Tag: Europe

India and Russia are closer than they seem: Indian Vibes in Moscow

Moscow is a multicultural city. It is home to 13 million people, and only about half of them are native Muscovites. The capital attracts residents of smaller Russian cities, as well as immigrants from CIS countries, Middle Asia, Europe, and even India, with its opportunities both for education and career development and for a rich cultural life. The Indian diaspora in Moscow numbers about 15,000 people. Many come to Moscow to get higher education and stay on, finding good jobs in their specialty, doing business, and building families.

India and Russia 2

Indian culture has taken root in modern Moscow

Muscovites are interested in Indian culture and are happy to adopt some of the festivals and traditions. In recent years, there have been numerous festivals of Indian culture in the capital, bright Holi celebrations are organized in parks, and young women often decorate themselves with mehendi. Muscovites who lead an active lifestyle have come to appreciate yoga and various forms of meditation as practices that help to harmonize themselves and fill their lives with joy and inspiration, to find a fulcrum within themselves. However, yoga with a Moscow accent may differ from the Indian tradition. Often Moscow yoga implies the presence of curious attributes, such as brightly colored leggings, a mat decorated with the phases of the moon, the use of incense palo santo. The decor of decent yoga clubs necessarily includes aged statues of Ganesha or Buddha’s head. It is also very desirable after practice to go to a trendy smoothie bar with a friend to chat about the finer things and signs the universe gives us.

Indian cuisine

In Moscow, you can find restaurants of almost every cuisine in the world. Muscovites are great gourmets and enjoy trying different flavors. As a rule, most people do not dine at home. Businessmen and office workers go to cafes and restaurants for lunch and meetings. There are many Japanese, Italian, Vietnamese, Georgian, and Chinese establishments in the city. And, of course, authentic Indian restaurants thrive in the capital, as well as small Indian corners in gastrocenters (former Soviet food markets or streetcar depots rebuilt in a modern style, which now house food outlets popular especially among young people). It is important that the chefs and owners of the establishments are Hindus. Therefore, their knowledge and skill in cooking Indian food can be trusted. In Moscow restaurants of Russian and European cuisine, as a rule, all taste preferences are treated with understanding – there is a choice of vegetarian dishes or you can always ask to exclude animal products from your order.

Spirituality

The most common religion in Russia is Orthodox Christianity. However, in addition to Orthodox churches, Moscow has several Catholic and Protestant churches, synagogues, mosques, and Hindu temples. Many modern Muscovites are atheists, but they study the history of different religions and beliefs with interest. Both Hindi living in Moscow and Muscovites visit the Sikh temple Gurudwara Sahib, as well as the temple of Lord Krishna, where services and lectures are regularly held. By the way, Krishna has many followers in Moscow: even just walking along one of the central streets in good weather, one can meet a group of people in brightly colored clothes and saris dancing and singing Hare Krishna.

Art

If you are interested in classical music, fine arts, and contemporary art, Moscow is ideal for a wide variety of cultural leisure activities. It would take more than one day to visit all the best Moscow museums and galleries; besides, expositions and exhibitions change quite often. Often there are temporary exhibitions related to the Indian tradition. For example, in the main art state museum – Tretyakov Gallery, in addition to the permanent exhibition, which showcases masterpieces of Russian art of the XI – early XX centuries, now (from October 10, 2023 to March 10, 2024) you can visit the exhibition of Nicholas Roerich. It presents vivid landscapes of the famous artist, philosopher, mystic, spiritual teacher, and follower of Agni yoga. Roerich found inspiration for his works both in Russian and Indian culture – he made many trips and expeditions to India, and for the last 18 years of his life the artist worked in Naggar (Himachal Pradesh).

Conclusion

Thus, Indian culture is firmly embedded in the life of modern Moscow. Coming to another continent as a tourist, Hindi can not only get new impressions, see the famous Moscow sights, museums, theaters, parks, and estates, get acquainted with the rhythm of the city, but also be sure that even far from home you can meet something dear to your heart.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this press release is provided by a third party and does not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of our organization. We do not endorse or guarantee its accuracy.

Cientra Appoints Vinay Salania as the Head of Europe Sales and Business Operations

National, 29th February 2024: Cientra, a leading Indian multinational product solutions company has announced that the company has appointed Mr Vinay Salania as Senior Vice President and Head of Europe Sales and Business Operations. In this role, Mr Salania will lead and manage Cientra’s end-to-end business operations in the Europe market. Adapting to the constantly shifting technological environment, the strategic decision aims to maximize the company’s operational efficiency in the global market.

VINAYA SALANIYA

As a leader in entrepreneurial business development, Vinay possesses an abundance of knowledge gleaned from around three decades of expertise in the engineering and R&D services industry. Among others, the semiconductor, automotive, telecommunications, industrial, defence, and space sectors comprise his clientele. Before assuming his current role at Cientra, Vinay held leadership positions at L&T Technology Services, Wipro, and KPIT. His employer was also the research institute Semiconductor Complex Limited, which is administered by MEITy (Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology). He brings with him the experience of developing business in United States, Japanese, and Korean markets while expanding the operations in Europe and India.

His expertise in new business development combines entrepreneurial drive with top management skills, enhancing both top and bottom-line results. His astute solutions and successful business strategies to aid clients in operating more efficiently and expanding more rapidly have earned him widespread acclaim in the industry.

“Vinay is an extraordinarily welcome addition to our team as we enter our next chapter of 3X3 growth strategy.” Said Anil Kempanna, CEO, Cientra. “He is highly regarded in the industry and has an exceptional track record of steering teams through many complex emerging technologies and sales models leveraging his profound knowledge base in digital transformation and high-tech engineering services. As we advance our integration of business capabilities into international markets, Vinay’s comprehensive global market knowledge, strong leadership qualities, and experience will be an invaluable resource and will play a pivotal role in further establishing a precedent for our organisation and our clientele in Europe.”

Vinay Salania, Senior Vice President & Head of Sales & Business Operations, said “As a company, Cientra has established an impressive global footprint, with a reputation for building cutting-edge, technology-centric solutions and services catering to some of the most vital industry sectors. I’m excited to work with Cientra’s incredible team and utilise my specialised knowledge and abilities to drive sales growth and further facilitate the company’s expansion into international markets.”

Frozen Vegetables Market: Navigating the Future

FROZEN VEGTABLES MARKET

Market Overview:

The global frozen vegetables market has experienced robust sales in the historical period assessment, exhibiting a growth rate of 3.1% during (2018-2022). In 2023, the market value surged to US$ 38,357.4 Mn, marking a notable increase. This growth trend is anticipated to continue, driven by burgeoning economies and rising disposable incomes among consumers, particularly in the food and beverage sector.

The expansion of the global frozen food industry has been propelled by heightened consumption and demand for frozen meals, especially in emerging economies of the Asia Pacific region such as Japan and India. Factors such as increasing disposable incomes and evolving lifestyle preferences contribute to this growth trajectory.

Europe stands out as the primary demanding region for frozen vegetables, closely followed by North America. The proliferation of large retail outlets, including hypermarkets/supermarkets and other stores, is a key driver of demand for frozen vegetables. Within Europe, France exhibits the highest value CAGR of 5.5%, trailed by Italy and Spain. Meanwhile, in North America, the U.S. commands the largest market share, accounting for approximately 42% during the forecast period. This analysis is provided by Persistence Market Research.

Key Trends:

Health and Wellness: Increasing awareness about health and wellness among consumers is driving the demand for convenient yet nutritious food options like frozen vegetables. As consumers seek healthier alternatives, frozen vegetables, which retain their nutritional value well, are gaining popularity.

Convenience: Busy lifestyles and hectic schedules have led to a growing demand for convenient food options. Frozen vegetables offer the convenience of quick preparation, making them an attractive choice for consumers looking for hassle-free meal solutions.

Sustainability: With growing concerns about environmental sustainability, consumers are increasingly looking for eco-friendly food choices. Frozen vegetables, when properly sourced and packaged, can offer a more sustainable option compared to fresh produce, as they have a longer shelf life and reduce food waste.

Innovative Packaging: Manufacturers are investing in innovative packaging solutions to enhance the shelf life and maintain the quality of frozen vegetables. Vacuum-sealed packaging, resealable bags, and portion-controlled packaging are some examples of packaging innovations aimed at meeting consumer preferences and extending product freshness.

Country-wise insights

What is the Europe Outlook for the Frozen Vegetables Market?

The outlook for the frozen vegetables market in Europe is promising, driven by shifts in consumer consumption habits towards “ready to eat” or easily prepared meals, as well as the substitution of animal-based foods with vegetable-based alternatives. Countries such as Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, and the Netherlands offer significant opportunities for suppliers from emerging markets. There’s a growing demand for nutritious foods among European consumers, who are increasingly seeking healthy and convenient options for breakfast, meal replacements, and snacks, thus fostering the market growth of frozen vegetables.

Category-wise insights

Which Type of Frozen Vegetables is expected to dominate the Market?

Based on type, the frozen vegetables market is segmented into beans, peas, corn and baby corn, broccoli and cauliflower, potatoes, onions, tomatoes, carrots, spinach, and others. Analysis indicates that the potatoes segment is poised to dominate the market, driven by its high value share. This dominance is attributed to the increasing demand from foodservice businesses due to the ease of usage and widespread availability of potatoes.

How are Various Distribution Channels Offering Sales Opportunities for Frozen Vegetable Suppliers?

The sales of frozen vegetables are experiencing rapid growth across various business-to-consumer segments. Among these segments, hypermarkets/supermarkets stand out with a notable growth rate, registering a CAGR of 5.5%. Additionally, specialty stores, convenience stores, and online retail channels are also offering significant sales opportunities for frozen vegetable suppliers.

Key Recent Developments

Product Innovation: Several companies have introduced innovative frozen vegetable products to cater to evolving consumer preferences. This includes the launch of new vegetable blends, organic options, and convenient packaging formats.

Expansion of Distribution Channels: Companies are expanding their distribution networks to reach a wider consumer base. This includes partnerships with online retailers, as well as increased presence in hypermarkets, supermarkets, and convenience stores.

Strategic Partnerships and Acquisitions: Mergers, acquisitions, and strategic partnerships are prevalent in the frozen vegetables market as companies seek to strengthen their market position and expand their product portfolios.

Focus on Sustainability: There is a growing emphasis on sustainability within the industry, with companies adopting eco-friendly packaging solutions and sourcing practices to reduce their environmental impact.

Mr Sarvesh Shashi, Founder, SARVA

SARVA expands outside the Indian market; over 50% of global business already coming from the US and Europe

SARVA, India’s fastest growing yoga-based wellness ecosystem, is emerging as a global brand focusing on transforming the lives of people with its yoga and mindfulness sessions. The homegrown brand which envisions alternative healthcare as the future has become a favourite among the 3 million NRIs in the US. The brand is targeting greater global growth in the near future through the “prevention with yoga” over a “curative” approach.

SARVA will also be expanding its coverage across the UK, Europe and other promising regions. With the rising demand from the US market, their plan by March 2023, is to account for 70%-75% of the business coming from the overseas market. With International Day of Yoga coming up soon, SARVA also aims to launch new and diverse collaborations internationally. This is in line with the recent address by the Hon’ble Prime Minister wherein he stressed on how yoga is gaining international recognition.

Speaking about this, Mr Sarvesh Shashi, Founder, SARVA, said, “5.2 billion people in the world do not exercise regularly. But we dared to imagine a world where health challenges such as obesity, insomnia, diabetes, PCOS and chronic pain can be prevented with the MBC (move, breathe, and connect) approach with yoga at the centre of it all. Our curated app-based platform is empowering users to access workouts and meditation sessions daily. Our excellent retention and engagement rates define that there is a specific need for the strong product that has coach led accountability + 1500 hours of curated content and a tried & tested curriculum-based progress with yoga, breathing, meditation and nutrition.”

SARVA is backed by investors such as Mantra Capital, Zumba® Fitness LLC, David Giampaolo (CEO, Pi Capital), Mark Mastrov (Founder, 24Hour Fitness Worldwide; also known as the ‘Steve Jobs of Fitness), Bill Roedy (former chairman and CEO, MTV Networks International), Fireside Ventures, and the Cutting-Edge Group (CEG). Celebrities and influencers including Jennifer Lopez, Alex Rodriguez, Malaika Arora, Aishwaryaa R Dhanush, Shikhar Dhawan, Shahid Kapoor and Mira Kapoor have also invested in the venture.

Adding further, Malaika Arora, said, “We are currently focusing on four core areas of marketing, onboarding phenomenal coaches, sales, and product development. SARVA is exploring partnerships and marketplace collaborations with multiple healthcare brands across the world. The idea is to seek similar service collaborations that can be seamless and offer value additions to the consumers in the target audience”

SARVA is aiming to change this global narrative of healthcare worries and risks through its unmatched and extensive multi-dimensional offerings. The brand is driving a cultural change in making yoga-based wellness a part of modern lifestyles to combat various health issues by its philosophy of connecting 7 billion breaths. Originating from the birthplace of Yoga, SARVA has expanded into being the world’s only digitally-driven, one-stop Yoga-powered wellness ecosystem and a consumer health platform offering yoga, meditation, breathing and nutrition support looking to solve 6 major global health concerns of obesity, lifestyle disorders, general fitness, pain management.

GTS Distribution Expands Global Presence: Opens Warehouse in Europe

GTS Distribution Expands Global Presence: Opens Warehouse in Europe

Headquartered in Everett, Washington, USA, GTS Distribution announces the opening of a European distribution facility in Dublin, Ireland along with a Third-Party Logistics partner in Germany. These warehouses will be able to service customers throughout the European Union.

GTS Distribution is an authorized distributor for Panini America, Topps, Upper Deck, Ultra PRO, and other vendor partners.

“We are excited at the opportunity to grow the European market with the opening of our new regional distribution facility. The explosive growth in the popularity of the sports and entertainment collectibles category has allowed us to make this strategic move with the support of our licensed manufacturing partners,” said David Reel Vice President of Sports & Entertainment and Strategic Global Business Development.

GTS Distribution continues to expand its global presence by adding to its current APAC distribution in Shanghai, China, and Hong Kong.

Along with its 9 domestic locations in the United States, GTS Distribution is the world’s leading wholesale provider of sports and entertainment trading cards, collectible trading card games, board games, and hobby related supplies.