Archive: March 22, 2023

Contemporary Connect eyes long-term growth plans; launches Dubai operations

India, March 22, 2022: Leading image and talent management agency Contemporary Connect is all set to scale its services internationally with the opening of its office in Dubai. The brand’s founder and CEO Ms Meher Gupta feels global expansion is the need of the hour for the company to meet the changing trends and digital evolution of the communication industry.

Incepted in 2014 in New Delhi, Contemporary Connect started with an aim to provide a 360-degree one-stop platform for brands to have luxury branding and image management solutions. Their services include right from design, strategy, website building and management, social media campaigns, placements and sales, event management, and talent management to press and media management. Within a short period, they have onboarded several reputed clients across the globe in their remarkable portfolio that have patronages like Dubai-based skincare & haircare brand Skin Story, West Indies cricketer Carlos Brathwaite, celebrity doctors from team Voice of Health, industrialist Shreekant Somany, luxury clothing brand Frontier Raas among others. The company has also been able to attract an impressive clientele of millennial and Gen Z entrepreneurs by integrating innovative business strategies and work approach.

“Our growth plan is long-term and we want to grow step by step. We started within our market and got a strong hold over it before we go further on an international scale. Our first global expansion kicked off with Dubai. We believe the growth trajectory in cities like Dubai is still intact and we intend to grow fast in the region. Moreover, as one of the globe’s most connected cities, Dubai will provide us the access to key markets and emerging economies in the Middle East, South Asia and Africa. I’m excited to work with clients to develop long-term, comprehensive branding strategies that work,” said Ms Meher Gupta, Founder and CEO, Contemporary Connect.

In the post-pandemic era communication industry has gone through a sea change. The industry is trying to jive with the emotional states of the clients. Consumers are looking out for positive and humorous content as they are escaping from the monotony of staying remote. Presence on social media has become integral. Similarly, ads and campaigns are crafted with a touch of wit, entertainment and relationship-building focus. Consumers these days love brands that have great storytelling skills. Brands are trying to develop narratives that evoke emotions from consumers.

“We have also tailored our strategies to stay relevant with the changing times. Our highly efficient team are now developing narratives that have a human and sensitive message to connect with people. As there is a growing need to humanise the message, we have also ventured into influencer marketing to create a more relatable tone. Businesses have also realised how crucial it is to improve internal communication to deal with uncertainty. In addition to fostering internal harmony and trust, we kept customers at the heart of whatever strategies we implemented. And this thought helped us to generate impressive leads for the brands,” she added.

Axis Mutual Fund launches Axis S&P 500 ETF Fund of Fund

New Delhi, March 22, 2023: Axis Mutual Fund, one of the fastest growing fund houses in India, announced the launch of their New Fund Offer – Axis S&P 500 ETF Fund of Fund (an open-ended fund of fund investing in Exchange Traded Funds replicating S&P 500 TRI, subject to tracking errors). The new fund will adhere to the S&P 500 TRI (INR) benchmark. Mr. Vinayak Jayanath would be managing the fund and the minimum investment amount is Rs. 500 and in multiples of Re. 1/- thereafter. The exit load is as mentioned below:

· If redeemed/switched out within 30 Days from the date of allotment – 0.25%

· If redeemed/switched out within 30 Days of allotment – Nil

Understanding a Fund of Fund

, Unlike a regular mutual fund that invests in distinct asset classes, a Fund of Fund invests in schemes of its own or other fund houses. In the case of the international Fund of Funds, the fund manager invests in units of offshore mutual fund schemes by ensuring that the target fund’s investment philosophy and risk profile match with that of the fund’s mandate. Fund of Funds can be an interesting entry point for new as well as seasoned investors. In addition to diversification, investors may also benefit from meticulously structured risk mitigation techniques.

Axis S&P 500 ETF Fund of Fund

Following a passive investment strategy, the Axis S&P 500 ETF Fund of Fund endeavors to invest at least 95% of the net assets in units/shares of overseas Exchange Traded Funds replicating S&P 500 TRI, subject to the availability of Eligible Investment Amount and the remaining in Debt and Money Market investments. The indicative list of overseas Exchange Traded Funds in which the Scheme proposes to invest is as follows

· iShares Core S&P 500 UCITS ETF

· HSBC S&P 500 UCITS ETF

· SPDR® S&P® 500 UCITS ETF

The list of overseas Exchange Traded Funds provided is indicative and the Scheme can invest in any other overseas Exchange Traded Fund which shall have a similar investment objective, investment strategy, and benchmark. (Please refer to SID for detailed Asset Allocation & Investment Strategy and other scheme-related features available at www.axismf.com)

Therefore, the investment objective of the newly launched fund is to replicate the performance of the S&P 500 TRI by investing in Exchange Traded Funds replicating S&P 500 TRI, subject to tracking errors. However, there can be no assurance that the investment objective of the Scheme will be achieved. Given the mutual fund structure, investors can look to invest through various systematic options like SIPs, STPs & lumpsum investments.

Some Key Attributes of the Fund include:

· Global Exposure: Since the S&P 500 index tracks the performance of 500 large companies listed on the US stock exchange, investors can gain global exposure. Furthermore, the index evolves as the US markets evolve with changing sectoral dynamics

· Sector Agnostic Representation: The Index potentially aims to provide broad-based exposure across all sectors

· Low-Cost Passive Exposure: Avenue to take low-cost exposure in the US market and also potentially benefit from INR depreciation

Chandresh Nigam, MD & CEO, of Axis AMC, said, “ETFs are soon becoming popular amongst the various vehicles of investing in passive strategies in India. In India, Fund of Funds can be considered as an interesting entry point for investors with a longer investment horizon and who wish to diversify their portfolio from a global standpoint. With the launch of the Axis S&P 500 ETF Fund of Fund, we are seamlessly enabling global exposure through passive strategies. The new scheme’s approach aligns with our philosophy of ‘Responsible Investing’ and we believe, will be a notable addition to our portfolio of products.”

The NFO opens for subscription from March 22, 2023, to April 05, 2023.

Winners of Huawei APAC ICT Competition 2023 announced

[Jakarta, Indonesia, March  2023] The winners of Huawei APAC ICT Competition 2023 were announced today at an award ceremony hosted in Jakarta, Indonesia. The regional competition attracted more than 4,800 Huawei ICT Academy students as well as teachers from 290 leading universities and colleges from 10 countries. During the ceremony, Indonesia’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology and Huawei committed to continue their collaboration on smart campuses and the digital transformation of education in Indonesia.

Huawei ICT Competition includes the Network and Cloud Tracks, which challenge students’ theoretical knowledge and hands-on ICT skills as well as their ability to work in a team. For its entry in the Network track, University Malaya won the first prize. Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB) and Nanyang Polytechnic claimed the second and third prize in the category. In the Cloud Track, Chinese University of Hong Kong won the first prize, while the second and third prize went to National University of Singapore and ITB. Meanwhile, Tay Bee Sim from Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Nissha Kinaya Maureen Sibayak from ITB and the Cloud track team King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang won the special “Women in Tech” prize, designed to encourage more female engagement in the ICT industry. Winners will take part in the Global Final of Huawei ICT Competition in May 2023.

The Asia-Pacific region is a thriving hub of the digital economy, but it has also witnessed a widening gap in ICT talent. To address this issue, Huawei launched Huawei ICT Competition with the theme of “Connection, Glory, and Future”. Moreover, via its ICT Academy and ICT Competition, Huawei has currently formed partnerships with 290 universities and nurtured over 51,000 digital talents in Asia-Pacific.

Opening the award ceremony, Mr. Zhang Zhengjun, Vice President of Public Affairs and Corporate Communications at Huawei Asia Pacific introduced Huawei’s PIPES talent development model in Asia-Pacific. “Composed of Platforms, Innovation, Professionalism, Experience, and Skills, PIPES is designed to provide tailored training programs to individuals from all walks of life, including the young generation, government officials, ICT practitioners, entrepreneurs, and the general public. With PIPES, we are establishing a robust talent pipeline, not just for ourselves, but also for the digital future of the entire region,” Zhang explained.

Dr. Piti Srisangnam, Executive Director of ASEAN Foundation lauded Huawei for its contribution in driving the digital transformation across the region. “Huawei’s innovative technologies and solutions have paved the way for increased connectivity and digitalization, to help ASEAN countries as the new epicenter for the world’s digital growth.”

In his keynote speech, Gen. (Ret.) Moeldoko, Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office (KSP) underlined that human development has become President Joko Widodo’s priority. Indonesia needs to groom 9 million talented digital youths by 2030. “I warmly welcome Huawei’s initiative to hold the Huawei Asia Pacific ICT competition in Indonesia so that it can further shape the digital ecosystem and motivate digital talent in Indonesia.”

Prof. Ir. Nizam, M.Sc., DIC., Ph.D., IPM., Asean Eng., Director General of Higher Education, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology, the Republic of Indonesia, said, “Huawei ICT Competition can be one of the yardsticks that helps measure our digital talent’s level of global competitiveness. The transformation of technology implies an enhancement of Indonesia’s human capacity to utilize advancements in science and technology. This goes beyond being mere users and entails becoming part of the creation of technology.”

Iona Dominique, a representative from the champion team of last year’s regional Seeds for the Future Program, also shared her takes on digital talent with the officials present.

Vedanta Sesa Goa celebrates International Day of Forests & World Water Day with #SesaForGreenerGood Awareness Campaign

22nd March 2023: Vedanta Sesa Goa on the occasion of International Forests Day and World Water Day reaffirmed its commitment to environmental conservation and sustainable development, by launching an awareness campaign promoting innovations in environment conservation. Vedanta Sesa Goa has highlighted its multiple ecological innovations under its #SesaForGreenerGood philosophy, including sustainable afforestation techniques, commitment to water positivity, and systematic reclamation of Mining areas. The company also highlighted its sustainable mining practices with a look back at its pioneering mine reclamation project of Sanquelim mines. A butterfly garden sits previously among the multiple biodiversity pastures at the reclaimed Sanquelim mines, signifying the transformational journey that is at the heart of the #SesaForGreenerGood philosophy.

Through the awareness campaign, Vedanta Sesa Goa aims to engage stakeholders and promote sustainable industry practices. One of the company’s best practices is the establishment of a root trainer nursery at Codli Mine in the past, which represents a pioneering approach to forest conservation. In the past with a capacity to grow 2 lakh saplings per year, the nursery was capable of meeting the afforestation requirements of all operational locations in Goa for afforestation initiatives. The root trainers used in the nursery help seedlings grow faster when planted in the field. Moreover, the nursery cultivates various native species, including local fruits and forest trees, to promote biodiversity and preserve valuable forests.

Vedanta Sesa Goa has also introduced the innovative Japanese plantation technique, Miyawaki to develop green-belt areas featuring only native species that would occur naturally in the area, given the specific climate conditions. The company has also taken various initiatives toward water conservation and carbon neutrality. These include the use of natural fiber Geo-Textiles made from coir, cotton, jute, etc. These Geotextiles are laid on the dump slopes of mines before the monsoon season to prevent erosion which conserves moisture resulting in better plant growth and spurs the growth of forests. initiative. The company also commissioned waste heat recovery power plants at its value-added Business to effectively utilize waste heat from operations to produce over 60MW of clean power.

Vedanta Sesa Goa launched the SesaForGreenerGood Campaign in May 2022, highlighting its exceptional environmental conservation efforts including biodiversity conservation and systematic mine reclamation measures. The Green Model adopted by the company set new standards for sustainable mine closures. At the Sanquelim mine in Goa, Vedanta Sesa Goa transformed a mine into a thriving biodiversity haven. Various sustainability initiatives were implemented such as Afforestation, a Pisciculture Project, a Nakshatra Garden, a Charak Vatika, a spice plantation, a Butterfly Park, a Bamboo Setum, a Bamboo Pavilion, a Sesa Technical School, and a Sesa Football Academy.

Launching the campaign Mr. Navin Jaju, CEO – of Vedanta Sesa Goa Business said, “Vedanta Sesa Goa’s sustainable business best practices are driven by our philosophy of transformation. We continue to showcase our commitment to preserving the environment for future generations while taking a cue from the spirit of transformation from our decades-long legacy of sustainable, safe, and green best practices. “

Vedanta Sesa Goa has collaborated with government stakeholders and renowned institutes to develop innovative green practices. In the mine land reclamation process the company took up joint research efforts with NEERI – Nagpur, Department of Biotechnology. This resulted in developing better microclimatic conditions for the stabilization of plants in the hostile dump conditions and was able to replicate native species and horticultural species. The company has also conducted research projects in association with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and Goa University.

Vedanta Sesa Goa also maintains water positivity across its businesses which has been certified by TÜV SÜD South Asia Pvt Ltd. Protocol, a leading and most trusted testing, auditing, inspection, and training service provider in the industry. TÜV SÜD South Asia thoroughly inspected Vedanta’s businesses, concluding that it has successfully managed to maintain a positive water balance for the period of FY 2021-22. Also, more than 70% of the total water requirement at the company’s pig iron and metcoke plants are met by adopting best practices like rainwater harvesting.

Vi makes customer onboarding convenient with industry-first ‘Self-KYC’ launch

Bangalore, 22nd March 2023: Getting a new mobile connection is now simpler, quicker, safer and more convenient with Vi’s industry-first Self-KYC process. Now, those desirous of acquiring a new prepaid or postpaid SIM no longer need to visit the retail store and go through the physical KYC process. In line with its customer-first approach, Vi’s Self KYC system is based on DoT mandated guidelines and enables customers to access a new connection anytime from anywhere with the added advantage of SIM delivery at the doorstep.

Vi Self-KYC has been rolled out for all postpaid customers in Kolkata and Karnataka service areas. With the objective of simplifying SIM buying process, the service will be gradually rolled out at pan-India level for both prepaid and postpaid customers, soon. Users of Vi Self KYC can from the comfort of their home, order a new SIM online, select their desired plan, and do self-KYC to receive the SIM at home. This end-to-end digital verification solution aims to be simple, assured, convenient, speedy, safe and secured.

Inviting mobile users to take the quick and easy route to acquire a Vi SIM, Abhijit Kishore, COO, Vodafone Idea Limited, said “We have always gone the extra mile to bring innovative products and offer convenience to our customers helping them to get more and do more with Vi. Our Self-KYC solution is a Digital India initiative – one of many firsts that Vi has been bringing to simplify, enhance and enliven the lives of our valued customers. I am sure that users will now find a significant improvement in the ease of completing KYC process through our platform. While launching in Kolkata and Karnataka for postpaid users, we aim to rollout Vi Self-KYC solution across all markets soon for our customers to enjoy the benefits of our best in value prepaid and postpaid plans.”

Users can complete the Vi Self KYC process through these simple steps:

o Visit Vi website and select desired plan

o Select a number of choice and place order, through OTP authentication on the alternate mobile number

o Follow simple steps on Self-KYC, which includes Aadhaar authentication on UIDAI site

o The user then needs to capture live photo and live video of minimum 10 seconds

o Once the order is placed and digital verification is complete, the customer will receive SIM card at the doorstep, post successful OTP authentication.

Singapore a preferred Nightlife and Cruise destination for Indian millennials

Delhi, March 2023:Singapore has emerged as a favored destination for Indian travelers interested in nightlife and cruises, according to a survey conducted byTripoto, a leading trip and travel portal in India. More than two-fifths (41%) responded stating that the range of activities was pivotal to them choosing their next destination for a holiday.
As millennials and Generation Z travelers increasingly demand diverse experiences which stand out, Singapore’s wide range of lifestyle experiences – including its top-of-the-line cruise offerings and award-winning dining and nightlife – have come to the fore as a top destination in the region for this dynamic and discerning segment. Most respondents stated that adventure, attractions, and nightlife were the three top reasons they would choose to visit Singapore.

Reimagining traditional offerings for new-age travelers has become a priority for the Singapore Tourism Board, which earlier this year announced that it would strengthen its strategic focus on the Indian ‘Early Career’ or young adults segment through bold and game-changing destination experiences. This includes an action-packed calendar of world-class lifestyle events around the year, such as the iconic Formula One Singapore Grand Prix, Singapore Cocktail Festival, Singapore Food Festival, and ZoukOut dance music festival. Together with its new attractions, award-winning nightlife, and off-the-beaten-path experiences, the reimagined Singapore of today caters to the unique needs of tomorrow’s travelers.

Speaking about the survey and Singapore’s focus on the Indian market, Mr. G.B Srithar, Regional Director for India, Middle East, South Asia & Africa, Singapore Tourism Board said, “The outcome of this survey reaffirms our belief that Singapore remains a top choice destination for all Indian travelers. Young millennials prefer attractions, events, and nightlife which Singapore is renowned for. The city has increasingly become a preferred destination for women travelers as well. More women are traveling in groups or embarking on solo travels and have admitted these trips turn out to be highly rewarding experiences. Understanding the importance of this segment, STB has collaborated with Tripoto to launch a web series ‘On my own in Singapore’, that will showcase a young female traveler’s journey in Singapore.”
The forthcoming web series, to be launched on March 24, 2023, aims to showcase the vibrant and colorful spirit of Singapore while celebrating the vivaciousness and gusto of the female traveler, rediscovering new possibilities for herself on her solo expedition across the “Lion City”.

Anirudh Gupta, Founder & CEO, Tripoto, “We have observed that the millennial Indian traveler today prefers a vacation that has unique experiences, is hassle-free, and value for money. Whether traveling alone or with family/friends, a millennial is opting for destinations that provide a mix of shopping, food, leisure, and partying. When it comes to Singapore, the blend of connection with nature, adventure, culture, and food, makes it a well-rounded destination for the passionate traveler.”

Western Australian Tourism Minister visits India to advance direct flights to Perth

The Western Australian (WA) Government has reaffirmed its commitment to India after the state’s Deputy Premier and Minister for Tourism, the Hon Roger Cook attended the CAPA India Aviation Summit in New Delhi to discuss establishing a direct flight from India to Perth.

The two-day visit continues the momentum gained during the Western Australia Government’s India Mission in July 2022, with the state’s tourism body meeting with key officials of top airlines at as Western Australia looks to develop direct aviation connections between the two destinations to boost visitation.

Minister Cook said he was hopeful a direct flight would be established between India and Perth.

“India is a priority market for Western Australia, and we continue to work with our valued airline partners to further build and grow our aviation capacity between our two regions,” Minister Cook said.

“With the growing diaspora of Indians in Western Australia, the key focus is to tap into the ‘Visiting Friends and Relatives’ market and encourage travelers from India to stay longer and explore more of Western Australia.

“India represents an enormous growth opportunity for Western Australia’s visitor economy, and direct air connectivity would provide an uplift to both the Indian and Western Australian tourism industries.

“Airlines that currently fly to Perth play a critical role in connecting the destinations, however, India is one of Western Australia’s largest markets that remains unserved by a direct airline service.

“The Western Australian Government is committed to working with the Indian tourism and aviation sectors, as well as Perth Airport, to secure more aviation connections to India.”

The number of Indian visitors to Western Australia, the largest state of Australia, has grown in recent years.

In 2019, India represented Western Australia’s 11th largest tourism market by visitor numbers, with more than 30,000 travellers from India visiting the state.

More recently, India has grown to be Western Australia’s fourth largest international market for visitor numbers in 2023.

The WA Government, through Tourism Western Australia, is cementing the state’s reputation as the Western Gateway to Australia, by investing heavily in tourism and aviation.

Supported by the AUD $195 million Reconnect WA package, the WA Government, through Tourism Western Australia, is working closely with airlines to develop a direct route, while also investing in marketing, event development and visitor experiences.

Supertails.com expands its D2C brand “Henlo”; Launches new offering to address pet nutrition in India

New Delhi, 22nd March 2023: Supertails.com, a full-stack tech-enabled pet-care startup, strengthens its D2C presence in India by launching a new product under its homegrown D2C brand “Henlo”. Many pet parents in India believe that the pet food available in the country lacks nutritional value and is not enough to keep their fur babies healthy. Through Henlo Baked Dry Food for Dogs, Supertails.com aims at making nutrition effective amongst pet parents to highlight its importance and impact on their pets. Further to their commitment to enabling pet nutrition in India, Supertails.com started manufacturing its latest Henlo product in India foraying into the “Make in India” pet food category. Pet food is the biggest component of the pet care industry and India has only 7% penetration in the category which stands at about 80% in the west. The manufacturing is expected to expand 40X in the next two years creating multiple opportunities for people around the units and contributing positively to the government’s Make in India initiative. Henlo products are made with a focus on giving nutritious and enjoyable meals for dogs so that the pets can live their happiest, healthiest, and longest lives.

Supertails.com is a holistic pet care platform working with a commitment to building and leading a category of first-time pet parents by empowering them with the right resources and information. The founders have been focusing on building innovative tech and doubling down on their efforts to strengthen their D2C brand – Henlo. In India, more than 90% of pets have a home-cooked meal which does not provide them with the right set of nutrition. As a pilot project, Henlo’s first product – Nutritional Topper was introduced in May 2022 as a first-of-its-kind nutrition supplement for dogs, primarily formulated to ensure that dogs receive the right nutrients needed to live a healthier and longer life. The Nutrition Topper was consumed by over 10,000 dogs within just 3 months of its launch signifying the importance of the product in the ecosystem. After just 60 days of consuming Henlo Nutritional Topper, 80% of the dogs showed an improvement in either skin & coat, gut health, or energy levels leading Supertails.com to focus more on pet nutrition products. The current ARR driven from Henlo products is close to INR 20 Mn with a projected estimation of INR 240 Mn by Mar 2024 contributing to Supertails.com’s consistent growth in the startup ecosystem. The focus on pet care startups in India has seen a gradual increase with brands focusing on addressing the need gaps of the consumer.

The co-founders of Supertails.com, Varun Sadana, Aman Tekriwal, and Vineet Khanna, on the launch of their new Henlo offering, said, “Pet nutrition is an important category that needs utmost attention from all pet care brands around the world. Most pet parents believe that providing their pets with the same home-cooked meal is enough for their nutrition, which is not true. Our experts at Henlo anchored their experience and expertise over the years to create the ‘perfect’ product for pets in India. We are happy with the response our Nutritional Topper has received from pets and pet parents from all over the country and we are already seeing positive results for our latest product – Baked Dry Food for Dogs. Starting manufacturing in India was a big step for us as a brand and we will continue to focus on increasing the production capacity to contribute to the government’s “Make in India” initiative. Through Henlo, our mission is to hunt for ways to make nutrition so effective that our pets live their happiest, healthiest, and longest lives.”

The Henlo Triad, consisting of Dr. Shantanu Kalambi, Ranjit Thomas, and Varishth, has revolutionized the way pets are fed with their innovative product – Henlo’s Baked Dry Food for Dogs. Combining their expertise in veterinary science, culinary arts, and pet nutrition, the trio has created a unique blend of nutritious and enjoyable meals that are designed to cater to the everyday needs of dogs. Henlo’s Baked Dry Food for Dogs is made from 100% human-grade ingredients and is artisanally baked using slow-cooking procedures to ensure that the nutrient content and flavor are maintained at optimum levels. One of the most notable features of Henlo’s Baked Dry Food for Dogs is that it does not have the unpleasant smell that is often associated with dog food. This makes it an attractive option for pet parents who are looking for a premium quality food product that their dogs will enjoy. The resealable bags in which the food is packaged make it easy to store and keep fresh. Additionally, because it is dry food, it can be easily portioned and served without creating any mess. For pet parents who want to give their dogs the best nutrition possible, Henlo’s Baked Dry Food for Dogs is a perfect choice.