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  • LANXESS India bags two Global Environment and Energy Foundation (GEEF) Global Awards

    LANXESS India bags two Global Environment and Energy Foundation (GEEF) Global AwardsMumbai, 22 August 2024: LANXESS India has won two prestigious Global Environment and Energy Foundation (GEEF) Global Awards – Safety award in the platinum category and the WaterTech award in the Sustainable Water Management category for the year 2024. These accolades are a testament to our commitment towards excellence in safety standards and sustainable water management practices.

    Balaram Khot, Wholetime Director and Head of PTSE along with Bharat Meesala, Senior Manager, PTSE – Occupational Safety, Xact, Responsible Care and Trade Compliance received the awards on behalf of LANXESS India at a gala event held in New Delhi on 26th July 2024.

    The GEEF Global Safety Award recognizes LANXESS India’s outstanding achievements in maintaining the highest safety standards within the chemical industry. The platinum category win displays the organization’s dedication to ensuring a safe working environment for all its employees and stakeholders. LANXESS has strict group-wide directives on health protection, occupational & process safety. These directives focus primarily on identifying risks in advance and implementing measures designed to prevent accidents and rapidly detect and respond to incidents. Key features of the safety systems include active involvement of the employees in building operating procedures, job safety analysis, more focus on the behaviour-based safety programs, robust work permit system, contractor management systems, programs to improve employee health, implementation of strong technical control measures, increased focus on reporting of unsafe conditions and unsafe acts, incident management system, trainings and effectiveness check.

    The Global WaterTech Award in Sustainable Water Management category highlights LANXESS India’s innovative approach towards sustainable water management. Water plays a central role in LANXESS’s strategy. As a chemical company, the organization faces up to its responsibility to decouple its own water consumption from economic growth and pursues clear goals: reducing specific water consumption overall and local water consumption, especially at sites where water is scarce. To this end, a water risk analysis is regularly carried out at LANXESS’ sites to accurately measure what is known as “water stress,” i.e. the relationship between water withdrawal and renewable water supplies.

    Measures followed with firmly defined targets include:

    • reducing water withdrawals through increased water recycling and
    • implementing local water stewardship projects

    For example, at the Nagda site, discharge from Effluent Treatment Plant is treated in a PTRO unit and evaporator plant so that no liquid effluents are discharged from the site at all and water recovered is re-used for the production processes. Also, grey water from domestic effluent of the neighbouring colonies is treated in the sewage treatment plant and a part of this treated water is used in our processes.

    Commenting on the win, Namitesh Roy Choudhury, Vice Chairman and Managing Director, LANXESS India said, “We are honoured to receive the GEEF Global Awards. We remain committed to advancing sustainable practices that benefit not only our organization but also the communities we serve and the environment at large. These recognitions motivate us to keep pushing the boundaries and lead by example in the industry.”

    The Global Energy and Environment Foundation (GEEF) Global Awards honour organizations that excel in topics of safety, health, security management, water, wastewater and sustainable development among others. The jury comprised of eminent personalities from government, academia and industry.


    Mansi Praharaj

  • 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.

  • Tata Asset Management Unveils Innovative Alpha-Based Passive Investment Strategy on Nifty200 Alpha 30 Index


    Anand Vardarajan, Chief Business Officer, Tata Asset Management

    MUMBAI: Tata Asset Management Company has announced the launch of the Tata Nifty200 Alpha 30 Index Fund that aims to track the performance of the top 30 companies with high alpha within the Nifty200 Index. The alpha factor-based passive investing strategy seeks to benefit from continued trends in the market. It adjusts to changing market conditions and increases the coverage and weightage of outperforming sectors/stocks and underweights underperforming sectors/stocks.

    The Index’s methodology measures excess return generated by the portfolio relative to its benchmark index Nifty200 after adjusting for risk and volatility. Based on the alpha factor, the fund identifies and includes stocks that generate returns above the broad market return and risk-free return, giving more importance to stocks that generate high excess returns per unit of risk. As a result, Nifty200 Alpha 30 Index has been able to outperform market cap-weighted indices like Nifty200 during market upturns. However, it should be noted that Nifty200 Alpha 30 Index may underperform vis-à-vis Nifty200 during market downturns.

    At the launch of the index fund, Anand Vardarajan, Chief Business Officer, Tata Asset Management, said, “This strategy aims to capture extra returns over what Nifty200 index could provide by selecting the top 30 stocks which can deliver alpha.  This is yet another differentiated offering from our side to build our product portfolio. We believe these could add value to clients when it comes to constructing and diversifying their investment portfolios. ”

    While sector exposure will change to reflect the outperforming sectors, the index will maintain a stock cap of 5% which makes the index diversified across sectors and stocks.

    Index Methodology:

    The Nifty200 Alpha 30 Index methodology measures excess investment return relative to the Benchmark index Nifty200 using 1-year trailing price. The top 30 stocks with the highest Jensen’s Alpha are chosen, allocating more weight to stocks that generate high Alpha per unit of risk, i.e., volatility. Our Tata Nifty200 Alpha 30 Index Fund replicates this index.

    Index is re-balanced on a quarterly basis using data ending last trading day of February, May, August, and November. The stocks should have a minimum listing history of 1 year as on the cut-off date and should be available for trading in derivative segment (F&O) as on the effective date.

    Enclosed below are the details about the Tata Nifty200 Alpha 30 Index Fund:

    Enclosed below are the details about the Tata Nifty200 Alpha 30 Index Fund:

    Scheme NameTata Nifty200 Alpha 30 Index FundNFO Period19th August, 2024 to 2nd September, 2024Scheme re-opens on or before11th September, 2024Investment ObjectiveThe investment objective of the scheme is to provide returns, before expenses, that commensurate with the performance of Nifty200 Alpha 30 Index (TRI), subject to tracking error. There is no assurance or guarantee that the investment objective of the scheme will be achieved. The scheme does not assure or guarantee any returns.Type of SchemeAn open-ended scheme replicating / tracking Nifty200 Alpha 30 Index (TRI).Fund ManagerKapil MenonBenchmarkNifty200 Alpha 30 Index (TRI)Min. Application Amount (During NFO)Rs. 5,000/- and in multiple of Re.1/- thereafterLoad StructureEntry Load: Not Applicable (Pursuant to provision no. 10.4.1.a of SEBI Master Circular on Mutual Fund dated May 19, 2023, no entry load will be charged by the Scheme to the investor)Exit Load: 0.25 % of the applicable NAV, if redeemed on or before 15 days from the date of allotment.Exit load (if any) charged to the unit holders by the Mutual Fund on redemption (including switch-out) of units shall be credited to the scheme net of Goods & Services Tax. Goods & Services Tax on exit load, if any, shall be paid out of the exit load proceeds.

  • Honeywell Launches Inncom Direct: A Game Changer for Mid-Market Hotels Aiming to Cut Carbon Emissions

    An intuitive energy management system helps hotels monitor energy consumption across properties and automate energy efficiency

    DELHI: Honeywell (NASDAQ: HON) announced the launch of INNCOM Direct, an easy-to-install energy management system that uses automation to help improve energy efficiency in mid-market hotel properties. The launch of INNCOM Direct supports Honeywell’s alignment of its business around three compelling megatrends, including automation and the energy transition.   

    With more than 30% of U.S. hotel rooms typically vacant at any time, INNCOM Direct enables a hotel to manage energy-intensive HVAC systems more efficiently during periods when guestrooms are vacant. 

    “As hotels become more carbon-conscious, they are taking meaningful steps to show they care about their impact on the environment,” said Billal Hammoud, president and chief executive officer of Honeywell Building Automation. “Until now, mid-market hotels faced fewer options when it came to better managing their HVAC systems with automation. Now, INNCOM Direct is leveling the playing field with an affordable, cloud-based energy management system.”  

    The INNCOM technology was previously only available to high-end hotel operators. Now, this combination of hardware, software, and cloud monitoring provides mid-market, also known as limited-service, hotels with quick setup and portfolio analytics that can be accessed from mobile devices or a dashboard and can be used either on a single property or across an entire portfolio.  

    Since empty rooms and common areas do not need the same level of heating or cooling, INNCOM Direct uses a proprietary detection system to identify empty spaces and autonomously adjust the temperature without impacting consumer comfort. Similarly, unrented guest rooms can be set to a specific setting that can be heated or cooled to a more comfortable temperature once a guest checks in. If a guest leaves a room for an extended time, INNCOM Direct can change the temperature to an eco-friendlier temperature that is then automatically adjusted when the guest returns.  

    When it broke ground on its fifth hotel in Spring Hill, Tenn., Halifax Hospitality wanted ways to control its HVAC use, which can consume as much as 25% of the power bill, so it signed on to use INNCOM Direct. At 92,000 square feet and 159 rooms, this hotel is double the size of what the company would have developed a decade ago, leading to higher operational costs.  

    “Hotel rooms are getting bigger and bigger, and we needed something that will deliver energy savings, especially when guests aren’t using the room or a common area is empty,” said Hitesh Patel, vice president of Halifax Hospitality. “Utility costs are going up just like anything else. We’re always looking to find the next big thing to cut costs where we can.”  

  • EQT Completes Acquisition of WSO2


    EQT Completes Acquisition of WSO2

    With the acquisition complete and a new board in place, WSO2 is well-positioned to accelerate the company’s business and market growth worldwide

    AUSTIN, TX: WSO2, a leading global provider of digital transformation technologies, said today that its acquisition by EQT, first announced on May 3, 2024, has been completed. EQT will support WSO2’s next phase of accelerated growth and innovation by drawing on EQT’s deep experience in the software space, global network of industry experts, and dedicated digital value-creation team.

    Since its inception in 2005, WSO2 has been at the forefront of building innovative software that allows organizations to seamlessly deliver digital experiences. Today, WSO2’s platform offers a complete set of market-leading solutions across integration, API management, identity & access management (IAM), and application development. Thousands of organizations, including hundreds of the world’s largest corporations, top universities, and governments, rely on WSO2’s cloud-native software as a service (SaaS) and open-source offerings to drive their digital initiatives — executing 60 trillion transactions and managing over 1 billion identities each year.

    WSO2 now joins EQT’s extensive global portfolio of enterprise software companies, which includes firms such as Virtusa, Billtrust, IFS, SUSE, Storable, thinkproject, and Waystar.

    New WSO2 Board Positions WSO2 for Accelerated Growth

    With the acquisition, a new board of directors has been formed to spearhead the next stage of WSO2’s growth. Leading the board as chair is Jonas Persson, who formerly served as CEO of Microsoft Sweden and has been the chairperson for several portfolio companies like Suse, Acumatica, IFS, and Sitecore. He is joined by Hari Gopalakrishnan, a partner in the EQT Private Capital Asia advisory team and Global co-head of EQT’s services sector team, and Dr. Sanjiva Weerawarana, who founded WSO2 and will continue his role as CEO.

    “WSO2 is a strong enterprise software company that has delivered a proven track record of innovation and scaled to address the digital transformation demands of enterprises worldwide,” said Jonas Personn, WSO2 board chair. “I am excited to partner with WSO2’s management team in building on this momentum to accelerate the company’s growth and global adoption.”

    “We are excited to collaborate with Jonas, Hari, and the EQT team in accelerating our innovation agenda, expanding our global footprint, and empowering enterprises to thrive in the digital economy,” said Dr. Sanjiva Weerawarana, WSO2 founder and CEO. “With EQT’s support and the deep expertise of our new board members, we are well-positioned for this next stage of WSO2’s evolution.”