body Coating, an enhancing appeal & protective solution for its customers. 

The Ultra Body Coating is a high-performance transparent layer formulated with a next generation material called Silane, which makes it the hardest glass-based coating by Industry standard. The coating provides an ultra-glossy, glass-based, super smooth surface to the vehicle and retains the glossiness of the car. 

The coating contains materials which result in a thicker optimal layer creating an easy to maintain surface that protects the car from dust, pollutants, UV Rays and the antifouling effects against acid rains. 

Mr. Kunal Behl, Vice President, Marketing & Sales, Honda Cars India Ltd, shared insights into the benefits of this latest offering, stating, “At Honda, we are consistently looking at providing our customers with the best products and services. In our endeavor to deliver that, we have introduced this premium body coating for all our customers. This cutting-edge product is designed to not only provide long-lasting protection but also enhance the visual appeal of the vehicle. We are excited to offer this advanced service to our valued customers, ensuring that their Honda continues to look as impressive as it did on the day of purchase.” 

The Ultra Body Coating service will be available across all Honda dealerships in the country starting at a price of Rs 28,900 and can be applied to all Honda models.  

A comprehensive three-year warranty backs this premium coating. Throughout this period, Honda offers complimentary maintenance and service benefits every six months. These routine services are essential to maintain the vehicle’s shine and glossiness of the vehicle.

01st February 2024: Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) and Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), in collaboration with Self-Employed Women’s Association (SEWA) have launched a first-of-its-kind rural e-mobility demonstration pilot supporting women entrepreneurs. The pilot aims to increase transportation equity, improve air quality, and enhance rural livelihoods through the adoption of EVs.

The beneficiaries for this pilot were selected based on multiple criteria, including vehicle ownership status, basic driving skills, access to clean energy sources for EV charging, regular long-distance travel habits, commuting expenses, and vehicle use for livelihood improvement. Electric two-wheelers were handed over to these women entrepreneurs in Anand district, Gujarat and Dungarpur district, Rajasthan.

Speaking about the initiative, Dr. R.K. Singh, Chief General Manager, SIDBI, said, “SIDBI has always endeavoured to connect the last mile through blend of development & finance through itself and its partners. Green and digitization is our top priority. EV Eco system is being strengthened by us in urban cities by directly supporting as also through adequate, timely and competitive funds availability to dedicate NBFCs financing EVs. The approach includes supporting different models, empanelling OEMs, capacity building of financing communities, and some of the key steps. We believe that unless we deepen our outreach to unserved or underserved segments and geographies, the mission would not get the desired pace. We have now started initiatives connecting smaller towns, religious circuits and this unique attempt is to empower rural areas. SIDBI is supporting the identified SEWA sisters for the demonstration of piloting of electric vehicles for commercial use. These EV ambassadors would set an example for others to assimilate and adopt.” SIDBI’s flagship EV scheme i.e. 50KEV4ECO would be instrumental in scaling of EV penetration in rural part of the country.

Nearly two thirds of the Indian population reside in rural India, where motorized transport has predominantly been two wheelers. “NRDC has been working with women in rural India through its partners for over a decade to enhance access to clean energy solutions,” said Dipa Singh Bagai, Country Head, NRDC India. “Pilots such as these are critical to build confidence of rural communities in EVs and show how an equitable and just transition to clean transport can be achieved. It also has the potential to inform policymakers on what kind of policy levers and business models are required to support the transition to clean mobility in rural areas.”

National two-wheeler sales reached nearly 16 million units in the fiscal year ending March 2023, of which rural areas contributed to around 55% sales. In that light, mobility solutions for rural areas assume high significance. Speaking to this, Reema Nanavaty, Director, SEWA said, “On its 50th Anniversary of organizing, SEWA launched its ‘Swachch Aakash: Cleaner Skies Campaign’ for the new generations of SEWA to accelerate their climate action. Today, the purchase of these Electrical Vehicles by our younger members leads to green asset creation in the name of women, brings freedom of mobility, and strengthens their livelihoods. We at SEWA call it climate justice and second freedom for our members.”

At the pilot launch this week, manufacturers of the EV two-wheelers demonstrated products and discussed tips on vehicle maintenance with the beneficiaries.

Bengaluru, February 1, 2024: Tata Motors, India’s leading automobile and mobility company, is exhibiting an impressive array of present and future ready vehicles and solutions designed to revolutionise personal mobility, people mobility, and cargo transport at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2024 being held from 1-3 February 2024 at the Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.

 The Expo, a first-of-its-kind global mobility show in India, will have Tata Motors combine its inherent passion for ‘made in India’ and fundamental strength in engineering with expertise in human-centric design and new age innovation to showcase the future of mobility.

 On display will be Tata Motors’ vision, commitment and capability is making true the promise of tomorrow, today. Visit the Tata Motors Pavilion at stand H14-04 of the Bharata Mandapam (Pragati Maidan) to see:

• India’s 10 most advanced, efficient and eco-friendly Commercial Vehicles – Trucks, Buses, Tippers and Small trucks 
• India’s 8 greenest, smartest and most feature loaded Passenger Vehicles – Cars, SUVs and EVs
• Future-ready technologies – Hydrogen-powered internal combustion engines, twin cylinder CNG, efficient fuel delivery systems, battery electric powertrains and hydrogen fuel cell powered electric, to accelerate the adoption of clean and green mobility.
• Smart, tech-loaded vehicles – ADAS for enhanced safety, mobility solutions for public transport, Arcade.ev- app suite for gaming, entertainment and media, gesture operated control, and voice assistance.
• Digitally Connected Vehicles – Fleet Edge platform for efficient fleet management of commercial vehicles, ZConnect & IRA for enhanced convenience in personal mobility.
• Circular Economy – Re.Wi.Re for optimal recycling of end of life vehicles

Details of vehicles on display at stand H14-04 of the Bharata Mandapam (Pragati Maidan)

Chennai, 01st February, 2024: Karur Vysya Bank  inaugurated three new branches – two in Tamil Nadu and one in Andhra Pradesh.  With this, the total branch network of the Bank increased to 834.

The new branches that were opened today are:

1. ATMAKUR,Nandayal District, Andhra Pradesh (832^ndBranch) inaugurated by Shri. P. Sreenivasa Rao, P.G.D.U.P.L, Municipal Commissioner, Atmakur

2. USILAMPATTI, Madurai District, Tamil Nadu (833^rd Branch) inaugurated by Shri. J. Gandhi, Municipal Commissioner, Usilampatti

3. MATHUR, Chennai, Tamil Nadu (834^th branch) inaugurated by Dr. B. Purushothaman, M.A., B.L, M.Sc, B. Ed, M. Com, M. Phil, M.B.A, D. Litt, Senior Principal, Everwin Group of Schools, Chennai

The Duolingo English Test (DET), a convenient, fast, and affordable English proficiency test, announced that it is now accepted by over 5,000 universities worldwide. Designed with the test taker in mind, the DET is a recognized and respected language proficiency assessment for undergraduate and post-graduate programs across the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, Ireland etc. This steady growth in acceptance is part of a broader trend towards institutions taking a more student-centric approach to admissions, where students can take the test that’s right for them.

In 2023, test takers certified their English in over 225 countries and regions around the world. India, for the second consecutive row, had the highest test takers with a significant portion aspiring to pursue graduate degrees in popular fields such as business, computer science, mathematics, and engineering. Notably, Indian students applied to programs in over 83 countries, showing a 9% increase from the previous year.

Jennifer Dewar, Senior Director of Strategic Engagement, Duolingo English Test (DET) said, “This incredible milestone of DET being embraced by more than 5000 institutions globally, reflects not just a shift in language proficiency testing but a big step towards inclusivity and student empowerment. When students can opt for the test that is most accessible and suitable for them, be it in terms of format, availability, or cost, this ensures that language proficiency testing is a bridge, not a barrier, to achieving their academic goals. This achievement is a testament to our collective commitment to making education accessible, and we extend our gratitude to the universities worldwide for championing this transformative journey with us.”

Speaking on this, Shawn Felton, Director of Strategic Enrollment Initiatives, Cornell University stated, “It doesn’t matter which route an applicant goes; we just need to confirm proficiency in English. Our applicants should (and do) take whichever test they want, and usually the one that is most accessible for the individual.”

Kathryn Timlin, Senior Associate Director Georgetown University added, “Our admissions process doesn’t favor one test over another — we just need to ensure that your English is strong enough for you to be academically successful at Georgetown. We trust every test that we accept equally, and we do not have favorites among them.”

Since 2020, the number of programs recognizing DET has doubled, demonstrating a substantial shift towards a student-centric approach to admissions. Notably, 99% of programs that adopted DET before January 2021 continue to accept it, reinforcing the enduring commitment to reliability, accuracy, flexibility and student choice.

Marco Dinovelli, Associate Vice Chancellor of Enrollment Management at Rutgers University, mitigates any doubts that other tests are preferred over the DET, saying “If a university puts an ELP test and minimum score on its website, it means they have complete confidence in that test—the same level of confidence they have in any other test they accept.”

Ryan Sullivan, Associate Vice-President of Enrolment Management St. Thomas University adds “An applicant isn’t more or less likely to be admitted based on which test is submitted. It is unequivocally false that we prefer one test over another. Take whichever test is most convenient.”

This expanded acceptance of language proficiency tests holds profound implications for institutions as well. By recognizing a broader range of tests, universities can attract a diverse pool of applicants, fostering a global and inclusive learning environment.

Check out the DET’s complete list of accepting institutions including some of the most well-known and prestigious universities in the world, like Australian National University, Imperial College London, New York University, and University of Toronto, including the top 25 highest-enrolling universities for international students in the US!

India, 1st February 2024: Siemens Digital Industries Software announced today that Ather Energy, one of India’s foremost electric motorcycle brands, has expanded its adoption of the Siemens Xcelerator portfolio of industry software to help the company reduce its design and engineering cycle time, improve product quality and achieve faster time to market.

Ather Energy was founded in 2013 by Indian institute of Technology (IIT) Madras alumni, Tarun Mehta, and Swapnil Jain. In 2018, it launched India’s first truly intelligent electric scooter – Ather 450, followed by the new flagship offering Ather 450X in 2020, the 450S in 2023 and Ather’s special edition scooter, the Ather 450 Apex in January 2024.

Ather has also installed a comprehensive public charging network, Ather Grid, designed and built in India. With 1600+ charging points across India, Ather Grid is one of the country’s largest fast-charging networks for electric scooters. The company currently has 175+ Experience Centers across India and plans to add a total of 250 outlets by March 2024. Ather recently forayed into the international market with two Experience Centers in Nepal.

“In the fast-evolving EV industry, speed to market is an important lever to succeed. Siemens’ expanded PLM management enables parallel processing of engineering deliverables, a departure from the sequential approach, thereby reducing the lead time for introducing new products and features,” said Swapnil Jain, Co-founder & CTO at Ather Energy.

“Startups are the lifeblood of the electrification revolution in mobility and we’re proud to work alongside the Ather Energy team to help them expand their capabilities to bring their breakthrough products to the Indian market,” said Robert Jones, Executive Vice President, Global Sales and Customer Success, Siemens Digital Industries Software, during a recent visit to the Ather Energy facility. “Our work with Ather Energy is another proof point of leading innovators and pioneers choosing the Siemens Xcelerator portfolio as the platform of choice for product development in the electrification of mobility and helping the world achieve cleaner, more sustainable transportation.”

Ather Energy adopted Siemens’ Teamcenter® software for Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) in 2018 to help it achieve its critical key performance indictors (KPIs) including faster time to market, reducing its design and engineering cycle time with the removal of design iterations and adopting a right first-time approach. Since then, the Ather Energy team has also taken advantage of Simcenter™ STAR-CCM+ software for Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and Simcenter™ physical testing solutions to help with its in-house testing regime for durability and noise, vibration and harness (NVH). Most recently, the Ather Energy vehicle engineering team has moved to Siemens’ NX™ software for new product development and engineering from its legacy system for all existing and new vehicle platforms.

“The simulations and virtual testing we perform using Siemens’ tools enable us to crush timing and provide us with great savings in resources and money spent on repeating testing. The stack-up analysis enables us to get the design right the first time and avoids engineering changes. We are looking at expanding the Siemens tools into controlling the manufacturing processes by introducing the management of ‘Bill of Processes’.” added Swapnil Jain.

To learn more about how the Siemens Xcelerator portfolio of industry software is helping innovators and pioneers drive the electrification of mobility, visit: https://www.sw.siemens.com/en-US/digital-transformation/

Siemens Digital Industries Software helps organizations of all sizes digitally transform using software, hardware and services from the Siemens Xcelerator business platform. Siemens’ software and the comprehensive digital twin enable companies to optimize their design, engineering and manufacturing processes to turn today’s ideas into the sustainable products of the future. From chips to entire systems, from product to process, across all industries. Siemens Digital Industries Software – Accelerating transformation.

Siemens Digital Industries (DI) is an innovation leader in automation and digitalization. Closely collaborating with partners and customers, DI drives the digital transformation in the process and discrete industries. With its Digital Enterprise portfolio, DI provides companies of all sizes with an end-to-end set of products, solutions and services to integrate and digitalize the entire value chain. Optimized for the specific needs of each industry, DI’s unique portfolio supports customers to achieve greater productivity and flexibility. DI is constantly adding innovations to its portfolio to integrate cutting-edge future technologies. Siemens Digital Industries has its global headquarters in Nuremberg, Germany, and has around 76,000 employees internationally.

Siemens AG (Berlin and Munich) is a leading technology company focused on industry, infrastructure, transport, and healthcare. From more resource-efficient factories, resilient supply chains, and smarter buildings and grids, to cleaner and more comfortable transportation as well as advanced healthcare, the company creates technology with purpose adding real value for customers. By combining the real and the digital worlds, Siemens empowers its customers to transform their industries and markets, helping them to transform the everyday for billions of people.

In fiscal 2023, which ended on September 30, 2023, the Siemens Group generated revenue of €77.8 billion and net income of €8.5 billion. As of September 30, 2023, the company employed around 320,000 people worldwide. Further information is available on the Internet at www.siemens.com.

Mumbai,1st February 2024— HealthPlix Technologies, India’s largest EMR platform, today announced the launch of its Patient App HealthPlix (for patients). The app facilitates seamless connectivity between doctors and patients and provides a one-stop solution for patients to manage their health.

The Patient App allows patients to stay in touch with their doctors, book appointments, access/store their digitized medical records via a secure vault and manage their health by constantly monitoring their health parameters.

Patients can easily upload lab reports, schedule appointments with their doctors, and connect with their doctors via teleconsultation and chat. By using the app to track health vitals such as Blood Sugar, BMI, and Blood Pressure, patients can give the complete picture of their health to their doctors. This information empowers doctors to make informed decisions for their patients. The App has been received very well by doctors and patients.

Commenting on the launch, Mr. Chaitanya Raju, Executive Director – HealthPlix Technologies stated, “We are thrilled to announce the launch of the HealthPlix Patient app – strengthening doctor-patient connect on our platform. The app further empowers doctors in their journey to digitize their practice and improve health outcomes. The App is built with world-class security. We will continue to build more capabilities this year based on valuable feedback from doctors and patients”.

HealthPlix is an ISO-certified doctor-first company dedicated to meeting the needs of healthcare professionals. The launch of the Patient App aligns with the company’s goal to empower the doctor community with a readily available digital infrastructure, aiming to drive improved health outcomes. The mobile application, available in both Android and iOS platforms acts as a central hub for all important alerts and updates related to patient health information.

New Delhi,1st February 2024: Mass Software Solutions Pvt. Ltd., a leading IT and Software Development company is thrilled to unveil the revolutionary “BetterBe On Track” mobile app for BetterBe Group Ltd., a Global Wellness company. Designed to connect hybrid teams globally, the app offers a unique blend of virtual races, real-world activities tracking, and team challenges, promoting health awareness and team unity. “BetterBe On Track” is more than just a mobile app, it’s a tool designed to generate health awareness in corporates and facilitate team-based challenges. The app not only promotes team bonding in a fun way but also contributes to improving individual well-being.

The yet-to-be-launched app reconnects the company, family or group of friends to discover new places while engaging in a friendly competition and encouraging the development of healthier habits. With the help of the app, people can dive into virtual travels, track real-world activities, and foster good eating habits – all while reducing their CO2 footprint. The application’s science-backed approach ensures easy adoption of healthier habits, enhances team unity, and does good for the planet. Simple to use, without the info overload one can discover how fun and science can work together to improve overall lifestyle and, for companies, workplace wellness!

Commenting on the same Mr. Bhaskar Ganguli, Director, Marketing and Sales, Mass Software Solutions said, “I am pleased with our team’s effort to develop a new and interesting application for people of all fitness levels to adopt a healthier way of living. ‘BetterBe On Track’ is an excellent solution for companies seeking to improve workplace wellness and foster a culture of health and collaboration.”

Open to individuals at all fitness levels, the app’s fun team challenges aim to promote small yet powerful healthy habits. Join the global movement, connect with colleagues, explore the world, and foster a healthier lifestyle through virtual races and team challenges with “BetterBe On Track” – the ideal solution for companies seeking to enhance corporate wellness and promote a culture of health and teamwork. Also, the app has gained positive feedback from the Co-Founder of the BetterBe Group. Link for the review: https://clutch.co/profile/mass-software-solutions-private#reviews

1st February 2024: Zoomcar, the leading marketplace for car sharing in emerging markets, today announced a new product category on its platform called the Thrift Store. This new product category is a powerful move by the recently NASDAQ listed company, Zoomcar, offering up to 50% lower pricing for same day bookings and up to 30-45% off for next day bookings paving the path to new found affordability and accessibility for guests. Zoomcar is available across 45+ cities in India including delivery to guests at transit points like airports and railway stations with a comprehensive portfolio of cars across categories – Hatchbacks, Sedans, MUVs, SUVs, EVs, and Luxury cars.

Compared to cab rentals who typically have surge pricing for immediate demand, this innovative pricing offering is set to transform the landscape of self drive car sharing with a customer first approach making it more affordable and enjoyable. Local hosts on the Zoomcar platform have the ability to opt into this feature to increase the usage of their vehicles during the weekdays with an expectation of increasing their overall earnings.

Designed to reinforce the relative value and competitive pricing of self-drive, Thrift Store’s transparent and predictable new affordable pricing structure, aims to build trust and foster long-term relationships with its valued customers.

Greg Moran, CEO and Co-Founder Zoomcar said “We want to put the pedal to the metal with Thrift Store where guests can experience the freedom of spontaneous self drive travel. It is a game changer for our local hosts too, making their cars instantly available for bookings while maximizing their earnings and contributing to a more sustainable and efficient car-sharing ecosystem. This is not a one time marketing campaign but an always on product offering as Zoomcar remains fully committed to making the self-drive experience not just convenient but also fully affordable to the everyday consumer.”

Adarsh Menon, President at Zoomcar, added, “Zoomcar’s Thrift Store is our solution to offering one of the most convenient & cost effective travel options especially given the freedom and privacy of self drive. We want our customers to feel confident while driving a car worry free without the fear of unexpected costs, breaking the bank or even owning it. For the hosts, it is our endeavor and promise to provide them an increase in bookings and sustained income.”

A recent report from Zoomcar also shared an industry leading NPS with an average trip rating of nearly 4.7. The Thrift Store product launch is a testament to Zoomcar’s commitment to customer-centric innovation and its broader focus toward building a stronger self-drive car sharing ecosystem.