Get Ready for a Double Dose of Fun as Kanan Gill’s touring in 2024 ft a stand up special and book reading; tickets on Paytm Insider!

Get set to welcome the new year with laughter galore as the popular comedian Kanan Gill embarks on the first leg of his much-awaited India Tour, kicking off this January! Brought to you by the prime destination for top-notch entertainment experiences, Paytm Insider, this tour promises a rollicking good time with 19 shows across 16 cities. Join in for an unforgettable evening of side-splitting laughter and insightful humour as Kanan unveils his newest stand-up special, ‘OK, Bye!’ accompanied by a delightful book reading from his novel ‘Acts of God.’

Picture this – one evening, two incredible events, one of its kind book discussion & reading experience plus a whole lot of jokes, and maybe, just maybe some existential whinging. Grab your tickets exclusively available at Paytm Insider for some laughter therapy with the man who is loved by Indians all around the world.

The first hour of the set is Kanan’s fourth (quite possibly his last) stand-up comedy show ‘OK, Bye’, which will highlight Gill’s extraordinary ability to deliver razor-sharp wit with flawless timing – promising a rollercoaster of hilarious anecdotes that will leave you in splits. Following a breezy 20-minute interval, dive into ‘The Book Experience’ featuring readings, discussions from Kanan’s debut novel “Acts of God”, a casual Q&A, and, of course, some jokes—because why not keep the fun going? And here’s an added bonus: every attendee of ‘The Book Experience’ walks away with a personally signed copy of Kanan’s novel. You can just opt for the stand-up comedy set or go all-in for the complete Kanan Gill experience—the choice is yours! Don’t miss the chance to immerse yourself in an unforgettable night of laughter and literary charm!

Varun Khare, Business Head, Paytm Insider said, “Kanan Gill’s India Tour promises a stellar fusion of laughter and literary charm that will make you remember why you fell in love with his comic timing in the first place. Paytm Insider always prides itself in the associations we build and are thrilled to present Kanan Gill the comedian and the author. This tour, featuring a new standup set along with anecdotes from his book is a testament to the diverse and immersive entertainment we strive to offer.”

Talking about the tour Kanan Gill said, “Thrilled to be touring in a way I haven’t before! Essentially this time I’m doing two different shows in a night. The first hour is my fourth (and maybe last) stand-up comedy special, with silly jokes and stories different from the existential whingeing I normally do. The second hour will be discussing my new Novel, Acts of God. So, in a sense, it’s like a mini-fest with two different performances. People normally do a stand-up tour or a book tour, so I’ve decided to combine both in one! Audiences can book tickets for just the stand-up show, or for both hours (and get a free book too), so whatever you like, no pressure. See you there!”

A YouTuber, actor and stand-up comedian, Kanan is known for his distinctive comedic style and infectious humour, having carved a niche for himself in the comedy and stand-up scene, and becoming a household name. From hosting the hilarious Pretentious Movie Reviews on YouTube to his successful stand-up specials like “Keep It Real” on Amazon Prime Video and “Yours Sincerely” on Netflix, Gill continues to be one of India’s most beloved comedians, with over a thousand shows worldwide and earning a reputation for delivering laughter-packed experiences like no other. So why wait? Snag your tickets and head out with some friends for an evening full of laughs with the one and only Kanan Gill!

India Tour 2024 schedule:

Jan 12 – Kozhikode

Jan 13 – Kochi

Jan 14 – Trivandrum

Jan 19 – Bangalore

Jan 28 – Chennai

Feb 9 – Ahmedabad

Feb 10 – Vadodara

Feb 11 – Surat

Feb 16 – Gurugram

Feb 17 – Delhi NCR

Feb 18 – Delhi

Feb 23 – Bhubaneswar

Feb 24 – Kolkata

Feb 25 – Guwahati

Mar 1 & 2 – Mumbai

Mar 8 – Navi Mumbai

Mar 9 – Vizag

Mar 10 – Hyderabad

Secures a Landmark $41 Million in Series A Funding led by Lightspeed

Sarvam AI, an Indian startup in Generative AI founded by Vivek Raghavan and Pratyush Kumar, has announced that it is raising $41 million in Series A round. This funding, led by Lightspeed and supported by Peak XV Partners and Khosla Ventures, represents the largest raise at this stage for an Indian AI startup.

 

Sarvam AI’s ambitious plan is to develop the “full-stack” for Generative AI ranging from research-led innovations in training custom AI models to an enterprise-grade platform for authoring and deployment. The company believes that this full-stack approach will accelerate adoption of GenAI in India, especially given that enterprises see the potential of GenAI but are grappling with how to leverage it for their business.

 

Sarvam AI will focus on India’s unique needs. This includes training AI models to support the diverse set of Indian languages and voice-first interfaces. The company will also work with Indian enterprises to co-build domain-specific AI models on their data. Finally, the company aims to create population-scale impact layering GenAI on top of the highly successful India stack specifically for public-good applications.

 

Hemant Mohapatra, Partner, Lightspeed, reflecting on their global experience in funding leading GenAI ventures, remarked, “Having backed some of the most influential names in GenAI globally, we are excited by Sarvam AI’s unique approach in combining model innovation and application development to build population-scale solutions for India. Lightspeed will be close partners and contribute with our deep capital stack and learnings from our global platform.”

 

Co-founder of Sarvam AI, Vivek Raghavan, reflecting on his decade long experience in building digital public infrastructure including Aadhaar stated, “I have seen first hand the enormous value in innovating at foundational layers and deploying at population scale. India has demonstrated that it can harness technology differently, and with GenAI we have an opportunity to reimagine how this technology can add value to people’s lives.”

 

Domiciled in India, Sarvam AI hopes to contribute to India’s strategic goals in this space. Vinod Khosla, a pioneer in Silicon Valley AI investments, including his early support for OpenAI, commented, “We see several countries having sovereign efforts to build GenAI models given its strategic importance. We need companies like Sarvam AI to develop deep expertise for building AI in and for India.”

Co-founder of Sarvam AI, Pratyush Kumar, drawing on his research expertise in academia and

 

corporate research, said, “Our aim is to establish Sarvam AI as a beacon for AI innovation, attracting the brightest minds to tackle foundational research challenges right here in India.” As a founder of the research initiative on open-source Indian language AI called AI4Bharat, Kumar has a track-record of building state-of-the-art AI models for Indian languages which are deployed for various public-good and commercial applications. Kumar also noted, “The race towards ever more powerful AI is both an exciting and divisive one. We named our company Sarvam, which in Sanskrit means ‘all’, as we are intentionally invested in technical and ecosystem innovations that make this technology accessible to all.”

 

Led by its successful founders, Sarvam AI is putting together a high-quality team. Commenting on the people at Sarvam AI, Harshjit Sethi, Managing Director, Peak XV, said, “The Sarvam AI team led by Vivek and Pratyush is among the highest calibre AI teams we have seen emerge from India. Vivek’s expertise in building large scale systems with Pratyush’s domain expertise in AI makes them uniquely positioned to build population scale AI applications. Large scale adoption of AI in India will require not only building uniquely Indian use cases but also delivering them at prices that everyone can afford and we believe the Sarvam team is best positioned to accomplish this.”

 

Anupam Rasayan India Forays in Japan with Wholly Owned Subsidiary “Anupam Japan GK”

Anupam Rasayan India Limited, one of the leading companies engaged in the custom synthesis and manufacturing of specialty chemicals, has announced a significant stride in its global footprint with the registration of a wholly-owned subsidiary in Tokyo, Japan. The new entity, “Anupam Japan GK,” solidifies the company’s commitment to expanding its operations internationally, especially in Japan which is one of its target markets.

From its humble beginnings in Japan, Anupam has experienced remarkable growth in the country, contributing approximately ~15% of its total revenue within just 3 to 4 years. This aligns with Anupam’s commitment to nurturing long-term relationships in Japan. Anupam Japan GK, mirrors the core expertise of Anupam Rasayan India Limited. It will trade various chemicals, including those for pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, petrochemicals, personal care, polymers and batteries perfectly complementing Anupam Rasayan India’s main business line for synergistic market expansion.

“Our further expansion into the Japanese market is a testament to our commitment to global excellence. Japan holds immense strategic importance, and with Anupam Japan GK, we aim to not only contribute significantly to the Japanese chemical industry but also foster enduring partnerships. This marks a significant milestone in our journey, and we are poised for robust growth and collaboration on the global stage.” CEO of Anupam Rasayan India Limited, Gopal Agrawal expressed.

The Japan entity is yet to commence its business operations under the registered name, reflecting a strategic move to tap into the vibrant Japanese market.

Empowering Health Coverage: ICICI Lombard’s MaxProtect Sets New Benchmarks for Affordability and Extensive Coverage

ICICI Lombard, India’s leading private non-life insurance company, launched its newest addition to the bouquet of customer-centric products, MaxProtect. A product specifically curated keeping in mind the ever-evolving lifestyle of our customers, MaxProtect is positioned to offer high-value coverage at an extremely affordable price, providing an inflation-adjusted solution to meet the healthcare needs of individuals and families.

MaxProtect provides a choice between two customer-focused insurance plans, MaxProtect Classic plan offers comprehensive coverage and ensures that you have ample financial protection for various scenarios. It provides coverage for various medical services, including advanced treatments, donor expenses, hospital stays (excluding suites), unlimited sum insured reset benefit, domiciliary hospitalization, and unlimited teleconsultation.  On the other hand, the MaxProtect Premium plan stands out with its rich set of features, including global coverage, access to air ambulance services, and a distinctive claim protector feature. MaxProtect goes beyond standard coverage to provide a comprehensive and advanced level of protection. Coverage ranges from 1 Crore to an impressive 10 Crores, with an unlimited option available. Annual premiums start at just Rs. 9,367 for 1 Crore under floater policy for 2 adults, equivalent to approximately Rs. 26 per day, making it accessible to a broad range of customers. Notably, MaxProtect preserves the accrued no-claim bonus, which remains with the customer even in case of future claims, ensuring ongoing peace of mind throughout the insurance term.

Shaped by extensive consumer insights garnered through Consumer Research conducted by ICICI Lombard, MaxProtect seamlessly adapts to changing health insurance preferences. Fueled by surging medical costs, early-onset lifestyle ailments, and individual experiences, customers demand amplified coverage. Formerly content with 10-20 lakh amounted  policies, they now seek 50 lakh or more. Indian health insurance buyers prioritize value, anchoring choices in meticulous price-benefit analysis.

In this context, Indian health insurance buyers now prioritize value-focused decisions, making thorough cost-benefit assessment a central part of their choices. Keeping that in mind, MaxProtect provides a comprehensive coverage with its extensive network of affiliated hospitals. Here, ICICI Lombard’s pioneering Anywhere Cashless feature truly shines as an exceptional addition. Policyholders can seamlessly access cashless hospitalization at any medical facility across India. They can raise the request via the IL Take Care app 24 hours prior to hospitalization, and enjoy benefits of the same.

Mr. Girish Nayak, Chief – Technology, Health UW & Claims, ICICI Lombard, said, “We have always been at the forefront of providing our customers with simple and technologically enabled risk solutions to their specific needs. MaxProtect embodies our dedication to providing holistic health insurance solutions that effortlessly align with the ever-changing requirements of our customers. With its health coverage ranging from ₹ 1 crore to ₹ 10 crore at budget-friendly premiums from as low as ₹ 26/day and ground-breaking innovations such as Anywhere Cashless, MaxProtect envelops you in a unique cocoon of reassurance, ensuring unwavering support in times of medical need.”

 

ICICI Lombard is a company that places customer-centricity at the heart of its operations and this enables the company to drive innovation in order to provide suitable insurance solutions to its customers. ICICI Lombard offers a variety of insurance solutions bundled with technology. In the past, the company has launched several innovative products that have revolutionized the insurance industry in India. For instance, the company introduced the Health Advisor feature, which is an AI-powered chatbot that provides personalized health advice to customers. The company has also launched a Motor OD policy that uses telematics technology to track driving behaviour and reward safe driving habits. ICICI Lombard’s focus on customer-centricity is evident in its 24×7 customer support, easy-to-use mobile app, and simplified claims process.

Vivanta New Delhi Dwarka Welcomes Rahul Joshi as General Manager

Vivanta New Delhi Dwarka is delighted to announce the appointment of Rahul Joshi as its new General Manager and Cluster General Manager-Ginger Hotels NCR. With an illustrious career spanning more than two decades in the ever-evolving landscape of the hospitality industry, Mr. Joshi brings a wealth of experience and a profound depth of knowledge to his pivotal leadership role.

 

Rahul Joshi brings exceptional leadership skills and in-depth market knowledge that are poised to further enhance the guest experience at this property. His visionary and inspiring leadership style ensures a promising future for Vivanta New Delhi Dwarka and Ginger Hotels NCR, which is revolutionising the niche of accessible luxury.

 

In his most recent stint as the General Manager at Taj Hotel & Convention Centre, Agra, Mr. Joshi skilfully navigated an intense market scenario and his operational finesse played a pivotal role in steering the property through the challenging pandemic landscape. Prior to that, he has also contributed his expertise to Radisson Blu in Indore and Agra, Hilton in Jaipur, Holiday Inn in Pune, Country Inn and Suites by Carlson, Cidade de Goa, and The Park Turon in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

 

Speaking on his new role as the new General Manager at Vivanta New Delhi Dwarka and Cluster General Manager-Ginger Hotels NCR, Mr. Rahul Joshi said, “I am truly honoured to join the team at Vivanta New Delhi Dwarka. This property holds immense potential for creating memorable experiences. With its exceptional blend of elegance and efficiency, Vivanta New Delhi Dwarka and Ginger Hotels NCR  is a prime destination for business travellers. I look forward to the opportunities and challenges this dynamic and luxurious environment offers as we continue to redefine hospitality excellence.”

 

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Mr. Joshi is an enthusiastic traveller and a dedicated hobby photographer, bringing not only his professional excellence but also a holistic approach to the field of hospitality.

LTIMindtree Ranks Second in Overall Customer Satisfaction in Whitelane Research’s 2023 IT Sourcing Study for Germany

LTIMindtree [NSE: LTIM, BSE: 540005], a global technology consulting and digital solutions company, today announced that it has been ranked second in customer satisfaction in the 2023 IT Sourcing Study for Germany, by Whitelane Research, a leading independent organization uniquely focused on IT sourcing studies on trends and satisfaction across Europe. LTIMindtree’s overall customer satisfaction score of 80% is well above the industry average of 74%.

 

All LTIMindtree customers surveyed for the study affirmed that they were satisfied with the company. Specifically, LTIMindtree ranked first on service delivery quality and second on transformative innovation. LTIMindtree was also one of the only two companies with 5% or more above average score across all the four KPIs namely, transformative innovation, account management, service delivery and price level.

 

Sudhir Chaturvedi, President and Executive Board Member, LTIMindtree, said, “We are thankful to our valued customers for their continued trust and partnership with us. This recognition reinforces our commitment to enabling our clients derive greater value while delivering business excellence in the region. As enterprises in Germany continue to enhance their client centricity, sustainability, and efficiency – we remain firmly focused on helping our customers stay competitive and agile.”

 

The study, comprising more than 245 participants from the top IT spending organizations in the Germany region, has evaluated over 700 unique IT sourcing relationships and 800 cloud sourcing relationships. 28 IT service providers and 12 cloud providers have been assessed and ranked based on the opinion of their clients.

 

Alex van den Bergh, Head of Research Europe at Whitelane Research, said, “With over 85% of its clients being satisfied or very satisfied and none of its clients being unsatisfied, LTIMindtree is truly an exceptional performer in Germany based on our independent, representative research on IT Services in the region.”

 

Survey Methodology:

Whitelane interviews sourcing executives (CIOs/CFOs or their direct reports) about their plans and their opinions on service providers. The studies are conducted across Europe and provide a comprehensive overview of the IT provider landscape in each country. The survey shows the main IT sourcing trends, evaluates and ranks the leading IT and cloud providers based on key performance indicators and by segment, and analyses trends in outsourcing and governance.

The 2023 Germany IT Sourcing Study covers more than 700 unique IT sourcing relationships held by over 245 participants of the top IT spending organisations in Germany.