Iconic Canadian Coffee brand Tim Hortons® opens its much-awaited outlet in Chandigarh

Chandigarh, October 18, 2022: Steaming its way into Chandigarh a couple of months after launching its operations in India, Canada’s largest coffee chain Tim Hortons® is all set to sizzle café lovers in the region with its distinctive coffee, prepared-to-order food, iconic beverages and baked delights.

The much-awaited opening of the Tim Hortons outlet at Nexus Elante Mall here today marks the onset of the company’s ambitious plans to take the Punjab market by storm with its elaborate array of delectable offerings and customised menu selections to tempt the typically Punjabi palate. The brand launch in DelhiNCR saw huge beelines of customers waiting to get the ‘Tim Hortons’ experience. Starting today, people can experience the ‘Tim Hortons’ warmth in Chandigarh.

While the Punjabi community is known for its love for food and drinks the world over, this love affair now goes much beyond traditional favourites. The Punjabi sense of taste has evolved over the years, finding expression in the fondness for world cuisines and coffee in all its avatars. It is this fast-growing coffee culture in Punjab which has prompted Tim Hortons to focus on the state as its next big destination. Moreover, Tim Hortons is immensely popular among Punjabis in Canada, especially students, and the company is looking to replicate the same brand love in Punjab.

“Tim Hortons is not just a coffee chain, it is an experience, and we are excited to bring this experience to this region. Starting with Chandigarh, the hub of the region north of Delhi, we will soon be opening outlets in Punjab. We aim to launch 15 outlets in the state, including 5 by the end of this financial year, as part of our plan to open hundreds of restaurants in India in the next 10 years,” said Navin Gurnaney, CEO of the Tim Hortons franchise in India.

While its range of cheesy Melt sandwiches, Bagels, Doughnuts and bite-sized pieces of traditional doughnuts called Timbits are a must-try, you also cannot afford to miss out on its popular beverages like French Vanilla and Iced Capp, a blended frozen coffee beverage. But going a step ahead, Tim Hortons has given a typically Punjabi touch to its menu by including delicacies like Ravioli Pasta in Makhni sauce, Chole Kulcha on Flatbread and Chicken Tikka Croissant Sandwich. A unique thing about Tim Hortons is that the menu items are prepared-to-order where bread, fillings and toppings can be customised as per customers’ preference.

The first Tim Hortons outlet in the region at Nexus Elante Mall features plush and tranquil interiors, and an ambience inspired by the brand’s Canadian origins to add to its charm. These luxurious settings, too, has a Punjabi touch with a ‘phulkari’ representing the state’s traditional handicraft prominently adorning the wall.

Tim Hortons had entered the Indian market in August as part of an exclusive agreement with a joint venture entity owned by Apparel Group and Gateway Partners. AG Café International Management Ltd is the master franchisee of the Tim Hortons brand in India.Canada’s largest quick-service restaurant chain established in 1964, Tim Hortons has more than 5,300 restaurants across 13 countries, including the Middle East, China, UK, Mexico, Spain, Thailand and Philippines.

ManipalCigna Health Insurance onboards actor Manoj Bajpayee as Brand Ambassador

Chandigarh, October 14, 2022: ManipalCigna Health Insurance Company Limited, today announced the appointment of Padma Shri awardee and ace actor, Manoj Bajpayee, as its brand ambassador. Through this association with Manoj Bajpayee, ManipalCigna aims to spread the message about the value of health insurance, drive customer conversions and propel distribution growth across India.

Prasun Sikdar, MD and CEO, ManipalCigna Health Insurance said, “At ManipalCigna, our goal is to provide lifetime access to quality healthcare and ensure financial wellbeing in the lives of the millions of people in India. Manoj Bajpayee is a phenomenal ambassador for this mission and it is a moment of pride for us to be associated with a self-made, passionate, expert, and trustworthy personality like him who has a pan-India appeal.Sikdar further added, “As an actor, Manoj strongly resonates with our brand because ManipalCigna possesses all these values, expertise, and more. Over the years, we have built a comprehensive health insurance portfolio with a range of benefits, including inpatient, outpatient, and wellness benefits to take care of healthcare financing needs, and will continue to be there for our customers and their families, especially when they need us most”

Actor Manoj Bajpayee said, “When it comes to my family’s health and my own, I always rely on trusted medical experts as I value their expertise above all else. So, it’s an honour to be part of a brand that’s viewed as a Health Insurance Expert for its level of reliability when it comes to supporting people’s healthcare financing needs. ManipalCigna’s rich expertise lies in offering several innovative and fully loaded products in the market, providing quick and easy claim settlement, and delivering better healthcare experience. I am happy to join in their journey and spread awareness about the importance of health insurance.”

Sapna Desai, Chief Marketing Officer, ManipalCigna Health Insurance said, “We are excited to bring Manoj Bajpayee on board to raise awareness about our health insurance solutions and build a purpose-driven connection with our customers. Manoj inspires trust and has the expertise to be associated with a category like health insurance, thus with ManipalCigna, it is a seamless brand association. Further given his mass fan following across the country, we believe that this association will help us maximize our reach, strengthen our brand awareness and build a deeper connection with the consumers. We look forward to our engagement and an enriching partnership”

Since its launch in 2014, ManipalCigna Health Insurance has built the identity of a Trusted Health Insurance Expert with Global Experience and Local Expertise. Manipal’s healthcare delivery expertise and Cigna’s global leadership in health insurance firmly establishes the brand as an expert. ManipalCigna, as a health insurance expert, makes it easier for people to get the care they need, by making healthcare Simple, Predictable, and Affordable. By offering bespoke health insurance products, high-quality customer service and easy and faster settlement of claims, the Company’s goal is to help its customers across the country, to live a healthier and more financially secure life.

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SBI revamps Contact Centre Service for personalized customer experience

Chandigarh, October 14, 2022: The country’s largest bank, State Bank of India (SBI), unveiled its next-gen Contact Centre service for an enhanced and more personalized customer experience. The revamped Contact Centre will set a new industry benchmark with 30+ banking solutions offered in 12 languages, available 24×7 from the comfort of home. The bank has introduced easy-to-remember 4-digit toll-free numbers (1800-1234 or 1800-2100) to simplify the process further.

Currently, the Contact Centre manages ~1.5 crore monthly calls, with ~40% self-serviced through IVR, and the rest managed by over 3500 tele-caller representatives operating through 4 toll-free helpline numbers.

The customers can avail of an array of services related to accounts, ATM cards and Cheque book, Emergency services (ATM card or digital channel blocking), access to digital products and support, product information, etc. The bank has provided revamped, simplified scripts, and soft skill training capabilities to resolve most banking queries effectively on the call to all the customer support representatives. In the future, the bank aims to explore embedding advanced AI/ML-based technologies, including conversational IVR, and voice bots.

Mr. Dinesh Khara, Chairman of SBI, said, “At SBI, we endeavor to be customer-centric and offer a personalized experience through multiple channels and platforms. While customers are continuously moving to digital channels, we have seen that ‘voice’ continues to be a preferred channel for certain customer segments. Hence, we started this journey of reimagining and building a next-gen Contact Center, under Project Dhruva in 2021.”

“We are looking at the Contact Center not just as a service channel but as the Bank’s new 18th (virtual) circle that will drive business objectives. The bank is getting higher conversions on pre-approved loan offers with the Contact Center outreach. In addition, the center’s collection outreach has improved asset quality by reducing slippages. These efforts have transformed the Contact Center into a Profit Center”, added Mr. Khara.

The bank has received very positive customer feedback, reflected in high customer satisfaction and call quality scores. To empower the maximum number of customers from the comfort of their homes, the bank will work towards building customer awareness and adoption of the Contact Center.

THE World Rankings: Shoolini University ranked No. 1 private university in India

Ø Ranked in Top 351- 400 among universities across 104 countries, it is also overall second in the country, just behind Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru

Ø Shoolini University is also ranked 39th in the world for Citations

Chandigarh, October 12, 2022: Scripting history for setting exemplary global standards in research, academic excellence and knowledge transfer, Himachal Pradesh-based Shoolini University has been ranked as Number 1 among private universities in India in the prestigious Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings for 2023. The university is ranked 351-400 overall and 39th in the world in THE Rankings on Citations, an indicator of the quality of research.

Founded in 2009, Shoolini University, an innovative, research-oriented university, has emerged as one of India’s leading multi-disciplinary universities, and has been figuring in the top rankings by various international and national ranking agencies.

Ranked in the 351-400 band globally in THE World University Rankings with only Indian Institute of Science ahead of it, Shoolini University figures in the band along with JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research, Bengaluru, a deemed university.

Based on an elaborate and rigorous assessment process, THE World University Rankings are considered to be the world’s largest and most reputed rankings, which act as a valuable resource for international students and universities by helping them identify the right candidates and institutions of higher learning.

Terming the achievement as a matter of national pride, Shoolini University Chancellor and Founder Dr P.K. Khosla said, “This ranking will enable us to be recognised as one of the world’s best institutions for higher education and research. It is a collective outcome of the untiring efforts put in by our faculty to establish new benchmarks in teaching and research. Motivated by a multidisciplinary approach to education powered by state-of-the-art infrastructure, cutting-edge research, highly competent faculty, unmatched industry exposure, notable international collaborations and an enviable placement record, we aim to be in the league of top 200 global universities by 2026.”

While Shoolini University has come a long way in 13 years of its inception as a pioneering research-focused institute of international repute, it is now making a mark cutting across diverse disciplines like management, pharmaceutical sciences, agriculture, basic and applied sciences, computer sciences, mass communication, engineering and law.

Hailing the landmark accomplishment, Shoolini University Vice-Chancellor and Co-Founder Prof Atul Khosla said, “With the 351-500 global rankings at THE World University Rankings, and as India’s top private university and second best among all private and public Institutions, we look forward to attract the best minds to study, teach and research with us. This will open doorways of new opportunities for international and domestic partnerships with the academia and industry.”

As a decisive step in this direction, Shoolini University has entered into more than 250 collaborations with reputed international universities in South Korea, UK, Canada, Australia, Taiwan and USA. These tie-ups with top-class global universities enable its students and faculty to remain at the forefront of cutting-edge technology through global exposure. Notably, over 70 per cent of the university’s research is in collaboration with international universities and 38.9 per cent of its publications are in the world’s top 10 per cent journals.

Terming THE World University ranking as a new and exciting chapter for Shoolini University, Pro Chancellor and Co-Founder Vishal Anand said, “We are an innovation-led campus that kindles great ideas and inspires out-of-the-box thinking to make our students stand out. We are driven by a vision of taking education to the next level by redefining its paradigms and powering the passion for excellence.”

Known for its unique research and teaching models, Shoolini University has emerged as a leader in research in focus areas ranging from sustainability and renewable energy to biomolecules and applications of Artificial Intelligence. THE Impact rankings, which measure the impact made by institutions in meeting UN sustainability goals, have ranked Shoolini University second in the world for SDG 7 (clean energy) and sixth for SDG (clean water).

Commenting on Shoolini’s global rank of 39 in Citations in the THE World University Rankings 2023, Ashish Khosla, President, Innovation and Technology, Shoolini University, said, “We have developed a thriving ecosystem of research and innovation and have filed more than 1,100 patents so far, which are among the highest in India. We are also among the few universities in India that actively coach and encourage undergraduate students to undertake research and file patents. The university also has a 100 per cent placement record in several core courses and has secured more than 3,000 placements for its students in top multinational and leading Indian companies.”

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IHCL STRENGHTENS ITS PRESENCE IN GOA, SIGNS A SELEQTIONS HOTEL IN ANJUNA

Chandigarh, OCTOBER 11, 2022: Indian Hotels Company (IHCL), India’s largest hospitality company, today announced the signing of a SeleQtionshotel in Anjuna, Goa. The hotel is a franchise with Guild Hotels Pvt Limited.

Commenting on the signing, Suma Venkatesh, Executive Vice President – Real Estate & Development, IHCL,said, “In line with our strategy of consolidating presence in key lodging markets, IHCL signs its second SeleQtions branded hotel in Goa, one of the best performing markets in India. We are delighted to partner with Guild Hotels Pvt Ltd. for this hotel.

The 150-year-old Portuguese styled heritage building is being transformed into a hotel. The 49-room hotel is located in Anjuna, a laid back coastal village on the Arabian Sea. The hotel is a short distance away from the beach as well as popular tourist spots, and will house a specialty restaurant. It is slated to open in April 2023. This will be operated by AM Hotel Kollectionunder the SeleQtions brand.

With the addition of this, IHCL has 12 hotels in Goa including twounder development.

ICICI Bank launches ‘Smart Wire’, an easy online solution for inward remittances

· First bank in India to offer seamless online service for cross border remittance

· The beneficiary can initiate inward remittance request online

· It also offers the benefit of blocking exchange rate in advance

Chandigarh, October 07, 2022: ICICI Bank today announced the launch of an online solution to help its customers carry out SWIFT based inward remittances in a faster and hassle-free manner. Named, ‘Smart Wire’, the facility allows both NRIs and resident customers to undertake inward remittance transactions in an online and paperless way. ICICI Bank is the first bank in the country to introduce this faster online solution to receive inward wire remittances.

The industry-first facility enables the beneficiary to initiate the wire transfer request, submit online declaration / documents, block the exchange rates in advance and track the status of the transaction. Through this facility, accurate information related to the beneficiary, purpose of the inward remittance and declaration, where required, are captured in advance and shared with the remitter instantly. This facilitates seamless processing of the remittance and saves time of the beneficiary who can use this facility for various purposes of remittances including family maintenance and savings, personal gift / financial support, NRE/ NRO repatriation, salary, business and management consultancy.

Speaking on the initiative, Mr. Sriram H. Iyer, Head – International Banking Group, ICICI Bank said, “We, at ICICI Bank, are committed to offer enhanced convenience to our customers through innovative products and services at the fastest possible speed, with the highest level of security. With the launch of ‘Smart Wire’ facility, which is an industry-first initiative, we are offering our NRI and resident customers a unique combination of speed and an enriched experience of executing a cross-border transaction. We believe this new facility will help our customers to conveniently carry out quick and hassle-free money transfers.”

The key features of the ‘Smart Wire’ facility are:

· Online submission of details: The beneficiary can generate pre-filled wire transfer request form online

· Digital declarations: For seamless processing of the transaction, the facility enables beneficiary to submit required details/declarations online while initiating wire transaction

· Block exchange rates: The beneficiary can block exchange rate for the expected inward wire transfer. The deal booking facility is available for USD, EUR, GBP, AED, CAD, SGD and AUD

· Online tracking: The beneficiary can also track the transactions online by logging in internet banking portal anytime and anywhere

· Email request to remitter: Once the beneficiary initiates the remittance request, the remitter gets complete details of the wire transfer immediately via system generated email

Customers can avail the ‘Smart Wire’ facility by logging into internet banking platform.

To know more about the facility, visit: https://www.icicibank.com/nri-banking/money_transfer/wire-transfer/smart-wire.page?

For news and updates, visit www.icicibank.com and follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/ICICIBank

IHCL ANNOUNCES THE OPENING OF SAWAI MAN MAHAL, JAIPUR

Expands Its Portfolio of Authentic Royal Palaces

Chandigarh, October 7, 2022: Indian Hotels Company (IHCL), India’s largest hospitality company today announced the opening of Sawai Man Mahal in Jaipur. The heritage palace set in the environs of the majestic Rambagh Palace, pays tribute to Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II, the last ruler of the princely state of Jaipur.

Mr. Puneet Chhatwal, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, IHCL said, “We are delighted with the addition of Sawai Man Mahal to IHCL’s magnificent collection of royal palaces. IHCL is proud to have showcased India’s glorious past with some of the country’s most celebrated palaces that date back to the pre-independence era. This also marks a significant milestone of completing 50 years of managing the legendary “Jewel of Jaipur”, the Rambagh Palace. We remain grateful to Maharaj Jai Singh and Maharaj Vijit Singh for having reposed their trust in us and look forward to continuing this association to enhance the region’s tremendous tourism potential.”

Sawai Man Mahal is inspired by the rich Rajputana heritage. Each of the aesthetically designed and spacious 51 rooms open into private courtyards laced with greenery. The palace’s façade is an ode to Amber Fort and also showcases the 187-year-old Golden Gate, Rambagh Palace’s original gold gilded entrance in the lobby. MaharajaSawai Man Singh II served as the first ambassador to Spain and the influence is reflected in La Mesa; the Spanish themed all-day-diner and La Terrazaan elegant al-fresco dining choice. Guests can enjoy prized malts at 1835; the library-themed cocktail lounge with books dating back to more than 200 years for company.

The pièce de résistance of the palace is Maharani Mahal, the gold-accented ballroom overlooking the expansiveMaharani Bagh, affording guests a rare opportunity to celebrate events in the backdrop of the regal splendour of a bygone era. Silver themed Chandra Mahal and the lavish Sabha Niwas are perfect for intimate gatherings. The palace offers outdoor pool, fitness centre and a Jiva Spa for rejuvenation.

Maharaj Jai Singh and Maharaj Vijit Singh, Directors, Rambagh Palace Hotel Pvt. Ltd. said, “Our family has shared a close relationship with IHCLsince 1972. We have journeyed together for 50 years with IHCL managing the iconic Rambagh Palace, Jaipur. We went on to strengthen our bonds when they took over the management of both Ramgarh and Sawai Madhopur Lodges under IHCL-SeleQtions in 1988 and now the Sawai Man Mahal. IHCL is truly the custodians of Indian hospitality on the world stage.”

With this addition, IHCL now has eighthotels in Jaipur with two under development.

To know more and to make your reservation, please visit www.tajhotels.com

Mahindra launches the all-new XUV300 TurboSport™ series powered by 1.2 L mStallion TGDi engine; Starts at ₹ 10.35 Lakh.

Fastest ICE SUV under 15 Lakh. Races from 0 to 60 km/h in 5 seconds.

· Big on Performance: The all-new TurboSport™ series packs an unadulterated segment-leading performance of 96 kW (130 PS) Power @ 5000 r/min and 230 Nm of torque @ 1500-3750 r/min with a best-in-class engine transient over boost function that gives a momentary peak of 250 Nm for a truly exhilarating drive.

· Born from a rallying legacy: The new TurboSport™ series draws inspiration from the Mahindra Super XUV300, the current Indian National Rally Champion (INRC) forerunner and the winner of 6 national rallies since its rally debut in 2019.

· Bringing alive the Sportiness in TurboSport™ : The driving pleasure is accentuated with sporty design accents like red grille inserts in Piano Black finish, all-black ORVMs, all-black interiors, leatherette seats, chrome-finish pedals and dual-tone exteriors.

· Built to Thrill: The TurboSport™ series will be offered in W6, W8 and W8(O) Petrol Manual trims and comes in six exciting color options to choose from. Taking off from 0-60 km/h in 5 seconds, the 1.2 L TGDi engine delivers unrivalled performance.

Chandigarh, October 7, 2022: Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd., pioneers of the SUV segment in India, today announced the launch of its XUV300 TurboSport™ series – the first Mahindra SUV to be powered by an all-new 1.2 L mStallion TGDi engine that boasts of unrivalled performance and an over-boost capability for momentary peak torque as high as 250 Nm. With this introduction, the XUV300 will be now available with three state-of-the-art powertrains – the existing Diesel and Petrol Turbo Series and the new TurboSport™ Series. The XUV300 TGDi starts at an attractive price of 10.35 Lakh.

The powerful TurboSport™ Series has been developed with a strong focus on the “Thrillennials” – millennials who are urban drive enthusiasts, purists and petrol heads seeking rally-like experience on road. The new sporty design also renders the SUV a new, young, and modern feel just like its target audience. With this, XUV300 aims to attract the urban auto enthusiasts to experience the raw adrenaline rush which the TGDi engine has to offer.

The XUV300 TGDi comes in exciting four new colour options – 3 new dual tone colors – Blazing Bronze with black roof top, Napoli Black with white roof top, Pearl White with black roof top and Blazing Bronze in monotone. Existing monotone Pearl White and Napoli Black continue to be offered with this variant. The new sporty design elements like red grille inserts, all-black ORVMs, all-black leatherette interiors, chrome-finish pedals and dual-tone exteriors bring in high performance from every aspect of the car, while keeping it true to its performance DNA.

Taking off from 0-60 km/h in 5 seconds, the all-new XUV300 TurboSport™ series, powered by the 1.2 L TGDi engine packs unadulterated performance of 96 kW (130 PS) Power @ 5000 r/min and 230 Nm of torque @ 1500-3750 r/min, making it not only the fastest ICE SUV under 15 lakhs but also superior to 1.5 L engine capabilities offered in some of the higher segments. Despite peak performance, the engine still manages to deliver high fuel efficiency. Coupled with its inherent widest-in-class cabin space and 5-Star Global NCAP safety rating, the XUV300 is the ultimate thrill machine.

R Velusamy, President – Automotive Technology and Product Development, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. said, “The new TurboSport™ series powered by the TGDi powertrain has been developed for the Thrillennials seeking the ultimate driving experience. The XUV300 TGDi has been engineered to offer an edge in performance, safety, comfort and style for customers looking for an adrenaline-packed SUV.”

The new XUV300 TGDi will be available for test drives, bookings and deliveries starting 10th October 2022 across India.

Details of the booking process will be available on the website https://auto.mahindra.com/suv/XUV300.

About XUV300 TGDi

· Big on Performance

o Segment’s most exciting & peppy engine with the all-new 1.2L mStallion TGDi

o Segment leading Power of 96 kW (130 PS) Power @ 5000 r/min and 230 Nm of torque @ 1500-3750 r/min(35% higher than top competitors)

o Best-in-class Engine Transient over boost function – Up to 250 Nm with Transient over boost function for a fun to drive thrilling experience

· Big on Safety

o XUV300 is one of India’s Safest vehicles, with 5 Star GNCAP Safety rating, 4 star Child Safety and India’s first vehicle to be given the GNCAP ‘Safer Choice’ award

o First in segment safety features like All 4-disc brakes, front parking sensors, and other safety features like 6 airbags, ESP with hill start assist, ABS, passenger airbag deactivation switch, ISOFIX seats, Corner Braking Control

· Big on Features

o Convenience features like Dual zone automatic climate control (best in segment), Rain sensing wipers & Auto headlamps, Rear parking camera with Adaptive Guidelines, 17.78 cm feather-touch infotainment, Android Auto® & Apple® CarPlay®, BlueSense Connect, electrically adjustable & foldable ORVMs, Micro Hybrid technology, Steering mounted controls

o Distinct design features like LED DRLs & signature LED tail lamps, electric Sunroof, dual grille, 40.64 cm diamond-cut Alloys.

o Soft-touch features like leatherette seats, leather wrapped steering & gear lever

· Big on Space

o Widest-in-class dimensions & longest-in-class wheelbase of 2600mm results in most spacious cabin

o 2nd row is the most comfortable for 3 adults with:

Wide & deep seating space and optimum tilt angle of seatback

Right contours & cushioning of seats with individual adjustable headrest for all 3 passengers

Door trims sculpted shape, soft material & ergonomic design that maximize comfort & space

Flat floor to give plenty of leg space to the middle passenger in the rear seat

Pricing details (ex-showroom) below: TurboSport™ Series

Variant

Mono Tone

Dual Tone

W6 TGDi

10.35 Lakh

W8 TGDi

11.65 Lakh

11.80 Lakh

W8(O) TGDi

12.75 Lakh

12.90 Lakh

*TGDi is launched only in Petrol Manual transmission

Social Media Addresses for XUV300 TGDi:

· Brand website:https://auto.mahindra.com/suv/XUV300

· Twitter: https://twitter.com/mahindraxuv300

· YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/c/MahindraXUV300

· Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/mahindraxuv300

· Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/MahindraXUV300/

· Hashtags: #TheUltimateThrillMachine, #RallytoRoad, #PeakPerformance

Kalyanaraman Family hosts star-studded Navratri Puja in Thrissur, Kerala

Festivities marked by the presence of bigwigs from the movie fraternity – Ranbir Kapoor, Katrina Kaif, R Madhavan, Dir. Priyadarshan, Prithviraj, Akkineni Nagarjuna and others

Chandigarh 6th October 2022: The Kalyanaraman Family’s Navratri festive bash was marked by a grand festivities in presence of some of the most reputed stars from across film industries in India. While the global brand ambassador of Kalyan Jewellers, Katrina Kaif was once again a part of the Navratri festivities, the evening was marked by the special appearance of superstar Ranbir Kapoor.

Every year, during the auspicious festival of Navratri, Kalyanaraman family (Kalyan Jewellers) practices the tradition, keeping ‘Bommai kolu’. The order in which the Bommai or the dolls are kept also has its own significance. It is symbolic of the growth of human life from a materialistic level to the elevated spiritual. At the very bottom of the steps are the ordinary scenes of village life, temples, towns and it elevates to the most powerful forms of Gods towards the higher steps.

As part of this tradition, the idols of the Gods and Goddesses from the Hindu mythology are kept on odd numbered steps, and guests are invited on all nine days. The festivites culminated with a star studded Navami celebration.

The private evening included celebrities such as Pritviraj, Tovino Thomas, Nivin Pauly, Jayasoorya, Jayaram & Parvathy, Silambarasan, Vikram Prabhu, Sneha & Prasanna, Arun Vijay, Regina Cassandra, Neeraj Madhav, Kalyani Priyadarshan alongside father and legendary director Priyadarshan as well as National Award Winner – Aparna Balamurali. Singers like Vijay Yesudas, M G Sreekumar and music director Ouseppachan were also present.

To add to this, Kalyan Jewellers’ regional brand ambassadors Prabhu Ganesan (Tamil Nadu), Akkineni Nagarjuna (Andhra Pradesh and Telangana), Kinjal Rajpriya (Gujarat), Pooja Sawant (Maharashtra) and Ritabhari Chakraborty (West Bengal) graced the evening with their presence.

YES BANK‘s Company Secretarial function is exclusive function among Indian private banks to get ISO 9001:2015 Certification

Chandigarh, October 7, 2022: YES BANK today announced that its Company Secretarial (CS) function is the exclusive function in the Indian private banking sector to be awarded with an international certification in ISO 9001:2015 by Bureau Veritas for its Quality Management System.

YES BANK’s Company Secretarial function is a prudently developed function that handles various compliances under the Companies Act, SEBI Regulations and Board related compliances under the regulations of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). The CS function continues to ensure unrelenting regulatory compliances by deploying solutions to sustain continual improvement.

The CS function joins the other control and support functions within YES BANK such as Branch Banking Operations, Retail Asset Operations, Stressed Asset Management, Human Capital Management, Internal Audits, Fraud Containment Unit, Credit Risk Management and Customer Service department, to be certified with an ISO 9001 Certification.

Commenting on the certification, Mr. Prashant Kumar, Managing Director & CEO, YES BANK said, “At YES BANK, we are committed towards establishing quality benchmarks in the industry at par with the global standards. The addition of the ISO 9001:2015 certification is a testament of YES BANK’s continuous endeavour towards building a robust and compliant organisation. We will continue to advocate and contribute our bit towards the smooth existence of an effective regulatory environment.”

In order to be ISO 9001:2015 certified, YES BANK conducted several comprehensive internal assessments and identified gaps to be addressed, followed by a robust process of reinforcements and implementations. The Bank’s CS function had to undergo a rigorous two stage evaluation of key parameters including risk framework, customer centricity, leadership focus and continual improvement of these processes, in accordance with the critical benchmarks set up by Bureau Veritas.

YES BANK constantly strives to match the global standards of good practice and integrates these best practices across the organisation. The Bank has also been certified with 27001 (Information Security Management System), 22301 (Business Continuity Management System), 14001 (Environment Management System) & ISO 9001 (Quality Management System), among others.

India’s first most affordable Lava 5G smartphone ‘Blaze 5G’ unveiled by Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister of Railways, Communications and Electronics & IT

Unveiled at India Mobile Congress 2022, Lava Blaze 5G will be priced around Rs.10,000

· The smartphone is powered by MediaTek Dimensity 700 chipset and comes with Premium AG Glass Back finish

· Lava Blaze 5G will come with 4GB RAM + 3GB Virtual RAM & 128GB ROM UFS storage

· The smartphone comes with 50MP AI triple camera and an 8MP selfie camera

· It is compatible with all major 5G bands auctioned 1/3/5/8/28/41/77/78 making it best device which is 5G ready

Chandigarh, 3rd October 2022: Lava International Limited, an end-to-end mobile handset and mobile solutions company based in India, has announced the launch of country’s first 5G smartphone in the 10k price range – Lava Blaze 5G. The Lava Blaze 5G was unveiled by Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister of Railways, Communications and Electronics & IT at the India Mobile Congress 2022 today. Pre-bookings for the Lava Blaze 5G will commence around Diwali this year.

Powered by MediaTek Dimensity 700, Lava Blaze 5G offers Indians accessible 5G technology at a never-before price. With a clock speed of 2.2 GHz, the 5G smartphone provides great all-round smartphone experience enabling users to perform tasks using multiple applications including games, simultaneously.

It features a premium glass back design, Android 12 OS with anonymous call recording feature, 50 MP AI triple rear camera and 8MP front camera for a superior photography experience and selfies. It also has a 4GB+ 3GB Virtual RAM for a high end & lag free user experience and 128 GB ROM equipped with a large 5000 mAh battery for uninterrupted daily usage. It further has an optimised battery consumption due to its ultra-efficient 7nm chipset.

Speaking about the product, Sunil Raina, President & Business Head, Lava International Limited said, “It has always been our desire to develop an accessible 5G smartphone that is made in India. The product aligns with the larger vision of providing the next generation 5G technology to Indians at an affordable price point. The Lava Blaze 5G is dedicated to every #ProudlyIndian smartphone user that dreams of seeing their country emerge as the next tech superpower. With the launch of this smartphone we are making the power of 5G technology accessible to all”

“MediaTek has had a long-standing association with Lava and we congratulate them on the launch of Lava Storm 5G, powered by MediaTek Dimensity 700 that enables robust 5G smartphone experiences. The chip supports upto 64MP camera with AI-color, AI-beauty & AI-bokeh enhancements to deliver incredible photos, videos & streaming. The new 5G smartphone aims to make cutting-edge technology accessible to all. This collaboration is a part of our commitment furthering the government’s Design in India vision, added Anku Jain, Managing Director, MediaTek India.

The Lava Blaze 5G features a large 6.5 inch HD+ IPS display with Widevine L1 support along with a 90 Hz refresh rate that cut blur in animations providing a crystal clear and lag free viewing everyday experience during gaming or while watching videos. The phone also features latest security features with a side mounted ultra-fast fingerprint unlock.

For a superior after-sales consumer experience, a ‘free service at home’ will be provided to the customers in which service will be provided at customers’ doorstep (Customers can avail the service within the phone’s warranty period).

Bollywood star Ayushmann Khurrana has his “Head” in place in his latest Ad film!

~ The talented actor and brand ambassador for Godrej Security Solutions, Ayushmann Khurrana in the latest campaign hilariously shows us what it’s like to ‘lose our heads’ when worrying about home security! ~

Link: https://www.instagram.com/reel/CjM7zkVLZ0s/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Chandigarh, 3rd October 2022: Bollywood star Ayushmaan Khurrana was recently seen in his latest ad film with Godrej Security Solutions, where he in his iconic ‘andaaz’ shows us, why it’s easy to leave our minds at home when worried about security and safety and how it can all be changed with the right solutions!

The campaign is called ‘Peace of Mind’ and shows Ayushmaan in three different looks, once in his travel mode, once at the market and once at his ‘friend’s wedding! Ayushmaan had recently also posted ‘behind the scenes’ from the ad films on his Instagram.

“As someone who travels often for work, I can empathise with those who feel worried, not only about valuables at home but also about leaving their loved ones at home, alone. One of the first things that we should do while building our homes is looking at its security, whether it is investing in CCTV cameras or having faith in a locker. The iconic Godrej safe has been at my home from the time I was growing up and that is why it is heart-warming to represent Godrej Security Solutions as their brand ambassador today. Like everything else in today’s world, Godrej’s security offerings and the brand too has evolved with the times. My digital locker is my safe place, just like my home. My Godrej Cameras help me watch over my loved ones from anywhere in the world. The Godrej Locker has been trusted by my family like almost every other Indian family. Godrej safes have stood for trust, built over generations and I’m sure even the generations to come will continue trusting Godrej to protect our valuables and our homes with one innovation after another”, says Ayushmann Khurrana, Brand Ambassador, Godrej Security Solutions.

ABP News-CVoter opinion poll predicts BJP’s victory in both Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh

Aam Aadmi Party’s entry into the poll fray is likely to benefit BJP as the incumbent government is projected to win landslide victory in Gujarat and a comfortable win in Himachal Pradesh

Chandigarh, October 3rd, 2022: According to the ABP News-CVoter (Centre for Voting Opinion & Trends in Election Research) opinion poll, the ruling BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) is predicted to win the elections for a record seventh time since 1995, in Gujarat. The BJP is anticipated to win between 135-143 seats, which would represent a significant gain from its 2017 total tally of 99 seats. However, as a result of a strong challenge posed by AAP (Aam Aadmi Party) as a strong third force, the vote shares of the BJP and INC (Indian National Congress) is likely to drop below 2017 levels. According to projections, the BJP will receive 46.8% (down from 49.1% in 2017) of vote share, followed by the INC with 32.3% (down from 41.4% in 2017), and AAP is likely to garner a sizeable vote share of 17.4%. Accordingly, INC is likely to win 36-44 seats. It is predicted that AAP would win 0–2 seats. Others are likely to receive a vote share of 3.5% and win 0–3 seats.

(Detailed projected seats table attached)

Additionally, ABP News-CVoter conducted a tracker in October and one of the questions posed to the voters was their preferred choice for the Chief Minister’s post. In response to the question 34.6% respondents favoured Bhupdender Bhai Patel (BJP), 15.6% favoured an AAP’s candidate, 9.2% favoured Vijay Rupani (BJP), 5.0% favoured Nitin Bhai Patel (BJP), 4.9% favoured Shakti Singh Gohil (Congress), 4.0% Bharat Sinh Solanki (Congress), 3.7% favoured C R Patil (BJP), 2.9% favoured Hardik Patel and 2.8% favoured Arjun Modwadia (Congress) as their choice for the CM’s post.

Himachal Pradesh

In Himachal Pradesh ABP News-CVoter opinion poll predicts a comfortable victory for the BJP in the upcoming assembly elections. While the party’s vote share may decline from its 2017 levels of 48.8% to 45.2%, they are projected to win between 37–45 seats and return to power, beating the anti-incumbency. The vote share of INC is likely to fall from 41.7% in 2017 to 33.9% in 2022, and it is expected have a tally of 21–29 seats. AAP’s much-hyped election campaign in Himachal is not expected to make any substantial gains as the party is only expected to win 0-1 seats. However, they are likely to garner a sizable chunk of 9.5% of votes, while others are expected to win 0-3 seats and receive a vote share of 11.4%.

(Detailed projected seats table attached)

ABP News-CVoter conducted a tracker in October and one of the questions posed to the voters was their preferred choice for the Chief Minister’s post. 31.7% people favoured Jai Ram Thakur (BJP), 19.5% favoured Anurag Thakur (BJP), 15.0% favoured Pratibha Singh (Congress), 9.5% favoured an Aam Aadmi Party Candidate and 5.0% favoured Mukhesh Agnihotri (Congress) as their choice for the CM’s post.

Methodology:

This poll is based on surveys conducted between 1stJuly to 30th September and C Voter has made sure that the analysis is properly represented by statistically balancing the data to make it reflective of the local population according to the most recent census results. This survey is based on CATI interviews with respondents who are adults (18+) and represent all segments.

Time frame: 1st July – 30th September

MOE (Margin of Error) and Sample

Gujarat: 34511 respondents for 182 seats with MOE +/- 3% to +/- 5%

Himachal Pradesh: 31110 respondents for 68 seats with a MOE of +/- 3% to +/- 5%

Vi Brings 5G for a Better Tomorrow  

· Offers 5G Experience for its Users at IMC 2022 in the national capital

· Demonstrates diverse range of India-specific use cases for Enterprises and Consumers highlighting Transformational and Limitless Possibilities of 5G

Leading telecom operator, Vi, is bringing Live 5G experience for its users at the mega industry event, India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2022 being held at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi.

With the launch of 5G in India by the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on Day 1 of the industry conference, Vi has now invited all its users in Delhi to experience the next-gen 5G technology at the event.

Vi believes 5G will catalyse digital economy growth by ushering industry 4.0 for enterprise efficiency and productivity, and provide for smarter and safer solutions for our cities, businesses and citizens. 5G can bring transformational impact in various areas such as Agriculture, Education and Healthcare, significantly accelerating the socio-economic development of the country.

Through partnerships with ecosystem players, Vi has developed diverse range of India-specific use cases for enterprises and consumers of tomorrow. Vi is also giving a glimpse of 5G services to its users through a range of exciting experiences with Cloud Gaming, VR, 5G Run among others at IMC 2022 in addition to showcasing the use cases related to Health, Safety and Security.

According to Akshaya Moondra, CEO, Vodafone Idea Limited, “Vi is ready for the next journey of growth with 5G technology, where a connected world with limitless digital solutions will soon be the new norm. Vi 5G technology solutions showcase a whole new world of limitless possibilities across various domains, promising a new era of technology advancement in India. With the progressive roll out of Vi 5G network and services over the next few years, I am confident that our 5G solutions will bring a better tomorrow that will transform customer experience, enhance business performance, and positively impact people, driving digital economy growth in the country.”

To further strengthen its enterprise offerings and provide new opportunities for business growth in the emerging 5G era, Vi is showcasing a range of futuristic solutions for enterprises. These include – Connected Healthcare, a revolutionary innovation that will transform how future emergency medical assistance is delivered by connecting patients, remote medical experts and ambulance workers in real time, in partnership with L&T Smart World; Worker Safety with Digital Twin that leverages the power of 5G to create a digital twin of an under-ground construction site to ensure Worker Safety through real-time remote supervision, in partnership with Athonet, a leading technology provider of private mobile networks and Tata Communications Transformation Services (TCTS); Private Network solution to cater to the growing connectivity requirements at large facilities through a credible real-world deployment use case with L&T Smart World and Nokia; Public Safety using 5G network and AI in partnership with L&T Smart World; IoT Autonomous Guided Vehicle (AGV); among others.

Vi’s IMC showcases also include technology use cases for social transformation including SmartAgri, a revolutionary deployment for agriculture sector using IoT, sensors, Cloud and AI to provide precise, real-time and localised farm advisories to small and marginal farmers and enhance their livelihood; and Gurushala, a cloud-based collaborative knowledge exchange platform for teachers and students.

Reinventing consumer experience, Vi is showcasing Immersive Mobile 5G Cloud Gaming along with CareGame which aims to leverage the super speed, robust connections, and low latency of 5G to facilitate a smooth cloud gaming experience to its mobile gaming enthusiasts; Immersive Experience for users to access variety of content through high resolution and life like experience of any tourist/ historical/ adventure locations & events from anywhere via 360° VR; and other exciting games such as Vi Amazing Hunt and Vi Speed Run allowing Vi users on 5G devices to experience the technology.

To drive 5G ecosystem development in the country for faster adoption of services, Vi has partnered with leading device OEMs namely Samsung, OnePlus, Oppo, Vivo, Realme and is engaged with other large OEMs to have Vi 5G provisioned for its users in time for market roll out.

Visitors of the India Mobile Congress 2022 can visit the Vi booth at Hall 4; No. 4.15 to experience 5G.

For More on Vi Use Cases at India Mobile Congress 2022, please refer to the annexure.

AIROX TECHNOLOGIES LIMITED FILES DRHP WITH SEBI

Chandigarh, September 30, 2022:Airox Technologies Limited, a market leader in terms of operational private hospital PSA medical oxygen market, with a market share of 50-55% as of Fiscal 2022, has filed its Draft Red Herring Prospectus(“DRHP”) with market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (“SEBI”).

Airox Technologies Limited, a market leader in terms of operational private hospital PSA medical oxygen market, with a market share of 50-55% as of Fiscal 2022, has filed its Draft Red Herring Prospectus(“DRHP”) with market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (“SEBI”).

The Company’s initial public offering comprises an offer for sale of shares aggregating up to 7,500 million with face value 10 each by selling shareholders. The offer for sale comprises of equity shares aggregating up to 5,250 million by Sanjay Bharatkumar Jaiswal and equity shares aggregating up to 2,250 million by Ashima Sanjay Jaiswal (collectively, The“Promoter Selling Shareholders”).

The company is among the pioneers to facilitate the penetration of on premise PSA oxygen generators in Indian hospitals with nearly 872 installed and operational PSA oxygen generators, as of March 31, 2022. An established player with an experience of more than one decade in the PSA oxygen generation market, the company has been able to capture and penetrate the Indian medical oxygen generation market to become a market leader with around 30-31% of market share as of Fiscal 2022, in terms of total installed operational PSA oxygen generators in India, which includes both government and public sector hospital PSA medical oxygen market.

JM Financial Limited and ICICI Securities Limited are the Book Running Lead Managers to the issue.

Meesho’s Mega Blockbuster Sale clocks ~3.34 crore orders, witnesses nearly 60% growth in transacting users year-on-year

The company saw 4X growth in small business participation, with nearly 20,000 sellers becoming lakhpatis during the five-day sale

Meesho witnessed a 3X increase in seller registrations as compared to the festive sale in 2021

Fashion, Home & Kitchen, Electronic Accessories and Beauty & Personal Carewere the top-selling categories

Chandigarh, September 29, 2022: Meesho, India’s fastest-growing internet commerce company, posted its best festive sale performance during its flagship Meesho Mega Blockbuster Sale that was live from September 23 to September 27, 2022. Customers placed a record ~3.34 crore orders during the five-day event, up 68% from previous year’s sale, shopping for a wide assortment of products at lowest prices.

In line with Meesho’s mission to democratise internet commerce for everyone, nearly 60% of all orders came from Tier 4+ cities, showcasing how the company’s value proposition of affordability continues to be a significant differentiator.Transacting users jumped by 60% during the sale,which include those who are new-to-ecommerce and shopping online for the first time. From Una in Himachal and Chimakurthy in Andhra Pradesh toKalimpong in West Bengal, Bharuch in Gujarat andLeh, Meesho’s Mega Blockbuster Sale was instrumental in fulfilling Bharat’s festive shopping aspirations.

With orders coming in from across the country, small businesses on Meesho saw significant growth during the festive sale event. Meesho’s industry-first zero percent seller commission initiative, which has helped digitise MSMEs at scale, helped them save INR 104 crore in commissions during the sale period. Overall, seller participation in Meesho’s Mega Blockbuster Sale rose 4X from last year, with ~75% coming from Tier 2+ markets and beyond. Nearly 20,000 sellers became lakhpatis and 24 sellers became crorepatis during the sale event.

Vidit Aatrey, Founder & CEO at Meesho, said,Meesho’s Mega Blockbuster Sale truly fulfilled Bharat’s festive shopping aspirations this year as a result of our continued focus on offering customers quality products at lowest prices. Over 80% of orders during the festive sale came from tier 2+ markets, which is a testament to our efforts to reach underserved users with different needs around selection and affordability. We aim to go deeper into India’s underserved regions. We are delighted by the success witnessed by small businesses on Meesho during the festive season. Our endeavour to build a platform that enables high growth for MSMEs is being further strengthened.”

During this year’s sale, categories such as ‘kitchen utilities’ grew by 116%; ‘beauty & personal care’ grew by 109%; ‘luggage and travel accessories’ grew by 99%. The top-selling categories includedFashion, Home & Kitchen, Electronic Accessories and Beauty & Personal Care. Products such assarees, bluetooth headphones, dupattas, lipsticks, mangalsutras, smart watches, artificial plants and juicers were sold in record volumes, demonstrating the value consumers see on the platform.

Meesho’s Maha Diwali Sale will be live between October 7 and 11, showcasing crores of quality products at lowest prices. With nearly 8 lakh sellers and ~6.5 crore active product listings across 30 categories, Meesho aims to become the preferred shopping destination of the next billion Indians.

Celebrate the festivity of Navratri with The Ashok Hotel

· Specially curated recipes by the Chefs with fast-friendly ingredients

Chandigarh, September 28, 2022: This Navratri, The Ashok Hotel, New Delhi has designed a special Saatvik thali featuring an array of vegetarian favourites such as Jeera Lassi , Paneer Makhni, Sitafal ki Sabzi, Aloo tamatar tari, Bhuni Shakarkandi, Kuttu Ki poori, Sama ke Chawal, Saboodana Tikki, Aloo Chaat, Cucumber Raita, Saboodana Papad, Sama ke Chawal ki Phirnee

The thali has been specially curated by the chefs to make your fast motivating and treasured, since there is no reason to not indulge in delicious food while fasting. The ingredients used for the special thali are carefully selected to give the guest a balanced meal while they are on fast, and prepared with utmost caution following proper hygiene and sanitation protocols.

Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India enhances market connect in Kerala with New Zonal Office in Kochi

Chandigarh, September 27, 2022: Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India today inaugurated its new Zonal office in Kochi – one of the biggest two-wheeler demand centres of Kerala. The all-new Kochi Zonal Office is HMSI’s first zonal office in Kerala and it’s 24th zonal office in India.

HMSI reaches closer to Kochi customers through its NEW Zonal Office!

Honda is the most trusted 2Wheeler brand in entire South region, which includes the states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Telangana. With the new zonal office, Honda aims to strengthen its penetration in the state while serving its valued customers in Southern India with more than 1700 touchpoints.

Located at Q1 Mall by Nippon (NH-66, Palarivattom, Vennala, Kochi – 682028), the Kochi Zonal office is the first one with the new avatar as part of HMSI’s Rupantar project. Here, Honda’s skilled technical manpower will give technical & new product trainings to all network staff in local language for an excellent sales & after sales experience.

Inaugurating HMSI’s new Zonal Office in Kochi, Mr. Atsushi Ogata, Managing Director, President & CEO, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India said, “I would like to thank our customers who have made us the most trusted brand in Kerala for now more than a decade. In the last few years, the state of Kerala has emerged as a dynamic automotive hub and is one of the biggest priority markets for HMSI. With this new zonal office in Kochi, we aim to deepen its market connect in the Southern region and serve our customers more efficiently.”

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