All posts by Sujata Muguda

Rainy Day Delights: Savor the Season with Cornitos’ Irresistible Snacks

India, July 2024: As the monsoon rains begin to weave its magic, there’s nothing quite like the comforting embrace of delightful snacks to bring people together. Cornitos, India’s leading nachos brand, invites you to indulge in the ultimate monsoon snacking experience with our tantalizing range of products – Cornitos Peri Peri Nachos Crisps, Cornitos Tomato Mexicana Nacho Crisps, Cornitos exciting Party Mix, Cornitos Nacho Crisps Cheese & Herbs, Cornitos Nacho CrispsTikka Masala, Cornitos Hot & Spicy Coated Green Peas, and Cornitos Wasabi Coated Green Peas.
For those who love a spicy kick, Cornitos Peri Peri Nacho Crisps provide a bold and zesty experience that is sure to tantalize your taste buds. The Cornitos Tomato Mexicana Nacho Crisps deliver a tangy and savory twist, perfectly complementing the cozy monsoon ambiance. If you crave a rich and savory taste, the Cornitos Nacho Crisps Cheese & Herbs offer a delectable blend of cheesy goodness and herbal notes. For an exotic flavor adventure, the Cornitos Nacho CrispsTikka Masala infuses the traditional Indian spice mix into a crunchy delight.

For a healthy yet delicious option, Cornitos Salted Pumpkin Seeds offer a nutritious snack that adds a delightful crunch to your monsoon snacking routine. The Cornitos Hot & Spicy Coated Green Peas and Wasabi Coated Green Peas add a unique and fiery twist to your snacking routine, bringing a burst of heat and flavor that enhances the monsoon vibe.

Cornitos believes that the monsoon is a time for bonding, whether it’s through sharing stories, playing games, or watching sports. Our snacks are the perfect companions for these moments, adding flavor and fun to every gathering. With the rain pouring outside, there’s no better time to stay indoors, enjoy your favorite sports, and munch on our irresistible snacks. Whether you’re cheering for your favorite team or enjoying a cozy movie night, Cornitos has something for everyone.

Imagine a rainy evening, the aroma of wet earth filling the air, as you and your loved ones gather around for a game night. The excitement builds as you reach for a pack of the fiery zest of Cornitos Peri Peri Nachos, the perfect match for the thrilling moments of your favorite sports match. The Cornitos Tomato Mexicana Nacho Crisps bring a burst of flavor that enhances every conversation, while the Cornitos Party Mix offers a light and healthy option that keeps you satisfied throughout the evening with a scrumptious taste. The Cornitos Nacho Crisps Cheese & Herbs and Tikka Masala varieties add a gourmet touch to your snack table, ensuring there’s a favorite for every palate. For those seeking a spicy thrill, the Cornitos Hot & Spicy Coated Green Peas and Wasabi Coated Green Peas deliver an intense and satisfying crunch.

So, this monsoon, grab a pack of Cornitos, gather your loved ones, and let the magic of snacks and sports bring you closer. Let’s make this season memorable with every crunch and every cheer. Go wild with Cornitos and celebrate the spirit of togetherness!

Lg Highlights Progress In Transformation To Smart Life Solution Company

SEOUL/New Delhi, July 12, 2024 – LG Electronics (LG) reinforced its strategic vision for 2030 in a global press tour conducted this week in Seoul, South Korea. This vision marks a significant transformation from a global leader in home appliances and consumer electronics to a Smart Life Solution company. LG’s ambitious plan, dubbed ‘Triple 7,’ targets a 7% cumulative average growth rate, 7% operating profit, and a sevenfold increase in enterprise value.

During the five-day media tour, media personnel were introduced to the ‘home of the future,’ brought to life by LG through a series of hands-on experiences. The tour included a visit to the LG Innovation Gallery at LG Science Park in Magok, highlighting key future technologies created by LG and its affiliates. Additionally, the tour featured a visit to LG Smart Park in Changwon, showcasing the company’s impressive systems and production capabilities. LG also held informative presentations covering key topics, such as the company’s B2B expansion in mobility and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) as well as other growth sectors; its strategic goal to apply ‘Affectionate Intelligence’ to its new and upcoming smart life solutions; and its ongoing efforts in brand reinvention and continuous customer experience innovation.

From the Home to the Road: Enhancing Customer Experiences in Various Spaces

LG’s groundbreaking ThinQ UP home appliances can adapt to customers’ changing lifestyles thanks to their unique upgradability without having to make any additional purchases. ThinQ UP technology enables customers to choose and install additional features or functions, providing a more tailored user experience. LG will continuously develop easy-to-install software updates and hardware add-ons, delivering specialized options and new conveniences based on the usage patterns and suggestions of ThinQ UP appliance owners. 1

The Vehicle Component Solutions (VS) Company introduced LG’s software-defined vehicle strategy. The VS Company, which has experienced continuous growth since its successful turnaround in 2022, has reimagined the car as an extension of one’s living space. It is dedicated to delivering immersive in-cabin experiences that redefine the expectations of future automotive design.

Valentin Janiaut, software solutions leader at LG VS Company, noted that cars are fast evolving from a means of transportation to an extension of people’s personal space. LG aims to realize a ‘living space on wheels,’ leveraging its deep understanding of customers to provide a seamless and differentiated in-vehicle experience.

LG is driving the transition to software-defined vehicles with its advanced suite of software, LG AlphaWare. Consisting of five sophisticated core solutions, LG AlphaWare empowers mobility providers to deliver home-like comfort and connectivity to drivers and passengers: PlayWare for in-vehicle entertainment, MetaWare for an engaging and intuitive driving experience, VisionWare for AI-driven driver and passenger monitoring, BaseWare for comprehensive vehicle operating system support, and OpsWare for enhancing software development and cybersecurity.

Advancing B2B Ventures with Smart Factory Expertise

LG Smart Park boasts a digitally enabled, end-to-end three-dimensional logistics system, an advanced analytics system based on edge computing and machine learning, and state-of-the-art facilities that demonstrate LG’s expertise in smart factory planning and construction.

LG is actively expanding its smart factory business, which encompasses production automation systems, AI-driven production planning and operations, and the Digital Twin solution. Earlier this year, the company established the Smart Factory Business Division within its Production Engineering Research Institute and has initiated the commercialization of its smart factory construction technology and operational solutions. LG is committed to partnering with customers throughout the manufacturing journey by providing optimal solutions across all stages – from planning and design to construction and operation.

Leveraging Customized Solutions to Secure HVAC Market Leadership

Another B2B area where LG is actively expanding is the HVAC sector. The company is focusing significant resources on the global market including Asia, which is expected to experience high growth due to an increase in commercial construction and the implementation of high-efficiency energy policies in many countries throughout the region.

LG is targeting Asia and other key HVAC markets with customized, AI-powered solutions – from residential and commercial air conditioners to chillers – that provide differentiated value. The demand for LG’s high-efficiency heating and cooling systems with heat pumps continues to rise. Embracing eco-responsible design and technologies, LG’s heat pump solutions offer reduced carbon emissions compared to conventional systems using fossil fuels and align with the global trend towards electrification.

The competitiveness of LG HVAC products stems from the company’s proprietary core component technology, or ‘Core Tech.’ LG develops and produces essential HVAC components, including compressors and motors, and continuously invests in R&D to advance heat exchanger, inverter, and heat pump technologies.

The media tour provided an opportunity for LG to showcase how it is proactively reinforcing its global human resources infrastructure. With 62 locations worldwide, the LG HVAC Academy provides comprehensive training on the installation and maintenance of LG’s residential and commercial HVAC systems and is expected to train approximately 37,000 technicians this year alone.

Furthermore, LG aims to establish a comprehensive local operation system in key markets such as the U.S. and India. Under this model, R&D, production, sales, and other critical business activities can all be conducted at the local level, enhancing LG’s ability to provide customers in each market with locally tailored solutions and customer service.

A Deep Understanding of Customers for More ‘Affectionate Intelligence’

LG’s ‘Affectionate Intelligence,’ is a concept based on the belief that AI should be capable of caring for and empathizing with customers. LG views AI as a catalyst for future growth and customer experience innovation. The company’s deep understanding of customers, built on decades of experience in consumer electronics and insights gained from 700 billion hours of usage across 700 million LG devices, is driving innovations that bring greater convenience and comfort to people’s lives.

“It’s essential that AI delivers real value to our customers through human-centered innovations, and that’s what Affectionate Intelligence is all about,” said Han Eun-Jung, vice president of LG’s AI Lab. “LG is utilizing its vast repository of insights and hundreds of millions of devices as an AI acceleration platform, which will help us deliver the most customer-centric AI yet.”

With hundreds of millions of its devices, systems, and solutions currently in use across diverse environments – from homes to vehicles to commercial spaces – LG boasts a unique competitiveness in the rapidly evolving field of AI development.

LG’s AI TV, for instance, is powered by the Alpha AI processor, which offers enhanced personalization and added convenience through interactive features. The latest LG AI TVs can recognize the user’s voice based on each unique webOS profile, understanding each user’s viewing preferences, habits, and desires to provide increasingly personalized recommendations.

Connecting with Younger Consumers to Reinvent the Brand

LG highlighted its numerous efforts to connect with younger consumers. At GROUND220, an experiential space created by LG under the theme of ‘My Routinary Life,’ the company is engaging younger audiences by bringing them together to learn how its products can enhance their daily routines.

LG also spotlighted its ‘Optimism Your Feed’ global campaign, which aims to introduce more optimism on social media. A brave optimist at heart, the company collaborated with popular online influencers to create original content for the ‘Optimism Your Feed’ playlist. When interacted with, the playlist pulls uplifting posts into people’s feeds, helping them to feel more positive and encouraging them to be a part of making social media – and the world – a better place.

In 2022, LG launched Life.zip in South Korea, an offline pop-up store designed to expand LG’s Life.zip online community, where consumers share their unique ‘home experiences.’ Life.zip now boasts over 180,000 members, more than 70 percent of whom are in their twenties and thirties. The six floors of the recently opened pop-up offer various activities that can be easily done at home, inviting consumers to try out new experiences. While there, they can also see firsthand how LG’s innovative products seamlessly blend with diverse styles of décor and meet the unique demands of each customer’s lifestyle.

RealX sets new benchmark in commercial real estate with landmark tokenized Ayodhya property deal

Pune, July 12, 2024 – Fractional ownership platform RealX has recently closed its Ayodhya commercial land property deal. This milestone saw participation from 57 investors who invested between INR 50,000 to INR 25 lakhs to acquire proportionate ownership rights in the property. This deal signifies a step forward in making high-value real estate accessible to a broader audience through fractional ownership and property tokenization. Fundbezzie assisted RealX as a Strategic Partner in the deal.

Fractional ownership addresses the high costs of owning expensive assets such as real estate, yachts, and private jets. Traditional ownership requires significant capital and maintenance, often unaffordable for many. By sharing these costs among multiple investors, fractional ownership allows the experience of high-value assets without the full financial burden. This model also promotes diversification and risk mitigation, thereby increasing potential returns.

On choosing Ayodhya, Manish Kumar, co-founder and CEO of RealX, says, “Ayodhya is one of the top appreciating property markets today. With support from central and state governments, the town is poised for rapid growth. Securing a prime property was challenging due to the seller’s market, but it was a perfect case for fractional ownership. By bringing this opportunity to people, we want to make it a participative investment story.”

RealX offers direct property rights to investors, avoiding the classical SPV route followed by other fractional ownership players. RealX provides two ownership modes: Registered Co-ownership and property tokens (on the blockchain). The former makes the investor a direct co-owner of the property, while the latter grants direct and legal beneficial rights within the token through a signed legal note.

Initially, many investors hesitated due to concerns about executing a clean transaction in Uttar Pradesh, especially digitally and in fractional ownership mode. “We accepted the challenge and completed the transaction within the expected timeline, even subscribing to a portion ourselves to meet the commitment. Now, post-registration, our contribution is also available for sale on the platform, boosting overall confidence in the system,” Manish Kumar added.

Ajay Setia, one of the investors who chose to invest in tokens shared his experience, “I was looking at investing in Ayodhya but couldn’t due to the high cost. With RealX, I found the entry barrier for investment to be low i.e. INR 50,000. I got introduced to the founders of RealX on WhatsApp and I found them credible which prompted me to invest. The prompt support and handholding through the process from the founders made it joyful.”

The tokenization of real-world assets is a new concept with immense promise. Post the global regulatory clampdown on cryptocurrencies, asset tokenization has emerged as a widely accepted blockchain application. RealX has positioned itself as a leader by delivering tokenized sales in this Ayodhya property deal.

Neera Inamdar, co-founder and COO of RealX said, “It was surprising to see that the biggest investors opted for digital assets as tokens. They carefully considered both modes and chose property tokens, which highlights the potential of digital assets.”

The fractional ownership of real estate in India is evolving rapidly, with the market expected to reach INR 4,500 billion by 2026. Currently, 200 million sq ft of Grade A office space is available for fractional ownership. According to Deloitte, real estate tokenization was valued at $2.7 billion in 2022 and is projected to reach $1 trillion by 2030. The Boston Consulting Group estimates the total size of illiquid asset tokenization, including real estate, could reach $16 trillion by 2030. In India, the real estate market is expected to reach $1 trillion by 2030, with fractional ownership and tokenization gaining traction.

Saudi Announces Multiple Visa Options for Indians

India, July 2024: Saudi beckons Indian travellers with an array of tourist visa options, introducing easier access to its diverse destinations. With stopover visa, eVisa services and visa-on-arrival*, Saudi extends an invitation to explore Riyadh’s vibrant cityscape, Jeddah’s cultural richness, hidden treasures of the Red Sea, and the ancient marvels of AlUla. The new guidelines and visa options cater to a variety of travel needs, encouraging more travellers to explore the multi-faceted country.

Currently, there are 10 visa facilitation centres in Mumbai, Delhi, Cochin, Chennai, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Lucknow, Kolkata and Calicut with plans to add more dedicated centres in additional cities. This is in line with the Saudi Vision 2030, to tap into India’s potential as the number 1 source market by aiming to welcome 7.5 million Indian travellers by 2030. By the end of 2024, Saudi is aiming to double visitor numbers to 2.2 million.

Stopover Visa

Indian travellers can now apply for a Stopover visa, which is valid for up to 96 hours and can be obtained 90 days in advance at the Saudia Airline website for a nominal fee towards administration and insurance services.

eVisa

Indians holding a valid tourist or business visa from the United States of America, the United Kingdom, or any Schengen country, with stamped proof of entry are eligible for the visa. Permanent residents of these countries or individuals possessing a valid residence visa from a GCC country with a minimum validity of three months beyond the entry date into Saudi are also eligible. The visa can be obtained before departure through the official portal.

Visa on Arrival

Travellers meeting similar criteria of a valid tourist or business visa from the US, UK, or Schengen countries with entry stamps can avail of a visa upon arrival at Saudi international airports as well. Those with permanent residency in these countries can also apply at self-service kiosks or passport control offices at Saudi airports

Those not eligible under the above-mentioned criteria can apply for the visa through Tasheer Centres across India. The process encompasses document preparation, appointment booking, application submission, biometric enrolment, and passport collection.

Essar Energy Transition launches EET Hydrogen Power

Mumbai/Stanlow, UK, 12 July 2024: Essar Energy Transition (EET) today announces the launch of EET Hydrogen Power, Europe’s first hydrogen-ready combined heat and power plant (CHP) to be built at its Stanlow refinery, to complete construction in 2027. The investment will support EET Fuels’ ambition to become the lowest carbon process refinery, globally and EET Hydrogen’s ambition to become the leading low-carbon hydrogen producer in the UK. It will also provide low-carbon power to other industrial users in the region to support their decarbonization targets. EET Hydrogen Power will become an independent vertical under EET.

EET Hydrogen Power will be developed over two phases to reach a capacity of 125 MW of power with 6,000 tonnes per day of steam, with the hydrogen replacing hydrocarbons delivering a reduction of 740,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide per annum. The new plant will replace Stanlow’s existing boiler units, which currently generate approximately 50MW of power for the refinery operations. The plant is integral to the decarbonization of operations at EET Fuels’ Stanlow refinery, which plans to cut total emissions by 95% by 2030, to become the world’s lowest carbon refinery.

EET Hydrogen Power is a key infrastructure project, supporting the decarbonization plans of the wider HyNet industrial cluster as well as forming a blueprint for future industrial and power decarbonization. The investment also delivers on EET’s contribution to supporting and growing high-skilled employment in the North West.

The investment into building Europe’s first hydrogen-ready power plant is a key part of EET’s overall $ 3.0 billion of energy transition initiatives in the North West of England.

EET includes EET Hydrogen Power; EET Fuels (which is the owner of the Stanlow Refinery); EET Hydrogen, (which is developing 1.35+ gigawatt (GW) of blue and green hydrogen capacity for the UK market, with follow-on capacity ambition of 4GW); and Stanlow Terminals Ltd, the UK’s largest independent bulk liquid storage terminal (, which is developing enabling transport and storage infrastructure for biofuels and new energies).

Tony Fountain, Managing Partner of Essar Energy Transition, commented:

“Launching EET Hydrogen Power shows the progress that Essar Energy Transition is making in delivering against its commitment to put the UK at the forefront of low carbon energy. EET Hydrogen Power helps bring this commitment to life and demonstrates our intention to globally showcase the pathway to decarbonizing vital high emitting industries.”

Rob Wallace, Chief Executive Officer of EET Hydrogen Power, commented:

“We have bold ambitions for Stanlow to become a low-carbon transition hub at the center of the HyNet Industrial Cluster. EET Hydrogen Power will be Europe’s first 100% hydrogen-ready gas-turbine plant which will be supplied with EET Hydrogen’s low-carbon hydrogen. This project will create significant benefits by contributing to regional emissions reduction targets.”

LXME Launches New Emergency Solution to Safeguard Women’s Financial Security in partnership with Edelweiss Mutual Fund

Mumbai, [12th July 2024] – LXME, India’s leading financial platform for women, is proud to announce the launch of its latest product, the Emergency Solution powered by Edelweiss Mutual Fund. This new Solution is designed to provide women with a safety net, ensuring they are prepared for any unforeseen emergencies without the need to dip into their savings or hard-earned investments.

In the realm of personal finance, an emergency fund is the most crucial asset one can build. It serves as the first line of defense against life’s uncertainties, offering peace of mind and financial stability. In India, women often save money for a rainy day, but for most, this rainy day never comes. Therefore, it is essential to park this money in a low-risk instrument that is easy to withdraw when needed.

LXME has partnered with Edelweiss Mutual Fund to create this unique solution for women.

“Building an emergency fund is the cornerstone of financial security. It allows you to handle life’s surprises without compromising your long-term financial goals,” said Priti Rathi Gupta, Founder of LXME. “At LXME, we believe in the power of financial independence, and our Emergency Solution is a step towards ensuring that women are always prepared and confident in their financial journey.”
Radhika Gupta, MD & CEO, Edelweiss MF said, “We’re excited to partner on this Emergency Solution with LXME—a vital tool for women’s financial empowerment. This Solution protects against emergencies while preserving savings and investments. At Edelweiss Mutual Fund, we’re dedicated to fostering financial resilience and independence, supporting women in securing their futures with confidence.”
Ridhi Doongursee, Co-Founder of LXME, added, “Women often prioritize the financial needs of their families over their own. Our Emergency Solution is designed to encourage women to also safeguard themselves, by providing a dedicated financial cushion for emergencies.
It’s not just about saving money; it’s about building a secure future.”

The LXME Emergency Solution is easy to set up and manage, with flexible options tailored to individual needs. By prioritizing the creation of an emergency fund, women can ensure they have the financial resilience to handle unexpected events, from medical emergencies to job losses, without derailing their financial plans.

PNB signs MoU with SAIL

New Delhi, 12 July 2024: Punjab National Bank (PNB), the nation’s leading public sector bank, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) for providing Home Loan, Car Loan, and Education Loan to SAIL employees at concessional rates and attractive features. This strategic partnership aims to enhance the financial well-being of SAIL employees while expanding PNB’s customer base within the steel sector.

The MoU was signed by PNB General Manager – Business Acquisition & Relationship Management Division (BARM) Shri Sudhir Dalal, SAIL General Manager – Finance Ms. Lavika Jain, and SAIL General Manager – HR Shri Bikram Uppal. The signing ceremony was graced by the presence of PNB Executive Director Shri Bibhu Prasad Mahapatra, PNB Chief General Manager Shri Sunil Agrawal, PNB General Manager Shri Mohit Dhawan, SAIL Executive Director – Finance Shri Praveen Nigam, SAIL Executive Director – HR Shri B.S. Popli and other senior officials from both organisations.