Kaamya Karthikeyan, a 17-year-old mountaineer, is set to embark on her most ambitious expedition yet: summiting Mt. Vinson Massif in Antarctica. This climb will mark the completion of her Seven Summits Challenge, making her the youngest girl in the world to conquer the highest peak on all seven continents. Supporting her on this extraordinary journey is Bisleri Vedica Himalayan Spring Water, sourced from the Himalayas, embodying her spirit #FullOfAltitude.

Bisleri Vedica backs Kaamya Karthikeyan’s historic attempt to accomplish the Seven Summits

A student at Navy Children School, Mumbai, Kaamya is the daughter of Commander S. Karthikeyan of the Indian Navy and Mrs. Lavanya Karthikeyan, an early childhood educator. On May 20, 2024, she scaled the summit of Mt. Everest at the age of 16, becoming India’s youngest climber and the world’s second youngest to achieve this feat from the Nepal side. She is also the youngest girl to have summited the highest peak on six continents barring Antarctica. Her outstanding accomplishments have not only earned her the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Shakti Puraskar, India’s highest national honour for young achievers in 2021, but also accolades from the Hon. Prime Minister himself in his Mann-ki-Baat.

Bisleri Vedica Himalayan Spring Water supports 17-year-old mountaineer Kaamya Karthikeyan to accomplish the Seven Summits

Commenting on this association, Jayanti Khan Chauhan, Vice Chairperson, Bisleri International Pvt. Ltd. said,“We are incredibly proud to support Kaamya Karthikeyan as she embarks on this historic expedition to accomplish the Seven Summits, and we wish her all the best as she aims to achieve this monumental feat. Were thrilled to be a part of her journey, fueling her passion and perseverance with our support. Kaamya embodies the spirit #FullOfAltitude, and we cant wait to see her reach new heights.”

Having successfully conquered six of the Seven Summits, Kaamya is now training intensely to tackle the vagaries of Mt. Vinson Massif, the highest peak in Antarctica, standing at 16,050 feet. Her expedition to this peak at the remotest location of the planet will require enduring extreme weather conditions, freezing temperatures with the mercury dipping to -40℃, and unpredictable winds reaching unimaginable speeds.

Reflecting on her upcoming adventure, Kaamya Karthikeyan remarked, “Summiting Mt. Vinson Massif is the befitting climax of a dream I’ve pursued for years. It’s the culmination of my journey across the seven continents. With Bisleri Vedica’s support, I’m feeling not just empowered for the endeavour but also reminded of the purity and strength that’s needed for such a challenge. Through mission SAHAS, my journey of the Seven Summits, I hope to inspire young Indians to believe in their dreams, to push limits, and to always aim for higher ground.“

Kaamya Karthikeyan has already inspired countless young Indians with her passion and achievements. Her high-altitude escapades in the Himalayas started when she was just seven, including scaling Mt. Stok Kangri at age nine, becoming the youngest girl to summit a peak over 20,000 feet. Her list of impressive feats is long, from skiing down Mt. Elbrus in Russia to summiting Mt. Denali in Alaska, and with her upcoming venture, she stands poised to make history once more.

This partnership with Kaamya Karthikeyan embodies Vedicas mission to support young achievers who are driven by their passions and goals. Kaamyas journey aligns with Vedicas values of purity, strength, and the pursuit of excellence. We will chronicle Kaamyas journey, sharing her inspiring story of grit and determination, and showcasing what it means to be #FullOfAltitude.

About Bisleri International Pvt. Ltd.

With a legacy of over 50 years, Bisleri International Pvt. Ltd has grown to become one of the largest premium beverage businesses in India. Being the makers of the countrys largest-selling packaged drinking water, Bisleri follows a stringent process of 114 quality tests and a 10-stage purification. It remains true to its core value of providing consumers with pure, safe and healthy water.

Bisleri International has a strong presence with 128 operational plants and a robust distribution network of over 6,000 Distributors and 7,500 Distribution Trucks across India and UAE market. It offers a range of beverages that are produced for all occasions. Whether it is the promise of goodness, trust, and purity with Bisleri Mineral Water or a daily dose of health offered through Vedica Himalayan Spring Water. Besides, Bisleri International has ventured into fun-filled refreshments with a diverse range of carbonated drinks available in multiple flavours, such as Limonata, Spyci Jeera Rev and Pop. These Bisleri products are also available on the e-commerce platform – Bisleri@Doorstep. This D2C platform reassures customers that they will receive a safe and uninterrupted supply of their most trusted brand at their doorstep.

The core values of Bisleri International lie in yielding growth and embedding sustainability by being responsible in all aspects of the business. The organization has unveiled Sustainability 2.0 with Bisleri Greener Promise that focuses on creating greener future for all through implementing initiatives under the program of recycling, water conservation and sustainability. For more information on Bisleri International, our people, brands, and OSR initiatives, visit www.bisleri.com.

Sony India today announced the launch of its latest addition to the innovative LinkBuds series, the WF-L910 (LinkBuds Open) wireless earbuds. These earbuds bring together cutting-edge technology and ergonomic design to offer an immersive yet natural audio experience, perfect for users who value comfort, connectivity, and superior sound quality. The WF-L910 (LinkBuds Open) earbuds are designed to seamlessly integrate high-quality audio with everyday life, providing users with a one-of-a-kind listening experience while staying connected to their surroundings. With the introduction of a unique open ring design and smart features, these wireless earbuds redefine convenience and audio clarity.

New WF-L910 (LinkBuds Open) wireless earbuds from Sony India

Soft, ergonomic design for all-day comfort

The WF-L910 (LinkBuds Open) wireless earbuds feature a soft, ergonomic shape designed for all-day comfort. The lightweight and compact design, paired with newly developed Air Fitting Supporters, ensures a secure and stable fit, accommodating a variety of ear sizes. Plus, LinkBuds Open are built with an evolved geometric form that fits comfortably in the ear. Also, it supports IPX4 water resistant rating.

11mm ring-shaped driver unit for rich, high-quality sound

The WF-L910 (LinkBuds Open) earbuds are equipped with an innovative 11mm ring-shaped driver unit, delivering exceptional high-quality audio. This unique 11 mm ring shaped driver had to overcome significant design challenges to deliver such high-quality sound. A high-compliance diaphragm and powerful neodymium magnet were specially selected to reproduce clear mid-high frequency sounds.

Open-ring design keeps you aware of your surroundings

The WF-L910 (LinkBuds Open) lets you experience a new kind of earbud with a newly developed open-ring design that keep you connected to your surroundings. This model comes in a range of colours to suit any style with different colour cases and supporters to tailor your look. The open ring driver at the center of the diaphragm maintains audio transparency, ensuring you can hear external sounds such as conversations or important alerts. This design is perfect for those who need to remain aware of their environment while listening to music or taking calls, offering a seamless blend of entertainment and real-world connectivity.

Balanced sound with DSEE capability powered by the advanced Integrated Processor V2

WF-L910 (LinkBuds Open) offers well-balanced, high-quality audio with clear mid to high ranges, powered by Sony’s Integrated Processor V2 and a specially designed 11mm ring-shaped driver unit. A high-compliance diaphragm and powerful neodymium magnet were specifically selected to reproduce clear mid and high frequency sound. LinkBuds Open also support DSEE™ (Digital Sound Enhancement Engine) and features precise voice pick up technology for ultra-clear, noise-free calls.

Adaptive Volume Control adjusts based on your environment

The WF-L910 (LinkBuds Open) features an Adaptive Volume Control, a smart feature that automatically optimises the volume based on where you are. You can enjoy lower volumes in quiet places and higher volumes in nosier places. Adaptive Volume Control is an intelligent feature that automatically adjusts the volume of your earbuds based on your surroundings. Whether youre in a quiet room or a bustling outdoor environment, the technology seamlessly optimizes the audio levels to ensure the perfect listening experience. In quieter spaces, the volume lowers for more comfortable listening, while in noisier environments, it increases to ensure clarity. This smart function allows users to enjoy uninterrupted audio without the need for manual volume adjustments.

Advanced audio processing ensures ultra-clear, noise-free calls

Advanced audio signal processing utilizes cutting-edge algorithms to deliver ultra-clear, noise-free calls by minimizing background noise and enhancing voice clarity. This technology, often powered by AI and machine learning, analyzes and suppresses ambient sounds in real-time, ensuring that only the users voice is captured clearly. By optimizing microphone input and using precise voice pickup technology, advanced audio processing creates a seamless communication experience, making conversations crystal clear, even in noisy or busy environments.

Up to 22-hour battery life with quick 3-minute fast charging

The WF-L910 (LinkBuds Open) offers an impressive battery life of up to 22 hours, ensuring all-day entertainment without interruption. A quick charge feature provides added convenience-just a 3-minute charge delivers up to 60 minutes of playback, making it perfect for users on the go. This extended battery life, combined with rapid charging, ensures that users can enjoy high-quality audio, calls, and entertainment throughout the day without worrying about frequent recharging.

Smart features for seamless access to entertainment

The WF-L910 (LinkBuds Open) are packed with intuitive features and controls such as Auto Switch, Auto Play, Quick Access, voice control, Wide Area Tap and Multipoint Connection.

Compatibility with the new Sound Connect app

LinkBuds Open is compatible with the renewed Sound Connect app. By using this app, you can personalise the earbuds by adjusting various settings such as the equalizer. The simple interface lets you dial in your ideal sound and shortcut settings and can even keep track of your recent listening history in line with World Health Organisation (WHO) healthy listening habits. When activated, Background Music Effect uses DSP to make audio sound as though it’s playing in your space, rather than feeling like it’s localised in your head – perfect for when you’re doing other tasks or want something a little less intense.

Pricing and Availability

The Sony WF-L910 (LinkBuds Open) is available across all Sony Centers, Sony authorized dealers, ecommerce websites (Amazon and Flipkart) and major electronic stores across India.

Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), Bina Refinery (BR), has partnered with Smile Train, the world’s largest cleft focused organization, to support life-changing surgeries and build awareness campaigns about cleft lip and palate to underserved communities in the Sagar District of Madhya Pradesh.

Partnership signed between Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited, Bina Refinery and NGO Smile Train India

The collaboration aims to support around 70 free surgeries by March 2025, alongside awareness activities to educate and engage local populations about clefts, demystify myths and accelerate identification and treatment across 12 tehsils of Sagar district.

The project also includes organizing screening camps to identify cleft patients and organizing workshops with Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA workers) to empower local health workers to identify cases and assist in treatment ensuring long term sustainability of the initiative.

Shirish Chandekar, General Manager (HR) Bina Refinery, shared, “BPCL has always been committed to driving social change and supporting initiatives that uplift the communities we serve. This partnership with Smile Train is an extension of our dedication to improving healthcare in rural and underserved areas. By addressing both medical and awareness gaps, we aim to ensure that children in Sagar district receive the care they need, not only transforming their lives but also raising awareness around cleft conditions across the region.”

Anjali Katoch, Head of Communications and Business Development at Smile Train India expressed gratitude towards BCPL. She said, “Facilitating free, safe and quality cleft treatment is Smile Train India’s priority. This prestigious partnership empowers us to support more cleft surgeries, giving underprivileged children born with clefts the opportunity to lead healthy and full lives. By supporting surgeries and raising awareness among communities and health workers, I am confident that this collaboration will yield transformative results for the region.”

In India, an estimated 35,000 babies are born with a cleft lip and/or palate every year, and hundreds of thousands of children with untreated clefts live in isolation and face difficulties with eating, breathing, hearing, and speaking. This initiative marks a significant step towards improving healthcare access in rural India, where cleft conditions often go untreated due to lack of awareness, medical infrastructure, and financial resources. BPCL’s commitment to this cause reflects its long-standing efforts in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to support sustainable community development.

To learn more about Smile Train India please visit smiletrainindia.org.

SRM University-AP is organising “Bharat Anveshan” a national-level short video competition aimed at inspiring school students (classes VIII to XII) to explore, showcase, and appreciate India’s lesser documented heritages through videos. The competition, hosted under the aegis of the Department of History, encourages creative storytelling and research on India’s diverse cultural, natural, and artistic traditions. Amaravati, the emerging capital of Andhra Pradesh with its rich cultural past and traditions, offers an apt space for young cultural enthusiasts to showcase their local diverse cultures at SRM University-AP.

Bharat Anveshan

“Bharat Anveshan invites budding creative artists and young history enthusiasts who appreciate and are curious about the rich tapestry of culture and heritage encompassing India’s complex history. This is a chance for them to express their creativity through visual storytelling,” remarked Dr Maanvendhar Singh, Assistant Professor in the Department of History. The short videos may document Indias tangible, non-tangible, and natural heritage. The competition aims to promote awareness of India’s cultural heritage, foster creativity, storytelling, and historical awareness in students, encourage exploration of India’s multiple cultures, and provide a platform for students to showcase their talent.

Students from classes 8 to 12 across India can participate in the competition. The short videos must be under five minutes and focus on lesser-known aspects of Indian heritage. The original content must be in English or any Indian language (with English subtitles or a Word document with the video). The video should adhere to ethical standards and cultural sensitivity. Click for the Complete Guidelines for Video Submission.

The submitted videos will be evaluated in several categories, such as creativity and originality, content quality, cinematic presentation, and impact and engagement. An expert panel of judges experienced in the fields of history and heritage, filmmaking, and cultural studies will determine the winners of the national-level competition. The top three winners will receive lucrative cash prizes. All participants will receive certificates of participation or certificates of excellence. Selected videos may also be featured on the competition’s website and social media. Click here to Register for Bharat Anveshan. The last date for registration and submission is February 10, 2025.

“Bharat Anveshan,” organised by SRM University-AP, offers an exciting platform for students to explore India’s lesser-documented heritage and express creativity through visual storytelling. Participate now in celebrating the diversity and beauty of India’s untold stories.

The National Young Authors Fair (NYAF), the world’s largest book-writing competition for school students, proudly announces the winners of the Jury Choice and Best-Seller categories in the Pioneer Young Authors Program. This marks the first of three prestigious leagues in the India edition of NYAF, an event that has become a cornerstone of the academic calendar for India’s top schools.

Winners of Pioneer Young Authors’ League

A Milestone in Young Creativity and Literature
The India edition of NYAF 2024-25 is a national celebration of young talent, aiming to foster creativity, innovation, and literacy. With the general categorys book-writing and publishing deadline set for 12th January 2025, NYAF expects participation from over 1 million budding authors and readers representing India’s top 10,000 schools.

Celebrating Young Talent: Pioneer League Winners
NYAF proudly announces the Top 10 Authors in both the Jury Choice and Best-Seller categories:

Jury Choice Top 10

1. ‘Chasing the Impossible’ by Reanna Sachdeva

2. ‘The Spooky Squads Halloween’ by Riya Muthuvel

3. ‘Astrids Galactic Gamble’ by Angelina Sharma

4. ‘Harvest of Hope’ by Challa Sai Saathvika

5. ‘Pikoos Promise’ by Ovi Pravin Dongre

6. ‘The Stardust Market’ by Bhavya Sanjeev

7. ‘The Journey of Johnny’ by Jonathan Fernandes

8. ‘Combat Misery’ by Pragayadeep Jain

9. ‘Mystery of the Giants Cave’ by Shanaya Modi

10. ‘The Forest of Doom’ by Prisha Jain

Best-Seller Top 10

1. ‘The Amazing Adventure’ by Rajveer Mehta

2. ‘Halloween On 34th Street’ by Avikaa A Malik

3. ‘The Oceans Warming Secret’ by Bianca Arun Pandita

4. ‘Book On How To Write A Book’ by Keya Hatkar

5. ‘Water On Moon’ by Iniya Pragati

6. ‘If Not Today, When’ by Mv Eashanth Kumar

7. ‘The Iron Key Fusion & Fact’ by Ravyanshi

8. ‘The Super Hero’ by K V Dhiyanesh

9. ‘A Debt Repaid’ by Aveer Arora

10. ‘Hody Finds His Superpower’ by Seyon Adhiradhan

Inspiring Words from the Founder
Ami Dror, Founder and President of BriBooks and the National Young Authors Fair, emphasized that the success of the Pioneer League reflects a longstanding trend. “India is a wellspring of young talent, brimming with creativity and innovation. These young authors are a testament to the nations future leadership in global literature,” Dror remarked. He expressed optimism about discovering even more remarkable talent in the upcoming leagues.

The Road Ahead
The NYAF team will provide updates on the next stages of the competition, leading up to the Grand Jury, Genre, and Pinnacle Leagues starting 13th January 2025.

About NYAF
The National Young Authors Fair (NYAF) is the world’s largest book-writing and publishing platform for school students, inspiring creativity and innovation among young minds.

After the tremendous success of its previous Property Carnivals in Bengaluru, Chennai, and Mumbai, NoBroker, India’s first proptech unicorn, is bringing its highly anticipated Property Carnival to Pune on 7th and 8th December 2024. Homebuyers in Pune now have an exceptional opportunity to explore an array of exclusive property offers, exciting deals, and financing options from over a dozen top-tier developers in the real estate industry under one roof.

NoBroker Property Carnival (Pune)

The event will be held at the Hilton Garden Inn, Hinjewadi Wakad Road, Pune, on December 7^th and 8^th and promises to be the ultimate destination for homebuyers looking to find their dream homes with unbeatable perks.

Event Highlights

Homebuyers visiting the NoBroker Property Carnival will enjoy a range of exclusive offers and benefits, including white goods up to Rs 4 lakhs, no GST payment, free Oxford Golf membership for 25 years, MG Comet car for every customer who books on the spot, and gold vouchers of up to Rs 5 lakhs. The event is expected to have a massive footfall of 1,000+ buyers over the course of the weekend after similar astounding success in Bengaluru, Mumbai and Chennai which witnessed similar footfalls and over 100 property bookings on the spot.

Customers will also have the opportunity to choose from lucrative payment schemes such as:

• Fixed EMI starting at ₹33,333 for 30 months

• 5:95 Payment Scheme – Pay 5% now and enjoy an EMI holiday until December 2026

• Moratorium for 24 months

• Bullet Payment Plan – Special pricing for selective units (Pay 9% now, with the next payment due after 6 months)

Leading developers from the real estate industry such as Godrej Properties, Kolte Patil, Shapoorji Pallonji, Mahindra Lifespaces, Rohan Builders, Platinum Developers, Dosti Realty, and more will showcase their top properties at the event.

NoBroker is committed to offering homebuyers not just great deals with professional guidance but a seamless experience through technological solutions. Special benefits are available exclusively for NoBroker customers who book on during the carnival. Whether you’re a first time home-buyer looking for your dream home or an investor looking to get good returns from real estate, this carnival has you covered.

Saurabh Garg, Co-founder and Chief Business Officer of NoBroker said, “Homebuying is a big decision and our experts would help customers make the right decision. This is the perfect opportunity for Pune homebuyers to explore a wide range of properties from some of the best developers in the market, all while taking advantage of exceptional offers. Whether you are looking for a 2BHK, 3BHK, or 4BHK property, flexible payment schemes, loan options, there is something for everyone at the NoBroker Property Carnival. We at NoBroker wish to make the dream of owning a home come true for our customers. The offers at this carnival are designed to make home-buying more affordable and rewarding.”

About NoBroker

NoBroker.com, India’s first proptech unicorn, is a tech-driven, brokerage-free real estate platform that streamlines real estate transactions. A comprehensive solution for all property-related needs, it reduces information asymmetry in India’s real estate sector with cutting-edge technology. It supports users through their entire journey, from property search to packers & movers, home loans, painting, cleaning services, legal support, and rent payments. With over 3.5 crore registered users across Bangalore, Mumbai, Pune, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Delhi-NCR, NoBroker.com is the world’s largest P2P real estate platform. Founded by Akhil Gupta (IIT Bombay), Amit Kumar Agarwal (IIT Kanpur, IIM Ahmedabad), and Saurabh Garg (IIT Bombay, IIM Ahmedabad), NoBroker is committed to organising India’s largely unorganised real estate market. The platform has raised $366 million from marquee investors, including General Atlantic, Tiger Global, Google, Elevation Capital, Moore Capital, Beenext, and KTB Ventures. Vijay Shekhar Sharma and Anand Chandrasekaran are angel investors in the company.

SMFG India Credit (SMICC), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group (SMFG), has been awarded an international credit rating of “AA-” with a stable outlook by the Japan Credit Rating Agency (JCR). This exceptional outcome places SMICC four notches above India’s sovereign rating and only one notch below its parent financial group SMFGs own “AA” rating.

SMFG India Credit Co. Ltd.

JCR highlighted SMICCs strategic importance to SMFGs Asia Multi-Franchise Strategy, which is supported by robust governance and alignment with SMFGs ethos of promoting financial inclusion and empowering underserved communities in India.

Mr. Pankaj Malik, Chief Financial Officer, SMFG India Credit, said, “This AA- rating by JCR is a testament to SMFG India Credit’s commitment to maintaining financial discipline, operational excellence, and customer-centric growth with the help of innovative products offerings. SMICC’s consistent growth trajectory and strategic alignment with SMFG’s global objectives position us as a key player in India’s rapidly expanding retail loan market. This recognition further motivates us to continue fostering financial inclusion and delivering value to our stakeholders.”

JCR also observed that SMICC’s business scale has grown significantly, driven by the expansion in the domestic consumer credit market and strong support from SMFG. The company’s growth trajectory remains robust and it continues to maintain a healthy loan book. The company has also kept its interest rate risk and liquidity risk appropriately managed through risk management committee.

About SMFG India Credit Co. Ltd. (Formerly Fullerton India Credit Co. Ltd.)

SMFG India Credit Co. Ltd. (Formerly Fullerton India Credit Co. Ltd.), a leading NBFC – Investment and Credit Company (NBFC-ICC) registered with the Reserve Bank of India and a wholly owned subsidiary of SMFG, has been operating in India since 2007. Together with its subsidiary, SMFG India Home Finance Co. Ltd. (Formerly Fullerton India Home Finance Co. Ltd.) also known as SMFG Grihashakti, the company has established a pan-India presence, across 670+ towns and 70,000+ villages through 1000 branches and 25,000+ employees offering lending products to underserved & unserved retail and small business borrowers. By doing so, it has introduced people to formal credit. SMFG India Credit along with SMFG Grihashakti offers a comprehensive range of lending solutions, including SME financing, commercial vehicle and two-wheeler loans, home loans, home improvement loans, loans against property and shares, personal loans, and rural livelihood advancement loans etc.

About Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group (SMFG)

Blue Dart, South Asia’s leading express air and integrated transportation company, announces the launch of its first-of-its-kind Blue Dart Affiliate Program (BDAP) for technology partners and ecosystem enablers. This innovative program is designed to foster collaboration with top technological enablers in the industry, offering seamless integration of Blue Dart’s advanced logistics solutions while creating new revenue opportunities for affiliates. Participants can promote Blue Dart’s suite of services, onboard new customers, and earn attractive monthly incentives.

This is a perfect blend of path-breaking technology providers and an industry-leading logistics network to collaborate and bring to their customers the best mix of both. Affiliates benefit from partnering with a trusted, market-leading brand, gaining access to the world-class and industry-best network and early access to Blue Dart’s cutting-edge technology solutions and APIs. A dedicated support team ensures smooth collaboration, allowing affiliates to focus on building their solutions while Blue Dart handles all logistics needs. Looking ahead, the program will offer future-ready integration, including access to Blue Dart-DHL product lines through a single-window solution, driving long-term growth and innovation.

Dipanjan Banerjee, Chief Commercial Officer, Blue Dart

On the launch, Dipanjan Banerjee, Chief Commercial Officer, Blue Dart said, “At Blue Dart, innovation is at the core of everything we do. The launch of our Affiliate Program strengthens our commitment to collaborating with technology providers and offering world-class express logistics solutions. This program represents a unique opportunity for technology partners to expand their service offerings, increase revenue, and deliver best-in-class logistics capabilities to their customers.”

Blue Dart, with over four decades of industry experience, stands at the forefront of express logistics, celebrated for its reliability, resilience, and innovative approach. Leveraging state-of-the-art technology and deep operational knowledge, Blue Dart ensures seamless end-to-end logistics solutions.

Blue Dart Express Ltd., South Asias premier express air and integrated transportation & distribution company, offers secure and reliable delivery of consignments to over 56,000+ locations in India. Blue Dart is a provider of choice for its stakeholders due to its customer centric approach and aims to further strengthen this partnership. As part of DHL Group’s DHL eCommerce division, Blue Dart accesses the largest and most comprehensive express and logistics network worldwide, covering over 220 countries and territories, and offers an entire spectrum of distribution services including air express, freight forwarding, supply chain solutions, customs clearance etc.

The Blue Dart team drives market leadership through its motivated people, dedicated air and ground capacity, cutting-edge technology, wide range of innovative, vertical specific products and value-added services to deliver unmatched standards of service quality to its customers. Blue Darts market leadership is further validated by its position as the nation’s most innovative and awarded express logistics company for exhibiting reliability, superior brand experience and sustainability which include recognition as one of ‘Indias Best Companies to Work For’ by The Great Place to Work Institute, India, ranked amongst ‘Best Multinational Workplaces in Asia’ by The Great Place to Work Institute, Asia, voted a ‘Superbrand’ and ‘Reader’s Digest Most Trusted Brand’, listed as one of Fortune 500’s ‘Indias Largest Corporations’ and Forbes ‘Indias Super 50 Companies’ to name a few. Blue Dart’s Diversity and Inclusion initiatives have also led to it being recognized as one of India’s ‘Best Workplaces for Women’ in 2021 and ‘Best Organisations for Women’ in 2022 by the Economic Times.

Blue Dart fulfils its social responsibility of climate protection (GoGreen), disaster management (GoHelp) and education (GoTeach) through its GoPrograms.

Deutsche Bank and The Akshaya Patra Foundation have further strengthened their long-standing partnership to combat classroom hunger by initiating the construction of a state-of-the-art kitchen in Shivajinagar, Pune. The groundbreaking ceremony for this innovative facility marks a major milestone in their joint efforts to enhance the lives of underprivileged children through the Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman (PM POSHAN) scheme. The Akshaya Patra Foundation is the implementing partner of the PM POSHAN initiative and world’s largest NGO-Run school meal program.

Ms Ruchi Khemka, Head CSR & Mr Kaushik Shaparia, CEO Deutsche Bank Group India; Sri Prithviraj BP, IAS; Shri Sampati Dasa, Regional President & Mr Shridhar Venkat, CEO, TAPF

Expected to be operational by early 2026, the multi-level kitchen will provide over 25,000 daily hot, nutritious meals to students in government and government-aided schools across Pune. This initiative is aimed at improving school attendance, academic performance, and the overall health and well-being of marginalized children. The facility will adhere to the highest standards of hygiene and safety and is designed to serve as Akshaya Patra’s central kitchen in Pune. Beyond addressing nutrition and education, the project is poised to create employment opportunities and support local agriculture, fostering economic development within the community.

The ceremony was attended by Mr. Kaushik Shaparia, CEO of Deutsche Bank Group, India, along with Shri Sampati Dasa, Regional President – Pune, The Akshaya Patra Foundation; Shri Shridhar Venkat, CEO, of The Akshaya Patra Foundation, Ms Ruchi Khemka, Head – CSR, Deutsche Bank Group, India, Praveen NR, IFS, Sri Prithviraj BP, IAS & other senior representatives from the Pune Government department & The Akshaya Patra Foundation and other dignitaries.

Mr. Kaushik Shaparia, CEO of Deutsche Bank Group, India, highlighting the significance of this initiative, said, “At Deutsche Bank, we believe collaboration is vital to creating lasting social impact. This new kitchen in Pune reflects our unwavering commitment to addressing hunger and education, empowering students to realize their full potential. With our strong presence in Pune, we also look forward to engaging our employees in advancing this meaningful cause and fostering sustainable change.”

Mr. Shridhar Venkat, CEO, from The Akshaya Patra Foundation, said, “Todays groundbreaking ceremony marks a significant milestone in our ongoing journey with Deutsche Bank to eradicate classroom hunger and foster educational opportunities for children across Pune. Through this state-of-the-art kitchen facility, we are set to enhance our operational capabilities significantly, thereby ensuring that over 25,000 students receive nutritious meals every school day. This initiative not only supports academic excellence but also strengthens the fabric of our communities by promoting better health and creating economic opportunities locally. We are immensely grateful to Deutsche Banks for their support over the years. We also want to thank the Government of Maharashtra for providing us the opportunity to serve the children in the state. They have been instrumental in helping us make an impact and nurture the potential of every child we serve.”

Since 2014, Deutsche Bank has supported Akshaya Patra’s efforts to provide mid-day meals to students in Jaipur, Bengaluru, and Pune. Over the past decade, this partnership has facilitated the provision of over 8 crore meals to children, significantly enhancing educational opportunities for marginalized communities. In addition to the Pune kitchen, Deutsche Bank is extending its support to Akshaya Patra by funding meals for an additional 2,000 children in Gandhinagar, Ahmedabad.

The Pune kitchen is set to play a critical role in scaling Akshaya Patra’s Mid-Day Meal Programme in Maharashtra, furthering its mission of eliminating hunger and ensuring access to education for all.

For more details, please log on www.db.com/india / www.akshayapatra.org.

The much-anticipated Brand Vision: India 2030 Leadership Conclave, presented by Vritilife, an initiative by NexBrands Inc, took place on November 19, 2024, at the luxurious ITC Maratha in Mumbai. This year’s conclave celebrated extraordinary leaders from the corporate and entertainment sectors who were honored as Extraordinaires for their remarkable contributions to their industries and society.

Vritilife Presents Brand Vision: India 2030 Leadership Conclave 2024

The prestigious event brought together an exclusive gathering of industry leaders, innovators, and influencers, recognizing their efforts in transforming India’s corporate landscape, driving innovation, and influencing the entertainment world. The conclave acknowledged the visionaries whose leadership, perseverance, and trailblazing achievements continue to inspire future generations.

Key Honorees at Vritilife presents Brand Vision: India 2030 Leadership Conclave 2024

The event saw the recognition of several corporate and entertainment icons under different categories:

Corporate Icons:

• Madan Mohan Mohanka – Tega Industries – Powerful Business Icon

• Harish Kohli – Acer India – Most Powerful CEO

• Sanjay Koul – Timken India – Most Powerful CEO

• Dheeraj Arora – Hygienic Research Institute – Most Powerful CEO

• Amit Gossain – Kone Elevators – Most Powerful CEO

• Lav Chaturvedi – Reliance Securities – Most Powerful CEO

• Deepak Jain – amant – Dynamic Business Leader

• Saurabh Munjal – Lahori Zeera – Disrupting Startup Led by Youth Leader – FMCG

• Sanjib Sahoo – Ingram Micro – Trendsetter of the Industry – IT Distribution & Services

• Gautam Boda – JB Boda Group – Powerful Business Icon

• Nitin Jain & Hemant Daga – Neo Wealth & Asset Management – Most Innovative Business Leaders – Wealth & Asset Management

• Krishnadas R Varier – Arya Vaidya Pharmacy – Leadership Par Excellence – Ayurveda

• Mathew Job – Watertec India – Most Innovative Business Leader – Bath Fittings

• Rohini Iyer – Raindrop Media – Influential Entrepreneur

• Aditya Vikram Birla – Cosmic Birla Group – Dynamic Business Personality

• Priya Anand Dakle – Dakle Industrial Plastics – Leading Ladies of Influence – Manufacturing

• Dr. Anand Jacob Verghese – Hindustan Group of Institutions – Powerful Business Icon – Education

• Aakanksha Kaur – JIS Group – Leading Ladies of Influence – Education

• Kumari Swetam – Indiana HR and Training Solutions – Leading Ladies of Influence – HR Consultancy & Training

• Arnav Vij, Karissa Gupta, Vihaan Tampi – Walking Past – Youth Leaders of the Year

Entertainment Legends:

• R. Madhavan – Game Changer of the Decade

• Anupam Kher – Change-Maker of Indian Cinema

• Nawazuddin Siddiqui – Versatile Actor of the Decade

• Fardeen Khan – Breakthrough Performer

• Raashii Khanna – Sensational Performer

• Esha Gupta – Leading Ladies of Influence

• Dhvani Bhanushali – Pop Sensation of the Year

• Ali Fazal – Global OTT Icon

• Sayani Gupta – Impactful OTT Performer

• Urvashi Rautela – Style Icon

• Adah Sharma – Power Achiever

• Pragya Jaiswal – Rising Star (Female)

• Gurmeet Choudhary – Rising Star (Male)

• Aastha Gill – Youth Icon (Music)

• Gauranga Darshan Das – Visionary Leader (Spirituality)

A Night of Recognition and Inspiration: Vritilife presents Brand Vision: India 2030 Leadership Conclave was a spectacular evening of recognition, featuring a host of luminaries from both the corporate world and entertainment industry. The event not only celebrated their outstanding achievements but also provided a platform for networking, inspiration, and vision-sharing about the future of India in the next decade. Each award recipient was celebrated for their unwavering commitment to excellence and their contributions to shaping the India of tomorrow.