Honda Racing India riders gear up for Round-2 of 2024 Asia Road Racing Championship in China

Rahul Khatry,

Chandigarh 21 April 2024: After an adrenaline-charged debut in the 2024 Asia Road Racing Championship in Thailand, the IDEMITSU Honda Racing India team from Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI) is all set for Round-2 to be held at theZhuhai International Circuit in China this weekend.

After making a promising start at the inaugural round of 2024 Asia Road Racing Championship in the Asia Production 250cc (AP250cc) class, the Indian two-wheeler racing team enters the upcoming round with a total 5 points.

Commenting on the upcoming round, Mr. Yogesh Mathur, Director, Sales & Marketing, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India, said, “The first round of 2024 ARRC witnessed our feisty riders Kavin and Mohsin delivering powerful performances on the international soil, showcasing their racing prowess. Both our young guns scored points for the team. The performance of IDEMITSU Honda Racing India in the opening round of the 2024 Asia Road Racing Championship reflects our commitment to excellence and determination to succeed in this tough competition. As our riders head to China for Round-2, the team is fuelled with motivation and our riders are in full form. We are confident that they will continue to push boundaries and deliver remarkable results.”

In the AP250 class Race 2 of Round-1 in Chang International Circuit in Thailand, team rider Kavin Quintal, the Chennai (Tamil Nadu) racing prodigy secured a respectable position, earning crucial 3 points for the team. His strong performance in Round-1 is a testament to his talent and determination. The 18-year-old rider enters the Round-2 with total 3 points and currently placed at 15^th on the scoreboard.

His teammate, the promising rookie rider Mohsin P, the young lad from Mallapuram (Tamil Nadu) is at 16^thposition with 2 points at his second season at ARRC.

Sharing his thoughts, Kavin Quintal said, “I’m thrilled with our performance in the opening round of the Asia Road Racing Championship. It felt great to contribute points to the team. As we head to China for Round-2, I am confident that we will continue to up our game and aim for even better results. Thanks to the Honda team for their hard work and unwavering support. We wouldn’t have made it this far without them!”

Looking forward to the second round, Mohsin Parambansaid, “Round-1 came with its own set of challenges, I am proud of the team’s effort and resilience. It was a good learning experience, and I am eager to apply those lessons in Round-2 in China. Every race is an opportunity to grow and showcase our potential. I have worked hard on my weak points and I’m excited to see what we can achieve in China.”

Club Mahindra Adds 6 New Exotic Destinations for Its Members

Rahul Khatry,

Chandigarh, 3^rd April 2024: Club Mahindra, the flagship brand of Mahindra Holidays & Resorts India Limited, is delighted to announce the addition of new resorts to its existing portfolio. This addition by partnering with the resorts through inventory alliance is aimed at providing members with access to exotic destinations and unique experiences across the globe, further enhancing their vacation experiences.

Among the latest additions to Club Mahindra’s offerings are some stunning properties, including The Chumbi Mountain Retreat: Pelling, Sikkim; Hotel Pushkar Fort Resort: Ajmer, Rajasthan; Summit Green Lake Tea Resort: Kaziranga, Assam; Golden Tulip Westlands: Nairobi, Kenya; Royal Tulip Hotel & Casino Tbilisi: Georgia; Pullman Khao Lak Resort: Thailand; Radisson Resort: Hua Hin, Thailand.

These properties offer a wide range of amenities and experiences including, delightful culinary experiences, spa services, cultural and adventure activities, scenic views, and much more.

Julian Ayers, Chief Resort Officer, Mahindra Holidays & Resorts India Limited, said “We are thrilled to announce the expansion of Club Mahindra’s portfolio with the addition of these exceptional properties across destinations worldwide. These additions through inventory alliances are in line with our target of doubling the room capacity to 10,000 by FY 30. We are excited to continue providing unparalleled holiday experiences to our members with these latest additions and look forward to enhancing their experience with more destinations to choose from.”

With these latest additions, Club Mahindra continues to expand its footprint, offering its members access to some of the most beautiful and exotic destinations in India and around the world.

Adani Green Energy becomes India’s first to surpass 10,000 MW renewable energy

Chandigarh 3 April 2024: Adani Green Energy Limited (AGEL), India’s largest and one of the world’s leading renewable energy (RE) companies, has surpassed 10,000 megawatts (MW) of operational portfolio, delivering reliable, affordable, and clean power to the national grid. AGEL’s operational portfolio consists of 7,393 MW solar, 1,401 MW wind and 2,140 MW wind-solar hybrid capacity. The milestone is a testament to AGEL and its development partners firmly moving towards the goal of 45,000 GW renewable energy by 2030.

AGEL’s 10,934 MW operational portfolio will power more than 5.8 million homes and avoid about 21 million tonnes of CO2 emissions annually.

AGEL is setting a precedent for how innovative technology, execution capabilities, digitization, a robust supply chain network, and long-term infrastructure financing, combined with sustainable practices, can drive the clean energy transition and decarbonization on a giga scale.

“We are proud to be India’s first das hazari in the renewables space,” said Mr Gautam Adani, Chairman of the Adani Group. “In less than a decade, Adani Green Energy has not just envisioned a greener future but has actualised it, growing from a mere idea to explore clean energy to achieving a phenomenal 10,000 MW in installed capacity. This achievement is a demonstration of the rapidity and scale at which the Adani Group aims to facilitate India’s transition to clean, reliable and affordable energy. In our drive towards 45,000 MW by 2030, we are building the world’s largest renewable energy plant in Khavda — a 30,000 MW project unparalleled on the global stage. AGEL is not just setting benchmarks for the world but redefining them.”

In line with AGEL’s pledge to enhance natural and social capital, the company is pursuing sustainable practices across its operations. AGEL’s unwavering focus on energizing a sustainable future for all is aligned to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals of affordable and clean energy, decent work and economic growth, industry, innovation and infrastructure, water stewardship, waste management and a circular economy, biodiversity management and climate action. AGEL’s operating portfolio is certified ‘single-use plastic free’, ‘zero waste-to-landfill’ and ‘water positive for plants with more than 200 MW capacity’.

AGEL’s 10,000 MW contribution to India’s RE goals

– Largest greenfield expansion in India’s RE sector

– Represents about 11% of India’s installed utility-scale solar and wind capacity

– Contributing over 15% of India’s utility-scale solar installations

– Over 3,200 direct green jobs created

Provided blueprint for giga-scale development globally

FY16: World’s largest single location FY23: World’s largest single location Next milestone: World’s largest solar plant hybrid RE cluster RE project

648 MW at Kamuthi, Tamil Nadu 2,140 MW at Jaisalmer, Rajasthan 30,000 MW at Khavda, Gujarat

AGEL is developing the world’s largest renewable energy project of 30,000 MW on barren land at Khavda in Kutch, Gujarat. Built across 538 sq km, it is five times the size of Paris and almost as large as Mumbai city. AGEL has operationalized 2,000 MW cumulative solar capacity (i.e. over 6% of the planned 30,000 MW) within 12 months of commencing work. Work at Khavda continues at a fast pace, with AGEL leveraging the project execution capabilities of Adani Infra, the manufacturing expertise of Adani New Industries Limited, the operational excellence of Adani Infrastructure Management Services Ltd. and the robust supply chain of our strategic partners.

Vedanta Stock Soars to 52-Week High, crosses 300 mark

Rahul Khatry,

Chandigarh, April 02, 2024: Shares of Vedanta Limited hit a 52 week high of Rs 301.95 (NSE) during trading session on April 02 on the back of the proposed demerger, rally in the global metal prices and the deleveraging steps at the conglomerate. Vedanta’s stock gained more than 4.5%, closing at Rs 300.85 (NSE) creating a nearly 10% gain since March 26.

Shares of Vedanta Limited hit a 52 week high of Rs 301.95 (NSE) during trading session on April 02 on the back of the proposed demerger, rally in the global metal prices and the deleveraging steps at the conglomerate. Vedanta’s stock gained more than 4.5%, closing at Rs 300.85 (NSE) creating a nearly 10% gain since March 26.

Vedanta’s rally is in line with the strength in global metal prices that are soaring due to multiple factors. Strong industrial data from China indicated an expansion in the manufacturing activity for the first time in six months. As China is the largest consumer of multiple metals, the strong economic data has led to a rally in metal stocks including Vedanta, a leading producer and supplier of iron ore, steel, copper and aluminium.

The rally is a reflection of the overall business potential and EBITDA projections of the company. Vedanta is expected to clock nearly $5 billion of EBIDTA in FY24 (April 2023 to March 2024). Similarly, the Vedanta Group is eyeing an EBIDTA of $6 billion in the next financial year (FY 25) and scaling it to $7-7.5 billion in the following year on the back of operational efficiencies across businesses.

The company is also on track for the demerger of its key businesses, including aluminum, into separate listed companies and allocation of debt across the demerged entities that would be done in proportion to their assets, sources had said.

Vedanta had earlier said that it plans to deleverage debt by $3 bn over 3 years, and that its promoter entity – Vedanta Resources – does not foresee a rollover of its debt.

“Deleveraging is our priority. We would be deleveraging the debt of Vedanta Resources by $3 billion over the next three years. VEDL’s cash flow pre-growth capex is estimated to be $3.5-4 billion for financial year 2025, sufficient for secured debt maturities of $1.5 billion,’’ said Mr. Navin Agarwal, Vice Chairman, VEDL and member of Promoter Group at a recently concluded analysts’ meet, according to analysts who attended the meeting.

In September last year, Vedanta announced the creation of demerger of metals, power, aluminium, and oil and gas businesses to unlock potential value. After the exercise, six independent verticals – Vedanta Aluminium, Vedanta Oil & Gas, Vedanta Power, Vedanta Steel and Ferrous Materials, Vedanta Base Metals and Vedanta Limited – will be created.

For every share of Vedanta, shareholders will receive one share of each of the five newly listed companies. After the demerger, the businesses of Hindustan Zinc as well as the electronics business will remain with Vedanta Limited.

Fevikwik Adds Four New Variants to Enhance Consumers’ Instant Repair Experience

Rahul Khatry,

Chandigarh 2 April, 2024: Fevikwik, a leading brand of instant adhesive solutions, from the house of Pidilite Industries Limited, announced the launch of innovative new products,Fevikwik Precision Pro, Fevikwik Gel, Fevikwik Advanced and Fevikwik Craft. The launch of new products aims to revolutionise the repair experience for consumers across diverse use cases.

Commenting on the launch of new products, Mr Sudhanshu Vats, Managing Director Designate, Pidilite Industries Ltd., said, “Over the past two decades, Fevikwik has been a market leader in the instant adhesives space. We are committed to meeting ever evolving consumer needs across various repair occasions. Our new variants, developed through extensive insights, aim to redefine customer experience. Each variant is tailored to specific needs, offering superior performance, and enhancing the overall repair experience while maintaining the strong adhesion feature across the line-up. Our vision is to continuously exceed expectations and set new industry benchmarks.”

The new range of products have been designed to offer superior performance and user experience across various usage categories – Fevikwik Precision Pro for precise application, Fevikwik Gel for spill-free repairs and opportunity to correct mistakes, Fevikwik Advanced with water-proof and shockproof properties, and Fevikwik Craft for crafting enthusiasts.

In addition to addressing consumer needs, Fevikwik prioritised product accessibility and availability by adding new channels and distribution centres across India. The brand has introduced multi-use, easy-to-stock packaging to meet the preferences of urban consumers, ensuring readiness for emergencies.

IHCL DEBUTS IN KOLLAM, KERALA, SIGNS A TAJ RESORT

Rahul Khatry,

Chandigarh, APRIL 2, 2024: Indian Hotels Company (IHCL), India’s largest hospitality company, today announced the signing of a Taj branded resort at Kollam, Kerala. The resort is a Brownfield project.

Indian Hotels Company (IHCL), India’s largest hospitality company, today announced the signing of a Taj branded resort at Kollam, Kerala. The resort is a Brownfield project.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Puneet Chhatwal, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, IHCLsaid, “With this signing, we further strengthen IHCL’s longstanding presence in Kerala. As a historic seaport city renowned for its picturesque landscapes and cultural heritage, Kollam holds immense potential as a prominent tourist destination. It is also the southern gateway to the renowned backwaters of the state. We are pleased to collaborate with Mr. Chacko Paul for this hotel. “

Nestled on a sprawling 13-acre site along the scenic Thirumullavaram Beach, the resort boasts nearly 600 feet of pristine beachfront. It will feature 205 rooms, each with breathtaking views of the Arabian Sea. The resort will showcase a wide array of amenities including an all-day diner, a specialty vegetarian restaurant, a chic bar, a rejuvenating spa, an inviting swimming pool, and a fully equipped gym. With over 20,000 sq. ft. of versatile banqueting space and expansive lawns, it serves as the perfect venue for both corporate gatherings and social events.

Mr. Chacko Paul, Managing Director, M/s. Joy’s The Beach Resort Pvt Ltd, said, “We are delighted to partner with IHCL, recognized as India’s hospitality leader, for the development of this resort. With their proven track record of pioneering new destinations, we are confident that IHCL will elevate Kollam to a prominent position on the global tourist map.”

Kollam, situated on the serene shores of the Ashtamudi Lake and the Kallada River, is a popular leisure city. It is famous for its backwaters, beaches, islands, and rich cultural heritage embodied by ancient temples, churches, and mosques. It attracts travellers for its wellness offerings including authentic Ayurveda.

With the addition of this hotel, IHCL will have 20hotels across Taj, SeleQtions, Vivanta and Ginger brands in Kerala including 6 under development.

Cosmo Synthetic paper innovative brands compatible with diverse print media

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Rahul Khatry,

Chandigarh, 2^nd April 2024: Pushing the boundaries of possibilities, Cosmo Synthetic Paper (CSP), an innovative vertical of Cosmo Films, is leading the pack in synthetic paper manufacturing, with a commitment to excellence and innovation. With a focus on durability, printability, and sustainability, Cosmo Synthetic Paper is announcing 8 brands to address the myriad requirements of the printing business and provide cutting-edge solutions.

Being an alternative to traditional paper in applications where durability and longevity are desired, such as commercial printing, tags & labels, retail & packaging, identification & credentials, and outdoor applications,

Speaking about the extensive brand range of Cosmo Synthetic Paper, Mr Kulbhushan Malik, Global Business Head, Cosmo Films said, “These latest ranges under the Cosmo Synthetic Paper is to provide numerous solutions for various end users in the printing industry and is compatible with diverse print media. Our synthetic paper is an increasingly popular choice among businesses looking for innovative, cost-effective, durable, and sustainable paper-based solutions. We are confident the segmentation and branding of our offering will assist our buyers make the right choice in choosing the right paper and improving our client base.”

Aditya Birla Sun Life Frontline Equity Fund Wealth Creation Study

Monthly SIP of Rs 10,000 amounting to Rs 25.8 lakhs would have grown to over Rs 2 crores in 21 years

Lumpsum investment of Rs 1 lakh would have grown to nearly Rs 45 lakhs in 21 years

Rahul Khatry,

Chandigarh, April 2, 2024: Aditya Birla Sun Life AMC Limited (ABSLAMC) was incorporated in the year 1994. Aditya Birla Capital Limited and Sun Life (India) AMC Investments Inc. are the promoters and major shareholders of the Company. ABSLAMC is primarily the investment manager of Aditya Birla Sun Life Mutual Fund, a registered trust under the Indian Trusts Act, 1882. The asset manager has reported that Aditya Birla Sun Life Frontline Equity Fund generated more than Rs 2 croreswith a monthly systematic investment plan (SIP) of Rs 10,000 in 21 years. That implies a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of16.5% during the same time.

Similarly, a lumpsum investment of Rs 1 lakhwould have grown to nearly Rs 45 lakhs in21 years. That’s a CAGR of 19.3% since inception.

The fund was launched on 30 August 2002. The open-ended equity scheme is managed by Mahesh Patil (since November, 2005) along with Dhaval Joshi (since November, 2022). The fund manager(s) combines a top down & bottom-up approach for making investing decisions and maintains sector exposure within the benchmark’s sectoral weight range. The scheme has a bias towards blue-chip companies and at the same time it also has a certain flexibility to invest in better performing companies outside the blue-chip space. The fund essentially follows the GARP (Growth At a Reasonable Price) philosophy to identify companies that have the potential to grow faster than the industry over the long-term and are available at reasonable valuations adjusted for growth. Investors stand to potentially gain from this strategy. The fund aims to invest in equity and equity-related securities, diversifying across industries in alignment with the Nifty 100 benchmark index.

Commenting on the wealth creation study,A. Balasubramanian, Managing Director & CEO, Aditya Birla Sun Life AMC Ltd said,“In an evolving market landscape, where investors seek both growth potential and stability, Aditya Birla Sun Life Frontline Equity Fund has consistently strived to provide both, by investing in blue chip companies. I am confident that the fund will continue to remain true to its philosophy and follow the discipline shown over the years by proactively managing risk and deliver consistent performance in both bull and bear market phases. The fund size has grown to more than Rs 20,000 crores from Rs 10 crores in over 2 decades purely based on discipline, consistency and investor experience.”

DBS Foundation awards grants to six Businesses for Impact from Shark Tank India

Rahul Khatry,

Chandigarh, 2 April 2024: In line with its focus on championing businesses for impact, the DBS Foundation awarded grants to six sustainability-focused enterprises that were featured in Season 3 of Shark Tank India. The selected enterprises have a dual bottom line of both profit and purpose, i.e., positive social or environmental impact integrated into their business model. The DBS Foundation aims to encourage these startups to unlock growth via grant funding and non-financial support in the form of mentorship, networking, and capacity building.

DBS Bank India partnered with Sony Entertainment Television to co-power Season 3 of Shark Tank India. The funding by the DBS Foundation of the six sustainability-focused businesses featured on the show is in line with the bank’s underlying belief that these enterprises can be agents of change, while contributing to economic growth. The grant size for each individual enterprise ranges from INR 5 lakh to 15 lakh and will be utilised by the respective winners to build consumer awareness, scale operations, and deploy technology to enhance productivity.

The DBS Foundation, through its Business for Impact (BFI) chapter, aims to catalyse the growth of purpose-driven businesses like the six sustainability-focused enterprises featured on Shark Tank India Season 3. Among these startups, The Honest Home Company stands out for its mission to reduce plastic usage by offering responsible packaging alternatives.Dharaksha Ecosolutions creates biodegradable alternatives for packaging materials with the aim to curb stubble burning and plastic pollution. Without (by Ashaya) is a social enterprise that produces sunglasses from unrecyclable plastic waste and multi-layered plastic, such as packets of chips. FarmDidi is a foodtech startup, operating as a direct-to-consumer brand with a mission to provide high-quality food and empower 1 million rural women.

XMachines offers robotic solutions for farm operations to address the growing scarcity of agricultural labour. Interestingly, one of the DBS Foundation’s previous grant awardees, Trestle Labs, was also featured on Shark Tank India Season 3 and will now receive additional funding as part of this cohort. Their product, Kibo (Knowledge in a Box), makes education and employment inclusive, overcoming barriers such as language, literacy, and print disabilities like blindness, low vision, and dyslexia.

Shoma Narayanan, Managing Director, and Head, Group Strategic Marketing & Communications, DBS Bank India said,“Our partnership with Shark Tank India and Sony Entertainment Television has helped us enhance our outreach to the start-up segment. It has also given us access to some groundbreaking Businesses for Impact who are leveraging innovation to make a positive impact to the environment and to society. By supporting the growth of the grant recipients through the DBS Foundation we hope to help them further scale up their impact.”

The DBS Foundation worked with Sony Entertainment Television and Shark Tank India teams to identify the sustainable enterprises out of the larger number of applicants who were profiled on the televised series. These nominees were then required to submit a detailed application form to the DBS Foundation explaining their business model, financials, and potential impact, along with a pitch process to a jury comprising senior leadership from DBS Bank India and the DBS Foundation.

The goal of the DBS Foundation is to create long-lasting and sustainable impact, and to inspire all businesses to adopt responsible methods of production and consumption. In 2023, the DBS Foundation engaged with over 380,000 stakeholders including customers, SMEs, social enterprises, students, and partners through a variety of forums and partnerships.

Many of these social enterprises, bolstered by DBS support, have scaled significantly. For example, Haqdarshak is an award-winning enterprise that enables last-mile access to social protection and financial inclusion for India’s low-income and marginalised communities. It has worked with the DBS Foundation since 2018. Haqdarshak appeared on the second season of Shark Tank India and impressed the panel with its for-profit approach to social impact, receiving a joint offer of INR 1 crore for 2% equity from the Sharks. It has trained over 38,000 field agents and provided benefits worth over INR 17,000 crore to over 6 million Indian citizens and 48,000 micro-businesses.

Asia Society India Centre Board Names Sangita Jindal New Chair

Rahul Khatry,

CHANDIGARH, April 02, 2024:

The Asia Society India Centre Board has announced the election of Sangita Jindal as the new Chair of the Board. Her role will be effective from the 1st of April, 2024. “I am so delighted to welcome Sangita Jindal as Chair of the Asia Society India Centre Board. She has been an immense support to our mission in South Asia and her work to support contemporary art in India and South Asia has been a transformative force; I look forward to working with her to strengthen Asia Society’s footprint in South Asia,” said Asia Society India Centre CEO Inakshi Sobti.

Sangita Jindal is President, Art India and Chairperson of the JSW Foundation, which is responsible for the social development projects of the JSW Group of Companies. In the twenty years that she has been spearheading the JSW Foundation, it has enlarged its scope of activities in the areas of education, health, livelihood creation, local sports development and conservation of arts and cultural heritage. She established the Jindal Arts Centre in 1992 and founded Art India, India’s premier art magazine, in 1994. She was among the team that conceptualised the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival and was awarded the Eisenhower Fellowship in 2004. She has founded the Hampi Foundation that has undertaken conservation work at three temples in Hampi. She is a Global Trustee of Asia Society and a member of the Board of the National Culture Fund, Trustee of the World Monument Fund, advisor to TEDxGateway and a member of the IMC Ladies’ Wing Art, Culture and Film Committee.

Founded in 1956 by John D. Rockefeller 3rd, Asia Society is a nonpartisan, nonprofit institution with major centers and public buildings in New York, Houston and Hong Kong, and offices in Los Angeles, Manila, Melbourne, Mumbai, San Francisco, Seattle, Seoul, Sydney, Tokyo, Washington, D.C. and Zurich. The India Centre was founded in 2006; it is the only Asia Society Centre in South Asia and aims to encompass all of the subcontinent in its mission to bring together diverse perspectives on modern Asia and cultivate a nuanced understanding of Asia- Pacific affairs. To learn more about Asia Society India, head to asiasociety.org/india.

TP Saurya Limited Commissions 200 MW Solar Project in Bikaner, Rajasthan

Rahul Khatry,

Chandigarh, 1^st April’ 24: TP Saurya Limited (TPSL), a subsidiary of Tata Power Renewable Energy Limited (TPREL or the Company), proudly announces the successful commissioning of a 200MW solar project located in Bikaner, Rajasthan, for Tata Power Trading Company Limited (TPTCL).

TP Saurya Limited (TPSL), a subsidiary of Tata Power Renewable Energy Limited (TPREL or the Company), proudly announces the successful commissioning of a 200MW solar project located in Bikaner, Rajasthan, for Tata Power Trading Company Limited (TPTCL).

Expected to generate an impressive 485 Million Units of energy annually, the project aligns with the Company’s mission to drive substantial contributions to India’s renewable energy capacity. Furthermore, the project will be seamlessly integrated into the Central Transmission Utility (CTU) Bus, ensuring efficient distribution of clean energy across the region.

The endeavour marks a significant milestone in the renewable energy landscape, highlighting TPREL’s unwavering commitment to sustainable energy solutions. Despite encountering numerous challenges, including adverse weather conditions with temperatures soaring to 50+ degrees Celsius, extreme cold winters, sandstorms, and geopolitical hurdles, the project was completed within the designated timeline.

This achievement is a testament to the exceptional project execution and engineering expertise demonstrated by the TPREL team.

In addition to its significant energy output, the initiative is poised to make a remarkable impact on environmental sustainability, with an estimated annual decrease of 3,88,000 tonnes carbon footprint. Additionally, the project involved the installation of approximately 5,23,365 modules. TPREL remains dedicated to pioneering innovative renewable energy projects and looks forward to continuing its journey towards a cleaner, greener future for India and beyond.

With the addition, the total renewables capacity of TPREL reached 9,018 MW (PPA capacity is 7,632 MW) including 4,547 MW projects under various stages of implementation and its operational capacity is 4,471 MW, which includes 3,444 MW solar and 1,027 MW wind.

APSEZ handles 420 MMT cargo globally, Domestic ports handle over 408 MMT

Rahul Khatry,

Chandigarh 1 April, 2024: Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd (APSEZ), India’s largest ports and logistics company, has handled 420 MMT (+24% Y-o-Y) cargo in FY24 (including international ports), with domestic ports contributing Over 408 MMT cargo. It has also handled its highest ever monthly cargo volumes (incl. international ports) of over 38 MMT in March 2024. Ten of our ports and terminals handled record cargo volumes: Mundra 180 MMT, Tuna 10 MMT, Hazira 26 MMT, Mormugao 5 MMT, Karaikal 12 MMT, Ennore 13 MMT, Kattupalli 12 MMT, Krishnapatnam 59 MMT, Gangavaram 37 MMT and Dhamra 43 MMT.

Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd (APSEZ), India’s largest ports and logistics company, has handled 420 MMT (+24% Y-o-Y) cargo in FY24 (including international ports), with domestic ports contributing Over 408 MMT cargo. It has also handled its highest ever monthly cargo volumes (incl. international ports) of over 38 MMT in March 2024. Ten of our ports and terminals handled record cargo volumes: Mundra 180 MMT, Tuna 10 MMT, Hazira 26 MMT, Mormugao 5 MMT, Karaikal 12 MMT, Ennore 13 MMT, Kattupalli 12 MMT, Krishnapatnam 59 MMT, Gangavaram 37 MMT and Dhamra 43 MMT.

During FY24, more than one-fourth of all India cargo volumes was routed through APSEZ ports. This significant contribution by APSEZ underscores its active role in driving India’s growth trajectory. It also shows that India’s largest port operator comfortably surpassed its cargo volume guidance of 370 MMT – 390 MMT provided at the start of the financial year.

Mr. Karan Adani, Managing Director, APSEZ, said, “While it took 14 years for the company to achieve the first 100 MMT of annual cargo throughput, the second and third 100 MMT throughputs were achieved in 5 years and 3 years. The latest 100 MMT mark has been achieved in less than two years. This is a testament to our ongoing commitment and efforts towards enhancing operational efficiencies and maintaining our position as a top port operator in the industry.”

APSEZ achieved this phenomenal growth by putting customers at the forefront of all its decisions. Its approach of strategic partnerships with customers has ensured long-term associations with key stakeholders. Supported by investment in world-class infrastructure that has delivered a high level of operating efficiency and a business model focused on providing an end-to-end solution through last mile connectivity, APSEZ has managed to successfully win customers and improve its market share.

What makes these accomplishments noteworthy is that they were achieved despite multiple challenges, such as the global trade disruptions caused by the Red Sea crisis, the Russia-Ukraine conflict and issues at the Panama Canal, and disruption of operations due to Cyclone Biparjoy and Cyclone Michaung.

This year saw APSEZ achieving various new operational milestones. Its flagship port Mundra became the first in India to handle 16 MMT cargo in a single month (October 2023). Its container terminal CT-3 achieved a milestone of becoming the first in India to handle 3 million TEUs during the year and around 3 lakh TEUs in a single month (November 2023). It berthed the largest-ever vessel at any Indian port (around 399 m-long and 54 m-wide) and handled the highest number of TEUs (16,569) on a single ship, MV MSC Livorno, surpassing the national best of 16,400 TEUs. It handled over 4,300 vessels, crossing its previous record of 3,938 vessels.

In the container segment, the ports at Mundra, Hazira, Kattupalli and Ennore handled record volumes. Around 44% of the containerised seaborne cargo in India moves through APSEZ ports. Its container volumes have grown by 2X of India’s container growth (~11% as compared to the all-India growth of ~5%) in the last 5 years. Mundra port handled record container volumes by rail of 1.9 MTEUs, a growth of 12% over last year. Till February 2024, the double stack coefficient was 59% as compared to last year’s 54%.

In the dry cargo segment, ports such as Tuna, Mormugao, Karaikal, Krishnapatnam, Gangavaram and Dhamra handled record volumes this financial year. Dhamra berthed its first LNG-powered cape-sized vessel, MV Ubuntu Unity, while Krishnapatnam berthed its largest-ever vessel with dimensions of LOA 335.9 m and beam 42.9 m. With regard to liquid cargo, Mundra, Kattupalli, Krishnapatnam and Dhamra handled record volumes.

ACC, Ambuja are ‘India’s Most Trusted Cement Brands’

Rahul Khatry,

Chandigarh, 1 April 2024:

ACC and Ambuja Cement, India’s leading cement manufacturing companies and part of the diversified Adani Portfolio, have been ranked as ‘India’s Most Trusted Cement Brands’ by TRA Research in its Brand Trust Report 2024: ACC is No. 1 and Ambuja Cement 2. This is the third consecutive year Ambuja Cement has featured on the coveted list; ACC has held the top spot for the past two years. This recognition marks an important milestone for both brands, cementing their position as the most trusted names in the industry.

The report emphasises the role of transparency and social responsibility in earning consumer trust, aspects both ACC and Ambuja Cement have been able to establish based on a syndicated primary research study conducted among 2,553 consumer influencers across 16 cities. Both have set high standards in the industry. Through their focus on innovation, sustainability, and customer-centric solutions, they have exceeded expectations and solidified their reputation as trusted names.

Mr. Ajay Kapur, CEO – Cement Business, Adani Group,said, “We are honoured to be recognised as ‘India’s Most Trusted Cement Brands’. This is the result of our consistent focus towards quality, sustainability and customer-centricity with competitiveness, and the trust we have built with stakeholders. At the heart of our success lies a relentless pursuit of exceeding expectations of customers while steadfastly upholding responsibility towards the environment. We are grateful for the trust and confidence that consumers have placed in us and remain committed to upholding the highest standards of excellence.”

TRA Research’s annual rankings are highly regarded by the industry, providing valuable insights into consumer perceptions and preferences. TRA’s Brand Trust Report is the result of comprehensive primary research conducted on its proprietary 10 brand behaviours, which make up the Brand Trust Matrix. The report provides invaluable consumer insights to leading Indian and global organizations, allowing them to enhance their brand’s scope and relevance in these fast-changing times.

Mahindra Aerostructures Launches a Strategic Relationship With Airbus Atlantic

Rahul Khatry,

Chandigarh, April 1, 2024

– Mahindra Aerostructures Pvt Ltd (MASPL) and Airbus Atlantic have signed a multi-year contract for the manufacture and delivery of metallic components and small assemblies, for the entire Airbus commercial aircraft family, including the best-selling A320 family. Under the contract, worth approximately USD100m, MASPL will supply close to 2,300 varieties of metallic components to Airbus Atlantic in France from its manufacturing base in India. The contract adds to existing MASPL programs to deliver parts directly to Airbus at their facilities in France and Germany.

Speaking about the deal, Mr Vinod Sahay, President Aerospace and Défense Mahindra Group, said, “This new contract from Airbus Atlantic opens a new frontier in our existing relationship with the Airbus Group, and we are thrilled to have the opportunity to offer value across the realm of industrial maturity, digitalization, performance and sustainability”

MASPL has been a direct supplier to Airbus Group since 2015, and partners with Airbus on numerous initiatives. It has been ranked as a D2P “Challenger” for three years in the Sheet Metal Parts domain, as well as level “A” in the Airbus Industrial Process Capability Assessment (IPCA+) and has won “Best Performer” award in the 2023 Airbus Supplier Quality Improvement Program (SQIP) awards.

Farmley’s Hilarious April Fools Prank Leaves Netizens in Splits

Rahul Khatry,

Chandigarh, 1 April 2024:

In an endeavour that spread much cheer and laughter across the nation, Farmley, the wholesome snacking brand , recently undertook an April Fool’s Day prank by launching Brain Balm – a “memory boosting” roll on balm made with almonds. The announcement had netizens cracking up over the product which promised to address slice-of-life instances like forgetting passwords, anniversaries, and even where one parked their car in a maze-like mall basement.

The concept behind the prank was to playfully remind people of the often overlooked health benefits of almonds for memory enhancement. The campaign’s humorous approach, with taglines like “No More Forgetting Thousand Passwords Again” and “No More Forgetting to Soak Almonds in the Night,” struck a chord with the audience and had them in stitches.

Simran, Senior Manager – Social Media & Content at Farmley, expressed delight at the campaign’s reception, stating, “April Fool’s Day allows us to connect with our audience in a fun and engaging way. We wanted to use this opportunity to highlight the goodness of almonds in a light-hearted manner, and the response has been fantastic.”

Farmley’s diverse range of wholesome snacking options and authentic dry fruits and nuts are available on popular online commerce platforms such as Amazon, Flipkart, Blinkit, Zepto, and Instamart, as well as in retail stores nationwide. The Brain Balm launch may have been a prank, but Farmley’s unbending belief to keep innovating makes one just want to believe that they can make this happen too. Farmley is a wholesome snacking brand offering a wide range of products that integrate into different eating occasions as nutritious and delightfully tasty options.

TVS RACING ANNOUNCES SPONSPORSHIP FOR INDIA’S F1 CONTENDER – KUSH MAINI

Rahul Khatry,

Chandigarh, March 29, 2024:

TVS Motor Company (TVSM) – a leading global automaker that operates in the two and three-wheeler segments, today made a significant move signalling its commitment to the broader motorsports landscape. TVS Racing – India’s first factory racing team and the pioneer of the One Make Championship (OMC) in India, proudly announces its sponsorship deal with Kush Maini, the talented Formula 2 (F2) racer. Renowned for its dominance in two-wheeler motorsport, TVS Racing’s support for Kush Maini marks a pivotal step towards fostering motorsports excellence across diverse platforms by the company.

TVS Racing has trained and given the opportunity to over 5,000 budding racers to sharpen and showcase their skills as part of their TVS OMC program that consists of four categories in India – Rookie, Women’s, Media, and Expert, and TVS Asia One Make Championship that made its foray in 2022 on International tracks. From nurturing talent to achieving international acclaim, the brand’s unwavering dedication to motorsports has been a cornerstone of its identity.

Speaking on the collaboration, Vimal Sumbly, Head Business – Premium, TVS Motor Companyexpressed, “TVS Racing has consistently strived to push boundaries and redefine standards in motorsports for over four decades now. It’s been instrumental in fostering motorsports in India, with a commitment to nurture talent globally. Our efforts with honing the talents of racers like Harith Noah, Aishwarya Pissay and more, on a global stage is testament to our commitment of democratising motorsports. And our decision to sponsor Kush Maini underscores the same commitment of nurturing talent and promoting the culture of racing in India, with a keen focus on celebrating international formats including the likes of F1 and F2. As a company deeply rooted in motorsports, we are thrilled to embark on this journey with Kush and extend our support in his endeavours.”

Expressing his enthusiasm for the partnership,Kush Maini said, “It’s an honour to be supported by TVS, a company that’s very prestigious in India. It has been a driving force in pushing young talent from India to the world stage. It makes me proud to see the TVS colours on my car and suit in an elite championship like Formula 2. I am grateful for their support.”

Kush Maini, hailing from Bengaluru, India, is an accomplished racing prodigy with an impressive track record. He currently races in FIA Formula 2, and is currently 5^th in the championship standings after 3 rounds. He is also part of the Alpine Academy as a junior driver and Mahindra Racing as a reserve driver for Season 10 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship. Kush is mentored by two time Formula 1 World Champion Mika Hakkinen. Having demonstrated exceptional skill and determination throughout his career, Maini has earned accolades and admiration on both national and international circuits. His pursuit of excellence aligns seamlessly with TVS Racing’s ethos of relentless performance and continuous innovation.

By sponsoring Kush Maini, TVS Racing aims to contribute to the growth and development of motorsports while showcasing the country’s talent on an international platform.