Month: March 2024

Better career prospects top reason for Indian women to choose global education

For financials – Lack of information about scholarships & financial barrier biggest roadblocks for Indian women to consider global education 

To understand the ground reality and uncover trends regarding women’s education in India, leading study abroad platform MSM Unify conducted an elaborate survey among 1,256+ students and 250+ education consultants.

MSM Unify’s inaugural survey report on International Women’s Day sheds light on the significant strides and persistent obstacles in the path of female education in India. Among the total students who took part in the survey, 65% were women, and the remaining 35% were men. According to the survey, 71% women participants were exploring study abroad opportunities.

20%-30% YoY rise in women seeking study abroad opportunities: When MSM Unify survey probed the education partners, 60% education consultants answered that there has been a considerable rise in the number of Indian women applying for study abroad programs. When asked about the chief reason for this tidal shift, most education consultants attributed it to the change in Indian families’ views (76% votes).

Raghwa Gopal, CEO, M Square Media said, “Today, women in India are realizing the need to build a strong career pathway. From the higher education industry point of view, most women respondents mentioned that online forums and webinars are their primary sources of information about study abroad prospects. Social media and direct information from education consultants followed the respondents’ preference.”

The key driver for women studying abroad is greater awareness of global educational opportunities, say education consultants. The top 10 study destinations for female respondents’ traditional favorites – the US and the UK – emerged among women's top study abroad destinations. While the demand for unconventional destinations is also on the rise. Top 10 study abroad destinations are:

The complete report is available here

·         Yes Securities reports 36% YoY growth in overall account base for FY24 so far. Accounts opened by women investors grew at a higher pace of 75% YoY for the same period, clearly outpacing the overall growth rate

·         Tier 2 cities and younger demographics (25-40 years old) exhibit a strong and growing interest in investing in equity markets

·         To celebrate International Women’s Day 2024, Yes Securities is conducting a financial literacy session for Adivasi women at Seva Charitable Trust on March 7, at Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Mumbai.

 Yes Securities, a leading financial services company, today announced a record high of women investors,with growth in women investor accounts exhibiting a steady rise. Yes Securities recorded a 75% YoY growth in accounts opened by women investors in FY24 so far (period compared is 1^st April 2023 till 31^st January 2024 versus same period last year of FY23), and the contribution of women investors in total accounts increased to about 23%.This trend highlights a growing confidence, rise in financial awareness and proactiveness among women in managing their finances.

The overall investor base of Yes Securities has also grown at a positive momentum of 36% YoY during the first 10 months of FY24 so far (From 1^st April 2023 till 31^st January 2024). The momentum of women investors is on an upswing and interestingly, Yes Securities has seen more women investors opening their account post pandemic since FY21, and this trend is on a steady rise and has continued in FY24 as well.

Within the age spectrum, the highest number of women investors falls between 25 to 40 years old, indicating strong inclination towards investment among millennials. While the overallshare of accounts opened by women investors represents 23% of the total, the data reveals an even more encouraging trend: women are not just opening accounts, they are actively participating in the capital markets. Interestingly, revenue generation data shows that women in their middle to later stages of professional and personal life (41-56 and 57-75 age groups) contribute the most, highlighting their financial acumen and investment prowess.

“We’re witnessing a remarkable rise in women investors across the country, particularly in states like Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh,” said Mr. Anshul Arzare, Managing Director& CEO of Yes Securities India Limited. “This surge is accompanied by a growing participation from tier 2 cities and younger demographics, specifically those between 25 and 40 years old. It’s a clear indicator that women are rewriting the narrative around financial participation.Indian Equity markets have been largely buoyant post the pandemic and there has also been a rise in financial awareness, coupled with ease of investment due to digitization and improved risk appetite. India continues to be the fastest growing major economy, and while this will open various investment opportunities in the long run, there is also an equal need to invest in increasing financial awareness and literacy amongst women to achieve the vision of ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’.”

Mr. Arzare added, “As part of our commitment to contribute to society and to the financial well-being of Indian women, Yes Securities is conducting a financial literacy session for Adivasi women at Seva Charitable Trust on March 7, at Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Mumbai. This initiative is a step towards empowering underprivileged women with the knowledge and skills to manage their finances and create a better future.”

Yes Securities goes beyond financial awareness efforts, demonstrating its commitment to financial inclusion. In anticipation of Women's Day, the company is supporting Adivasi women trained under Seva Charitable Trust with a two-day exhibition at its Mumbai offices, featuring and selling their exquisite handicrafts.

With rising affluence, the perception of gender pay gap and bias is seen to increase.

DBS Bank India, in collaboration with CRISIL, launched the second of three reports from its comprehensive study entitled 'Women and Finance'. The report is based on a survey of over 800 salaried and self-employed women across 10 cities in India and is designed to reveal the interplay between their professional aspirations and personal lifestyle preferences.

Building upon the first part released in January 2024, the second report offers valuable insights into the unique circumstances of women in the workforce, including their professional aspirations, habits, and the barriers they face. It examines how factors like age, income, marital status, and location influence their preferences.

While salary and career advancement ranked as the topmost factors when selecting a job for 69% of salaried women, 42% of self-employed women prioritised independence and flexible working hours. Interestingly, remote working is not a high priority among salaried women, with only 3% considering it essential.

Understanding the dynamics and challenges faced by salaried women in the workforce

The findings corroborate industry views on persistent gender disparities in the workplace, revealing that the perceived gender pay gap at a pan-India level stood at 23% among salaried women, while perceived gender bias stood at 16%. Semi-affluent women, earning between ₹10 to 25 lakhs annually, and affluent women, with salaries ranging from ₹41 to 55 lakhs per year, have varying perspectives on the gender pay gap. Affluent women reported a higher perception of the gender pay gap at 30%, while this stood at 18% among semi-affluent women. A similar trend was seen with the perception of gender bias at the workplace with 30% of affluent women asserting that they had experienced it, significantly higher than the 12% of women in the semi-affluent cohort who had perceived the same bias.

42% of salaried women in metros face challenges while negotiating salaries. The experiences differ between the eastern and western parts of India. In Kolkata, 96% of salaried women do not face a challenge in negotiating their pay, while only 33% in Ahmedabad feel the same. Contrasting perspectives are also observed in southern India. In Chennai, 77% of women do not face challenges when negotiating salaries, compared to 41% in Hyderabad.

Kishore Poduri, Managing Director, and Country Head – HR, DBS Bank India said, “Encouraging the active participation of women in the workforce is crucial for fostering their economic independence and ensuring autonomy in financial decision-making. Insights gleaned from the study can empower organisations to understand women's aspirations better and tailor strategies that align with their preferences. This can lead to more fulfilling careers for women, enhancing their participation in the workforce and maximising their potential contributions.”

“DBS embodies being a different kind of bank, and the ‘Women and Finance’ study is an extension of this ethos. Women constitute half of our global workforce and ~30% of our employee base in India. By leveraging some of the findings from this study, we can better address their diverse needs and provide support to help them thrive both personally and professionally,” he added.

Policies and initiatives preferred by salaried women

Among salaried women, those who are unmarried show a greater appreciation for mentorship and career development opportunities compared to their married counterparts. Specifically, 26% of unmarried women express appreciation for such programs, compared to 16% of married women.

Regional variations lend greater depth to the insights. For instance, in Kolkata, 46% of salaried women consider mentorship and career development programs to be the most valuable, surpassing the national average of 19%. Similarly, in Delhi, 33% of salaried women value childcare support facilities offered by organisations, compared to the national average of 11%. Among women in Chennai, 32% accord the most importance to extended maternity benefits, surpassing the national average of 19%. This aligns with the behaviours reflected within DBS Bank India's employee base. In a recent internal survey, female employees ranked mentorship and career advancement opportunities (19%) and support for expecting mothers (16%) as the top initiatives they found most valuable.

These findings also highlight the need for organisations to implement family-friendly policies that improve work-life harmony for women with caregiving responsibilities. In Pune, 35% of salaried women consider sabbatical policies to be the most valuable, significantly higher than the national average of 5%.

Lifestyle preferences

In addition to workplace dynamics, the report delves into the multifaceted lifestyle preferences of women and provides insights into their spending preferences and habits around health & wellness, dining, and leisure travel. The study reveals that female earners in India’s metros prioritise health despite their busy schedules, with 66% undergoing comprehensive health check-ups in the past year. A similar trend was observed among women at DBS Bank India, where 57% of respondents in an internal survey reported having undergone comprehensive health check-ups during the same period.

Only 32% dine out or order food more than once a week, while just 24% of women spend more than four hours daily on non-office screen time. This underscores the opportunity for organisations to enhance their offerings, prioritising initiatives that promote holistic well-being for this demographic.

32% of married women took 3-5 leisure trips in the past year, which is twice as many as their unmarried counterparts, challenging the myth that married women go for fewer leisure trips than unmarried women. Nearly half of the surveyed women (47%) were generous spenders, who spend more than 70% of their income. The survey findings further reveal that 39% of women from this segment have high credit card spends in discretionary categories namely travel and shopping, compared to the pan-India average of 33%.

DBS has been an integral part of India since 1994, and it is the largest foreign bank in the country by branch presence, with a physical footprint of around 530 branches in 350 locations. It brings simplicity and seamlessness to banking through its suite of solutions and is a trusted partner for small, medium, and large businesses as well as retail customers. Reinforcing its brand promise of “Live More, Bank Less,” DBS Bank India endeavours to support holistic financial management for women, guided by insights from the Women and Finance study.

Parineeti Chopra-backed personal care startup Clensta has said that in the last eight months since the actor-turned-entrepreneur has come on board, it has achieved an ARR (Annual Run Rate) of INR 100 crore and is now poised to grow to an INR 1000cr ARR in the next three years.

Burgeoned by a 300% growth in FY24 for that period, Clensta is now looking to penetrate deeper across its current 57 focused cities through same-store, same-city growth. Further, Clensta is now available in modern trade chains like Reliance, Walmart, Health and Glow, Wellness Forever, Tata 1 MG, Metro and Apollo among others.

Additionally, due to its unique product proposition, Clensta has been expanding its global footprints through strategic partnerships with global giants like The Lulu group in the GCC and UAE and Carrefour in Africa.

The brand has also launched Phase II of its successful #Buy1Give1 campaign launched first in November last year— for every Clensta product sold, the brand gave one bottle of drinking water to the underprivileged — a cause in sync with Clensta’s long standing philosophy of providing water security to all.

“We are thrilled to have reached this significant milestone. It speaks volumes about our team’s dedication and the trust our consumers have placed in us. This journey fills us with immense pride, and now that we’ve accomplished so much, it is time to give back to society through social initiatives like the Buy1Give1 campaign,” said Puneet Gupta, Founder, Clensta.

In the last four months, Clensta has sold 1 lakh products, thereby quenching the thirst of 1 lakh people. Backed by actress-turned entrepreneur Parineeti Chopra, Clensta, the pioneer of waterless personal hygiene products, is now gearing up to announce the second phase of its campaign. The brand aims to distribute 1 billion litres of clean water to the underprivileged in line of its support to UNDP’s SDG.

“I am incredibly proud to be associated with a brand like Clensta, that has performed so well on the back of its dedication to sustainability and deep social impact. I look forward to contributing further to Clensta’s success story and empower more individuals and communities while we foster a healthier planet,” said Parineeti Chopra, Partner & Investor, Clensta

Clensta, which recently strengthened its leadership team by welcoming Ashish Mishra as co-founder, not only commands a strong online and offline presence in the Indian market but has also organically expanded internationally.

Last year, Clensta raised INR 75 crore in a Pre-Series B funding round led by TradeCred and co-led by the Royal Family of the UAE and Parineeti Chopra, among other investors.

TalentNomics India, in partnership with KAS-Japan, is proud to announce the successful organization of its inaugural roundtable discussion focused on “Building Inclusive Urban Spaces for Women in South Asia.” Held at India International Centre, New Delhi, on Wednesday, the day-long event brought together a diverse array of stakeholders to zero in on crucial issues and formulate actionable solutions aimed at creating cities where every woman can flourish.

The event, held under the theme of pursuing an Equiverse—a universe where gender equity is the norm—saw esteemed speakers and participants engaging in insightful discussions to identify key obstacles and chart a path forward towards gender-inclusive urban planning.

The tone for the event was set by inspiring remarks from Ipsita Kathuria, Founder & CEO of TalentNomics India, and Christian Echle, Head-Asia/Pacific of KAS, whose visionary leadership paved the way for a productive and enriching dialogue.

Speaking on the occasion, Gita Mittal, a retired Judge and former Chief Justice of J&K High Court, shared her insightful perspectives on gender equality, emphasizing the pervasive nature of discrimination starting from within families. Highlighting the plight of women, she said: “Women face domestic violence but often lack the resources or knowledge to fight their cases,” and added that she stressed the need to go beyond discussing gender equality in urban spaces, and instead focus on creating spaces without violence and with women-centric facilities in public areas. Mittal also drew attention to the challenges faced by women prisoners, who experience various difficulties, including the poor conditions of police lock-ups and inadequate toilet facilities. Similarly, she highlighted the lack of public toilets for municipal workers, gardeners, and women employees, who face difficulties while carrying out their jobs. Mittal further emphasized the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities, who also face sexual harassment while using public transportation. She advocated for the inclusion of low-floor buses and other facilities for disabled individuals to promote a more inclusive infrastructural development in urban areas.

Dr. Meeran Chadha Borwankar, a retired Director General of Police, expressed her stance on gender discrimination. She highlighted the challenges faced by female police officers, such as a lack of support from their male counterparts and the absence of a women-friendly environment. She further pointed out the prevalent issue of sexual harassment within police stations. Dr. Borwankar said: “Gender discrimination is not only confined to the police department but is also observed when interacting with citizens outside of it. Conferences focused on promoting gender equality can play a significant role in creating awareness and addressing these issues. We should advocate for a society that treats women equally and provides them with a safe and supportive environment in all aspects of life, including within the police force and during public interactions.”

Emphasizing the importance of Gender Inclusive Mobility, Laghu Parashar, a Senior Transport Specialist at the World Bank, proposed a forward-thinking approach. He said, “We should not simply provide transport services exclusively for women but go beyond that. By creating transportation facilities for women and other marginalized groups, we can also create new job opportunities.” Parashar also stressed the need for urban planning to be more inclusive, particularly in the context of gender equality. “Safety and care for women should be a priority in public transportation. By making the city safer for women, we ultimately make it safer for everyone,” he stated.

Pointing out the lack of female leadership in urban planning, Parashar said, “Having more women in leadership positions would greatly benefit the promotion of gender equality and inclusive transport facilities. Women leaders can bring an empathetic perspective and actively contribute to creating a more egalitarian society.”

Highlighting the multifaceted challenges encountered in urban areas across South Asia, particularly concerning gender equality, Farah Kabir, the Country Director of ActionAid Bangladesh, underscored the complex experiences women face within both public and private spheres due to their diverse roles and responsibilities. She said: “The rapid and haphazard urbanization coupled with population pressures presents significant hurdles in realizing gender equality. Furthermore, the absence of inclusive planning and design, along with inadequate funding, exacerbates these obstacles. Existing infrastructure often lacks features essential for the convenience and safety of women, girls, and individuals with disabilities.”

Kabir also noted a disparity between global discourse on gender equality and its actual implementation, attributing this to societal mindsets. She emphasized the critical need for concerted efforts in both policy formulation and societal mindset shifts to address these challenges effectively.

Ipsita Kathuria emphasized the need to make cities more inclusive. She said: “TalentNomics, an initiative launched eight years ago, advocated for gender equality in leadership roles and prioritized women's education. Highlighting the significant challenges women encounter in urban environments, Kathuriasaid: We are committed to ignite passion for inclusive development, envisioning an “Equiverse” where gender equity is standard. Collaborating with KAS-Japan, TalentNomics has reached out to numerous individuals to raise awareness about gender equality. Our efforts aim to create a societal shift towards gender equity, emphasizing the importance of inclusive urban spaces where all individuals can thrive.”

Christian Echle stressed the relevance of gender equality, noting its significance in contemporary discourse. He highlighted the importance of conferences like these in gaining momentum for the cause. Echle emphasized the necessity of framing policies to promote gender equality and urged for its inclusion in political agendas. “With India approaching parliamentary elections, we need to make gender discrimination and equality integral to the electoral narrative,” he added. Echle's remarks underscored the importance of addressing gender issues not only within policy frameworks but also in the broader political arena, reflecting a commitment to advancing equality and combating discrimination.

The conference featured engaging roundtable sessions focused on critical areas impacting women in South Asian cities:

Inclusive Urban Transportation and Mobility: Participants explored strategies to ensure equal access to education, employment, and well-being for women of all backgrounds. Discussions centered on tailoring solutions to cater to the needs of both economically sound and underprivileged women.

Safe Spaces for Recreation/Exercise: The safety of public spaces such as streets, shopping centers, parks, and gyms for women was thoroughly examined. Participants discussed measures to enhance safety and create welcoming environments conducive to women's physical activity and leisure.

High-Quality Facilities: The importance of essential amenities such as public bathrooms, creche/elder care facilities, safe shelters, proper lighting, and access to emergency services was emphasized. Participants deliberated on ways to address these needs to ensure women's comfort, safety, and well-being in urban settings.

The discussions also underscored the collaborative efforts required from government agencies, the private sector, and civil society to effect meaningful change. Emphasizing the importance of partnership and cooperation, the roundtable aimed to chart a course forward for urban planners, policymakers, enlightened private sector leaders, and citizens to pilot gender-inclusive cities in South Asia.

This initiative by TalentNomics India and KAS-Japan serves as a springboard for continued dialogue and action towards creating safe, accessible, and empowering urban environments for women in South Asia. By working collectively, the stakeholders involved can pave the way for a future where all women feel secure, valued, and empowered to reach their full potential.

–       The BYD SEALis armed with the world’s first Cell-to-Body (CTB) andiTAC (Intelligent Torque Adaptation Control)technologies

–       The BYD SEAL accelerates to a 100 km/h in just 3.8 seconds, range up to 650km per charge

BYD India, a subsidiary of the world's leading New Energy Vehicles (NEV) manufacturer, proudly announces its entry into the luxury electric sedan segment with the grand launch of the BYD SEAL. BYD has announced the opening of bookings for BYD SEAL with exciting benefits for customers booking by 31^st March 2024.

The BYD SEAL is creating waves globally. In the days running up to the launch in India, the World Car Awards at the 2024 Geneva Motor Show shortlisted BYD SEAL as one among the top three finalists for the “World Car of the Year”.A month ago, BYD became the Official Partner and Official E-Mobility Partner of UEFA European Football Championship 2024™ (UEFA EURO 2024™) and this historic partnership with UEFA marks the first-ever sponsorship deal between a new energy vehicle (NEV) manufacturer and the Championship. Revelling in global success, the luxurious BYD SEAL now aims to set benchmarks in the luxury EV sedan segment in the Indian market.

This revolutionary D-segment electric sedan represents a step to build on a complete born EV portfolio of MPV, SUV & Sedan for various customer segments in India. The BYD SEAL also comes in 3 variants – Dynamic, Premium and Performance. Embodying its sporty DNA, the BYD SEAL is a high-performance electric sedan featuring an iF Design Award, CTB and iTAC technologies, and the cutting-edge e-Platform 3.0. With rear-wheel/all-wheel drive, advanced suspensions, and a 3.8-second 0-100 km/h acceleration, it offers impressive performance and a 650 km range. The car's aerodynamics and interior space are enhanced by CTB technology. For a safe and intelligent driving experience, the BYD SEAL comes equipped with ADAS Level 2, NFC card integration, and 9 airbags, making it a well-rounded, stylish, and efficient vehicle.

The BYD SEAL’s CTB technology integrates the Blade Battery seamlessly into the sedan’s body, forming a strong ‘sandwich’ structure that can achieve torsional rigidity of 40500N.m / °. This ground-breaking design not only maximises interior space and enhances aerodynamics but also significantly enhances safety, stability, handling, and performance. The BYD SEAL, equipped with Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) at Level 2, represents a pioneering leap in automotive technology. Seamlessly integrating NFC card functionality, this innovative vehicle offers a holistic approach to modern driving. With ADAS Level 2, customers can experience enhanced safety features such as adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assistance, while the NFC card integration allows for convenient and secure access to the vehicle's features and services. The BYD SEAL sets a new standard for intelligent driving experiences, merging cutting-edge technology with user-friendly accessibility.

The revolutionary Blade Battery, developed in-house by BYD, offers optimized safety, durability, longevity, and space utilization and environmental sustainability. The BYD SEAL is equipped with a high-efficiency heat pump system for efficient battery temperature regulation and low energy consumption, the pure electric sedan also supports VTOL technology, allowing it to be used as a portable power supply for electrical devices with a total output of up to 3,000W.

The BYD SEAL, available in rear-wheel-drive (RWD) and all-wheel-drive (AWD) configurations, will also offer two trim levels with varying power outputs. With these options, the BYD SEAL caters to diverse preferences while prioritizing safety, efficiency, and driving dynamics. The double wishbone suspension in the front and a five-link suspension in the rear ensure unparalleled handling and safety.

Mr. Sanjay Gopalakrishnan, Senior Vice President of Electric Passenger Vehicle Business of BYD India said: “At BYD, we have always been driven by innovation and have continually reshaped the landscape of sustainable transportation through our cutting-edge technology, design, exceptional comfort, and unwavering commitment to further accelerate a cleaner and greener future in India. The BYD SEAL is a distinguished example of our dedication to providing a wide range of green mobility solutions for Indian consumers, and we are confident that it will play a significant role in accelerating the new energy vehicle revolution in India. With BYD being a global champion in the EPV segment and the positive response from Indian audiences reaffirms our commitment in expanding our dealerships across India, ensuring that more consumers can experience the unparalleled driving experience offered by BYD SEAL.”

Customers who book a BYD Seal by March 31, 2024, will receive exciting benefits (as per booking policy) which include a 7kW home charger and installation service, a 3kW portable charging box, a BYD Seal VTOL mobile power supply unit, six years of roadside assistance, and the first service free of charge. In addition, the BYD Seal comes with an 8-year or 160,000-kilometer warranty (whichever comes first) for the traction battery, an 8-year or 150,000-kilometer warranty for the motor and motor controller, and a 6-year or 150,000-kilometer warranty for the vehicle itself. Information, details and terms & conditions of booking policy and warranty can be found at (www.bydautoindia.com).

The BYD SEAL is a torchbearer of BYD's relentless research and development efforts in the field of new energy vehicles. It is another step forward in BYD’s mission to leverage technological innovations for a better life. BYD has concluded 2023 with record-breaking sales surpassing the 3 million annual sales target and is now the global new energy vehicle (NEV) sales champion, for the second year in a row.In addition to the launch of the BYD SEAL and the announcement of competitive pricing and dealership expansion, BYD India is proud to align its vision with the Indian government's target of EV30@2030 — 30% of newly registered private cars will be electric by 2030. The company will continue to accelerate the transition towards a greener future and contribute to its vision to ‘Cool the Earth by 1°C’.

Bhavana’s appointment accelerates Lubrizol's growth commitment inthe IMEA region

The Lubrizol Corporation proudly announces the appointment of Bhavana Bindra asManaging Director, India, Middle East & Africa (IMEA). The newly created role will support Lubrizol’s aggressive growth goals and ongoing commitment to the region.

With over two decades of experience in the manufacturing industry and working with renowned companies in this space like REHAU and Cummins India, Bhavana will apply her leadership and industry expertise to driveLubrizol’s growth in the region. 

As Lubrizol IMEA Managing Director, Bhavana will be responsible for leading the company’s IMEA team to deliver regional growth for Lubrizol and its customers, based on a local-for-local approach. Bhavana will work closely with Lubrizol leaders across the company to support localized market opportunities and strengthen relationships with in-region customers, suppliers and stakeholders. She also will provide oversight of a new Global Capability Center in Pune, India, which will serve as a regional hub that enhances Lubrizol’s capabilities for regional growth.

“Lubrizol has a long history of success across India, Middle East and Africa, and we look forward to further growing and strengthening our support for our customers and partners in these regions,” said JT Jones, SVP, High Growth Regions, Lubrizol. “Wehave incredible talent across the region andlook forward to expanding our team and our footprint across the region.”

This appointment continues Lubrizol’s commitment to the region, including a commitment of $150 Million investment in Indiato accelerate growth, most notably including a new state-of-the-art CPVC resin plant in Vilayat, India, which will be the world’s largest CPVC resin plant when operational in 2025. 

Dr. Bhagwat Karad, Hon’ble Minister of State for Finance inaugurated the new office premises of National Pension System Trust in World Trade Center Complex, Nauroji Nagar, New Delhi on 2^nd March 2024. Secretary (FS), Dr. Vivek Joshi was the guest of honour.

Dr. Bhagwat Karad said that the NPS Trust will become a centre of good governance in taking forward the vision to build a fully pensioned society. Under the able guidance of the Hon’ble Prime Minister every sector of the economy is progressing. Government is working on three mottos in the financial sector – Banking to the Unbanked, Funding to the Unfunded and Security to the Unsecured.  54 crore bank accounts have been opened and loans are being provided by the banks under PM SVANidhi Yojana. The life expectancy of Indians has increased to 69-70 years. Pension is very important for the old age income security, particularly for the unsecured.

Secretary (Financial Services), Shri (Dr.) Vivek Joshi, congratulated everyone for the new office premises which will provide renewed thrust to NPS Trust to better serve pension subscribers and strive towards universal pension coverage. The office is energy efficient, cost saving, conserving nature with state of art architecture.

Shri (Dr.) Deepak Mohanty, Chairperson, PFRDA, mentioned that the corpus under NPS and APY stands at nearly Rs. 11.5 lakh crore with an active subscriber base of over 7.2 crore.

Shri Y. Venkata Rao, Chairman, NPS Trust assured that NPS Trust stands committed to serving its subscribers better and fulfilling its mission of achieving a strong pensioned society in the country.

Meenakshi's triumphant tale serves as a beacon of hope for those grappling with joint pain, signaling that adventure and mobility are within reach with the right approach to treatment.