April 2024 - Page 4 of 5 -

Mastek Earns 2024 Great Place To Work(R) Certification

Business Wire India
Mastek (NSE: MASTEK; BSE: 523704), a trusted digital engineering and cloud transformation partner, today announced that it has been certified as Great Place To Work® in India, UK, US, and Middle East. Mastek is acknowledged for fostering trust, integrity, self-belongingness, and benevolence within its diverse workforce. Nearly 74 percent of employees participated in the GPTW survey, validating Mastek’s commitment to employees’ physical and emotional well-being and supporting career growth opportunities.

Great Place To Work® is the global authority that helps organizations benchmark their workplace culture and produce high-performing results by creating a high-trust work experience for all employees. This authority conducts surveys and examine employees’ sentiments and well-being to help make organizations data-driven people decisions.

“We are thrilled to have once again received the recognition as a Great Place to Work, emphasizing our high-trust and high-performance culture where every voice is respected. Mastek fosters a growth mindset among employees through engagement, work-life harmony, reskilling & upskilling and I would like to thank every Mastekeer for their commitment. Our values of Collaboration, Ownership, Velocity, Empowerment and Trust form the bedrock of our highly engaging culture,” said Hiral Chandrana, CEO – Mastek Group.

Key outcomes of the survey:

Pride & Respect: Employees at Mastek showed immense pride in their work, believing they made a significant impact and felt a sense of accomplishment.
Inclusivity & Equal Opportunities: Mastek prioritizes diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace, ensuring fair treatment for all employees, regardless of their gender, age, or race.
Credibility for Enriched CX: Mastek promotes a culture of trust and empowerment, allowing employees to excel without micromanagement and feeling supported by management.
Camaraderie & Self of belonging: Mastek promotes a positive and inclusive workplace culture by ensuring new employees feel welcomed and valued from the start.

“We are immensely proud to be recognized as a Great Place To Work in all 4 regions, India, UK, US and KSA. At Mastek, we are committed to individual growth, diversity, and ensure that every member of our Mastek family is valued, and empowered to excel. Our dedication to empowerment and equality is evident through initiatives such as Allyship for LGBTQIA+, Women’s Diversity Drive, and #InspireInclusion. As we mark this significant milestone today, we reaffirm our commitment to ongoing growth, innovation, and success, setting the bar high for ourselves and our industry,” said Arvind J, CHRO at Mastek Group.

“There has been a marked improvement in the employee sentiments from last year, this clearly shows the management’s commitment on acting on the feedback collected. Mastek’s employees across the globe shared positive feedback about overall pride in the corporate image and positively advocate Mastek as a Great Place to Work to friends and family. The organization’s commitment to creating an equitable workplace where everyone has an opportunity to be themselves and experience consistent experience is commendable.” – Balbir Singh, Chief Operating Officer, Great Place To Work India.

PNB Housing Finance scales new milestone, widens its distribution footprint to 300 branches across India

Expands presence in 150+ unique cities to cater to diverse needs of customers

PNB Housing Finance, one of India’s leading housing finance companies, today announced the successful expansion of its distribution network to 300 branches across India. This strategic growth marks an important milestone in its journey towards providing accessible and varied housing finance solutions to customers. Spread across 150+ unique cities in the country, PNB Housing Finance will now be able to fulfill the home ownership dreams of millions of individuals and contribute towards nation-building.

PNB Housing Finance added 100 branches in the last 4 months of FY24 alone, taking the total number to 300. It offers tailored financial solutions through 90 branches dedicated to serving Prime home loan customers, and a robust network of 160 branches to meet the needs of its affordable housing segment Roshni. Further, the Company has also diversified into a new category ‘Emerging Markets’, to leverage opportunities in the high-yielding customer segment through 50 branches in select geographies.

Mr. Girish Kousgi, MD & CEO, PNB Housing Finance, said, “As an organization that recognizes the cherished aspiration of individuals to own a home, we strategically chose to strengthen our omni-channel presence and expand our distribution footprint to provide tailored housing finance solutions to our customers. Further, our wide network of 300 branches will allow us to leverage market opportunities across diverse consumer segments and maximize profitability for the organization. We are excited to advance in this journey and leap into the next phase of growth.”

PNB Housing Finance offers a wide range of products like individual housing loans, retail loans against property, retail non-residential premises loans, and fixed deposits to both salaried and self-employed individuals. The Company’s branches are well-equipped with robust technology systems and internal capabilities, including efficient operations, processes and strong governance framework, to ensure a seamless customer experience.

Hope Restored: Woman Triumphs Over Lymphoma With CAR T Cell Therapy

She’s the first person in Andhra Pradesh to have successfully treated with indigenously built therapy

Despite being diagnosed with refractory diffuse large B-Cell lymphoma (DLBCL), 47-year-old Ms Reddi Lalitha Kumari from Bobbili town in Vizianagaram district of Andhra Pradesh, never took a day off from work in 24 years. .

However, this dedicated high school Mathematics teacher’s journey was fraught with challenges– a testament to the complexity of refractory DLBCL. Refractory disease means the patient’s disease stopped responding to all the conventional treatment options that are available. In Ms Lalitha’s case, her cancer staged a fierce comeback, defying all standard therapies.

But her will to fight against the disease and her dream to see their twin daughters settle down in their lives, motivated Ms Lalitha to undergo CAR T Cell Therapy at Apollo Cancer Centre, Visakhapatnam.

ACC press conference.jpg

The team led by Dr. Rakesh Reddy Boya, Senior Consultant – Medical & Hemato Oncology, Dr. Ventrapati Pradeep, Consultant – Medical Oncology, and Dr. G Veni Prasanna, Consultant – Pathologist, explored advanced treatment options.

According to Dr Boya, Ms. Lalitha's case required a different approach due to the refractory nature of the disease and CAR-T Cell Therapy emerged as a viable option, offering a chance to be “cancer free.”

Dr. Rakesh Reddy Boya, Senior Consultant – Medical & Hemato Oncology, Apollo Cancer Centre, Vizag, said, “Following Ms Lalitha’s initial response to R-CHOP therapy, her relapse posed a formidable challenge. Through strategic intervention and the integration of salvage chemotherapy, including R-ICE, we achieved a remarkable complete response. It was through meticulous analysis, collaboration, and unwavering determination that we charted a path towards her recovery. This victory reinforces our commitment to pushing the boundaries of cancer care and providing hope to those in need.”

Although the road to recovery was arduous but her unwavering determination and the relentless pursuit of excellence by the medical team, helped her to win over cancer.

Following the CAR-T Cell therapy, Ms. Lalitha’s cancer led to a complete remission. “The most incredible news was hearing from the doctors – I am cancer-free. Being a maths teacher, I always believe that every problem has a solution and in my case, I got the right treatment at Apollo Cancer Centre,” she smiles. “This treatment has given me a second lease of life, and I’m incredibly grateful to the team at ACC for their expertise and unfaltering support.”

Dr. Ventrapati Pradeep, Consultant – Medical Oncology, Apollo Cancer Centre, Vizag, said, “Her case demanded innovative thinking and a collaborative approach. Through our collective expertise and determination, we were able to navigate the complexities of her condition and offer a novel solution. Ms Lalitha’s journey has been both challenging and inspiring.”

Dr. G Veni Prasanna, Consultant Pathologist, Apollo Cancer Centres, said, “Ms. Lalitha's case exemplifies the critical role of pathology in unravelling the complexities of cancer. It is a privilege to contribute to her journey towards remission, ensuring precision and clarity in every step.”

This remarkable achievement stands as a beacon of hope for countless individuals battling aggressive cancers worldwide. It underscores the critical importance of cutting-edge research, innovative therapies, and the unwavering commitment of healthcare professionals.

Ms. Reddi Lalitha Kumari's triumph of winning over cancer is more than a medical breakthrough, it is also a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. Her journey serves as a reminder that with determination, compassion, and expertise, even the most formidable adversaries can be conquered.

As ACC celebrates this monumental victory, it reaffirms their commitment towards advancement in cancer care,, offering hope to patients and their families.

#WinningOverCancer

Aakash Educational Services Limited Appoints Deepak Mehrotra as New Managing Director and CEO

~ Assumes office from today ~

Aakash Educational Services Limited (AESL), a leader in test preparatory services, has appointed Deepak Mehrotra as its Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO). The decision comes at a pivotal moment for AESL, as it continues to innovate and expand its offerings in the competitive landscape of educational services.

Deepak Mehrotra is an accomplished leader with a proven track record in the FMCG, Telecom, and Education industries. With over 35 years of experience in executive roles, he brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to drive AESL's vision forward and capitalize on emerging opportunities in the education sector. Prior to joining AESL, he was the Managing Director at Ashirvad pipes. He has also worked at Pearson India, Bharti Airtel, Coca-Cola, and Asian Paints.

Deepak has a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering from IIT Roorkee, an MMS from JBIMS, and has completed an Executive program from The Wharton School, Philadelphia (USA).

Commenting on his appointment, Deepak Mehrotra expressed his enthusiasm for leading AESL into its next phase of growth. He emphasized the importance of leveraging technology and modern teaching methodologies to enhance the learning experience for students across the country. “I am honoured to join AESL, a pioneer in the education sector, and look forward to working closely with the talented team to deliver quality education and empower students to achieve their full potential,” said Mehrotra.

The appointment of Deepak Mehrotra is part of AESL's strategic vision to enhance its offerings, expand its reach, and create a positive impact on the education landscape. The company remains dedicated to fostering a culture of learning, growth, and innovation, with a focus on preparing students for success in their academic and professional endeavours.

Byju Raveendran, Founder & Chairman, BYJU'S expressed a warm welcome to Deepak stating, “As we enter the next phase of growth, it’s our pleasure to welcome Deepak to lead AESL. In his role as CEO, he will be responsible to deliver on our aggressive growth plan and to build on the significant momentum the company is currently experiencing. His business acumen and stellar record as the Managing Director for Pearson India will be pivotal in leading Aakash BYJU'S into its next phase of growth and impact.”

Shailesh Haribhakti, the Chairman of AESL, expressed his delight in having Deepak on board to steer the company at this critical juncture. “Deepak's appointment as the new leader of AESL marks an exciting milestone for our organization. His strategic vision and proven operational expertise will be instrumental in solidifying our position as an industry leader,” he said.

As AESL embarks on this new chapter with Deepak Mehrotra at the helm, stakeholders, including students, parents, faculty, and investors, can expect continued excellence, innovation, and commitment to educational excellence from one of India's most trusted education providers.

AESL, known for its innovative approach to education and commitment to academic excellence, has been at the forefront of providing comprehensive coaching solutions for students preparing for Medical and Engineering entrance examinations, School/Board exams, and competitive exams such as NTSE, KVPY, and Olympiads. It has a network of over 310 Aakash centres (including franchisees) and a student count of more than 400,000. Under the leadership of Deepak Mehrotra, AESL aims to further strengthen its position as a leader in test preparation and educational services.

Bollywood star Malaika Arorainaugurated KalyanJewellers’first showroom in Rohtak at Jhang Colony

Marks the jewellery brand’s foray in Rohtakand 6^thshowroom in the state of Haryana

Offers luxurious shopping experience in world-class ambience

Kalyan Jewellers, one of India’s most trusted and leading jewellery companies, today launched its all-new showroom at Jhang Colony, Delhi Road, Rohtak. Bollywood star Malaika Arora inaugurated the showroom, which features an extensive range of designs from various collections of Kalyan Jewellers. Patrons can expect state-of-the-art facilities with world-class ambiance, providing an unparalleled experience.

Addressing the enthralled crowd, Bollywood star Malaika Arorasaid, “I am pleased to be present here today for the inauguration of the new Kalyan Jewellers showroom. It is an honour to represent Kalyan Jewellers – a brand that stands firm on the principles of trust, transparency, and customer-centricity. I am confident that the patrons will welcome Kalyan Jewellers warmly, while enjoying the service-backed shopping experience and exploring the diverse range of jewellery collections offered by the company.”

Commenting on the new showroom, Mr. Ramesh Kalyanaraman, Executive Director of Kalyan Jewellers, said, “With the launch of our all-newKalyan Jewellers’ showroom in Rohtak, the aim is to create a holistic ecosystem and cater to the distinct needs of our customers, enhancing their shopping experience. We aspire to continue reinventing ourselves, providing customers with world-class ambience, while staying true to the company's ethos of trust and transparency. At Kalyan Jewellers, we will continue to offer vast range of exquisite and unique jewellery designs with focus on quality and service.”

Celebrating the launch, Kalyan Jewellers has announced an exciting range of offers to ensure that patrons gain maximum benefits on their jewellery purchases from the all-new showroom. It has also announced that the Kalyan Special Gold Board Rate – lowest in the market and standardized across all company showrooms – will apply on the jewellery purchases at the new showroom. These offers are valid for a limited period only.

Patrons will also receive Kalyan Jewellers' 4-Level Assurance Certificate, which guarantees purity, free lifetime maintenance of ornaments, detailed product information, and transparent exchange and buy-back policies. This certification reflects the brand's commitment to offering the very best to its loyal customers.

The showroom will also stock Kalyan's popular house brands, including Muhurat (Wedding Jewellery Line), Mudhra (Handcrafted Antique Jewellery), Nimah (Temple Jewellery), Glo (Dancing Diamonds), Ziah (Solitaire-like Diamond Jewellery), Anokhi (Uncut Diamonds), Apoorva (Diamonds for Special Occasions), Antara (Wedding Diamonds), Hera (Daily Wear Diamonds), Rang (Precious Stones Jewellery), and the recently launched Lila (Coloured Stones and Diamond Jewellery).

For more information on the brand, its collections and offers, visithttps://www.kalyanjewellers.net/

Vietjet Aviation’s 2023 Financials Reflect a Year of Growth and Expansion

Vietjet Aviation Joint Stock Company (HOSE: VJC) has released its audited financial statements for 2023, showing robust growth over the year.

The audited separate air transport revenue and consolidated revenue were reported at VND53.7 trillion (approx. US$2.16 billion) and VND58.3 trillion (approx. US$2.35 billion) respectively, increasing by 62% and 45% YoY in the order given. Notably, the company recorded a turnaround of pre-tax air transport profit and consolidated profit at VND471 billion (approx. US$18.98 million) and VND606 billion (approx. US$24.42 million) respectively.

Ancillary and cargo revenue amounted to nearly VND21 trillion (approx. US$846.6 million), higher than the compiled financial statements, and increased by more than 60% YoY. It accounted for 39% of the total air transport revenue. As of December 31, 2023, Vietjet's total assets totaled more than VND86.9 trillion (approx. US$3.5 billion). The company's debt-to-equity ratio was at 2, well below the typical global range of between 3 and 5. Vietjet’s liquidity ratio stood at 1.3, which was within the good range of the aviation industry. The cash and cash equivalents balance as of December 31, 2023, was reported at VND5.051 trillion (approx. US$203.62 million), ensuring the airline's financial capacity.

The airline was also among those with the best credit ratings according to guidelines by the Ministry of Finance. It has received the highest credit rating (VnBBB-) among Vietnamese corporations. In 2023, Vietjet paid approximately VND5.2 trillion (approx. US$209.63 million) of direct and indirect taxes and fees.

Leading international expansion

Striving to maintain and grow the domestic network while focusing efforts on expanding international routes, Vietjet safely operated 133,000 flights with 25.3 million passengers onboard in 2023 – a surge of 183% YoY, of whom more than 7.6 million were flying internationally. Vietjet launched 33 new domestic and international routes, bringing the total number of routes to 125, including 80 international and 45 domestic routes. Notable routes included Ho Chi Minh City – Shanghai, Ho Chi Minh City – Vientiane, Hanoi – Siem Reap, Hanoi – Hong Kong, Phu Quoc – Taipei, Phu Quoc – and Ho Chi Minh City/ Hanoi – Jakarta, etc.

Vietjet is also now the largest operator of flights connecting Vietnam to India and Australia, helping promote trade and tourism with the two countries of high potential. Since early 2024, the airline has further opened a direct route between Hanoi and Sydney, lifting the total number of Vietnam-Australia routes to seven. It has also expanded its network to India, currently operating 28 round-trip flights per week across 4 major cities – Mumbai, New Delhi, Ahmedabad, and Kochi. It has also commenced flights from Hanoi to Hiroshima (Japan) and Ho Chi Minh City to Chengdu (China), bringing about opportunities to strengthen bilateral tourism and trade. Domestically, Vietjet has inaugurated the new route Hanoi – Dien Bien to take travelers to the historic destination of Dien Bien Phu.

The airline's average load factor rate reached 87%, and the technical reliability rate reached 99.72%.

Developing a safe, modern, eco-friendly fleet

Sustainable development (ESG), which will continue to be the airline’s long-term strategic goal, is vital to the airline’s success as it helps to optimize resources, save fuel, and reduce CO2 emissions with a new and modern fleet of aircraft. To meet operational demands, Vietjet continued to invest in a modern, safe, and eco-friendly fleet. As of December 31, 2023, Vietjet's fleet consisted of 105 aircraft, including the wide-body A330s. Having embarked on its journey to reduce carbon emissions over 10 years ago, by 2023, Vietjet's fleet has grown significantly, contributing significantly to the company's success by optimizing resources, saving up to 15-20% of fuel, and particularly focusing on environmental protection, sustainable development, and research on green technologies.

Regarding safety as the utmost priority, the airline organized numerous conferences, training courses, and simulations on safety and security last year, such as the Quality and Safety Conference, ISAGO (International Standard for Ground Operations) safety training, and emergency response simulations to proactively ensure security and absolute safety for flight operations. Vietjet was again honored as one of the safest low-cost airlines in the world by AirlineRatings.

Vietjet's ground services center has operated efficiently, enhancing the quality of ground services while reducing operational costs at the airport. In addition to ground handling services, Vietjet has also taken a proactive approach to aircraft maintenance work. In 2023, it launched an Aircraft Maintenance Center of International standards in cooperation with Lao Airlines in Vientiane. Realizing its strategy and vision to develop and build a workforce of international standards, the Vietjet Aviation Academy (VJAA) has become a training partner of the International Air Transport Association (IATA). In 2023, VJAA trained over 97,000 students through 6,300 courses, actively providing training for pilots and aircraft maintenance staff (CRS). The academy also installed its third flight simulator, becoming a top-notch pilot training center in the region.

Vietjet achieved a significant milestone for comprehensive development last year with an ever-expanding international network of medium-haul flights. The company is ready to meet the demand for domestic travel while continuing plans to further grow the international network.

Enlite and Clairco announced asthe winnersof Panasonic Ignition, first cohort

· Ignite winners – Enlite and Clairco will have the opportunity to receive strategic funding

· Ignite andAccelerateWinners to work with Panasonic to jointly transform Energy Management Solution for commercial spaces

Panasonic Life Solutions India (PLSIND), a leading diversified technology company, today announced Enlite and Clairco as the winners of its first cohort of Panasonic Ignition program. Enlite focusing onAI-enabled wireless building management system and Clairco that developsIoT-based smart air purification devices & space optimization solutions will receive strategic funding and an opportunity to work with Panasonic business teams for development and implementation. Ignitionprogramin partnership with 100x.VC is a corporate innovation initiative that was introduced last year todevelop solutionsfor real-life challenges focused aroundEnergy Management Systems for Commercial Spaces.The two Ignition winners will receive Corporate Venture Capital (CVC) funding and business collaborations, while the four Accelerate winners – Sustlabs, Quebec Ventures, Sensiable and Blaze will get an opportunity forbusiness collaborations and get to implement solutionsin partnership with Panasonic companies.

The 12 start-ups who were shortlisted last year were SustLabs, MinionLabs, Clairco, Enlite,Zodhya,Living Things, Sensiable, Carbon Minus, Nebeskie,Quebeq Ventures, Blaze andCymbeline. They pitched their ideas, GTM strategy, commercial plans today to a panel of judges from Panasonic and 100X.VC

Mr. Manish Sharma, Chairman, Panasonic Life Solutions India & South Asia, “India has emerged as the world's third largest startup ecosystem with over 1.25 lakh startups and 110 unicorns and Panasonic is looking forward to be part of this journey through our initiatives like Ignition.Panasonic established India Innovation Centre (IIC) in 2017 with an initial investment of Rs 240 crores.Theobjective of IIC is to drive tech-based innovation and deliver growth for business.Today, we’repleased to state that the investments are bearing fruits. Miraie– Panasonic’s IoT& AI enabled platform, Miraie Profactory, India’s first Matter-enabled RACsare all a result of timely innovative interventions driven through IndiaInnovation Centre. And I am confident that this strategic endeavour undertaken through the Ignition program will address the larger issue of energy management for commercial spaces.”

Expressing his enthusiasm on the program's successMr. Kunio Gohara, Chief Transformation Officer (CTRO) and Head of the CVC office, Panasonic Corporation said, “Panasonic Kurashi Visionary Fund (PKVF)was established by the Corporation to tackle social and global problems of the world, aimed atenriching, and transforming people's lives.Panasonic is committed to investing a total of Yen 8 billion (~ INR 450 cr)which will be invested across in the mid to long term, across startupsin Japan, Europe and India. It is exciting to meet the young,talented Indian start-ups and witness the innovation first-hand. They are leveraging some of the most advanced new-age technologies in the field of AI, IoT, data analytics to name a few, to solve complex energy management issues. Ignition program in India will definitely set new benchmarks for the world, encouraging start-ups to drive sustainable economic growth.”

Sharing his experience Mr. Manish Misra, Chief Innovation Officer,Panasonic Life Solutions India, said, “Innovation is at the heart of solving customer issues. The ideas shared byIgnite award winners Enlite and Claircowere not only innovative but also unique to provide significant differentiation for B2B customers. We look forward to collaborating with Enlite and Claircoto introduce these game-changing solutions to the market.In addition, the next set of 4 Accelerate award winners: Sustlabs, Quebec Ventures, SensiableandBlaze will also collaborate with Panasonic business divisions to bring unique energy management offerings. Panasonic will continue to engage with other class of cohort 1 startup based on different business requirements and common synergies.”

“Panasonic Ignition program has been anenriching journey. For last sixmonths, we have been working closely with Panasonic to look for startups who were genuinely interested to solve, real-world problems and we are glad to see the outcomes achieved.Our hearty congratulations to the winners of Ignite and Accelerate awards. We wish them success in their engagements with different teams from Panasonic. Through such corporate initiatives, we can look at bridging the gap between industry and startups. We hope to partner with Panasonic in future editions of Ignition,” said, Mr. Yagnesh Sanghrajka, Founder and CFO at 100X.VC.

Panasonic Ignition is an integral part of the Panasonic Kurashi Visionary Fund (PKVF), a pioneering Corporate Venture Capital fund designed to invest in early to mid-stage startups spanning Japan, Europe, and India. The primary focus areas of the fund include well-being, decarbonization, energy, food infrastructure, spatial infrastructure, and emerging lifestyle domains. To date, significant global investments have been made in various companies such as Mode, Ubiden, Daybreak, R8 Tech, Neautech, and Zene, underscoring Panasonic’s commitment towards fostering innovative solutions across diverse sectors.

Sl.no.	Award	Winner
1	Ignite	Enlite (https://www.enliteresearch.com/)
2	Ignite	Clairco (https://www.clairco.in/)
3	Accelerate	SustLabs (https://www.sustlabs.com/)
4	Accelerate	Quebeq Ventures (http://quebeqventures.com/)
5	Accelerate	Sensiable (http://www.sensiable.com)
6	Accelerate	Blaze (https://blazeautomation.com/)

For more information about Panasonic Ignition, please click here.

Uzbekistan Ambassador Sardor Rustambayev’s Productive Visit to Hyderabad Strengthens Bilateral Ties

His Excellency Ambassador Sardor Rustambayev, the esteemed Ambassador of the Republic of Uzbekistan to India, embarked on a landmark visit to Hyderabad, marking a significant milestone in the burgeoning relationship between Uzbekistan and India.

Highlighting the profound diplomatic ties between the two nations, Ambassador Rustambayev underscored the pivotal role played by regular and trusting dialogues between President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This bilateral dialogue has laid a robust foundation across various sectors including politics, economics, health, pharma, IT, education, energy, culture, and tourism.

During his visit to Hyderabad, Ambassador Rustambayev engaged with key stakeholders, including Hetero Pharma, AIG Hospitals, Bharath Biotech, Health on Us, NEO Institute, Smart Key Solutions, and the Film Association, among others. Recognizing Hyderabad as a blend of ancient charm and modern dynamism, the Ambassador emphasized its significance as a thriving economic hub.

In a bid to enhance economic ties, Ambassador Rustambayev stressed the importance of connectivity between India and Uzbekistan. The recent launch of direct Mumbai-Tashkent flights by Uzbekistan Airways on April 2, 2024, further solidifies this connectivity, with plans underway to extend flight services to Hyderabad. Both Indigo Airlines and Uzbekistan Airways already operate direct flights between New Delhi and Tashkent, facilitating seamless travel for tourists, students, patients, and business delegates.

Building upon historical ties, Ambassador Rustambayev highlighted the significance of the Spice Route, which historically connected India with Central Asia through Uzbekistan. To foster closer relations, Uzbekistan offers Indians easy e-visas, with plans for a reciprocal free visa regime in the pipeline.

The Ambassador also graced the graduation ceremony at AIG Hospitals, where he conferred degrees upon NEO Indian students from Ukraine who graduated from Bukhara State Medical Institute(BSMI) with Zaporizhia State Medical Pharmaceutical University (ZSMPU) Commending their achievements of 73% success rate in FMGE on their first try of intensive batch, he presented gold, silver, and bronze medals to the top-performing students, echoing Uzbekistan's commitment to excellence in education and healthcare.

Furthermore, Ambassador Rustambayev reiterated Uzbekistan's dedication to strengthening Southeast Asian relationships, with a particular focus on India. This commitment is evidenced by the establishment of 420 enterprises in Uzbekistan with Indian capital, including the prestigious Tashkent IT Park.

As a testament to the growing bilateral cooperation, discussions were held regarding the proposal to designate Hyderabad and Bukhara as sister cities, further fostering cultural and economic exchanges between the two regions.

Ambassador Rustambayev's visit to Hyderabad not only reinforces the enduring friendship between Uzbekistan and India but also heralds a new era of collaboration and mutual prosperity.

Lubrizol Announces Nitin Mengi as Vice President, Lubrizol Additives, IMEA

Nitin’s appointment advances the company’s talented leadership throughout the region and reinforces its focus on growth in India.

As part of its growth commitment in India, the Middle East and Africa (IMEA), Lubrizol is pleased to announce that Nitin Mengi will join the company as Vice President, Lubrizol Additives, IMEA as well as Chairman & Managing Director, Lubrizol India Private Limited. This appointment reinforces the organization’s commitment to strengthen its focus on growth in India while ensuring success with our customers, suppliers and other key stakeholders.

Nitin Mengi - Vice President, Lubrizol Additives IMEA.jpg

In this role, Nitin will work with our customers in the region to propel growth for the company’s Additives’ business, serving transportation and industrial markets, and drive opportunities for customers across the region. He will also collaborate with Bhavana Bindra, who recently joined the team asManaging Director, Lubrizol IMEA to advance our strategy in the region.

“Lubrizol has continued to advance its priorities throughout IMEA, adding to our regional leadership team will help accelerate our work,” said Flavio Kliger, SVP, President, Lubrizol Additives. “We are committed to growth in IMEA and supporting our customers with sustainable solutions that advance mobility, improve well-being and enhance modern life.”

Nitin brings more than 20 years’ experience leading cross-functional teams in the gas and oils industry in several regions, including Asia Pacific, India, the Middle East and Africa. He received a Bachelor of Engineering degree from the Maharashtra Institute of Technology, with a focus in petroleum and petrochemicals. He also received an MBA from the Institute of Management Technology in Ghaziabad, India.

“Lubrizol’s leadership in the industry is something I have known about and respected for some time. I’m delighted to now be part of the truly impressive plans for Lubrizol’s future,” Nitin said.

Lubrizol continues to bolster its IMEA operations and capabilities, augmenting the company’s current capacity, commercial and technical capabilities. This includes a $150 Million investment in India to promote growth, most notably the construction of 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 and a Global Capacity Center (GCC) in Pune, India, a strategic investment to support Lubrizol innovation in the region.

OnePlus launches OnePlus Nord CE4, bringing more to the core than ever before

Global technology brand OnePlus today announces the OnePlus Nord CE4, designed to marry the core features of the OnePlus experience with a super affordable price. Starting at INR 24,999, the OnePlus Nord CE4 will go on sale on 4th April, 2024 from 12 PM onwards.

The OnePlus Nord CE4 is the newest member of the OnePlus Nord series. This series, including 2023’s successful OnePlus Nord CE3 5G, was created to bring the key features of a OnePlus smartphone to the widest possible audience. Features like striking designs, advanced technology, rapid charging and fantastic screens have all featured in previous OnePlus Nord CE smartphones and the OnePlus CE4 improves in every single area.

Beauty and strength on the outside, power and long life on the inside

OnePlus Nord CE4 continues the trend of attention-grabbing design with two colourways designed to help users stand out from the crowd. The first, Dark Chrome, builds on past OnePlus dark colourways and adds a subtle shiny gradient for extra glamour. The second, Celadon Marble, is a premium and elegant design with a vibrant and exciting tone based on designs first seen on the OnePlus 11 Marble Odyssey edition.

Whichever colour you pick, OnePlus Nord CE4 will stay looking youthful and exciting for longer than ever, thanks to a new internal structure which cushions the phone if it’s dropped.

Meanwhile, on the inside, OnePlus Nord CE4 packs a powerful performance punch and bountiful battery life. It all starts with the octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 chipset and 8GB of RAM which means improved performance compared to the OnePlus Nord CE3 5G. OnePlus Nord CE4 has a ROM of up to 256 GB, which is expandable up to 1TB, offering more space for your adventures. Not only that, OnePlus Nord CE4 also supports RAM-Vita, found in our new OnePlus 12 Series devices, which means it’ll deliver a seamless experience when users launch apps and switch between apps.

All this performance is backed up by a 5,500mAh battery, the largest that OnePlus has ever installed on a phone, which supports 100W SUPERVOOC charging and can go from 1-100% in 29 minutes. Plus, thanks to Battery Health Engine, it’ll still stay strong after four years of battery charging cycles. Finally, the OnePlus Nord CE4 will also learn your charging cycle and take steps to keep its battery healthy, including slowing down its charging speed overnight to ensure it’ll only hit 100% when you need it to.

A dazzling display and a captivating camera

OnePlus phones always feature fantastic displays and OnePlus Nord CE4 is no different. On the front of the device is a 6.7 inch (17.02cm) 120Hz Fluid AMOLED display with a 20.1:9 aspect ratio which comes complete with numerous features found on our OnePlus 12 flagship device. This includes Aqua Touch, to help make sure the screen can better detect touches in wet conditions, and ProXDR technology to really make images pop.

Around the back of the phone, you’ll find a camera system with the Sony LYT-600 at its centre, a 50-megapixel sensor with Optical Image Stabilisation designed to give a great all-around photography experience with high levels of detail and true-to-life colours, as well as an 8-megapixel ultrawide sensor and, upfront, a 16-megapixel selfie camera.

OxygenOS 14 on board, and more to come

OnePlus Nord CE4 is also one of the first phones to support OxygenOS 14 out of the box, the latest version of the legendary OnePlus operating system. OxygenOS 14 carries on the legacy of OxygenOS 13 but adds in new animations, music and colour, using intelligent design to help make using the phone as comfortable as possible.

New features in OxygenOS 14 include:

● File Dock, which allows for global information collection, content analysis, and information sharing to the dock or other applications simply through gestures, helping users achieve one-stop information collection and sharing.

● Auto Pixelate 2.0, which keeps personal information, is also safer than ever. Auto Pixelate automatically detects sensitive information in photos and blurs them, meaning that killer selfie doesn’t have to disclose a crucial piece of personal information.

● Smart Cutout, which allows users to identify individual subjects in photos for quicker and easier retouching, as well as making it easier than ever to share photos.

Finally, OnePlus Nord CE4 will also receive two major Android software updates and a third year of security updates, helping it stay fast and smooth long into the future.

Price, availability and offers

The OnePlus Nord CE4 8+128 variant will be available for Rs. 24999 and the 8+256 variant will be available at Rs. 26999 on oneplus.in, OnePlus Store App OnePlus offline stores, OnePlus Store App, Amazon.in, Reliance Digital, Croma & other offline partner brands.

● The OnePlus Nord CE4 will go on sale starting 4th April. Customers purchasing the OnePlus Nord CE4 on the launch date will get free Nord Buds 2r. (Offer valid until stock lasts)

● Customers purchasing the OnePlus Nord CE4 from 5th April – 30th April, can avail an Instant Bank Discount of INR 1,500 with ICICI Bank Credit Cards and EMIs and OneCard.Customers can also avail Instant Bank Discount of INR 1500 with HDFC Bank Debit Cards & INR 1250 with Credit Card EMI from 5th April – 30th April

● Customers purchasing the OnePlus Nord CE4 can also avail No-Cost EMI for up to 6 months on leading bank cards across all channels and avail attractive Consumer Finance Schemes on select partners in OnePlus offline stores and select partner stores from 4th April to 30th April.

● OnePlus users can also exchange their old device on purchase of the new OnePlus Nord CE4. Existing OnePlus users will receive an additional exchange bonus of INR 2500 on exchange of a device worth minimum INR 5000 and an additional bonus of Rs. 1500 for all users on exchange of a device worth minimum INR 3000. This exchange offer is valid between 4th April and 30th April.

● Customers can also avail Jio benefits worth INR 2250 on purchasing the new OnePlus Nord CE4. This is applicable from 4th April to 30th April.

● Customers can get complimentary exclusive benefits like 3-months of Extended Warranty, 4-months of Spotify Premium for free (limited eligibility) and much more on joining the OnePlus Red Cable Club on their newly purchased OnePlus Nord CE4 device.