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Category: Awards & Recognition

  • Discover the Enhanced Safety of Maruti Suzuki: Electronic Stability Program+ Now Standard in Alto K10 and S-Presso

    Maruti Suzuki passenger vehicle portfolio* now available with Electronic Stability Program+ (ESP) as a standard safety feature

    NEW DELHI: In its commitment towards passenger safety, Maruti Suzuki India Limited (MSIL), today, announced that the Electronic Stability Program+ (ESP) will now be available across its entire passenger vehicle product portfolio*. The Alto K10 and S-Presso are the latest models to be equipped with ESP, making this crucial safety technology a standard feature across all Maruti Suzuki cars. Notably, the Company has added ESP on these models without a price increment, underscoring its attention to addressing the evolving needs of customers.

    Equipping all its cars with ESP reflects Maruti Suzuki’s endeavor to democratize advanced features, delivering an exceptional value proposition to customers alongside a safer, more confident driving experience.

    Commenting on this, Partho Banerjee, Senior Executive Officer, Marketing & Sales, Maruti Suzuki India Limited, said, “The addition of Electronic Stability Program+ as a standard feature on Maruti Suzuki product portfolio* aligns with our endeavor to democratize advanced features and it significantly increases the value proposition of our vehicles. This is a step towards ensuring that our customers enjoy enhanced safety through improved driving confidence regardless of the model they choose. At Maruti Suzuki, we believe that advanced technology should be accessible to all, and this reinforces our commitment to delivering high-quality vehicles that cater to the diverse needs of Indian consumers.”

    In addition to ESP, the standard safety suite on the Maruti Suzuki portfolio includes dual front airbags, ABS with EBD, reverse parking sensors, engine immobilizer, HEARTECT Platform, collapsible steering column, etc.

    How does Electronic Stability Program+ work: The Electronic Stability Program+ system counteracts a vehicle’s skidding movements, ensuring it remains in line with its natural path of motion. The ESP system, integrating the Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Traction Control System (TCS), and Stability Control (SC), utilizes a range of sensors to measure the vehicle’s movement. This data is then processed by an electronic control unit to calculate and adjust the vehicle’s trajectory, enhancing stability and control.

  • Lexicon Kids and Viman Nagar Community Unite to Donate Books to PMC Schools and Orphanages

    PUNE: In a heartwarming display of community spirit and commitment to education, Lexicon Kids Viman Nagar, in collaboration with the Viman Nagar Resident Association, concluded a successful Book Donation Drive aimed at making the joy of reading accessible to underprivileged children. The drive, held on August 10th, 12th, and 13th, collected a vast array of storybooks and novels in Hindi, Marathi, and English, suitable for students from Nursery to Class 10th. These books will be donated to Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) schools and orphanages in the surrounding areas.

    The initiative received an overwhelming response, with parents, students, and residents coming together to contribute books in large numbers. The diverse collection of books, ranging from classic literature to contemporary stories, reflects the community’s dedication to fostering a love for reading among children who may not have easy access to such resources.

    The Book Donation Drive was more than a collection of books; it was a movement to bridge the educational gap for children in need. By providing access to quality reading material, this initiative aims to inspire young minds and open up new avenues for learning and imagination.

    Deepti Sharma, Director, of The Lexicon Group, emphasized the significance of the drive, stating, “We believe that education is a fundamental right, and through this initiative, we wanted to ensure that all children have the opportunity to experience the magic of books. This drive is a testament to the power of community when it comes together for a noble cause. We are proud to be a part of this initiative and are confident that the books donated will have a lasting impact on the lives of the children who receive them.”

    For the community and Lexicon Kids Viman Nagar, the Book Donation Drive was a valuable learning experience. Through their participation, they learned about the importance of humility, generosity, and the profound impact that even small acts of kindness can have on others. The initiative also highlighted the value of sharing and empathy, core principles that will guide these young students as they grow into responsible and compassionate individuals.

    The success of the Book Donation Drive would not have been possible without the collective efforts of the Viman Nagar community. Lexicon Kids Viman Nagar and the Viman Nagar Resident Association extend their deepest gratitude to all the parents, residents, and students who contributed to this noble cause. Your generosity has provided much-needed educational resources to underprivileged children but has also fostered a sense of community and shared responsibility for the betterment of society.

    These books will light up the lives of young readers, offering them new perspectives and opportunities that will shape their futures.

  • SPJIMR’s Autumn Placements Set New Stipend Records

    SPJIMR’s PGDM and PGDM (BM) 2025 cohort saw diverse sector participation for its final Autumn placement cycle

    MUMBAI: Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan’s S.P. Jain Institute of Management and Research (SPJIMR), concluded its legacy Autumn placement cycle for the combined Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM) and Post Graduate Diploma in Management (Business Management (PGDM (BM)) 2025 cohort, comprising 341 students, who secured autumn internships with leading companies, with an average stipend of ₹3,15,000. 

    The batch received a remarkable 390 offers from 75 companies. The FMCG sector dominated placements, with 35% percent of participants placed in this sector, followed by consulting companies, which absorbed 21% of the batch. The median compensation for the batch reached a record high of ₹3,10,000, marking a 3.5% increase from the previous year. The top 50% of the batch secured an average offer of ₹4,17,000.

    Recruiters from diverse sectors offered projects in Corporate Strategy, Investment Banking, Private Equity, Product Management, Analytics, E-Commerce, General Management, Corporate Finance, Corporate IT, Healthcare, Sales & Marketing, Branding, Operations, and Supply Chain roles.

    “We are immensely proud of our students and grateful to our industry partners for their continued support. I encourage our students to make the most of their internships, leveraging this invaluable experience to grow both professionally and personally,” said Prof. Varun Nagaraj, Dean, SPJIMR.

    The two-year full-time PGDM program provides a unique aspect in the form of Autumn internships. These internships enable students to undertake corporate projects during their second year of studies. Before this, they complete a term in their chosen specializations and a social internship during the first year.

    “With an increased batch size, the support of our industry partners demonstrated SPJIMR’s strong and steadfast relationships with them. It also served as a testament to the significant contributions of SPJIMR graduates in developing the leadership pipeline within organizations,” said Prof. Renuka Kamath, Associate Dean, of Full-time Programmes, SPJIMR.

    The number of Investment Banking/Private Equity and Product Management offers reached record highs, with increases of over 110% and 400% respectively, compared to the previous year. Prominent recruiters in these sectors include DC Advisory, Nomura, JM Financials, Edelweiss Alternatives, American Express, Intuit, Tata Digital, and Samsung Research.

    Prof. Ashita Aggarwal, PGDM and PGDM (BM) Chairperson said, “It was heartening to witness our students’ performance during the Autumn recruitment process as they secured opportunities aligned with their skills and aspirations. The success of the internship program is a testament to the strength of our curriculum and the school’s commitment to excellence.”

    This year, 22 first-time recruiters participated in the internship cycle. New additions to SPJIMR’s portfolio included the National Infrastructure Investment Fund (NIIF), Info Edge, Motilal Oswal, HSBC, Kenvue, Lupin, Lenskart, Titan, Angel One Wealth, Henkel, and Aequitas Investments.

    This marked the final Autumn Internship Cycle as SPJIMR transitioned to the Summer Internship Cycle for the PGDM and PGDM (BM) batch of 2024-2026, scheduled for September 2024.

    Placement Highlights

    Investment Banking/Private Equity and Product Management roles saw record increases in offers, rising by over 110% and 400 % respectively.

    The top 20% of the batch received an average stipend offer of ₹4,52,000.

    The top 50% of the batch received an average stipend offer of ₹4,17,000.

    35% of the participants were placed with companies in the FMCG industry.

  • Wealthtech Innovator InvestorAi Raises Rs 80 Crore in Series A Round Led by Ashish Kacholia

    InvestorAiis an AI-powered equity investment platform that uses advanced AI to power stock recommendations for investors

    Its flagship product, InvestorAi Equity Baskets, has a track record of outperforming the index significantly, for all 3 years since its inception

    InvestorAi products are available to investors via top broking firms like HDFC Sec, Geojit, PL, JMFS, Yes Sec, and Axis Sec, among others

    Funds raised will be used for developing new AI products and scaling up its sales and operations for the huge market opportunity in India

    BENGALURU: AI-powered equity investment platform InvestorAi has announced that it has raised Rs 80 crores in a Series A round from well known investor Ashish Kacholia, Founder, Lucky Investment Managers and his associates. Funds raised will be used for scaling the business and adding new products. Positron, a Mumbai based Consulting and Capital Advisory firm, was the exclusive advisor to the transaction.

    Founded in 2018, InvestorAi has a singular, outcome focused mission – to use AI technology to produce winning investment outcomes for GenZ, Millennials and other digital investors. Its products use cutting edge AI models and robotics to create stock recommendations for the Indian market. These recommendations are then packaged into easy to use investment solutions that combine recommendation and delivery into a one-click user experience. Company’s proprietary AI techniques and models use sophisticated methods such as computer vision to convert complex financial data into images (exponentially increasing prediction accuracy) and genetic algorithms as well as other techniques to create investment-ready equity baskets (model portfolios).

    InvestorAi has over 15 equity baskets with different strategies and some of them are now in their 3rd year, with compelling returns. All baskets have significantly beaten the index in last 12 months as well as since inception.

    Commenting on the fundraise, Akshaya Bhargava, Chairman and Co-Founder, InvestorAi said “Sophisticated AI has long been the exclusive preserve of big hedge funds like Renaissance and Citadel. We set up InvestorAi with the vision of bringing this advanced AI technology to retail investors and we pride ourselves in our 3 year track record of delivering strong investment returns that have consistently beaten the index by a big margin. India is an incredible market with its unique digital infrastructure, leading exchange capabilities, digital friendly investor base and a scorching rate of growth in retail investor accounts.”

    We are convinced that India can lead the way and be a showcase for the world on how to use AI technology to create DIY wealth solutions that are simultaneously convenient, engaging, accessible to all and create good investment outcomes. We are delighted to have such an incredibly experienced market expert like Ashish Kacholia as an investor and are grateful for his confidence in our vision, our model and our team, he adds.

    Adding to this, Bruce Keith, Co-founder and CEO, InvestorAi, said, “India’s retail investor base is currently around 150 million and growing at 3 million a month. The Indian stock market is expected to reach $10 trillion by 2030 from the current $4.8 trillion market cap. However, only 7% of households’ income is invested in direct equities. This presents a large untapped market opportunity which can be leveraged by use of AI-led equity financing guidance. Our platform, InvestorAi, is the only platform in the Indian market that is multi-product, multi-broker and multi-manager and which also generates its own market-beating content. The AI models that power our platform have been trained using 14 years of stock market data and have delivered market beating returns consistently since 2022. Moreover, our AI models are integrated with a next generation delivery engine called InvestorAi YouTrade, which provides a one-click experience integrated within the broker’s own mobile or on-line platform.”

    Ashish Kacholia, Founder, Lucky Investment Managers, says, “We have been long term investors in the Indian capital markets and have seen the wealth creation opportunities that it has to offer. InvestorAi’s platforms and the InvestorAi suite of products innovatively leverage technology and are directly aimed at helping the new generation of investors in starting their wealth creation journey in one of the fastest and best performing markets in the world. We believe that InvestorAi’s domain expertise in investments, products, innovative technology and a very experienced team really makes InvestorAi one of the true outliers in the wealthtech segment.”

    InvestorAi products are currently available through some of the most reputed names in the broking industry that include HDFC Securities, Geojit, PL, JM Financial Services, Yes Securities, IIFL Securities, 5Paisa and Axis Securities.

    InvestorAi partners and products:

    PartnerEquity BasketsHDFC SecuritiesEquity Select, TejasGeojitOptimus, IntellectPL CapitalAlpha Insights, Sector Navigator, Equity Rocket, Hidden GemsJM Financial ServicesMomentum Movers, Sector Specials, Hidden WarriorsYes SecuritiesTrailblazers, Hidden Gems, Sector NavigatorAxis SecuritiesEquity Allstars, Sector Rockstar, Intradaily – long and short5 PaisaSector Navigator, Trailblazers, Hidden GemsIIFL SecuritiesEquity Rocket, Hidden Gems, Sector Navigator

  • Celebrate Unity and Heritage: Highlights from the ‘Indians in Sydney’ Gala Event

    SYDNEY: The ‘Indians in Sydney’ Gala Event, held on August 18th, 2024, at the iconic Doltone House West Sydney, was a night to remember, bringing together a spectacular assembly of dignitaries, business leaders, and community members to celebrate India’s 78th Independence Day. The event, which has now set a new benchmark for community gatherings, was a glowing testament to the spirit of unity and cultural pride that defines the Indian diaspora in Australia.

    A Star-Studded Evening of Unity and Celebration

    The gala was graced by an impressive presence of VIPs, including Hon Consular General of India Dr. S Janakiraman, NSW Treasurer Hon Daniel Mookhey, Minister for Multiculturalism Hon Steve Kamper, Dr. Andrew Charlton MP Special Envoy for Cyber Security and Digital Resilience, Senator Maria Kovacic ( Representing Hon Peter Dutton) Mr. Mark Coure MP Shadow minister for Multiculturalism, Mr. Warren Kirby MP, Mr. Nathan Hagarty MP, Ms. Charishma Kaliyanda, Ms. Donna Davis, MP, Senator Dave Sharma, Ms. Kellie Sloane MP, Ms. Melissa Monteria – CEO CMRC, Mr. Pawan Luthra, Mrs. Rajni Luthra, Mr. Simon Taufel, Mr. Gurman Singh and Mayors / Councillors including Mr. Sameer Pandey, Ms. Usha Dummaraju, Cr Pascale Esber, Mr. Suman Saha.  We also received beautiful video messages from Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Jihad Dib, Deputy Premier of NSW Hon Prue Car, Ms Dai Le MP, Minister Hon Jason Clare – Minister of Education, Mr. Alister Hensken MP, Mr. Joseph La Posta – CEO Multicultural NSW among others. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also honored the occasion with a heartfelt message, underscoring the significance of the Indian community in Australia’s multicultural fabric.

    Their presence, alongside prominent business leaders and community influencers, not only elevated the event’s prestige but also highlighted the vital role that the Indian community plays in enriching the cultural and economic landscape of New South Wales. Their words of encouragement and support were met with enthusiastic applause, setting the tone for an evening filled with pride and celebration.

    A Showcase of Cultural Heritage

    The evening featured an extraordinary array of performances that captured the essence of Indian culture, from classical dance and music to contemporary performances. Each act was a vivid reminder of the rich cultural heritage that the Indian community brings to Australia, celebrating the diversity that makes both nations stronger. Guests were also treated to an exquisite culinary experience, with a menu that celebrated the diverse flavors of India by Delhi o Delhi, taking them on a gastronomic journey that spanned the length and breadth of the country.

    A Milestone for ‘Indians in Sydney’

    The success of this gala event marks a significant milestone for ‘Indians in Sydney’, the largest Facebook group of its kind with over 134,000 members and a Facebook reach of over 4 million. Founded by Nadeem Ahmed, ‘Indians in Sydney’ has become a vibrant and supportive community platform that fosters connections, shares valuable information, and promotes inclusivity.

    Nadeem Ahmed, a visionary leader, and community advocate, expressed his heartfelt gratitude to all who attended and supported the event. “This event was not just a celebration of India’s independence but a celebration of our shared values, our unity, and our commitment to making a positive impact in Australia. We are truly blessed to have such overwhelming support from our leaders, our community, and our supporting partners“

    Looking Forward

    The success of this event is just the beginning. ‘Indians in Sydney’ is already planning next year’s gala, promising an even grander celebration. The group remains dedicated to bridging cultural gaps, promoting harmony, and contributing positively to the broader Australian society.

  • Celebrating Swapnil Kusale: The Bronze Medal Shooter Making Waves at the Paris Olympics


    Swapnil Kusale

    PUNE: Swapnil Kusale, the shooter decorated with a bronze medal at the recently held Paris Olympics, was honored at his residential society -VJ Yashwin for his exemplary achievement. The felicitation ceremony took place at VJ Yashwin Society on Sus Road, Pune, where Raghuvendra Deshpande, President of Yashwin Society,  Vilas Javdekar, and other distinguished guests including Swapnil’s family members were present. Swapnil was honored with a statuette of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, a Puneri Pagadi, and the auspicious ritual of offering a shawl and a coconut.Expressing his joy about the honor, Swapnil said, “Members of this society are as dear to me as my own family. After my home in Kolhapur, this society is my second home; hence, the recognition holds a special place in my heart.”

    Speaking about his training, Swapnil said, “I have been training with Maharashtra’s Sports Academy since 2008. When in Pune, I practice shooting at Shri Chhatrapati Shivaji Sports Complex at Balewadi“

    Adding further he said, “To achieve success in any sport, one must stay away from social media and negativity of any kind.  Mental health is crucial and now I aim to win the gold medal at the next Olympics.”

    Recalling his first visit to Pune after winning the medal, Swapnil mentioned that his neighbors had beautifully decorated his home to welcome him. He said he now looked forward to returning to Kolhapur, where he planned on taking a two-month break from shooting before starting preparations for the next Olympics.Thousands of citizens gathered to congratulate and celebrate Swapnil. Swapnil’s performance at the Olympics has inspired many young people across the country.

    Raghuvendra Deshpande expressed pride in having Swapnil as a resident and noted that the children in the society were now dreaming of winning medals in cycling and swimming, inspired by Swapnil’s achievements.

    Vilas Javdekar congratulated Swapnil and expressed the hope that he would bring home a gold medal in the future while advising him not to feel burdened by this expectation.

  • Don’t Miss the ITC Mini Sangeet Sammelan This August 24th and 25th!

    Veteran Kathak guru Prabha Marathe to be honored with Lifetime Achievement Award

    Music enthusiasts can enjoy the performances by Pt. Ulhas Kashalkar and Pt. Uday Bhawalkar

    PUNE: The Mitra Foundation of Pune, in collaboration with the ITC Sangeet Research Academy of Kolkata, is organizing a two-day ITC Mini Sangeet Sammelan on 24th and 25th August at the Shakuntala Shetty Auditorium, Dr. Kalmadi Shamarao High School, Erandwane, 5:30 pm onwards. The program is free for all on a first come first served basis with a few seats reserved for invitees.

    Sharing the details of the program, Dhananjay Gokhale, Founder and President of the Mitra Foundation said, “On the first day of the Sammelan, young vocalist Sangborti Das will perform Khayal gayaki followed by a Dhrupad performance by Pt. Uday Bhawalkar. The second day will commence with a musical recital by young flutist Parmananda Roy while the sammelan will conclude with an enthralling performance by veteran vocalist Pt. Ulhas Kashalkar.”

    On the Sammelan’s first day, Prabha Marathe, a distinguished Kathak Guru, will be honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Mitra Foundation for her spectacular contributions to Indian Classical music. The award includes a cash prize of Rs. 25,000/-.

    The sammelan will also feature accompanying artists such as Pt. Yogesh Samsi, Milind Kulkarni, Ameya Bichu, Swapnil Bhise, Pratap Awad, and Rohit Deo.

  • How the Tamil Nadu Startup and Innovation Mission is Transforming the Entrepreneurial Landscape


    Tamil Nadu Global Startup Summit 2025

    CHENNAI: The Hon’ble Minister for MSME, Thiru T.M. Anbarasan, convened a meeting with officials from StartupTN to review the initial planning activities for the upcoming Tamil Nadu Global Startup Summit 2025, organized by StartupTN. The review meeting was held at the StartupTN Chennai Office in Nandanam, Chennai, on Monday.

    The MSME Secretary, Tmt. Archana Patnaik I.A.S., and StartupTN’s Mission Director and CEO, Thiru Sivarajah Ramanathan, were present at the meeting. StartupTN officials presented an overview of the ongoing activities and outlined the plans.

    StartupTN will conduct the Tamil Nadu Global Startup Summit in Chennai. This flagship event is organized to position Tamil Nadu’s startup ecosystem on the global stage by promoting the growth of both emerging and established startups. More than just an event, it will serve as a hub for the exchange of ideas, innovation, and inspiration.

    The objective of the event is to showcase Tamil Nadu’s vibrant startup ecosystem on an international platform, facilitate connections between startups and global stakeholders to attract investments and foster collaborations, thereby easing Tamil Nadu startups’ entry into international markets, and showcase Tamil Nadu’s brands and innovations on a global stage.

  • J.D. Birla Institute NSS Volunteers Spread Joy: Celebrating Rakhi with Underprivileged Children

    KOLKATA: In a heartwarming initiative, NSS Volunteers from JD Birla Institute celebrated Rakhi with underprivileged children across Kolkata, spreading joy and love during this festive season.

    The Management Department volunteers visited The Refuge, an NGO dedicated to orphaned children, where they tied rakhis to their little brothers, fostering a sense of family and belonging.

    Simultaneously, volunteers from the Commerce Department spent the day at Future Hope, NGO children from strata and slums, by celebrating Rakhi with the children, bringing smiles to their faces.

    In another heartfelt gesture, NSS Volunteers from the Science Departments of JD Birla Institute celebrated Rakhi by tying rakhis to children at the Calcutta Social Project, an NGO dedicated to the welfare of street and slum children, fostering a sense of community and care among the city’s most vulnerable.

    This celebration was a key part of JDBI’s broader mission to involve students in impactful social work, leaving a lasting impression on children from slums, refugee camps, and underserved areas of Kolkata. The Rakhi festivities went beyond tradition, serving as a heartfelt expression of care, compassion, and community connection.

  • Young Adventurer: How 16-Year-Old Preetham Goli Conquered Mount Kilimanjaro with Satyarup Siddhanta

    First NCC Cadet to climb the summit and unfurl the flag at the Summit

    Preetham consecutively did Everest base camp in May and Kilimanjaro in July 2024

    HYDERABAD: Preetham Goli, a 16-year-old student of Delhi Public School, has made history as one of the youngest climbers from his city to successfully summit Mount Kilimanjaro. The ambitious young climber reached the summit on July 17th, 2024, after an 8-day expedition that tested his physical endurance and mental resilience.

    Preetham, who is currently in the 12th grade, embarked on his journey on July 12th with a group of four climbers, guided by the experienced mountaineer Satyarup Siddhanta. The group faced numerous challenges during the ascent, but Preetham’s determination and perseverance saw him through to the top.

    “One of the main reasons I wanted to summit Kilimanjaro was that after finishing Everest Base Camp, I was not satisfied. I wanted to do more, climb more, achieve more,” Preetham shared. “While climbing Kilimanjaro, sometimes I felt lonely, but I learned to enjoy it. Being away from everyone and everything made me realize how simple our life was. Sometimes I felt peace, that I had never felt before.”

    The summit day was particularly grueling, starting at 3 AM in freezing conditions. “The summit trail was very hard due to the steep ascent and slippery ground made of fine gravel or sand. Right before reaching the summit, I started having a really bad headache, which I know is common due to the altitude, so I kept pushing on. The feeling when I reached the summit was just magical – all the problems I had while climbing just disappeared.” said Preetham.

    At the summit, Preetham proudly unfurled the Indian national flag, the NCC flag, and his school flag, a moment that he describes as one of the best feelings in the world. Although the group had planned to stay at the Crater Camp, bad weather forced them to descend to Barafu Camp the same night.

    “I thank my school, Delhi Public School, Nacharam, for all the support, and I especially want to thank Satyarup Siddhanta Sir for helping me summit the mountain. Without him, the summit would have been very hard,” Preetham added.