Month: March 2024

A veteran with over 28 years of experience in the automobile, telecom, and aviation industries, Dharmani has previously served as the Commercial Head in India for AirAsia Berhad

 

DUDigital Global, a leading provider of digital solutions in the visa services sector today announced the appointment of Manoj Dharmani as its Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Effective from April 2024, Manoj will be responsible for managing all aspects of the company’s operations, including business development, product innovation, and client relations.

With over 28 years of impressive track record in Aviation and Telecom, Manoj has held prominent leadership positions at leading organizations including Air Asia, GoAir, and Vodafone. His most recent role was as Commercial Head at Air Asia. In his new capacity at DUDigital Global, Manoj will spearhead the company’s strategic vision and drive its ongoing expansion in the global travel market.

Commenting on his appointment, Manoj Dharmani, CEO, DUDigital Global said “I am truly honored to have the opportunity to lead DUDigital during this exciting phase of the company’s growth. I am dedicated to further enhancing the company’s stellar track record and eager to collaborate with our talented team to shape a compelling growth narrative.”

Welcoming the CEO, Shivaz Rai, Non-executive Director, DUDigital Global shared “We are delighted to welcome Manoj to our team. He brings with him a wealth of experience to steer DUDigital Global forward to becoming the preferred travel partner with the best value and seamless services. With India's travel sector experiencing rapid growth, we are confident that his extensive experience, ability to drive performance, and seamless collaboration with all stakeholders will be invaluable assets for the company.”

DUDigital Global serves as a liaison between visa applicants and their respective embassies, facilitating a smooth human interface. Over the past year, DUDigital secured multiple contracts for visa services globally, further expanding its global footprint in the visa processing sector, further, strengthening DUDigital Global's expertise in administrative services, visa processing, passport management, and identity verification, with the overarching goal of enhancing the experience for end-users. 

 

BLS International Services Ltd, a globally renowned tech-enabled services provider, has signed a contract with the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Pretoria for visa outsourcing services for the Republic of Botswana. The agreement marks a pivotal step in enhancing visa processing services for the Republic of Botswana.

Under this agreement, BLS International is committed to ensuring a seamless and efficient visa application process for travellers from Botswana to the Czech Republic. The exclusive contract was formally signed on February 13th, 2024, between His Excellency Mr. Tomáš Uličný, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Czech Republic to South Africa, Republic of Botswana, Republic of Angola, Kingdom of Lesotho, Republic of Madagascar, Republic of Mauritius, Republic of Mozambique, Republic of Namibia, and Kingdom of Eswatini, and Mr. Shikhar Aggarwal, Joint Managing Director of BLS International Services Limited.

Commenting on the agreement, Mr. Shikhar Aggarwal, Joint Managing Director, BLS International Ltd., said, “We are dedicated to crafting world-class solutions that prioritize efficiency, security, and customer satisfaction and redefine the visa application experience. With our extensive experience and cutting-edge technology, we are poised to seamlessly support the Embassy's objectives, ensuring travellers receive nothing short of excellence. This partnership serves as a testament to our unwavering commitment to not just facilitating smoother travel experiences but also nurturing stronger bonds between our nations, fostering mutual understanding and cooperation on a global scale.”

BLS International will prioritize security and quality control, overseeing secure application delivery to the Embassy, passport collection, and maintaining a robust security and vigilance system throughout the visa application process.

Vivriti Group takes a pioneering step for Indian unlisted NBFCs by participating in the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA).

S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA) is a global corporate sustainability performance benchmarking tool that evaluates a company’s performance based on the accuracy & relevancy of a company's management of material ESG risks, impacts & opportunities supplemented by credible disclosures, media & stakeholder analysis, and modelling approaches. A consistent, rule-based methodology is applied to assess 1,000 data points that is converted into an S&P Global ESG Score measured on a scale of 0-100. The CSA cycle of FY22-23 saw a participation from over 9.4k companies across 62 industries worldwide.

Hindustan Zinc Ltd leads as the highest scorer from India at 86, while L&T Finance Holdings Ltd tops the chart in the Diversified Financial Services sectorat 51.Vivriti achieved a score of 44, demonstrating a strong commitment to sustainable business while paving the way for other – NBFC’s to follow suit.

Smitha Jain Arora, Head Sustainability & Impact at VivritiGroup said, “At Vivriti, sustainability is at its core. We have taken a bottoms-up approach to integrate both ‘doing good’ through encompassing impact and ‘doing no harm’ through ESG into the very essence of our business ethos. Over the years we have strengthened our sustainability framework demonstrating our intentionality & amplifying our positive impact.  Participating in the S&P CSA for the first time has enabled us to benchmark ourselves on a global platform, marking the initial strides in our enduring sustainability journey.”

Vivriti's participation signifies its dedication to responsible financial practices and sets a new benchmark for ESG performance in the Indian NBFC space.

You can view Vivriti's S&P Global ESG score here.

 

·         Cosmo Films won the award amongst over 200 applications from the packaging material manufacturer and the converter segments

·         The SIES SOP Star Award witnessed the highest-ever entries since 2019

 

Cosmo Films, a global leader in specialty films for packaging, lamination, labelling, and synthetic paper vertical, under Cosmo First a publicly listed entity, won the SIES SOP Star Award, 2023 held in Navi Mumbai.

 

The SIES SOP Star Awards were instituted in 2017 to recognise the talent in the Packaging Sector for its continuous efforts in Innovation, Creativity, and New Developments across various product segments such as Beverage, Food, Health & Personal Care, and Pharma among others.

 

The 7th Edition of the SIES SOP Star Awards saw over 200 entries with 47% of the total applications coming from the packaging material manufacturer and the converter segments.

 

Cosmo Films won 4 awards for BOPP and CPP films for their innovative and sustainable packaging solutions. Out of the 36 companies participating, Cosmo First’s winning entries delivered the award under the Packaging Materials and Components category.

 

Sharing his views about winning this award and the industry recognition, Mr Kulbhushan Malik Global Business Head, Cosmo Films said, “This prestigious award is a recognition of Cosmo Films' innovative packaging solutions. I’m thankful to the jury for their vote of confidence in us and for winning this very prestigious industry award.”

 

Cosmo Films under the aegis Cosmo First is committed to sustainability and has continually invested in research and development and is proud to be helping brands achieve their sustainability goals through its responsible packaging solutions.

SLMG Group, India's largest independent bottler of Coca-Cola in India and South West Asia, today announced the appointment of Costin Mandrea as Chief Executive Officer of Coca-Cola SLMG operations. With more than 25 years of rich experience in the beverage industry, Mr Mandrea brings a wealth of expertise and strategic vision to his new role.

Costin Mandrea has held key leadership positions at Coca-Cola Bottling System in Western and Central Europe, Russia, and Japan, where he demonstrated expertise in driving business growth through company-wide transformation, sales force operations, customer engagement, and route-to-market strategies.

Commenting on the appointment, S N Ladhani, Chairman and Managing Director, Coca-Cola SLMG said, ` With great pleasure, we welcome Costin Mandrea aboard as the CEO of SLMG Group. His proven track record of leadership and strategic acumen makes him a perfect fit to lead our company into its next phase of expansion and success. ‘’ Amidst our accelerated growth phase at SLMG Group, we firmly believe Costin to be the perfect leader to navigate us towards unprecedented success. With his proven track record and dynamic approach, we are poised to achieve remarkable milestones under his guidance added Mr. Ladhani.

Upon his appointment, Mr. Mandrea remarked, “I am honored and excited to join Coca-Cola SLMG as its Chief Executive Officer. I look forward to collaborating with the talented team and leveraging my experience to drive innovation and growth for the company.’’

Mr. Mandrea holds a degree from the University of Bucharest and has participated in numerous leadership development programs throughout his career. His tenure at Coca-Cola has been marked by successful transformation initiatives and strategic leadership roles, contributing significantly to the company’s profitability and market presence.

Coca-Cola SLMG extends its warmest congratulations to Mr. Costin Mandrea on his appointment as Chief Executive Officer and looks forward to achieving new milestones under his leadership. 

Upstox, India's fastest-growing and highest-rated trading and investment platform, today unveiled its innovative brand campaign, 'Cut the Kit Kit, Get in the Market'. With this campaign, Upstox aims to help retail investors cut through the clutter, noise, and overload of information to invest right.

Through its research, Upstox has recognised that the journey to investment success is often cluttered with challenges – mis-selling financial products, misleading advice, information overload, and complex jargon. This can often lead to decisions that may not align with an individual’s financial goals.

For example, users often prioritise returns over essential risk and expense metrics when investing in mutual funds. Similarly, they might opt for a Rs. 1 crore term insurance plan without proper assessment, succumbing to a one-size-fits-all approach. Such practices result in poorly informed decisions, leading to underconfidence among investors. Recognising these challenges, Upstox has taken the initiative to handle the heavy lifting and complexities for its users. The company wants to “Cut the Kit-Kit” (noise) of the market and encourage users to start creating wealth by investing in what’s right for them.

To effectively communicate its message to investors, Upstox has launched a campaign film encapsulating the theme “Cut the Kit Kit, Get in the Market.” The film takes place in a theatre setting, where an individual expresses interest in mutual fund investing. This query triggers a cacophony of comical “kit kit” responses from others, symbolising the overwhelming banter and noise prevalent in the market. This noise serves as a metaphor for the confusion caused by the deluge of information available to investors. The plot progresses until the protagonist, initially bewildered by the array of advice, is introduced to the Upstox Mutual Fund interface. This moment marks a turning point, offering the protagonist—and, by extension, the viewer—clarity and simplicity in the investing process. Similarly, the second ad film features a salon situation, and the third film features a waiting area at a hospital.

The company is also planning to launch two more campaign videos over the next few weeks. The films will depict how people often struggle with the right information when it comes to investing, but with Upstox; users can cut to the chase and get the guidance that lets them Invest Right.

Speaking on the launch of the campaign, Kavitha Subramanian, Co-Founder of Upstox, said, “India has traditionally been a nation of savers rather than investors. A significant barrier has been the lack of clear, accessible information, leading to poor investment decisions. Upstox's mission is to empower every Indian with the right knowledge and tools to invest wisely across all asset classes, avoiding common pitfalls.”

Upstox has partnered with Lowe Lintas for conceptualization of the campaign. The campaign spotlights Upstox's robust platform offerings, including:

●       Curated Top Funds: A selection of mutual funds in popular categories, balancing returns and risk.

●       Goal-Based Investing: Personalised investment solutions tailored to individual life goals.

●       Informed Stock Choices: Features like Analyst Ratings and Stocks Smartlists guide users in making confident stock investments.

●       Diverse Investment Options: From Mutual Fund Baskets to Gold investments and Fixed Income opportunities, Upstox offers a wide range of investing avenues.

●       Simplified Investing with SIPs: Systematic Investment Plans in Stocks, ETFs, and Mutual Funds for disciplined investing.

●       Comprehensive Wealth Tracking: The Wealth Tracker feature enables users to consolidate their financial portfolio by synchronising bank accounts, external stocks, and mutual funds, allowing for a unified view of all savings and investments on a single app.

With its platform, Upstox wants to help users cut through the market noise and make wise investing decisions and aims to transform into a holistic wealth creation platform with everything one needs to save, invest, trade, and build their wealth.

As the campaign rolls out across digital, TV and social media platforms, including a partnership with JioCinema and Star for the IPL, Upstox is set to reach audiences nationwide, from metros to Tier 3 cities. With over 1.3 crore customers, Upstox continues to innovate, offering 'Invest' and 'Pro' modes to cater to both novice investors and advanced traders.

Watch The Video Here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJCFwpM2X5k

ICICI Bank announces that its retail mobile banking app, iMobile Pay, has on-boarded over one crore customers of other banks. This significant achievement comes just over three years after ICICI Bank made the app open for customers of other banks.

 

ICICI Bank was the pioneer in launching mobile banking app in 2008, expediting the way for digital banking in India. In December 2020, it became the first bank to make the app interoperable by extending the benefit of its services to customers of other banks. Since then, customers of any bank can use iMobile Pay by following a few simple steps: link their savings bank account with the app, generate a UPI ID and enjoy a wide range of convenient services. These include making payments to any UPI ID or merchants, paying bills, recharging online and transferring money to any bank account, payment app and digital wallet. Further, users can also open a savings account, apply for a home loan or credit card among other banking services provided by ICICI Bank.

 

With over one crore customers of other banks using iMobile Pay, there has been 26% growth in the overall transactions value in this financial year till the end of February 2024 (April- February), compared to the same period last year. During this period, the average ticket size increased by 16%.

 

Commenting on this remarkable achievement, Mr. Sidharatha Mishra, Head- Digital Channels and Partnerships, ICICI Bank stated, “We have consistently aimed to innovate and simplify banking for our customers. The fact that our retail banking app has on-boarded over one crore customers from other banks in just three years is a testament to iMobile Pay’s significant role in providing seamless digital banking experiences. With iMobile Pay, we are revolutionising the way customers manage their finances and conduct transactions. We have built a simple, seamless, secure, and accessible banking platform that offers over 400 services, anytime and anywhere. We are thrilled to witness the widespread adoption and eagerly look forward to enhancing users' banking convenience through continuous innovations.”

 

Since its launch, iMobile Pay has gained immense popularity among users for its diverse features. Services like UPI transactions, fund transfers, credit card payments, mobile recharges, and bill payments are most used by users. In addition, features like UPI transfer by using a mobile phone number/UPI ID, scan to pay, bill payments, and check balance are frequently used for repeat transactions. Further, the value of their transactions have also increased with each visit by users. Other notable features including viewing credit card summaries, loan accounts, loan summaries and creating VPAs also contribute to the app’s popularity. Products like RuPay credit card, personal loan, NPS, fixed deposits, mutual funds, auto loan top-up and credit card upgrade are of great demand to users.

 

This milestone underscores the wide acceptance and strong engagement that ‘iMobile Pay’ has received from users across the country, particularly in major metro cities and state capitals.

 

For more information on ‘iMobile Pay’ and to download the app, visit the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.

 

Prodigy Finance, a UK-based provider of student loans for international studies, is excited to embrace the festive spirit of Holi, India's iconic festival of colours, symbolising the celebration of life and new beginnings.

 

James D. Wilson once said, “Diversity in all its forms is the path to greatness.” As an organisation committed to empowering students from diverse backgrounds to pursue higher education abroad, Prodigy Finance resonates with the core values of Holi – unity, diversity, and joy. This festival, celebrated with enthusiasm across India and by Indians residing worldwide, aligns with the company’s mission to build a global community of learners and innovators.

 

“On this auspicious occasion, Prodigy Finance extends its warmest wishes to students, their families, and our partners in India and around the globe. We celebrate the diversity of cultures, traditions, and ideas that enrich our global community and the educational journeys we support,” said Neha Sethi, Chief Financial Officer at Prodigy Finance. The organisation stands strong to support students in their education by offering no collateral and no cosigner loans for international studies.

 

For many students, the idea of studying in a foreign country is a dream filled with excitement and possibilities. This Holi, embrace the opportunity to pursue your academic aspirations with joy and enthusiasm. Set forth a new beginning for your career by pursuing postgraduate studies from the top overseas universities supported by Prodigy Finance. Take advantage of this opportunity and start your journey towards a successful career.

 

In the spirit of Holi, Prodigy Finance reaffirms its commitment to making international education accessible and inclusive. The company believes in breaking down barriers, whether they are financial, geographical, or cultural, enabling students to achieve their potential and contribute to a world that values diversity.

 

As you join in the festivities, Prodigy Finance invites you to embrace the message of Holi – to spread love, joy, and positivity. Let’s come together to paint a brighter future for education, where every aspiring student has the opportunity to pursue their dreams, regardless of their background.

 

 

Loans are offered between $10k and $100k.

For more details, please visit Prodigy Finance or write to us at info@prodigyfinance.com

Prodigy Finance Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority in the United Kingdom. Prodigy Finance loans are offered to eligible borrowers and these loans are governed by English law.

 

 

·         The 4-day mega event witnessed over a lakh visitor at both Bharat Mandapam& Yashobhoomi, bringing the entire value chain under one roof

 

Bharat Tex served as a launchpad for initiatives such as IndiaTEX and Textile Grand Innovation Challenge

 

·         Garnering global acclaim for its emphasis on sustainable textiles, the exhibition boasted the participation of more than 3,500 exhibitors and 3,000 buyers from over a 111 nations

 

·         The marquee event resulted in the signing of over 63 MoU’s and witnessed 100 product launches, 9 book launches, 70 knowledge sessions with 112 international speakers, 50 business meetings, 25 capacity building masterclasses & thematic fashion shows

 

Inspired by Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi's 5F’s vision,BHARAT TEX 2024 hasemerged as a global textile mega-event, garnering an unprecedented response from both Indian and global players. The four-day affair, concluding on Thursday, February 29, 2024successfully showcased India’s prowess and strategic growth roadmap in the Textile industry.The event facilitated collaboration among multilateral organizations, global textile think tanks, and NGOs, bringing international perspectives on India's journey towards becoming a Global Textiles Hub.

 

The event witnessed over a lakhvisitorcombined both Bharat Mandapam & Yashobhoomi, bringing the entire value chain under one roof. Garnering global acclaim for its emphasis on sustainable textiles, the exhibition boasted the participation of more than 3,500 exhibitors and 3,000 buyers from over a hundred nations. The marquee event resulted in the signing of over 63 MoUs and witnessed 100 product launches, 9 book launches, 70 knowledge sessions with 112 international speakers, 50 business meetings, 25 capacity-building masterclasses & thematic fashion shows.

 

Renowned trend forecasting agencies WGSN and Vision NXT collaborated with the show, presenting their latest trend forecasts, providing valuable insights into the future of fashion and textile design. WGSN highlighted upcoming color trends, fabric textures, prints, and patterns expected to dominate the industry in the coming seasons. While VisionNxt curated trend stories and design narratives inspired by global cultural influences, art movements adapted to the Indian consumer market and behavior.

 

The event also featured a dynamic fusion of crafts and music, creating an immersive experience for the attendees. With over 15 live looms, craftsmanship was brought to life as 30 skilled artisans demonstrated their expertise in various traditional crafts. This live demonstration not only showcased the intricacies of the crafts but also provided insights into the techniques and workmanship involved. Complementing the visual and tactile aspects of the crafts, the event also incorporated live music performances by 15 local artists.

 

The event witnessed a grand confluence of iconic handloom & handicraft traditions from Gujrat, Maharashtra, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Assam, Tamil Nadu, Ladakh & many more both in Bharat Mandapam& Yashobhoomi. The spotlight of their participation was to represent the varied Handlooms & handicrafts of these regions to the global market and present a shared narrative of artistic excellence, featuring handloom craftsmanship & unveiling distinctive textile innovations.

 

On the conclusion day of the event, the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Shri Yogi Adityanath ji visited the show and in his address, he stated, “The textile industry stands as the second-largest employment provider after agriculture, offering limitless prospects for technological advancements. Uttar Pradesh has showcased its prowess in the textile sector, featuring 20 exhibitors at 'Yashobhoomi' and 46 at Bharat Mandapam. The establishment of PM Mitra Park in seven states not only presents an opportunity for Uttar Pradesh but also for the entire nation. Not just India, the global market as well eagerly anticipates this development.”Uttar Pradesh the Partner State for Bharat Tex 2024 presented the iconic handloom and handicrafts of the region and gave an opportunity to multiple artisans and young entrepreneursto present their skills.

 

The mega event was organised by a Consortium of 11 Textile Export Promotion Councils and supported by the Ministry of Textiles. Built on the twin pillars of trade and investment and with an overarching focus on sustainability, Bharat Tex 2024 exhibition was spread across nearly 2 million sq ft of area, encompassing the entire textile value chain, including an artistically curated story of textiles– Vastra Katha.

 

A significant highlight of the expo was the signing of 63 MoUs particularly between Ministry of Textiles, its organisations and other Ministries including international institutions. Noteworthy among these agreements were the MoUs with GeM, the Ministry of Rural Development, NRIDA, Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation, and NBRI.

 

Over 10,000 artisans, weavers, design and fashion students, factory workers, NGOs and Producer companies visited and participated in the Bharat Tex 2024 as special invitees.All major textile organizations and brands from around the world were represented in the event including top level participants from companies including Coach, Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein, Vero Moda, Jack n Jones, Toray, H&M, Target, Kohl's, K-Mart, IKEA, YKK, Lenzing, Anko, CIEL Group, Busana Group, Brandix Apparels, Teijin Ltd, Chargeurs PCC among others. All Indian leading players including Reliance, Aditya Birla, Welspun, Trident,Arvind, Shahi Exports, PDS, Vardhman, Dodhia, Nahar, Raymond, SRF Industries among others were represented at the show.

 

Multilateral Organizations and Global Think Tanks including UNEP, IRENA, Laudes Foundation, GIZ, IDH, Cotton Connect, WGSN, Fashion for Good, Better Cotton Initiative, Responsible Sourcing Network, ITMF, International Apparel Federation, BGMEA, BKMEA, Cotton Egypt Association among others were part of the event. In addition, various Indian and global industry bodies and associations including CMAI, CITI, SIMA, SGCCI, TEA, GEMA, YESS, ITMF, ITME, ATMA, NIFT, among others overwhelmingly supported the event.

Furthermore, the event saw the release of the UNEP Report for Sustainable Textile Hub in India. A documentary was also launched based on the theme 'Women Power in Silk'. Several books on various topics were also launched during Bharat Tex 2024.

 

Book Launching During Bharat Tex 2024

 

1.       Report on Roadmap for Sustainable Textile Hub in India: Report on the Surat Textile Cluster and the targets set by a participatory approach being published by UNEP and CEE.

 

2.       Handloom Coffee Table Book on Circularity and Sustainability in Indian Textiles: A handy book giving insight into sustainability and circularity in entire value chain of the India Textiles Industry.

 

3.       Coffee Table Book on GI Tagged Textiles products registered under GI Act prepared by Textile Committee 

 

4.       Coffee Table Book – an insight into Wool Sector activities and wool eco-system by Central Wool Development Board

 

5.       P3D (Design, Development & Diversification) Catalogue – A brief book on diversified Silk Product

 

6.       Coffee Table Book on Vanya Silk – A handy book giving insight into sustainability and circularity in entire value chain of the Vanya Silk.

 

7.       Silken Innovations – A compiled information book on CSB-Intellectual Property Rights

 

8.       Book Title: Inspirations for Graphic Design from India

Authors: Jaya Jaitly & Dimple Bahl

Published by Arthshila

 

9.       Book Title: Stitchless Seam Standard

Authors: Prabir Jana & Anshuman Dash

Published by NIFT

 

By aligning with the 5F Vision and emphasizing sustainability, competitiveness, and innovation, Bharat Tex'sendeavoured to strike a chord with both domestic and international audiences. This concerted effort culminated in a highly successful and impactful event, showcasing the pinnacle of Indian textiles to a global audience.