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  • Swarovski Foundation looking for next generation of Indian and global creative leaders in sustainability with €20,000 grant

    Swarovski Foundation looking for next generation of Indian and global creative leaders in sustainability with €20,000 grant
    NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 13: Creatives for Our Future Alumni – Class of 2022 architect Gunraagh Singh Talwar attends Swarovski Foundation 10th Anniversary and Creatives For Our Future Reception at United Nations on September 13, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images for the Swarovski Foundation)

    Delhi, 05th  September 2024: The Creatives for Our Future programme, which seeks to identify and accelerate the next generation of Indian and global creative leaders in sustainability, is now open for applications until 16th October 2024. The programme is run by the Swarovski Foundation in collaboration with the United Nations Office for Partnership and offers winners mentorship from industry leaders and a €20,000 fund.

    The programme is open to young creatives worldwide, aged 21 to 30, from a multitude of disciplines including fashion, design, art, architecture, and engineering. Successful applicants should be working on an original project or product that uses the creative process to drive awareness, technology or solutions for sustainable development and drives progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals set out by the United Nations.

    To date, the programme has supported 21 projects in innovative design, founded and initiated by young creatives, who have ground-breaking ideas for addressing the world’s sustainability and development challenges. The programme has enabled them to develop and scale their projects – either with funds to build on their research, or through mentorship and networking opportunities to unlock new directions.

    Previous winners say the programme is crucial to their success:

    Gunraagh Talwar Singh (India)

    Gunraagh is an Indian architect and urban practitioner committed to enhancing the equity and resilience of urban environments. Having documented the adverse effects of dumpsites on ecosystems and communities, he has innovated an upcycled construction solution to concrete – Dumpcrete. Crafted from legacy wastes such as construction debris and silts, Dumpcrete is growing to be a circular construction alternative while simultaneously addressing the pressing issue of sustainable legacy waste management. This approach promises to transform how we build and manage urban waste, fostering a more sustainable and resilient future for our cities. Through the programme, Gunraagh is now testing formulations and procuring materials to refine Dumpcrete further and create a mainstream product offering for industrial adoption. The mentorship received through the program has also helped Gunraagh develop partnerships with global organisations, such as Ramboll and UNDP, who are supporting his goal to address the waste management issue in the Global South.

    Of his experience as part of the Creatives for Our Future 2023 cohort, Gunraagh said: “Through the Swarovski Foundation Creatives for Our Future programme, I’ve been able to reach out to global organisations and unlock relationships which will put Dumpcrete on the path to expanding its technology. By reaching more communities in the Global South, we hope to literally pave the way for cleaner, more resilient urban environments.”

    Sejal Budholiya (India)

    After discovering that 500 million people still lack access to menstrual hygiene management, Sejal invented Gaia, a tool to ease the logistics of changing sanitary products. It is used to store used and unused sanitary products, especially where people cannot dispose of them easily such as in military and rural regions. Through the Creatives for Our Future programme, the 23-year-old from Uttar Pradesh, India was able to test Gaia and collaborated with another programme alumna, Polish graphic designer Agnieszka Doczynska, to raise awareness about women’s health and menstruation by creating an open-source educational kit called Menstrupedia after graduating from the programme in 2022. Sejal is continuing to develop the product to serve menstruating soldiers by including an incinerator in the tool and optimising it for use by astronauts in space.

    Sejal said, “The grant from the Swarovski Foundation allowed me to test Gaia without boundaries and develop its first iteration, as well as expand my thinking into additional collaborations with my fellow cohort members. The Masterclass sessions were also indispensable to my self-development and encouraged me to think about sustainability through different creative mediums. I now hope to distribute Gaia to rural communities in India and across Africa.”

    Jakhya Rahman-Corey, Director of the Swarovski Foundation said:

    “Now in its fourth year, we are excited to open applications to the Swarovski Foundation Creatives for Our Future programme and nurture the next generation of inspiring talent from India and globally.

    “The Swarovski Foundation’s mission is to promote sustainable livelihoods through education to reduce inequality. With the Creatives for Our Future programme, we can harness this through young creative talent seeking to break innovative ground and spearhead new approaches and ideas in sustainable development.

    “Having so far received more than 1500 applications from 92 countries, and supported 21 cohort members, it showcases that creativity has the power to solve global challenges and achieve sustainability goals. The Swarovski Foundation is looking forward to welcoming this year’s applications to turn their ideas into reality through access to education, resources, and a vital support network”.

    Annemarie Hou, Executive Director of the United Nations Office for Partnerships states: “We need young talents, from fashion to engineering, to use their creativity to tackle sustainable development challenges. With mentorship, industry connections, and funding, these young people are turning obstacles into opportunities and driving real progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals. Through the Creatives for Our Future programme, we are fostering the next generation of leaders.”

    This year, six successful applicants will receive financial support of €20,000, along with an education programme in collaboration with top international institutions, tailored one-on-one mentorship, and industry networking opportunities to advance their innovation and career.

    Entries for this year’s programme are open from the 3rd September 2024 until 16th October 2024 (4.29 am IST) at www.sfcreatives.org. Successful applicants will be notified and announced publicly in April 2025 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.

    For more information, or for application submissions visit www.sfcreatives.org.

    The below spokespeople are available for interview:
    ● Jakhya Rahman-Corey, Director of Swarovski Foundation
    ● Programme alumni, including:
    ○ Gunraagh Talwar Singh, CFOF 2023/24 alumnus
    ○ Sejal Budholiya, CFOF 2021/22 alumna


    Mansi Praharaj

  • Orchids The International School Honors Global Teachers in Tribute

    September 04, 2024: This Teacher’s Day, Orchids The International School celebrated the extraordinary work of educators worldwide. A special video, “Champion-Makers,” showcased the dedication and passion of our teachers in nurturing young minds. This heartfelt tribute offered a glimpse into the daily life at Orchids, highlighting how our educators inspire, guide, and support students in various subjects and activities. The video serves as a testament to the transformative impact teachers can have, shaping lives and fostering a thriving learning environment.

    Music Teacher mentoring the Orchidians in Music lab

    Enlightening on the “Champion-Makers”, Abhishek Kumar Yadav, Chief Marketing Officer at Orchids The International School said, “Teachers are the core form of the school. They are the ones who cradle the little ones like mothers and guide the older students with unwavering dedication, passion, and care. With this small tribute, we would like to take a closer look at how we can say thank you and recognize the immense role that teachers play in nurturing the growth of our children.”

    Orchids The International School is highly committed to enrich the holistic development of the students. The school emphasizes academic excellence and makes sure to enact the all-round development of the students. Orchids’ is fully aware that teachers are instrumental in every step – from instilling a love for learning in students to character and life-skills building. The investment in quality education to enable every student to be successful in the ever-changing world, combined with a positive and dynamic learning environment, is nurtured at this school. Great teachers make great students, and those great students create a better world-that is essentially what this campaign is highlighting about what this school believes in.

  • Global Tech and Durables Market in Recovery Mode

    Global Tech and Durables Market in Recovery Mode

    September 04, 2024,Nuremberg, Germany : 2024 looks like a better year than 2023 for the global Consumer Tech and Durables (T&D) market. Inflation rates are easing, consumer confidence is rising, summer bookings are returning to pre-pandemic levels, and major sporting events such as the Paris Olympics and the European Football Championship in Germany are triggering demand.

    At the mid-year point, most T&D segments are showing steady growth, and the market overall is slowly recovering, albeit still in negative territory. From January to June 2024, the global T&D market recorded a slight decrease in revenue of minus 0.6 percent to 395 billion US-dollars compared to the same period last year, and NIQ-GfK experts are forecasting that the trend will continue, with stable revenue of minus 0.1 percent for the full year 2024.

    Omnichannel remains king

    Inflation and high prices continue to be a top concern of consumers worldwide (GfK Consumer Life study), and 57 percent of global consumers are prepared to switch stores to manage costs (NIQ Consumer Outlook report 2024).

    “Omnichannel retailing remains popular, with 36 percent of total global T&D sales made online in the first half of 2024 – an increase of 0.4 percent from last year. But consumer behavior is changing, driven by price concerns and a desire for best value for money. The global T&D market must keep pace to achieve long-term, sustainable growth,” explains Nevin Francis, GfK’s insights expert for the Tech and Durables industry.

    The progress of Chinese online retailers in Europe is quite notable. In the first half of 2024, the Chinese e-commerce retailer, Temu, ranked second in terms of order volume for computers and electronics, although its average order value is lower due to the smaller-ticket price of items. According to Foxintelligence by NielsenIQ, 77 percent of German Temu shoppers in the last 60 days were repeat buyers.

    Looking at regional differences, consumer spending caution varies depending on purchasing power and local price levels. While Western Europe and Developed Asia experienced year-on-year revenue declines in the first half of the year (1 percent and 9 percent respectively), Eastern Europe (plus 4 percent) and the Middle East (plus 8 percent) grew, and Emerging Asia also returned to growth.

    “Price-conscious consumers are increasingly looking for value for money. As a result, the 15 promotional weeks in a year, such as the mid-year promotion and Black Friday already account for 34 percent of annual T&D revenue,” summarizes Nevin Francis. “Retailers and manufacturers must balance the demand for premiumization with a good price-performance ratio, while focusing on their unique selling proposition. To find that sweet spot, they need to know their target group better than ever before.”

    Specific trends driving the half-year results for global T&D

    GfK panel data shows that the Telecom and Photo categories are back in the black in the first half of 2024, while other T&D categories regaining momentum and starting to recover:

    Consumer Electronics (TVs, soundbars, etc.): minus 2 percent
    Telecom (Smartphones, etc.): plus 2 percent
    IT (Mobile PCs, hardware, etc.): minus 5 percent
    Small Domestic Appliances (Fryers, mixers, etc.): minus 1 percent
    Major Domestic Appliances (ACs, ovens, etc.): minus 2 percent

    Growth in the homeappliances sector is being driven by three key consumer desires: sustainability, simplification and AI-powered intelligence. As personalized features and AI assistants make everyday household tasks more efficient and easier, demand for related devices such as smart ovens and cookers (up 30 percent year-over-year in revenue January 2024 – June 2024) has noticeably increased. In general, convenience-oriented appliances such as robot vacuum cleaners and fully automatic espresso machines (up 9 percent and 7 percent respectively) and more environmentally friendly products such as A-labelled washing machines (up 39 percent in Europe) have gained ground.

    In the IT sector, on the other hand, it is still all about premiumization, especially more memory in devices. In laptops, 16GB RAM is becoming the new standard, with sales volume up 3 percent in the first half of 2024 compared to the same period last year, replacing older models. The same is true for media tablets, where 8GB RAM devices with larger displays of 9 inches and above dominate with an impressive 58 percent volume growth rate. In addition, consumers are upgrading their IT accessories, such as Bluetooth keyboards (up 18 percent) and monitors with refresh rates above 240 Hz (up 90 percent).

    In contrast to the B2C market, which is slowly recovering, the B2B market is still stuck in the red, according to GfK’s distribution panel, with revenues down 6 percent year-on-year in the first half of 2024. Despite this downturn, there are positive signals in certain areas of the mass market. For example, processors (up 4 percent) are growing year-over-year in the first half of 2024. In addition, demand for software was up 8 percent, driven by an increased focus on security and collaboration solutions in the business sector. A standout success in the B2B market is AR/VR glasses, which – although still a niche category – achieved impressive growth of 80 percent, driven mainly by successful product launches beginning of the year.


    Praveen

  • World Bank forecasts steady growth for India amid challenging global environment

    Improvement in employment rates and record foreign exchange reserves have further strengthened India's economic position

    Improvement in employment rates and record foreign exchange reserves have further strengthened India’s economic position

    India’s economy continues to demonstrate resilience and robust growth despite challenging global conditions. The World Bank’s recent report underscores the country’s positive medium-term outlook, with a projected growth rate of 8.2 percent in FY23/FY24. This growth is expected to reach 7 percent in FY24/FY25 and remain strong in FY25/FY26 and FY26/FY27.

    The World Bank attributes this robust growth to several factors. Firstly, India’s revenue growth has been robust, and further fiscal consolidation is expected. This has led to a projected decline in the debt-to-GDP ratio from 83.9 percent in FY23/24 to 82 percent by FY26/FY27. The current account deficit is also expected to remain at around 1-1.6 percent of GDP up to FY26/FY27.

    Secondly, India’s growth has been boosted by public infrastructure investment and an upswing in household investments in real estate. On the supply side, the growth was supported by a buoyant manufacturing sector, which grew by 9.9 percent, and resilient services activity, which compensated for underperformance in agriculture.

    Thirdly, urban unemployment has improved gradually since the pandemic, especially for female workers. By the beginning of FY24/25, female urban unemployment fell to 8.5 percent. This improvement in employment rates has been a significant contributor to the country’s economic growth.

    Furthermore, with a narrowing of the current account deficit and strong foreign portfolio investment inflows, foreign exchange reserves reached an all-time high of $670.1 billion in early August. This has further strengthened the country’s economic position. The World Bank report also highlighted the critical role of trade for boosting growth. India has boosted its competitiveness through the National Logistics Policy and digital initiatives that are reducing trade costs.

    However, to reach its $1 trillion merchandise exports goal by 2030, India needs to diversify its export basket and leverage global value chains. According to Nora Dihel and Ran Li, senior economists and co-authors of the report, to create more trade-related jobs, India can integrate more deeply into global value chains. This will also create opportunities for innovation and productivity growth.

    Make in India

    ‘Make in India’ initiative has given a large push to foreign direct investment in India.Reuters

    The World Bank’s Country Director in India, Auguste Tano Kouame, stated that India’s robust growth prospects, along with declining inflation, will help to reduce extreme poverty. He also mentioned that the country could boost its growth further by harnessing its global trade potential. In addition to IT, business services, and pharma where it excels, India can diversify its export basket with increased exports in textiles, apparel, and footwear sectors, as well as electronics and green technology products.

    The World Bank’s positive outlook on India’s economy is echoed by other sources. For instance, a report by SocialNews.XYZ also highlighted India’s strong growth despite challenging global conditions. It noted that India remains the fastest-growing major economy and grew at a rapid pace of 8.2 percent in FY23/FY24.

    India’s medium-term economic outlook remains positive amid strong growth. The country’s robust revenue growth, fiscal consolidation, declining debt-to-GDP ratio, and improved employment rates, particularly for female workers, have contributed to this positive outlook. The World Bank suggests that India can further boost its growth by harnessing its global trade potential and diversifying its export basket. However, to achieve its ambitious $1 trillion merchandise exports goal by 2030, India needs to integrate more deeply into global value chains and leverage opportunities for innovation and productivity growth. The country’s economic resilience and growth potential are a beacon of hope amid global economic challenges.

  • A Cradle for Future Global Leaders

    3rd Sept 2024  Hyderabad, Telangana, India  In the heart of Hyderabad, the halls of Suchitra Academy buzzed with the energy of young diplomats during the highly anticipated Model United Nations (MUN) 6.0 conference. Themed “Voices R.I.S.E, Solutions Soar,” this event has not just been a meeting point for ideas but a launchpad for the next generation of global leaders passionate about creating meaningful change.

    With over 290 delegates from 47 schools, the event unfolded over two days, filled with intense debates, collaborative problem-solving, and inspiring guest speeches. The conference was graced by distinguished personalities like Arun Raj, founder of The Pickle Jar, and Ananya Reddy, an IAS officer who secured the 3rd rank in the UPSC Civil Service Examination 2023. Their presence and insights added a profound depth to the proceedings, motivating students to engage deeply with global issues such as climate change and human rights.

    The conference showcased an array of committees from the intense deliberations in the UN Security Council to the passionate discussions in the All India Political Parties Meet (AIPPM) and various crises simulations. Each committee challenged students to hone their research, public speaking, and diplomatic skills in real-time. It wasn’t merely about defending national policies or winning arguments; it was about understanding diverse perspectives, finding common ground, and crafting viable, sustainable solutions that resonate on a global scale.

    Suchitra Academy prides itself on embedding the R.I.S.E values—Respect, Integrity, Self-discipline, and Excellence—into every aspect of this event. Our delegates exemplified these values, their voices rising confidently to address complex issues, and their solutions soaring to new heights of innovative thinking. The MUN platform, therefore, serves as more than just a competition; it is a transformative experience that empowers students to become conscientious global citizens.

    The event concluded on a high note with Ananya Reddy’s inspiring address, where she emphasized the significance of youth empowerment and the critical role young leaders play in shaping our world. Her journey as a top-ranked IAS officer sparked a sense of possibility among the attendees, driving home the message that dedication and perseverance can indeed pave the way for extraordinary achievements.

    As we reflect on the success of Suchitra MUN 6.0, it is clear that the conference has set a new benchmark for academic excellence and leadership in the region. It was not just an event but a celebration of youth potential and the powerful impact of collective effort and diplomacy.

    Suchitra Academy looks forward to the next chapter, where we will continue to support our students in their journey to become the leaders of tomorrow. We are immensely proud of what our delegates have accomplished and are excited about the heights they will reach as they carry forward the lessons learned from this monumental event.


    Mansi Praharaj

  • Sensex opens at all-time high on positive global cues

    market bull

    IANS

    Indian equity frontline indices opened at an all-time high on Monday following a rally in the US market.

    At the starting of the session, both Sensex and Nifty made a new all-time high at 82,725 and 25,333 respectively.

    At 9:43 a.m., Sensex was 246 points or 0.30 per cent at 82,612 and Nifty was 77 points or 0.31 per cent at 25,313.

    In the early trading session, Midcap and smallcap stocks traded flat compared to largecaps. Nifty midcap 100 index was down 45 points or 0.08 per cent at 59,234 and Nifty smallcap 100 index was up 19 points or 0.10 per cent at 19,326.

    Among the sector indices, IT, fin service, FMCG, energy, pvt bank, consumption and infra were the major gainers. PSU bank, pharma, metal and PSE were the major losers.

    According to market experts, “The market has entered a zone of steady but mild up-move caused by accumulation of quality largecaps. FIIs turning buyers last week mainly due to some large bulk deals also has improved sentiments in the market.”

    market

    “If the market closes positive today that will be a record for the Indian stock market with the Nifty posting a record 13-day winning streak. Sentiment-wise this is positive,” they added.

    In the Sensex pack, ITC, Asian Paints, HCL Tech, UltraTech Cement, Bajaj Finance, TCS, Infosys, Tech Mahindra, Maruti Suzuki, JSW Steel, Sun Pharma and Nestle are the top gainers; whereas Tata Motors, M&M, NTPC, Titan and ICICI Bank are the top losers.

    Most of the markets in Asia are trading in the green. There is a rise in Tokyo, Jakarta and Seoul. Hong Kong and Shanghai are in the red. US markets closed with a gain in Friday’s session.

    The foreign institutional investors (FIIs) extended their buying as they bought equities worth Rs 5,316 crore on August 30, while domestic institutional investors sold equities worth Rs 3,198 crore on the same day.

    (With inputs from IANS)

     

  • Visa Application: Number of visa applications increased, VFS Global released report

    New Delhi. Since the Corona epidemic, there has been a tremendous increase in the number of visa applications in India. Visa service provider VFS Global company has released a report regarding visa applications.

    According to this report, there has been a rapid increase in the number of visa applications since the Covid-19 epidemic.

    – Advertisement –

    The data given in the report clearly shows that foreign travel also increased after the Corona epidemic.

    Visa applications increased

    VFS Global said in its report that the number of visa applications in June has surpassed the pre-pandemic level. This application is 2 percent more than the first half of 2019. At the same time, the number of applications has increased by 11 percent compared to the year 2023.

    According to the report, the demand for ‘Visa at Your Door Step’ (VAYD) in personalized service has also increased. The demand for VAYD has seen a fourfold increase as compared to the year 2019. At the same time, there was an increase of 16 percent in VAYD as compared to the first half of 2023.

    Also Read: NPCI simplified FASTAG payments using just the mobile number.

    With Visa at Your Doorstep, applicants can complete the visa application process from the comfort of their home or any location and can also avail the benefit of biometric enrolment service.

    VAYD service is available in these countries

    VFS Global said in its report that India’s VAYD service is available for 16 countries. This means that you can apply for visa for these countries from home. You can apply for visa for Austria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Slovenia, Switzerland and Britain from home.

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  • RBI is planning to make Rupee and UPI global, big statement by governor

    Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Shaktikanta Das said that efforts are being made to make UPI and RuPay truly global. Addressing the Global Fintech Fest 2024, Das said that RBI’s focus is on empowering financial inclusion, digital public infrastructure (DPI), consumer safety and cyber security, sustainable finance and global integration of financial services.

    – Advertisement –

    The governor said this

    He said that India is an active part of international forums and bilateral agreements to promote economic cooperation with many countries and strengthening the financial infrastructure including cross-border payment systems will be the main target area of ​​the Reserve Bank. We are now focusing on making UPI and RuPay truly global.

    He said that in this direction, significant progress has been made with Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Singapore, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Mauritius, Namibia, Peru, France and some other countries accepting RuPay cards and payments through the UPI network. He said that these efforts underline the collaborative efforts to adopt India’s initiative across the world.

    Also Read: NPCI on Wednesday launched a new feature UPI Delegated Payment

    This is the specialty of UPI and Rupay

    Unified Payment System (UPI) facilitates inter-bank transactions through mobile phones, while Rupay is a domestically developed global card payment network. Das said that with the help of its tech capability and developed fintech ecosystem, India has the potential to become a global hub of digital innovation and fintech startups, create and strengthen strategic partnerships, strengthen commitment to international cooperation and develop institutions of excellence.

    Das said that the fintech sector has attracted investments worth about six billion dollars in the last two years. The RBI governor said that India is now a fast-growing economic power. He said that financial institutions and fintech should quickly adopt a strong framework to take advantage of the new opportunities arising in the Indian economy and reduce risks. He said that digital financial inclusion has unique advantages of being affordable at scale and affordable cost. He said that the new trinity of JAM-UPI-ULI is a revolutionary step in India’s digital infrastructure journey.

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  • Sensex trades flat amid negative global cues from US, Asian markets

    sensex

    IANS

    Indian equity indices opened flat on Thursday due to negative cues from Asian and US markets. At 9.40 a.m., Sensex was at 81,816, up 31 points and Nifty was up 19 points at 25,071. During the early trading hour, the Overall market trend remains positive.

    On the National Stock Exchange (NSE), 1,134 shares are in the green and 759 shares in the red. Marginal buying is seen in the smallcap and midcap stocks.

    Nifty midcap 100 index is up 21 points or 0.04 per cent at 59,179 and the Nifty smallcap 100 index is up 46 points or 0.23 per cent at 19,369.

    Among the sectoral indices, PSU Bank, fin service, pharma, FMCG and media are the major gainers. Metal, energy, realty and infra are major laggards. In the Sensex pack, Tech Mahindra, HDFC Bank, Bajaj Finserv, Sun Pharma, Power Grid, NTPC, Nestle, ITC, Wipro and Tata Motors are the top gainers.

    UltraTech Cement, Infosys, HCL Tech, Tata Steel, Maruti Suzuki, JSW Steel and Axis Bank are the top losers.

    sensex

    SensexIANS

    According to the market experts, “Weak global cues and the consequent weak openings have proved to be opportunities to buy in the domestic market. This pattern may persist. A significant feature of the near-term market trend is that it is resilient and steadily moving up without sharp spurts thereby preventing a spike in valuations in the largecap category.”

    “The recent accumulation of IT stocks stems from the confidence that the soft landing scenario in the US economy will lead to the execution of the orders on which the IT companies have been sitting for some time now,” they said.

    Selling is seen in the Asian markets. Tokyo, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Shanghai and Seoul are in the red. Only Jakarta markets are trading in the green. The US markets closed in the red in Wednesday’s trading session.

    The foreign institutional investors (FIIs) turned net sellers on August 28 as they sold equities worth Rs 1,347 crore, while domestic institutional investors bought equities worth Rs 439 crore on the same day.

    (With inputs from IANS)

  • Aditya Birla Capital Digital Unveils DigiGold Gifting at the Global Fintech Festival


    Aditya Birla Capital Digital

    Launches DigiGold Gifting, Instant Selfie-based Family Health Scan and Multi-Asset Investing

    INDIA: Aditya Birla Capital Digital Limited (“ABCDL”), the digital-first arm of India’s leading financial services conglomerate, Aditya Birla Capital, announced the launch of a suite of three new product offerings – DigiGold Gifting, Instant Selfie-based Family Health Scan and Multi-Asset Investing in a single journey on ABCD, omnichannel D2C platform at the Global Fintech Festival. Building on the platform’s 1.2 million+ registrations, these industry-first features are aimed at providing users with a more personalized and convenient digital financial experience, making “Everything Finance as Simple as ABCD”.

    DIGIGOLD GIFTING

    Gifting digital gold is a new feature, wherein ABCD app users can seamlessly gift their friends and family digital gold using the recipient’s mobile number. The recipient can redeem the gold by downloading the ABCD app from the Play Store and App Store.

    FAMILY HEALTH SCAN

    This is an innovative, selfie-based, free Health Scan feature that is available under the ‘My Track’ section of the ABCD app. It has now expanded to cover up to 5 family members. The technology extracts health measurements from a video stream of the face scan based on complex mathematical algorithms across 20+ vital health parameters including overall health score, heart rate, respiration rate, blood pressure, etc.

    SIMPLiNVEST

    Currently, in beta version, SIMPLiNVEST is an industry-first solution which enables users to undertake systematic investments across various asset classes like mutual funds, stocks, and digital gold through a single, intuitive journey. It automates, diversifies, and personalizes the user’s investment journey, providing a balanced approach to wealth accumulation. With features like personalized asset allocation and customized investment calendars, investors are empowered to seamlessly take care of their financial goals, based on their risk appetite and monthly investment surplus.

    Announcing the launch, Mr. Pankaj Gadgil, Head – of Digital Platforms and Payments Strategy, Aditya Birla Capital Limited said, “We are excited to unveil these new features to help our users manage their finances and health better, all from the convenience of ABCD platform. Gold is an important asset class for wealth diversification and is deeply rooted in our culture of gifting. With DigiGold Gifting, we have combined the essence of tradition in a new-age digital package. Through Family Health Scan’s instant health insights, users can effortlessly monitor their health and that of their loved ones through a simple face scan. With SIMPLiNVEST, our multi-asset investment feature, we are enabling users to diversify and sachets their portfolios through a single, intuitive journey. As we go forward, we will add more features on the platform, to serve the evolving needs of users and help make their digital financial experience simple and frictionless.”

    As a part of its ongoing innovation and digital transformation journey, Aditya Birla Capital commercially launched the omnichannel D2C platform, ABCD in April 2024. Guided by a Maximum Viable Product approach, ABCD offers users a comprehensive portfolio of 20+ products and services including loans, investments, insurance, and payment facilities such as UPI payments, multi-account payments, multi-mode receipt, and spend analyzer tools among others. The platform has witnessed a strong response with over 1.2 million registrations to date.