Category: Business

Move to enhance Financial Literacy in India

IDFC FIRST Bank is proud to announce the launch of IDFC FIRST Academy, a comprehensive financial literacy initiative available through digital platforms. This Academy reflects the Bank’s mission to enhance financial literacy, enabling individuals to better manage their financial matters.

Participants can easily access the courses of IDFC FIRST Academy at https://www.idfcfirstacademy.com on the browser of the desktop or the mobile. For IDFC FIRST Bank customers, it is also available on the mobile Banking App.

IDFC FIRST Academy has simplified complex financial subjects in easy-to-understand bite-size modules with easy, expert-designed content for quick and effective learning. It has blogs, videos, and interactive quizzes for diverse learning styles. It also includes Real-world scenario-based activities to enhance practical understanding. Finally, it has Certification programs to recognize learning of the participant.

The program has three levels: Foundation, Intermediate and Advanced. With 35 courses covering 255 topics, IDFC FIRST Academy is meticulously designed to provide a deep understanding of financial topics. Each topic takes just 3-5 minutes to complete, with the full program totalling 36 hours of learning:

The learning program is designed to progressively increase the depth of understanding of financial topics. Thus, users can join any level of the program based on their level of current financial literacy and grow their knowledge on financial matters.

For example, the Savings course covers topics across all levels, such as:

• Foundation: “What is a Savings Account?” and “What is Interest?”
• Intermediate: “The Power of Compounding” and “Types of Savings Accounts.”
• Advanced: “Goal-Based Savings,” “KYC,” and “How to Manage Emergency Funds.”

 Mr. V. Vaidyanathan, MD & CEO, IDFC FIRST Bank said, “IDFC FIRST Academy is a key initiative from IDFC FIRST Bank. We notice in our day to day lives, whether savings or investments, most people don’t quite know where to begin. For example, they may have heard of Mutual Funds, but don’t know whether to invest in Debt, or Equity, or Hybrid, or Tax savings Mutual Funds, what these terms mean, and how to begin. This program will make complex concepts easy to understand.”

Interactive Quizzes & Certificates: After the completion of each course, users will be prompted to take an interactive quiz to test their understanding of the topic. Basis the test results, they will be awarded certificates.

Join IDFC FIRST Academy Today: Start your journey toward financial learning with IDFC FIRST Academy. Visit www.idfcfirstacademy.com . IDFC FIRST Bank customers can also access the courses through the IDFC FIRST Mobile Banking App.

EDITOR’S SYNOPSIS

·         Ambuja Cements promotes cleanliness, hygiene, and sustainable waste management across villages in India in accordance to the government’s ‘Swachhata Hi Seva’ campaign.

·         In Farakka, West Bengal, community members engaged in cleaning public areas and spreading bleaching powder, collecting approximately 2.5–3 quintals of garbage.

·         In Khambada, Maharashtra, a Cleanliness Rally was held, where villagers took a cleanliness oath, followed by a village-wide cleaning initiative.

·         In Darlaghat, Himachal Pradesh, a painting competition and sanitation drive were conducted with the participation of PRI members, school leaders, and community influencers.

·         Bathinda, Punjab, saw poster competitions in four schools and cleanliness drives in multiple villages under the HRDP.

·         In Raigarh, Chhattisgarh, sanitation awareness programs, including plastic collection and painting competitions, were held in collaboration with local organizations.

·         Awareness meetings and rallies were organized by Pragati Village Organization in Bhatapara and cleanliness campaigns by SHG women in Sankrail.

Ambuja Cements, the cement and building material company of the diversified Adani Portfolio, continues to drive impactful community initiatives in alignment with the government’s ‘Swachhata Hi Seva’ campaign. Aimed at promoting cleanliness, hygiene, and sustainable waste management practices, the campaign has been actively implemented across various villages in India, inspiring collective action and fostering long-term behavioural change.

In the Farakka block, West Bengal, the campaign engaged community members in a series of cleanliness awareness activities and practical efforts, such as cleaning public areas and spreading bleaching powder to improve sanitation. The initiative successfully collected an estimated 2.5 to 3 quintals of garbage from multiple identified black spots within the villages. The campaign emphasized sustained cleanliness and aimed to improve the overall hygiene in these rural areas.

Similarly, in Khambada block, Warora, Maharashtra, the community came together for a Cleanliness Rally, where all participants, including local villagers, took a cleanliness oath. The rally culminated in a full-scale village cleaning, further instilling the values of hygiene and sanitation among participants.

In Darlaghat, Himachal Pradesh, PRI members, school heads, teachers, and community influencers gathered to take an oath of cleanliness. A painting competition titled ‘Swachhata Hi Seva, Swabhav Swachhata, Sanskar Swachhata’ was held at Kashlog School, in collaboration with the ACL Mines Department. This was accompanied by a sanitation drive conducted by health volunteers and Swachhta Doots (Community Sanitation Volunteers), which targeted key areas of the village for a thorough cleaning.

The campaign also made significant strides in Bathinda, Punjab, where Ambuja Cements organised various activities including poster competitions in four government schools and cleanliness drives across Banwala Hanwanta village, Behak Khas village, Asafwala village, Fazilka, Punjab under the Human Resource Development Program (HRDP).

In Raigarh, Chhattisgarh, sanitation awareness programs were conducted in collaboration with the Gram Panchayat, farmers, women’s groups, and schools. These activities, which included plastic collection drives and painting competitions, were organized to foster a deeper understanding of sustainable waste management practices within the community.

An awareness meeting and rally on Swachhata Hi Seva were organized by Pragati Village Organization under WEP at Bhatapara. In Sankrail, a Swachhata Abhiyan cleanliness campaign was conducted with SHG women and adolescents, focusing on core village and school premises, followed by an awareness rally and garbage collection. In Chandrapur, various sanitation programs, including a painting competition and plastic collection drive, were held in collaboration with the Gram Panchayat and schools.

Ambuja Cements remains committed to uplifting rural communities through impactful campaigns such as Swachhata Hi Seva, which foster cleanliness, promote hygiene, and improve public health across India.

EDITOR’S SYNOPSIS

·         ACC the Adani Foundation empower rural youth in Tikaria through transformative skill development initiatives, benefiting individuals including Malti Devi from Amethi.

·         Malti completed a 3-month Domestic Data Entry Operator course at the ASDC, enabling her to secure a job at Indivillage Tech Solutions with a monthly salary of Rs. 11,800.

·         Her story exemplifies the impact of skill training, as she now supports her family financially and funds her sisters’ education.

ACC, the cement and building material company of the diversified Adani Portfolio, along with the Adani Foundation, is empowering rural youth through skill development initiatives in Tikaria. Through training at the Adani Skill Development Centre (ASDC), Malti Devi from Kakwa village in Amethi has transformed her life, overcoming financial hardships to support her family and achieve self-reliance.

Malti Devi overcame significant challenges after her father’s passing by shouldering her family’s responsibilities. She enrolled in a three-month Domestic Data Entry Operator course at ASDC Tikaria that equipped her with essential skills. Her hard work and dedication have paid off with a job at Indivillage Tech Solutions, with a monthly income of Rs. 11,800.

Malti Devi’s achievement has not only brought her financial stability but also enabled her to support her family and fund her sisters’ education, fulfilling her dream of a brighter future for them.

ACC and the Adani Foundation's initiatives have a transformative impact on rural communities, bringing hope and opportunity to all.

·         DHL Express India will offer a discount of up to 50%on all international shipments and up to 40% on all domestic shipments

·         The discounts are available at over 250 DHL retail outlets to customers visiting in person or sending their shipments online

·         The offer is valid till 15^th January 2025

DHL Express is celebrating the festive holiday season by providing retail customers with special offers and discounts.Valid until 15^thJanuary,2025, customers can use exclusivediscounts and sendgift shipments ranging from 3kg to 25kgglobally.These offers are available at DHL’s extensive network of over 250 retail service points nationwide and on its official website. Customers choosing to usethe offer in-store simply need to use the ‘FESTIVAL50’ promo code while booking their shipment.

Customers have the option to choose an eco-friendly shipping alternative through the DHL GoGreen Plus service. This service employs the book-and-claim method, allowing customers to 'book' a specified amount of sustainable aviation fuel at the time of purchase and later 'claim' the resulting reduction in greenhouse gas emissions towards their sustainability goals. By using sustainable aviation fuel, DHL's customers can lower their Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions. This initiative supports DHL's broader objective of reducing greenhouse gas emissions throughout its global logistics network.

The holiday season is a time of where loved ones exchange gifts andenjoy the merry seasonsurrounded by family and friends. However, work or travel commitmentsor unforeseen circumstances can make it difficult to reunite with loved ones during the festive season. Recognizing the importance of sharing the festive spirit, DHL Express aims to bringfamilies closer by offering discounts on festive season shipments, enabling them to send heartfelt gifts and thoughtful surprises to those who matter most, no matter the distance.

Sandeep Juneja, Vice President – Commercial, DHL Express India, commented on the offer, saying, “We, at DHL,are excited to make this festive season even more special with exclusive shipping discounts.We understand the importance of delivering gifts and heartfelt messages on time, ensuring our customers can connect with loved ones near and far. In addition, our commitment to sustainability, through initiatives like GoGreen Plus, reflects our dedication to providing eco-friendly solutions that align with our promise of reliable and efficient service during the holiday season.“

Utilizing DHL's extensive global network, which spans 220 countries and territories, customers can easily send their festive gifts. The offer provides full shipment tracking, with timely SMS and email updates to ensure seamless and worry-free deliveries across the globe.

To inquire about this offer, customers can contact DHL Express via the toll-free number 1800 30 345 or visit us at https://express-resources.dhl.com/XMasPromo.html to have an international shipping expert guide you with your shipment booking. 

Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance, one of India’s leading private life insurers, conducted financial awareness sessions for civilian personnel of the Indian Navy in Mumbai. These sessions are part of the Company’s ongoing commitment to empower Naval civilians with the knowledge about financial planning and the importance of adequate life insurance coverage. They will also help in furthering IRDAI’s vision of Insurance for All by 2047.

Designed to address the unique needs of Naval civilians, the sessions focused on educating participants about the critical aspects of financial security. The session saw a strong turnout, it covered the fundamentals of term insurance, assessing adequate coverage, aligning life insurance with personal life goals, ensuring long-term financial stability and much more.

Speaking about the initiative, Mr. Amit Jaiswal, Chief Distribution Officer – Proprietary Sales Force, Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance, said, “We are proud to have partnered with the Indian Navy to bring simple, innovative insurance solutions and seamless service to Naval civilians. But we believe our role goes beyond just providing products – financial literacy is the foundation for making smart decisions. These sessions are another step towards empowering Naval civilians to secure their financial future while driving greater awareness about the value of insurance.”

These sessions are an extension of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed earlier between Bajaj Allianz Life and the Indian Navy, under which the company pledged to provide customized life insurance solutions tailored to the unique requirements of Naval civilians.

Simply Fresh, the flagship brand ofBN Group, has launched its latest campaign, “RakhoIraade Fresh,” with an advertisement that touches heartstrings and that champions real-life heroes who embody fresh perspectives and impactful actions.

The campaign’s inspiring TVC pays tribute to individuals like Neeraja Kudrimoti, an IT professional who left her lucrative career to champion sustainable farming in rural India, and Narayanan Krishnan, a five-star chef turned social worker who dedicates his life to feeding the underprivileged. Their extraordinary journeys of transformation and selflessness resonate deeply with Simply Fresh’s mission to promote fresh ideas and bold choices for a better Bharat.

Adding a unique dimension to the campaign, Bollywood’s Sonu Sood and actor Anup Soni have come on board to amplify its message. Through their Instagram handles, they’re spreading the word, encouraging viewers to adopt fresh perspectives and make a difference in their communities.

Speaking about the campaign, Kiran Giradkar, CMO of BN Group, said, “The ‘RakhoIraade Fresh’ campaign celebrates the power of fresh ideas and actions that drive real progress. Neeraja and Narayanan’s stories inspire us all to challenge the status quo and make a meaningful impact. Simply Fresh is proud to honor these heroes and their unwavering commitment to a brighter future.”

The “RakhoIraade Fresh” TVC is live across Simply Fresh’s social media platforms, YouTube channel, and other digital mediums. The campaign also features exclusive content and interactive challenges to engage viewers and spread the spirit of fresh intentions.

To bring this inspiring campaign to life, BN Group collaborated with leading creative partners. GOZOOP served as the digital ideation partner, infusing the campaign with fresh and innovative concepts. Hungry took the lead as the production partner, delivering a heartwarming and visually engaging TVC. One Source played a pivotal role as the integrated communications partner, ensuring seamless messaging and outreach. Together, these partnerships have elevated the “RakhoIraadeFresh” campaign into a powerful movement celebrating real-life heroes and fresh perspectives.

For more information, visit https://www.simplyfresh.in/ or follow Simply Fresh on https://www.instagram.com/simplyfresh_in?igsh=MXdnYnFhNjk2eW04.

~Founder-led campaign highlights Niyo’s commitment to customer-centricity~

With the on-going holiday and year-end season, Vinay Bagri, CEO of Niyo, India’s leading travel banking fintech platform initiated #NiyoTravelBreak campaign over LinkedIn, emphasizing the importance of taking a break for travel.

The campaign invited participants to share why they deserved a travel break by liking the campaign LinkedIn post, commenting with #NiyoTravelBreak, and fill out a Google form. In return, Niyo offered to cover flight and visa expenses for selected winners and provide a free Niyo card—a trusted companion for international travellers to save on expenses. Niyo offered destinations like Thailand, Cambodia, Singapore, Laos, Burma, Malaysia, Vietnam, Philippines, Sri Lanka, UAE, Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait, Nepal, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrghztan, Maldives, Mauritius.

#NiyoTravelBreak saw an overwhelming response from travel enthusiasts across India. The initiative, aimed at inspiring people to embrace their travel aspirations for 2025, garnered over 1,000 creative and heartfelt entries. Niyo announced five winners: NirupamaVaylay, Jatin Deewan, HardikKumawat, Divjyot Kaur, and Tanishka. These individuals will embark on a dream travel experience to kick off their 2025 with Niyo’s support.

“Customer-centricity drives everything we do at Niyo, from our products to our marketing initiatives. With #NiyoTravelBreak, we aimed to add meaningful value to our customers' lives instead of investing in traditional ad campaigns,” said Sushanth Ravikumar, SVP and Head of Marketing and Growth at Niyo.

“At Niyo, we believe in going beyond transactions to build genuine connections with our customers. The #NiyoTravelBreak campaign allowed us to celebrate their passion for travel while showcasing our commitment to making global adventures more accessible and rewarding,” said Smriti Advani, VP, Brand Marketing, Niyo.

With a customer base of 1.5 million, Niyo began offering zero-forex markup credit and debit cards in partnership with banks in 2019. Since then, it has expanded to provide insurance, flight and visa bookings, travel services, and outward remittance solutions.

The protest, organized by the BSP district committee, witnessed massive participation from party workers and supporters from all constituencies. BSP District President Jayaraj, along with leaders Arunkumar and Sadiq Basha, participated.

 Bata India teams up with Zepto to offer stylish footwear delivered to your doorstep in minutes, transforming the shopping experience for today’s fast-paced consumers.

In a groundbreaking move to meet the evolving demands of modern shoppers for convenience, Bata India has strategically partnered with quick commerce platform Zepto to provide swift delivery of their fashion and festive footwear collections. The growing Quick Commerce market, with a CAGR of over 4.5%, has driven a rapid surge in demand for fashion products. With a successful launch in Delhi-NCR, Bata now plans to swiftly expand to major metropolitan cities across India, offering a broader assortment of products. With an estimated 48 lakh weddings expected in the next few months, this partnership guarantees convenience and accessibility, catering perfectly to last-minute style needs.

Whether you're gearing up for a last-minute meeting, need to complete a look for a wedding party, or simply want to indulge in a new pair of shoes, you are covered. By enabling seamless, rapid delivery, Bata ensures that customers no longer have to wait to get their hands on stylish and comfortable shoes with a wide range of products to choose from.

Gunjan Shah, CEO of Bata India, shared his enthusiasm for the collaboration: “At Bata, we’re constantly transforming & innovating to meet the needs of our customers, and our partnership with Zepto marks a significant step in that journey. We wanted to strengthen our omni-channel presence to ensure that customers can shop for our stylish and high-quality footwear in the way that best suits them—whether online, in-store, or now, with rapid doorstep delivery. Today's consumers seek the convenience of having everything delivered to them, and this collaboration perfectly aligns with our mission to enhance accessibility.”

Aadit Palicha, CEO of Zepto, said, “We are excited to partner with India’s leading footwear brand, Bata and bring their stylish & comfortable range of footwear to our customers at lightning speed. This collaboration is all about convenience, speed and making a wide variety of styles available to our consumers to choose from. We are united in our goal to enhance the shopping experience, redefining how quickly people can access stylish and quality shoes, making it easier for them to express their personal style on the go.”

As Bata continues to innovate and adapt to the evolving retail landscape, the partnership with Zepto represents a significant step toward enhancing customer accessibility to quality footwear.

EDITOR’S SYNOPSIS

·          Ambuja Cements inaugurates new Community Clinic Centre in Kashyalu, enhancing healthcare access for Darlaghat residents.

·          Community Clinic offers essential health services, including BP and sugar screenings for local adults.

·          Sustainable rural healthcare initiative underscores Ambuja’s commitment to collaborative community involvement.

Ambuja Cements, the cement and building material company of the diversified Adani Portfolio, has inaugurated a new Community Clinic Centre in Kashyalu village. Through CSR efforts, the Company aims to enhance healthcare access for residents around its Darlaghat plant.

Following consultations with the local Panchayat members and stakeholders, the centre was developed with extensive community input, emphasizing a collaborative approach to public health.

The clinic, which saw robust community involvement in its planning and management, has been set up to address healthcare gaps in the area. Ambuja’s CSR team coordinated the logistics, from clinic renovations to essential supplies and medical equipment, ensuring a fully functional facility.

During the inauguration, an initial health screening camp was held, providing free BP and sugar tests to 49 residents aged 18 and above, marking a significant step in community wellness.

Ambuja Cements remains committed to building resilient communities by facilitating accessible healthcare solutions through initiatives including this clinic. This centre is more than just a facility; it represents the collective efforts of local leadership, government health departments, and Ambuja’s CSR efforts towards prioritising and sustaining rural healthcare for years to come.