Tag Mumbai

Mumbai, August 29: India’s luxury pre-owned market is set to grow at a rapid pace, said Almona Bhatia, Chief Business Development Officer, Tata CLiQ & Tata CLiQ Luxury, which had earlier this year launched this category across key brands of watches and handbags.

Luxury pre-owned market in India is worth USD 618 million in 2023 and expected to grow at the rate of 10% to USD 1556 million by 2032, said Bhatia speaking at the inaugural session of Day 2 of India D2C Summit held here.

In its pre-owned category in the luxury segment, Tata CLiQ has launched Rolex, Omega, Breitling, in the watches category and Gucci, Louis Vuitton and Fendi in the handbags category.

“Key categories include art, antique furniture, sneaker, fashion, jewelry and accessories like bags and watches,” she said adding that sustainability and circular fashion is a huge peg for most companies in these categories.

Pre-owned is a softer way of saying second-hand, but it also connotes that it has retained more of its value while conserving ecology and environment.

With household income of over INR 50 lakhs and INR 20-50 lakhs, Elite plus segment and Elite groups respectively in India have a healthy footprint across metro, tier 1 and tier 2/3 cities with top 20 cities accounting for around 60% of households, Bhatia said.

Of the addressable market of 10 million and 44 million users for Elite plus and Elite for Tata CLiQ Luxury, the primary market target is around 1 million households, she said.

“Currently we have penetrated 1.3% of this market, the goal is to scale sustainably & profitably,” she said.

With the number of affluent consumers in India set to rise from approximately 60 million in 2023 to 100 million by 2027, and one in three online shoppers coming from Gen Z category, India’s e-commerce business is set to grow thick and fast, according to industry experts at the conference

Mumbai, 26 August 2024: Residential prices have been rising significantly across cities in the last few years, amid buoyant demand and increased new supply. ANAROCK Research has analysed the price trends in the top 3 micro-markets of the top 7 cities, based on maximum new supply seen in the last 5 years.

Among the shortlisted localities, Bengaluru’s Bagaluru recorded the highest price appreciation of 90% between 2019 and H1 2024.

”With new supply of approx. 17,065 units in the period, the average residential prices at Bagaluru jumped up from INR 4,300 per sq. ft. in 2019 to approx. INR 8,151 per sq. ft. in H1 2024,” says Anuj Puri, Chairman – ANAROCK Group. “A deeper dive reveals that of the total new supply launched in this micro market since 2019, over 94% was in the price bracket of INR 40 lakh to INR 1.5 Cr – the mid and premium segments. The remaining 6% was in the luxury segment priced >INR 1.5 Cr. Tellingly, there was no new affordable supply in this locality.”

Hyderabad’s Kokapet came close behind with overall price appreciation of 89% in this period. The area saw approx. 12,920 units of new supply in the period, and prices rose from INR 4,750 per sq. ft. in 2019 to INR 9,000 per sq. ft. in H1 2024. A whopping 52% of the new launch share was in the ultra-luxury category priced >INR 2.5 Cr, followed by a cumulative 30% in the mid and premium segments. The remaining 19% supply was in the luxury price bracket of INR 1.5 – 2.5 Cr.

Bengaluru’s Whitefield ranks 3rd, recording an 80% rise in residential prices in the period. The area witnessed saw approx. 18,600 units launched between 2019 and H1 2024 – over 66% was in the mid and premium budget category, and the remaining 34% was in the luxury homes segment. Average prices here increased to INR 8,600 per sq. ft. in H1 2024 from INR 4,765 per sq. ft. in 2019.

• NCR’s Dwarka Expressway ranks 4th with a 79% price appreciation. Avg. prices increased from INR 5,359 per sq. ft. in 2019 to over INR 9,600 per sq. ft. in H1 2024.
• Bengaluru’s Sarjapur Road clocks in at #5 with a 58% price jump. Avg. prices here rose from INR 5,870 per sq. ft. in 2019 to INR 9,300 per sq. ft. in H1 2024.
• Hyderabad’s Bachupally came in 6th with avg. property prices increasing by 57% in the period – from INR 3,690 per sq. ft. in 2019 to over INR 5,800 per sq. ft. in H1 2024.
• Hyderabad’s Tellapur ranks 7th with a 53% jump in avg. property prices in this period – from INR 4,819 per sq. ft. in 2019 to INR 7,350 per sq. ft. in H1 2024.
• MMR’s Panvel ranks 8th with a 50% price rise in the period – from INR 5,520 per sq. ft. in 2019 to INR 8,300 per sq. ft. in H1 2024.
  NCR’s New Gurugram – in the 9th spot – saw avg. property prices rise by 48% – to INR 9,000per sq. ft. in H1 2024 from INR 6,100 per sq. ft. in 2019.
• MMR’s Dombivli saw a 40% price rise in this period – from INR 6,625 per sq. ft. in 2019 to INR 9,300 per sq. ft. in H1 2024.

“Housing price growth accelerated after the pandemic, particularly if we consider the last two years,” says Puri. “As per our data, the top 7 cities collectively saw over 44% of price appreciation in the last five years. At a city level, Hyderabad recorded the highest jump of 64% between 2019 and H1 2024, followed by Bengaluru with a 57% increase. The lowest price growth of 25% was seen in Kolkata. NCR and MMR both witnessed a 48% price appreciation each in this period.”

The commonly held notion that high new supply in a market tends to curtail price growth is not entirely true; many of these active residential micro-markets have seen significant price appreciation over the last five years. For instance, Greater Noida West in NCR – which has the 5th highest supply in the region in last five years – saw a whopping 129% price appreciation.

 10 Micro-markets for New Supply – MMR’s Dombivli Leads

The past five years have seen a massive infusion of new supply across the top 7 cities – more than 16,32,650 units between 2019 and H1 2024. City-wise, MMR witnessed the highest supply with approx. 5,25,430 units in this period, followed by Pune with over 2,95,550 units. In terms of micro-markets, MMR’s Dombivli remained the most active market in this period, with the highest new supply.

• Dombivli (MMR) ranks first on the list of the most active residential micro-markets in terms of the number of new units launched in this 5-year period. It saw more than 44,990 new unit launched since 2019, with average property prices hovering around INR 9,300 per sq. ft. on built-up area as of H1 2024 – a 40% increase. At least 77% of the new supply was in the INR 40 lakh to INR 1.5 Cr price bracket, and the remaining 23% in the affordable category.
• Sarjapur Road (Bengaluru) saw the second highest new supply of approx. 36,150 units, of which 74% was in the mid and premium segments and 18% in the luxury category. Just 8% was affordable housing.
• Panvel (MMR) saw 34,400 units added in the period, of which 64% was in the INR 40 lakh to INR 1.5 Cr price bracket, 32% in the affordable segment, and 3% within the INR 1.5 Cr to INR 2.5 Cr price band.
• Thane West (MMR) ranks 4th with approx. 34,020 new units added with the average price at INR 13,500 per sq. ft. as of H1 2024 (from INR 10,317 per sq. ft. in 2019) – a 34% price hike. Of the total new supply here, 77% was in the mid and premium segments, 21% in the >INR 1.5 Cr bracket, and just 2% in the affordable category.
• Greater Faridabad (NCR) came in 5th with approx. 32,740 units launched in the period. At least 56% was in the affordable category, 24% in the luxury price bracket, and the remaining 20% in the mid and premium segments. Average property rates here rose from INR 3,500 in 2019 to INR 4,700 per sq. ft. in H1 2024 – a 34% jump.
• Hinjewadi (Pune) came in 6th with new supply of 25,140 units between 2019 to H1 2024; a whopping 95% was in the mid and premium segments (INR 40 lakh to INR 1.5 Cr), just 4% in the affordable segment, and 1% in the luxury category. The area has seen prices appreciate by 39% in the last five years.
• New Gurugram (NCR), clocking in 7th, saw approx. 21,125 units launched in the period – 52% in the affordable category, 29% in the luxury segment, and 19% in the mid and premium segments. Average prices here rose by 48% in the last five years – from INR 6,100 per sq. ft. in 2019 to INR 9,000 per sq. ft. in H1 2024.
• Dwarka Expressway (NCR) ranks 8th with approx. 20,250 units launched between 2019 to H1 2024, of which over 55% was in the affordable category priced INR 1.5 Cr bracket.
• Whitefield (Bengaluru) ranks 10th with approx. 18,600 units launched, of which 66% was in the mid and premium segments and 34% in the luxury category. There was no new affordable housing supply here.

Mumbai, August 23: Taiwan Excellence again captured significant attention at the Automation Expo 2024, held from August 21st to 24th at the Bombay Exhibition Center in Mumbai. This year’s pavilion showcased the latest advancements in factory automation from 17 leading Taiwanese brands in the field of Machinery, Automation, Equipment & Components, Industrial PC, and IOT devices.

The event featured a dedicated product launch session, “Together for Automation Excellence,” where top brands including Advantech, HIWIN, Jumbo Laser, Mean Well, and Planet, unveiled their most innovative solutions. Highlights were Modular TPC Series, eco-friendly solutions, robotic automation advancements, and cutting-edge power supplies. Experts from these companies engaged with attendees, providing insights into how smart automation can revolutionize manufacturing processes and build smart factories.

Taiwan’s commitment to digital and sustainable manufacturing took center stage. Homer Chang, Director General of the Taiwan Economic and Cultural Centre, emphasized Taiwan’s role in addressing India’s automation challenges. “Taiwanese automation and machinery solutions offer a perfect blend of digitization, customization, and affordability,” Chang said. “By integrating AI, robotic vision, and IoT, our companies are driving intelligent and efficient manufacturing. We are confident that Taiwan can be a strategic partner for India’s industrial transformation.”

The strong economic ties between Taiwan and India were highlighted by the substantial growth in Taiwan’s exports to India. Taiwan’s exports to India surged with a remarkable double-digit growth of 28.1% from January to May 2024. For the same period, chip exports alone surged by 49.4%, accounting for over 36% of Taiwan’s total exports to India. This reflects the growing reliance on Taiwan for advanced technologies.

The Taiwan Excellence Pavilion this year showcased products from the top Taiwanese brands, including AAEON, Advantech, APLEX, C&T, Hiwin, ICP DAS, KANFON, KSS, Main Drive, Mean Well, PLANET, Syntec (Leantec, Jumbo Laser), Techman Robot, Toyo Robot, Unitec, and Winmate. Taiwan demonstrated its dedication to innovation and collaboration with India’s thriving manufacturing sector. As India solidifies its position as a global manufacturing hub, the partnership between Taiwan and India promises to drive mutual growth and development.

Mumbai, August 22, 2024: Audi, the German luxury car manufacturer, today announced the launch of the new Audi Q8 in India. The new Audi Q8 is a perfect fusion of dynamic sportiness and refined elegance where every detail embodies sophistication and power. The short overhangs and long wheelbase lend a stance that’s as dynamic as it is elegant. The design is an interplay of clear volumes and crisp details that have been further enhanced on this fully-loaded, new Audi Q8.

Mr. Balbir Singh Dhillon, Head of Audi India said, “The new Audi Q8 sits right at the top of our Q-range, embodying the brands unwavering commitment to progress through technology. This launch not only reinforces our dedication to the Indian market, but also our promise to continually exceed the expectations of luxury car enthusiasts and our customers. With its striking new design, cutting-edge technology, and unmatched performance, we are confident the new Audi Q8 will excite our customers who seek nothing but the best.”

In addition to the launch of the new Audi Q8, Audi India is also celebrating a momentous occasion of selling 100,000 cars in India, in just over fifteen years. To commemorate this milestone, the brand has a 100-day celebration benefit for Audi customers – this includes loyalty benefits on any purchase, service plans, Extended Warranty, Audi Genuine Accessories, Audi Genuine Merchandise and Collections and attractive corporate and trade-in benefits.

Mr. Balbir Singh Dhillon, Head of Audi India said, “Reaching the significant milestone of 100,000 Audi cars sold in India is a profound testament to the trust our customers place in the Audi brand. It is a milestone that has filled our hearts with joy and pride. Audi is loved and admired. The brand with the four rings – synonymous with progressive design, first-class quality, path-breaking technology and of course performance – is built on human centricity. People and their needs are at the center of our universe. This approach to all that we do has earned Audi a special place in the hearts of enthusiasts and customers. Today, one in every fourth car we sell in the country is to a repeat Audi customer – this tells us that our customers love our cars and are loyal to our brand.”

Highlights:

Drive and Performance:

· Powered by a 3.0 L TFSI engine delivering 340 hp and 500 Nm of torque, enhanced with a 48V Mild Hybrid technology for superior performance and efficiency.

· Accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 5.6 seconds, with an impressive top speed of 250 km/h.

· Equipped with a fast and smooth-shifting eight-speed tiptronic transmission ensures a seamless and responsive driving experience.

· quattro permanent all-wheel drive provides exceptional traction and stability across all driving conditions.

· Suspension with damper control offers a balanced and comfortable ride.

· Electromechanical power steering delivers precise handling and enhanced driving dynamics.

· Audi Drive Select with six customizable driving modes – including an ‘Individual’ mode allows one to tailor the Q8’s performance.

Exterior:

· Features a bold new single-frame grille with a distinctive vertical inlay design in a droplet shape that adds to its commanding and elegant presence on the road.

· New air intake grille and spoiler enhance the aerodynamic profile and dynamic appearance of the new Q8.

· New two-dimensional design of the four rings on the front and rear.

· Panoramic sunroof and frameless doors offer a sleek, modern design that enhances both comfort and style.

· Equipped with advanced HD Matrix LED headlights with laser beam featuring an X-shaped design, along with dynamic indicators for enhanced visibility and a distinctive look.

· Four customizable digital light signatures add to the visual drama of the beautiful new Audi Q8.

· New R21 alloy wheels featuring a five-segment spoke design in graphite gray add a sophisticated touch to the dynamic exterior.

· New red brake calipers add a bold and sporty flair to the alloy wheels.

· Available in eight striking colors – Waitomo Blue, Mythos Black, Samurai Grey, Glacier White, Satellite Silver, Tamarind Brown, and Vicuna Beige and an exclusive new shade of Sakhir Gold.

Comfort and Technology:

· New Park Assist Plus provides advanced parking assistance for effortless and precise parking.

· 360-degree surround view camera offers comprehensive visibility and enhanced safety by providing a complete view of the surroundings.

· Power latching for the doors ensures a smooth and secure closure with a touch of convenience.

· Electrically opening and closing tailgate provides effortless access to the spacious cargo area with just the push of a button.

· New 4-zone climate control system allows individual temperature settings for each section of the cabin.

Interior and Infotainment:

· Dual-screen setup with a primary 25.65 cm display and a secondary 21.84 cm screen offer seamless access to navigation, entertainment, and the vehicle’s function.

· High-quality cabin with advanced aero-acoustics ensures a serene and quiet driving environment by minimizing external noise.

· Enhanced user interaction with haptic and acoustic feedback.

· New B&O premium 3D sound system with powerful 17 speakers and a total output of 730 watts, delivers an unparalleled audio experience with crystal-clear sound and immersive clarity

· Fully 31.24 cm digital Audi Virtual Cockpit displays all essential driving information in a sleek, customizable format.

· Button-less MMI Navigation plus system with touch response.

· Natural language interaction with the voice dialogue system.

· Advanced handwriting recognition – whole word recognition.

· Electrically adjustable front seats feature a driver memory function that allows for a personalized seating position.

· Electronic lumbar support for the front seats provides customisable comfort and optimal support.

· Premium leather and leatherette seat upholstery provide a feel of utmost luxury.

· Audi Phone Box light with wireless charging keeps the mobile device charged on the go.

· Four attractive interior color options—Okapi Brown, Saiga Beige, Black, and Pando Grey—allow customers to choose a style that perfectly matches their taste.

Safety:

· Audi pre-sense basic initiates preventive protection measures in the event of emergency braking or handling on the limit.

· Equipped with eight airbags for utmost safety.

· Electronic Stabilization Program enhances the overall vehicle stability and control by automatically adjusting power and braking to maintain traction in challenging conditions.

Mumbai, August 21, 2024: TransBnk, a Mumbai based Transaction Banking Platform, has successfully raised $4 million in Series A funding. The round was led by 8i Ventures, the early-stage India-focused VC fund known for its notable successes in the fintech space, including M2P, Slice, Easebuzz, among others. The round was co-led by Accion Venture Lab, a global impact investor backing early-stage fintech startups that expand financial access worldwide. The round also saw contributions from GMO Venture Partners, Ratio Ventures, Force Ventures along with a prominent group of family offices, institutions, and angel investors.

Since the maiden seed round last year, TransBnk has witnessed 10X revenue growth. The company plans to utilize these funds towards expanding the network of banking partners, while also pursuing global expansion plans with a focus on Middle East and South East Asia markets. It aims to leverage the first-mover advantage in these regions and build market share. Further, TransBnk intends to bolster its tech infrastructure and developments to enhance its product stack.

TransBnk provides the rails on which incumbent and new age BFSI players can build new use cases for the various business segments like lending, payments, onboarding. These rails are offering the API-led upgrade to the existing infrastructure for delivering financial services in a scalable, robust and compliant manner.

Vaibhav Tambe, CEO and Co-Founder of TransBnk, said, “Transaction Banking has emerged as a transformative force in the banking and technology space, holding $1 trillion global market potential and is projected to be a $2 trillion industry by 2030. In India, we expect the $200 Bn unsecured lending market to be disrupted with Transaction Banking tapping cash flows. This presents a significant opportunity to us, considering our domain expertise in Banking & Technology across various segments like Lendingtech, Regtech, and Paytech.”

“We are elated with this fund-raise, which underscores investors’ confidence in our vision, team, and ability to operate in a competitive environment. With the support of 8i Ventures, Accion Venture Lab, GMO Venture Partners, Ratio Ventures and our robust team of senior ex bankers and NBFC officials, we will continue building stronger partnerships, driving success together”, Vaibhav added.

Traditional BFSI incumbents, encumbered by legacy systems, have been grappling with the challenges of meeting the new regulatory requirements for complex multi-party transactions. Sensing this challenge as an opportunity, TransBnk was conceived in 2022 by experienced veterans in transaction banking.

Vikram Chachra, Founding Partner at 8i Ventures, remarked, “TransBnk is revolutionizing India’s trillion-dollar transaction banking sector by empowering banks to offer advanced transaction services, bridging the technology gap. Their innovative approach is set to reshape the financial landscape. This investment perfectly aligns with our strategy of supporting ground-breaking fintech ventures.”

Rahil Rangwala, Managing Partner at Accion Venture Lab, commented: “Complex multi-party transactions can create bottlenecks for micro and small entrepreneurs who are often left out of, or poorly served by, the financial system and lack sufficient access to supply chain and marketplace solutions needed for growth. With strong revenue growth, TransBnk has proven that its transaction banking model can make these transactions easier, increasing access. The company is in an excellent position to expand their model internationally with this raise, enabling it to reach more underserved entrepreneurs.”

Incepted in 2022, ‘TransBnk’ enables corporates, commercial & institutional clients to make agile, secure & robust transactions with embedded finance & SaaS. In the span of only 20 months, the company has forged partnerships with over 25 Banks, extending more than 200 APIs, while working with 100 BFSI clients. The platform has supported over 5000 accounts including escrows and processed more than 50 million transactions. This has made TransBnk the preferred solution for NBFCs, Micro Finance Institutions, banks, and fintech handling complex transactions like Treasury Management, co-lending, supply chain finance, and Cash flow based lending use cases.

The banking industry has recently raised concerns about a significant decline in CASA (Current Account Saving Account) deposits, a key source of low-cost funding for banks. As of June 14, 2024, deposits have fallen by ₹3.5 lakh crore, or 1.6% year-to-date, compared to the same period last year. This decline poses a major challenge, with the CASA ratio dropping to its lowest level in nearly a decade for some institutions. In response, TransBnk has emerged as a much-needed solution, connecting banks with FinTech, NBFCs, P2P players, PPI and PG merchants, builders, and developers – entities that typically maintain large current account or escrow balances. By linking these high-balance clients with banks, TransBnk aims to strengthen CASA deposits and mitigate the issue of shrinking low-cost funding sources for Indian banks.

Mumbai, 13 August 2024: PayU, one of India’s leading digital financial services providers, announced its partnership with Fynd, a Reliance-owned retail technology company, to offer enhanced payment experiences for merchants in India. The partnership aligns well with both companies’ commitment to helping Indian merchants become digital-first and unlock new revenue opportunities.

By integrating PayU’s Payment Gateway on its platform, Fynd will enable its extensive network of 2300+ merchants to seamlessly and securely accept payments through 150+ online options, including Affordability & EMI options, credit and debit cards UPI, wallets, net banking. Additionally, Fynd’s merchants and their customers will be able to benefit from PayU’s international payment suite, which is supported by industry-leading transaction success rates, advanced secure technology, and a dedicated customer support team. Furthermore, PayU will extend its advanced Offers Engine platform to Fynd’s merchants, helping them curate and deliver customized offers to their customers, boosting their transactional volumes, driving customer acquisition and retention.

Speaking on the partnership, Nikhil Mehta, Senior VP – Partnerships & Payments Strategy, PayU said, “Our strategic collaboration with Fynd represents a significant step forward in delivering an industry-leading payment solution tailored to the needs of merchants and customers alike. This collaboration is a testament to PayU’s unwavering commitment to innovation, offering a wide range of payment options to merchants, making online payments more accessible, secure, and convenient for them & their customers.”

Ragini Varma, CBO–India, Fynd said, “We are committed to empowering all our sellers with the means to create world-class shopping experiences. Our partnership with PayU’s advanced payments ecosystem will help us make checkouts significantly smoother with more payment options and seamless international payments. This is an important step in improving the merchant experience even further on Fynd Commerce Platform.”

9th August 2024: Mumbai, known for its culinary ingenuity, has another surprise brewing in its bylanes. Sampan, at Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach, Mumbaikars’ favourite Chinese food destination, is collaborating with Honk, a signature pan-Asian restaurant at Pullman New Delhi Aerocity. The restaurant will welcome Honk’s culinary maestros, led by Director of Culinary Sandeep Kalra, who will ‘take over’ the Sampan kitchen from the 9th of August 2024 to the 25th of August 2024, promising to offer a unique dining experience to its guests.

Sampan, beloved for dishes like dry Jin Chicken, Cha Chu Prawns, Yam Potatoes, Mongolian Chicken, Prawns in Chili Basil Sauce, and Three-Colour Lobster, would be introducing more culinary delights like Chong Qing Chicken, Pao Jiao Tiger Prawns, Lotus Stem, Water Chestnut with XO Sauce, Chengdu Lamb, Vietnamese Steam Vung Tao Fish, and Silken Tofu with Bamboo Shoot and Shimeji Mushroom during this association with Honk.

Mr Vishal Gupta, General Manager of Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach, said, “This collaboration between Sampan and HONK will help us cater better to Mumbai’s diverse and ever-evolving palate, with much loved pan-Asian delicacies. Our intent is to craft experiences that resonate with the city’s sophisticated diners, who crave both tradition and innovation on their plates.”

Neelabh Sahay, Director of Operations, Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach, said, “As Sampan invites HONK to take charge of its kitchen, we are excited to see how our diners respond to the new flavours and cuisine. This partnership is a testament to our commitment to gastronomic excellence and our belief that great food, like great art, knows no boundaries.”

“We are thrilled to bring Honk’s unique flavours and culinary artistry to Sampan at Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach. This collaboration is a fantastic opportunity to share our signature pan-Asian dishes, spread across eight Asian cuisines, with the vibrant food community in Mumbai. We look forward to delighting guests with an unforgettable dining experience that merges the best of both our culinary worlds,” said Sandeep Kalra, Director of Culinary, Pullman New Delhi Aerocity.

The event, therefore, promises to unfold a new chapter in Sampan’s history and bring to the people of Mumbai Pan-Asian delicacies that will leave them wanting more.

Mumbai, August 08, 2024: Hastantaran, meaning ‘handing over’ or ‘transferring’, is an exciting ceremony marking the start of the mentoring journey undertaken by SPJIMR’s first-year PGDM participants and Abhyudaya Sitaras (Stars).

Abhyudaya, meaning ‘growing together’, is an experiential learning programme where each first-year PGDM participant is assigned a Sitara to mentor for the entire year. The Sitaras, selected based on their academic records and performance in specially curated aptitude tests, are some of the brightest students from Mumbai’s marginalised and underprivileged sections.

Speaking about the initiative, Prof. Varun Nagaraj, Dean, SPJIMR, said, “The SPJIMR-Abhyudaya programme is designed to cultivate social sensitivity and empathy in our future business leaders by exposing them to the realities of urban poverty and inculcate mentorship qualities.” Since 2008, 948 Sitaras and 3,688 PGDM participants have undergone this transformative journey.

The Sitaras, who refer to the PGDM participants affectionately as ‘Didis’ (sisters) or ‘Bhaiyas’ (brothers), gain lifelong mentors who provide academic support, personality development training, emotional counselling, and advice on personal or professional issues.

Hastantaran 2024 marked the propitious commencement of Abhyudaya for the PGDM cohort of 2024-26. Arati Nagaraj, Director, SPJIMR-Abhyudaya, inspired the Sitaras and PGDM aspirants, and said, “To the senior mentors, remember, your journey is never over. You continue to be your Sitaras’ North Star. And to the new mentors, embrace this journey and strive to become a guiding light for your Sitaras.”

‘Celestial Connections’, the theme of Hastantaran 2024, signified the sincerity and depth of the bonds formed between the PGDM participants and the Sitaras. “Abhyudaya was a life-changing experience for me. I learned a lot from my mentee and her family,” said Swapneel, PGP2 mentor. Added Sakina Jabir Khan, his mentee and a class 8 student, “I learnt about leadership from Swapneel bhaiya. He helped me with my studies. Though I am sad that I won’t see him every month, I am excited to know who my new mentor will be.”

To celebrate the beginning of these beautiful mentor-mentee relationships, the Sitaras and the PGDM participants lit up the stage with energetic dance and soulful song performances. During a panel discussion, second-year PGDM participants and Sitaras shared their Abhyudaya experiences to clarify doubts and allay concerns of the first-year participants.

The most awaited event of Hastantaran 2024 was the first mentor-mentee meeting. Each Sitara searched with keen eyes, bated breath, and hopeful hearts for their beloved ‘Didis’ and ‘Bhaiyas’. A sense of emotion overtook them as this moment marked the rite of passage from their previous mentor to their next mentor. The event concluded with a series of ice-breaking and team-building exercises where the Sitaras and their new mentors shared personal stories, aspirations, and expectations.

Hastantaran 2024 marked a shift in the energy on campus. The excitement of being part of an experience that shapes lives, creates lifelong bonds, and builds a treasure trove of memories was almost tangible. Each participant and their Sitara are now set to embark on a stellar journey of personal growth and learning.

Mumbai, August 8th, 2024 – Hyatt Centric Juhu, a vibrant boutique hotel in the heart of Mumbai, is delighted to announce the appointment of Manish Pandey as its new Associate Director of Sales, effective May 06, 2024. Manish brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of success to this key role.

Manish boasts an impressive 9+ years in the hospitality industry, with a successful track record at renowned establishments like Fairmont Hotels & Resorts Jaipur, The LaLit Jaipur, Holiday Inn New Delhi, Marriott International The Westin Garden City Mumbai, Aloft New Delhi, Hilton Mumbai, and most recently, Taj Lands End Mumbai where he served as Associate Director of Sales. In his new role, he will leverage his expertise to drive sales growth and build strong relationships with both existing and new clients.

“I am excited to join the dynamic team at Hyatt Centric Juhu,” says Manish. “My vision is to leverage my experience and industry knowledge to foster a thriving sales culture and propel the hotel to even greater success.”

Manish is a highly motivated leader with a passion for building strong relationships and exceeding expectations. He excels at identifying new market opportunities and developing strategic plans to achieve ambitious goals.

Hyatt Centric Juhu is confident that Manish’s expertise and leadership will be instrumental in achieving their goals. The entire team extends a warm welcome to him and looks forward to his contributions.

Mumbai, 8th August 2024: Motorola, a global leader in mobile technology and innovation recently launched the motorola edge 50 in India. The motorola edge 50 is the latest addition to Motorola’s premium category of edge smartphones and it comes with numerous disruptive features such as an MIL- 810H military grade durability and IP68 underwater protection making it the world’s slimmest IP68 MIL-810H miliary graded certified durable smartphone. It features the segment’s best moto AI powered camera with Sony sensor LYTIA 700C and also boasts a 6.7” 1.5K Super HD+, HDR 10+ pOLED curved display along with various other premium features. The smartphone 50 is available in a single 8GB+256GB variant and goes on sale at an effective price of just 25,999* on Flipkart, Motorola.in and leading retail stores across India, starting today.

The motorola edge 50 gives a comfortable in hand feel with symmetrical curves in every element of its design. The design of the motorola edge 50 is as durable as it is elegant offering never before seen standards of durability . Additionally, the edge 50 boasts latest military standards MIL-STD-810H for durability, which implies that the smartphone has passed 16 rigorous tests for durability and extreme environmental conditions. Even the display is protected against cracks and scratches with Corning® Gorilla® Glass 5, so users never have to worry about accidental damage to the phone.

The motorola edge 50 features the pro level Sony – LYTIA™ 700C Camera sensor with incredible AI features powered by motoAI and google photos AI. The 50MP main camera uses the Sony – LYTIA™ 700C sensor for ultrafast capture. Users get true-to-life images with moto ai which works in the background, instantly analyzing the photo and blending exposures. Motorola has also introduced a new Auto Night Vision, which is Motorola’s fastest Auto Night Vision ever. It automatically detects ambient lighting and adjusts the settings accordingly. Its 10MP telephoto camera captures subjects at a distance with incredible detail and users can see every scene clearly from 3x the distance with optical zoom, or use advanced hybrid zoom for 30x the distance. Optical Image Stabilization smooths out unwanted shakes and moto ai helps retain the details, achieving crisp and beautiful results . The third sensor in the rear camera system of the edge 50 is a 13MP Ultra-Wide camera with Macro Vision. It allows the users to take stunning shots of landscapes with a 120º ultra-wide-angle lens which can capture more of the scene in the frame than a standard lens. For extreme close ups, there’s built-in Macro Vision, which brings users 4x closer to the subject than a standard lens. On the front, the motorola edge 50 flaunts a 32MP selfie camera which can shoot videos in 4K resolution and deliver 4x better low-light sensitivity with Quad Pixel technology, which combines every four pixels into one for brilliant results.

The moto ai image processing analyzes multiple frames of a photo and blends exposures to create a true-to-life image. It works directly on the uncompressed image to preserve hidden details, richer colors, and subtle textures. These moto ai enhancements apply to videos as well. The edge 50 users can also opt for the Long Exposure feature to hit on moving water or light trails with a single tap. Users can access amazing google photos editing and AI tools to effortlessly enhance their photos and videos. AI Magic Eraser removes unwanted background distractions in just a few taps. Users can reimagine their photos with Magic Editor using generative AI and can edit, hold and drag to reposition, or pinch to resize. Apart from camera features, moto ai also bring couple of generative AI features, and several other cutting-edge innovations.

The motorola edge 50 boasts an incredible 6.7” 1.5K Super HD curved pOLED display with 1600 nits peak brightness and nearly borderless bezels. It boasts more vibrant pictures with sharper details and less pixelation owed to Super HD (1220p) resolution. The ultra-fast 120Hz refresh rate makes switching between apps, playing games, and scrolling through content incredibly smooth and fluid. Plus, the refresh rate adjusts automatically based on the type of content on the screen, and with a low latency 360Hz touch rate. Its vivid pOLED HDR10+ display delivers infinite contrast of deeper blacks and over a billion colors with wide DCI-P3 color range standards. Moreover, high brightness mode automatically adjusts the display outdoors, capable of reaching peak brightness levels of up to 1600 nits. It also features stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos for an immersive multimedia experience.

The motorola edge 50 is powered by a Snapdragon® 7 Gen 1 Accelerated Edition which is built with superior 4nm technology that will deliver years of proven performance. While being future proofed for upcoming networks thanks to 5G and Wi-Fi 6E support. This high-performance device is backed up by a massive 5000mAh battery and 68W TurboPower™ charger. Plus it also comes with the segment leading 15W TurboPower™ wireless charging for a hassle-free charging time. There is also support for reverse power charging to charge other devices in the ecosystem.

The motorola edge 50 comes with 256GB of built-in storage, along with RAM Boost feature which temporarily turns available storage into virtual RAM whenever they need some extra speed, so users can open apps faster and switch back and forth with ease. Apps and information stay ready in the background with up to 8GB of RAM so everything runs smoothly. Furthermore, the motorola edge 50 uses advanced thermal components to regulate heat produced during high performance. With a large 4516mm chamber, it distributes heat more effectively to keep the CPU cooler, improving thermal performance by 70% compared to the previous generation edge device.

With the launch of the motorola edge 50, comes the intuitive Hello UI with all Moto apps at one place and latest Android 14 with assured 2 OS upgrades and 3 years of security updates. Hello UI features include Smart connect, Moto Gestures, Moto Secure with Thinkshield, Family Spaces and Moto Unplugged. It also offers Moto Premium Care for after sale service benefits.