Apr 9, 2024 | Uncategorized
Merck, a leading science and technology company, recently announced the appointment of Dhananjay Singh as the Managing Director of Merck Life Science in India, in addition to his current position as Head of Science & Lab Solutions Commercial, India. Effective April 1, 2024, Dhananjay Singh has taken over from Sreenath NS, who is retiring after 36 years of illustrious service with Merck in India.
“As an expert with 26 years with Merck, Dhananjay has been instrumental in shaping the Science and Lab Solutions Commercial business in India and is exemplary in his commitment to advancing scientific progress in partnership with our customers. Dhananjay’s expertise in market dynamics and multi-stakeholder relationship management will further strengthen Merck Life Science’s position in the Indian market. Together with the India country leadership team, I look forward to his continued leadership to spearhead initiatives aimed at shaping India’s narrative towards people-centric performance and progress.” said Pratima Reddy, Country Speaker, Merck India.
In his role as the Managing Director, Dhananjay Singh will be responsible for driving the Life Science strategy in India, ensuring governance and compliance alongside other leaders from Merck’s businesses in India. Dhananjay Singh joined Sigma-Aldrich in 1997. Over the years he took on several leadership roles in Commercial Organisation before his appointment as Head of Science & Lab Solutions Commercial for India, a position he held since 2022.
“Merck Life Science is committed to meeting our customers’ demands through our strategic focus on “India for India and India for the Globe”, aligned with our country strategy, our strong partnerships with valued customers and our dedicated team. I am enthusiastic to drive our collective efforts toward achieving unparalleled success. Together, we will be able to navigate the intricate landscape of the life sciences industry in India, steadfastly supporting government initiatives like “Make in India” to foster growth and innovation,” said Dhananjay Singh, Managing Director of Merck Life Science, India.
Apr 9, 2024 | Uncategorized
V-Guard, India’s leading electricals, electronics, and home appliances major, launches Arizo Wires, a path-breaking innovation in electrical wiring technology. Powered by advanced e-beam technology and boasting zero-halogen low-smoke properties, Arizo Wires heralds a new era in electrical safety and sustainability standards, offering consumers unparalleled peace of mind.
As the Indian Housing Wires & Cables market continues to thrive, projected to reach a staggering 22 – 25,000 Cr (INR) with a growth rate of 9%-10%, the demand for safer and eco-friendly solutions is on the rise. Arizo Wires, with its cutting-edge e-beam processing technique, promises to meet this demand head-on, offering a remarkable 75% increase in current carrying capacity compared to conventional FR PVC wires. This advanced technology enhances both the electrical and physical strength of Arizo Wires, making them suitable for 90 Degree C continuous operation. As a result, Arizo Wires are highly heat-resistant, melt-resistant and fire retardant, and significantly reduce the risk of short circuits and fire hazards, thereby ensuring enhanced safety for homes and businesses.
Furthermore, Arizo wires are crafted from lead-free and non-carcinogenic raw materials, complying with stringent ROHS and REACH standards, and therefore does not emit toxic gases from the insulation during fire accidents. This makes them not only eco-friendly but also a safe choice for consumers.
With 99.97% pure copper for superior conductivity, Arizo Wires adheres to national and international standards, including the prestigious Conformité Européenne certification (CE). Designed for utmost convenience and durability, Arizo Wires possess flexibility for better installation, while its moisture-defying armour ensure long lasting performance regardless of weather conditions. Additionally, Arizo Wires are fortified against termites and rodents, further enhancing their longevity and resilience.
Mr. Ramachandran V, Director & COO, V-Guard Industries Ltd commented at the launch, “We are delighted to introduce Arizo Wires, the next frontier in electrical safety and sustainability. With Arizo, consumers can trust that they are investing in a product that not only prioritizes their safety but also contributes to a cleaner, greener future.”
The launch of V-Guard Arizo Wires took place in a glittering ceremony at Taj Westend Bangalore, alongside two other advanced offerings – SUPERIO+ Eco Safe Wires and ELEGNA MCBs. This further strengthens V-Guard’s electrical portfolio and underscores its commitment to delivering high-quality products while prioritizing safety and sustainability.
Apr 8, 2024 | Uncategorized
Air India Express announced the launch of ‘Bag Track and Protect’ services, in partnership with Blue Ribbon Bag. This service ensures comprehensive and dynamic bag tracking to ensure frictionless travel for the guests checking in their baggage. The service can be pre-booked from the add-ons page on the airline’s award-winning mobile app and website, www.airindiaexpress.com.
The service will help guests track and expedite the return of delayed baggage and provide real-time updates via email and SMS. The service ensures a compensation of ₹19,000 and ₹66,000 (per piece) for domestic and international flights, respectively, if the baggage is not delivered within 96 hours of the flight landing at the destination. The service can be booked for ₹95 on domestic and ₹330 on international flights, respectively.
Talking about the launch of this new service, Dr Ankur Garg, Chief Commercial Officer, Air India Express shared, “We are consistently working on providing our guests with technologically enabled services that enhance comfort and convenience. Complementing our brand proposition ‘Fly As You Are’, we strive to offer not just flights but experiences that resonate with our guests’ needs and preferences, providing transparency and personalisation along the way. By ensuring seamless baggage tracking and protection services, we aim to provide unparalleled comfort and convenience throughout their journey.”
Mr. Siraj Shah, Senior Vice President & Partner at Blue Ribbon Bags, stated “We are excited to enter into this partnership with Air India Express, given their dynamic and ambitious growth strategies. We expect our expertise in baggage tracking and protection services will play a pivotal role in enhancing customer satisfaction and ensuring seamless travel experiences for Air India Express guests.”
Air India Express guests can purchase the service from the add-ons section on the airline’s website and app while booking and while making changes and web checking-in.
Air India Express offers a range of services and curated travel experiences designed to enhance customer service. The airline recently also added Xpress Lite to their range of fares, where travellers without check-in baggage can book tickets for a lower fare. Apart from that, Air India Express offers Gourmair hot meals, AirFlix in-flight experience hub, Xpress Ahead priority services, and more.
Air India Express is rapidly introducing its new and hybrid aircraft in various sectors, which includes business-class configurations that provide wider seats, more legroom, and a host of other benefits. Recently, Air India Express again took pole position as the most punctual airline in India, as per data reported by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for February 2024.
Apr 8, 2024 | Uncategorized
Taking forward the Government of India’s mission of ‘VitiyaSaksharta’ (Financial Literacy) to the next level and promoting understanding of tax laws, accounting, and diverse facets of the financial system, Financial & Tax Literacy Directorate (FTLD) of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI), organized a Finfluencers meet in New Delhi wherein leading financial influencers congregated to deliberate on educating masses on financial knowledge. Over 41 prominent social media influencers joined hands for this noble cause.
Surveys reveal that only 27 per cent of India’s population is financially literate. Additionally, only 16.7 per cent of Indian students have a basic understanding of finance and money management. To reach out to wider audiences and recognize the immense potential of social media in reaching a wider audience, ICAI is leveraging the power of social media to enhance financial literacy across the nation. The collaborative cohort will consist of respected financial influencers whose expertise and reach on social media platforms can significantly contribute to this noble cause. These influential personalities, as esteemed members of the accounting profession possess the knowledge and credibility and will serve as brand ambassadors to effectively communicate complex financial concepts in an accessible manner to the general public.
During the event CA. Ranjeet Kumar Agarwal, President of ICAI, expressed his enthusiasm about this initiative, stating, “As the world’s largest accounting body, ICAI has a social responsibility to educate the common man to make more informed financial decisions. As financial leaders, we must engage, evolve, and work together to educate and empower the citizens of the country and create a sustainable financial ecosystem for the nation. The expertise and reach of our social media influencers will surely make a difference and significantly contribute to this noble cause.”
He further urged members and financial influencers to lend a voice and vision toward leveraging technology for financial inclusion and empowering citizens of the country.
On this occasion CA. Charanjot Singh Nanda, Vice–President of ICAI, said “Embracing our role as financial soldiers ICAI is spearheading a transformative movement leading towards financial awareness in the country. It showcases our disciplined vision and unwavering commitment to financial literacy. We continue to uphold our core values of tax literacy and financial independence to contribute towards the growth of the nation.”
Through this collaborative effort, ICAI aims to reach even more people across various demographics, including students, professionals, entrepreneurs, and the general public. ICAI and the influencers will develop and disseminate educational content, host interactive sessions, and engage with audiences on social media platforms. Their collective efforts will focus on addressing key financial topics, debunking myths, and providing practical insights to help individuals navigate.
Leveraging Technological Advancements, ICAI launches e-Office for Sustainable Operations
Harnessing the power of technology to enhance productivity and streamline operations in order to serve our members and stakeholders better, ICAI on April 5th 2024 launched e-Office under the theme Service with Sustainability. The e-Office platform was inaugurated by CA. Ranjeet Kumar Agarwal, President, ICAI in the presence of CA. Charanjot Singh Nanda, Vice-President, ICAI along with Central Council Members. The e-Office framework developed by the National Informatics Centre (NIC) and deployed by trusted partner RailTel, will not only fast-track internal communication processes but will also ensure transparency and increased efficiency of the officials.
This strategic shift towards digitization underscores ICAI’s commitment to fostering greater accountability and transparency in administrative processes. With the adaptation of e-Office, ICAI aims to go digital with paperless transactions ushering in more efficient, effective work processes. It will further reduce costs incurred in the storage and preservation of physical files and also reduce data loss. It shall also facilitate working from anywhere, anytime, thereby improving work efficiency.
The e-Office will be implemented in a phased manner, starting with integration within ICAI Committees before extending to regional offices, branches, and chapters abroad facilitating the smooth movement of papers and notes across all organizational levels. Its implementation will pave the way for a new era of revolutionizing our internal communication processes to better serve our community and planet.
Apr 8, 2024 | Uncategorized
The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) and PhonePe have entered a two-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). At a signing ceremony held on the morning of Wednesday, April 3rd, STB’s Chief Executive, Melissa Ow, and Ritesh Pai, Chief Executive Officer, International Payments Business for PhonePe , formally signed the MoU. This collaboration builds upon the existing Unified Payments Interface (UPI) linkage between India and Singapore, which allows customers to instantly make cross border transaction between the two countries directly from their existing Indian bank accounts.
As part of the partnership, STB and PhonePe will invest in joint marketing efforts across India and Singapore, to promote the destination’s vibrant offerings and seamless UPI experiences across key tourism hotspots.
This strategic milestone – the first of its kind between a destination and a UPI payments platform – underscores the shared commitment of STB and PhonePe to add value to the overall experience of travellers exploring the vibrant city of Singapore by making it possible for them to use familiar services like UPI payments during their stay. As one of the most vibrant urban destinations in the region, Singapore is well known for its iconic landmarks and rich heritage precincts, each with its own charm. With a host of extraordinary retail, culinary, and adventure hot spots that await every traveller, this move will further unlock seamless exploration of Singapore’s diverse attractions and offerings that has attracted Indian travellers.
Melissa Ow, Chief Executive, Singapore Tourism Board, said: “We are excited to announce our alliance with PhonePe, a leading Fintech player in India. This partnership exemplifies our dedication to enhancing the Singapore visitor experience for discerning, tech-savvy consumers. By seamlessly integrating Singapore’s exceptional offerings into the digital realm, our goal is to streamline payments across the traveller’s experience and promote curated deals, from attractions and retail to dining and nightlife. This initiative reflects STB’s commitment to innovation and customer-centricity in the travel industry.”
Ritesh Pai, Chief Executive Officer, PhonePe, International Business for PhonePe Private Limited, said: “Singapore is a dynamic destination with unique offerings that are well appreciated and celebrated among Indian travellers. Partnering with STB will facilitate ease of transactions for PhonePe users who now can just pay directly from their existing bank account by scanning a QR code when visiting the island-city.”
Apr 8, 2024 | Uncategorized
Air India today announced the appointment of Mr. Jayaraj Shanmugam as Head of Global Airport Operations.
Shanmugam will assume his role on April 15th, 2024, and will report to Chief Operations Officer, Capt. Klaus Goersch.
Shanmugam joins Air India from Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL), where, as Chief Operating Officer, he led the operationalisation of the new Terminal 2. He has had a distinguished career spanning over 25 years in the airline, airport, and telecom industries, with stints at Singapore Airlines, Qatar Airways, and Jet Airways.
Announcing Shanmugam’s appointment, Capt. Goersch said, “Jayaraj has distinctive expertise in driving excellence in customer experience and airport operations, redesigning and improving services. We look forward to significantly enhancing our airport operations with his leadership and achieving many milestones in our Vihaan.AI transformation journey.”
About Air India
Founded by the legendary JRD Tata, Air India pioneered India’s aviation sector. Since its first flight on October 15, 1932, Air India has built an extensive domestic network with non-stop flights to cities around the world, across the USA, Canada, UK, Europe, Far-East, South-East Asia, Australia, and the Gulf. After 69 years as a government-owned enterprise, Air India and Air India Express were welcomed back into the Tata group in January 2022.
Air India is navigating through a major five-year transformation roadmap under the aegis of Vihaan.AI, with an ambition to become a world class airline with an Indian heart. The first phase of this transformation, the taxi phase was recently concluded, and focused on fixing the basics. These included bringing back to service many long grounded aircraft, addition of talent across flying and ground functions, rapid upgradation of technology and strengthening of customer care initiatives amongst others. A member of Star Alliance, the largest global airline consortium of leading international airlines, Air India offers seamless connectivity and facilities to passengers all over the world.
