Archives July 2024

SINGAPORE, July 8, 2024 — From 3 to 5 July 2024, The Honourable the Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon led a delegation from the Supreme Court of Singapore on a visit to the Supreme Court of Brunei Darussalam. Last July, the Chief Justice of Brunei Darussalam, The Honourable Dato Seri Paduka Steven Chong Wan Oon visited the Singapore Courts. During Chief Justice Chong’s visit to Singapore, the two Chief Justices held an in-person bilateral meeting, and a Memorandum of Understanding to promote bilateral judicial cooperation between the two judiciaries was signed.

During Chief Justice Menon’s visit to Brunei Darussalam, the two Chief Justices discussed how judicial cooperation between the Singapore and Brunei judiciaries could be further enhanced. Chief Justice Menon also met with Brunei Darussalam’s Attorney General, Yang Berhormat Datin Paduka Dayang Hajah Nor Hashimah binti Haji Mohammed Taib.

Chief Justice Menon delivered a speech to the Brunei judiciary on “The Role of an Effective and Efficient Judiciary in Promoting Economic Development – The Singapore Perspective” during the visit. In the speech, he shared the Singapore perspective on the role of the judiciary in promoting and supporting economic development on three levels. First, by deciding individual cases in a way that is sensitive to commercial realities and responsive to new developments in the wider operating environment; second, by providing efficient and appropriate dispute resolution mechanisms; and third, by supporting the broader transnational system of commercial justice that provides a sound legal framework for transnational commercial activity.

Justice Kannan Ramesh, who was part of the Singapore delegation, briefed Bruneian stakeholders and government agencies on Singapore’s insolvency and restructuring regime. He spoke about Singapore’s experience in reforming and modernising Singapore’s legal frameworks for insolvency and restructuring, and in particular on Singapore’s adoption of the UNCITRAL Model Law on Cross-Border Insolvency, and on the development of the Judicial Insolvency Network’s Guidelines and Modalities.

Chief Justice Menon said: “I am deeply grateful for the warm and generous welcome extended to the Singapore delegation by Chief Justice Chong and the Brunei judiciary. The discussions we have had will be invaluable in helping both judiciaries understand one another’s experiences and perspectives better. This visit has deepened the ties between our two judiciaries and has paved the way for enhanced judicial cooperation.”

HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam, July 8, 2024 — Vinamilk, Vietnam’s leading dairy company, announce that its Vietnam Beverage Factory has attained international certification for Carbon Neutrality (PAS 2060:2014) from the British Standards Institute (BSI). Achieved 3 Carbon Neutral Units within less than a year of announcing the action plan Vinamilk Pathways to Dairy Net Zero 2050, this demonstrates the company’s commitment and remarkable progress in sustainable practices.

A step further of Vinamilk to Net Zero goal

Established in 2010, Vinamilk’s Vietnam Beverage Factory produces over 282 million items annually. The factory’s certification confirms the neutralization of 3,410 tons of CO2e emissions, achieved through emission reductions in production and investments in forest funds to absorb greenhouse gases. Through the adoption of green energy and advanced technologies, the factory sources over 92% of its energy consumption from clean, renewable sources, resulting in a 30% reduction in emissions.

This notable milestone underscores Vinamilk’s dedication to sustainability, as the company now has a total of three certified facilities (including Nghe An Dairy Factory and Nghe An Dairy Farm). Together, these facilities offset 21,000 tons of CO2 emissions (scope 1 & 2), equivalent to the impact of approximately 2 million trees.

“We are actively integrating eco-friendly technologies, transitioning to green energy, and adopting circular economy principles to develop factory models that are not only modern and of international quality, but also increasingly sustainable. With the unwavering determination of our Board of Directors and the positive commitment of our employees, Vinamilk is committed to further reducing the carbon footprint of each product for consumers,” said Mr. Le Hoang Minh, Production Executive Director and Head of the Net Zero Project at Vinamilk.

From plan to impactful actions

Through Vinamilk Pathways to Dairy Net Zero 2050, the company is actively implementing projects to reduce its carbon footprint following 8 key pillars: Sustainable sourcing, Green & Renewable energy, Low-emission packaging, Low-carbon product development, Eco-friendly Logistics, Carbon sequestration, Sustainable consumption & Circular economy and Commitment to stakeholders.

“By conducting a comprehensive inventory and thorough assessment of emissions, businesses can gain the necessary insights to create a systematic roadmap for emissions reduction and neutralization. As the consulting firm responsible for verifying these practices at various Vinamilk factories, we believe their initiatives can serve as a model for companies striving for sustainability and contributing to Vietnam’s Net Zero goal,” said Mr. Le Duyen Anh, General Director of BSI Vietnam.

Furthermore, Vinamilk is establishing large-scale carbon sequestration initiatives, including expanding green tree funds at farms and factories, preserving over 1,000 hectares of forest in Laos, and promoting tree planting through the Vinamilk Net Zero Forest project. This includes a joint effort with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to reforest 25 hectares of mangrove in Ca Mau Province.

Recognized by the Asia Responsible Enterprise Awards (AREA) 2024 as the winner of the Green Leadership category, the Vinamilk Pathways to Dairy Net Zero 2050 program demonstrates the company’s pioneering role in ESG and sustainable development, creating impactful changes not only for business practices but also for Vietnam’s dairy industry in the Net Zero journey.

LONDON, July 8, 2024 — Feldspar Limited, the UK-based technology company, announced that it is building the world’s first sensor-enabled performance running track, poised to redefine athletic performance and live sports entertainment. This pioneering innovation represents the first major technological advancement in track and field running in nearly 60 years, laying the foundation for an unparalleled new immersive experience in live sports.

For the first time, Feldspar’s performance running track will incorporate advanced sensors in addition to camera-based methods to directly measure the movement of athletes through their footsteps and stride to capture data in real-time, bringing new levels of precision in analysing running performance.

Feldspar’s next-generation modular sports flooring and tracking software solution will integrate patent-pending technologies and state-of-the-art materials into the track design, enabling a novel and unprecedented way of energy return and conversion*. This performance innovation will allow athletes to achieve a faster running speed compared to what is currently possible today and push the boundaries of human performance.

Offering complex and historically hard-to-access data, such as stride length, acceleration rate and max velocity in real-time, this technology has the potential to revolutionise the spectator experience at live sports events as well as to attract new enthusiasts who value innovative, visually captivating, and tech-driven premier sports entertainment.

To further enhance performance, Feldspar will also integrate an AI-powered data analytics tool and sports tracking software intended to redefine professional coaching and optimise training for athletes. This includes adjusting competition strategy before, during and after races, and identifying potential areas of injuries based on granular individual data and in-depth athlete profiles.

Alvina Chen, Founder and CEO of Feldspar said, “While we have seen a high level of innovation in running shoes, apparel, and training methods in recent years, it’s incredible that the modern synthetic running track itself has remained largely unchanged since the 1968 Summer Olympics.”

Chen continued, “There is a huge opportunity in revolutionising this sport. By digitising the running track Feldspar is not only providing new avenues for athletes’ development and pushing the boundaries of human performance but also moving athletics towards a new era of exhilarating, high-energy live international events, similar to what we see in other sports, like football and motorsports.”

Chen added, “Our ambition with our next generation running track is to set a new benchmark for athlete performance and fan engagement for future world competitions, including the Olympic Games, and beyond.”

Feldspar is working with the UK’s top engineers, industrial designers, and data scientists to develop the high-performance, premium running track prototype, with real-time testing set to begin later this year. Production of the flooring solution is expected to begin in 2025.

Founded by former professional track runner Alvina Chen, the inspiration to reinvent the running track struck during her international racing career.

The company has secured initial backing from Hong Kong-based investors which will be used to develop the high-performance running track prototype.

8th July 2024 Mumbai, Maharashtra, India  Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Ltd. in collaboration with celebrated designer Tarun Tahiliani, proudly announces the launch of TASVA’s first Mall store in Mumbai. The grand opening was nothing short of spectacular with a surprise flash mob and puneri dhol performance that left the onlookers stunned. The crowd was taken by surprise when the Bollywood star and brand ambassador, Ananya Panday, made an unexpected entrance during the flash mob. The store was inaugurated by Ananya Panday in the presence of the renowned couturier, Tarun Tahiliani.

Located in the city’s prime area at Oberoi Mall, the store spans 1746 sq. ft. and offers a luxurious shopping experience. The store showcases a broad range of designer ethnic and wedding wear for the modern Indian man, including the new Art Deco-inspired Dinner Jacket collection, which features geometric patterns and intricate embroidery techniques like appliqué and hot-fix. The wedding and festive attire range includes a variety of kurta sets, achkans, sherwanis, and Indo-western outfits, complemented by an array of accessories such as sofas, screeches, brooches, pocket squares, buttons, sheets, stoles, shawls, and footwear.

The store’s design and decor are in keeping with Tarun Tahiliani’s ‘India Modern’ design ethos and reflect the new reality that Indian consumers have evolved to. They now seek more meaning and expressiveness via their choices. Luxurious materials like wood, brass, and designs inspired by India’s rich cultural heritage, create an ambiance that serves as a portal to a new world of Indian apparel, aligning with TASVA’s brand philosophy.

Ananya expressed her thoughts saying, “This city holds a special place in my heart. Today it’s a privilege to witness the fusion of traditional elegance and contemporary style as TASVA has opened its doors in Oberoi Mall. TASVA’s commitment to redefining the groom’s fashion experience is commendable, and I’m excited to be a part of TASVA’s journey.”

Commenting on the launch of the Oberoi Mall store, Tarun Tahiliani, Chief Design Officer, TASVA, expressed, “It’s an honour to bring our vision to life with the grand opening of our store in Oberoi Mall, Mumbai. At TASVA, each garment is meticulously crafted to celebrate our heritage while embracing contemporary style. Our new Mumbai store is a perfect space to experience the confluence of timeless techniques and modern designs that define TASVA.”

Ashish Mukul, Brand Head, TASVA, shared his thoughts stating, “At TASVA, we’re strategically expanding our retail footprint, and the grand opening of our first mall store in Mumbai at the Oberoi Mall, is a major milestone in this direction. This store is a beacon of our commitment to accessibility and top-notch quality in designer wedding wear.”

8th July 2024  Bengaluru, Karnataka, India  Truecaller, the world’s leading global communications platform, announces the launch of TrueTalks Community to connect and engage with people across the world. The community serves as a platform to bring together Truecaller users to interact with each other, share feedback, post suggestions for new features, get notified about the latest scams, get instant support with their problems, learn more about Truecaller, and even share their personal experiences.

Anyone can become a member of the community by signing up with a valid email address and display name. You do not need to be a Truecaller user to join TrueTalks, however, our 383 Million+ Truecaller users can instantly access TrueTalks from a shortcut within the app. Among others, community content is designed to raise awareness about the brand offerings, talk about the best way to protect yourself from unwanted communication or even connect you directly with several Truecaller executives.

As the person responsible for building and growing the community, Rohit Ghalsasi, the Community Manager at Truecaller said, “We have been testing TrueTalks with a few thousand members and I am excited to see the level of conversations already. Our aim is to engage with our users more effectively, gather insights to enhance our existing product, and create a platform for information exchange about the latest scams and new trends in technology. I welcome everyone to join TrueTalks and make the most of it.”

Truecaller has been responsive to thousands of user queries irrespective of the mediums daily with the help of a robust customer support team. Now with the community platform users from across the globe can interact with our teams and other members to share ideas, insights, problems, and much more. TrueTalks is currently available in English only, however, we will be adding support for additional languages soon.

8th July 2024  New Delhi, Delhi, India  The Master Mentors Geo-enabling Indian Scholars (MMGEIS) program, which is the brainchild of Esri India, and the Centre for Knowledge Sovereignty (CKS) was launched in December 2023. On 9th May, Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology (VNIT) Nagpur became a part of this unique initiative.

Under the purview of the MMGEIS Program, VNIT hosted a series of activities aimed at fostering understanding and collaboration in the realm of geospatial technology. The various activities saw a convergence of academic leaders, industry experts, representatives from prestigious institutions, and students for knowledge exchange on geospatial technology, its applicability, and its significance in contemporary times.

Over 250 students from VNIT and various other schools in Nagpur participated in the activities, where they got the opportunity to interact with Shri AS Kiran Kumar, Former Chairman of ISRO, and Chair of the MMGEIS Board. Shri AS Kiran Kumar delivered an enlightening address on the applicability of geospatial technology and its significance in contemporary times.

As part of the MMGEIS Program, VNIT Nagpur students will have access to multiple resources and opportunities to explore geospatial technology and its applications. Under the mentorship of experts in the field, students will gain practical skills and insights that can be applied across various fields, from urban planning to environmental management.

Rajendra Kumar, Managing Director, Esri India, said, “VNIT Nagpur’s collaboration with MMGEIS Program is geared towards empowering students to spearhead geospatial innovation. Through this program, students will have the opportunity to explore the practical applications of geospatial data across various domains. As they learn from academic and industry experts, they will emerge as leaders who can harness geospatial insights to address real-world challenges and drive positive change.”

Vinit Goenka, Secretary, the Center of Knowledge Sovereignty, said, “We believe in harnessing spatial thinking to empower individuals and nations. Through initiatives like MMGEIS, we strive to democratize access to geospatial knowledge, enabling every scholar to become a catalyst for positive change in their communities and beyond.”

Dr. P M Padole, Director of VNIT Nagpur, said, “VNIT is at the forefront of technology innovation, and initiatives like MMGEIS hold immense potential to empower our students and serve as a force multiplier, significantly boosting capacity building and fostering a culture of excellence in geospatial technology.”

The MMGEIS program aims to engage up to 5,00,000 students over the next five years and thus will be rolled out in multiple schools and educational institutions shortly. It aims to foster a strong IP framework to enable more patents from India in its journey towards becoming a global geospatial innovation hub.

8th July 2024  Mumbai, Maharashtra, India  Oralium, one of India’s leading aluminium building materials brands, has appointed Eggfirst as its creative, digital, media, and production agency of record. After a multi-agency pitch process, Eggfirst has emerged as the agency partner to support and drive the expansion plans of the brand across existing and emerging markets in India. Eggfirst will work closely with Oralium to add creative prowess to the brand and drive growth.

Commenting on the association, Ahamed Iqbal KM, Managing Director, Oralium said, “Oralium is a category innovator and has been leading the aluminium metal-based roofing sheets category through innovations. Oralium delivers innovative and modern aluminium solutions, setting new benchmarks in everything from roofing to extrusions-a single solution for all aluminium needs. Our goal is to expand our presence and visibility across tier 2 and 3 cities and beyond into rural markets.”

“We are pleased to welcome Eggfirst as our agency of record. We look forward to working with Eggfirst which brings in differentiated expertise as a specialist rural advertising agency with robust digital know-how.”

Anup Mukundan, Head of Marketing, Oralium said, “We chose Eggfirst as our agency of record as they come with incredible depth of rural advertising experience and a reputation for deeply thought through creativity, not to mention their digital outreach for connecting with rural markets. I am confident that the team Eggfirst will help us build engaging communication in line with our vision to engage closely with our target market segments. With our new-agency partnership, we are moving towards realizing our vision to become the most preferred metal brand by 2030.”

Ravikant Banka, Founder and CEO, of Eggfirst said, “We are thrilled to partner with Oralium to offer them communication solutions across platforms. Oralium is in an exciting phase of growth. We look forward to developing an effective and dynamic brand engagement narrative for the existing and new consumers, driving brand category and connect for Oralium. It’s an exciting challenge and the entire agency is incredibly delighted to be a part of this growth journey for the brand.”

Oralium is known as a premier brand in the aluminium industry which focuses on downstream value-added products. It offers a wide range of high-quality products that include the flagship Oralium Premium Aluminium Roofing, along with aluminium flat rolled products and extruded profiles under the Oralium Systems and Profiles banner.

Dedicated to quality, customer satisfaction, and environmental sustainability, Oralium consistently aims to surpass customer expectations and continuously updates its product line to address the evolving demands of the industry. These foundational values steer all facets of Oralium’s operations, reinforcing its reputation as a reliable market leader.

Eggfirst is in the midst of a tremendous growth spurt and has grown nearly three times in that many years. It has established its expertise as a Specialist Rural Advertising Agency with extreme digital expertise. Having worked with a large number of rural brands across FMCG, BFSI, agri-inputs, building construction materials, and more, it has a deep understanding of the consumers and markets of Bharat. Its true-blue advertising strategies provide a solid foundation for brands, and its digital expertise drives powerful connections with consumers while being cost-effective.

8th July 2024 Pune, Maharashtra, India  Recognize, Innovate, and Accelerate – that is the ultimate motto of RIA Advisory LLP, a Pune-based Business and Technology Advisory Consulting firm. Last Tuesday, RIA traded in their briefcases for garbage bags and headlamps for a different kind of acceleration – a climb up the scenic slopes of Hanuman Tekdi alongside the Youth Talent Development Society (YTDS NGO).

This wasn’t your typical team-building exercise. RIA, known for their sharp minds and strategic solutions, joined forces with YTDS, a successful non-profit organization that has championed the Four E’s – Environment, Education, Employment, and Empowerment – focused on the “E for Environment” for a unique initiative: the Hill Cleaning Activity.

With the rising sun casting a warm glow over the famous Hanuman Tekdi, the enthusiastic team at RIA assembled at the base of the Tekdi and divided into mighty teams, armed with the ultimate weapons against waste – hefty garbage bags and a healthy dose of environmental spirit.

Gloves, face masks, and a shared determination to make a difference were the order of the day. The initial assessment was clear – Hanuman Tekdi, despite its natural beauty, had become a silent victim of littering. Undeterred, team RIA rolled up their sleeves, their competitive spirit igniting as they raced (in a friendly way, of course!) to fill their designated bags with plastic bottles, food wrappers, and other discarded items.

“It was truly heartening to see the dedication of the Team RIA,” said Mr. Ameet Bhinganiya, Founder and President of YTDS. “This was the first time we conducted a Hill Cleaning Activity, and the enthusiasm from RIA was truly infectious.”

As the hours progressed, the teams transformed into a mighty garbage-collecting force. Bag after bag was filled, and the once-polluted landscape began to show signs of beauty and rejuvenation. The collective effort not only cleaned the hill but also fostered a sense of camaraderie between the two organizations.

But the real win goes beyond the collected waste. This collaborative clean-up served as a powerful reminder: protecting our environment requires all hands on deck. From financial advisors to social workers, every individual can play a part in nurturing the natural world.

This initiative perfectly exemplifies the synergy between RIA and YTDS. While RIA brings its expertise in strategy and innovation, YTDS provides local knowledge and dedication to community improvement. Together, they demonstrate how seemingly different organizations can come together for a common cause – a cleaner, greener future for Pune.

“It is deeply satisfying that our young and bright engineers at RIA are so passionate about their social responsibilities,” said Mr. Sameer Deo, Head of India Operations, RIA Advisory. “via its RIA-Cares initiatives, RIA takes pride in being socially responsible and contributing directly to worthy causes RIA takes”

RIA and YTDS hope to inspire others to take action, be it organizing a clean-up drive in your own neighborhood, switching to reusable bags, or simply disposing of waste responsibly. Every small step counts when it comes to protecting our environment.

In conclusion, this was not just a cleaning drive; it was a statement – a statement of intent, a statement of unity, and a statement of hope for a cleaner and more sustainable future. Remember – a little initiative can go a long way in preserving the beauty of our natural spaces.

8th July 2024 Mumbai, Maharashtra, India  As summer begins, it is important to indulge in a hair care routine that shields your hair from the harmful effects of UV rays, humidity, and pollution. The combination of these factors often results in dull, dry, and frizzy hair. Moreover, increased exposure to hard water worsens the damage, making your hair prone to dullness and breakage.

An effective way to control frizz and provide intense nourishment to your hair is indulging in a regular hair oiling routine. While there are many hair oil options to choose from, you need to pick one with the right ingredients for your hair. Aloe Vera is one such ingredient that has been a summer favorite for years!

Renowned for its moisturizing benefits on our skin to tackle summer irritation, Aloe Vera has also proven beneficial for lending the same benefits when applied on the hair. Aloe Vera is known as a great ingredient for promoting hair growth, preventing hair fall that leads to hair thinning, and improving overall hair health in the summer. Additionally, Aloe Vera is known to be rich in vitamins and minerals that can nourish the scalp and hair, making it stronger and less prone to breakage. It can also help to soothe an irritated scalp and reduce dandruff.

To unlock the full potential of Aloe Vera for hair, it is recommended to team it up with a Coconut-based hair oil for deep nourishment. This of unique blend of coconut-based hair oil allows penetration up to 10 layers deep inside your hair and helps you control frizz, resulting in soft hair that gives you the freedom to style and wear your hair just the way you want to, with utmost ease.

Although we are already a month into the summer season, you can still make the most of these two wonder ingredients by creating a simple yet effective hair mask at home. All you need to do is mix equal proportions of Aloe Vera gel and Coconut hair oil in a bowl and massage this gently on your scalp till the tips, leaving it for just 30 minutes before washing your hair.

Pro Tip: For best results apply this hair mask 2-3 times a week. If pressed for time, you may also choose Parachute Advansed Aloe Vera Enriched Coconut Hair Oil, a non-sticky and lightweight Aloe Vera-enriched coconut hair oil.

So, this summer season indulge regularly in this haircare routine and experience the combined goodness of Aloe Vera and coconut-based hair oil in controlling frizz and helping you achieve soft nourished hair.

8th July 2024 Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India  At this year’s Tuneland Music Festival, held in GIFT City, Gandhinagar, Kody Technolab Limited introduced a groundbreaking approach to event security and service, marking a first in India with its autonomous surveillance robot – Athena, and serving robot – Dasher. The event, attracting over 35,000 attendees, showcased the unprecedented integration of robotics into public safety and service delivery, setting a new standard for technology in entertainment. You can view Athena in action here.

The festival not only featured performances from renowned artists B Praak and Vishal Mishra but also demonstrated advanced robotic capabilities with Athena, Kody Technolab’s state-of-the-art surveillance robot. For the first time in India, a music festival leveraged robotic technology for full-scale security and surveillance, with Athena equipped with 360-degree cameras and intelligent threat detection systems. Athena’s capabilities included people detection, threat assessment, and monitoring of unattended objects, ensuring a safe environment throughout the festival grounds.

Additionally, Dasher, Kody Technolab’s serving robot, enhanced the experience for VIP guests by managing food and beverage services with its bionic design and seamless navigation. The robot’s efficiency and innovative features not only improved service delivery but also captivated the attendees, further illustrating the potential of robotics in enhancing customer service.

Manav Patel, Founder of Kody Technolab Limited, remarked, “The deployment of Athena and Dasher at the Tuneland Music Festival is a testament to the vast possibilities that robotics holds for improving both security and service in public spaces. Athena’s successful operation across the festival is a proud moment for us and a landmark in India’s technological progress in public safety.”

Event Highlights Include:

Revolutionary Security: Athena’s deployment provided a comprehensive surveillance solution, handling large-scale crowd monitoring with cutting-edge technology.

Exceptional Service: Dasher offered a unique service experience to VIP attendees, showcasing the integration of robotics in traditional service sectors.

This historic event not only signifies a milestone for Kody Technolab and Tuneland but also paves the way for future advancements in robotic applications in the entertainment and public safety sectors.