Archives July 2024

1st July 2024  Delhi, India  In a vibrant celebration giving a platform to creatives and sustainability, twenty-two talented students from the School of Fashion at World University of Design dazzled audiences at the Delhi Times Fashion Week recently. Held at the prestigious venue, The Grand Vasant Kunj, the event featured renowned designers and fashion labels including the iconic Narendra Kumar from Mumbai. The central theme of WUD’s showcase, “Sustainability in Fashion,” set the stage for a stunning presentation of upcycled secondhand garments. Embracing this ethos, students infused bold, contrasting colors and creative geometric shapes into their designs. Tasked with minimizing waste, they utilized at least 97% of the chosen garment’s materials, aligning with the imperative for sustainable practices in the face of global challenges.

The result was a collection that captivated audiences and demonstrated the students’ keen sense of contemporary style. Attendees marveled at the innovative concept & the wearability of finished garments and applauded the students’ commitment to sustainable yet fashionable attire. Feedback from industry experts and fashion influencers was overwhelmingly positive.

Looking at the overwhelming response, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Vice Chancellor, the World University of Design (WUD) commented, “I am thrilled to see the participation of 22 of our talented pre-final fashion students in Delhi Times Fashion Week. The showcased collection not only epitomizes creativity but also champions the cause of sustainability. At WUD, we believe in pushing the boundaries of fashion while advocating for responsible practices. Sustainability is an enduring trend. I am sure this initiative by WUD will inspire all fashion institutions to move towards sustainability in the coming days. Our presence here, amidst notable professional designers is inspiring.”

The event concluded with resounding applause, marking the students’ exceptional achievement under the guidance of Professor Devender Singh Kharb and his team. Speaking on the success of the event, Prof. Kharb highlighted the School of Fashion’s reputation for forward-thinking design and sustainability initiatives.

“We were thrilled to present the work of our third-year students. The School of Fashion at WUD has established itself as a pioneering design program, renowned for its focus on sustainability, cutting-edge technologies, and entrepreneurial spirit. Unlike traditional practices seen in other institutions, WUD prioritizes showcasing the innovative creations of our penultimate year students. I am impressed by the students’ creations and look forward to witnessing the fashion landscape evolve with sustainability at its core,” remarked Prof. Devender Singh Kharb, Dean, School of Fashion, World University of Design (WUD).

The event concluded with enthusiastic applause, marking the students’ exceptional achievement. They not only met but exceeded expectations, leaving an indelible mark on the Delhi Times Fashion Week. Their use of sustainable fashion in smart casuals and the breathtaking graduation collection demonstrated their potential for greatness in the ever-evolving world of fashion. This highlights the importance of sustainability and upcycling as norms in the fashion industry to combat climate change in the upcoming years.

1st July 2024  Bengaluru, Karnataka, India  The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) has extended the deadline to apply for the eighth edition of its prestigious IET India Scholarship Awards, which has a combined prize money of Rs 10 Lakhs. The IET has currently received more than 45000 applications from students across the country for the same. Students of AICTE, UGC-approved, and National institutes, who are yet to apply for the award, may send their applications by the 15th of June.

The IET India Scholarship program aims to reward and celebrate individual excellence and innovation among undergraduate engineering students in India. The application round is the first step in a rigorous 4-stage process which tests students on academic and technical parameters, as well as creativity, innovation, and presentation skills.

Speaking on the awards, Shekhar Sanyal, Director and Country Head, IET India said, “We are very excited to see the enthusiasm around the IET India Scholarship Award this year. In fact, due to a huge surge in applications, our servers recently crashed! This high demand is the reason why we are extending the application deadline by another two weeks. I wish all of the applicants the very best of luck!”

The IET India Scholarship Award 2024 is guided by an esteemed Advisory Board consisting of prominent academicians and nationally recognized corporate leaders. The committee is chaired by Prof Abhijit Chakrabarti, Former Vice Chancellor, Jadavpur University, Kolkata.

“At The IET, we believe it imperative for young engineers and innovators to delve deep into the challenges faced by our country and harness the power of emerging technologies to craft innovative solutions. The more the number of applicants, the greater the number of innovative solutions devised. The IET India Scholarship Award aims to serve as a catalyst for change. The next decade is pivotal for our nation, and the IET India Scholarship Award serves as a catalyst for change,” said Prof Abhijit Chakrabarti, Chair, IET India Scholarship Award Advisory Committee.

The Award evaluates participants across parameters that include academic performance, extracurricular activities, a range of outreach activities, and their ability to come up with creative engineering solutions to solve societal challenges. In the first round, students are shortlisted based on their academic performance as well as extracurricular activities. They then progress to an online test on STEM subjects and technical expertise. Students who clear the cut-off score are then invited to present their technological solution to a pertinent societal challenge in the regional rounds. Regional winners will finally compete in the national finals to win the title.

This will be the eighth edition of this national-level scholarship, started in 2013. Last year, it received over 43,000 applications. Previous year winners joined industry leaders such as Google, Apple, Boeing, Deloitte, and MIT, and some have even become entrepreneurs themselves.

1st July 2024  Mumbai, Maharashtra, India  The highest-ever number of organisations from India once again received a highly prized accolade for their work in health, safety, and wellbeing this year. British Safety Council recognized 313 Indian companies as winners of its prestigious annual International Safety Awards for 2024, at a gala celebratory dinner held yesterday at The Leela in Mumbai.

Mike Robinson, CEO, British Safety Council, addressing the awardees at the ISA 2024 celebratory dinner eventOf the winners, 64 Indian organisations were awarded a Distinction, 143 organisations were awarded a Merit, and 106 organisations achieved a Pass. The number of successful entries from India this year was higher than in 2023, when 205 awards were given out to Indian companies. The winners span numerous sectors with significant representation from the construction, manufacturing, oil, gas and mining, and power and utility sectors.

Now in their 64th year, the International Safety Awards recognise and celebrate organisations from around the world that have demonstrated to the satisfaction of the scheme’s independent judges their commitment to preventing workplace injuries and work-related ill health during the previous calendar year. The awards also acknowledge organisations that have shown commitment to well-being and mental health at work.

Overall, in 2024, a record 1124 organisations won an International Safety Award, from a total of 1251 applications. The winners were drawn from 49 countries worldwide. 269 organisations were awarded a Distinction, 456 organisations were awarded a Merit and 399 organisations achieved a Pass.

The full list of winners can be seen here.

Mike Robinson, Chief Executive of British Safety Council, said, “The British Safety Council applauds all successful organisations on their achievement. Our International Safety Awards recognise the highest achievements of organisations around the world in health, safety and wellbeing. This year, I am thrilled that another record number of organisations have attained that level and won an award.”

The vision of British Safety Council is that no-one should be injured or made ill through their work – anywhere in the world. Achieving this requires more than complying with legislation; it means people committed not only to health and safety but also more and more to workplace wellbeing and impelling others to follow suit, he added.

The long list of winners of the International Safety Awards, demonstrates that a significant number of companies recognise that effective management of health and safety risks is a business growth enabler, benefiting not just employees, but organisations and wider society. By celebrating the achievements of the 1124 winners of the 2024 International Safety Awards and over six decades of improving health and safety standards around the world, British Safety Council encourages other organisations to adopt this approach and place employees’ health, safety and wellbeing at the core of their business.

1st July 2024  Mumbai, Maharashtra, India  In a strategic move towards fostering sustainability and reducing its carbon footprint, Blue Dart, South Asia’s leading courier and integrated express package distribution company, unveiled an expansion of its electric vehicle (EV) fleet, now boasting over 480 e-vehicles (2,3 & 4 wheelers combined). This initiative underlines Blue Dart’s commitment to environmental stewardship on World Environment Day, aligning closely with the company’s ambitious goal to achieve net-zero carbon emissions.

The integration of EVs into Blue Dart’s fleet is poised to yield substantial environmental benefits, with an estimated reduction of 15.05 tonnes of CO2 emissions per month. Blue Dart’s proactive participation as a signatory to the ‘Climate Neutral Now’ (CNN) pledge by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) further underscores its commitment to global climate action. The company’s Sustainability Roadmap emphasizes initiatives such as planting over 111,000 trees annually—a measure projected to offset more than 13,320 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually once these trees reach maturity.

EV Fleet

Of the initiative Balfour Manuel, Managing Director, Blue Dart, said, “Blue Dart is driving sustainable logistics in India, paving the path towards a greener future. By integrating electric vehicles into our fleet, we are poised to significantly reduce our carbon footprint and contribute meaningfully to environmental conservation. Our transition to a green fleet demonstrates Blue Dart’s commitment to carbon neutrality and sustainable growth.”

Blue Dart remains dedicated to delivering innovative solutions in its pursuit of innovation while upholding its environmental responsibilities. The company’s adoption of electric vehicles marks a pivotal milestone in its journey towards long-term sustainability objectives, reinforcing its position as an industry leader committed to shaping a cleaner, greener tomorrow.

1st July 2024  New Delhi, Delhi, India  It was a glamorous affair at the exclusive preview of Nine West’s latest collection in the capital hosted by Bata India! This event marks a significant moment as Bata India introduces New York’s renowned footwear and accessories brand, Nine West, to the Indian market. Actor Chitrangda Singh alongside Delhi’s top fashion influencers indulged in a stylishly curated evening as they adorned NINE WEST’s latest styles, brought to India exclusively by Bata.

Speaking at the grand unveiling of the Nine West collection, Deepika Deepti, Head of Marketing, Bata India said, “At Bata, our aim is to bring the best of world’s fashion to India for our discerning customers. Nine West, born in New York City and thriving globally, is one of the most recognizable brands in the world. With its entry in India exclusively in partnership with Bata, we are proud to continue to make truly high fashion & premium styles accessible to all.”

The latest collection is inspired by empowered women who dream, lead & slay. Iconic silhouettes & dainty designs range from sleek metallic stilettos to famed monogram style bags, each article is crafted to complement the fashion-forward women. The latest Nine West collection is now available exclusively at Bata.com and your nearest Bata stores!

Strengthening its portfolio of fashion footwear and accessories, Bata India announced in November 2023 a licensing and manufacturing deal with Authentic Brands Group (Authentic) for Nine West winning rights to manufacture, market, and distribute Nine West footwear and accessories across India.

1st July 2024 Bengaluru, Karnataka, India  TVS Motor Company registered a sales growth of 12% increasing from 330,609 units in May 2023 to 369,914 units in May 2024.

Two-Wheeler

Total two-wheelers registered a growth of 13% with sales increasing from 319,295 units in May 2023 to 359,590 units in May 2024. Domestic two-wheeler registered growth of 7% with sales increasing from 252,690 units in May 2023 to 271,140 units in May 2024.

Motorcycle registered sales growth of 7% with sales increasing from 162,248 units in May 2023 to 173,627 units in May 2024. Scooter sales registered a growth of 20% with sales increasing from 121,156 units in the month of May 2023 to 145,305 units in May 2024.

Electric Vehicle

Electric vehicles grew by 4% with sales increasing from 17,953 units in May 2023 to 18,674 units in May 2024.

International Business

The Company’s total exports grew by 27% with sales increasing from 76,607 units in May 2023 to 96,966 units in May 2024. Two-wheeler exports grew by 33% with sales increasing from 66,605 units in May 2023 to 88,450 units in May 2024.

Three-Wheeler

Three-wheelers of the Company registered sales of 10,324 units in May 2024 as against 11,314 units in May 2023.

1st July 2024 Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan, India  Royaloak Furniture, India’s renowned furniture brand, has expanded its presence with the inauguration of its first standalone store in Rajasthan, located in Sri Ganganagar. The new store is the brand’s 170th store in the country, marking its commitment to bringing one-of-a-kind furniture and home decor pieces to customers at accessible prices. Through this expansion, the pan-India furniture brand aims to further its mission of making high-quality, internationally-inspired designs more accessible to Indian customers.

The grand launch event also witnessed the presence and support of several dignitaries, including Mr. Vijai Subramaniam, the Chairman of Royaloak Furniture; Mr. Mathan Subramaniam, Managing Director; Mr. Kiran Chhabria, Franchise Head; Mr. Thammaiah Kotera, Head – VM & NSO, Mr. Parag Gautam, State Head – West & North, and Mr. Yashpal Sahu, Franchise Owner. To further mark the occasion and witness the beginning of a new chapter in Rajasthan, guests were welcomed to the sounds of the local band.

The new store covers an impressive 10,000 square feet and provides customers with the opportunity to shop for premium furniture pieces, ranging from sofas, beds, mattresses, dining tables, and home decor pieces. Offering an expansive range of trendy yet functional furniture, the store will be a one-stop- destination for all office and home furniture essentials.

Speaking at the launch event, Mr. Vijai Subramaniam, Chairman, Royaloak Furniture said, “Today commemorates a remarkable milestone for the entire team at Royaloak, as we not only celebrate the inauguration of our 170th store, but also our entry into the Rajasthan market. We are elated to bring top-quality furniture and home decor pieces at accessible prices to our customers in Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan. Additionally, we are also grateful to be aligned with partners that share our vision of elevating lifestyles through international furniture. I extend my best wishes to the franchise owners and look forward to assisting customers in curating their ideal homes.”

To cater to customers’ preferences, the store features the unique ‘Country Collection’, which showcases extraordinary furniture options, specifically curated from countries like Italy, America, Malaysia, India, and more. With more than 200 standalone stores nationwide in 116 key locations including Bangalore, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, New Delhi, and Ahmedabad, the brand’s entry into the Rajasthan market is poised to further elevate the homes of customers with sophistication, charm and luxury.

1st July 2024 Delhi, India  The B.C. Jindal Group has dispelled rumors about exiting their international packaging business by announcing a strategic reorganization of their global operations under a unified leadership team. This move highlights their dedication to expanding and strengthening their global business.

Over the last 10 years, the group has invested significantly in specialized packaging films across the globe, via multiple acquisitions. The global operations include multiple manufacturing plants in the US, Italy, Belgium, Germany, and France.

As a pioneer in sustainable solutions, the group supports global sustainability goals through its cutting-edge technology center in Virton, Belgium.

Recently, the group invested heavily in a state-of-the-art BOPP/BOPE production line at their Brindisi plant in Italy, set to increase capacity by 25%.

The group recently consolidated its US business at Shawnee, Oklahoma. They are fully focused on improving their profitability driven by the coated films business backed by strong technology. This business which was earlier being managed as a standalone entity is now under the banner of the Jindal Films global packaging films business and will be supplemented by their plants across other geographies.

“We remain fully committed to our operations in Europe and the US, and continue to invest in the business,” stated Mr. Bhavesh Jindal. “This reorganization will drive our continuous growth and create immense value for the group in our global operations. We aim to remain the preferred partner for technology-driven products and innovative solutions for our customers.”

Mr. Saurabh Jain, CEO of Overseas Operations, alongside Jindal Films Europe CEO, Mr. Manfred F. Kaufmann and his leadership team, will spearhead strategic initiatives to uphold the group’s market leadership.

“As one of the few specialized packaging film manufacturers in Europe and the Americas, I am confident we can leverage synergies across our international plants to enhance business performance and higher profitability,” said Mr. Jain.

Mr. Kaufmann added, “Our competitive technological edge in BOPP film specialties is the basis for establishing also a robust BOPE business with our ‘EthyLyte’ film grades. This aligns with our customers’ commitments to fully sustainable and recyclable plastic packaging by 2025. The new hybrid BOPE/BOPP line in Brindisi will provide the necessary capacity and technological advancements to support our customers.”

B.C. Jindal Group is over seven-decades old industrial conglomerate with an interest in PP/PET/PA-based flexible packaging films, downstream steel products, power plants, non-woven fabrics, and a photographic business. The group’s manufacturing operations span across India, Europe, and the US with a group turnover of ~USD 2.5 bn.

1st July 2024  Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India  ​The Chennai-based Kodate Parenting and School Excellence Solutions has won a grant from Parivartan, the CSR wing of HDFC Bank, for its comprehensive solution comprising a mobile app and direct workshops for parents to engage with their children and change their behaviour for the better. The grant was awarded to Kodate as it was adjudged among the leading mental wellness solutions in the country at the Green Ribbon Fest, a mental health entrepreneurship event, hosted recently by STEP, a non-profit organisation dedicated to empowering women entrepreneurs.

Kodate was among the 30-odd apps shortlisted at the STEP Green Ribbon Fest. Its unique features include Kodate Behavioural Index, a tool that measures a child’s behaviour, going by the inputs from their parents; Kodate Parent Engagement Framework, which is a unique parenting wellness framework that helps parents identify the right activities to boost their children’s holistic development, and Kodate Nudges, sent to parents to carry out personalised parent-child activities every day.

The Kodate Behavioural Index takes into consideration four behavioural types: Well Adapted, Dependent, Rebellious, and Withdrawn. It identifies the areas where the child needs help, support, and encouragement. Kodate has about 4,00,000 unique nudges. The app also provides a detailed dashboard for milestones achieved by children in adopting positive habits.

Launched in 2021, Kodate has worked with about 2,000 parents who have children in the age group of 2-12 years. Studies on the effectiveness of Kodate’s solution find that it improves the responsiveness of parents by about 77% and transforms at-risk children into well-adapted children within 6 months.

Ms. Jeyappria Dhevi, Founder, Kodate

In her comments, Ms. Jeyappria Dhevi, Founder, Kodate, said, “We are very happy to have won the grant as it is a great endorsement of our solution, and a timely recognition of the growing mental health issues of children. Globally, 1 in 6 children are affected with mental wellness issues. However, after COVID, the scenario has worsened to 1 in 5 children, thanks mainly to increased screen time and reduced parent-child engagement. At Kodate, our focus is on preventive measures. Our solution helps parents identify their children’s unhealthy behavioural traits early on and step in at the right time to preempt the traits from becoming major mental or emotional health issues. The solution is centred on continuous evaluation, nudges, customised 10-minute activities for parents to engage with their children every day. These activities help parents discover various facets of their children’s ability, identify their interest areas, and develop their own parenting style.”

Kodate also works with schools in providing parental engagement and teacher training on classroom behaviour management solutions. As a result, schools witness an increase in student participation and learning ability, and a significant decrease in behaviour and conduct issues at schools.

1st July 2024  Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India  Ascendion, a leader in AI-powered software engineering, proudly announces the launch of its GenAI Studio in Chennai to gather, collaborate, and build the future. This state-of-the-art studio and engineering workspace embodies the growing demand for Generative AI and continues to advance Ascendion’s leadership in the GenAI landscape.

Thousands of “Ascenders” are already delivering business impact with GenAI solutions. (Some examples include: deploying AI models 30% faster for a tech giant; accelerating content creation by 40% for a hardware leader; and tripling go-to-market velocity for a Fortune 50 bank.)

The Chennai studio, part of Ascendion’s six major innovation hubs globally, builds on these successes by fostering creativity, learning, and collaboration. This new space will amplify client impact and drive growth by leveraging the high-quality GenAI talent in the Chennai area.

“Enterprise leaders are excited about the future of AI, but they need to see real-world results. Our new AI studio in Chennai is filled with expert talent, hands-on technology, and inspiration, all designed to excite, provoke, and generate applied GenAI solutions that will drive business forward and positively impact lives all over the world,” said Karthik Krishnamurthy, CEO of Ascendion. “Our new space, located in a global hub of business and technology innovation, will help us deliver what we call ‘Engineering ^AI’ as we create the future of work together with clients.”

A “First-of-its-Kind” Experience Center: This interactive, collaborative space allows clients to explore GenAI solutions hands-on.

Real-Time Problem Solving: Clients can work with Ascension engineers to customize real-time solutions that meet their business needs.

Immediate Value Demonstration: Within minutes, clients can see how AVA+ GenAI prototypes address their challenges, providing rapid insights and ROI.

Ascendion’s GenAI initiatives, including the development of our AVA+ platform, deliver radical transparency, and help clients accelerate impact, velocity, and productivity by >40% while offering double-digit savings from AI Arbitrage. Ascendion’s Digital Ascender platform enhances productivity across the entire software life cycle, and more than 1,500 people have already received GenAI training.

“We are thrilled to now have a physical space in Chennai to connect clients with technology solutions in real-time. Our AI-powered platforms ensure transparency, velocity, quality, and productivity, freeing up capital for innovation and providing clients the flexibility to meet modern business needs. Now, at our new GenAI Studio, they can experience GenAI co-engineering as we solution together in real-time,” adds Prakash Balasubramanian, Executive Vice President, Engineering Solutions at Ascendion.