All posts by Praveen

  PNB Branches dealing with Government Receipts and Payments Open on Sunday, 31 March 2024.

New Delhi, March 29, 2024: In compliance with the circular issued by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Punjab National Bank (PNB), the nation’s leading public sector bank, announces that branches dealing with Government receipts and payments will remain open for transactions on March 31, 2024 (Sunday) so as to account for all the Government transactions related to receipts and payments in the FY 2023-24 itself.

Vistara welcomes its 70Th Aircraft

Mumbai: 29.03.24

We recently took delivery of our last Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner and that’s also the 70th aircraft in our fleet. This marks the culmination of the order that we had placed in 2018 for 56 aircraft across Airbus and Boeing, and this was to set out on a path of being a very customer-oriented airline with numerous firsts and a very fuel efficient one with the newest generation of technology. As we expanded, took these aircraft, and grew our network, our customers have always been at the heart of everything we did.

Vistara welcomes its 70Th Aircraft

From the time that we launched the lie-flat seats on our Airbus A321 aircraft, the first in Asia, to the time we started offering Live TV onboard and now complimentary Wi-Fi for our Club Vistara members – we have been and will continue to remain committed to our customer centric approach. We’ve significantly expanded our network from Delhi, Mumbai and lately Bangalore, and all this has been a great journey with a lot of ups and downs. No one forgets the trials and tribulations of the global pandemic a few years ago. All this was also possible because of the efforts and the continuous support from all of you – our customers, our partners, and our staff. As we now go into the next phase of our journey, we continue to fly higher and take our customers on a journey which will be even more exciting in the days to come.

Triveni Engineering & Industries Ltd. welcomes long-term credit rating upgrade to AA+ (Stable) by ICRA

Noida, 29 March 2024: Triveni Engineering & Industries Ltd. (TEIL), one of the largest sugar and ethanol producers in the country, a leading player in engineered-to-order high speed gears & gearboxes and water and wastewater management business, announces the upgrade of its long-term rating to ICRA AA+ (Stable) from ICRA AA (Stable) and reaffirmed short-term rating of ICRA A1+ for the Company’s bank facilities of ₹3110.37 crore (enhanced from ₹ 2510.37 crore). This upgrade holds significant value and acknowledges the Company’s strong financial foundation.

The outlook on the long-term rating is Stable reflecting the credit rating agency’s opinion that the Company will continue to benefit from its healthy operational profile and comfortable credit metrics. Furthermore, ICRA has reaffirmed the rating at [ICRA]A1+ to the ₹ 300 crore Commercial Paper Programme.

The improved ratings of TEIL acknowledge its extensive operations and high efficiency in sugar operations with a crushing capacity of 61,000 Tonnes of Cane per Day (TCD). Additionally, the rating upgrade is driven by higher revenue diversification through distillation capacity of 660 KLPD which will be further enhanced to 860 KLPD. This coupled with the profitable Engineering businesses provides alternative revenue streams which lends more stability to cash flows.

Following the rating upgrade, Tarun Sawhney, Vice Chairman & Managing Director, Triveni Engineering & Industries Ltd said, “The rating upgrade is a recognition of our cost-efficiencies, healthy cash flows and fiscal discipline highlighting our robust financial performance and strong creditworthiness. The upgrade reaffirms our position as one of the leaders in the industry and underscores our dedication to delivering value to our stakeholders.”

Motorola’s New TVC brings alive ‘Intelligence Meets Art’

New Delhi, March 29, 2024: Motorola, India’s Best 5G Smartphone brand, today launched a television commercial starring brand ambassador Kriti Sanon along with Babil Khan in an exciting avatar for the upcoming launch of their premium phone – the motorola edge50 pro. This collaboration between Motorola’s innovative technology including Artificial Intelligence, its leadership in design, and the star power of Kriti Sanon and Babil Khan’s personification of moto AI promises an exhilarating journey into the future of smartphone innovation.

Motorola's New TVC brings alive ‘Intelligence Meets Art’

Soon to be launched, motorola edge50 pro leads with an intriguing proposition ‘Intelligence meets art’ which stands for promising an unparalleled user experience through disruptive design and various world’s 1st AI powered features. The edge series represents the premium smartphones, crafted to ensure an immersive experience for all. Backed by strong innovative DNA, the edge series is the perfect blend of cutting-edge technology, impeccable design, and software experiences, that cater to the ever-evolving demands of the consumers.

This exciting television commercial (TVC) brings alive the magic when ‘Intelligence meets art’, featuring actress Kriti Sanon as art personified – her own-true self on a film set and actor Babil Khan as the personification of moto AI. The commercial opens on a film set, where Kriti is seen wrapping up a shoot and is presented with the stylish motorola edge50 pro. As she switches on this artistic device, she brings alive a charming and eccentric personification of moto AI that Babil plays, who soon becomes her AI companion for a magical journey ahead. Kriti is seen immersed in a whirlwind of adventure and the game-changing features of the motorola edge50 pro amidst bustling cityscapes and carnivals, the duo then captures each moment with AI-enhanced precision exploring the cutting-edge capabilities of the motorola edge50 pro. From AI Generative Theming to AI Adaptive Stabilization and AI Photo Enhancement Engine, the commercial highlights the device’s intelligent, segment 1st capabilities that elevate every moment captured.

Commenting on the commercial, Mr. Shivam Ranjan, Head of Marketing, APAC, Motorola, stated, “The motorola edge50 pro stands for the perfect fusion of intelligence (AI) and art. In order to bring this concept to live in our TVC, Kriti Sanon was undoubtedly the perfect fit to personify ‘Art’ that motorola edge50 pro brings to life with its design, premium finish and the world’s first true colour display and camera. However, the motorola edge50 pro also brings an AI revolution with segment first AI features. This is where we found the perfect fit in Babil Khan who beautifully personified the moto AI, enabling us to explain the advanced AI features with ease. Babil’s new age appeal coupled with the passion for Motorola and exuberance to create the moto AI Ally ensured we brought alive the concept of creating magic with AI and Art.’ As we continue to grow exponentially, we are excited to deliver seamless user experiences to our customers and tap into new audiences to make an impact in their lives with our meaningful innovations and excellently crafted designs.”

Commenting on the collaboration, Kriti Sanon, Bollywood Actress and Motorola’s brand ambassador said, “As an artist, the fusion of art with intelligence deeply resonates with me, and it has been incredibly fulfilling to delve into this theme for Motorola. I take pride in being associated with this iconic smartphone brand renowned for its meaningful innovation, disruptive designs and cutting-edge technology. Motorola encapsulates everything modern consumer’s desire: innovation, style, performance, and functionality. I am confident that the commercial will surely captivate the audience.”

Commenting on the collaboration, Babil Khan, Bollywood Actor said, “I am thrilled to be a part of a brand that has truly redefined innovation and design in smartphones and continues to resonate with all generations. With AI emerging as game changing technology, it was exhilarating to personify the moto AI Ally – representing the future of smartphone technology. I look forward to contributing to Motorola’s continued success.”

“When Motorola asked us to pair intelligence with art, we decided to create a unique pairing that could bring alive this concept. Kriti and Babil take us on a trip to an AI-wonderland and allow us to discover this super-immersive phone and all that we can do with it – which is nothing short of magic!” said, Janmenjoy Mohanty- Chief Creative Officer, Dentsu Creative

Motorola is set to host the global first launch of the motorola edge50 pro, the latest addition to its premium edge franchise on 3rd April 2024 in New Delhi.

SPH Engineering presents Drone Show Software 4.3, elevating Drone Shows to new heights

Riga, Latvia – SPH Engineering, a global expert in drone technology development, is thrilled to announce the release of its latest Drone Show Software update, version 4.3. This update introduces cutting-edge features to streamline preflight processes, enhance map visualization and sharing capabilities, and improve operational efficiency for drone professionals worldwide.

Key Features of Drone Show Software 4.3:

New Preflight Summary Window

This innovative feature provides a compact yet comprehensive view of preflight readiness, allowing operators to assess their drone’s status quickly and efficiently. With this addition, users can ensure that all systems behave correctly before takeoff, minimizing potential issues and maximizing flight success.

3D Map Elevation Rendering

Update 4.3 takes mapping and surveying to a new dimension with its 3D map elevation rendering capability. This feature enables users to visualize terrain in unprecedented detail, facilitating more accurate pre-show siting, planning, simulation, and monitoring during the show.

Enhanced Import and Export Client Component Settings

In response to the growing need for customizable and transferable drone configurations, Drone how Software has introduced the ability to import and export client component settings. This includes general options, a preflight checklist, group settings, dance settings, fleet configuration, and drone parameters. In distributed and large teams, one particularly advantageous aspect is eliminating the need to reconfigure all settings from scratch when installing new versions or einstalling the current version. Users can now effortlessly transfer settings between different machines running DSS, ensuring consistency and efficiency in operations.

Capability to Export Dance Scene to KML

Operators can now export the georeferenced Dance Scene, including the Dance Area and fences, to KML format. This allows for easy sharing and collaboration, opening up new possibilities for Drone Show providers to produce more creative expression and event planning.Also, KML allows for more convenient map creation when show operators must file flight plans beforehand to obtain permission from local authorities.

“Drone Show Software 4.3 represents a significant milestone for SPH Engineering and our commitment to advancing Drone Show Technologies,” said Alexander Levandovskiy, Head of Drone Show Technologies at SPH Engineering. “By listening to our Global Drone Show Community and constantly innovating, we can provide solutions that meet and exceed the evolving needs of drone show providers. These new features underscore our dedication to improving safety, efficiency, and creativity in the industry.”

The 4.3 update is available now for all users of Drone Show Software. Users can upgrade to the latest version to use the new features. In contrast, new customers are invited to discover how Drone Show Technologies can transform the entertainment industry with innovative shows.

Drone Show Technologies from SPH Engineering is a comprehensive software solution for creating and running drone shows. It allows users to create complex 3D animations, synchronize drones in real-time, and manage the whole show from a single interface. The software supports many drones and allows users to create customized shows for any occasion or event.

Publicis India names Aman Mannan and Shitu Patil as Joint National Creative Directors

India – March 29, 2024 – In a bid to strengthen its creative leadership, Publicis India, a part of Publicis Groupe India, has appointed Aman Mannan and Shitu Patil as joint National Creative Directors (NCDs). In their new roles, the duo will lead the creative vision for all brands at Publicis India, and report to Managing Director, Oindrila Roy.

Publicis India names Aman Mannan and Shitu Patil as Joint National Creative Directors

Aman has nearly 25 years of experience across leading agencies such as Interface Communication, McCann Erickson, DDB Mudra Group, and Leo Burnett India. Under his creative leadership, these agencies earned widespread acclaim at prestigious events such as Cannes, The One Show, Clios, LIA, ABBYs, and Effies (India and APAC), among others. Additionally, he has served as a jury member at Goafest, Radio Mirchi Awards, and OOH Awards. Aman has worked with a range of brands such as P&G, Unilever, Coca-Cola, Mahindra and Mahindra, Godrej, Sony, Amazon, HDFC Bank, HDFC Life, among others. He has also co-authored the story and screenplay for the popular web show ‘Saas, Bahu aur Flamingo’, earning the nomination for Best Screenplay at the Filmfare OTT Awards.

A dynamic creative leader with 23 years of advertising and branding experience, Shitu joined L&K Saatchi & Saatchi in 2022, starting her second stint with the Groupe. She has worked with leading agencies like Lowe Lintas, FCB and Publicis Ambience. She also successfully ran her own design agency, Plus One. Shitu’s accolades include D&AD, Effies, ABBYs, and Kyoorius awards, along with jury roles at D&AD and ABBYs. Her diverse brand portfolio features Lakme, Raymond, Cartier, Renault, and others.

In the new roles as NCDs, Aman and Shitu will leverage their expertise to lead the agency’s creative vision across all offices in India.

Paritosh Srivastava, CEO, L&K Saatchi & Saatchi and Publicis India, said, “Publicis India has been on an amazing journey of resurgence in the past 2 years, with a focus on both growth and creative excellence yielding rich dividends. Our impressive portfolio of work and client roster rival that of any top agency in the country. The search for the perfect blend of creative talent and cultural fit was challenging, but in Aman and Shitu, we have found a team of rare creative talent that spans the entire spectrum of creativity. We are confident that these two wonderful people will inspire our teams and clients to new heights.”

Oindrila Roy, Managing Director, Publicis India, added, “Aman and Shitu are a powerhouse of creativity and their experience in delivering award-winning work reaffirms this. We are confident that as NCDs, they will inspire our teams with new energies. We are certain that their creative prowess and strategic acumen will contribute to the continued success and growth of Publicis India.”

Shitu said, “My journey at the agency has been nothing short of exciting and full of learnings. I am thankful to Paritosh, Oindrila, and the entire team for their continued trust and support. I really believe we are as good as our people and my focus is going to be on uplifting and strengthening our teams further to create distinguished work and take both our clients and agency to greater glory. I am excited about this new journey and look forward to closely working with Paritosh, Oindrila and Aman.”

Aman added, “I am looking forward to working closely with Paritosh, Oindrila, and the team to build on the great work they have already done. I hope to create state-of-the-art solutions, placing art firmly at the centre of our endeavours and infusing new-age work with age-old wisdom. I aim to integrate the best practices of cinema writing and thinking into our projects, contributing to the development of a unique voice for Publicis India.”

Bahrain’s International Jazz Festival 2024 Unveils ‘Jazz For All, All For Jazz’ Theme

National, 29th March 2024 – Bahrain’s International Jazz Festival, the kingdom’s premier celebration of jazz music, is set to return for its 7th edition, taking place on April 26th, 2024, at Royal Golf Club. Since its inception, the festival has evolved into a beloved international music extravaganza, firmly establishing itself as a highlight on Bahrain’s event calendar. Having welcomed over 30,000 visitors over the past six years, the festival has showcased some of the finest talents in jazz music from around the world.

This year, the festival announces its recognition as the only festival in the Middle East to be designated by the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz/UNESCO as a Global Organizational Partner of International Jazz Day. This esteemed recognition underscores the festival’s unwavering commitment to advancing the development of jazz in the Middle East.

Under the theme “Jazz For All, All For Jazz,” Bahrain’s International Jazz Festival 2024 celebrates the universal language of jazz that surpasses cultural and generational boundaries. Whether one is a seasoned aficionado or a curious listener, the festival extends an invitation to all to immerse themselves in the rich tapestry of jazz music and experience its transformative power.

The festival will feature an exciting lineup of world-class jazz musicians, encompassing a diverse range of styles and influences. From soulful melodies to improvisational virtuosity, attendees can expect unforgettable performances that showcase the boundless creativity of jazz artists.

In addition to live performances, the festival will offer a variety of activities and experiences for attendees of all ages. From workshops and masterclasses to interactive jam sessions, the festival provides opportunities for both seasoned musicians and aspiring talents to engage with the vibrant jazz community.

OML Entertainment executes the ingenious ‘As Unique As You’ campaign

Nationwide Release: 29th March 2024: OML Entertainment, a leading independent full-service media and entertainment organization, has upped the ante on smartphone marketing by spearheading the innovative ‘As Unique As You’ campaign for the launch of the Nothing Phone (2a) exclusively available on Flipkart.

OML Entertainment executes the ingenious ‘As Unique As You’ campaign

At the heart of the campaign was its core concept, “As Unique As You”, stemming from Nothing’s brand proposition “Powerfully Unique”. OML strategically orchestrated the launch, dividing it into three phases — innovative promotion, interactive user experience and celebrity endorsements with Vijay Varma, Amyra Dastur, Anjali Sivaraman, and Neha Sharma.

Pankaj Malani, SVP, Revenue at OML Entertainment, said, “Our collaboration with Flipkart for the exclusive launch of the Nothing Phone (2a) phone underscores OML’s constant pursuit of innovation and creativity within the media and entertainment sphere. We curated a strategic campaign with OOH media, and celebrity endorsements to ensure a great launch for the Nothing Phone (2a).”

OML drew a parallel between the individuality of each user and the distinctive features of the Nothing Phone (2a) – emphasizing the inherent uniqueness of both. The first phase of the campaign entailed an outdoor campaign with tongue-in-cheek copy across Mumbai, Delhi, and Bengaluru. This strategy generated significant organic traction for the Nothing Phone (2a) on Instagram and Twitter, solidifying its foothold in the Indian smartphone ecosystem.

OML magnified the message “As Unique As You” and launched a contest where participants could win a Nothing Phone (2a) by sharing what makes them unique along with the hashtag #AsUniqueAsYou. The campaign came to life with user-generated content featured in real life at bus stops. To finally drive the “As Unique As You” message home, in the final phase, OML enlisted the power of celebrity with popular stars – Vijay Varma, Amyra Dastur, Anjali Sivaraman, and Neha Sharma, who used the Nothing Phone (2a) exclusively for a full day.

The campaign translated into significant sales on the launch day itself with the Nothing Phone (2a) selling 30,000 units in just one hour, doubling to 60,000 within three hours and completely selling out 100,000 units by the end of the day.

Welspun Living Limited Achieves Highest ESG Rating in Textile

Mumbai, 29 March 2024: Welspun Living Ltd. (WLL), a global leader in home textiles, announces its latest S&P Global – Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA) scores for 2023, showcasing a remarkable achievement in its sustainability performance. With an overall score of 66 on the S&P Global ESG Score, WLL has become the top ranked textile manufacturing company from India in the Textile, Apparels & Luxury goods category in this prestigious global ESG ratings. The FY 23 scores showed significant improvement, with an approximately 11 percent increase from the previous year’s score of 59 underscoring the company’s commitment to adoption of Sustainable practices across the textile value chain. Welspun Living’s growth trajectory in sustainability is evident across all dimensions, as highlighted by the following updated scores:

S&P Global (DJSI) ESG Score

 

2022

2023

Total

59

66

Governance

67

70

Environment

54

64

Social

56

61

 

These outstanding scores position the company in the top 3 percentile of textile, apparel & luxury goods companies globally and is an example of its persistent dedication to sustainable practices and responsible corporate citizenship.

“ESG is at the core of everything that we do at WLL and the substantial improvement in S&P Global ESG scores is a testament of our efforts. We take great pride in our enhanced sustainability performance across the entire textile value chain, exemplified by our latest scores “said Dipali Goenka, CEO & MD of Welspun Living Limited. “Being the highest rated company from India in the textile, apparel & luxury goods segment underscores our commitment to leading the industry in environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and transparent governance. These accomplishments bring us closer to our ambitious objective of achieving carbon and water neutrality by 2030, demonstrating our steadfast dedication to creating shared value within the communities we serve. We are continually innovating and collaborating to ensure that our business practices align with our values and contribute positively to the world around us.”

Sanjay Gupta, CFO of Welspun Living Ltd, further added, “Our improved scores across all fronts showcase our comprehensive approach to sustainability, driven by our collective endeavours to protect the environment and uplift communities. We remain unwavering in our pursuit of excellence, meeting the expectations and aspirations of all our stakeholders. WLL’s consistent improvements underscore its alignment with global ESG trends and its commitment to sustainable business practices, making it a role model for corporate success.”

India Shelter: Pioneering Affordable Housing Finance in India’s Heartland

Mumbai, 29th March – India Shelter Finance Corporation Ltd., a rapidly growing housing finance company, is firm on the unbeaten track of realizing the dream of owning a home for self-employed and low-income group in tier-II and tier-III cities of India. With a single-minded focus on financial inclusion, supported by a technology-first approach, India Shelter is poised to accelerate continued igh growth and its commitment to empower the underprivileged segment in Indian society.

Empowering the Underserved

India Shelter very well understands the difficulties emanating from their self-employed customers to access formal credit facilities. It brings solutions that cater to this segment, keeping in view the need for necessary financial inclusion for all, where 70% of our base belongs to this category of people. Our average loan ticket size is for 1.1 million rupees, which underlines our commitment to affordable housing finance and makes us a very significant player in addressing the housing needs of Low Income Group (LIG) and Economically Weaker Sections (EWS).

Strategic Expansion and Growth

The strategic geographical expansion has been underlined as the reason for our success. Stretching operations in 12 states and having a very significant presence in Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh expand deep market penetration. This is complemented by our robust growth rate of 35% CAGR in core earnings over FY2023-27E, which is spearheaded by a truly innovative product mix and understanding at the granular level of the target markets’ subtleties.

Innovation and Technology

In the very heart of our operations lies a technology-first approach that enhances our service delivery and operational efficiency. We have moved from in-house sourcing towards centralized ontrol of underwriting our technological interventions and not only sm tightening the processes but also making the credit appraisal system strong. This has significantly contributed toward our scalable and sustainable business model.

Facing the Future with Confidence

Looking ahead India Shelter is well-positioned to capitalize on the long runway in affordable housing finance. We will continue expanding our geography throughout the country and increase the quality of the product in every possible way in order to better meet the most varied needs of our customers. We remain focused on improving operational leverage, and the approach towards maintaining the optimum level of Capital Adequacy Ratio keeps us geared toward achieving our mission of “A shelter for all Indians.