December 2023 - Page 2 of 4 -

Škoda Auto India introduces Service CAM to enhance after-sales experience for customers

· A new digital tool, representing transparency, convenience and modern technology for customers

· Lends customers ability to remotely decide on additional work

· Smartphone app-based implementation and solution

· Operational across all Škoda Auto dealerships

Škoda Auto India, in its endeavour to improve customer satisfaction, has launched its all-new Service CAM initiative. The Service CAM, a smartphoneapp-based tool allows Škoda Auto India customers to remotely approve service and repair jobs of their Škoda cars while it is in service.

Service CAM is an all-new digital tool that enables dealerships to send videodocumentation of the vehicle to customers. In case of unforeseen defects observed during repairing of the car, customers receive a personalised link via SMS or e-mail, which includes the video and cost calculations towards the repairs. Customers can decide from the comfort of their homes oroffice, whether they would like the work to be carried out or not.Service CAM makes back and forth calls redundant and provides complete transparency to customers.

Škoda Service CAM is currently active across the entire network of Škoda Auto India dealerships in the country. Customers can contact the nearest dealership for more details.

Redefining Politics: AIMEP’s Progressive Path to 2024

– Prof Divya Tanwar

The All India Mahila Empowerment Party (AIMEP) emerges as a formidable force poised to make substantial strides in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, propelled by a visionary agenda centered on three crucial pillars: education, employment, and empowerment. This strategic approach underscores the party's commitment to fostering comprehensive societal development by uplifting various marginalized sections, including students, underprivileged children, girl children, and economically disadvantaged individuals.

AIMEP recognizes education as the cornerstone of progress and empowerment. The transformative potential of education in breaking the cycle of poverty is at the forefront of the party's agenda. Policies aimed at ensuring access to quality education for all, building schools, improving infrastructure, providing scholarships, and enhancing teaching quality showcase AIMEP's dedication to empowering students with the tools necessary for a brighter future.

Addressing the pressing issue of unemployment, AIMEP focuses on job creation and skill development. By formulating policies that stimulate economic growth, promote entrepreneurship, and provide vocational training, the party aims to reduce poverty and foster economic independence. This multifaceted approach envisions empowering individuals with the skills and opportunities needed for gainful employment.

AIMEP's commitment extends to the empowerment of women and marginalized groups. The party strives to create an inclusive and supportive environment championing gender equality, advocating for the rights of the disadvantaged, and enhancing women's participation in decision-making roles. Empowerment initiatives encompass access to resources, healthcare, and social welfare schemes, ensuring a dignified life for vulnerable sections of society.

Under the leadership of Dr. Nowhera Shaik, AIMEP's vision for accessible education is comprehensive. Recognizing education as an inherent right, the party aims to bridge the educational divide between urban and rural areas. Initiatives include establishing schools in remote regions, improving educational infrastructure, and updating curriculum frameworks to align with contemporary needs, thereby ensuring equal access to quality education for every child.

AIMEP's infrastructure development initiatives focus on bolstering the educational landscape nationwide. The party, led by Dr. Nowhera Shaik, aims to construct schools, upgrade facilities, and enhance overall educational infrastructure. By addressing the resource gap between urban and rural areas, AIMEP strives to create a more equitable educational environment, fostering a future where quality education is accessible to all.

AIMEP's commitment to financial inclusivity is evident in its scholarship and grant programs. Dr. Nowhera Shaik's leadership prioritizes extending financial support to deserving students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. These programs, spanning various educational levels, seek to empower individuals to pursue their academic goals, creating a culture of excellence and empowerment.

In Dr. Nowhera Shaik's goal to enhance teaching standards, AIMEP focuses on recruiting and nurturing highly qualified educators. The party advocates for comprehensive teacher training programs, updates to curriculum frameworks, and the adoption of modern, student-centric teaching methodologies. Recognition and reward frameworks aim to motivate teachers, fostering a culture of excellence in education.

AIMEP's vision for skill-based education is forward-looking. By integrating vocational training programs into the mainstream curriculum, the party aims to equip students with practical proficiencies aligned with industry needs. Partnerships with industry experts ensure the relevance of these programs, empowering individuals with a diverse range of vocational competencies.

AIMEP's strategic approach to job creation spans various sectors, including manufacturing, technology, agriculture, and services. The party envisions incentivizing manufacturing growth, leveraging technology, modernizing agriculture, and fostering entrepreneurship. These multi-sectoral policies aim to create a robust and inclusive job market, contributing to economic growth and social stability.

AIMEP's entrepreneurship promotion initiatives focus on creating a dynamic ecosystem that supports budding entrepreneurs. Dr. Nowhera Shaik's leadership aims to provide resources, mentorship, and funding opportunities, establishing incubation centers and startup hubs. By celebrating and promoting entrepreneurship, AIMEP envisions a vibrant community of innovators driving economic growth.

Recognizing the imperative of practical skills, AIMEP's initiatives in vocational training aim to bridge the gap between formal education and industry requirements. The party's focus on holistic development includes soft skills training, ensuring graduates are not only technically proficient but also possess essential attributes for workplace success.

AIMEP strikes a balance between safeguarding workers' rights and fostering business growth through proposed labor reforms. Emphasizing fair working conditions, the party advocates for streamlined processes and reduced regulatory burdens. AIMEP seeks to facilitate constructive dialogues between labor unions, employers, and government bodies to achieve policies that benefit both workers and businesses.

AIMEP's support for the informal sector includes advocating for fair wages, dignified working conditions, and access to social security measures. Initiatives aim to bridge the gap between formal and informal employment, providing healthcare, insurance, and financial inclusion. The party envisions a future where informal sector workers are empowered, respected, and supported in their endeavors.

AIMEP's commitment to legal support and rights awareness involves educational campaigns on legal rights and establishing robust support systems. The party aims to inform individuals about their rights, bridge the gap between formal and informal sectors, and provide helplines and counseling services. Advocating for policy reforms, AIMEP envisions a society where legal rights are understood, respected, and upheld.

AIMEP's comprehensive agenda reflects a commitment to holistic development, equality, and empowerment. Dr. Nowhera Shaik's visionary leadership propels the party toward creating a future where education, employment, and empowerment are accessible to all, laying the foundation for a more inclusive and prosperous India.

As the party gains momentum and resonates with a broader audience, the party envisions a strategic expansion across the country to establish new branches dedicated to the welfare of the people. Dr. Nowhera Shaik's leadership has set the stage for a transformative movement that seeks to reach every corner of the nation, ensuring that the party's vision for inclusive development touches the lives of individuals from diverse backgrounds.

AIMEP's commitment to inclusivity drives its expansion strategy. The party aims to establish new branches in urban and rural areas alike, bridging the gap between regions and ensuring that its welfare initiatives reach those who need them the most. By spreading across the country, AIMEP envisions a network of support that transcends geographical boundaries, creating a unified force for positive change.

In establishing new branches, AIMEP adopts a community-centric approach, tailoring its initiatives to address the specific needs and challenges faced by different regions. By understanding the unique dynamics of each community, the party aims to implement targeted programs that uplift the socio-economic conditions, education, and healthcare standards in alignment with the overarching vision of comprehensive societal development.

The expansion of AIMEP involves empowering local leadership, fostering a sense of ownership and commitment within each branch. The party envisions leaders emerging from diverse backgrounds who resonate with the values and objectives of AIMEP, ensuring that the party's impact is not only widespread but deeply rooted in the communities it serves. Local leaders will play a pivotal role in implementing and customizing welfare programs to address the specific needs of their regions.

AIMEP recognizes the power of collaboration and aims to forge partnerships with local organizations, community leaders, and stakeholders. By collaborating with existing community structures, the party seeks to maximize its impact and create a synergistic relationship that leverages local knowledge and resources. This collaborative approach ensures that AIMEP's efforts are not isolated but integrated into the fabric of each community.

(Author is Political Analysist, Author & Professor Adjunct) in Cyber Security, Somaiya Vidyavihar University in Mumbai)

Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Visits Nand Ghar Model during Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra in Varanasi

Varanasi, Dec 17, 2023: In a momentous occasion, Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi visited the one-of-a-kind model of Nand Ghar, developed by Anil Agarwal Foundation, at the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra Exhibition held at Cutting Memorial Inter-college grounds in Varanasi district. Hon’ble Prime Minister also spent time at the Nand Ghar model interacting with children and Anagwandi didis.

The purpose of Prime Minister’s visit was to commend the remarkable success of various developmental initiatives in the Varanasi district and under this ICDS (Integrated Child Development Scheme) in Varanasi presented Project Nand Ghar, which has developed 1421 Anganwadis into Nand Ghars in the Varanasi district. Notably, this transformation includes the innovative incorporation of Porta Cabins as Nand Ghars, a pioneering addition to the traditional Anganwadi structure of Greenfield, Brownfield and Rented Anganwadis.
Ms. Priya Agarwal Hebbar, Non-Executive Director of Vedanta and Chairperson of Hindustan Zinc Ltd., conveyed her sincere appreciation, stating, “We are deeply honored and thankful to the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji for visiting Nand Ghar model in Varanasi at the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra. The Prime Minister's visit underscores his commitment to the comprehensive development of Varanasi and the entire nation. We also extend our gratitude to Shri Yogi Adityanath, the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, and all officials of the Varanasi Administration for their continuous support. Embracing innovative social impact initiatives such as Nand Ghar, the Vedanta Group and Anil Agarwal Foundation remain dedicated to supplementing the government's endeavours in empowering the nation.”
Shri Himanshu Nagpal (IAS), Chief Development Officer of Varanasi District credited the Anil Agarwal Foundation for the project's success, stating, “

Hon’ble Prime Minister’s vision for a viksit bharat stresses on women empowerment and upliftment of children and ensuring their holistic growth and development. Anganwadis play a pivotal role in realising this mission and supporting us in upgrading Anganwadi Kendras across Varanasi district is Anil Agarwal Foundation. From 3914 Anganwadis in the district, the foundation is developing 1478 Nand Ghars, introducing Porta Cabins and has also rolled out a unique initiative of multi-millet nutri bar for the children of Varanasi which is receiving positive feedback.“

Nand Ghars, positioned at the forefront of the Varanasi district's transformation, epitomize a paradigm shift in community resource centers, integrating state-of-the-art technology. Nand Ghar models offer essential facilities such as 24×7 electricity from solar panels and grid, modern sanitation, e-learning through smart TVs and tablets, safe drinking water from purifiers, and smart Kits that support comprehensive child development. In collaboration with world-class partners, Nand Ghars have significantly enhanced attendance, learning capabilities, and school readiness through e-learning modules and playful learning strategies.

Furthermore, the project supports women to undergo skilling and entrepreneurship training and establish credit linkages, thus empowering them to be self-reliant. Hot cooked meals and take-home rations are facilitated, alongwith establishment of nutrition gardens, for children and pregnant and lactating women. To supplement the daily intake of children, multi-millet nutri bars are provided to almost 50,000 children daily, in 1364 Anganwadis including Nand Ghar, across the three model blocks of Prime Minister Shri Modi ji in Varanasi district adopted by him- Arajiline, Sewapuri and Kashi Vidyapith. Primary healthcare services are rendered through mobile health vans and telemedicine services. With an unwavering commitment to transforming the lives of millions, Nand Ghar stand as a testament of integrated development and sustainable progress.

Project Nand Ghar, in collaboration with the Ministry of Women and Child Development, has been a catalyst for change, ensuring access to quality education, healthcare, nutrition, and skill development. With a goal to develop 29,000 Nand Ghars by the year 2025, Anil Agarwal Foundation has already developed nearly 6000 Nand Ghars across 14 states in India. Project Nand Ghar also aligns with several government programmes like POSHAN Abhiyan, Swachh Bharat, Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao, and Digital India.

Pernod Ricard India deepens its commitment to ‘Make in India’, introduces first Indian Single Malt- Longitude77

Celebrating 30 years of its presence in India, Longitude77 is an ode to Pernod Ricard India’s legacy, its premiumization and innovation strategy.

Pernod Ricard India, the global leader in spirits and wine, today announced the launch of its first premium Indian single malt, Longitude77 — made in India, for India and the world.The brand is a tribute to Pernod Ricard India’s legacyin the country and has been specially crafted for seekers of authentic contemporary Indian luxury.With their first Indian Single Malt, the company endeavours to redefine India's global prominence in the realm of authentic luxuryand rich craftsmanship, while preserving the nation's artistic heritage.

Paying homage to the country’s diverse culture, landscape and terroir, Longitude77 has been meticulously crafted by Pernod Ricard's master distillers using locally sourced ingredients of the highest quality. Produced in small batches in a distillery in Dindori, Nashik (Maharashtra), the launch personifies Pernod Ricard's steadfast commitment to India, its spirit of innovation and its focus on investing in the country as the company completes 30 years of its presence in India.

The brand’s name is inspired by the longitude that runs through the length of India at 77° east and marks India’s position on the world map. It reimagines an India of unparalleled luxury and sophistication, inspiring discerning consumers to discover and connect with their roots in unique and personally meaningful ways.Double matured in American Bourbon barrels and wine casks, the single malt has a natural, mahogany colour – a true testament to its ageing process. The bottle comes in a matte finish cannister painted in Indigo, the colour that India gave to the world.

Commenting on the launch, Jean Touboul, CEO, Pernod Ricard India, said, “India is on the cusp of emerging as a powerhouse in the realm of authentic luxury and heritage craft. As industry leaders, we are unwavering in our commitment to spearhead India's ascent in the luxury sector, championing the nation's rich heritage and unmatched artistry. Furthering that vision, our diverse portfolio within the country reflects the Group's commitment to the 'Make in India' initiative. Denominating three decades of operations in India, this opportune moment marks the ideal occasion to introduce Longitude77, to celebrate the spirit of the country.”

Kartik Mohindra, Chief Marketing Officer& Head Global Business Development, Pernod Ricard India added, “Longitude77, our first Indian Single Malt, represents Pernod Ricard's deep-rooted respect for the country. We have ensured that the whisky is perfectly tailored to the Indian market and caters to the diverse palate of the Indian consumer. We are confident that this exceptional addition to our portfolio will be embraced by whisky enthusiasts and elevate their convivial experience. At the back of solid premiumization and our commitment to quality and innovation, we believe that Longitude77 will be a game-changer for the Indian market.”

As India continues to be categorized as one of the largest markets for whisky consumption globally (third after the United States of America and China), Pernod Ricard aims to truly illustrate its commitment to boosting local manufacturing, employment and local innovations in multiple categories starting with the entry into the single malt category, for driving diverse cohorts. With 97% of domestically produced brands, contributing to the growth trajectory of the country, and 30 years of rich legacy and operations in India, the company operates through its distillery in Nashik (Maharashtra) apart from 28 bottling sites across the country.

Škoda Auto India to hike prices by around 2% in 2024

· Price hike will come into effect from January 1, 2024

· Increased prices are due to the rising input costs

· Increase is around 2% on ex-showroom cost

Škoda Auto India has announced a price hike of around 2% acrossitsrange from January 1, 2024.

The hike will be effective on the entirerange of Škoda Auto India vehicles — the Kushaq SUV, the Slavia sedan and the Kodiaq luxury 4×4. The price correction is owing to rising supply, input and operational costs.

Škoda Auto India introduced the newKushaq based on the all-newMQB-A0-IN platform specifically developed for India in July 2021. And the Slavia sedan in April 2022 based on the same platform. Both cars are now exported to GCC and other right hand drive markets and are going to lead the company’s entry into Vietnam in 2024.

Both the Kushaq and Slavia have earned a full 5-stars for both adult and child occupants under Global NCAP’s newer, stricter crash test protocols. With the Kodiaq having 5-stars for adults and children under Euro NCAP, Škoda Auto India have a 100% fleet of 5-star rated, crash-tested cars.

The company has also expanded its network from 120 customer touchpoints in 2021 to over 250 at the end of 2023. In line with its customer-centric approach, Škoda will continue to get closer to customers and offer its range of class-leading products.

University of Sydney fosters bilateral climate solutions in India

University of Sydney researchers and the Asia Society India Centre last week convened a roundtable to explore opportunities for climate action in India and Australia.

Discussions were led by distinguished speakers including Nishtha Singh from the Asia Society Policy Institute, Ambika Vishwanath of Kubernein Initiative, and Prof Deanna D'Alessandro, Director of the University of Sydney’s Net Zero Initiative.

A diverse consortium of researchers, industry leaders, academics, and NGOs attended and identified strategic bilateral collaboration opportunities between Australia and India.

India and Australia grapple with similar obstacles related to fossil fuel dependency, escalating energy demands, and emissions from the agricultural sector. The roundtable underscored priority areas for bilateral partnership, highlighting renewable energy technology, critical minerals, hydrogen initiatives, and transitioning from hard-to-abate sectors, marking a united effort to fortify clean energy relations.

Addressing the concept of a just transition involved tackling diverse impacts across states, integrating indigenous knowledge, and facilitating job transitions to renewable sectors.

“India and Australia are remarkably similar in terms of the structures of our energy systems – perhaps two of the most closely related countries globally,” said Professor Penelope Crossley from the University of Sydney’s Law School. “This means that knowledge sharing is critical. We need to learn from one another, de-risk investment and accelerate progress.”

“We will never have a perfect solution for decarbonisation,” said Dr RashnehPardiwala, Founder and Director, Centre for Environmental Research and Education, India. “But we cannot wait until we have all the knowledge. We need action to create knowledge and confidence through experience.”

“Adaptation is more costly than prevention – we urgently need to improve our energy efficiency, reduce our demand for unsustainable resources, and mitigate emissions,” said Nadir Godrej, Managing Director, Godrej Industries and Chairman of Godrej Agrovet, who attended the roundtable. “A key driver for change in India is corporate social responsibility.”

Bringing Innovation to Your Business: FUJIFILM India, connecting India with its Latest Ad Film

– The Brand Film is based upon how Fujifilm Multifunction Printers will help various segments of the society through its technology.

– Shot in Mumbai for 2 days across 3 locations, the film also introduces a punchy track “Badhega India” which resonates with the stance of the multifunction printer business towards India.

FUJIFILM India, a leader in multifunction printing technology, has launched its heart-touching ad campaign dedicated to its customers in India which outlines the stance of the business towards its mission in India. On 27th September 2023, FUJIFILM India announced its entry in India with a portfolio of A3 office printing devices. This brand film of Fujifilm Multifunction Printer aims to establish how the new offering will be a value proposition to Government E-Marketplace, corporate clients, businesses and printing industry.

Conceptualized by Hakuhodo Sync, the Ad Film is about 4 different stories based on different customer stories of a Government Official, Corporate, Small & Medium Business and Printer Industry who form the core of the multifunction printing ecosystem in our country. The stories are based in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata which beautifully captures the regional integrity of India.

The Brand film of Fujifilm Multifunction printers wanted to tell the story that how the APAC No. 1 Multifunction printer which is now in India will leverage its technology to help the nation. The ad film highlights some features like single pass duplex scanning, high speed printing, seamless connectivity with smartphone, high and consistent print quality.

Directed by Ranvir Kumar Suman, this Ad Film was shot in a timespan for two days and shot at multiple locations like Big 9 by 9 Wings Studio Andheri, Mother Nature Studio, Madh Island and a Photocopy shop in Malad which were art directed to suit the geographic narrative. The whole ad film was shot on the iconic FUJIFILM Fujinon Permista Cine Lenses of 19-45mm T2.9 Large-Format Cine Lens paired with its companions like the 28-100mm and 80-250mm. The Premista zooms cover a wide range of frequently used focal lengths and bring its image quality to maintain from the center through the image corners, and it is color-matched to the Fujifilm cine lens line to reduce color grading in post.

The Ad-film narrative is beautiful supported by a melodious track “Badhega India” which was composed by Abhinav Kaushik and written by Ram Krishna Gopi Yadav who also was the Producer for the production house Seaface Film which has produced the Ad Film.

Commenting on the launch, Mr. Koji Wada, the Managing Director of FUJIFILM India, said, “Driven by innovation, at FUJIFILM India, we believe in a world where technology has the power to turn dreams into a reality, thus empowering individuals and businesses to achieve their full potential aptly encapsulated by our ad campaign. Our commitment to cutting-edge solutions is at the heart of our mission, to transform pixels into perfection.”

“The ad campaign provides strong assertions and trust by all protagonists towards Fujifilm multifunction printers, creating a lasting impact on viewers. The story has beautifully captured the potential of the product in each montage thus standing true to our tagline “Bringing innovation to your Business,” said Priyatosh Kumar, Head Graphic Communications & Device Technology at FUJIFILM India.

In September, FUJIFILM India made its entry into the office printer business by unveiling a lineup of six A3 multifunction printers, designed to elevate productivity, ensure reliability, and cater to the ever-growing demands of today's Indian work environment. To bolster consumer awareness and reinforce the trust of the patrons, FUJIFILM India has launched this ad campaign which can be accessed on FUJIFILM India's official YouTube page and Fujifilm Office Solutions India social media handles.

Ad Film Link: FUJIFILM India – Bringing Innovation To Your Business | Apeos Series of A3 Multifunction Printers – YouTube

Canara HSBC Life Insurance launches new product – Alpha Wealth

(Unit-Linked Individual Savings Life Insurance Plan)

A plan to fulfill policyholder’s financial aspirations and conquering milestones with future security of their loved ones

Canara HSBC Life Insurance has launched Alpha Wealth -a plan empowers individuals to achieve ambitious life goals, providing a shield of life insurance ensuring the fulfillment of promises and securethe future of their loved ones.

The plan offers comprehensive features to ensure financial security for the insured and their family.It also encourages long-term savings with loyalty additions and wealth boosters, allowing customersto boostcorpus by staying invested. The product offers an array of options by investing in a wide variety of funds – debt / equity / liquid available in the market. At maturity, investorsare also entitled to a return of 100% of the mortality charges deducted during the policy term. The product offers increased flexibility, allowing investor to alter premiums, premium payment term, policy term and sum assured to accommodate changing financial requirements.

Commenting on the launch of the productMr. Akshay Dhand, Appointed Actuary, Canara HSBC Life Insurance says, “Canara HSBC Life Insurance is delighted to present Alpha Wealth, a Linked Individual Savings Life Insurance Plan meticulously designed to cater to the precise needs of individuals striving to attain ambitious life goals. This all-encompassing plan not only provides life cover for the enduring financial protection of your family but also promotes long-term investments. With the inclusion of loyalty additions and wealth boosters, investors can enhance their corpus by staying committed to their investments.”

The insurance plan is flexible in terms of providing to choose from three plan options based on your life stages: ‘Alpha Invest Plus,’‘Alpha Premium Plus,’ or ‘Alpha Life Plus.’

Alpha Premium Plus offers an additional layer of protection which is designed to handle all financial responsibilities in the absence of the policyholder. In case of an unfortunate death during the Policy Term, the Nominee will receive the Lump Sum Death Benefit and all future premiums will be waived and will be borne by the company on behalf of the policyholder, and the Nominee will receive the Fund Value, at the policy maturity date. The product also comes with a facility to access the accumulated wealth as per one’s needs with Systematic Withdrawal Option (SWO) andMilestone Withdrawal Option (MWO).

In a world filled with uncertainties, Alpha Wealth is designed to provide not just financial security but also to empower you to accumulate wealth in a long run.

Panasonic Redefines Smart Living with India’s First Matter-EnabledRoom Air Conditioners*

Panasonic Life Solutions India (PLSIND) – a leading diversified technology company, today announced a ground-breaking advancement in the world of air conditioningby introducing India's First Matter-Enabled Room Air Conditioners (RACs)*powered by Miraie. With this, Panasonic takes a significant leap in ensuring flexibility,and convenience for consumers in the smart appliances realm. Starting February 2024,the Panasonic range of Air Conditioners equipped with Matter protocol will be available across all leading outlets and e-commerce platforms in India right before the summer season. Matter is an open-source connectivity standard that enables seamless interoperability across smart devices.

Commenting on the announcement, Mr. Manish Sharma, Chairman, Panasonic Life Solutions India and South Asia, said, “At Panasonic, we have been launching products and technology in line with consumer insights. We find that our consumers use products of different brands, and each brand has a platform or an app to manage a particular appliance. Hence to make lives more convenient and comfortable for our consumers, we haveintegrated Matter, an open, universal standard, with our Miraie platform and introduced India’s first Matter-enabledRoom Air Conditioners as the first product under this new range. So now a Panasonic Air Conditioner equipped with Matter technology can be managed using the Miraie platform or any other platform that is Matter compatible. Similarly, any other Room Air Conditioner brand that is compatible with Matter can also be controlled through the Miraie platform. This is indeed a big breakthrough in consumer tech space.”

Sharing his thoughts, Mr. Manish Misra, Chief Innovation Officer, Panasonic Life Solutions India, said, “Our vision is to bring innovation to elevate the daily living of our consumers through smart technology. We launched Miraie – our smart home platform in 2020 and we have seen 70% of our Air Conditioner consumers using the platform. And now we are taking the Miraie platform to the next level by making it Matter-compatible and introducing India’s first range of Matter enabled RoomAir Conditioners. India Innovation Centre has been at the forefront of many innovations at Panasonic and with Matter, we have done extensive testing and are delighted to provide our consumers with an upgraded Miraie platform that provides inter-operability and is simple to use, reliable and secure.”

Mr. Fumiyasu Fujimori, Managing Director, PMIN, Panasonic Life Solutions India,“At Panasonic, we are driven by our commitment to innovation, sustainability, and customer experience. Our new line of Matter-enabled Air Conditioners exemplifies this commitment and empowers our customers with futuristic and efficient solutions. Panasonic Air Conditioners will not only provide a more convenient and integrated living experience but also contribute to reducing energy consumption. By seamlessly connecting with other Matter-certified devices and platforms, they will facilitate a smarter and more efficient use of energy, optimizing comfort while minimizing environmental impact.”

Consumers can control their Matter-enabled air conditioners through the Miraie app, an innovative platform designed to enhance the connected living experience. Miraie's compatibility with Matter reflects Panasonic's commitment to providingconsumers with a futureproof, smart and connected experienceto enhance daily living. In near future. with Miraie, users can seamlessly control and monitor a wide range of smart appliances, including air conditioners, refrigerators, washing machines, and more irrespective of the brand.

Infibeam Avenues Ltd expands merchant financial landscape through CCAvenue integration with Bandhan Bank’s EMI facilities

Infibeam Avenues Ltd, a publicly listed fintech company, announces that its flagship payment gateway brand, CCAvenue, is gearing up to introduce Bandhan Bank's EMI facilities to over 10 million plus merchants. This strategic initiative aims to broaden the array of consumer-financing options available within the merchant network, signalling a concerted effort to enhance financial flexibility and convenience for businesses and merchants.

CCAvenue is set to integrate Bandhan Bank's credit card EMI facility onto its robust payment-processing platform, opening up exciting business prospects for its merchants. This strategic move will grant CCAvenue's merchants direct access to Bandhan Bank's vast and rapidly growing customer base, enhancing their growth potential. The addition of this new payment option will bolster CCAvenue's existing card-based EMI payment feature, allowing numerous eCommerce websites powered by CCAvenue to optimize earnings and significantly expand their operations. Additionally, Bandhan Bank's customers will also enjoy the convenience of making purchases for high-value products through easy instalments over a suitable timeframe.

Widely adopted by merchants, CCAvenue's payment technology facilitates online transactions through a diverse range of payment methods such as major Credit Cards, Debit Cards (MasterCard/Visa/Maestro/RuPay), Amex EzeClick, Net Banking (58+ options), Mobile Wallets, UPI, and an extensive selection of up to 15 Multi Bank EMI options. This comprehensive payment solution suite empowers merchants to enhance their business operations effectively.

“I am pleased to announce the expansion of our successful collaboration with Bandhan Bank to incorporate their exceptional EMI facility. This strategic move reinforces our commitment to enhancing merchant satisfaction and providing top-notch financial solutions. We believe this integration will significantly contribute to the seamless and efficient payment experience that defines CCAvenue's reputation in the market,” said Mr T. Nandakumar Menon, Sr. Vice President – Alliances and Operations, Infibeam Avenues Ltd.

Being India's leading payment gateway player, CCAvenue stands out for its innovative approach by providing multi-bank EMI options along with other payment technologies for merchants across various sectors, including Retail, Travel, Real Estate, Telecommunication, Government departments, Utility billers, Hospitality, Education, and Healthcare.

“Our merchants stand to gain significant advantages by leveraging the rapidly expanding user base of the Bandhan Bank's credit cards to fuel the growth of their businesses. CCAvenue presently extends EMI options from all major banks, and our Multi-Bank EMI feature empowers millions across India to realize their aspirations by offering convenient access to a variety of high-value products,” adds Mr. Menon.

Founded in August 2015, Bandhan Bank made history as the first microfinance company in India to secure a universal banking license. Currently serving over three crore customers through a network of over 6,200 banking outlets nationwide, thus witnessing substantial growth. In the September quarter, the bank's total deposits reached Rs 1,12,074 crore, compared to Rs 99,366 crore in the same quarter last year. Additionally, advances amounted to Rs 1,07,633 crore, up from Rs 95,835 crore in the corresponding quarter of the previous year.