All posts by Rabindra

Mumbai, September 10th, 2024: Pepperfry, India’s leading e-commerce furniture and home décor platform, has launched its latest collection, Ravenel, under its house brand Woodsworth from Pepperfry. Inspired by old Spanish architecture, the Ravenel collection offers furniture pieces that not only elevate any space with their free-spirited charm and elegance but are also enhanced by scalloped edge designs.

The enduring appeal of scalloped detailing in interiors can be traced back to the Renaissance and Victorian eras. This playful wave-like design is more dynamic than standard geometric patterns and adds sophistication, blending effortlessly with various aesthetics. The scalloped shape introduces extra texture and dimension, enhancing the visual interest of any element it touches.

The Ravenel collection features a wide array of products, especially accent tables, benches and chest of drawers to elevate your living room, dining area or bedroom, featuring unique scalloped edges and practical storage solutions. The designs are also versatile, lending grandeur and visual appeal to any space, even when they are teamed with statement décor pieces.

The Ravenel collection is now available exclusively on Pepperfry’s website and in stores across India.

Woodsworth from Pepperfry offers more than just furniture. It embodies exceptional value with distinctive pieces that are both stylish and functional. The sleek, trendy designs are built to last, delivering a perfect blend of aesthetics and comfort without compromising on quality.

Mumbai, 10th September 2024 – Moxy Mumbai, Marriott International’s vibrant lifestyle brand, is honored to announce the appointment of Mr. Sharad Singh as the Hotel Captain of the newly launched Moxy Mumbai in Andheri West. With an illustrious career spanning over 17 years and a long-standing association with the Marriott International family, Sharad Singh brings a wealth of experience and expertise to this dynamic role.

Sharad Singh has carved a niche for himself in the hospitality industry, showcasing exceptional leadership and operational acumen across various prestigious properties. His journey with Marriott began at the inception of his career, and since then, he has held several key positions, contributing significantly to the success and recognition of these establishments.

In his most recent role as Director of Operations at The Westin Goa, Sharad was instrumental in leading the hotel to win the ‘Best Food and Beverage Hotel’ in Marriott Asia Pacific Excluding China 2022. Prior to his tenure at The Westin Goa, Sharad served as Director of Food and Beverage at Sheraton Grand Pune and The St. Regis Mumbai.

Sharad’s extensive background also includes key roles at JW Marriott Pune, Marriott Hotels and Resort Jaipur, and Renaissance Mumbai Hotel & Convention Centre. His expertise spans across operations, strategy planning, marketing and promotions, customer relationship management, and service excellence.

Sharad’s leadership style is characterized by his enterprising spirit, strong analytical skills, and a genuine passion for guest satisfaction. His ability to connect with people from diverse cultures make him a perfect fit for Moxy’s inclusive and vibrant ethos as he envisions a stellar roadmap for the hotel’s positioning within the hospitality landscape.

Sharad was instrumental in driving the pre-launch activities of the hotel and building the teams. He will continue this exciting journey at Moxy Mumbai, Andheri West as Hotel Captain. Sharad Singh’s leadership and vision will undoubtedly play a crucial role in establishing Moxy Mumbai as a premier destination for modern travelers seeking a stylish and spirited stay experience and for the ones that are young at heart.

New Delhi, 10th September 2024: University Living, the global student housing managed marketplace, is thrilled to announce its strategic collaboration with Apple Store Online. This exciting partnership aims to revolutionize the student experience by providing seamless access to cutting-edge technology products at competitive prices. Their commitment to enhancing learning experiences goes beyond comfortable accommodation.

“Navigating a new country can be challenging, but our collaboration ensures a smooth transition. From laptops forlate-night study sessions to iPads for creative projects, we’ve got students covered,” says Saurabh Arora, CEO of University Living. “By leveraging Apple’s technology, we offer more than just a place to stay – we provide a comprehensive support system.

With University Living’s integration of Apple’s innovative products, students gain exclusive access to the latest technology. Whether it’s a sleek MacBook, a powerful iPad, or any other Apple device, they can equip themselves with the tools they need for their academic success.

New Delhi, 10th september 2024: Aviva Life Insurance, India’s most trusted private life insurance brand, has announced the launch of the Aviva Signature Increasing Income Plan a Non-Linked, Non-Participating, Life Insurance Savings Plan . The Plan is specially designed to offer a guaranteed and growing, post-retirement income stream and help customers #LiveLife freely in their golden years.

With the increasing life expectancy and rising cost of living, financial security in retirement has become more critical than ever. Aviva Signature Increasing Income Plan addresses these challenges head-on, offering innovative features that make it stand a class apart in the market.

This plan addresses inflation with a 15% step-up in monthly income every 3rd policy year, which means that over time, the payouts go up in correlation with inflation, therefore sheltering the policyholder’s purchasing power.

Aviva Signature Increasing Income Plan provides guaranteed whole-life income, ensuring income benefits to the policyholder and offering comprehensive financial security till the age of 100 years. In addition, it offers a return of premiums at the end of the payout period, where the policyholder receives back 105% of the total premiums paid, thus enhancing the overall benefit of the plan. With flexible premium payment frequency, the plan allows consistent monthly savings towards a secured retirement, making it accessible to a wide range of customers.

In the event of the Policyholder’s death during the Policy Term, the guaranteed Death Benefit, provides essential financial support during challenging times. A noteworthy feature is the In-built Premium Guarantee, whereby Aviva pays all future due premium on behalf of the Policyholder and the family gets the Guaranteed Increasing Income that was promised to the customer.

Mr. Vinit Kapahi, Senior Vice President and Head of Marketing, said, ” After catering to the Protection needs of our customers with Aviva Signature 3D Term Plan and helping them enhance wealth through Aviva Signature Investment Plan-Platinum, the 3rd product that we’re launching this quarter is designed for securing guaranteed post-retirement income. In today’s unpredictable economic landscape, this plan offers the assurance of a growing, inflation-proof income stream, ensuring that our customers can enjoy a secure and comfortable retirement. Aviva Signature Increasing Income Plan embodies our commitment to innovation and aligns with the future financial needs of our customers.”

Key Features:

Life Insurance: Provides life insurance coverage of 7 or 11 times of the annualized premium.

Lifelong Income Guarantee: Offers guaranteed monthly income till the age of 100, with a 15% increase every third policy anniversary.

Inbuilt Premium Guarantee Benefit: In the event of life assured’s death during the premium payment term, the claimant receives long-term increasing income as scheduled, without the burden of paying any due future premiums.

Return of Premiums: Returns 105% of the total premiums paid, at the end of the payout period.

Optional Riders: Enhanced protection with Aviva Accidental Casualty Non-Linked Rider and Aviva New Critical Illness Non-Linked Rider.

Tax Benefit on Premiums and Payouts: Tax benefits as per prevailing tax laws.

Loan Facility: Loans are available under this plan.

The Aviva Signature Increasing Income Plan is part of Aviva’s Signature Product series. The Signature Series, with its comprehensive bouquet of Product offerings, aims to solve Protection, Long term Savings and Retirement needs for customers.

September 10th, 2024, India – RedBeryl, the premier luxury lifestyle management company, is glad to announce the onboarding of Salil Nath as Chief Strategy Mentor – Travel Experience. With over 17 years of experience in the travel and aviation industry, Mr. Nath is set to lead RedBeryl’s travel division into a new era of strategic alliances and innovations. His vast expertise will be instrumental in RedBeryl’s pursuit of groundbreaking partnerships, particularly within the aviation sector, a move that will elevate the travel and aviation experiences RedBeryl offers to its HNIs and Ultra HNIs clientele.

His focus has always been on maximizing revenue through leadership and strategic vision and has earned him widespread recognition in the industry. His leadership roles at Etihad Airways, Kingfisher Airlines, and American Express Global Business Travel, further solidifies his credentials as a leader poised to drive the success of RedBeryl’s travel experience division.

Mr. Manoj Adlakha, Founder and CEO, RedBeryl, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “Salil’s onboarding is a pivotal moment for RedBeryl. His insights and experience within the travel and aviation industry will be invaluable as we expand our network of airline alliances. His guidance will undoubtedly help us enhance our travel offerings, solidifying RedBeryl as the go-to luxury travel partner.”

Expressing his gratitude, Mr. Salil Nath, Executive Director and CEO, Travesla said, “I am excited to join the RedBeryl family as the Chief Strategy Mentor. RedBeryl’s commitment to delivering exceptional and unique travel experiences aligns perfectly with my vision. I am looking forward to working with RedBeryl team to forge key alliances with airlines and partners, ensuring our clients enjoy unparalleled travel journeys.”

Salil Nath currently serves as the Executive Director and CEO at Travesla, a prominent product marketing/representation company in the travel industry, assisting international & domestic brands to scale within the travel domain.

This strategic move reflects RedBeryl’s dedication to continually enhancing its service portfolio. By bringing Salil Nath onboard, the company aims to leverage his aviation experience to form significant airline alliances that will offer exclusive benefits to its clients, such as personalized in-flight services, premium lounge access, and bespoke travel arrangements.

With Salil Nath at the helm of its travel experience strategy, RedBeryl is poised to soar to new heights in the luxury travel sector, furthering its mission of delivering extraordinary experiences to discerning travelers.

New Delhi/Bengaluru, 10 Sept ’24: Servotech Power Systems Ltd., India’s largest EV Charger manufacturer, has secured a substantial contract to build 11 DC Fast EV charging stations from Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Limited (BESCOM). This contract involves Servotech installing public electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at 11 Regional Transport Office (RTO) premises across Karnataka. The project will significantly enhance the charging infrastructure for electric vehicles, making it more convenient for EV owners to charge their vehicles across various regions of Karnataka.

Servotech will manage the entire project execution, from planning and design to final installation. This includes developing a comprehensive plan for the installation of EV charging stations at each RTO location, ensuring optimal placement and capacity. High-quality charging stations will be manufactured, tested, and inspected to meet strict safety and performance standards. Additionally, Servotech will provide warranty support and handle all necessary electrical connections and power supply arrangements.

Sarika Bhatia, Director of Servotech Power Systems Ltd. said, “We are glad to be working on this project for BESCOM. As a leading player in the EV sector, this initiative brings us closer to our collective goal of transforming India into an EV-powered nation. We are creating our green footprints, capturing every state, and every region of India. Having recently collaborated with ANERT and now with BESCOM our robust desire towards creating an EV charging framework is growing stronger day by day and we plan to enhance our presence by collaborating with other Nodal Agencies and DISCOMs in future as well. Our efficient hardware and software solutions will ensure dependable EV charging stations, catering to the growing demand for sustainable travel options. This project is key to support the expanding EV customer base and strategically scaling EV charging stations in high-demand areas. Together, with a shared vision and dedication, we are driving a smooth transition to green mobility through sustainable transport solutions.

Mumbai, 10 September 2024: Amazon miniTV, Amazon’s free video streaming service, has added yet another feather to its hat. The streaming service recently released its patriotic drama series, Naam Namak Nishan. With an impressive rating of 8 on IMDb, Naam Namak Nishan is a gripping series that captures the true essence of patriotism and brotherhood, set against the esteemed backdrop of the Officers Training Academy (OTA) in Chennai. Produced by Juggernaut Studios, the show boasts an exceptional cast, including Varun Sood, Danish Sood, Helly Shah, and Roshni Walia, among others, and it follows the intense journey of young cadets from across India as they undergo rigorous training to serve their motherland.

Varun Sood, who plays the role of Yuvraj in the series, spoke about his experience working with his co-stars. He shared, “I’ve had the pleasure of working with one of the most hard-working teams I’ve ever encountered. Helly Shah, with her extensive television experience, has transitioned seamlessly to OTT and is a true professional. Her humility and dedication to improving every scene are truly commendable. As for Danish, I’ve found a brother in him. We’ve developed a remarkable camaraderie, often improvising scenes together without prior discussion, which added to the authenticity of our performances. Spending most of my time shooting with him made the challenges of the show more manageable, both mentally and physically. His presence made the difficult aspects of filming easier to navigate.”

Adding to it, Danish Sood, who portrays Gurbaaz, expressed, “Working with Helly, Varun, and Roshni was an incredible experience. Helly’s natural talent and ease made our scenes together a joy to film. Varun, who I had never met before, became like a close friend as we navigated our characters’ complex relationships together—from fighting and bickering to becoming great friends. Our improvisations added a special spark to our performances. Despite the long schedules and emotionally demanding scenes, acting with my co-stars felt effortless, like we were meant to work together. ”

“I thoroughly enjoyed working on this project! Danish and Varun have been fantastic co-stars. They are not only talented actors but also great fun to be around. Their energy is simply infectious, making the experience even more enjoyable for me. Together, we had a whale of a time on the sets of Naam Namak Nishan.”, remarked Helly Shah, who essays the character of Dr. Tina.

Witness the unbreakable bond of patriotism and brotherhood, and get ready to be inspired by the courage and sacrifice of these young cadets. Naam Namak Nishan is now streaming exclusively on Amazon miniTV, available on Amazon’s shopping app, Prime Video, Fire TV, smart TVs, and Play Store!

Pune, 10 September 2024: Royal Enfield, the global leader in the mid-size (250-750cc) motorcycle segment celebrates a significant milestone in the West region with the launch of its exclusive apparel brand store. This new store, located at the Amanora Mall in Pune at Hadapsar is an exciting addition for the motorcycling community and lifestyle aficionados alike, reflecting the brand’s commitment to providing the highest quality riding gear, lifestyle apparel, and accessories.

Amanora Mall’s prime location and high foot traffic makes it the ideal setting for Royal Enfield’s first exclusive apparel store, offering an immersive shopping experience that extends beyond riding gear. The store showcases Royal Enfield’s commitment to premium, purpose driven products, balancing safety, comfort, and style. In addition to a wide range of riding jackets like the Nirvik V2, Crossroader and Streetwind Eco, the store features helmets and an extensive collection of men’s and women’s lifestyle apparel, including shirts, t-shirts, trousers, bags, and shoes. Whether you’re riding through the city, off-roading in the mountains or cruising the highways, this store caters to every rider’s mood and journey.

Speaking about the launch, Yadvinder Singh Guleria, Chief Commercial Officer, Royal Enfield, said “Pune is one of the top cities in India with a vibrant motorcycling culture. With the launch of our exclusive apparel store in Pune, we’re expanding our retail footprint to offer high-quality riding gear and lifestyle apparel with increased accessibility. This new store is dedicated to versatile products designed for exceptional comfort, adaptability, and protection. We remain committed to supporting our motorcycling community ensuring they are prepared for any adventure with safe, functional, and stylish ride gear.”

As Royal Enfield celebrates the launch of its exclusive apparel brand store, it also ushers in an exciting new phase in the retail journey of its apparel business. Royal Enfield is set to enhance the shopping experience and continue delivering top-quality products tailored to every rider’s needs. Customers are encouraged to explore the diverse offerings at this new store and stay tuned for future openings that will further enrich their ‘pure motorcycling’ experience.

10th September 2024: Scientists at the University of Southampton have unlocked one of the most puzzling questions in plate tectonics revealing how and why ‘stable’ parts of continents gradually rise to form some of the planet’s greatest topographic features, such as India’s Western Ghats.

The study, led by Professor Tom Gernon, a leading Earth scientist at the University of Southampton, delved into the effects of global tectonic forces on landscape evolution over hundreds of millions of years. The findings shed light on one of the least understood aspects of plate tectonics—the vertical movements of stable continental regions, known as cratons.

Through their research, the scientists have discovered that when tectonic plates break apart, powerful waves are triggered deep within the Earth that can cause continental surfaces to rise by over a kilometre. This breakthrough provides a new understanding of the dynamic forces that shape expansive topographic features, known as escarpments and plateaus, which profoundly influence the planet’s climate and biology.

Tom Gernon, Professor of Earth Science at the University of Southampton and lead author of the study, said: “Scientists have long suspected that steep kilometre-high topographic features called Great Escarpments — like the classic example encircling South Africa, and the famous Western Ghats in India — are formed when continents rift and eventually split apart. However, explaining why the inner parts of continents, far from such escarpments, rise and become eroded has proven much more challenging. Is this process even linked to the formation of these towering escarpments? Put simply, we didn’t know.”

The research team, including Dr Thea Hincks, Dr Derek Keir, and Alice Cunningham from the University of Southampton, collaborated with experts from the Helmholtz Centre Potsdam – GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences and the University of Birmingham. Their results explain why regions previously thought to be ‘stable’ undergo substantial uplift and erosion, creating elevated areas like the Central Plateau of South Africa and the Deccan Plateau in India.

Building on their previous research linking diamond eruptions to continental breakup, the team employed advanced computer models and statistical methods to investigate the Earth’s surface response to the breakup of tectonic plates over time. They found that the stretching of the continental crust during rifting stirs movements in the Earth’s mantle, initiating a deep mantle wave that travels across the continent’s base at a speed of 15-20 kilometres per million years.

The team’s landscape evolution models demonstrated how these mantle-driven processes result in surface erosion that persists for tens of millions of years, lifting land surfaces and forming elevated plateaus. This new explanation for the vertical movements of cratons offers significant insights into the Earth’s geological history.

Dr. Steve Jones, Associate Professor in Earth Systems at the University of Birmingham, emphasized the broader implications of the research and said: “Rifting can generate long-lived, continental-scale upper mantle convection cells that profoundly impact Earth’s surface topography, erosion, sedimentation, and natural resource distribution.”

The researchers also concluded that the same mantle disturbances responsible for rapid diamond eruptions play a crucial role in shaping continental landscapes, affecting factors ranging from regional climates and biodiversity to human settlement patterns.

Professor Gernon, who received a major philanthropic grant from the WoodNext Foundation, administered by the Greater Houston Community Foundation, to study global cooling, highlighted the far-reaching impacts of their findings.

He added: “This groundbreaking study represents a significant leap forward in understanding the forces that shape our planet’s surface, offering new perspectives on the intricate connections between Earth’s deep interior and its diverse landscapes.”

10th September 2024, Mumbai: KidZania Mumbai is all set to celebrate the joyous festival of Ganesh Chaturthi with Morya Mahotsav, a celebration filled with creativity, culture, and fun! Happening from the 6th to the 16th of September 2024, this festival is organized in partnership with DOMS Painting Studio, offering a unique blend of art and tradition that promises to delight children and families alike.

This year, KidZania Mumbai is hosting Zuper activities that celebrate the spirit of Ganesh Chaturthi while encouraging creativity and eco-friendly practices. Participants will get the chance to explore their artistic talents using DOMS art products, such as Modelling Clay/Dough and coloring tools, as they craft their own festive creations.

Highlights of the Morya Mahotsav include:

● Create Your Own Bappa Idol: Children can craft their own Mangal Murti idol, modak, hibiscus flowers, and more using DOMS Modelling Clay/Dough. These handcrafted pieces can be taken home as cherished tokens of their creativity and festive spirit.
● Ceremonial Plate Decoration: Dive into the festive mood by decorating ceremonial plates, modaks, and flowers using DOMS clay/dough and coloring products. This hands-on activity allows kids to add a personalized, artistic touch to their celebrations.
● Modak Treasure Hunt: Adding a dash of adventure to the festivities, KidZania will host a fun-filled “Find the Modak” treasure hunt. Kids will follow hints to locate hidden modaks within a set time frame, and successful hunters will be rewarded with sweet treats.

Hasmukh Gorava, Head of Marketing, KidZania Mumbai, stated, “We are thrilled to celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi with our Morya Mahotsav, in partnership with DOMS Painting Studio. We have curated a range of creative activities that not only honor the festival’s rich traditions but also inspire artistic expression and eco-consciousness among children. We invite families to join us in making this festival memorable and engaging for all.”

•  Date: 6th to 16th September 2024
• Venue: KidZania Mumbai, R City, LBS Marg, Ghatkopar (W), Mumbai