Archive: May 30, 2023

British Council and Microsoft partner to improve the employment prospects of 400,000 young Indians

New Delhi, 30 May 2023:British Council, the UK’s international organisation for educational opportunities and cultural exchange and Microsoft India signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)for a co-developed three-year partnership programme, ‘English Skills for Youth’. The programme aims to enhance the life opportunities of young people, aged 18-25, particularly women, in socio-economically marginalised communities across India.

The primary objective of the ‘English Skills for Youth’ project is to enhance employability opportunities for the youth. Microsoft and British Council have co-developed this programme to impart one of the most in-demand skills –English language– to the students. The beneficiaries will also be equipped with essential underpinning skills, including collaboration, critical thinking, soft skills, and leadership abilities, offering a holistic development plan for the youth. These skills are crucial for improving employment prospects and facilitating further education opportunities.As per estimates, in India, approximately one million people enter the workforce every month, yet only 10-20% of women of working age are employed, making this initiative even more critical. The programme will have a deliberate intake of 75% women learners, in an attempt to bridge the gender divide in the workplace.

The English Skills for Youth solution will be integrated into rural engineering colleges linked to Microsoft’s existing NGO/partner skilling projects for the underserved.By adopting this innovative approach, the project seeks to benefit 60,000 youth and 600 teachers during the initial three-year pilot phase, with a long-term goal of reaching 400,000 young people engaged in Microsoft Philanthropies funded projects. The programme will focus on building English communication skills and soft skills to equip students to present themselves confidently at job interviews and/or sustain their jobs in companies with a global customer base.

The project has been designed to cover three key aspects:

· Capacity building of English faculty and placement officers in state engineering colleges across India.

· Facilitating the development of English skills for students, particularly women, adopting a community of practice approach through student club meetings.

· Establishing an interface with industry through joint thought leadership forums organized by Microsoft and the British Council, focusing on multilingualism in the workplace.

Alison Barrett MBE, Director India, British Council, said, “Enabling young people, particularly women, with life and employment opportunities is at the core of all our work in culture, education and English so we are delighted to announce the ‘English Skills for Youth’ programme with Microsoft India. This partnership model brings together expertise in developing the range of skills such as working collaboratively, critical thinking, English communication and soft skills, and leadership skills that are crucial for the age group of 18-25 years to improve their employability opportunities. We are very excited about the long-term positive impact that will be delivered at scale through the expansive network of Microsoft Philanthropies, preparing young women and students to take charge of their learning and livelihoods.”

Present at the signing, Lord (Tariq) Ahmad, Minister of State for the Middle East and North Africa, South Asia, UN at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and the UK Prime Minister’s Special Representative on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict, said:

“The UK-India relationship has flourished over many decades, expanding once again through our commitments in the 2030 Roadmap for India-UK’s future relations.”

“India and the UK are united in valuing the importance of a good education, which is why we are launching a new ‘English Skills for Youth’ programme. We aim to equip India’s younger generation with the right skills to increase their focused chances of employment and prosperity – of young women and girls in particular.”

“I firmly believe that all young people, regardless of their background, should be able to access opportunities for a better future – and I commend the British Council and Microsoft India for their collaboration on this important initiative.”

Navtez Bal, Executive Director, Public Sector, Microsoft India, said,“Bridging the skills gap is foundational to building towards inclusive economic and societal progress in today’s digital economy. Beyond imparting digital skills, it is critical to provide holistic training content including soft skills to jobseekers of tomorrow. We are excited to partner with British Council and have deep impact on the country’s youth with in-demand skills for future-ready jobs.”

This unique partnership model enables the British Council and Microsoft to work at scale, leveraging existing and large delivery platforms of Microsoft Philanthropies. It aligns with the British Council’s Language and Empowerment and Education ‘Skills for young people and leaders’ programme outcomes, further reinforcing its commitment to fostering language proficiency and empowering the next generation.

Hat’s off to Sir Ravindra Jadeja for delivering in a crunch situation: Irfan Pathan

After witnessing 73 competitive games, the TATA IPL 2023 has culminated on a stellar note with a last-over thriller between Chennai Super Kings and Gujarat Titans in the highly-anticipated final at Narendra Modi Stadium.

The TATA IPL mania reached its crescendo in a mouthwatering Final as two of the best teams of the season locked horns in a summit clash in front of a capacity crowd at the world’s largest cricket stadium.

The fans can experience every twist and turn of this dramatic TATA IPL 2023 Final, which was played over three days, on Tuesday. The match will be aired at 8:00 AM, 12:00 noon and 7:30 PM on Tuesday, giving the fans a chance to relieve those incredible moments again.

The fans had to wait for more than two days to see the new TATA IPL champions and it was MS Dhoni-led CSK which emerged victorious in a humdinger which went down the wire.

With 4 required off the final ball of a rain-hit TATA IPL Final, star CSK all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja hit a boundary off Mohit Sharma to fashion a famous win for the Yellow Brigade – who lifted their record-equalling fifth IPL trophy. MS Dhoni-led CSK thus equalled Rohit Sharma’s Mumbai Indians to have an equal number of IPL trophies in their cabinet.

While the IPL Final couldn’t have asked for a better setting, the fans eagerly waited for CSK captain MS Dhoni to speak about his IPL future. The legendary skipper announced that he will return next year in TATA IPL, receiving a rapturous cheer from the jovial crowd, which got another reason to rejoice.

Reacting over MS Dhoni’s decision to not hang up his gloves after a successful campaign in TATA IPL 2023, former India cricketer Harbhajan Singh claimed the Ranchi cricketer will come back stronger next year. 

Speaking on Star Sports’ Cricket Live, Harbhajan said, “This is the biggest news for fans. MS Dhoni will come back next year and he will return with even better fitness. Fans will get to witness their beloved Thala don that yellow jersey again. The expectations are going to be high from CSK next year and this team knows pretty well how to handle that pressure of expectations.”

The TATA IPL Final in 2023 was the landmark 250th match for MS Dhoni. Former India cricketer Ravi Shastri reckons the legacy of MSD is unparalleled. 

Speaking on Star Sports’ Cricket Live, Shastri said, “250 IPL matches is a tribute to MS Dhoni’s fitness. No one can match the kind of legacy Dhoni is going to leave behind in this tournament. He is called Thala by the whole of Chennai and Tamil Nadu. The love and adulation a guy from Jharkhand receives down south from fans of CSK is testimony to the greatness of this cricketer.”

India all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja held on to his nerves under pressure and helped CSK cross the winning line by hitting a six and a four on the last two deliveries of the game. Former India cricketer Irfan Pathan lauded the Saurashtra all-rounder for delivering in style. 

Speaking on Star Sports’ Cricket Live, Irfan said, “Hat’s off to Sir Jadeja. He delivered for CSK in a crunch situation and took his team to a record-equalling fifth IPL title. He held on to his nerves even as the game seemed to have slipped away from CSK’s grip. Personally, he went through a lot last season, but the India star all-rounder has put all the disappointments behind him. The son of Gujarat wins it for a team from Chennai in front of a capacity ground in Ahmedabad. It couldn’t have been better.“

Former India cricketer Mohammed Kaif lauded the valuable contribution of senior CSK batter Ambati Rayudu – who announced his retirement from the tournament ahead of the final. In his swansong, Rayudu’s cameo of 19 off 8 balls proved vital at the end for CSK. Rayudu equalled Rohit Sharma’s record of being a part of six IPL-winning teams. 

Speaking on Star Sports’ Cricket Live, Kaif said, “That impactful knock from Ambati Rayudu was the game-changing moment. His innings was very crucial in the context of the game. The six he hit going on the back foot was the shot of the tournament for me. It was identical to that iconic six which Virat Kohli hit in the T20 World Cup against Pakistan in Melbourne last year. Rayudu looked emotional but full credit to him for ending his IPL career on such a high.”

Former India cricketer Irfan Pathan also commended the performance of Gujarat Titans’ pacer Mohit Sharma for leaving an indelible impression in TATA IPL 2023. The right-arm pacer may have failed to defend 12 runs in the high-stakes IPL final, but his journey in this edition of the competition was inspiring and he should be proud of that.

 Speaking on Star Sports’ Cricket Live, Irfan said, “The emotion Mohit Sharma must be going through is unimaginable. But what an impact he has made in this tournament! It was once in a lifetime performance from Mohit Sharma, and this season, he should be proud of what he has achieved. Hope he continues the good show in the coming seasons as well.”

 Watch the repeat telecast of this dramatic TATA IPL 2023 Final today at 12 pm and 7:30 pm, only on the Star Sports Network

Humkarkedikhatehain Celebrates the Resilience, Determination and Indefatigable Spirit of the Adani Group

Bangalore, 30 May 2023: The Adani Group, India’s largest and fastest-growing integrated infrastructure portfolio of companies, unveiled its new multi-media, multi-platform ad-campaign, ‘Hum Karke Dikhate Hain’.

Developed by Ogilvy India, the “Hum mushkilo ki nahi sunte, karke dikhate hai” (Undeterred by challenges, we deliver on our commitments) campaign is a powerful testament to the Adani Group’s resilience, tenacity and relentless pursuit of overcoming obstacles to build world-class infrastructure, both in India and abroad.

Through a 100-second television commercial that takes viewers on a visually stunning journey across the country, the Adani Group celebrates its 35 years of dedicated service to India. The Group will roll out the campaign across print, broadcast and social media platforms over the next few weeks.

Mr Pranav Adani, Director, Adani Enterprises said, “The campaign perfectly captures the unconquerable spirit and ethos of the Adani Group to convert challenges into opportunities and its resolve to driving positive change in the lives of millions of Indians. As a first-generation entrepreneurial company, it is this indefatigable spirit that has been a bedrock of our culture.”

The Group has diversified into a world-class portfolio of independently governed market leading businesses that have revolutionized industry practices in sectors like energy and utilities, transport and logistics, materials, metals and mining, and direct-to-consumer.

Piyush Pandey, Chairman of Global Creative & Executive Chairman – India, Ogilvy, commented, “Investing in infrastructure and national development projects needs determination and belief. This is the spirit of Adani and its new corporate campaign.”

ITI Mutual Fund launches ITI Focused Equity Fund NFO

Mumbai, May 30, 2023: ITI Mutual Fund started its operations in April 2019 and has launched 17 mainstream mutual fund products in the market for investors. The AMC is backed by a large conservative cash-rich business group. In such a short span, the group has ensured that the governance, people, processes, and infrastructure are well established within the AMC for creating a smooth long – term investing experience for investors. The fund house manages close to Rs 4,011 crores of assets as on May 22, 2023. Out of the total AUM, Equity AUM accounted for Rs. 3,285 crores while Hybrid and Debt schemes accounted for Rs.432 crores and Rs.295 crores respectively. The geographical spread of the AUM is well diversified with top 5 cities accounting for 46.10%, next 10 cities with a share of 21.99%, next 20 cities with a share of 15.01%, next 75 cities with a share of 12.68% and followed by others with a share of 4.22%.

ITI Mutual Fund has announced the launch of an NFO – ITI Focused Equity Fund and the NFO opens today and closes for subscription on 12th June 2023. ITI Focused Equity Fund is a highly concentrated portfolio investing in 30 companies across market capitalisation. The minimum application amount is Rs 5000 and in multiples of Rs. 1 thereafter. The fund will be jointly managed by Mr. Dhimant Shah and Mr. Rohan Korde. ITI Focused Equity Fund will be benchmarked against Nifty 500 Total Return Index.

The fund will invest predominantly in equity and equity-related securities of upto 30 companies across various market capitalisation.

The NFO is suitable for those investors who are looking to invest with a long-term horizon.

Announcing the launch of the NFO, Mr. Rajesh Bhatia- Chief Investment Officer, ITI Mutual Fund said, “As a fund house, it has been our endeavour to come out with products which meet the risk appetite of our investors. ITI Focused Equity Fund is a concentrated portfolio, and we hope to bring the benefits of growth drivers and growth leaders of many sectors to our investors on a long-term basis. With proven track record and a sound philosophy of investment, ITI Mutual Fund is focussed on offering investment solutions to all investors with varied risk appetites”.

In a period of 4 years, ITI Mutual Fund has launched 17 schemes and is committed to offer best investment experience to mutual fund investors.

ITI Mutual Fund has presence over 57 locations (through its branches/ ITI group offices) & has a distributor reach of 21,209 distributors across India.

Hikal Limited: Margin improvement in FY23

Mumbai, May 30, 2023: Hikal Ltd., a preferred long-term partner for leading global life sciences companies, announced its financial results for the quarter and full year ended 31st March 2023.

Key Highlights

➢ Hikal’s Panolisite undergone US FDA audit which was concluded with ‘Zero’ 483 observations

➢ Sequential QoQ recovery in margins on back of softening of raw material prices and several operational improvement initiatives

➢ Enhanced efficiencies on account of ongoing business excellence programs across value chain

➢ Pharmaceutical sales was flat and stood at Rs. 309 crore as compared to Rs. 308 crore in Q4 FY22

▪ Improvement in margins on account of business excellence initiatives

▪ Enhanced traction from existing as well as new customers in CDMO business

▪ New multipurpose plant for Animal Health is on track at Panoli, Gujarat and is expected to be completed in H1-FY24

➢ Crop Protection sales grew by 22% at Rs. 236 crore as compared to Rs. 194 crore in Q4 FY22

▪ New opportunities under advance stage of discussion with various global innovators

▪ New multipurpose facility at Panoli, Gujarat is reaching completion; currently stabilizing and commissioning activity is going as per plan

Commenting on the results, Jai Hiremath, Executive Chairman, Hikal Ltd. said,

“For the financial year ’23, we achieved revenue of Rs 2,023 Crores, which is a growth of 4% as compared to last financial year. FY23 has been a challenging year where we witnessed significant headwinds in both our businesses. Despite the challenges we have recorded a sequential quarter-on-quarter growth in profitability.

Our Board of Directors has recommended a final dividend of Rs 0.6 per share (30% of FV). Along with an interim dividend of Rs. 0.6 per share (30% of FV) declared in February 2023, the total dividend for FY23 stands at Rs 1.2 per share (60% of FV). We are pleased to report that during Q4FY23, despite limited top-line growth, we were able to sequentially expand operating margins with efforts put forth by our team to reduce costs and strengthen operational effectiveness.

The Crop Protection business revenue stood at Rs 236 Crores in Q4 FY23 with YoY growth of 22%. We have seen softening of key RM prices and prices are stabilizing. Our multipurpose plant at Panoli is reaching completion and commissioning is underway. The crop protection industry is currently witnessing an inventory correction across the supply chain. We expect the situation to normalize from second half of this year.

For Q4FY23, our pharmaceutical business reported revenues of Rs. 309 Crores. The pharmaceutical industry is facing fierce competition, but price erosion is currently occurring at a slower pace than in the year 2022 suggesting that the worst of the erosion is behind us supported by improved raw material and logistics cost. On the CDMO side, there is a lot of inventory and destocking is taking place. We expect the situation to normalize by the end of Q2. We have a strong future pipeline in our CDMO business and are actively pursuing new opportunities. We have increased our footprint in emerging markets and added several new customers.

I am pleased to inform you our API facility in Panoli, Gujarat, was audited by the US FDA from 8-12 May 2023, and the audit was concluded with ‘Zero’ 483 observations which highlights our high standards of regulatory compliance.

Our new multipurpose facility for animal health is on track and should be operational during H1 FY24. Development of new products as a part of a long-term contract with an innovator animal health company is going as per our plan. One of the key factors that sets us apart is our commitment to sustainability, which is the core of our ESG Strategy. We understand the growing global concern for the environment, and we are working to make a positive impact through our operations. Our investments in technology, waste reduction initiatives, and sustainable manufacturing processes will help position us as a preferred partner for our global customers.

Project Pinnacle initiatives have already begun to yield positive results and will help us emerge stronger, and more sustainable. We foresee a slowdown in the coming couple of quarters due to the global economic downturn and increasing pricing pressure. However, we are focusing on operational excellence and capital efficiency to reduce costs and improve our margins to remain competitive in this challenging global environment. We are well positioned for sustainable growth in the medium to long term, driven by our focus on innovation, commitment to sustainability, global presence, and a strong financial foundation.”

Artistry Skin Nutrition™ from Amway presents Hydrating and Balancing ranges for Youthful Skin

New Delhi, 30 May 2023: Advancing towards its philosophy of delivering nutrients for the skin, Amway India, one of the leading FMCG Direct Selling companies in the nation, has launched an exclusive range that transcends the skincare needs of all. The Balancing and Hydrating ranges introduced by Artistry Skin Nutrition™ showcase a distinctive blend of ingredients that collaborate to balance and hydrate the skin, providing a refreshing and youthful appearance. Enriched with plant-based botanicals from Nutrilite™ farms, the Hydrating and Balancing ranges are clinically tested vegan skincare line, with no animal testing[1] and free from parabens, phthalates, sulfate surfactants, and animal-derived ingredients. Powered by cutting-edge skin science these ranges are infused with exclusive Skincare Complex that boosts skin’s natural defense system by 350%[2] to help delay the visible signs of aging.

Talking about the new skincare range Ajay Khanna, CMO, of Amway India said, “India is driven by a large and dynamic young population, with over 65% of its populace comprising youths. Within this burgeoning demographic, skin care has emerged as a significant trend, with 87%[3] of the population placing a strong emphasis on skin health. However, despite this, 43%[4] of young people experience dry skin issues while 42%[5] of oily-skin consumers continue to grapple finding the ideal solution for achieving healthy skin. Taking these factors into consideration and leveraging our global expertise in nutrition with Nutrilite’s rich legacy of 90 years, we are excited to introduce the second phase of Artistry Skin Nutrition™, Hydrating and Balancing  ranges of seven products, with the powerful botanicals from our Nutrilite farms, formulated to address skin needs of  youth and consumers at large”

He further added, “As per a recent survey, 30%[6] of men today are willing to broaden their skincare routine and try out new products. These figures are encouraging, as they present us with an exciting opportunity to explore fresh avenues and expand our range of offerings. The new Hydrating and Balancing ranges complements our existing anti-aging range, under Artistry Skin Nutrition™ to meet the diverse needs of all age groups and genders.

Bastian Solutions to Open New Manufacturing Facility in Karnataka

Bengaluru, May 30th 2023 – Bastian Solutions, a Toyota Advanced Logistics company, is excited to announce the upcoming opening of its new manufacturing facility just outside Bangalore, Karnataka. The site, expected to be fully operational by October 2023, marks Bastian’s first manufacturing facility in India.

Establishing their first India-based office in 1996, Bastian, a premier supply chain integration partner in the region, works with customers such as ITC, Jaquar, Asian Paints, Bajaj Auto and more. Engineering and manufacturing its own line of conveyors in the US since 2010, Bastian’s newest site will mark their first step into India’s industrial ecosystem.

As a global integrator, Bastian Solutions is a well-known provider for distribution and manufacturing customers in North & South America, Middle East and Southeast Asia regions.

Vinayak Bhat, General Manager of Bastian Solutions said: “As we embark on this remarkable journey of growth and expansion, we are thrilled to announce our first manufacturing plant in India. We hope to strengthen local communities, generate employment opportunities, and advance the industrial development of the country with the help of our cutting-edge facility. With this plant, we are taking a significant step towards ‘Atmanirbharta’ and paving the way for a stronger, more self-reliant India.”

Bastian Solutions’ new manufacturing facility is nearly two acres and the site’s initial hiring efforts will focus on mechanical and electrical engineers to support manufacturing, further expanding their workforce in the country. The site will be located just outside Bangalore in the Indospace area, providing optimal location for distribution throughout the country.

Bastian is launching several conveyor offerings: the Roller Zero Pressure DC Conveyor (RZPDC) ideal for heavier container loads and the Belted Zero Pressure DC Conveyor (BZPDC) suited for conveying smaller loads. These models will be available along with other gravity and curve roller conveyors with plans to launch more equipment in subsequent years.

Anaar’s latest collection of Platform Heels and Chic Chunkies is your Go-To footwear for your daily life

Do you prefer a loud meal or a quiet one? linger over lunch with friends or attend a wedding or reception with your cousins? Anaar is your brand if you want to stand out and make a statement with elegance. With its painstakingly created footwear that is transformational and can adapt flawlessly to every occasion, it will wow you beyond measure. With its selection of cutting-edge, dynamic footwear, the company hopes to inject a little extra magic into every woman’s life. Anaar’s latest collection of kitten pumps and platform heels, dubbed “perfect platforms’ ‘ and “chic chunkies,’ ‘ complements its renowned line of bridal sneakers. Both types have a stylish form and brilliant colours, and they are made to leave an impact.

The company’s outstanding bridal trainers, which feature daring, exceptional designs inspired by the fervour of Indian celebrations, have already garnered a great deal of adoration. As a bride indulges in the pleasures of her special day, these trainers are designed to offer the ideal balance of fashion and comfort. These trainers can also be worn with a variety of outfits, including extravagant lehengas, sarees, and more, as well as jeans, dresses, and skirts.

Tanushri Biyani, a brilliant creative force with a thriving background in the footwear industry, is the creator of Anaar. She successfully created Ceriz, a brand before Anaar, which helped her hone a natural knack for seeing holes in the footwear market. Her team is profoundly influenced by her intense love for the business because she always urges them to be on the lookout for new competitors. Anaar is a prime example of the company’s ideology, enthusiasm, and drive to experiment and develop something genuinely extraordinary. Anaar upholds the fundamental premise of introducing ground-breaking products.

“With our most recent line of heels and pumps, I wanted to go above in evoking a sense of luxury and timeless style. My goal was to make each pair the epitome of confidence, grace, nobility, and much more. We are proud to give these collections to the globe as they truly reflect Anaar’s respect for the artistic talent of our artisans, according to Tanushri Biyani.

Prepare to shine in style for every occasion you celebrate with Anaar by doing so! Begin a fantastic journey as Anaar develops into a symbol of abounding delight for all occasions and a beacon of joy.

About Anaar: With a wide variety of footwear that allows people to show their individual personalities on any occasion, Anaar has built a remarkable reputation for its creative fusion of classic components and contemporary flair. The company’s footwear line features a wide variety of designs, including stylish platform heels, polished wedges, attractive and discreet pumps, bridal sneakers and sandals that suit a variety of tastes. Wearers will feel confident and stylish throughout their joyful extravaganzas because of Anaar’s adaptable designs, which are painstakingly created to properly match these particular events.