AIC-IIITH Foundation selects 10 Tech-based Social Enterprises focused on Sustainable Development Goals

Business World

AIC-IIITH Foundation selects 10 Tech-based Social Enterprises focused on Sustainable Development Goals

Aug 10, 2020 by Gouri Achary 0 Comments #Akash incubation program, #Atal Incubation Centre, #Entrepreneur, #International Institute of Information Technology (AIC-IIITH), #Social Entrepreneur and Director at Ignis Career., #Strategic Advisor and Investor; Anup Puthan, #TechExpert and Investor; Emmanuel V Murray Senior Advisor at Caspian Impact Investment Adviser and Rennis Joseph, #Viveck Verma

10 August, Hyderabad: Atal Incubation Centre at International Institute of Information Technology (AIC-IIITH) has selected 10 startups for its flagship Akash incubation program for tech-based social enterprises working on Sustainable Development goals.

AIC-IIITH received 100 applications from 17 states, out of which 17 were selected for the final round. The process which began in December 2019 and went through multiple rounds, concluded in an online selection conference consisting of Viveck Verma, Entrepreneur, Strategic Advisor and Investor; Anup Puthan, TechExpert and Investor; Emmanuel V Murray Senior Advisor at Caspian Impact Investment Adviser and Rennis Joseph, Social Entrepreneur and Director at Ignis Career.

The selected startups will be supported through their entrepreneurial journey by business coaching, boot camps and workshops on various topics like finance, IP, marketing, etc. mentor and expert chats, peer learning sessions, as well as an opportunity to apply for seed funding.

AIC-IIITH is at present supporting diverse social enterprises from sectors like Edutech, Healthtech, Environment, etc. The 2nd cohort also consists of 10 startups from diverse fields all working to help India achieve SDGs by 2030.

Ramesh Loganathan, Director, AIC-IITH, congratulated the startups and said, “Being part of this incubation program is an excellent platform for social entrepreneurs to get tools to grow and become sustainable and thus multiply their social impact.”

The startups that are part of the 2nd cohort are:

Adva Enviro Solutions Pvt Ltd – Fighting water crisis in India through mass action approach using innovative water conservation techniques to make ground water-rich and promote people to conserve rainwater.

Transit – HelpTruck drivers facing problems of liquidity for costs like diesel, toll tax and food. Lot of time they get lynched. A lot of time parties don’t give payment to the drivers in time. Transit provides them with transit cards, which can help them solve all these problems.

SDG Healthcare Private Limited – Developing an AI/ML-based screening solution to prevent anaemia among the majority of the rural population of children, adolescent girls, pregnant and lactating mothers and males in the health care sector.

KOTUMB Digital Empowerment and Careers Pvt Ltd – A career enhancement, guidance and jobs/ entrepreneurship solution for the educated youth of tier 2 and tier 3 locations via an android mobile app.

Ecowrap – An end-to-end integrated waste management solution for the Hotel, Restaurant and Cafe (HORECA) sector that will address illegal dumping of waste into landfills causing pollution, wastage of precious resources and avoid zero monetization of waste.

Ayata Intelligence Private Limited – Indian Horticulture productivity is 250 % lower than the global average. Addressing it through IoT & AI-powered SaralKheti technology, which screens crops with stress management at 3 levels: Soil, Crop and Atmosphere.

Mayukh.ai – Creating loan availability options for those without any formal credit history via KarzSiddhi, an end to end solution to facilitate the loans from NBFCs (primarily) by ratifying the character, commitment and capacity of an individual artisan or semi-skilled person like electrician, mechanic, plumber, etc.

Digibeings – Making mental health treatment and diagnosis scalable, affordable and accessible via virtual human AI.

Jivandeep Health Services – India’s only end to end solution for organ transplant catering to the needs of patients from the initial diagnosis to rehabilitation and sustainability.

Kaiinos Education Services- Address the challenges in monitoring climate change using satellite data and the availability of public learning material to process and publish satellite data. And developing a participatory eLearning platform for the same.

Business World

Transformation of site visits as developers uphold safety: Interview with Dr. Rahul Chaudhary, Promoter, Sunworld Group

Aug 10, 2020 by Gouri Achary 0 Comments #COVID, #Dr. Rahul Chaudhary, #Promoter, #Sunworld Group, #virtual tours and drone- view

1. How are site visits going to be different in the post COVID era from in the pre-COVID period?

The site visits have always been an essential part of the property purchase process. It was during these site visits that developers and buyers connected on a personal level, and get a better understanding of each other. Buyers were normally doing 3-4 site visits in a day if the properties were located close to each other. Developers were also able to arrange multiple site visits in a day, especially on holidays and Sundays. The pattern will undergo a lot of change after COVID as every aspect of business turns digital. Scheduled sites only for genuine homebuyers will be encouraged if government authorities grant permission for the same. Otherwise reputed developers have already set in place virtual tours and drone- view of their projects for giving complete discretion of location to the buyers. The entire construction site will be monitored in terms of workers density, cleanliness and hygiene, in case buyers happen to visit personally.

2. How feasible are site visits considering the safety concerns for employees as well as customers?

Right now it is best if buyers choose to opt for digital site tours, as the COVID cases are rising at an alarming rate. As a developer, we would never want to put our potential and existing customer’s safety in danger. With the market being uncertain, our employees are occupied revising their yearly plans via WFH, and if the buyers insist on visiting sites personally, it will need a lot of preparation from our end. The workers allotted on these sites have to be trained accordingly for maintaining distancing, an employee will have to accompany the potential buyers for ensuring everything is in place.

3. Do you think home buyers are ready for this changed way of site visits? What advice would you give to prospective home buyers about visiting property sites?

The increased number of digital queries during this lockdown has shown us a clear indication that homebuyers are more than ready to accept this pattern. Our advice to them would be to seek addresses for their doubts and demands that are related to our properties to keep the communication going. We can mention only limited information on these sites, and a buyer when investing for properties has many questions. We do not want that this distancing reduces our connect with the potential buyers, our ORM team is equipped and trained to solve their queries and provide the quick address of their concerns.

4. What measures have you taken on your sites to ensure safety?

We have trained our workers appropriately, a site manager ensures safety guidelines are being followed throughout. Use of Sanitizers is encouraged at intervals, disinfection of sites is carried out regularly. Temperature screening on entrances, limited workers on site, and a medical officer is kept at the beck and call for any emergency.

5. Do you think these restrictions or changed ways of site visits will hamper or dampen buyer interest?

The interest will not be hampered but it might prolong the process of booking the unit, as property-buying followed very much a traditional route in our country before COVID. Virtual tours have given them an outlook of the property on their screens, but a good number of buyers still believe personal visit as the final step before entering into a legal agreement. NRI’s however have always taken the digital route for property investment, so no change has been observed from their ends.

Business World

PhonePe launches a new campaign saluting the indomitable spirit of India

Aug 10, 2020 by Gouri Achary 0 Comments #“Karte Ja, #Badhte Ja”, #Founder & CEO, #New Normal’, #PhonePe, #PhonePe’s ambassador Aamir Khan, #Sameer Nigam

Bengaluru, August 10, 2020: PhonePe, India’s leading digital payments platform, today announced the launch of a new brand campaign saluting the resilient spirit of the people of India and their unstoppable drive in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. Inspired by the brand’s philosophy of “Karte Ja, Badhte Ja”, the new brand film showcases how PhonePe continues to help over 20 crore users and over 1 crore merchants do more & move forward with adequate precautions. PhonePe’s ambassador Aamir Khan has featured and lent his voice to the films of this campaign.

The inspiring narrative of the campaign illustrates how people are navigating the ‘New Normal’ as the country continues to open up in phases after months of lockdown. It traces stories of unhindered progress of merchants and users, aided by PhonePe, while the pandemic has effectively changed our ways of life. By enabling safe payments from home & contactless payments everywhere else, PhonePe is helping everyone adapt to their new circumstances. The Indian drive for progress has no full stop, as captured in one of the lines in the film – “Rukna toh humein aata nahin”. PhonePe’s offerings which include contactless payments, easy money transfers on chat, bill payments, fast recharge among others nurture the spirit of resilience and always moving ahead.

Commenting on the launch, Sameer Nigam, Founder & CEO, PhonePe said, “During these unprecedented times, Indians from small villages to large metros are striving to get back to normalcy and progress in their lives. We see our platform as a trusted partner to those billion-plus aspirations. Our latest brand campaign is a tribute to the indomitable spirit of the people of India and reflects everyday stories of progress with PhonePe’s varied offerings.”

Link to the film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJFhihqQgkw&feature=youtu.be

Creative Credits: Leo Burnett & OffRoad Films

The campaign includes a 1-minute 50-second master film and five shorter 15-second stories. These can be viewed on digital and social media platforms such as YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn. PhonePe users can also watch it on the app.

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Les Roches to collaborate with Quintessentially to assist Indian students travelling to Switzerland for education

Aug 10, 2020 by Gouri Achary 0 Comments #CEO of Quintessentially, #Director of Marketing and Enrolment at Les Roches, #Les Roches, #Mr. Adrian Artimov, #Ms. Mishti Bose, #Quintessentially, #Switzerland

10th August 2020: In the current context, Indian students are naturally apprehensive of travelling abroad, and, therefore, to cater to their needs, Les Roches is launching a one of a kind partnership with Quintessentially India, an award-winning luxury concierge and lifestyle management service company.

Les Roches is offering free access to a private Quintessentially account manager that will help students prepare their travel details for Switzerland for the October intake this year, offering a personalized services pack which will include flight booking, airport transfer, meet and greet at the airport with fast track checking and emigration, VIP lounge access and a personal protective equipment pack. Founded in 2000, as the first private members club, Quintessentially India has come a long way to becoming the authority and the real voice of luxury and assistance. From memorable events to luxury travel, corporate services, global customer loyalty programmes and much more, they are proud to partner with the world’s most recognized brands such as Les Roches and support Indian students in their travel abroad.

Ms. Mishti Bose, CEO of Quintessentially India said “It is an absolute honour to collaborate with Les Roches, one of the leading hospitality institutions in the world. We believe our brand ethos is in perfect tandem with the ethos of Les Roches. Uncompromising on quality, we at Quintessentially are agile problem solvers who are passionately committed to connecting the Indian community to their brand partner at Les Roches through authentic, meaningful experiences and aim to provide perfect assistance to the Indian students during their journey.”

Speaking on their collaboration, Mr. Adrian Artimov, Director of Marketing and Enrolment at Les Roches said “We understand that some students from India have been worried about travelling and hence we wanted to assure them and their parents by providing the best concierge service in India. We are extremely delighted to be partnering with Quintessentially and hope that we can achieve our aim of providing a pleasant journey to all our students. Les Roches is one of the best hospitality management schools in the world and by partnering with such an exclusive concierge service, we are showcasing how 5-star hospitality works to our students through the first-hand experience.”

After having travelled to Switzerland using Quintessentially concierge services, the students will arrive at the comfort of the campus where they will meet the designated Les Roches staff to smoothly continue further their integration and accommodate them in preparation for the studies ahead.

Les Roches is a part of Sommet Education, which also includes sister schools Glion Institute of Higher Education and Ecole Ducasse under its umbrella. The collaboration between Les Roches and Quintessentially shall also be extended to the sister schools and the services shall be offered to the students that shall be attending Glion and Ducasse this coming year.

Business World

Tech start-up Airific Systems introduces UV Heal SafeAir to break the spread of airborne diseases including viruses such as COVID-19.

Aug 10, 2020 by Gouri Achary 0 Comments #Airific Systems, #Airific Systems Pvt. Ltd, #Ankit Sharma, #Director, #The International Ultraviolet Association (IUVA) & ASHRAE, #UV Heal SafeAir

· UVHeal SafeAir has the capability to provide virus-free air which includes viruses such as COVID-19

· 100% Made in India, gives a strong voice to the ‘AtmaNirbhar Bharat’ movement

· Kills 90-99% viruses, bacteria, yeast and mold (fungi) within seconds

· No chemical added for disinfection; No Ozone created

· Improves indoor air quality & Energy-saving

· Developing a real-time analysis software that will integrate with a mobile app

As the world is going through the worst ever public health crisis, multiple challenges are cropping up with infections taking place from viruses. Many of these viral infections are proven to be airborne. Experts, scientists and ASHRAE claim that viruses like COVID-19 can easily spread through indoor air circulation systems, which means that a single infected person can trigger the infection to countless others. To overcome this biggest challenge of the pandemic, Airific Systems Pvt. Ltd., a Delhi-based tech start-up, has introduced ‘UVHeal SafeAir’ – an ultra-modern ‘UV-Based HVAC Air Disinfectant’ for central air conditioning systems to break the spread of airborne diseases.

UVHeal SafeAir uses the proven UVGI (ultraviolet germicidal irradiation) technology to disinfect the circulated air by destroying the DNA or RNA of the dangerous viruses & bacteria present and hence stopping these airborne pathogens from replicating– right at the point from where the air is supplied to any premises. The product is suitable to be used in all the public places equipped with central air conditioning systems like airports, hospitals, theatres, hotels, offices, schools & colleges, restaurants, and even industrial areas.

The International Ultraviolet Association (IUVA) & ASHRAE has also suggested that UVC disinfection technology can efficiently combat the viruses responsible for causing epidemics like COVID-19, SARS COV-1, SARS COV-2, MERS-COV, etc.

Ankit Sharma, Director, Airific Systems Pvt. Ltd. states, “At Airific Systems, we aim to work on a consumer-centric approach where we bring future-driven technology that makes the lives of our customers joyful. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has adversely affected individuals as well as organizations. Now is the time when we adapt ourselves to the scenario. So, when it comes to the health, comfort, and well-being of the community, UVHeal SafeAir will turn out to be the most effective solution.” “Technology has always been at the forefront of all our products and businesses and UVHeal SafeAir is no different. There are many in built technology features within the product, and we have developed a special software based on computational fluid dynamics and using simulation tools to get the highest efficient design with the highest desired efficiency to work on customer solutions.”

Business World

Elective cardiac surgeries amid COVID19 pandemic Dr. Bipeenchandra Bhamre, Cardio-Thoracic Surgeon, Sir H N Reliance Foundation Hospital and Research Centre,

Aug 10, 2020 by Gouri Achary 0 Comments #Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) or valve repair/replacement, #Coronavirus

Coronavirus is a matter of public health concern in India. Patients requiring elective surgeries such as Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) or valve repair/replacement, tend to delay them as they fear of getting infected with the coronavirus. But, doing so can be life-threatening for the patients and they may also develop complications while on the waitlist for surgery. If you have been advised to undergo elective cardiac surgery then speak to your doctor and after taking appropriate COVID 19 precautions you can undergo open-heart surgery safely.

India is reeling under Coronavirus. To curb the spread of COVID19, we followed lockdown. By doing so we borrowed time to develop and strengthen our existing medical services. Now, the GOI has started to unlock and the state government has lifted more restrictions in this stage, though it said non-essential activities in Mumbai will still continue to be restricted owing to the continued surge in the number of COVID19 cases. Many patients are anxiously waiting for their elective heart surgeries, which are resuming slowly. Elective cardiac surgery means regular cardiac surgery like routine CABG, valve repair/replacement. Those patients suffering from heart diseases such as coronary artery disease heart valve problems. Because of the pandemic, patients requiring these surgeries are anxious about getting an infection so they are avoiding surgeries and in turn, they are at constant risks for developing various complications including risks to life.

The coronavirus killed tens of thousands in the United States during the pandemic’s first months, but it also left a lesser-known toll: thousands of more deaths than would have been expected from heart disease and a handful of other medical conditions, according to an analysis of federal data by The Washington Post. The analysis suggests that in five hard-hit states and New York City there were 8,300 more deaths from heart problems than would have been typical in March, April and May, an increase of roughly 27 per cent over historical averages. The review suggests that many patients suffering from serious conditions lost their lives as a result of delaying or not seeking care as the outbreak progressed and swamped some hospitals. The danger of not getting care is greater than the danger of getting exposed to the virus.

Now, elective surgeries have resumed

By giving priority to the health of the patients, the hospitals have started doing elective surgeries. “We have started operating from 1st June, and we are operating 3 to 4 surgeries per week with all the necessary covid19 precautions. We want to give a message to people waiting for heart surgery depending on the severity of their disease the surgery should be carried out under most covid19 care protocols.,” said Dr Bipeenchandra Bhamre.

Ensure all the necessary precautions

  • Many Hospitals in Mumbai have started doing routine surgeries by adhering to the COVID-19 protocol. Visitors’ entry is restricted in the hospital.
  • Ask the patients and visitors to use masks/ cloth barriers for themselves.
  • Ensure that all the healthcare workers who are encountering patients use masks in hospitals as mandatory.
  • Hand sanitizers are being offered to all the patients and their attendees’ entering the hospital. All are being made to follow social distancing.
  • Regular cleaning and disinfection of all the high touch areas are ensured. All medical equipment used is regularly disinfected. All the medical staff attending to patients is wearing their personal protective equipment.

Takeaway: With due precautions, the chances of getting an infection during elective heart surgery is less than the risk if you don’t undergo your heart surgery.

Source of the study quoted: https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2020/investigations/coronavirus-excess-deaths-heart/

Business World

Cosmo Films launches Transparent Anti-fog Film for large packs for fresh fruits & vegetables

Aug 10, 2020 by Gouri Achary 0 Comments #Bi-axially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) based transparent film, #CEO, #Cosmo Films, #Cosmo Films Ltd., #Mr. Pankaj Poddar

New Delhi, 10th August 2020– Cosmo Films Ltd., a global leader in speciality films for flexible packaging, lamination & labelling applications and synthetic paper, recently introduced a Bi-axially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) based transparent film aptly suited for large packs and pouches used in the fresh food packaging Industry.

The newly launched transparent antifog film has excellent cold and hot antifogging property, superior fusion sealing strength of 1226-3498 g/inch, has an excellent hot tack ranging from 280 to 530 g/inch for a temperature range of 130-140 degree C and comes with a wide thickness rage of 25, 30 & 35µ.

The film is designed for varied applications like Food Packaging, Fresh vegetables, fruits and salad, meat products and dairy products.

Commenting on Cosmo Film’s commitment to consistently deliver products to meet industries expectations, Mr. Pankaj Poddar, CEO, Cosmo Films said: “Across our entire product portfolio, we intend to create thoughtfully designed products to meet the needs of the industries around the world. This film is designed to fit the growing fresh food packaging market with its antifog properties and exceptional seal strength.”

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Janmashtami -The story of Divine power Dr Varun Gupta, Educationist and Lifetime member of ISKCON

Aug 10, 2020 by Gouri Achary 0 Comments #Dahi Handi festival, #Educationist and Lifetime member of ISKCON, #Janmashtami, #Raasleelas

“Love is a consistent passion to give and not a meek persistent hope to receive”- Lord Krishna.

Shri Krishna the most supreme god in his own right and also one of the widely praised and worshipped avatars of God Vishnu has reshaped the spiritual and temporal destiny of mankind. By educating the world about devotion and dharma over the past 125 years, Lord Krishna has made an unforgettable impression upon mankind’s collective consciousness. Lord Krishna’s birth aimed to end all the darkness prevailing at that time on Earth and to eliminate the evil forces that were making the lives of the people miserable. The divinity and courage of Shri Krishna have inspired millions of people across the globe.

On the auspicious occasion of Janmashtami, the entire country is overloaded with joy and the idol of Lord Krishna is bathed with panchamrit made of milk, ghee, honey, tulsi leaves and Gangajal. During the Janmashtami festivities, the chanting of the aartis, hymns and kirtans are a common scenario everywhere. The admirers of Sri Krishna keep fast for the whole day. The enthusiastic younger generations actively participate in the Dahi handi festival. It is one of the most important activities or sports on this occasion. It is mainly celebrated in Mumbai and Pune where Janmashtami is also called as Gokulashtami. Also, at many places, people perform Raasleelas to recreate occurrences from the life of Lord Krishna. Temples across the country are decorated with lights and flowers. The ISKCON temple specially organizes a 3-day festival on this day at their headquarters in Mayapur. Many members contribute wholeheartedly towards the Janmashtami celebrations by offering their time and efforts.

The enchanting fragrance of flowers, soothing aroma of camphor, and the bells ringing in the temples capture the entire environment with holiness. People wear new clothes and visit temples to pay respect and perform puja of Shri Krishna.

The festival of Janmashtami is not only popular in India but is also celebrated in many places around the world with equal passion. Some of these countries are New Zealand, where one can experience spiritual bliss with festive lights and devotional music. Canada, given the large population of Indians Janmashtami, is celebrated with full vigour. Malaysia, grand festivities are held at the temples of Kuala Lumpur with lovely dramas and dances organised by the Indian communities. In Singapore, one can witness Little India during the occasion of Janmashtami.

Business World

Covid-19 blues pitches SRM into more research initiatives including Siddha – SRMIST

Aug 9, 2020 by Gouri Achary 0 Comments #‘Kabasura Kudineer’, #‘Siddha’, #Dr Lt Col A. Ravikumar, #Dr. Satyajit Mahopatra and Dr Melvin George., #Medical and Health Sciences, #National Institute of Siddha (NIS), #Pro-Vice-Chancellor

KATTANKULATHUR, AUG 9:

Even after six months into a global pandemic, the continuing uncertainty over the progression of Covid-19, novel coronavirus, has infused a greater degree of social purpose in SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre at Kattankulathur near here to try and contribute to taming the virus by undertaking research across medicinal systems including ‘Siddha’, said Dr Lt Col A. Ravikumar, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Medical and Health Sciences

In the popular message-space, ‘Kabasura Kudineer’, the herbal concoction as part of the indigenous ‘Siddha’ formulations to tackle coronavirus, may be seen as a harmless immune booster in susceptible populations. But that stage is already being surpassed, thanks to the Central and State governments also opening up the inclusion of Indian systems of medicine and medical research institutions like SRM taking up the challenge.

Going beyond a facile recommendation that ‘Siddha’ formulations including ‘Kabasura Kudineer’ is an ‘add-on therapy’ in treating Covid-19 patients, “We are now testing its efficacy in a proper scientific study to see whether it really works,” says Dr Melvin George, Associate Professor, Clinical Pharmacology, SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre.

The study, in collaboration with the National Institute of Siddha (NIS), aims to document, on the basis of scientific evidence, how the ‘Siddha’ formulations add to the effectiveness of the mainline allopathic hospital treatment to cure Covid-19 and also how they can prevent the virus from spreading.

This important study is being aided by two groups of people- in all 150 and split into 75 persons in each group with their individual consent-, of which one group will get the regular medical treatment for Covid-19 plus the ‘Siddha’ formulations and the other group get only standard medical care, explains Dr. Satyajit Mahopatra and Dr Melvin George.

The outcomes from these two groups will be compared in testing claims whether ‘Siddha’ formulations really help prevent Covid-19 cases going from ‘mild’ to ‘severe’, the lesser number of days taken for a cure and the like. “Nearly 40 per cent of this study has been completed and at the end of it we will publish the findings along with the NIS”, he said.

Another area of research SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre is in thick of, is testing the efficacy of recombinant BCG vaccine in preventing Covid-19 infections among people who are in the high-risk zone, particularly among the hospital staff who are treating Covid-19 patients. This is in partnership with the Serum Institute, Pune.

The third study involves finding out whether ‘Hydroxychloroquine’ as a prophylactic can prevent the onset of Covid-19 coronavirus infection in people who are working in hospitals. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has given guidelines for this two months back and SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre is one of the 25 hospitals across India chosen for this study also, points out Dr Melvin George.

Ultimately, with so many people suffering due to Covid-19, the purpose of “widening our research horizons, given our very good infrastructure, by collaborating with various organisations is to join different initiatives and with our contributions cumulatively make an impact” in fighting the pandemic, says Dr Melvin George.

“It is a large team who are working and if by collaborative research we can contribute to understanding Covid-19, for its treatment and prevention and if it can stop the pandemic and save people’s lives, it will be a big thing,” added Dr Melvin George, on the overall significance of these projects.

Business World

HDFC Bank named ‘Best Bank in India’ by FinanceAsia

Aug 9, 2020 by Gouri Achary 0 Comments #‘Best Bank in India’, #global magazine FinanceAsia, #HDFC Bank

Mumbai, August 09, 2020: HDFC Bank has been recognised as the ‘Best Bank in India’ by global magazine FinanceAsia for the 4th consecutive year. The Bank was adjudged as India’s top bank at the publication’s Country Awards for Achievement 2020 for its conservative retail lending policies and security of deposits.

In its editorial on the bank, FinanceAsia states, “It feels like a secure home for depositors aware of rising levels of fraud cases across the wider financial services sector. The bank’s conservative retail lending policies also means that financial analysts believe it will be able to navigate through the COVID-19 storm that put the country under a strict curfew.”

In its latest issue, the magazine writes – “HDFC Bank’s hold on this award has only strengthened during the awards period. As many financial analysts have noted, India’s most profitable private sector bank has become a safe port in very stormy seas for an Indian economy beset by slowing growth and a banking sector weighed down by bad loans. This safety-first ethos is reflected in the bank’s capital and NPL ratios. S&P data shows an overall CAR of 18.25% for FY 2020 compared to 16.77% the year before, of which core tier 1 amounted to 17.01%.”

Methodology:

FinanceAsia’s annual Country Awards for Achievement recognises outperforming banks from countries in the Asia-Pacific region. The magazine bestows the recognition on the banks after taking into consideration their performance, vision, and long-term strategy.

For the second year running, a high-profile editorial advisory board also aided the editors by providing a peer review across the region.