Month: June 2024

Attended by Several MLAs, Corporators, and Other Leaders

Onus Robotic, Cardiac Multi-Specialty Hospital in Champapet launched a new, state-of-the-art cardiology department to provide high-quality heart care to residents of the area. The department was inaugurated by Telangana Planning Board Vice Chairman Mr Chinnareddy. The event saw the participation of key figures such as Telangana Tourism Development Corporation MD N. Prakash Reddy IPS, Yakutpura MLA Jaffer Hussain Meraj, Malakpet MLA Ahmed Balala, and Achampet MLA Dr. Vamsikrishna as chief guests. Other notable attendees included IS Sadan Corporator Shweta Madhukar Reddy, former IS Sadan Corporator Swapna Sundar Reddy, Champapet Corporator and BJP LB Nagar Convener Vanga Madhusudhan Reddy, Gayatrinagar Corporator Sabitha Rajasekhar Reddy, and Lingoji Guda Corporator Daripalli Rajasekhar Reddy.Hospital founder and MD, Dr. Balaraju Naidu, highlighted the advanced technology available in the new department. “Our team of highly skilled cardiologists, nurses, and technicians provide top-notch treatments. The facility includes a cutting-edge cath lab, imaging equipment, specialized cardiac surgery suites, and more. We offer daily tests, non-invasive treatments, complex heart surgeries, and interventional procedures. To date, we have performed over 6,500 surgeries and treated 135,000 patients,” he said.

Dr. Lakkireddy Kiran Kumar Reddy, Head of the Cardiology Department and Senior Interventional Cardiologist, added, “With our advanced technology and experienced team, we can address cardiovascular issues in a patient-friendly environment. We offer treatments ranging from preventive care to handling the most critical heart conditions.”

The hospital also provides electrophysiology services, cardiac rehabilitation, and 24/7 emergency care. Founded in 2018 as a 30-bed hospital, Onus Hospital launched the country’s first Onus Hospital on Wheels in 2019. In 2020, it expanded from 30 to 50 beds and started offering Aarogyasri and EHS services.

Bharti Airtel (‘Airtel’) has maintained that the mobile Average Revenue per User (ARPU) needs to be upwards of INR 300, to enable a financially healthy business model for Telcos in India. We believe that this level of ARPU will enable the substantial investments required in network technology and spectrum and offer a modest return on capital.

In this light, we welcome the announcements in the industry to repair tariffs. Airtel will also revise its mobile tariffs as indicated below, from July 3^rd. We have ensured that there is a very modest price increase (less than 70p per day) on the entry level plans, in order to eliminate any burden on budget challenged consumers. 

These prices apply to all circles, including Bharti Hexacom Ltd. Circles.

The new tariffs for all Airtel plans will be available on www.airtel.in starting July 3^rd , 2024.

Ø  Becomes the first data centre in India and the 14th Indian company to join RE100

Ø  Firmly establishes Nxtra’s commitment to become a net-zero company by 2031

 

Nxtra by Airtel, one of India’s leading data centre companies, has joined the RE100 initiative – a flagship global initiative led by Climate Group in partnership with CDP – and committed to sourcing 100% renewable electricity.

 

With this, Nxtra becomes the only data centre organisation in India to have pledged to RE100 and the 14^th Indian company to achieve this milestone, underscoring its commitment to environmental sustainability and its aim of becoming net-zero by 2031.

 

The company has significantly increased its renewable energy use and has contracted 422,000 MWh renewable energy till date. In FY 2023-24, Nxtra saved ~ 156,595 tCO2e emissions by sourcing renewable energy through Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) and Captive Solar Rooftop Plants. 

 

Ashish Arora, CEO — Nxtra by Airtel, said, “We are an environmentally responsible brand and have been increasingly adopting clean energy alternatives. We are on a healthy trajectory towards achieving our net-zero goals of 2031 and are happy to become a part of the RE100 initiative with a commitment to 100% renewable electricity.” 

 

Atul Mudaliar, Director of Systems Change – India, said, “Despite being highly energy intensive, data centres are overlooked for their emissions. It is inspiring to see Nxtra taking the lead in adopting best practices to reduce their carbon footprint. Nxtra’s initiative to source renewable energy for their operations will be a fitting example for data centre companies to accelerate the journey to a cleaner future. We are delighted to welcome Nxtra by Airtel to RE100.”

 

Nxtra by Airtel has sustainability at the core of its business operations and has been dedicated towards building a greener tomorrow in line with its mission to be ‘Responsible by Choice and Sustainable by Design.’ As part of this, the company has implemented a multifaceted approach that combines technological innovation, operational excellence and comprehensive interventions to ensure operational efficiency and environmental sustainability. It has adopted multiple interventions to reduce absolute scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across its operations and become net-zero by FY2031.

Nxtra by Airtel has the largest network of data centres in India with 12 large and 120 edge data centres across the country. For more details, visit www.nxtra.in

·         10,000 trees planted in association with ASSOCHAM

·         Volvo has planted 5 trees for each of its EVs sold and 4 trees for other EV owners who join the Reverse Project.

·         Non EV owner can also pledge and join this initiative

As part of its commitment to sustainability, Volvo Car India, joined forces with ASSOCHAM embarking on an ambitious initiative called the Reverse Project that converted the SiddharthVihar,Ghaziabad Dump-Yard area into a thriving urban forest. The Reverse Project is set to have a profound impact on the environment, with Volvo supporting the 10000 tree plantation and takingcare of the urban forest for next 4 years in Siddhartha Vihar-Ghaziabad. The landfill posed a major environmental threat due to garbage and construction waste dumping. It has now been transformed into a lush green-lung that the city truly needs.

 

Volvo has planted 5 trees for each of its Electric Vehicle (EV) sold to date as well as 4 trees for other EV owners who wish to be associated with the Reverse Project. Once associated with the project, EV owners of other brands can have trees named after them, commensurate to the mileage they have done on their EVs.  Additionally, non-EV owners can also pledge and join this initiative. This innovative approach not only underscores Volvo's dedication to sustainability but also signifies a meaningful step towards a greener and healthier future.

 

Mr.Jyoti Malhotra, Managing Director, Volvo Car India said “The Reverse Project gives car owners all over India an opportunity to contribute towards reversing the environmental damage. Not only will Volvo Car dedicate 5 trees for every Volvo EV bought but will also extend a similar opportunity to other EV owners. Irrespective of where you are in India and what EV you drive, once you register on the Reverse Project site 4 trees at the Urban Forest will be named after you for every 5000 kilometres that you drive. What better way to turn kilometres into trees. For non-EV users once they take a pledge, 3 trees will be named on their behalf”

 

The Reverse Project initiative aligns with Volvo Car India's broader goal of promoting a sustainable planet and achieving net carbon neutrality by 2040. This commitment extends beyond their cars by transforming Urban Dump yard areainto Urban Forest. Everyone who joins Volvo Car India in their drive to reverse the planet will receive a certificate, recognizing their contribution to this vital environmental effort.

 

“At Volvo Car India, our mission is to deliver unparalleled safety and sustainability. This commitment drives our Reverse Project efforts, emphasizing that environmental protection is a collective responsibility. We commit ourselves to caring for this urban forest for four years, we even invite others to also participate and get recognition by getting a tree named after themselves.” said Ms.Jyotsana Singh Kaushik Director – Marketing and PR, Volvo Car India.

 

Mr. Deepak Sood Secretary General, ASSOCHAM & Trustee from ASSOCHAM Foundation for CSR (AFCSR)said “This collaborative effort by Volvo and AFCSR sets a commendable example for the industry. It reflects the transformative impact that can be achieved through collective environmental responsibility. AFCSR stands firmly behind such initiatives, acknowledging the vital role of shaping a sustainable future”.

 

In addition, Mr.Sood said that Environmental protection and conservation are not just ecological imperatives but also powerful economic strategies. Investing in sustainable practices and preserving natural resources fosters long-term economic growth, creates green jobs, and ensures resilient communities. A commitment to conservation today paves the way for a thriving economy and a healthier planet tomorrow.

 

This is in line to the thought of our Global project “For Life Fund” with which we aim to have measurable impact in addressing biodiversity and ocean heath complementing our broader climate action, supporting nature directly and indirectly improving people’s lives.

 

As part of its sustainable mission, Volvo Car India has already installed solar power panels at 4 primary health centres in Uttar Pradesh and Haryana leading to a total of 50 KW of captive solar power. The company also installed solar panels of 10KWp in a bio diversity park in Haryana

 

To license technology for prismatic and cylindrical cells from GIB

 

Amara Raja Advanced Cell Technologies Pvt. Ltd (ARACT), a wholly owned subsidiary of Amara Raja Energy & Mobility Ltd (ARE&M), one of India’s leading battery manufacturers, has signed a technical licensing agreement with GIB EnergyX Slovakia s.r.o., a subsidiary of Gotion High-Tech Co Ltd. As part of the agreement GIB EnergyX will license Gotion’s world class LFP technology for lithium-ion cells to ARACT.  

 

This comprehensive agreement enables Amara Raja to manufacture world class LFP cells in both cylindrical and prismatic form factors. The scope of licensing provides access to cell technology IP, support in establishing Gigafactory facilities conforming to latest generation process technologies, integration with Gotion’s global supply chain network for criticalbattery materials, and customer technical support for solution deployment. 

 

The technology transfer and service support willfully complement Amara Raja’s efforts to operationalize its Gigafactory manufacturing capacities and its advancedresearch and innovation centre, ‘ePositiveEnergy Labs’, that aims to lead India’s R&D capabilities in this field.Last year, Amara Raja announced an investment outlay of Rs 9,500 crores to establish the Amara Raja Giga Corridor in the state of Telangana.The company aims to keep their products competitive and contemporary through access to continuous improvements in cell performance and process efficiencies through the partnership period.  

 

Amara Raja and Gotion are both shareholders and board members of InoBat, an emerging lithium battery technology company in Slovakia, tackling advanced applications such as electric aviation and developing a robust ‘Cradle to Cradle' ecosystem of battery value chain.  GIB, a joint venture between Gotion High-tech and InoBat, has recently signed an investment agreement with the Government of Slovakia for the development of the first LFP battery Gigafactory in the country.

 

Gotion High-Tech has 8 global R&D centers, 8,000 patented technologies covering the battery industry value chain, 20 major manufacturing locations around the world, anda capacity layout expected to reach 300GWh by 2025.

 

Vikramadithya Gourineni, Executive Director, ARE&M added, “We are very excited to announce our deepening partnership with Gotion and InoBat. We have invested a lot of time and effort over the past few years to understand the globalnew energy landscapeand made a calculated decision to be a part of the evolving lithium battery ecosystem through our investment in InoBat.  Further collaborating with GIB through their ‘Global C2C Alliance’ brings us great confidence in reinforcing our technology and supply security.We are sure that this partnership will help us accelerate our efforts in establishing the Amara Raja Giga Corridor while Gotion's acumenlends significant customer credibility to our venture.”

 

Jayadev Galla, Chairman & Managing Director, ARE&M added, “Last year's announcements on our investments in the new energy space are part of ushering in a new era we are calling Amara Raja 3.0.We firmly believe that India will be one of the fastest growing EV markets, and that Gotion’sglobally proven technology coupled with our three decades of expertise in the energy and mobility space will be a winning combination. During our history we have cultivated deep relationships with customers across all automotive and industrial battery applications who trust in Amara Raja to continually deliver best-in-class solutions for all their needs.  In Amara Raja 3.0, we will once again aid our customers as they navigate their own roles in the energy transition.“

 

Steven Cai, Chairman, GIB EnergyX and Director, Gotion HighTech Co commented, “India is an exciting market with significant growth potential, and we deeply appreciate Amara Raja’s corporate values, success in Indian market with energy storage products and the strong customer relationships they have built over the years. Gotion has built strong competitive position with its product technology and Gigafactory manufacturing expertise over the years and continues to offer innovative solutions across the New Energy value chain. We are pleased with the partnership with Amara Raja to offer our LFP technology which should significantly benefit Indian customers in their energy transition journey.” 

 

Two entities will leverage their shared expertise to strengthen financial sector cybersecurity incident response

Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) is a Government organization under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Government of India. CERT-In has been designated to serve as National agency for incident response under Section 70B of the Information Technology Act, 2000. CERT-In has joined hands with Mastercard to promote cooperation and information sharing in the area of Cyber security related to the financial sector. The two entities have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) under which they will leverage their shared expertise with regards to financial sector in the fields of cybersecurity incident response, capacity building, sharing cyber threat intelligence specific to financial sector and advanced malware analysis.

As part of the mutual understanding, Mastercard and CERT-In will hold training programs and workshops for cyber capacity building, latest market trends and best practices to enhance cyber security of financial sector organizations. The two entities will also share relevant cyber threat trends, technical information, threat intelligence, and vulnerability reports to strengthen the financial sector information security of India.

committed to ensuring that people on digital platforms are secure, as this warfare is not on the ground but in cyberspace. I am confident that this is an important milestone that will benefit not only both entities but also the public at large,” said Shri Jitin Prasada, Minister of State in the Ministry of Commerce &lndustry; and Electronics and Information Technology.

“Mastercard’s comprehensive approach to security gives its partners and customers deeper visibility into cyber risk and greater adaptability and resilience, protecting their systems through the latest AI technology. The company is delighted to collaborate with CERT-In to fortify India’s financial digital ecosystem, which has powered unprecedented growth in the country,” said Shri Gautam Aggarwal, Division President, South Asia at Mastercard.

 In its steadfast dedication to promoting healthier lives, Amway India, one of the leading health and wellbeing companies, marked International Yoga Day by emphasizing the utmost importance of holistic health through the seamless integration of yoga and nutrition. The initiative aimed to incorporate yoga and mindful eating into the morning routine, setting a positive tone for the rest of the day and promoting both physical and mental wellness. As part of this initiative, Amway India organized a series of physical and virtual yoga sessions, along with expert speaker programs, reaching more than 4000 fitness enthusiasts across the country.

Speaking on the occasion, Gursharan Cheema, Sr. Vice President, North & South, Amway India stated, “As an advocate for holistic health and wellbeing, we applaud the Government of India's efforts to promote yoga globally with an emphasis on overall wellbeing. The interconnectedness between yoga and diet, especially the first meal of the day, is evident from a study on yoga practitioners in India. The study found that 65% incorporated specific foods or beverages into their diet after starting yoga. Moreover, 72.4% mentioned that yoga influenced the timing of their first meal, with 63% starting to eat earlier. Therefore, we believe that by aligning yoga practices and nutritional intake with our body's biological clock, we can optimize our health and vitality. At Amway, we champion this approach through our philosophy of Exercise, Positive Attitude, Rest, and Nutrition, advocating for a disciplined approach to the first meal and exercise such as yoga, complemented by need-based supplementation to address nutritional gaps and enhance overall health and well-being. All of this aligns with our goal to transform lives by adopting healthy habits, helping to extend health span, and fostering a healthier tomorrow.”

In the North region, a series of vibrant physical and virtual events were orchestrated. These events featured invigorating yoga sessions and insightful programs aimed at fostering a deeper connection with the community. They also aimed to promote the benefits of yoga and highlight the importance of starting the day with a nutritious meal. Following each session, participants indulged in a nutritious Nutrilite Protein Shake or smoothie, emphasizing the vital role of a wholesome first meal of the day in complementing the benefits of yoga. Additionally, digital Saptyoga and Fitness challenges were organized to engage and inspire participants

With an increasing emphasis on preventive health, Amway is dedicated to empowering individuals to take control of their health and well-being. Backed by a legacy of nearly 90 years, Amway's Nutrilite is the world's #1 selling vitamin and dietary supplement brand. It champions a plant-based approach to supplementation. Nutrilite by Amway endeavours to support individuals in achieving their health and wellness objectives. Through its innovative approach and unwavering commitment to holistic well-being, Amway encourages every individual to embark on a journey towards a healthier start each day.

Range now starts at ₹ 10.69 lakh

·   Kushaq and Slavia getall-new pricing for a limited period

·   New strategy adopted to make the brand more accessible to a wider set of customers

·   Action to be furtheraugmented by the launch of the all-new compact SUV in early 2025

·   All-new pricing ups the value quotient of the Kushaq and Slavia

·   Value achieved through efficiencies in operations and economies of scale

·   Benefits passed on to customers and fans

 

Škoda Auto India, in continuation to its initiatives of making the brand more accessible, announcedthe Kushaq and Slavia with higher value,enabling enhanced accessibility to its line-up of cars that are 5-star rated and fully safe for both adults and children.

 

Speaking on the enhancement, Petr Janeba, Brand Director, Škoda Auto India, said: “We have been in India for nearly a quarter of a century, and our commitment to this market is absolute. We have always been looking at offering more in product and affiliated actions. Since the announcement of our all-new compact SUV planned for 2025, we have maintained that with this new car, we are targeting new markets, younger customersand more accessibility to the brand. While the new compact SUV will open new markets for us, we have achieved some efficiencies in the Kushaq and the Slavia, which has enabled us to enhance the value in our offerings and pass on the benefits to our customers and fans.”

 

The variants

The Kushaq and Slavia – earlier available as Active, Ambition and Style – are now rechristened as Classic, Signature and Prestige. The Kushaq, in addition to these three variants also gets the Onyx on the value end and the Monte Carlo at the premium end of the line-up. The all-new pricing is applicable on all engine and transmission options of the Kushaq and select variants on the Slavia. Both cars are powered by a 1.0 TSI petrol with a six-speed manual and automatic, and a 1.5 TSI petrol with a six-speed manual and seven-speed DSG. Both the Kushaq and Slavia come with six airbags as standard across the range, and have achieved a full 5-stars for adults and children under the Global NCAP tests, reflecting the brand’s uncompromising stand on safety.

 

The benefits

Customers stand to benefit by upto 10% based on choice of model, variants, engines and transmission. The maximum benefit will be on the Kushaq Monte Carlo, which will now be offered at an outstanding price point, while the Slavia entry point will be extremely accessible. These new prices also enables customers and fans to avail additional reductions in registration and insurance further stretching the value proposition for the entire line-up.

 

Škoda Auto India recently introduced six airbags as standard across all its variants. The new pricing continues making safety as top priority, and offers premium features like ventilated seats, electric seat adjust, wireless Android Auto and Apple Carplay, a 25.4 cm in-car entertainment interface and a sub-woofer embedded in the boot among other comforts.

 

Customized and Tailor-made offers

The new value proposition on Kushaq and Slavia will be offered with complete freedom for customers to select what best suits their preferences. This can be clubbed across three large pillars. The first is the unmatched price leverage that customers can enjoy. The second, will be in the form of after-sales offers, maintenance packages and the overall cost of ownership. And thirdly, are the sales levers and value-added services.

 

Customers can select from a choice of exchange & corporate bonus options, special finance & insurance schemes run through the banking partners, extended warranty and a host of service and maintenance packages. In the overall cost of ownership and customer experience, the superior mileage offered on both Kushaq (*upto 19.76 Km/L) and Slavia (**upto 20.32 Km/L), along with transparency, quicker servicing timelines, and the expanding dealer footprint have taken forward Škoda Auto India’s strong focus on customer delight.

 

“Škoda Auto India is ramping up the network and personnel to get ready for high volume increase with the upcoming launch of the Compact SUV. Our dealers need to be motivated and profitable, with highly trained and experienced sales consultants. And that’s why we have launched the best-ever value proposition on the Kushaq, all across the country, supported with tailor-made, unique customer offers in line with customers’ needs and preferences,” added Mr. Janeba.

 

More sustainable

The company’s 1.0 TSI engine recently got certified as E20 compliant by ARAI (Automotive Research Authority of India) and has already debuted in the new Kushaq Onyx AT with other 1.0 TSI cars to roll out soon. The 1.5 TSI is currently undergoing testing, the results of which will be made available by Q4 2024.

 

This certification makes the 1.0 TSI the first ever powerplant in India to receive certification from a governing authority. It is in line with government policy requiring every car in India to be E20 complaint from April 1, 2025. Engines that are E20 compliant run on 20% ethanol and 80% petrol, reducing the amount of fossil fuel consumed, reducing emissions and increasing sustainability.

 

The Škoda Peace of Mind

Škoda Auto India has a fleet that is fully 5-star safe for both adults and children as tested by Global NCAP and Euro NCAP. The company also offers a 4-year/100,000kms standard warranty on Kushaq and Slavia, with an option to extend it to 6-years/150,000kms making it one of the most comprehensive warranty packages in the company’s endeavour to offer a hassle-free ownership and maintenance experience. The all-new pricing continues access to these customer-friendly packages.

 

*as per ARAI certification – 1.0 TSI (MT)

** as per ARAI certification – 1.0 TSI (MT)

 

KUSHAQ	Price INR (Ex-showroom)
	1.0 MT	1.0 AT	1.5 MT	1.5 AT
Classic	₹    10,89,000	–	–	–
Onyx	₹ 12,89,000	₹ 13,49,000	–	–
Signature	₹    14,19,000	₹  15,29,000	₹  15,69,000	₹ 16,89,000
Monte Carlo	₹    15,59,900	₹  16,69,900	₹  17,09,900	₹  18,29,900
Prestige	₹ 16,09,000	₹  17,19,000	₹  17,59,000	₹  18,79,000
SLAVIA	Price INR (Ex-showroom)
	1.0 MT	1.0 AT	1.5 MT	1.5 AT
Classic	₹  10,69,000	–	–	–
Signature	₹  13,99,000	₹  15,09,000	₹  15,49,000	₹  16,69,000
Prestige	₹  15,99,000	₹  17,09,000	₹  17,49,000	₹  18,69,000

 

Earlier this week, OnePlus announced another power-packed entertainment-centric product, the OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite 5G. OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite 5G presents a distinctive design, introducing a fresh new look for 2024.

 

The Nord CE4 Lite 5G comes equipped with a 50MP SONY LYTIA CAMERA featuring OIS, promising an all-around photography experience in the palm of the user's hand.

 

Additionally, designed for all-day entertainment, the OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite 5G comes with OnePlus' biggest battery ever – a massive 5500 mAh Battery with handy reverse charging (wired). The OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite 5G is powerful enough to charge headphones, accessories, or even another phone. Adding more power to the day, this new Nord device features 80W SUPERVOOC Fast Charging.

 

The Nord CE4 Lite 5G's AMOLED display, boasts a peak brightness of 2,100 nits, significantly enhances outdoor visibility. This feature ensures that users can comfortably read and watch content even in bright sunlight, eliminating the need to squint or seek shade for a better viewing experience.

 

As revealed earlier this week, the device will be offered in  a new colorway– Mega Blue, which stands out with its distinctive hue, drawing inspiration from the iconic video game character, Mega Man.

 

Inspired by flagship specs and software, the OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite 5G offers excellent battery life, vibrant display brightness, and superior camera quality. Get ready to enjoy OnePlus’ renowned fast and smooth performance, expanding the signature OnePlus ecosystem for more users. Join the OnePlus Nord Special Report – The OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite 5G launch event at  7 PM on June 24.

To know more about the upcoming OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite 5G and to get notified on the latest updates ononeplus.in and Amazon.