Tag: awards

  • SPJIMR’s Class Of 2026 – NRI News


    SPJIMR’s Class of 2026

    Strength in diversity SPJIMR’s PGDM and PGDM (BM) Cohorts for the 2024-26 batch unite diverse backgrounds to nurture leadership and innovation 

    MUMBAI: Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan’s S.P. Jain Institute of Management and Research (SPJIMR) proudly welcomed an exceptional cohort of participants into its Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM) and Post Graduate Diploma in Management (Business Management) (PGDM (BM)) programs for the 2024-26 batch. This diverse group brings together individuals from varied backgrounds and exemplifies SPJIMR’s dedication to cultivating an inclusive learning atmosphere to mold future leaders.

    Prof. Varun Nagaraj, Dean, SPJIMR, said, “Our diverse PGDM and PGDM (BM) cohorts bring varied personal, regional, academic, and industry perspectives, and promote an inclusive learning environment. Our goal is to develop future leaders who excel in their fields, embody wise innovation, and strive to make a meaningful societal impact. Diversity makes the classroom experience richer, thus preparing our students to drive positive change in their organizations and communities.”

    PGDM and PGDM (BM) program participants have come from 26 states and 350 cities across India, ensuring regional perspectives. While the PGDM program has 66% men and 34% women participants, the PGDM (BM) program has 75% men and 25% women participants.

    The cohorts bring together an array of academic backgrounds, spanning Banking and Insurance, Finance and Commerce, Arts and Humanities, Management, and Science, with approximately 60% being engineers. The diverse mix ensures multidimensional thinking and innovative problem-solving.

    Prof. Renuka Kamath, Professor, of Marketing, and Associate Dean of full-time Programmes, welcomed the participants and said, “Make the most of your two years with us by building your capabilities. As Marshall Goldsmith said: What got you here may not get you there. While likeability is very important to all of us, learn to balance your capabilities with your likeability. Do not compromise capability for likeability!”

    Industry experience further strengthens the group. 88% of PGDM participants bring valuable expertise from sectors such as IT Consulting, Financial Services, Manufacturing, Oil and Gas, FMCG, E-Commerce, and Engineering. Participants represent over 200 companies including Accenture, American Express, Blackrock, Deloitte Consulting, EY, IBM, Reliance Industries, and Tata Motors.

    Prof. Ashita Aggarwal, Professor, of Marketing, and Chairperson, of PGDM, and PGDM (BM) emphasized the keys to success: “Successful individuals demonstrate three qualities. Firstly, know your strengths and ask, ‘What unique value do I bring?’ Secondly, follow your passion courageously, turning your work into a fulfilling pursuit. Lastly, maintain curiosity and humility—integrity shapes character and guides decisions even when no one is watching.”

    SPJIMR’s PGDM and PGDM (BM) programs empower future leaders driven by innovation and a commitment to societal impact, fostering capability and diverse perspectives. SPJIMR looks forward to the transformative journey ahead for its students, celebrating their informed, passionate, and ethical aspirations for the future!

  • LG’S 2024 SOUNDBARS DELIVER COMPLETE AT-HOME ENTERTAINMENT WITH RICH AUDIO


    LG’s 2024 Soundbars

    With Immersive Sound, Versatile LG TV Integration, and Enhanced Features, LG Provides an Elevated Audio Experience with the Latest Soundbars

    NEW DELHI: LG Electronics India continues to set new standards in Home Entertainment with the launch of its latest range of Soundbars. The 2024 line-up includes SQ75TR, SG10Y, SQ70TY, S77TY and S65TR models. Crafted to seamlessly complement LG TVs, these soundbars promise an elevated home cinema experience through their robust sound quality, well-rounded features, and sophisticated designs.

    Creating an enhanced synergy between the soundbar and TV, the elevated audio quality of LG’s newest soundbar models enriches the home entertainment experience with a heightened sense of immersion and greater convenience. Featuring WOW Synergy (Orchestra, Interface, Cast), the soundbar and LG TV harness the full potential of their audio channels, creating an unrivaled audio experience with an enlarged soundstage and improved depth and height. The ideal choice for a surround sound experience, LG’s new soundbars deliver the superior quality of Dolby Atmos®, driven by the advanced technology of DTS: X.

    Commenting on the launch, Young Hwan Jung, Director-Home Entertainment, LG Electronics India, said, “Our new range of soundbars represents a significant leap forward in audio technology, designed to meet the evolving needs of modern consumers. These soundbars embody our dedication to innovation and our promise to bring the best in audio technology to Indian homes. We’re excited about bringing premium audio features to a wider range of consumers, ensuring that more consumers can enjoy theater-quality sound. This launch reaffirms LG’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in home entertainment, always with our customers’ needs at the forefront.”

    The new soundbar models feature the WOW interface, an intuitive and user-friendly method to effortlessly manage soundbar settings and share sound modes with the TV. LG Triple Level Spatial Sound technology applies channel analysis through a 3D engine to mesmerize listeners with lifelike sound and a compelling sense of space. What’s more, LG AI Room Calibration – a feature praised by both consumers and experts for its audio enhancement – rapidly analyses the environment of a room and adjusts the settings, enhancing the audio to harmonize with the room’s acoustics. New for 2024, the AI Room Calibration extends its capability to calibrate the audio of rear surround speakers, expanding audio immersion and offering more flexibility for installation.

    WOWCAST takes audio excellence a step further, allowing the SG10TY to connect wirelessly to LG TVs, ensuring superior sound without any compromise, even when playing Dolby Atmos® audio. It serves as the perfect audio and visual companion to LG’s premium OLED TVs. WOW Orchestra, WOW Interface, and WOWCAST enable the SG10TY model to seamlessly integrate with LG OLED TVs, completing the viewing experience for a greater sense of immersion. Remarkably, connecting WOWCAST to the SG10TY model and an LG premium OLED TV creates a wireless home entertainment experience with no visible cables between the screen and the soundbar. This Wi-Fi-enabled soundbar provides a flawless listening experience with high-fidelity audio quality for listeners to enjoy their favorite tracks on music streaming platforms including Tidal Connect and Spotify Connect. The thoughtful design of the SG10TY flawlessly aligns with the width and frame colors of LG OLED TVs, resulting in an impeccable visual match when paired with an ultra-thin OLED TV.

    LG will also roll out the S70TY soundbar model, ideal for LG QNED TVs with its simple and compact design. This model also features the industry’s first center up-firing speaker, providing sharpened voice clarity. The angled design ensures harmonious audio and visuals in alignment with the TV screen’s level.

    A dedicated bracket for the S70TY model allows users to place the soundbar directly beneath the QNED TV for a refined appearance. This bracket provides a convenient solution for direct attachment, eliminating the need to drill holes in the wall during installation. The bracket allows customizable wall-mounting of the S70TY soundbar at various heights or locations, guaranteeing an aesthetically ideal setup, great convenience, and an optimal sound experience.

    S65TR and SQ75TR models come with 600W output and feature rear speakers that do not require a separate receiver box, ensuring a clutter-free setup. The S65TR offers a 5.1 channel configuration, while the SQ75TR enhances the experience with a 5.1.1 channel setup, a QNED matching bracket, and center up-firing speakers for exceptional sound projection. Additionally, the SQ75TR is equipped with AI Sound Pro, which intelligently adjusts sound settings based on the content being viewed.

    The LG Soundbars will be available for sale in India around July onwards across retail and online platforms, including LG.com. The starting price will be INR 29990. Features may vary from model to model. For more information, visit www.lg.com/in/audio

  • Electric Mobility Leader EKA Welcomes Rohit Srivastava As Chief Growth Officer


    EKA Welcomes Rohit Srivastava as Chief Growth Officer

    PUNE: EKA (Pinnacle Mobility Solutions), a leading electric vehicles & technology company with esteemed equity partners Mitsui Co., Ltd. (Japan) and VDL Groep (Netherlands), is thrilled to announce the appointment of Mr. Rohit Srivastava as the company’s Chief Growth Officer.

    Srivastava’s position at EKA Mobility will include organizational expansion, with an emphasis on top-line P&L responsibility. Sales, marketing, business development, and product management will all fall under his purview. His significant experience in developing innovative business models and encouraging value creation from the ground up will be critical in propelling EKA Mobility’s growth and success. 

    Dr. Sudhir Mehta, Founder and Chairman of EKA Mobility, said, “Delighted to welcome Rohit Srivastava to the EKA Mobility family. His vast experience and proven track record in the commercial vehicles and EV sectors make him an invaluable addition to our team. We are confident that his leadership will drive our mission of transforming the electric mobility landscape.”

    With over three decades of distinguished experience in Sales and Marketing, Srivastava has played a pivotal role in establishing sustainable businesses. He began his career with TATA Motors and progressed through the ranks to many distinguished positions within the company. In his most recent position, he was the Business Head of commercial Vehicles Passenger (CVP) at TATA Motors Ltd., where he was responsible for spearheading the electrification effort and advancing EV adoption in the public transport sector spanning buses, vans, and minivans. An engineer by training and a CII-Fulbright fellow, he is well-known for his customer-centric approach, lean thinking, and value chain optimization. His ability to create product strategies, establish project QCT objectives, and drive product development, testing, and validation has been critical in establishing EV portfolios and tech stacks for EV products.

    Rohit Srivastava, Chief Growth Officer of EKA Mobility, stated, “Joining EKA Mobility is a tremendous opportunity to contribute to a revolutionary phase in the mobility industry. I am eager to leverage my experience in driving customer-centric and sustainable business strategies to help EKA Mobility lead the charge in electric vehicle innovation. Together, we will build a future that prioritizes efficiency, sustainability, profitability, and exceptional customer experiences.”

  • BAJAJ HOUSING FINANCE LAUNCHES SAMBHAV HOME LOANS


    BAJAJ HOUSING FINANCE: SAMBHAV HOME LOANS

    Enters the Affordable Housing and Informal Income Segment to address the housing finance needs of unserved and underserved customer segments

    MUMBAI: Bajaj Housing Finance launched Sambhav Home Loans today – a product to provide affordable and accessible housing finance.

    The all-new Home Loan product is designed for first-time homebuyers looking to make their dream of home ownership a reality through affordable housing finance. In line with this, the income norm on Sambhav Home Loans starts from only Rs. 10,000 per month, with loan amounts as low as Rs. 10 Lakh. The affordable income criterion makes this an accessible option for prospective borrowers across a wide range of income groups.

    Both salaried and self-employed applicants from a range of employment types, such as manufacturing, trading, and the informal job sector, among others, are eligible for finance as part of this product. Subsequently, the eligibility, documentation, and application process for Sambhav Home Loans have been kept flexible to accommodate all such employment types.

    Apart from minimal eligibility requirements, Sambhav Home Loans offer a host of benefits. Borrowers enjoy attractive interest rates with affordable EMIs and the option to choose a repayment tenor of up to 20 years. Eligible borrowers also benefit from a sizeable loan amount, which makes homeownership more convenient.

    With the launch of Sambhav Home Loans, Bajaj Housing Finance now offers a full suite of offerings in housing finance, covering all customer categories. With over 6,000 approved projects, the Lender offers custom mortgage solutions across India. Interested applicants can either apply online through the Lender’s website or walk into any of its branches.

    * Salary norms and minimum loan amount are subject to change based on city | T&C apply

  • FIA Star Awards Night And 78th Independence Day Celebrations


    FIA Star Awards Night and 78th Independence Day Celebrations

    CHICAGO, IL: The Federation of Indian Associations (FIA) is thrilled to announce its upcoming mega event, the ‘Star Awards Night,’ a prestigious celebration of excellence within our community. Scheduled for August 16, 2024, at the Matrix Club in Naperville, this gala promises an evening filled with inspiring tributes, exceptional entertainment, and fine dining. This event is scheduled for August 16th, 2024, at the prestigious Matrix Club in Naperville. 

    The ‘FIA Star Awards Night‘ will honor outstanding achievements across 19+ categories, including Best Community Service Organization, Entrepreneur of the Decade, Community Leader of the Year, Best Medical Professional, Fashion Icon, and more. This exclusive event will spotlight individuals and organizations that have significantly contributed to our community.

    In addition to the awards ceremony, we proudly announce that this year’s event will coincide with FIA‘s grand celebration of India’s 78th Independence Day. To mark this special occasion, Sparsh Shah, a talented singer, rapper, and Guinness World Record holder born with Osteogenesis Imperfecta will open the event with a performance of patriotic songs.

    Adding to the excitement, the FIA Team is honored to welcome Jaya Prada, an illustrious Bollywood star and multiple Filmfare Award winner. Known for her exceptional talent and beauty, Jaya Prada will join us in celebrating these two unforgettable events.

    Sunil Shah, Chairman and Founder, of FIA, said about the exciting event: “In our continued tradition of honoring the Community Leaders who selflessly serve us, we have added more categories to the awards list. For the first time, we will have two award-winning international celebrities flying specifically for this FIA event to Chicago, Sparsh Shah and Bollywood Celebrity Jaya Prada.“

    Adding to this Pratibha Jairath, President mentioned, “This will be a mega-event. The presence of our community members in Chicago at this prestigious event would be incredibly meaningful as we come together to honor those who have excelled in their respective fields and made a positive impact on our community. With over than four months of meticulous planning dedicated to selecting the award winners, this promises to be one of the most significant events Chicago Lands has ever witnessed.”

  • Edtech Startup Crio.Do To Place Over 20000 Fresh Engineers In Next 3 years


    Edtech startup Crio.Do

    Over 1000+ companies, including 20+ unicorns in India, top MNCs, GCCs, and rapidly growing startups have hired from the platform.

    Notable partners in Crio’s hiring pool include Microsoft, Google, Amazon, JP Morgan Chase & Co., and Accenture. 

    INDIA: Crio.Do, a leading online higher education platform known for its work-like experiential programs, announces placing over 2000 learners in top tech companies across India. The hiring partners include leading technology companies like Swiggy, VISA, Flipkart, Capillary Technologies, and Reliance Jio, amongst others. Over 1000+ organizations across sectors like- Quick Commerce, Fin-tech, Ed-tech, E-commerce, SaaS, etc have used the platform to hire skilled tech professionals. 

    Notably, 40% of placements have been in Software Development roles, 30% in QA Testing, and the remaining 30% across Front-End Development and other specialized tech roles. Companies primarily sought graduates with expertise in areas such as SDE-1, Front-End Development, QA Testing, and Test Engineering. Major competencies included MERN Stack, React, and NodeJS for software development, and Java, Selenium, and SDET for QA automation.

    Founded in 2018 by ex-Flipkart and Google employees, the startup was acquired by Skill-Lync in 2022. It is backed by Binny Bansal and offers engineers and developers an innovative learning experience beyond traditional classrooms. Their programs are meticulously designed to simulate real-world projects, offering practical skills that employers highly value.

    Speaking on the announcement, Suryanarayanan Paneerselvam, CEO of Crio.Do stated, “This milestone is a collective achievement, a testament to the hard work and dedication of our learners, mentors, and the entire Crio.Do team. We’re incredibly proud of the impact we’ve made on individual lives and the tech industry as a whole. With a staggering 95% placement rate within 9 months of graduation, an average salary hike of 81%, and over 1000+ hiring partners relying on our talent pool, we’re confident we’re addressing the crucial skill gap in the Indian tech sector. Our vision is to completely bridge the supply-demand gap by creating a generation of job-ready tech professionals equipped with the exact skillsets companies are desperately seeking.”

    Building on this momentum, Crio.Do aims to upskill 20,000 students over the next 3-4 years, helping them accelerate their careers and contribute significantly to India’s burgeoning tech landscape. This ambitious goal is not just about numbers; it’s about preparing a workforce that can meet the growing demands of the global software development industry.

    India is rapidly becoming an epicenter for software development, with a robust ecosystem that supports innovation, scalability, and technological advancement. As multinational companies continue to set up and expand their operations in India, the demand for skilled tech professionals is surging. Crio.Do’s commitment to equipping learners with practical, job-ready skills positions them as a critical player in this ecosystem.

    “Our goal is to empower 20,000 students with the skills they need to thrive in the tech industry. This will not only accelerate individual careers but also drive India’s progress as a global hub for software development. As companies worldwide increasingly recognize India’s potential, we are dedicated to ensuring our graduates are at the forefront, leading this transformation,” added Suryanarayanan.

  • Trend Micro’s Pune Leg Underscores Importance Of Cybersecurity Consolidation And Innovation


    Trend Micro

    PUNE: Trend Micro, a global leader in cybersecurity solutions, has successfully concluded the Pune segment of its Risk to Resilience World Tour in India. The event had 60 attendees from 35 organizations, marking a significant milestone in a tour spanning seven Indian cities. This tour follows last year’s extensive global engagement across 60 countries, including visits to five major Indian cities.

    Under the theme “Innovation Meets Adrenaline,” the event facilitated discussions on modern cyber resilience, the integration of Extended Detection and Response (XDR) with Attack Surface Risk Management (ASRM), and effective strategies for cloud risk mitigation.

    Sharda Tickoo, Country Manager for India & SAARC at Trend Micro, highlighted the strategic importance of Pune for Trend Micro, by saying “Our remarkable progress in this region underscores Trend Micro’s dedication to growth, technological innovation, and local engagement. As global security trends emerge here, local businesses seek not only comprehensive IT visibility but also technology consolidation, seamless integration with other cybersecurity products, fewer false positives, and enhanced cybersecurity resilience. Our ASRM empowers these enterprises with superior visibility, proactive risk management, and fortified security postures. Leading IT and financial companies in this market trust our Gen AI-powered Trend Vision One platform, which scales seamlessly across on-premises, cloud, and hybrid environments, offering comprehensive threat visibility and actionable insights.”

    The event also included a panel discussion featuring Manikrao Patil, Group CISO at Kirloskar Group, and Solkar Nagaraj, CISO at Bajaj Allianz General Insurance Co. Ltd. on the theme “Winning Strategies for Cyber Consolidation & Communication” moderated by Kunal Kimatkar, Regional Head, West – Enterprise Business at Trend Micro. Talking about Trend Micro’s R2R event, Manikrao Patil emphasized the importance of CISOs collaborating to counteract malicious actors, as this shared knowledge enhances our defense strategies. Solkar Nagaraj stressed the necessity and critical role of IT security consolidation in a high-risk environment while Manikrao further added on how it aids in aligning business requirements with emerging threats. The panelists concurred that consolidation strikes a balance between security and operational efficiency. On the pros and cons of generative AI, the speakers concluded that, regardless of the sector, the use of generative AI must be approached with well-defined boundaries. Regarding talent retention, Manikrao suggested that developing clear career progression plans provides valuable opportunities to retain skilled personnel, while Solkar opined that a willingness to learn is equally essential.

    A recent Trend Micro report places India as the fifth most targeted nation globally for ransomware attacks, with the Manufacturing, Government, and Banking sectors being the most affected by malware. In response to the increasing complexity of cyberattacks, especially with the rise of Generative AI, Trend Micro has extended its Risk to Resilience World Tour to seven Indian cities this year. This expansion aims to share advanced strategies for enhancing organizational resilience and building enduring partnerships.

    Trend Micro also recently announced a partnership with NVIDIA to develop AI-powered cybersecurity tools for data centers.

  • Move Over Pichai and Nadella: Nikesh Arora and Yamini Rangan are highest-paid Indian American CEOs

    BY VEENA RAO

    In a revealing study by C-Suite Comp, a data analytics firm tracking executive compensation, it turns out that the highest-paid CEOs in the United States do not necessarily helm the largest corporations. This annual report shines a spotlight on the staggering earnings of CEOs from smaller tech and financial firms, some of whom are outpacing the compensation of leaders at giants like Apple and Blackstone.

    Indian American CEO Nikesh Arora of Palo Alto Networks stands out, topping the list of Indian American CEOs with a staggering $266.4 million in total compensation. Arora is also the chairman of Palo Alto Networks. He previously held senior executive roles at Google and SoftBank. Arora is known for his strategic leadership in technology and cybersecurity sectors.

    Yamini Rangan, CEO of HubSpot, has made it to the list of the highest-paid female CEOs at number 8. HubSpot is a leading customer relationship management (CRM) platform. With a background in technology and software, Rangan has played a pivotal role in driving growth and innovation at HubSpot, focusing on empowering businesses with effective marketing and sales solutions.

    Prior to becoming CEO, Yamini served as HubSpot’s first-ever chief customer officer, overseeing the marketing, sales, and service teams, according to the HubSpot website. A tech industry veteran, Yamini has more than 24 years of experience across product marketing, sales, and strategy. Yamini previously served as chief customer officer at Dropbox, where she was responsible for embedding customer focus across the organization. Before Dropbox, she was VP of sales strategy and operations at Workday, where she helped quadruple revenue and scaled the sales organization. At SAP, Yamini held several customer-facing leadership roles in strategy, pre-sales, and value-based selling, and helped close landmark deals.

    She holds a bachelor’s degree in electronics engineering, a master’s degree in computer engineering, and an MBA from Berkeley. In 2019, Yamini was recognized as one of the most influential women in business by San Francisco Business Times. Yamini currently serves on the board of Splunk, a cybersecurity company.

    The C-Suite Comp report, published this Monday, ranks CEOs based on “total compensation granted” and “compensation actually paid.” These metrics include salaries, bonuses, perks, stock options, and other financial benefits, with the latter metric providing a clearer picture of how executive pay aligns with company performance.

    The report also highlights the broader trend of rising CEO compensation. TPG CEO Jon Winkelried leads the list with nearly $199 million in total compensation, followed by Harvey Schwartz of the Carlyle Group at $187 million. On the “compensation actually paid” scale, Tesla’s Elon Musk stands out with $1.4 billion, a figure driven by the company’s robust market performance.

    The SEC’s 2022 rule for enhanced pay transparency has brought these figures to light, aiding stakeholders in understanding the correlation between executive pay and company performance. This regulatory change is pivotal for investors, employees, and the broader public in assessing the fairness and effectiveness of executive compensation.

    Indian American executives are part of a diverse leadership landscape where only two women were among the top-paid CEOs: Sue Nabi of Coty and Safra Catz of Oracle.

    The Indian American community’s representation in these rankings shows its growing influence and success in corporate America.

  • Fleetguard Filters Private Limited (FFPL) Recognized As “Brand Of The Year 2024” In The Automobile And Auto Ancillary Category

    PUNE: Fleetguard Filters Pvt Ltd, a Pune-based leading manufacturer of filtration products and solutions in the automotive sector, has been honored with the prestigious “Brand of the Year 2024” award in the Automobile and Auto Ancillary category at the Marksmen Daily event held on 21st June 2024 at Delhi. 

    This award, renowned for felicitating excellence across diverse business sectors, has recognized Fleetguard Filters for its exceptional contributions to the automotive industry. This accolade highlights the company’s significant market impact driven by its advanced filtration technologies.

    Niranjan Kirloskar, Managing Director of Fleetguard Filters Private Limited (FFPL), expressed his gratitude for receiving the award: “We are honored to be recognized as the ‘Brand of the Year 2024’ by Marksmen Daily. This accolade reflects the hard work and dedication of our entire team. It motivates us to continue pushing the boundaries of innovation and delivering technically advanced solutions to our customers.”

    The recognition by Marksmen Daily adds to the numerous accolades Fleetguard Filters has received over the years, reinforcing its position as an industry leader. The company remains committed to driving technological advancements and maintaining its legacy of excellence in the automotive market.

  • Fleetguard Filters Private Limited (FFPL) Recognized As “Brand Of The Year 2024” In The Automobile And Auto Ancillary Category

    PUNE: Fleetguard Filters Pvt Ltd, a Pune-based leading manufacturer of filtration products and solutions in the automotive sector, has been honored with the prestigious “Brand of the Year 2024” award in the Automobile and Auto Ancillary category at the Marksmen Daily event held on 21st June 2024 at Delhi. 

    This award, renowned for felicitating excellence across diverse business sectors, has recognized Fleetguard Filters for its exceptional contributions to the automotive industry. This accolade highlights the company’s significant market impact driven by its advanced filtration technologies.

    Niranjan Kirloskar, Managing Director of Fleetguard Filters Private Limited (FFPL), expressed his gratitude for receiving the award: “We are honored to be recognized as the ‘Brand of the Year 2024’ by Marksmen Daily. This accolade reflects the hard work and dedication of our entire team. It motivates us to continue pushing the boundaries of innovation and delivering technically advanced solutions to our customers.”

    The recognition by Marksmen Daily adds to the numerous accolades Fleetguard Filters has received over the years, reinforcing its position as an industry leader. The company remains committed to driving technological advancements and maintaining its legacy of excellence in the automotive market.