Ankura Hospital for Women and Children Launches WOW (Wellness of Women) Camp to Prioritize Women’s Health

Ankura Hospital for Women and Children, in its bid to sensitize health concerns in women and encourage them to have a healthy lifestyle, launched a 10 day long specially crafted initiative for women of all ages from puberty to menopause called the WOW (Wellness of Women) Camp. This wellness camp, scheduled from January 22nd to January 31st between 10 AM to 5 PM, offers exclusive health tests for women at a discounted price of Rs 1000.

The WOW Camp package encompasses a consultation with a senior gynaecologist, along with vital tests including Pap smear, HB, HbA1C, and TSH. Additionally, women have the option to avail the HPV vaccination at a reduced rate. Spearheaded by four experienced obstetricians and gynaecologists, the WOW campaign is designed to prioritize and improve women’s health by making wellness packages accessible and affordable.

“We are excited to launch the Wellness of Women (WOW) camp, an initiative aimed at empowering women to take charge of their health. Our comprehensive package, including consultations and discounted tests, ensures that women of all ages can access quality healthcare,” said Dr T V Vijay Kumar, Medical Director at Ankura Hospital,Vijayawada.

The WOW camp emphasizes not only the diagnosis and treatment of health issues but also the importance of preventive care. The camp seeks to make a positive impact on the community by encouraging women to prioritize their well-being through regular check-ups and screenings.

Finolex Pipes & Fittings and Mukul Madhav Foundation Partner for Inclusion: Title Sponsors for India vs. England Physical Disability T20i Trophy 2024

Finolex Industries Limited, a leading player in the Indian PVC pipes and fittings industry, and its CSR partner, the Mukul Madhav Foundation proudly announce Title Sponsorship for the upcoming physical disability Cricket T20i Trophy 2024. England’s Physically Disabled Cricket Association (EPDCA) will embark on its first-ever India tour from 28 January 2024 to 6 February 2024 marking a historic moment in the sport’s history. Under the aegis of Differently Abled Cricket Council of India (DCCI) supported by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the five match T20i series will be played in Ahmedabad with the finals in the main Narendra Modi Cricket Stadium.

This strategic partnership is driven by DCCI and EPDCA with a shared commitment to champion inclusivity. By leveraging the power of sports, the two organisations aim to eradicate stigmas surrounding disability and foster an atmosphere of equitable society. To this effect, team India will be proudly wearing the jersey kit sponsored by MMF and Finolex Industries who have come together to wholeheartedly support these endeavours.

Mrs. Ritu Prakash Chhabria, Managing Trustee of the Mukul Madhav Foundation & CSR Committee Chairperson of Finolex Industries, stated: “I take this opportunity to thank Shri Jay Shah, Secretary, BCCI, for giving us the opportunity to partner with this crucial cause. We are thrilled to be the sponsors for physical disability T20i Trophy 2024 – a tournament which is in line with our mission to create a barrier-free world where individuals with disabilities can thrive as well as prosper. Mukul Madhav Foundation is at the forefront of disability rehabilitation and empowerment, with a rich history of positively impacting the lives of over 9,000 individuals with disabilities. As we all know, sports has the transformative power to shatter stereotypes and embrace our brothers and sisters with disability in our day-to-day lives. I believe that this tour will be a catalyst for positive change, paving the way for a more inclusive society.”

Mr. Ajit Venkataraman, Managing Director of Finolex Industries, stated: “We are honored to partner with MMF and DCCI for the physical disability T20i Trophy 2024. Finolex has supported Cricket – be it national or international tournaments and even IPL. When BCCI announced the disability theme, it immediately struck a chord wherein the brand not only ensures the longevity of our products but also emphasizes the long-term impact of initiatives that we do for society. We take this opportunity to express our gratitude to Shri Jay Shah, Secretary of BCCI and also thank EPDCA for their unwavering support. We are confident that this tour will serve as a platform for para-cricketers to showcase their exceptional talent and inspire others.”

Mr. Ravi Kant Chauhan, Secretary-General of the Differently-abled Cricket Council of India (DCCI), stated: “This association will be a landmark development for the promotion of physical disability cricket in India, and I am sure this series will motivate more youngsters with disabilities to pursue sports in the future.”

For the last ten years, MMF has partnered with Finolex Limited in a unwavering commitment to improving the lives of individuals with disabilities. This collaboration extends beyond a singular focus on cerebral palsy, a cause close to the Foundation’s heart but encompasses a diverse spectrum of programs designed to empower differently abled individuals.

Recognizing the potential of international alliances and expertise, five years ago MMF expanded its operations in the UK showcasing its steadfast commitment to impactful work. Now a registered UK charity, MMF UK tackles challenges both locally and in India, demonstrating the reach and effectiveness of its collaborations.

CSR Partner in Compassion:

Over the last 25 years, Mukul Madhav Foundation (MMF), CSR partner to Finolex Industries, is a registered charitable trust under the Bombay Charitable Act 1950. It has dedicated itself to uplifting underprivileged and vulnerable communities with opportunities that pave their path to success. Empowering them with educational facilities, hospitals, healthcare, sanitation and environmental support, social welfare and so much more. Creating a foundation for individuals, their communities and their environment to thrive. MMF also supports existing infrastructure and initiatives by helping them upgrade. We don’t simply donate funds, we endow dignity

 

This is Finolex:

We are India’s most trusted PVC pipes and fittings manufacturer. Over the last 42 years, we have impacted the sanitation-plumbing and agricultural sectors with prudent investments across our value chain. Right from the sourcing of quality raw materials and resin production, to manufacturing, storage, transport, sales, marketing and even further downstream to include customer engagement

To stay focused on making superior quality pipes and fittings, and nothing else but that, for forty years, is no mean feat. Aligning every decision, every action, every resource towards delivering quality pipes and fittings. To choose to do just this one thing, and do it well. So that once our customers install our pipes, they completely forget about us. We take great pride in this dependable quality that has not only earned us ISO 9001:2015 certifications across plants, but also earned us the sincere affection of farmers, plumbers, homeowners, partners, associates and shareholders. They have all come to expect the world from us. Because that’s exactly what we expect from ourselves.

When we choose to diversify, it’s upstream with an open sea jetty to manage our raw materials, and downstream into last mile fulfilment. When we evolve, it has to be in our understanding of customer expectations and finding better machines and processes to meet those expectations. When we choose to expand, it is into newer markets, delivering our pipes and fittings to newer customers. And when we measure our growth, it is in reputation. The effect of which reflects in our bottom line – growing manifold in the last decade.

This quality focus is not just restricted to our products, but defines every aspect of our functioning. Whether quality support for our dealers, vendors and suppliers. Quality opportunities to our employees. Superior quality of life, education and health of the people we serve through our various social responsibility initiatives.

Over the last forty years, we have steadily added depth to our company, instead of spreading ourselves wide and thin. Consistently delivering the exact same products that fulfil the exact same promise. Every time. That’s what makes us a strong brand, with a strong network, and even stronger goodwill. We are Finolex Industries Limited.

Amit Jain’s investment mantra on ‘Shark Tank Season 3’ through ‘Shark Tales’

Shark Tank India embarked on a journey into the world of investments, offering a sea of opportunities for Indian start-ups. Since its inception, Shark Tank India has taken the country by storm as the featured Shark Tank judges and Shark Tank pitches have had a significant impact on the business landscape of Bharat.

 

Committed to providing opportunities to young entrepreneurs, hailing from small towns, Amit Jain, Founder and CEO, CarDekho joined this brand wagon in Season 2 and invested in ventures across sectors, narrating a unique story of determination, creativity and success. Some of the businesses Mr. Jain invested in the last season were Mopp India, Licksters, Maisha Lifestyle, Ekatra, Gladful amongst others.

 

Season 3 started with a bang, with three opening pitchers and Mr. Jain investing in sustainable start-up- The Honest Home Company, highlighting the demand for eco-businesses in India.

 

Read about Amit Jain’s learnings from the three opening pitches below:

The Honest Home Company:

First pitch of the season, and what a way to kick it off! Mayank from The Honest Home Company lives the essence of honesty in business, which aligns with my own value system as well. From plastic-free cleaning to sustainable paper products, his venture is not just about eco-friendly solutions but also about giving back to nature. Mayank’s enthusiasm, customer-centric and lean approach to building the business and dedication caught my attention, and I found my ‘Pehle Banda Fir Dhanda’ moment as I heard his pitch. His persistence to keep learning and improving despite 80 rejections from VCs is commendable. A great all-shark deal was on the table, but I chose to go solo as I believe I would be spending disproportionately large time with him to build this together. Glad that Mayank accepted my offer – looking forward to helping his venture scale heights that benefit the planet as well!

 

AdilQadri:

Adil, the face behind his premium perfume brand, presented a great pitch. With over 10 lakh orders processed, Adil’s entrepreneurial journey, from his backyard and a small town, is one of resilience and passion. The missing link for me was no visible brand leverage while scaling. I try to find founders who build 10x better products which get customer retention, which gets visible in the increasing profit pools and lower CAC over a period of time. The revenue growth was awesome but profitability was not increasing. This meant that the organic demand after trying the product was not getting visible in the numbers. Nonetheless, I wish him and Vineeta the best as they continue to leave a lasting fragrance in the market!

 

Conscious Chemist:

The founders from Rajasthan, Prakhar and Robin, brought a pitch for science-backed solutions to everyday skincare concerns. It is a large market with room for great effective products to be introduced and new brands to be built. While the packaging and products impressed me and all other sharks, I was looking forward to a deeper product innovation. To win, the obsession with creating great products which are visibly effective is critical in the skin care category. I am a mentor to one such company named “Be Minimalist” and have seen word of mouth play for them basis the great products they launched and the significant volume of repeat organic orders because of the effectiveness of the products. I was benchmarking with them in this pitch. I would have loved for founders to be passionate about building that 10x better product with a much closer consumer connection. Adding an accomplished R&D member to the team with deep expertise in skin care may help here.

 

This season’s first episode proved that passion, purpose, and authenticity can win over even the toughest Sharks. And the season is just getting started. Stay tuned for more Shark Tales!

 

 

On National Girl Child Day, Vedanta Aluminium renews commitment to empowering girls in rural India

On the occasion of National Girl Child Day (24 January), Vedanta Aluminium, India’s largest producer of aluminium, has renewed its commitment to empowering girls and young women living in the vicinity of its operations in rural Odisha and Chhattisgarh. The company has implemented several initiatives with a thrust on ensuring access to better education, improving healthcare, eradicating child malnutrition, and creating wider avenues for skill development. Together, they are helping bridge the gender divide and ensuring an equitable future for young women and girls across rural India.

As part of this year’s celebrations, the company undertook several initiatives focused on building financial independence among young girls and also imparting greater community awareness on health and gender issues. These included a collaboration with bank representatives to conduct financial awareness sessions for over 100 young girls around the Jharsuguda unit in Odisha, explaining the several savings and deposit schemes for girl children in India.

An expert session on greater awareness of the rights of girls and the importance of female health and hygiene was conducted for more than 200 students at Lanjigarh, Odisha in collaboration with government medical staff. Employee volunteers from the company’s world-class alumina refinery in Lanjigarh also organized activities such as singing, painting, and essay writing competitions at local schools.

Meanwhile, at BALCO, India’s iconic aluminium producer in Korba, Chhattisgarh, special activities such as a tree plantation were organized, where the unit planted one sapling each for every community member and employee raising a girl child. Over 100 saplings were planted under this initiative. In addition, health and wellness workshops for new mothers were also organized, focused on imparting essential knowledge about infant care practices, childhood nutrition, and ensuring the overall well-being of the child.

Highlighting the importance of creating opportunities for girl children to progress, Mr. John Slaven, CEO, Vedanta Aluminium said, “Women are the real architects of society, leading the development of their independent family units and through them, their entire communities. By educating girls, providing them with the best possible healthcare facilities, and empowering them with the right skill sets, we support their journey towards developing into independent women who contribute to building a truly inclusive society. At Vedanta Aluminium, we are not only committed to building strong sustainable industries but also strong societies, backed by strong and empowered women.”

A standout among the company’s slew of community initiatives oriented towards children is its flagship social impact program, Nand Ghar – which are modernized anganwadis that function as vibrant community hubs for holistic women & child development, providing quality healthcare and proper nutrition to children, pregnant women, and lactating mothers.

In line with its vision to empower rural women, Vedanta Aluminium has also recently launched the third phase of Project Panchhi, a unique recruitment initiative, earlier this month in Jharsuguda, Odisha. Conceptualized under the visionary leadership of Vedanta’s Chairman, Mr. Anil Agarwal, the project is focused on meeting the needs of girls from marginalized communities. Through Project Panchhi, the company seeks to extend support to those high- potential girls who are likely to opt out of pursuing further studies and a fulfilling career due to financial constraints. The company is also empowering nearly 10,000 girls through its Nayi Kiran project in Chhattisgarh, focused on enhanced Menstrual Health Management (MHM) practices. Further, it is also unlocking avenues for growth through comprehensive trainings in   grassroots sports, such as archery and karate.

Vedanta Aluminium, a business of Vedanta Limited, is India’s largest producer of aluminium, manufacturing more than half of India’s aluminium i.e., 2.29 million tonnes in FY23. It is a leader in value-added aluminium products that find critical applications in core industries. Vedanta Aluminium ranks 1st in the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment 2023 world rankings for the aluminium industry, a reflection of its sustainable development practices. With its world-class aluminium smelters, alumina refinery and power plants in India, the company fulfils its mission of spurring emerging applications of aluminium as the ‘Metal of the Future’ for a greener tomorrow

Les Roches launches online education platform in India: Bringing world-class hospitality and management training to all hospitality aspirants

Les Roches is thrilled to announce the expansion of its educational horizon by launching an online academy specifically tailored for the Indian market.Through this platform, Les Roches will offer its acclaimed knowledge in hospitality management experience to a broader audience in India. This platform signs a significant step in providing students in India with unparalleled access to world-class education in hospitality management.

 

These dynamic programs, comprising four distinct pathways, offer participants a unique opportunity to acquire specialized skills and knowledge in the fields of hospitality, innovation and more generally in business management. The new Digital Certificate Programs will empower aspiring professionals and industry enthusiasts to excel in their careers, all while enjoying the flexibility of online learning.

 

The four captivating pathways available under the Les Roches Digital Certificate Programs are:

  1. Certified Hospitality Finance Analyst: This pathway is tailored for individuals seeking expertise in hospitality financial management, providing a comprehensive understanding of financial strategies, budgeting, and revenue management.
  2. Sustainability Specialist: In a world increasingly focused on environmental responsibility, this pathway equips participants with the skills and knowledge to implement sustainable practices within the hospitality industry, contributing to a greener future.
  3. Certified Digital Marketer: With the rapid evolution of technology, digital marketing has become integral to business success. This pathway trains participants to master the art of digital marketing, from social media strategies to data analytics.
  4. Certified Maître D: Ideal for those passionate about service excellence, this pathway hones participants’ skills in guest relations, fine dining management, and front-of-house operations, preparing them for top-tier hospitality roles.

 

Each of these pathways is composed of five carefully curated modules (Short Learning Program – SLP), which can be pursued independently or combined to earn the full Digital Certificate. This modular approach allows participants to tailor their learning journey according to their interests and professional goals, ensuring a flexible and personalized experience. Learners choosing either one Short Learning Program (SLP or module) or full Pathway for certification will receive a Les Roches Digital Completion Certificate at the end.

 

Mr. Carlos Diez de la Lastra, CEO of Les Roches, expressed his enthusiasm for the launch, stating, “We are excited to extend our legacy of excellence in hospitality education to aspiring professionals in India through our innovative online Digital Certificate Programs. With our diverse pathways and modular structure, participants can take charge of their learning and embark on a journey towards a successful and rewarding career in the ever-evolving hospitality industry.”

 

The online format of the Digital Certificate Programs enables participants to access high-quality education from anywhere, eliminating geographical barriers and making it convenient for working professionals and students alike. Each module is designed to be engaging and interactive, incorporating multimedia elements, real-world case studies, and collaborative assignments to facilitate effective learning.

OnePlus expands mainline network in India, to operate with 50K retailer stores in 2024

India continues to be an important market for global technology brand OnePlus and the company aims to operate with approximately 50,000 mainline retailer stores in the country in 2024, a top company executive said on Wednesday.

 

OnePlus, which has just launched its flagship 12 series which offers a significant advancement from its predecessor across performance, display innovation, charging capabilities, camera technology, and design aesthetics, will certainly look forward to bringing more positive investments this year, to further benefit its India community, Ranjeet Singh, Director of Sales, OnePlus India, told IANS.

 

“This year, we are excited to bring in renewed focus towards our retail strategy. OnePlus is looking to increase investments across mainline channel by two folds in 2024. And we look forward to expanding our mainline presence by opening 200+ new OnePlus Experience stores across India in 2024,” Singh informed.

 

The OnePlus 12 will arrive in two colour variants — Flowy Emerald and Silky Black. The 12GB+256GB option is priced at Rs 64,999 and the 16GB+512GB option is priced at Rs 69,999 and will be available for purchase starting January 30.

 

Moreover, the company launched the OnePlus 12R in two colours — Cool Blue or Iron Gray. The 8GB+128 GB option is priced at Rs 39,999 and the 16GB+256 GB option is priced at Rs 45,999. The OnePlus 12R will be available for purchase starting February 6.

 

At the core of OnePlus 12 5G is the powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Mobile Platform, supported by the proprietary Trinity Engine, and up to 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM with 512GB UFS 4.0 ROM.

 

“The design, inspired by luxurious timepieces and the beauty of nature that surrounds us, reflects a harmonious blend of technology and aesthetic appeal. The 4th Gen Hasselblad camera system has something for just about everyone; we’ve also enhanced our Pro Mode to create Master Mode for the experimental or for professionals,” Singh told IANS.

 

The company ventured into the foldable segment last year and introduced the OnePlus Open.“We went on to witness an incredible response from our India community. And the OnePlus Open device emerged as the highest selling foldable smartphone device on the first day of sale at Reliance Digital,” according to Singh.

 

Similarly, it also emerged as the highest sold foldable smartphone on Amazon.in on its open sale day in Rs 1 lakh price segment (January 2023-October 27 2023).“We also ventured into a brand-new segment of tablets with our OnePlus Pad and Pad Go, both of which also saw remarkable response from our consumers across India,” Singh told IANS. OnePlus emerged as the top brand in India within the price segment of $400-$600 (mid to high end range), according to the IDC.

 

Additionally, OnePlus 11/11R led the mid to high end price segment ($400-$600) in January-November 2023 period in terms of shipments.“We also emerged as the fastest growing brand among top 10 smartphone brands in Jan-Nov 2023 with YoY growth of over 50 per cent (as per IDC),” Singh noted.

 

With the launch of the OnePlus 12 Series, the company is thrilled to embrace its “Never Settle” mantra once again, redefining flagship technology.“And we are confident that our community is going to love what’s in store for them,” Singh added.In line with its earlier commitment, OnePlus continues to increase market penetration with expansion into tier 2 and 3 markets in 2024.

 

“With our retail expansion, we want to give our wider community base in India a chance to gain first-hand premium experience of our products as well as the OnePlus connected ecosystem,” Singh told IANS.

 

As a brand, OnePlus has always listened to its community and their feedback on its products.“2024 will be no different, as we will continue to keep our community’s interest at the heart of our efforts. We will continue to deliver on our promise to provide high-quality products with superior performance and burdenless technology,” he mentioned. As a user-centric brand, “we will continue to invest in bringing in top-notch, meaningful technology to our consumers in India. And we will continue diversifying our product portfolio to meet the diverse needs of our growing user base,” Singh further said.