India Licensing Expo 2018

License India to Showcase India Licensing Expo’s Second Edition

~500+ Global Licensing Brands Participating~

~Aims to invite an investment of INR 2000 Crore through about 200 Cr Deals~

License India, an exclusive brand licensing vertical of Franchise India Group invites licensing and retail fraternity to India Licensing Expo (ILE), India's first and most influential brand licensing show on August 23-24 2018 at Bombay Convention & Exhibition Centre (BCEC) Mumbai,Participation from 500+ global and domestic companies is expected. The expo is supported by LIMA.

Renowne brands such as Viacom18, Femina Flaunt, Miss Diva, Miss India, Film Fare, Green Gold Animation, Adlabs Entertainment, JCB, We love Characters, Celebrities Entertainment, Angry Birds, ChuChu TV, Dream Theatre, Bandai Namco, Cartoon Network, WWE, Toki Doki, Purple Turtle, Kuber, Toon Mart, Ack Media, DQ Entertainment, Bradford License India, Animantz, Axis, Adarsh Publications, Rovio, Reliance Animations, WWE, Celebrities Entertainment GmbH, JCB, Spykar, Madame, Welspun, Adlabs, Spaces  among others are likely to be a part of the expo.

The event will include a conference program lead by global thought leaders, including MauraRegan,President, LIMA, Dan Frugtniet, VP, Licensing Business Development, Nickelodeon Viacom Consumer Products, SimoHämäläinen, SVP – Brand Licensing, Rovio, Ulf Vespermann, Managing Director, Celebrities Entertainment, SandeepDahiya, Director and Business Head – Brand Extension, Bennett, Coleman& Co Ltd., SanjeetMehta, Executive Director & Head - Consumer Products, Disney India, Jiggy George, Head of LIMA India, Founder - Dream Theatre Group, Founder & Managing Director – Mojostar, Dhimant Bakshi, Jt. CEO, Adlabs Imagica, Smita Maroo, Senior Vice President – Licensing &Merchandising, Shemaroo Entertainment, , SwetaAgnihotri, CEO - Content Syndication, Reliance Big Entertainment andmany more will share their insights on licensing industry.

Gaurav Marya, Chairman, License India said, “We have been successful in establishing India Licensing Expo as a dedicated hub for licensing professionals. Pegged at $1476 million, the licensing industry in India is definitely on an upward trajectory and through ILE 2018, we intend to bring global understanding to the Indian landscape and further propagate this business model. After the successful first edition of Licensing Expo last year, we are ecstatic to inaugurate our second edition of the event. The licensing industry is growing by 40% YoY and with second edition; we hope to close deals worth INR 2000 Cr. India Licensing Expo is a dedicated hub for industry business across diverse verticals like cinema, music, apparel, character, and sports licensing all under one roof.”

The expo will culminate with an awards night across categories. Supported by License India, the forum gathers the perspective of the emerging Indian Licensing Industry for networking to explore prospects to grow greater and quicker in the given peripheries. About 500+ global brands have confirmed their entry in the consumer space either through licensing or franchise model.

He further added, “This platform will also bring together voluminous brand opportunities, elaborate knowledge forums, exclusive licensing appreciations, fun character parade and many more. In the scenario, where India is a brand-hungry market, we see a natural inclination towards licensing as an effective retail strategy. Brand licensing has been well accepted as a retail strategy in India, and through ILE 2018, we bring the universal perception to Indian landscape. The owners of intellectual properties (IPs) comprising the major character, entertainment, celebrity and corporate brands are keen to enter the Indian market. Everyone wants to tap the 1.3 billion customer-base that the country has, especially when the consciousness of brands among consumers in 900+ cities are very high.”

Maura Regan, President, LIMA said, “LIMA is committed to the continued growth and expansion of licensing around the world, and we are proud to support this show dedicated to licensing in India.”

“It is important for the advancement of our business to come together in India, make connections and learn about this active market that is poised to achieve great things in the coming years. India is an incredibly dynamic market. Between the rapidly growing middle class, leapfrogging technologies, and an appetite for both local and international brands and content, licensing is the smart way to grow your business and engage with your audience,” she added.

Assessment leaders reveal global best practices at Pearson VUE seminars

International assessment leaders, employers, higher education academics and association bodies from the UK, US and India will meet at two exclusive seminars hosted by Pearson VUE, the global leader in computer-based testing, to reveal and debate global best practices.

The theme of the events, taking place at the end of the month in Delhi and Chennai, is: “Evaluating candidate aptitude and skills through assessments: Creating quality examinations for higher education and professionals in India”.

Pearson VUE’s Divyalok Sharma, senior director of client development, and Dr Gary Gates, senior vice president of global business, will lead the event. Industry leaders will take part in panel debates and give presentations on topics ranging from technologies in the assessment space, psychometrics, and online proctoring, to the importance of skills-focused certification.

Mr. Sharma said: “These events are a wonderful opportunity for a meeting of the minds from the world of assessment. Thought leaders across a wide range of organisations will bring their valuable expertise and observations together with the aim of learning from each other to raise assessment standards even further.”

At the Delhi event, speakers include: Prof. Furqan Qamar, secretary general, Association of Indian Universities;  Dr. Rupamanjari Ghosh, vice chancellor, Shiv Nadar University and co-chair, Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Ranjit Madan, CEO, Life Sciences Sector Skills Development Council; and Maheshwer Peri, founder and chairman, Careers 360.

Speakers at the Chennai event include: Dr. Sandeep Sancheti, vice chancellor, SRM Institute of Science and Technology and Dr. Balakrishna Shetty, vice chancellor of Sri Siddhartha University.

To register for the Delhi event on 29 August at 9am, go to the bit.ly/2LN7NgR website.

A tête-à-tête with World Traveler Alex Chacon on His 5th Visit to In

If there is one video on the internet that is hard to miss is ‘Around the World in 360 degrees- 3 years epic selfie’ video which was released in 2014 and has already crossed over 200 million views across online platforms. The video was shot by Alex Chacon, a Texas-based Medical student who sold all his belongings in 2012 to fulfill his dream of traveling. Since then, Alex has traveled lakhs of kilometers on a motorcycle and has explored over 50 countries and 5 continents. He is a guy whose bucket list is not any specific destination but the experiences and he strongly believes that riding a motorcycle is like meditation for him. On his visit to Mumbai, we met with Alex to understand the story behind his adventures and how he inspires lakhs of people around the world to travel.

THE STORY OF THE EPIC SELFIE VIDEOS

After graduating from college, Alex decided to sell everything he had and start traveling. His first big trip was from Alaska to Argentina on a motorcycle. He had no idea back then what was going to work in his favor and what would not. So he started experimenting with his GoPro camera and tried to shoot his adventure in various ways and angles. The one that worked for him was obviously the selfie shots he took at different locations. The fun fact about the epic selfie video is that selfie sticks did not even exist in 2012. Alex’s creative brains were at work and he dismantled the legs of his tripod to actually make a 5kg selfie stick by tying up his camera on one end. 

Click https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTlXttQL_Yk&t=84s   to watch the video. After he uploaded this video on the internet, it immediately caught people’s attention and went viral making him a famous traveler across the world.

A DAY IN ALEX CHACON’S LIFE

No matter how glamorous and adventurous Alex’s life looks on the internet, but the effort required to put all this together is way higher than a 9-5 corporate job. He has not taken a day off for the past 7 years and is working 24 hours around the planning and execution of his travel. Even after returning back home his day is tied-up with changing his camera gears, buying the stuff he requires for the next trip and selling the ones not required, organizing and planning the next trip and the challenge. But the good part about his job is that it brings new surprises and experiences every day. One such surprise he recollects is randomly meeting a traveler in the southern part of a country and seeing her again after eight months in the northern part of the country without any communications. Such experiences he says make you realize that the world is actually a small place.

ABOUT HIS TRIP TO INDIA AND ADVICE TO RIDERS

As people say, “Once you visit India, it keeps calling you back”. This was Chacon’s 5^th trip to India and he was busy meeting his fans in different cities and collaborating with fellow YouTubers and Influencers to inspire a lot more people. After a series on meet-ups in Mumbai, he headed to Ladakh- the mecca of motorcyclists across the world. His advice to riders going to Ladakh this year is very simple. He believes that more than the physical strength it’s the mental conditioning of the rider that matters in Ladakh and other high altitude places. If a rider is determined to reach his destination than he can any motorcycle with any gear to any place in the world. He says that if you are riding for the first time in Ladkah you need to go slow as it is not similar to the style of riding in the cities.

CHALLENGES OF RIDING ACROSS BORDERS AND DIFFERENT COUNTRIES

Alex has traveled to over 50 countries on a motorcycle, backpacking using local transport and has also enjoyed some luxurious trips after being invited by governments of different countries to promote tourism. He affirms that every country comes with a new set of challenge. But all the travel plans can be simplified, if we do a little bit of research and plan everything ahead. One of the best ways to do that is to thoroughly go through the government’s websites. “I never show up to a border unprepared.  I make sure that I have all my documents, visas and all other local formalities sorted before arriving”, says Alex.

RURAL VILLAGES MAKE A COUNTRY REAL

After years of traveling, one thing that Alex has realized is that the deeper you go in some country the better it gets. The further you go from the big cities you meet genuine people who look a lot happier and simpler than most of us. He has one great story when he was in a village an hour away from Chandigarh. There was a school having a class in the outdoors and all the kids were just so happy to see a western foreigner in their village. Within minutes he was surrounded by over 100-150 children all trying to get in one frame for a picture. They followed his motorcycle in enthusiasm for a few kilometers until he was out of the village. Luckily, Alex Chacon has found this one thing very common in all parts of the world.

Aeon - Asia's Highest Residential Infinity Pool to be Launched in Worli

Mumbai has not just been the financial capital of India but also the 'luxury capital' of the country. As the city is attracting more fashion labels in the luxury category, the city's property market already commands a premium in India and also in the global context. Offering the epitome of-luxury, Mumbai will soon get Asia's highest residential infinity pool, 'Aeon' (*as per the research report on infinity pools submitted by Market Search pvt Ltd, on 4.1.2018). The 50- foot long rooftop infinity pool will be located atop Raheja Universal's upcoming project, Raheja Imperia I, on the 60th level. Situated at 677 feet above the bustling city in Worli, Mumbai, Raheja Imperia I offers an unobstructed view of the city, the ocean and beyond.

In addition to 'Aeon', the project offers various lavish handpicked amenities namely, Horizon60 - The Private Club, Atmosphere - The Party Deck, Luna- The Sky Media Zone at the roof-top, an amphitheater, a ballroom, The Imperial Park - for strolling and enjoying delicacies at Café Laguna and watch the children swim in the exclusive pool, and Club Imperia for fitness and sports enthusiasts. With an unparalleled view; float atop the city in Aeon, one can dine with a companion at a perfect setting in Atmosphere-the Party Deck or Horizon 60 - the Private Club and engage in an immersive experience of watching movies at the apex in Luna - the Sky Media Zone.

Commenting on the Raheja Imperia I rerating, Mr. Ashish Raheja, Managing Director, Raheja Universal said, "Mumbai's real estate luxe segment has undergone a paradigm shift, fuelled by the dynamic NRIs and HNIs. Harmonizing with this trend further, Raheja Imperia I enters the arena with its top of the line features. With Aeon, Asia's highest residential infinity pool and 35 other path-breaking amenities spread across 1.23 lakh sq. ft, it is the new word in premium experiential luxury."

Mr. Raheja further commented , "With the ever shrinking land bank in Mumbai, low density luxury projects are at an all-time premium. We are amongst a select few, offering such a premium project in the heart of the city. Luxury Living is set to be redefined not just by the opulence of the interiors and architecture but also the exquisite exteriors and international landscaping that Imperia I has. The tranquil settings and sense of privacy in the heart of the maximum city is what sets Imperia I apart from other luxury projects."

Being developed by Raheja Universal Pvt. Ltd., the 60 storey Raheja Imperia I is a Greenfield project built on a virgin plot, implying absolute privacy and unmatched luxury. Raheja Imperia I is based on the Low-Density concept, giving residents more open space with larger green cover. It comes free of public car parking, SRA, or rehabilitation requirements, which means that the benefits of the facilities are solely for residents to enjoy; a much craved privacy in a densely populated city like Mumbai. Spreading out an array of amenities for residents, the tower footprint is only 20% of the entire development while the rest is covered by offerings wherein imagination touches reality. 

Below is a sneak peek into some of the luxurious amenities offered at Raheja Imperia I:

Aeon

Scaling into the horizon audaciously, Aeon will be Asia's Highest Residential Infinity Pool at Level 60. Aeon vaunts an unmatched experience, to be set on a layered terrace forming a distinctive aqua urban scheme against the blue sky. Aeon will unfold its unrivalled view of Mumbai city, laying the podium for a lifetime of memories of the swimming oasis.

Atmosphere

Indisputably 'Atmosphere' will evolve as the most eulogized rooftop party deck in Mumbai. It will open up to a jaw dropping view from the 60th floor with a striking ambience, ace concoctions and incomparable views. Soak up the incredible cityscape while sipping on a cocktail with loved ones. At 'Atmosphere', one will never be far away from getting an opulent vantage view of Mumbai.

Luna

Where fabulous cinema meets fabulous venue, 'Luna', the Sky Media Zone will nestle in the backdrop of the Arabian Sea and deliver an impeccable cinema viewing experience with like-minded cinephiles. Luna will take one on a journey of an aesthetically pleasing experience of viewing tasteful iconic movies from cult classics to brand new releases. Last but not the least; Luna is the zone to cheer for ones favorite football team with near and dear ones during LIVE screenings.

Horizon 60

Poised at 677 feet above the maximum city, lounging at a rooftop bar in Mumbai is definitely one of the best ways to spend the evenings.Combining fantastic views, great mixes, Horizon 60 delivers it all as one drink in the stunning Mumbai sunset. Soak into this spectacular panoramic view of the dazzling city, relax under the stars with a drink, enjoy the music or try a delicious meal.

Star Air - A new Airline by Sanjay Ghodawat Group is all set to Takeoff

It has been a known fact that the aviation industry has witnessed an exponential growth in the recent years. Although a lot of new airports have been operationalized, the airlines are constrained to provide direct (no transit) flights from these airports. Envisioning this demand of smaller business jets flying directly from A to B, the Sanjay Ghodawat Group - a reputed business house in India with over 20 business verticals, have entered the aviation with a promising new airline - Star Air.

Headquartered in the Bangalore International Airport, Star Air has been established with a view of serving the common man, with an experience like that of a business class. "What we aim for is to create the right balance between a common man's pocket and the expectations which he holds from an airline," quoted Capt. Simran Singh Tiwana, CEO of Star Air. "In due course time, we aim to provide an all jet engine fleet connecting new city pairs," he added.

Introducing the Embraer ERJ-145 for the first time in India in commercial airline, Star Air has smartly chalked out a road map, which seems to go a long way. The plane, till date, was the chosen favourite of the business class as private business jets. Starting off with a fleet of two aircrafts, the airline is planning a steady expansion.

Under the UDAN regional connectivity scheme, launched by the Govt. of India, Star Air has bagged three routes under their wings:

Hubli - Pune 

Hubli - Hindon (Delhi) 

Hubli - Tirupathi 

The airline is yet to disclose its routes from Bangalore and other cities.

Though the airline is a greenhorn, the team is full of experience and high spirits. Headed by Capt. Tiwana, who believes in leading by example, the highly skilled team is backed by the parent team of The Sanjay Ghodawat Group. "Our Chairman has a vision to Connect the Real India. We have taken the first step. Now, our entire focus remains on providing best-in-class service," stated Capt. Tiwana.

The airline is all set to takeoff, with its first flight expected in mid-July 2018.

Megha Gas, an Eco-friendly Green Fuel for Household and Commercial Purposes

Megha Engineering & Infrastructures Ltd. (MEIL) has embarked on a mission to supply natural gas to households and commercial establishments. A first-of-its-kind in the Rural India, MEIL has executed gas distribution projects in Krishna District of Andhra Pradesh, Tumkur and Belgavi districts of Karnataka. Performance of these projects has already been tested. "Soon commercial operations would be launched officially." said Mr. Rajesh Reddy, Associate Vice President, Hydrocarbons, MEIL in a press release today. Filling stations have been set up in Agiripalli and Kanuru in Krishna district and underground pipeline system for supply of gas was put in place. Likewise, Tumkur and Belgavi districts in Karnataka too are all set to have piped gas supply. MEIL has come up with eco-friendly methods to supply Megha Gas to households of rural and urban areas, for commercial needs. This would not only enhance living standards of people but also helps enriching society with the fruits of infrastructure. MEIL is making strides in these three districts with a motto of 'Green Fuel and Clean Fuel'. It has kept in place the basic infrastructure to supply gas to address the needs of industry and transport sector.

MEIL would get natural gas supplies from ONGC. ONGC has recently launched natural gas production in Nagayalanka of Krishna district on commercial scale. Megha will soon enter into a commercial agreement with ONGC to get a supply of 90,000 SCMD (Standard Cubic Meter per Day) of gas from this center.

'Megha Gas - It's Smart … It's Good' - Megha Gas will soon hit the market by launching gas supply services with the above tag line. It will bring natural gas to households, commercial establishments, industrial houses and transport vehicles at an affordable price. To begin with, gas supply services will be launched in Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh, Tumkur and Belgavi districts of Karnataka. MEIL has laid 571 KM long, steel MDPE pipeline to supply gas from mother station located at Agiripalli. It passes through Agiripalli, Thotapalli, BB Gudem, Gollanapalli, Surampalli, Kesarapalli, Nunna Bypass, Enikepadu, Poranki, Nuziveedu, Mustabad, Gannavaram, Chopparametla villages. Some of the households en route the pipeline have already been given gas connections. Megha Gas has made all arrangements to supply gas to a few commercial establishments during this year itself.

In Tumkur district of Karnataka too, Megha has put in place necessary infrastructure to supply gas to households. A 300 kilometre long pipeline has been laid in areas like Vakkodi, Heggeri, Gollahalli, Gollarahati, Kuppur, Dasamuddepalya, Siragate, Dibbur, Gulur, Santapet, Maralurur Dinne, Settihalli, Jayanagar, Gokul Extension, Khyatisandra, Heerehalli area, Manchikal, Kuppe, Batwadi, Hanumathapura in Tumkur dist. In addition to this 75 km long MDPE pipeline has been laid in Sadasiva Nagar, Banasankari, Mandipet, Gandhi Nagar, Chikpet areas. In Belgavi district 350 km long steel, MDPE pipeline has been laid connecting areas like Basavanna Kolla, Auto Nagar, Ramteertha Nagar, Asoka Circle, Azad Nagar, Chennamma Circle, Maruti Nagar, Sadasiva Nagar. Megha Gas will bring 50,000 SCMD of natural gas to Belgavi district.

To have a close and continuous relationship with consumers and to address their grievances, Megha Gas has come up with an exclusive Mobile App and a dedicated website. It has also brought out a loyalty card exclusively for its consumers to extend benefits of being a loyal customer of Megha Gas.

A Healthy Renal Diet can Help Extend the Life of Your Kidneys: DaVita MD

DaVita Kidney Care (India) Pvt. Ltd, a leading provider of kidney care services in India, on the occasion of World Nutrition Day (May 28) emphasized the importance of a kidney-friendly diet while undergoing renal treatment.

Aditya Singh, Managing Director, DaVita Care (India) Pvt. Ltd., said, "Our 'Zero Compromise Dialysis' policy reflects in our holistic approach to dialysis treatment with extensive patient counselling and integrated treatment plans including individualized diet plans for patients. DaVita believes in a preventive approach to renal health problems and our no-cost resources such as kidney-friendly recipes and no-cost kidney screenings are geared towards spreading awareness on kidney health."

"DaVita is proud to participate in TCS World 10K, held on May 27, this year to support the cause of kidney awareness and kidney health. At DaVita, we believe understanding the kidneys - our body's filtration system - is the first step in taking charge of our kidney health. Participating in TCS World 10Kis one of our many initiatives to raise awareness about kidney disease and its management," he added.

The TCS World 10K Bengaluru is an annual 10 kilometers road running competition which takes place every year in Bengaluru, India. This year, approximately 24,000 runners took to the roads of Bengaluru for five different races in what has become an annual event on the third Sunday in May and has emerged as Asia's leading run over the past nine years.

DaVita in India provides a wealth of no-cost diet resources - kidney-friendly recipes and diet tips - to raise awareness on kidney health and help those living with a kidney ailment better manage their disease. Each recipe on the website is created with the dietary needs of those undergoing renal treatment in mind.

Speaking on the importance of a renal diet plan Swathi K. Sreekanta, Sr. consultant dietitian, DaVita Care (India) Pvt. Ltd., said, "A nutritious diet is necessary for every individual. The emphasis on good nutrition increases in the presence of an illness. With kidney disease, malnutrition is extremely common. Lack of appetite leaves the patient eating meagre amounts with little nutrition. Optimum nutrition needs to be the main dietary goal in a patient with kidney illness. A well-planned diet provides the kidney with the essential nutrients to continue its residual functioning and prevents further damage by not overloading it."

"A balanced diet ensures efficient functioning of the body. While an excess of food consumption may lead to weight gain, too few calorie intakes can lead to weight and muscle loss. Taking care of your daily nutrition intake becomes even more important when suffering from chronic kidney disease (CKD). Adhering to an individualized meal plan by a trained renal dietitian can not only help keep you healthy but also extend the life of your kidneys," she added.

Swathi further explains the benefits of a healthy and nutritious diet regime.

"If you eat a diet that is kidney-friendly, you are not taxing your kidneys. Some of the benefits of a renal-friendly diet include reduced load on kidneys and maintenance of residual function, improved energy to perform day-to-day activities, better infection control, reduced symptoms such as itching, nausea, weakness, improved muscle growth and better control of conditions like hypertension, diabetes, and cardiac ailments," she added.

When kidney function deteriorates, it becomes difficult for kidneys to remove protein waste and minerals. It often requires dialysis (depending on the stage of chronic kidney disease). Each person's kidney diet prescription varies but the main nutrients that are generally limited in a kidney diet include protein, phosphorus, potassium, and sodium. Fluid restriction when necessary is of utmost importance. 

What’s your Skin-töhl?

A finely made leather accessory affirms luxury and your choice of a handbag speaks volumes of your style. A handbag serves as both; a necessity as well as a statement piece. Eyeing this space in the market The Sac and Satchel Company has launched its brand, töhl. Ranging from hand and shoulder bags, to totes, backpacks, clutches and wallets, the töhl product range is versatile, utilitarian and thoughtfully crafted for varied purposes.

 Töhl combines the best of contemporary styling, technology and the legacy of time-honored handcrafted leather smithing traditions to manufacture the bags. ‘töhl’, meaning skin in Tamil, is a brand synonymous with luxury and craftsmanship. The leathers are handpicked and treated with artisanal respect using processes that meet international standards.

 Defined by its minimalist style, the product range has an old-world charm combined with understated modern elegance. The brand and its product range are perfectly suited to the urban lifestyle, combining functionality and aesthetics. töhl’s clientele is women who balance the many roles of contemporary life, whilst holding on to a sense and expression of personal style.

 With 25 years of industry experience exporting leather bags and accessories to Europe the finest product range is now accessible at your fingertips. All the products are made in India with a manufacturing facility in Chennai

.

Price Range: INR 990 – INR 8500 Availability: tohl.in

Manish Malhotra to mentor students online at INIFD & LST

Ace Bollywood Fashion Icon Manish Malhotra is all set to share his knowledge and expertise to Indian students by being their mentor. Mr. Malhotra has joined hands with INIFD & LST to impart specialized Fashion, education and training online. This ‘Learn with Manish Malhotra’ Program shall be available from the current academic session. 

Now every fashion enthusiast has the privilege and opportunity to learn from the Master himself, the finest nuances of the Fashion World. Mr. Malhotra will share his experience of last 28 years in Fashion & Bollywood Movies with students through the use of technology by providing extensive video lectures and online study material. Mr. Manish Malhotra will be providing specialized lectures covering the wide range of topics from Bollywood Costumes to Bridal Trousseau and from Men’s Apparel to preparing for the Fashion Weeks.

While Manish Malhotra will share his knowledge online, the Certified Faculty at INIFD Centres across India will provide the necessary skills to shape the career of budding designers. This unique blend of Fashion education will revolutionize the method of learning as students can now access the lectures of Maestro Manish Malhotra anywhere in the country with just a finger touch through a dedicated app.  

Mr. Manish Malhotra launched this ‘Learn from Manish Malhotra’ program in presence of INIFD Corporate Directors Ms. Ritu Kochhar, Mr. Ashok Kaushik and Executive Director London School of  Trends Mr. Sunny Somra.  Ms. Ritu Kochhar Director INIFD Corporate said that ‘shortly this coveted program ‘Learn from Manish Malhotra’ will be available to each and every Fashion Conscious Citizen who wants to gain insight and experience directly from the icon of the Fashion World – Mr. Manish Malhotra.’ The Centre Directors of INIFD Pune Deccan - Mr. Amar Khatri and Mr. Ashok Daryani said that ‘All students enrolled in academic session 2018 - 19 will get this exclusive opportunity to have ‘Learn from Manish Malhotra’ as part of their regular curriculum.’ 

The launch was done in the presence of the beautiful Mrs Universe Arab Asia (India) contestant - Khushboo Karva who visited the event as a Guest of Honor. She will be competing with leading ladies from across the globe in the month of December in Philippines and is an interior designer by profession. It was great to see the launch of the historic and prestigious event with the hands of a woman who has worked hard to be where she is today. 

Antuit Appoints Craig Silverman as Group Chief Executive Officer

 Antuit Group, a global analytics provider backed by Goldman Sachs and Zodius Capital, today announced that Craig Silverman has joined as Group Chief Executive Officer. The group’s solutions combine domain expertise and proprietary platforms with technologies like machine learning and AI to deliver advanced analytics solutions that drive revenue and margin growth, improve supply chain efficiency, enhance customer experience and manage cyber risks.

Silverman brings to Antuit an enviable track record of helping companies rapidly transform into digital data driven enterprises in retail, consumer goods, healthcare and manufacturing, along with extensive experience and expertise in advanced analytics, AI, cloud and innovation. Most recently as SVP Global Services for Qlik, Silverman led a team of 450 sales and delivery employees to accelerate customers' digital and data-driven journeys through data visualization, guided analytics and embedded analytics.

Prior to Qlik, Silverman led Accenture’s largest digital analytics practice, where he helped organizations leverage real-time, applied intelligence to enable personalized customer experiences and increased brand loyalty. Before Accenture, he delivered significant growth at IBM’s Retail Analytics and Retail eCommerce practices by helping customers drive digital transformation through omni-channel approaches across marketing, merchandising and supply chain management.

Silverman stated, "Antuit is uniquely poised to deliver insights that drive prescriptive actions and business transformation across an organization. Our data engineering, marketing and pricing analytics, forecasting and supply chain analytics, and cyber intelligence solutions capitalize on the power of Antuit’s talent and advanced technologies to empower businesses to predict, shape and fill demand while proactively managing security risks."

"Craig is the right CEO to lead Antuit through its next stage of growth and profitability. He has a strong track record of delivering outstanding results for business growth and expansion, and his vast analytics experience will deliver greater value for our customers. We are delighted to attract a leader with the vision and ability to build on our accomplishments and drive future success," commented Neeraj Bhargava, Chairman, Antuit.

Ankur Sahu, Co-Head of Private Equity at Goldman Sachs – Asia, said “Craig’s appointment as Group CEO marks a new chapter for Antuit. We are excited about Antuit’s progress to date, and are confident that under Craig’s leadership, the group will continue to innovate and execute to build an exceptional business.”

Hyderabad’s Riyaz is ‘Fastest Rider’ at The Valley Run 2018

Hyderabad-based Mohammed Ryaz scorched the quarter-mile track of the Aamby Valley air strip to finish with the distinction of ‘Fastest Time’ in The Valley Run 2018 held at the picturesque outskirts of Lonavala this weekend.

Apart from the distinction of being fastest, Riyaz had three podium finishes; one top spot and two second-place to cap off a great day individually.

   

Riyaz’s moment of glory came in the M9 Class (881cc to 1050cc – 4-Stroke). Astride a Yamaha YZF-R1 he clocked 9.686 seconds to ensure that Hyderabad for the second consecutive year stamped their mark in the event as fastest two-wheeler. Last year Neeraj Sharma stole the show.

Overall Riyaz’s effort was one of three sub-10 second dashes recorded in the two- wheel section in the final runs of competition held over three days.  Riyaz also earned the ‘Fastest Foreign Bike’ title.

Mumbai’s Zahir Shah (BMW s1000RR) with 10.001s and Alimon of Bengaluru (Kawasaki Ninja) with 10.087s) made up the Top-3 of the class.

Emulating Riyaz with a top podium finish was his twin-city mate Sundeep Singh Sokhi who claimed the  

O2 (Open Class) Foreign (551cc & Above, Unrestricted) by clocking 9.917s. Interestingly, Riyaz was second with a 9.965s effort. Zubair Ali Jung (Bengaluru) completed an all-south India podium running his Suzuki Hayabusa with a 10.048s effort.

While this type of motorsport (drag racing) is all about a test of acceleration over a short distance, the key to being fastest revolves around syncing reaction time from a standing start to attaining top speed until the finish or vice versa.

A total of seven classes (M6 to M10, P, O2) made up the day in the two-wheeler section while six classes (M1 to M5 & O1) were run under the Promotors Classes only.

The event, promoted by Elite Octane Inc., received a whopping 475 entries from Delhi, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Kolkata, Gujarat, Surat, Indore, Mumbai and Pune and was supported by Sportscraft, the Race Management Partner with sanctions from the FMSCI, the governing body of motorsport in India.

The event overall had some of the country’s fastest motorcycles and top racers were present at this year’s Valley Run and the energy in the Valley was at full heat as under the scorching sun the riders gave their best to deliver some staggeringly fast drag race times.

This year the event had major presence of various sponsors which included Pirelli (Tyre partner), Motul (Lubricant Partner) and Mercedes-AMG (Official Pace Car) apart from Jeep, Suzuki, Kawasaki, MV Agusta, Norton and Nissan as co-sponsors.

Later the prizes were distributed by Rongom Tagore Mukerji, Director Elite Octane Pvt Ltd.

SPECIAL PRIZES

Fastest Foreign Bike of Event: O2 Class – Mohammed Riyaz (Hyd; Yamaha R1; 9.686s)

Fastest Time of Event: O2 Class – Mohammed Riyaz (Hyd; Yamaha R1; 9.686s)

Fastest Rider of Event – Female: M9 Class Sonia Patel (Guj; Aprilla RSV4; 11.854s)

Fastest Time of Event - Female: M9 Class Sonia Patel (Guj; Aprilla RSV4; 11.854s)

White Spot in Eye – Be Aware! Early detection of childhood eye cancer is curable

       ·         World Retinoblastoma Week observed between May 13 and 19 to create awareness

       ·         Doctors recommend mandatory screening of eye for any abnormality in infants/toddlers

Bengaluru, May 10, 2018: With reported incidences of Retinoblastoma (life-threatening eye cancer affecting newborn and very young children up to 5 years of age) increasing over the years, doctors unanimously recommend that screening of eye for any abnormality in infants/toddlers should be made mandatory.  Further, doctors suggest that systemizing eye screenings for infants/ toddlers will go a long way in detecting lethal eye cancers and preventing childhood blindness.

Retinoblastoma (RB) is a life-threatening eye cancer affecting newborn and very young children up to 5 years of age. It can occur either in one eye or in both. Although it is life-threatening cancer, majority of the children could survive and retain vision if RB is detected in its early stage. Data from different sources reveal that every year globally over 8,000 new cases are reported of which easily 1,500 cases are from India.  However, the reality is many cases of RB goes unreported/ undetected and also awareness is abysmally low especially in India and more so in rural areas.

RB at its early stage is just not easily identifiable but for some telltale symptoms including a white shiny spot, squinted eye, swelling of the eye and continuous watering. As RB progresses a white mass from within the eye becomes prominent. Even this is often missed. As Rb further progresses, the eye becomes painful, red and swollen. If not properly diagnosed and treated at this stage, cancer spreads outside the eye, over time there is every chance of it spreading to the brain and other parts of the body and it becomes a threat to life.

According to Dr. Gagan Dudeja, Consultant, Orbit Oculoplasty & Ocular Oncology, Narayana Nethralaya, “Awareness about Retinoblastoma is low and early detection is crucial to give the best chance of saving the child’s vision, eyes, and life. Early detection and proper treatment will ensure 95% of the children diagnosed with RB are saved from death, 90% have their eye intact and 85% have their vision protected.”

Further, he pointed out that, unfortunately in Indian scenario, a child is taken to an eye specialist only when there is any notable problem, which makes treatment of RB at a later stage much harder. Against this background, he suggested that systemized screening of eye for any abnormality in infants/toddlers should be made mandatory and sensitizing doctors & healthcare authorities at different levels assumes great importance and opines that RB screening with an ophthalmoscope by a trained doctor will be beneficial in detection.

Dr. Fairooz P Manjandavida, who specializes in Retinoblastoma and Eye Cancer, Director at HORUS Specialty Eye Care and Consultant at Prabha Eye Clinic & Research Center, pointed out that RB is completely curable if detected early with currently available advanced treatments. Awareness regarding the disease can save many lives, eye, and vision. If a white spot is seen in child’s eye on flash photography it is a matter of concern and need immediate attention. Thorough eye examination with an ophthalmologist is mandated and further referral to eye cancer specialist if required.

Dr. Fairooz says “Being a genetic disorder, RB can run in families. Early screening of babies born to parents with RB and genetic tests will enable families to know if their child has a risk of RB. Pediatricians being the first point of contact for parents, plays a major role in early detection. White reflex, squinting and redness of eye in a newborn or infant can be an indication of underlying eye cancer. We should all join hands to ‘fight the white’.”

According to Dr. K. Bhujang Shetty, Chairman, Narayana Nethralaya, facilities for genetic testing and counseling should be made available for all children with Retinoblastoma. He also is of opinion that the research in India can take the lead in creating novel therapies that can improve upon currently available treatment.

According to Mr. Thanmaya Bekkalale, Founder Trustee, Iksha Foundation (a Bengaluru-based NGO supporting children with Eye cancer), “We only know the reported cases of RB, there are numerous cases that go unreported. The need of the hour is to spread individual and societal awareness about RB and promote early detection as it is documented that every day 4 children are born with eye cancer in India and one of them facing death as a result of diagnosis at an advanced stage or not diagnosed at all”

To create awareness on RB, one week in the month of May (starting from second Sunday of the month – May 13 to 19, 2018) is observed as World Retinoblastoma Week. Given the low priority is given to RB as compared to other disorders, Iksha Foundation is keen to build visibility about RB among various stakeholders and ensure that the message of early detection is communicated amongst the masses. This becomes vital as it is a fact that parents and even healthcare personnel are not even aware of RB symptoms.

Yellow Tie Hospitality Acquires three brands Umraan, Wok This Way and Health Juice Centre

Plans afoot o launch scalable restaurant incubator

Mumbai, May 10, 2018: Hospitality franchise management company Yellow Tie Hospitality is planning to acquire five quick service restaurants (QSR) every year for its scalable restaurant incubator, especially from small cities having distinct brand indicators. As part of this strategy, the company recently acquired three brands-Umraan, Wok This Way and Health Juice Centre and they are also planning to setup 100 QSRs in next three years.

"We have a capex of Rs 25 crore for a scalable restaurant incubator, under which we will be acquiring brands. We are looking for brands from smaller cities like Siliguri or Vijayawada, which have distinct brand indicators but can be scaled up," said Mr Karan Tanna – Founder and Chief Executive, Yellow Tie Hospitality.

It will have 15 outlets of Umraan - a kiosk and casual dining format, 15 outlets Wok This Way – a kiosk and casual dining format and 25 outlets of Health Juice Centre - a kiosk or QSR, by end of the year. And, for the expansion and acquisition of these three brands we have earmarked Rs 15-17 crore, he added.

Also, by the year 2019, the company is planning to enter overseas with Umraan in the Middle East and Wok This Way in the South-East Asian markets.

Currently, Yellow Tie Hospitality has in-house brands like Dhadoom, Twist of Tadka, BB Jaan, they also hold exclusive license agreements for international brands like Genuine Broaster Chicken from the US, Just Falalfel from Dubai and Wrapchic from England.

Yellow Tie Hospitality is scouting for opportunities with more global brands to master franchise that will fit into our cultural milieu. We are in talks for rights with an American music club brand, said Mr. Karan Tanna.

PVR transforms its urban leisure spaces by bringing the luxury of purified air at its multiplexes

Launches“AUDIT-AIR-IUM” - country’s First Clean-Air Cinemas using Green tech

India’s largest cinema exhibition company - PVR Ltd., today, became country’s first entertainment company to revamp and retrofit central air purification systems powered by Nirvana Being to combat indoor air-pollution in the most effective manner. Pioneering the concept of transforming urban leisure spaces conscious of air quality standards; PVR is personalizing its cinema infrastructures to provide a refreshing and rejuvenating movie viewing experience to its patrons.

Driven by the environmental situation and consumer demand to live smart and breathe fresh, PVR today, inaugurated its first of many “Audit-Air-Ium” theater sat the Directors’ Cut, Ambience Mall, Vasant Kunj. Retrofitted with customized world-class air cleaners, the “clean air theater “concept maintains Indoor Air Quality as per National Air Quality Index(AQI) standard as under 100 and propose a 15 minutes’ addition to one’s life during the 3 hours of luxury cinema viewing.

Focusing on metro cities with worst air quality in the world as per WHO; PVR ‘Audit-Air-Iums’ will be installed across Delhi – NCR, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad encompassing mainstream screens, Gold class, and playhouse cinemas.

Addressing the gathering, Mr. Sanjeev Kumar Bijli, Joint Managing Director, PVR Ltd., said,“In the recent years, the air quality in India has deteriorated considerably. In times like today where air filters and purifiers are no more a luxury, but a basic living necessity, we at PVR are striving to address this growing cause of concern. We have developed this model in association with Nirvana being by retrofitting our properties with air purification technology to create a cleaner environment for a refreshing cinematic experience.”

He further added, “Since sensitizing public areas is un-achievable on account of the area that needs to attain and thereafter maintain the air quality; movie theaters are indeed better situated to control and sustain it. Once the movie starts, there is very little opening and closing of doors and thus, premium indoor air quality is achieved and maintained. PVR as a pioneer in the exhibition space with the thought to serve its patrons with best multiplexes around the globe is also concerned about their health and not just their entertainment needs. Ensuring a luxurious cinematic experience in a clean-air environment is our vision of tomorrow and PVR intends to implement this in a phased manner to guarantee an invigorating movie watching experience.”

Commenting on the occasion, Mr. Jai Dhar Gupta, Founder of Nirvana Being, said “By partnering with PVR, we aim to create a holistically safe and healthy environment for families to enjoy cinema with complete peace of mind. It is an established fact that Delhi has hazardous ambient air - combine that with the fact that indoor air is 5-10 times more polluted(than outdoor air) due to other pollutants as well as allergens – we think this initiative is simply “Responsible Business”. Nirvana Being is a market leader in Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) compliance and PVR Ltd., India’s largest cinema chain intends to establish a new benchmark in the multiplex industry through this collaboration. Nirvana Being and PVR Cinemas will retrofit air purification systems so that the patrons can watch movies in a luxurious and healthy space to completely unwind from their hectic lifestyle. This remarkable initiative, Audit-Air-Iums, will surely revolutionize people’s cinematic experience!”