Archive: March 1, 2023

TPREL and ISS India join hands to promote Clean and Sustainable Energy Solutions in Facility Management Space

Bangalore, 1st March 2023: Tata Power Renewable Energy Limited (TPREL), a subsidiary of Tata Power and one of the most significant renewable energy players in the country, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with ISS Global, a leading workplace experience and facility management company, committing to a common goal of promoting clean and sustainable energy solutions. This collaboration aims to power all the campuses of ISS India with green energy and implement TPREL’s green solutions and products to make a sustainable lifestyle accessible to all.

The MoU was signed by Mr. Ashish Khanna, CEO, of Tata Power Renewable Energy Limited and Jacob Aarup-Andersen, Group CEO of ISS A/S, and Aksh Rohatgi, CEO & Country Manager of ISS India. The agreement was presented at a joint business conference, which took place in New Delhi as part of the Danish Royal visit to India.

This strategic collaboration aims at encouraging a cleaner and greener future for India with Tata Power Renewable Energy Limited supplying reliable and cost-effective power through open access and rooftop solutions. It will cover a wide range of facilities, including commercial and industrial properties, data centers, and various real estate asset classes, and support ISS India in converting all its clients’ portfolios to green energy within a stipulated time period.

Mr. Ashish Khanna, CEO, Tata Power Renewable Energy Limited, said, “Mr. Ashish Khanna, CEO, Tata Power Renewable Energy Limited, said, “We, at Tata Power Renewables, are unwavering in our commitment to offering clean energy products and solutions to promote a sustainable lifestyle. Through this partnership with ISS India, we look forward to accomplishing our mutual goal of a sustainable future in the expanding facilities management industry. This will also support Tata Power’s goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2045.”

Additionally, the collaboration will also promote sustainable lifestyles through IoT-based home automation products, allowing the control and operation of electrical devices from anywhere through a mobile app or voice control. The partnership will also provide innovative solar rooftop solutions to maximize savings on energy bills and enable seamless electric mobility through the installation and annual maintenance of EV charging points, accessible through a mobile app.

As part of its ESG roadmap, Tata Power is working towards becoming carbon net zero by 2045. The company also aspires to achieve a clean energy portfolio of 80% by 2030 and 100% before 2045 and is committed to becoming 100% water neutral and zero waste to landfill before 2030.

Talking about the partnership, Jacob Aarup-Andersen, Group CEO of ISS A/S said, “At ISS, we recognize the full scope of the ongoing climate and environmental crisis. And we are strongly committed to carrying out our operations and delivering our services in a sustainable way. As one of ISS Group’s key markets and an important player in the APAC region, India holds significant potential for addressing the challenge of climate change and advancing sustainable solutions. We are confident that our collaboration with Tata Power will have a meaningful impact and help India achieve its sustainability goals. At the same time, it will contribute significantly to ISS’s commitment of reaching full-scope net zero emissions by 2040, including our full supply chain.”

Aksh Rohatgi, CEO and Country Manager of ISS India, said, “At ISS India, we are unwavering in our commitment to addressing climate change and driving sustainability. As we work towards a net-zero future, it is essential that we partner with organizations that share our vision and bring complementary strengths to the table. Our collaboration with Tata Power Renewable is a critical part of our sustainability strategy, allowing us to guide our clients toward a more sustainable future and provide them with access to smart, eco-friendly solutions. With Tata Power Renewable’s expertise in the energy sector and ISS’s experience in providing smart solutions and services in the facility management sector, we are confident that this partnership will not only leverage our collective expertise, resources, and networks to accelerate progress toward a more sustainable future but also it embodies our mission of connecting people and places to make the world a better place.”

A crucial part of ISS’s sustainability strategy towards net zero greenhouse gas emissions within scopes 1 and 2 by 2030 and full-scope net zero emissions by 2040. ISS’s association with Tata Power Renewable demonstrates its dedication to being recognised among the best environmental leaders and a catalyst for real change in its industry.

ISS Facility Services India is a subsidiary of the global facility management services and workplace experiences leader ISS A/S (ISS Group).

Aditya Birla Capital Limited collaborates with NPCI to develop and promote digital payments

Bangalore, March 1, 2023 : Aditya Birla Capital Ltd (ABCL), the holding company for the financial services businesses of the Aditya Birla Group (“Aditya Birla Capital”) announced its collaboration with National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) to develop and promote digital payment methods through subsidiaries to its customers.

This collaboration marks entry of Aditya Birla Capital into payments space through its operating subsidiaries and envisages faster adoption of the new technologies in collaboration with NPCI and its subsidiaries with an objective to promote digital payments.

Mr. Pankaj Gadgil, Head Digital Platforms and Analytics, Aditya Birla Capital “We are delighted to partner with NPCI to offer a complete set of digital payment options to our customers. It is our intention to offer a comprehensive suite of financial solutions to our customers and the digital payment solutions is a significant addition to the financial services portfolio offerings. This gets us closer to becoming a one stop shop for all finance needs of our customers. We will create distinctive propositions for existing customers of Aditya Birla Capital and also focus on acquiring new customers from market. Given the group’s focus on building presence across products, we foresee a huge potential to target the requirements of untapped customers. Our foray into digital Payments in partnership with NPCI will give us the competitive edge to offer a frictionless digital payment experience to our customers”

Ms. Praveena Rai, Chief Operating Officer at NPCI, said, “NPCI has always looked to expand the digital payments universe and bring more and more netizens/ citizens into it. For us, it has always been about seamless, simple digital payments experience to all of India and beyond. As Aditya Birla Capital embarks on their journey into payments, the partnership enables both of us to leverage each other’s strengths and expertise to create value and enhance the overall customer experience. This shall bring all of the offerings of Aditya Birla Capital and its subsidiaries together, driving access to financial services and financial inclusion.”

LG inks a strategic sales partnership with Times Prime for assured benefits for its customers

New Delhi, March 1, 2023: Two giant consumer brands, LG and Times Prime today announce their coming together for a strategic partnership for their “Assured Benefits Carnival,” where the electronic giant will gift Times Prime Annual Membership to its customers on purchase of any “Side by Side Refrigerator”.

Upon product purchase, customers will receive a voucher code for the Times Prime annual membership with access to a wide range of benefits from premium & popular brands such as Disney+ Hotstar, SonyLIV, Cricbuzz Plus, Gaana Plus, EazyDiner, ET Prime, TOI+,and many more. This one-stop shop also provides exclusive offers and discounts over Rs.60,000 on your favorite brands such as Myntra, Uber, Chaayos, Pizza Hut, Starbucks, etc.

Speaking on the latest collaboration of the brand, Harshita Singh, Business Head of Times Prime said, “The aim of this strategic partnership is to enrich the offering bouquet of an appliance leader like LG with Times Prime’s holistic ecosystem of all lifestyle brands under one app. This wholesome nature of our app integrated with an umbrella of offerings by LG is bound to benefit both brands for sales and engagement.”.”

Commenting on the same, Deepak Bansal- VP-Home Appliances & Air Conditioners said, “Post Covid-19 we are witnessing impressive growth in premium product categories as there is increase in discretionary spend and consumers are looking to upgrade their Home Appliances Purchases, Apart from offering best in class technology we also wanted to offer good prepositions to consumers. To further present our consumers with great offers, LG unveiled unique deals for people who wish to upgrade to high-capacity refrigerators. We believe that these offers will further enhance the user’s experience of our premium lineup ofside by side refrigerators.”

As one of the most preferred lifestyle super-apps, Times Prime offers an extensive range of benefits on a single platform, from shopping to entertainment and lifestyle brands like Starbucks, Myntra, Uber, Disney+ Hotstar, SonyLIV, Google One, and many more. Times Prime positions itself as a unique Super App that curates subscriptions and benefits besides elevating lifestyle with superior & exclusive access to global brands and experiences. The campaign is designed to create a sense of urgency and dramatize the importance of availing the benefits of Times Prime subscription.

Home Credit India unveils Holi campaign with new digital AV under Zindagi Hit! brand thought

Hyderabad/New Delhi,  Home Credit India (HCIN), a local arm of the leading global consumer finance provider, today launched the third campaign under its ‘Zindagi Hit!’ brand thought. In the run-up to the Holi festival, the new digital AV showcases Home Credit as an enabler towards fulfilling consumer aspirations and helping them lead a life of financial independence. The value proposition of Home Credit India’s campaign centres on traits such as optimism, progress, trustworthiness, transparency, and that of an enabler, making it a brand of choice when it comes to consumer loans.

This campaign is an effort to have sustained brand connect with Home Credit consumers and potential loans seekers. Home Credit India had launched its new brand thought “Zindagi Hit!”, during Diwali in October last year. It was followed up with the second leg of the brand campaign – ‘Khushiyon Mein Der Kaisi’ – launched in December.

The narrative of the new digital campaign revolves around a mother-son relationship where a mother is disheartened as neither her son is able to visit her on Holi nor is she able to video call him as her phone is broken. The worried son, while strolling in the market, spots a local mobile shop promoting Home Credit finance. The mobile retailer suggests him to get a new phone financed in lieu of a small amount. Herein lies the value of Home Credit, who financially empowers borrowers through easy and hassle-free loans that bring to reality every wish & aspiration. The video ends with the son gifting his mother a new smartphone and affirming to her that it has been bought ethically (“izzat se liya hai”). With Home Credit, he has found a new hope and confidence in being able to give a better life to his family.

Speaking on the new campaign under ‘Zindagi Hit!’ brand thought, Ashish Tiwari, Chief Marketing Officer, Home Credit India, said, “The narrative of this new brand campaign hinges on accessibility, convenience, and trust. The brand thought ‘Zindagi Hit!’ aims to foster financial freedom to millions of people and help them celebrate all moments of life with respect. Home Credit believes loan is an empowerment for right use cases and we are focused on addressing the unmet credit needs of our customers by combining the convenience of varied financing options such as EMI Card to transparency and accessibility.”

The brand campaign is live across all Home Credit’s social media channels such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn.

The brand is trusted by 1.5Cr+ customers and 50,000+ retail partner network pan-India. As a responsible consumer lender, Home Credit India has also engaged with more than 3 million individuals through its financial literacy campaign – Paise Ki Paathshala – to foster a responsible borrowing culture in society at large.

EaseMyAI raises Rs 1.8 Cr in Seed Round led by Inflection Point Ventures

1st, March 2023, Mumbai: EaseMyAI raised Rs 1.8 Cr in a Seed round led by Inflection Point Ventures (IPV). Started with an aim to develop innovative products with AI adoption, EaseMyAI emphasizes on creating simple, user-friendly products with drag & drop options to empower businesses to customize their solutions. This approach can help make AI more accessible to businesses of all sizes and sectors.

EaseMyAI has developed a product specializing in the automation of operations and processes, which is scalable and easy to deploy. The Company has filed a patent for an AI-based operating system. This will help businesses streamline their operations and improve their efficiency through automation, reducing costs, increasing productivity, and enhancing the quality of their services.

Madhukar Bhardwaj, VP, BD & Investments Inflection Point Ventures, says, “Majority of the companies, be it small or large, use CCTV or physical staff to do manual monitoring of safety, compliance and operations which is prone to error, cost ineffective and not scalable. EaseMyAI is tapping into this segment and is at the forefront of tech adoption using its computer vision and AI solutions across sectors thus accelerating rapid AI adoption. Their solutions and the platform is highly scalable and empowers companies with much smaller operations or even large ones with legacy systems to be next-gen tech ready thereby helping them grow faster.”

EaseMyAI provides this Robotic Process Automation (RPA) using computer vision and AI to automate repetitive tasks and reduce dependency on manpower. In Robotic process automation, AI has the decision-making power, making the platform effectively manage operations and compliance.

Gagan Randhawa, CEO, EaseMyAI, says, “Our vision is to create a family of tools so that enterprise customers can quickly & easily go for process automation. We are working on a smart centralized platform that helps customers to automate and monitor all processes online. If you want to get something done, first do it on your own and create an example for the team. IPV is more like a partner in growth where they not only helped us with funding but helped us in planning market strategy and connecting to potential business owners and made our journey relatively easier.”

Al in the computer vision market is estimated to grow from $15.9 billion to $51.3 billion by 2026, at a CAGR of 26.3%. The growing need for quality inspection and automation, increasing demand for computer vision systems in non-traditional and emerging applications, and rising need for ASICs are the key factors driving the growth of the market.

EaseMyAI has catered to over 30 clients with some marquee names like Hitachi, Ericsson, Mundra Port, ICICI Bank, Standard Chartered Bank, and Treasure Inc. (a Japanese entity). Raising funds for growth, they are planning to further expand catering clients in Sri Lanka, UAE, Japan, and Singapore directly and the rest of the world through partners.

Scaler Topics, a Free Learn to Code Platform garners over 1.5 lakh learner registrations

Mumbai, 1st March 2023: With the significant uptick in demand for skilled professionals in the country, Scaler, one of India’s fastest-growing tech upskilling startups, recently launched ‘Scaler Topics’, a gamified free learn-to-code platform that can provide quality technical content for anyone interested in software-related subjects. Since its pilot launch five months ago, Scaler Topics currently witnesses a monthly average of 20 lakh users interacting with video courses from Scaler’s top instructors from top tech companies like Google, Facebook, etc., and reading articles written by tech veterans. The platform continues to show over 50% month-over-month growth.

The ‘Scaler Topics platform provides streamlined technical content across all fields related to tech, data science, and machine learning for individuals passionate about learning and building a career in many in-demand domains with assisted videos from mentors, even with no prior knowledge in their chosen field. In addition to the video courses, the platform provides a wide range of free material to software enthusiasts through interactive challenges, events, contests, and detailed article threads by industry experts. With gamification inherently built into the user experience, Scaler intends to provide an interactive platform of convenience for learners. Industry veterans with an in-depth understanding of the skills required for budding software professionals conduct regular masterclass sessions on various topics, including C++, Java, SQL, Data Science, Machine Learning, and Python. The platform garners over 90 million monthly search impressions, seeing over 100,000 daily users. It hosts over 4500 articles created by industry experts, 25+ video courses from top Scaler Instructors who have been industry veterans, and 3000+ interactive challenges to learn and compete. Over 150,000 users have signed up for free courses on the Scaler Topics platform.

Abhimanyu Saxena, Co-founder, InterviewBit & Scaler, said, There is a daunting challenge to democratise tech education in the country. Over 2 million jobs in AI, cybersecurity, and blockchains are expected to remain unfilled in 2023. Due to the inaccessibility of quality content, particularly coding skills in demand in the tech industry, it is essential to provide a comprehensive learning platform that is understandable even for a Class 10 student from any part of the country. It was our thought process behind developing Scaler Topics. Offering well-researched live sessions, ideated and conducted by industry experts having worked at top tech companies for free, is the first step in this direction. With this program, we want to broaden our horizon by making quality technical content available to any tech aspirants in any part of the country to receive the required support during their learning journey. Scaler Topics allows us to demonstrate key pillars of Scaler’s teaching philosophy: Structured curriculum, from people who have been there done that, high quality, comprehensiveness.”

Scaler had also recently launched a mobile app on Google Play Store called ‘Learn Programming-Scaler’, a one-stop solution for a tech professional’s learning and upskilling needs, allowing learners to experience Scaler’s quality teaching, watch courses, read articles from the comfort of their mobile device as well. Scaler Topics content and other genres, including access to various upcoming regional events, provide an immersive learning experience by allowing users to learn on the go in their preferred medium. The company has also introduced Scaler coins, which can be earned by reading articles, solving coding challenges, and multiple-choice questions on topics that interest them. These coins can be redeemed for Scaler merchandise like t-shirts, mugs, diaries, top tech books, and scholarships for its Scaler Academy and Scaler Data Science & Machine Learning (DSML) courses.

Scaler has witnessed significant growth and progress in the last year, with the startup continuing to maintain a consistent month-over-month growth of 15 percent. The tech player achieved a $710 million valuation with a $55 million Series B funding, which helped Scaler focus on multiple key business areas. During the year, the startup forayed into the US market, launched first-of-its-kind co-living campuses, strengthened its leadership team, and launched a master’s program.

Bengal witnessing a flood of Start-Ups which is an Index of bubbling confidence, say entrepreneurs

KOLKATA, March 1: The key to the success of businesses in Bengal lies in cultivating a never-say-die attitude and depending on the entrepreneur’s grit and determination to overcome obstacles even as the administration endeavours to hand-hold investors to the best of its ability, entrepreneurs, young and old, established and fledgling, agreed in a panel discussion titled BRANDS OF BENGAL, organised by TV9 Bangla on February 25, 2023.

The exercise was a part of TV9 Bangla’s endeavour to facilitate and stimulate brainstorming on issues that confront the state. In the past, TV9 Bangla has held a unique telethon on Bangaliana, or what constitutes Bengaliness and a trade fair to create a platform to bring together marketers and consumers across diverse product categories.

As many as 20 entrepreneurs from the state were felicitated for their business journeys and contribution to society.

Sujit Bose, minister in charge of department of fire and emergency services, who attended the event, congratulated TV9 Bangla for arranging discussions on topics that could inspire a few minds to embark on the path of entrepreneurship eschewing traditional job-seeking tendency. On this occasion, he also unveiled the Coffee Table Book on “Brands of Bengal” by TV9 Bangla.

Divided into four panels, the participants enthusiastically and animatedly discussed topics that were inextricably linked with the investment climate of the state. These were “Banglai byabshar sahajpath (Ease of Doing Business in Bengal)”, “Banglai Start-up: somosshya o sombhabona (Start-ups in Bengal: Problems and Prospects)”, “Banglar Shilpa: Kaal, Aaj, Kaal (Business of Bengal: Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow)” and “Banglar shilpe medhar akal? (Bengal’s Industry Heading For Talent Drought?)”.

“On the parameter of ease of doing business, I feel Bengal has everything, but it lacks in the essential skill of projecting itself. Promoting the product and the brand in the market is the need of the hour. Bengal is rich in intellect, has a pool of talent in academics, culture and sports. Perhaps we are too harsh in criticising ourselves,” said Shankha Ghosh, Group CEO, Techno India Group.

“A good number of start-ups have started operating in Bengal in the past few years. More than 3,000 start-ups were registered to take the state to the fifth position in India. In the year 2020, during Covid, more than 30,000 companies were registered. Had there been lack of confidence among the local youths, so many initiatives wouldn’t have been launched,” argued Abhinav Gupta, Founder & MD, KGA Home Appliances.

Arun Kumar Dasgupta, principal, Bharatiya Vidya Bhawan mentioned how they regularly inspire their students to come up with business ideas and how several of them have already been accepted for seed funding.

Manoj Khosla, Founder & MD, Khosla Electronics said, “The government should come forward for facilitating entrepreneurs so that manufacturing can flourish. The ecosystem, thus, will generate business and increasing ease of business will help the investor take it forward. Bengal was initially an agrarian state, but now with IT, software, and designers coming on board, the mentality is changing. The society has to build skilled workers to help industry.”

“Small and ancillary industries should support each other to help scale up. The workers would also benefit from such an ecosystem. Bengal has cheap labour and raw material is easily available. Ease of business is growing in the state providing a fillip to expansion of business,” said Pradip Kumar Shaw, MD, Lancet Pharmaceuticals.

Dr Sujoy Ranjan Deb, director, Kolkata Heart Lung Centre & Research Institute remarked, “There is a demand for trained doctors, nurses and paramedical staff. Bengal was number one in the past, but recently a lot of people have migrated to the Southern states for treatment and medical facilities. Trained workforce can bring back the health business in our state. The post-Covid era provides us opportunity to set up heart, lungs, kidney centres and wellness clinics for which there is demand in Bengal.”

Echoing Dr Deb, the honorary secretary of Saroj Gupta, Cancer Centre and Research Institute Anjan Gupta agreed that meeting the demand of skilled employees and super-specialty medical practitioners has become a need of the hour to prevent movement of people to other states for treatment.

“To push the young generation towards business as a career goal, the family has to play a vital role,” asserted Rana Deb, founder and chairman, Modern Institute of Engineering & Technology. “The government should assist with cooperation, promotion and encouragement so that more startups can blossom in the state,” he added.

Himadri Shekhar Patra, MD, Baffeto, who launched a food delivery app a year and half ago in the state vouched that with a little grit and clarity of vision, one can even rise from a humble background to successfully nurture a business. He gave his own example to highlight that he would shortly employ about 2,000 youths to spread his business in a few districts of Bengal.

“TV9 Bangla Brands of Bengal rides the authenticity, accountability and trust that TV9 Bangla enjoys. We are honouring those who have achieved and are striving for excellence in their respective fields,” said Amritanshu Bhattacharya, managing editor, TV9 Bangla.

The institutions/entrepreneurs whose contribution to society were recognised includes the awardees and categories in the following:

Modern Institute of Engineering Technology (MIET) – Brand Excellence in Education (Engineering)

Lancet Pharmaceuticals- Brand Excellence in Pharmaceuticals

Baffeto – Brand Excellence in Food Delivery App

Dr Prakash Mallick – Brand Excellence in Homeopathy

SRMB – Brand Excellence in Infrastructure

JBG Hexa – Brand Excellence in Real Estate Ancillary

Khosla Electronics – Brand Excellence in Multi-Brand Electronics Retail Chain

KGA Home Appliances – Brand Excellence in Home Appliances and Televisions

Panjabi Museum and Sareer Hut – Brand Excellence in Ethnic Wear

Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan – Brand Excellence in Education

JIS Group – Brand Excellence in Education Conglomerate

Adi Mohini Mohan Kanjilal – Brand Excellence in Sarees and Contemporary Fashion

Sister Nivedita University (SNU) – Brand Excellence in Private University

Indian Institute of Hotel Management (IIHM) – Brand Excellence in Hospitality Management

Dr Sohini Sastri – Brand Excellence in Life Coaching and Motivation

Saburi Plywoods – Brand Excellence in Product Innovation

Kolkata Heart Lung Centre & Research Institute (KHLC) – Brand Excellence in Hospital (Cardiac and Pulmonology)

Saroj Gupta Cancer Centre and Research Institute – Brand Excellence in Cancer Treatment in Eastern India

Sasta Arogya – Brand Excellence in Pharmacy

Rumpa Jewellery – Brand Excellence in Gold Plated Jewellery

Watch TV9 Bangla Brands of Bengal on 5th March from 4 pm onwards.

Transfer of Renewable Energy assets from NTPC Limited to NTPC Green Energy Limited

Bangalore, March 01, 2023: Under the aegis of the National Monetization Pipeline of Govt. of India, NTPC Limited (“NTPC”) completed the closing of the transactions in relation to consolidating its Renewable Energy (“RE”) portfolio under one umbrella entity i.e., NTPC Green Energy Limited (“NGEL”), on February 28, 2023.

This is a transfer of RE assets/ entities owned by NTPC to NGEL, its wholly-owned subsidiary, incorporated on April 07, 2022.

The transactions comprised of transfer of 15 RE Assets, through a Business Transfer Agreement (BTA), and the transfer of 100% equity shareholding of NTPC Renewable Energy Limited (“NREL”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of NTPC, through a Share Purchase Agreement (SPA), executed on July 08, 2022.

This scheme has been implemented as a part of the corporate business plan of the group to provide an impetus to its focus on achieving the 60 GW RE capacity target by FY32.