Archive: December 26, 2022

Year ender quote from Vedanta Aluminium

Mr. Rahul Sharma, CEO, Vedanta Ltd – Aluminium Business 

At Vedanta Aluminium, 2022 was a year of many milestones for us. We ended FY22 with the historical highest aluminium production at 2.27 million tonnes and continue to be India’s largest aluminium producers. The year also saw us launch India’s first low-carbon or ‘green’ aluminium, branded ‘Restora’. Restora stands testimony to our commitment to marry manufacturing excellence with sustainability, as we continue to tailor-make our product offerings to fulfil our customers’ requirements perfectly. Recently, we launched Vedanta Aluminium Park near our mega Aluminium Smelter at Jharsuguda, in Odisha. It will be one of India’s largest metal parks and provide aluminium-based industries a plethora of unmatched advantages for creating high-quality products at par with global quality standards, thus making in India for the world.

We are quite optimistic about 2023. The momentum of the global transition to clean technologies is accelerating. This shift will be metal-intensive, increasing demand for sustainable materials like aluminium. The global aluminium industry is already the fastest growing metal industry today. India’s demand is expected to double to approximately 8 million tonnes by 2030, driven by a surge in building & construction, transportation, packaging, electrical, defense, aerospace and aviation. Towards this end, we are ramping up production to add new product lines at our Aluminium Smelters at Jharsuguda and BALCO in Chhattisgarh to diversify our product mix to cater to sunrise sectors such as high-tech manufacturing, electric mobility, renewable energy, and more. We are also investing in the digital transformation of our plants & processes, leveraging green technologies, diversifying our energy mix to include renewables, and working towards our vision of net zero carbon.

5 attractive career options in real estate in 2023

Indian real estate is growing over the years and continues to be in the limelight of domestic and international investments. With the recent government reforms that aim to promote transparency and accountability, the Indian real estate industry is at the threshold of accelerated growth. The sector promises huge prospects making it the perfect time to be a part of the growth story. And the rising number of options for residential and commercial plots and other prominent region testifies this fact.  You’ll probably be able to discover the employment opportunity you desire in real estate, whether you’re searching for something with more flexibility, more structure, larger or lower stakes.

Here is a compiled list of real estate-related career options you can pursue in 2023. These are demanding opportunities that could also lead to lucrative new employment for you.

1. Real Estate Agent

This is the most common entry-level position in real estate. A real estate agent helps with the sale of a home. The primary function of this position is to represent the seller or buyer of a property. This position requires a significant amount of networking, relationship maintenance, and paperwork. Real estate agents typically earn a commission or a percentage of the sale/purchase price of their property.

2. Real estate managing broker

A real estate broker is the owner and operator of a real estate brokerage firm. If you are already in the path of becoming an agent and would like to know how your career can progress further, consider becoming a real estate broker. It’s one of the jobs on this list that requires a real estate license. They are self-sufficient, which means they keep 100% of their commission split. They frequently hire, support, and manage real estate agents who work under them in their offices. Operating a brokerage entails a significant amount of responsibility.

3. Loan Officer

Loan officers play a critical role in the real estate transaction process since most buyers will require a loan to make a real estate purchase. Some loan officers specialize in both mortgage (residential) and commercial lending. They work for lending institutions, like banks, and act as an intermediary between the consumer and the lending institution. They work to understand their client’s needs and provide lending solutions tailored to the individual or company they’re serving. When an ideal option is identified, they also assist individuals in the loan application process.

4. Mortgage Broker

Mortgage brokers assist individuals in negotiating the best mortgage loan terms. If you enjoy negotiating and crunching numbers from the comfort of your own home or office, this real estate industry career may be more rewarding than buying and selling properties. A mortgage loan broker typically works for a bank or another mortgage lender and assists borrowers with the mortgage application process.

5. Realtor

A realtor distinguishes themselves in the real estate industry by adhering to a higher code of ethics and standard of conduct, as well as by broadening their sphere of influence and network. Taking the extra efforts to become a realtor shows buyers, sellers, and other real estate industry professionals that you are dedicated to providing a higher level of professional service to your clients by establishing a solid educational foundation.

Authored by Anurag Goel, Director, Goel Ganga Developments

Celebrate Arabian Night themed New year Eve at The Orchid Mumbai Vile Parle

The Orchid Mumbai Vile Parle is hosting the biggest New Year’s Eve party with the theme ‘Arabian Night’ to ring in 2023. The party features a lavish dinner buffet, a Live DJ, and Bollywood-themed music. Guests can experience a beautiful ambiance under the sky and enjoy the live band music, a wide range of appetizers, and mains.

Raise a toast for the final night of the year with mouthwatering delicacies, live music of various genres, party flavors, and sumptuous desserts.

Venue : The Orchid Mumbai, Vile Parle

Theme: Arabian Night (Party under the Sky)

Date: December 31st, 2022

Time: 7 PM to 12 Midnight

For Reservations: +91 84229 28029 / 022-61697070

Pic Source: viewpointpr

Year-End Real Estate Review and Outlook for 2023 By – Mr. Navin Makhija, Managing Director, The Wadhwa Group

Sector performance in 2022

The low-interest rates and fundamental need to own an apartment set the momentum for the real estate sector at the beginning of the year 2022. The new project launches were back in the market as the sector witnessed increasing demand for larger homes with the prevalent work-from-home culture, wherein the units with extra space/study room/ decks emerged as the best-performing category. The Indian real estate market saw a sharp turnaround on the back of healthy demand. As the impact of the pandemic started ebbing, the buyers were back visiting the sites again for inquiries. We immediately saw sales volumes coming back to normal due to a boost in consumer sentiments on the back of favorable Government policies, the necessity for owning a home, all-time low home loan interest rates along with improved offerings from developers. Property purchase which was a sign of wealth quotient before the pandemic has become a necessity now across age groups. Millennials, who favoured rental as an option started looking for an escape from a lifelong rental web and realized the importance of owning a home due to higher affordability on account of the reduced gap between loans to rent. These factors helped drive demand and boosted sales in the festive season and were the key in ridding the sector of the impact created by the pandemic in the previous two years.

Purchase mindset of the homebuyers has been slowly and steadily moving towards the branded developers having a good track record of execution and who can assure them of timely project delivery and quality construction. We have witnessed a demand for OC-received projects that commands a premium and are sold quickly to avoid any risk of construction uncertainty.

Outlook for 2023

Real estate industry has played a dominant role towards the country’s economic prosperity. In the coming months, the expectation of the buyers and developers ought to rise as the sector has witnessed lots of new government policies. These policies will help the industry to be more organized and will provide a boost to both residential as well as commercial real estate.

The Government has laid a strong emphasis on the expansion of Mumbai through a lot of ongoing and upcoming infrastructural developments. Mumbai being a concrete jungle will soon be expanding beyond its territories like Panvel, Ulwe, Uran, Dronagiri, Thane, Kalyan, Palghar, etc, and will be connected to current business districts through the support of ongoing infrastructure like the Navi Mumbai Airport, Mumbai Trans Harbour Link, Virar-Alibaug Multimodal Corridor, Coastal Road, Goregaon-Mulund Link Road, Airoli-Katai Tunnel and Metro Connectivity to name a few. With such fast-paced infrastructure evolution and exceptional connectivity, the real estate market is slated to create a strong demand in 2023.

We have already witnessed a very robust demand in the past few quarters on the back of improved consumer sentiments. We anticipate the Government to announce incentives that will propel the growth of the sector such as introducing tax breaks which will increase public spending, less transaction cost, etc. Developers should focus to complete the existing projects, sales will happen as the buyer gets to see development and the project reaches a close to completion stage, therefore, the demand for good developers and ready-to-move-in inventory will continue. Trusted and reputed developers have witnessed relatively better sales in mid-income & affordable housing segments and will continue to dominate in 2023 as well.

Quality of life has become one of the most important aspects in home buying. Therefore the growing aspirations of the homebuyers, the transformation of lifestyle, and ease of living are the major factors pushing the demand of mid-segment and luxury housing. With this, digitally enabled homes have now set up a new trend in this post-Covid real estate market. The millennial demographic has contributed drastically to the overall technological advancement in real estate.

Post-pandemic, we have witnessed an inclination of homebuyers towards township projects as they offer a complete living experience to the homebuyers, an end-to-end solution for their needs as well as an integrated lifestyle with a self-contained ecosystem. The demand for an integrated living would continue in 2023 as well due to the ease of living that they offer.

FITTR concludes CONNECT Fest’22, the grandest edition of its flagship event so far!

FITTR, India’s leading tech-enabled community-first health and fitness platform, today concluded the 4th edition of India’s biggest fitness festival – CONNECT Fest’22 ‘Where Fitness Meets Fun’. This two-day event was held at Grand Gigi’s, Cavelossim, Goa, on the 10th and 11th of December 2022.

The mega gala brought together fitness enthusiasts from across the country and witnessed enthusiastic participation in all its fitness and sporting events like MMA, Box Cricket, Arm Wrestling, Powerlifting, and the Garmin Step Challenge.

Among the greatest attractions was ICN (I Compete Natural), a renowned international event known for the ‘Body Engineers’ of natural fitness modeling and bodybuilding. The event gave leading bodybuilders and physique athletes a chance to show off the power built of 100% natural fitness. Among the physique athletes on stage were several FITTR Coaches and employees.

Athletes from around the country also participated in the mixed martial arts (MMA), powerlifting, and Garmin Step Challenge events organized at CONNECT. Guests also had an opportunity to showcase their passion for fitness in sporting events such as Box Cricket and Arm Wrestling. Prizes collectively worth lakhs of rupees awaited the participants with the highest endurance and strength.

No event is complete without delicious food, and Radisson Blu Cavelossim helped enhance the experience at CONNECT by hosting a tantalizing Food Zone for guests. The delicious culinary experience helped attendees take their taste buds on an unmatched adventure. But the showstoppers were none other than internationally famed celebrities Milind Soman, Ritu Phogat, Palash Sen, and the Euphoria band, Abhishek Upmanyu and Karunesh Talwar.

In a fireside chat with FITTR Founder & CEO Jitendra Chouksey (JC), Commonwealth Wrestling gold medalist Ritu Phogat spoke about her famed wrestling family, laid emphasis on how she began her own training at the age of eight, and just a few years later, how she dropped out of school to focus on her wrestling career. She stated how she has now moved to Singapore & has joined the world-renowned Evolve MMA, where she trains with multiple Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu World Champions to bring her striking and submission skills on par with her elite wrestling talent. Her ultimate goals are to make her country proud with her performances at the global level and to become India’s first Mixed Martial Arts World Champion.

Milind Soman also shared his experiences with JC, talking about his own fitness journey and what it has taught him, his childhood years and how they set the foundation for his love for fitness, insights from his modelling and acting career, his Ironman journey, and what the future holds for him.

Palash Sen and his band Euphoria performed a high-energy feat at the fest, attracting unmatched energy and nostalgia from the crowd. They invited the audience to join in during their performance of timeless favorites such as “Maeri” and made the event an interactive, surreal activity. Indie electronic rock band Roohani and famed Pune hip-hop group StreetBeats also contributed to the music scene of the event with their spectacular performances.

Meanwhile, Abhishek Upmanyu and Karunesh Talwar brought the house down with spectacularly hilarious stand-up comedy. The material shared was unique, giving CONNECT attendees access to exclusive entertainment programs not found elsewhere.

Adding even more exhilaration to the fest, FITTR felicitated the winners of the 17th FITTR Transformation Challenge during the event. Acing the rigorous 12-week fitness challenge, Gaurav Jha and Neha Karmarkar emerged victorious in the male and female categories, respectively. As a celebration of their persistence, they were rewarded with cash prizes worth ₹3,00,000 each.

Commenting on the event, Jitendra Chouksey, the Founder and CEO of FITTR, said, “The CONNECT Fest was received well by the fitness community, and we are elated to see our family of fitness enthusiasts grow even bigger. At FITTR, we are continually committed to furthering our vision of creating a healthier India by coming up with innovative and fun ways in which people can pursue fitness. Furthermore, we are overwhelmed with the response we received for our 17th Transformation Challenge and really delighted to see the performance of the winners. We are positive that these challenges provide more people with the much-needed nudge towards transforming into their fittest selves.”

5 Notable Business Titans Who Revolutionised the World of Technology

The task of compiling a list of the top tech innovators in the industry and beyond is challenging. Great leaders do not have an easy road to success or come from wealthy families with enormous business inheritances. New prospects and bigger endeavors can only be made possible by sheer persistence and enthusiasm for innovation.

The ability to inspire people and having a clear vision that others can believe in are only two of the qualities that create a successful leader. Excellent leadership is the only way to create long-term success. The most influential IT pioneers are listed below.

Hervé Tessler, President & Chief Operations Officer at NOVENTIQ

A global senior executive with decades of international experience in US publicly traded corporations, Tessler’s rich experience has helped him in building diverse, high-performing teams across multiple geographies and functions at Noventiq. Tessler is an expert at driving results and leading initiatives on a global scale to transform international operations and company-wide functions. Tessler’s last position was Executive Vice President, President of International Operations at Xerox, which he held between 2017 and 2020. In this capacity, Tessler played an instrumental role in shaping Xerox’s strategy leading operational teams across more than 150 countries in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, Latin America, Eurasian countries, and India. During his stint at Xerox, he held several other senior management roles, including Head of Operations in Central and Eastern Europe, Israel, and Turkey; President of Xerox’s affiliate in Brazil; COO of Latin America; President of Developing Markets Operations and President of Corporate Operations.

Jesal Doshi, Deputy Chief Executive Officer at B Medical Systems

Mr. Jesal Doshi, Deputy CEO of B Medical Systems, a global medical refrigeration device manufacturer, possesses a wealth of knowledge in private equity, economic insights, and corporate strategy. Since joining the company in 2015, Mr. Doshi has developed and implemented several initiatives that have transformed B Medical Systems from a regional/niche player to one of the most innovative companies in the medical refrigeration industry. Mr. Doshi was instrumental in the strategic geographic expansion of B Medical Systems into the United States and has launched numerous initiatives to help the company foray into new markets and customer segments, thereby contributing significantly to the growth of B Medical Systems.

Before joining B Medical Systems, Mr. Jesal Doshi worked in private equity, managing investments exceeding $300M. He moved from private equity to B Medical Systems with a vision to save lives and have a lasting impact. He has also been on the boards of several companies in India, Malaysia, Singapore, Europe, and the US. He has lived and worked across India, South East Asia, Europe, and the US

Vikas Jain, Co-founder at World of Play

Vikas Jain is the Co-Founder of PLAY, an Indian consumer technology brand working on a mission to equip consumers with state-of-the-art, trendy & futuristic, smart-hearables, on the back of the elegant design and premium quality. At the helm of the technologically advanced company, Vikas oversees critical functions & spearheads the customer’s journey with PLAY. Vikas plays an active role in defining the company’s vision and growth strategy while also being the chief mentor.

After completing his Mechanical Engineering from New Delhi in 1996, Vikas has in the past worked with global MNCs like TELCO, Daewoo Motors, and GE Transportation, USA. Before establishing his latest venture in the smart IoT ecosystem with PLAY, Vikas, in the year 2000, also co-founded Micromax, the leading consumer brand in India. With close to 25 years of combined experience in the startup ecosystem and the engineering industry, he ensures that PLAY consistently moves forth on its growth trajectory and reflects upon its vision to provide a differentiated consumer experience to its customers.

Aakrit, Vaish, Co-Founder & CEO of Haptik

The co-Founder & CEO of Haptik, Aakrit pioneered conversational AI in India as early as 2013. Today, Haptik is one of the world’s largest companies in the space, with offices in New York, Los Angeles, Mumbai, Singapore, and clients that include names such as including KFC, Starhub, Zurich Insurance, Ola Cabs, Hotstar, Oyo Rooms, Kotak Life. In April 2019, Reliance Industries acquired a majority share in the company in a $100 million transaction making Haptik one of the highest-valued AI companies globally.

Outside of Haptik, Aakrit is an investor in startups in the areas of consumer/consumer tech and B2B SaaS. Notable investments include Unacademy (valued at >$200 million), Pepper Content, Park+, Flat White Capital, Third Wave Coffee, Ayoconnect, Boxhub, Dataweave, Haikujam (Lightbox backed), Flatchat (sold to Commonfloor in 2014), Tookitaki, Dil Mil, Ayopop, iON Energy, Talent Litmus, among others.

Nilesh Gupta, Director at Vijay Sales

Nilesh Gupta is the Managing Director at Vijay sales. This leading Indian electronics retail store chain strives to give its customers the best value, the best products, and the best customer service in the industry. In his present capacity, he oversees the company’s e-commerce operations. In his current capacity, he spearheads the responsibility of directing and controlling the overall operations at the enterprise, which involves giving strategic guidance and direction to the board to ensure that Vijay Sales achieves its financial vision, mission, and long-term goals.

A graduate in BE electronics from the DY Patil Engineering College, Navi Mumbai, Nilesh is a second-generation entrepreneur who gained his onsite experience over the years at various company outlets and went on to manage over 100 stores. He has been instrumental in the company’s meteoric rise. Under his leadership, Vijay’s sales have managed to grow rapidly while expanding across several metros, competing with big-ticket players and transforming itself numerous times in accordance with the shifting business landscape. Nilesh attributes the success of his venture to the dedication and excellence of his employees. Going forward, he envisions registering a 50% surge in the annual turnover of his enterprise through online sales and branching out more than 200 stores across different cities.

Drivio, a digital-first omnichannel two-wheeler financing platform in making, raises $ 1 million in seed funding

New Delhi, 26th  December 2022: Drivio, a digital-first omnichannel two-wheeler financing platform in making, has raised $ 1 million in its seed funding round from Karini Ventures and Vansun Capital. Drivio is co-founded by Saurabh Tripathi and Ankur Bhardwaj who have notable credentials for disrupting Used Car Finance at CarDekho. Headquartered in Gurugram and incorporated in April 2022, Drivio is resolved to disrupt the existing two-wheeler finance market by offering an innovative tech-based financing service to avail quick and hassle-free loans within a few clicks.

Elaborating about investing in Drivio, Karini Ventures’ spokesperson said, “Seeing the increasing use of technology in every field it is evident that fintech is the present and future of the banking and financing sector. Fintech start-ups like Drivio are evolving and set to play a larger role in the sector with the innovation they have to offer. We liked the concept of supporting two-wheeler buyers with an easy and quick financing solution by Drivio. We look forward to working closely with Drivio to challenge the existing norms of the two-wheeler finance market in India.”  

Speaking about the seed fundraising, Mr. Saurabh Tripathi, Co-founder, and CEO, Drivio, said, “Drivio aims to solve the financing problems that two-wheeler buyers face in the country. Funding support from Karini Ventures and Vansun Capital will further strengthen our vision and help us to build a robust platform to reach out to the maximum number of potential two-wheeler buyers and offer them the best financing services and loan options. We plan to utilize the funds to further enhance the product and expand the services across the country.”

Drivio has been getting tremendous responses from two-wheeler customers owing to its fast and easy financing service. The platform has already partnered and is in talks with several leading banks and financial organizations to ensure a quick, easy, transparent, and hassle-free loan processing experience for its customers.

According to industry estimations, two-wheeler sales are expected to cross 1.8 crore in FY23 and are set to reach over 2.8 crore by FY27 growing at 12% CAGR. Drivio operates in this promising finance market for two-wheelers which are also expected to grow at a CAGR of 26% to reach INR 2 lakh crore by end of FY27. In these encouraging circumstances, Drivio is expecting to clock INR 100Cr+ in two-wheeler loans in the next 12 months.

Pic source:  Point One Communications

Delhi Transport Corporation signs a definitive agreement with Tata Motors’ subsidiary for operating 1500 electric buses

Bengaluru, 26 December 2022: Tata Motors, India’s largest commercial vehicle manufacturer, today announced that Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) has signed a definitive agreement with its fully owned subsidiary, TML CV Mobility Solutions Ltd. for operation of 1500 electric buses in the city of New Delhi. As part of the agreement, TML CV Mobility Solutions Ltd. will supply, operate and maintain 1500 units of 12-metre low-floor air-conditioned electric buses for a period 12 years. Tata Starbus EV is an indigenously developed vehicle with superior design and best-in-class features for sustainable and comfortable commutes.

Commenting on the announcement, Ms. Shilpa Shinde, IAS, Managing Director, Delhi Transport Corporation said, “We are pleased to have signed an agreement for the largest order of 1500 electric buses in Delhi. This is a significant step towards embracing electric mobility in the capital city. The induction of zero-emission, noise-free buses will greatly help in improving the city’s air quality. The new buses will also immensely benefit the commuters with its ultra-modern features and comfortable seating.”

Commenting on the occasion, Mr. Asim Kumar Mukhopadhyay, Chairman, TML CV Mobility Solutions Limited said, “It is indeed a historic occasion for us as we sign a definitive agreement for the country’s largest electric bus order. Our relationship with DTC, which stands strong for over a decade, is based on the foundation of mutual trust and cooperation and this order will further strengthen it. We are confident that the electric buses will provide sustainable, safe and comfortable public transportation to the commuters of Delhi.”

Tata Motors’ state-of-the-art research and development facilities have steadily worked to engineer innovative mobility solutions powered by alternate fuel technology, including battery-electric, hybrid, CNG, LNG, and Hydrogen Fuel Cell technology. Till date, Tata Motors has supplied more than 730 electric buses across multiple cities in India, which have cumulatively clocked more than 55 million kilometres, with an uptime of over 95%.