India Facing a Setback of $700 million due to Digital Gambling

Digital Gambling has ruined the economy of India as online betting websites have pumped several crores of rupees down the drains. Readers may be shocked to know that just a single website LCEXCH.COM yearly makes India poorer of over Rs 5,000 crores !! This is a big blow to PM Modi as he has been waging a war against black money and money laundering.

AB group of companies under Lal Chand a Pakistani now a European citizen, Gul and other teams under the AB exchange, Wintika online casino from Curacao, Montenegro and Malta are the pioneers of this dubious business. Chander nickname Shankar Jalander, Hamanth Sood is another group and so many doing illegal exchanges in different names. Insider’s claim Rohit and Sid are engaged in hawala money laundering from India, Dubai, and Pakistan and have contacts with underworld don Dawood Ibrahim’s people Noman, Dileep, Javaid Chotani, and Jabar Moti who was arrested from the UK.

Rakesh Rajkot and Manish too are engaged in the dirty business under multi-exchange and Diamond. Sukmeder Singh Sodi and Mukesh Delhi under the name of Gamex. Similar Harry, Jitu, Shivam, Madhu are doing business under the name of Sky exchange. In addition so many other bookmakers Tomy, Jacky Ahmedabad etc. are running different online sites to rob Indian of their money.

Hello Mumbai demands Indian authorities to take notice at the earliest and save Indian money being drained due to digital gambling addiction

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Global Education Options for Indian Teenagers

Partnership between TimesPro and Monash College invites applications from students who wish to study business in Australia  

The number of Indian students studying abroad is increasing rapidly, and a nearly 50% surge in the past decade is proof of the pudding. As per UNESCO data, by August 2017, over 3, 00,000 Indian students were studying abroad. The reasons for an Indian teen to pursue higher studies abroad are myriad. International universities offer a vast variety of courses and better quality of education. That apart, the independent thought process that a student imbibes by way of global education is one that also enables youth to explore more opportunities. The prestige a family feels while their ward is studying and staying abroad, is of course, additional motivation.

What is students' choice? 

As per government of India data, while the study-abroad options for Indian students may be as many as 86 countries, the USA, the UK, Australia and Canada are the most popular choices. Of the total number of students abroad in 2017, a whopping 69.5% chose the aforementioned countries as their destination for higher studies. Even though traditionally the USA leads the charts with just over 1 lakh Indian students, Australia has been emerging as the recent favourite. As of August 2018, Australiahouses over 68,000 Indian students, up 16.8% from 2017, says data released by the Australian High Commission in India. Both countries believe education to be a flagship sector as part of their bilateral relationship, and are doing everything they can to encourage exchange.

Why Australia? 

Australian universities have an impressive international reputation. The environment is safe, and immigration policies favourable. Australia offers world class standards of living with considerably lower expenditure than the USA and the UK. Up for grabs are attractive work opportunities to students, which can offset living costs to a bare minimum. Equal opportunities are ensured for students who have graduated out of a specific course, from any university in the country. The biggest advantage however, is the work rights - Australia allows students a work visa for two years post study. A student can completely recover the expenses incurred during the study period in these two years.

Study options in Australia 

Australian universities are actively working on increasing awareness among Indian students. Education institutes in India such as TimesPro, in conjunction with varsities such as Monash and Queenslandamong others, are offering pathway programs to make global education not only more accessible, but also less expensive. A pathway is a learning experience that provides international students lateral entry to various undergraduate or graduate programs at universities, by offering them an academic foundation and essential language skills. Pathway programs enable Indian students to join international courses on Indian shores and then continue their degree abroad at a later stage. This is especially beneficial for students who, after graduating school, may have missed admission into the international universities of their choice but do not want to have gaps in their education.

One such program is the Monash College International Pathway Program (MCIP) by TimesPro, conducted over eight months in India, specifically designed for students who wish to study business or commerce undergraduate degrees at Monash University. With MCIP, one won't just learn theories and trends, but also develop a more creative and confident mind-set with hands-on training and practical exposure. After successful completion of the program and meeting entry requirements, one will have guaranteed* entry into second year at Monash University.

*terms and conditions apply

A global education inculcates a sense of global citizenship. The 'Land of Oz' a not just a brilliant option for education for young boys and girls, but is also a beautiful country with a unique culture, waiting to be embraced. 

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ESPN India Commends the Performance of LiveU's LU600 HEVC at the FIFA World Cup™ in Russia

LiveU has always earned its reputation by delivering cutting-edge technology solutions and flawless performance in even the most testing of circumstances.

At this year's FIFA World Cup Championship, LiveU managed to break all its previous records. LiveU released its live broadcasting figures for the FIFA World Cup™ in Russia with 485 units onsite used by customers from over 40 countries. The numbers have doubled, and even tripled, since the 2014 FIFA World Cup™ – including over 15,000 hours of live broadcasting, over 30,000 live sessions and 36TB of live transmission – with LiveU's LU600 4K HEVC solution enabling customers to broadcast more hours with less data.

With numerous interviews of players, fans and spectators and exciting behind-the-scene captures, LiveU has successfully grasped the essence and atmosphere of this truly global event with daily live feeds.

One of the biggest sports broadcasters – ESPN India – was present in Moscow to catch all the live action of FIFA WC 2018 with the LU600 HEVC.

Live feeds captured on the ground needed to be sent back to India to be broadcast live on Sony Pictures Networks India. Flexibility, mobility and signal reliability were the three main requirements and LiveU was able to pass with flying colours. 

"We used LiveU units throughout the tournament to capture live feeds that were sent back to India to be broadcast live on Sony Pictures Networks India. Our experience was really good – even at crowded locations where there were issues of network congestion. Sending live feeds back to India was seamless with no technological glitches," said Suketu Mehta, a Multimedia Producer with ESPN, India.

The other two features of the LU600 HEVC that were highlighted were its form-factor and cost effectiveness.

"There was a time when the live TV experience involved the use of heavy and bulky equipment and a huge crew. Now it has been replaced by this small, portable, easy-to-carry solution that fits in a backpack. The compact chassis is what makes it one of the most portable solutions. You can literally carry it anywhere," Mehta said. "Thank you LiveU for your rock-solid support!"

LiveU was able to provide customers with bandwidth guarantees for superior connectivity in the 11 host cities. The offering provided a special add-on priority SIMs package for streaming high-quality live video, enabling customers to reach 20Mbps uplink and deliver HD live feeds even from the most crowded locations. LiveU had a dedicated technical team on site, managing the logistics and providing 24/7 support, with two designated distribution centers in Moscow and St Petersburg.

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500 Years of Timeless Fashion

Ever imagined a fabric so fine that wrapping it around you feels warm and luxurious all at the same time?

Appropriately called the "soft gold of Asia", Pashmina is the art of Handcrafting distincitve pieces of luxury with fine Himalayan Cashmere. It has withstood the test of time & have been around for more than five centuries. From being draped by the European nobility to now being the ultimate fashion accessory, this ancient art has gone through a whirlwind of a ride in the last few decades.

There's a flood of fast fashion today and most brands have jumped on to this bandwagon. Even when it comes to Cashmere, most brands are selling "affordable products" in the name of machine-made and blended varieties. Since Cashmere is regal and a symbol of opulence, consumers (because of the lack of awareness) go in for such tall claims and later pay a heavy price for their choices.

This is where we have stepped in to revive the lost glory of Pashmina. This royal art has its roots in the picturesque valleys of Kashmir and for us, maintaining its pristine beauty is paramount. At Pashmina.com, we believe in the adage 'less is more' and propagate sustainable luxury through all our offerings. Each of our products is painstakingly hand-crafted: hand-woven & hand-embroidered by the gifted artisans of the land of Kashmir.

For a piece so timeless and which is a repertoire of rich history, we strongly work towards quality & craft authenticity, each of our pieces – shawls, hijabs, stoles & scarves, wraps, blankets – go through stringent testing by the Crafts Development Institute, which is under the aegis of the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India.

Though the art of Pashmina has a rich history, it is the artisans who are the real stars. They painstakingly create masterpieces that reflect the highest level of craftsmanship. To cater to varied tastes of our consumers, we offer two distincitve lines, one of the timeless pieces with Bold, Weaves & Hand Embroidery to the contemporary line of pashminas with Ombre, Swarovski Crystals, Prints & Chantilly Laces.

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An appeal to my country by Trish Bose

I am a citizen of India, I was born here, raised here and I have received all my education in this country and specifically Mumbai. I have seen all the facets of this city may it be good or bad. I have suffered through the terrorist attacks, the bandhs and live through the hustle and bustle of this remarkable city daily.

I am sure you who have stayed in this city for a while have gone through the same in your own way. My observations have brought to me to a conclusion, the conclusion being that we are a city of world class malls and third class government facilities, of highly educated professionals and hardly educated politicians, we have a world class mentality and third class sense of social responsibility. The most amusing part about this whole situation is that we have excelled at giving blame to government and do nothing as citizens to rectify our situation.

But the fault may not be ours all together we ourselves don’t know how we can rectify this situation that we see ourselves in or maybe it is our fault and we have forgotten that our country is a democracy although it feels more like a demo-crazy at the moment. Our country has one of the most democratic systems wherein our constitution itself says that it a government of the people, by the people and it’s for the people of this country.  Us the people need to be reminded what we are capable of, what we can do, how we can do it. For the ones who want to study it by themselves we have to study only 3 books, i.e., the Constitution of India, the Indian penal code and the code of civil procedure. These three books govern our country for the most part, these books give you the power of equality because all Indians are equal there is no religion, caste, creed, social standing or gender that is superior to another we are all equal as per our rights as citizens of this Country. There is no difference between you and the Government because we are the Government. Thus the situation that we see ourselves in, in a religious ideology based conundrum that bothers us today is of our own doing, the corruption, lies and deceit we face is because we allow such corruption, lies and deceit to prevail. We must take the power back into our own hands and make this country the country that we deserve and want. Pool our intelligence and resources to make a difference to guide the next generation to a better tomorrow. Us as Indians have made a mark worldwide we are regarded as one of the most hardworking and successful immigrants in foreign countries which ever country that we may go to. Why can’t we be a successful nation?  It is because we fear that our efforts may not be recognised, that we may face adversity, that we may face violence from the people in power.

The People are in power because we have put them in power, they can bully maybe a 100 people, but we are not just 100 we are a billion. We must become more responsible for ourselves, we must ensure we are not handed substandard leadership, disgusting government facilities and a bang for our tax payer’s buck. For this we must educate ourselves in electoral politics and we must ensure that the best of our community strive to become our leaders, we must eradicate the taboo behind politics and perform our duty as citizens to lead one another, to help one another and ensure that we grow together.

It is us who is responsible for the growth and development of our own societies and communities. Spreading our influence in a 5 kilo-meter radius from where we live can contribute towards the development of our own areas. We must ensure that our Public service sector like the BMC should be properly manned with qualified professionals, who give us quality service. A proper corporate structure is required in the Public sector of our Governance that can be ensured by having our qualified and educated youth to choose Public sector job. Local governance of localities must be emphasised upon. The Local population of a locality must be responsible for the governance of their own locality, the local populace must strive to occupy the government positions responsible for the development of their own area. There must be an assured 5 year plan which is to be followed step by step for ensuring development specific to each locality. Local problems must be identified and solved as per the priority of the problems, meaning that local polls and research must be conducted to identify problems and the issued must be solved as per the urgency and requirement.

This is a mere example of the ideas we can employ to ensure that we develop our own city, state and country. We must study the ways of developed nations and institute a local system based on proper scientific process and competence. This may seem idealistic but this must be a goal so that we involve ourselves in our own development. We must strive to think globally and act locally. We must make a global culture based on mutual respect and admiration rather than lies and deceit. 

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Trujet – Connecting 'True' India

Trujet, India's first schedule commuter airline has made a notable place in the aviation space by pioneering the UDAN project, thereby making Honourable Prime Minister's vision a reality. Trujet now connects fourteen major destinations in south India including Cuddapah, Nanded, Bellary, Mysore and Salem in the regional connectivity scheme.

Trujet has carried 1.2 million passengers in the three years since it started flying. Trujet has been further awarded with 20 new routes in the Western & Eastern states and will connect Kandla, Porbandar, Keshod, Jaisalmer, Jalgaon & Nasik from Ahmedabad & Burnpur, Cooch Behar, Tezu, and Rupsi from Guwahati.

"We have 14 destinations at present. We are adding close to 20 more destinations in coming months. At present we are operating five ATRs. We are looking to add five to seven more ATRs in the coming months," said Mr. Vishok Mansingh, CEO, Truejet airline. He further revealed that, to meet this new destination's demand the company is planning to acquire 5 - 7 ATR Jets this financial year with financial support of internal accruals. He further added, "TruJet is currently operating at close to 85 per cent occupancy levels. This ushers the second phase of our UDAN effort, where Trujet connects Bharat with India and promotes the air connectivity of unserved/underserved cities to the metros. Trujet is planning organic and inorganic expansion to support its future demand."

Trujet is the first airline to successfully fly all routes as part of its first bid under UDAN and the Ministry of Civil Aviation has issued a Citation to Trujet for the same.

Trujet has been awarded the 'Most Promising Airline' for the year 2018 from India Travel Awards -South 2018.

On the occasion of its third anniversary, Trujet would like to thank all stake holders including MoCA, DGCA, BCAS,AAI, Airport operator, fuel companies, Lessors and Vendors for their continuous support in achieving this milestone.

As a responsible corporate citizen, Trujet is also taking concrete steps to be a responsible member of the community by taking 300 under privileged children on the first flight of their life so that they may aspire to build a better life for themselves. This is part of a year-long programme where Trujet will work with NGO's who are championing this cause

"On the occasion of its 3rd anniversary, Trujet is offering fares starting at Rs. 603 all-inclusive to make air travel affordable for common man," said Mr. Vishok Mansingh, CEO of the Airline

Replying to a query, the airline CFO, K G Vishwanath said that presently they are nearly achieving the operational break-even and will become profitable by next 2-3 years. He further added, "For the last three years, some of the earlier routes which we have started are breaking even at operational level. For an overall perspective, we are a more stabilised carrier and we are close to operational break-even at this point of time."

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GTPL Hathway Announces Appointment of Mr. Viren Thakkar as New CFO

GTPL Hathway Limited (GTPL), India's leading Digital Cable TV and Broadband Service provider, today announced appointment of Mr. Viren Thakkar as the new Chief Financial Officer (CFO) effective from Monday, July 2, 2018. He has replaced Jayanta Kumar Pani, who is leaving GTPL at the end of this month to explore other career opportunities.

Viren has 27 years of experience in corporate finance, cost control, budgeting, internal control & audit and corporate planning. Previously, Viren was the Chief Financial Officer for India, Middle East and Africa Region at Roquette Riddhi Siddhi Private Limited; a part of Roquette Freres Group of France, having operation in 42 countries with an annual turnover of 3.20 Billion Euro. Prior to that, between 2007 and 2012, Viren was General Manager - Finance at Torrent Power Limited, a part of Ahmedabad-based Torrent Group. Viren is a chartered accountant and a cost accountant. 

Commenting on the appointment, Anirudhasinhji Jadeja, Managing Director, GTPL Hathway, said, "I warmly welcome Viren to GTPL family. Viren brings wealth of experience in managing finance & accounts function at reputed companies. As GTPL continues to increase market share in digital cable TV and invest in technologically superior high-speed, low cost broadband services, the company will benefit immensely from Viren's deep knowledge and global experience across finance & accounts domain." Mr. Jadeja added, "On behalf of GTPL board, I would like to thank Jayanta for his substantial contribution to GTPL. In past one decade, Jayanta has built a solid foundation for GTPL and played a key role in taking the company public. I wish him great success in his future endeavours."

Commenting on the new role, Viren Thakkar, said, "I am excited to join GTPL Hathway, one of the few profitable companies in digital cable and broadband space. I look forward to focus on future investment in technology, prudent capital allocation, margin expansion and value creation for all the stakeholders."

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Prorganiq Expands its Line of Best-selling Weight-loss and Health Supplements With More Herbal Products

Building on its initial success with Targeted Fat-burners, Prorganiq now offers several Fully-natural and Organic Health Supplements and Energy Boosters for Everyday Wellness

With obesity and its health-related risks on a steady rise across the globe, there has been a demand for new dietary supplements and weight loss measures to aid people in acquiring a fit profile.

     Prorganiq, a company that aces in developing natural and safe dietary supplements, is now offering a combination of their highest-rated and best-selling fat-burners along with several 100% naturally-derived potent health supplements in the Indian market. The company which brings about organic and effective weight loss measures is now making waves in India across all major cities and populace.

The three core weight-loss supplements are: 30-Day Mega Fat Burner, Green Coffee Bean Extract with CGA and Garcinia Cambogia (with 60% HCA).

The 30-Day Mega Fat Burner has been the principle dietary supplement that integrates an innovative 4-point formula involving key ingredients, combining the attributes of many weight loss capsules into a single pill. Its efficacy has been proven in reducing one's overall weight in 30 days' time by aiming the stubborn fat regions such as the belly and thighs. It also subdues hunger levels and provides for a satiated feel leading to reduced appetite. To sum it up, the 30-Day Mega Fat Burner is a supreme supplement bringing about multifold benefits to its users - powerful fat burner, appetite inhibitor, energy bolster and mood enhancer.

Green Coffee Bean Extract is the second dietary supplement that involves two principle ingredients: Chlorogenic acid and Caffeine. These ingredients work together in improving one's metabolism leading to excess burning of calories along with activating the body's fat burning hormone. This causes effectual fat reduction along with preventing further fat accumulation. The Caffeine ingredient raises antioxidant levels flushing chemical toxins from the body.

Garcinia Cambogia is another dietary supplement derived from the fruit, Malabar Tamarind, which is known to contain HCA or Hydroxycitric Acid, which is known to be instrumental in weight loss. The supplement has been tested and verified to be an active metabolism bolster and an intense fat burner working especially around stubborn fat areas. It vastly improves one's physical profile and offers for a slim look. It's also known to reduce inflammation and vastly control the blood sugar levels.

Apart from the core Fat Burners, Prorganiq has also availed customers to choose from a wide range of regular daily supplements containing Pure and Organic herbal ingredients ranging from Neem, Brahmi, Fenugreek, Ashwagandha, Noni, Tulsi, and Ginger, all having their own individual health benefits.

"The supplements we churned out are based on the principle of using the body's natural mechanism to target weight reduction from all possible angles bringing about weight loss in a viable and healthy manner," the Managing Director of Prorganiq was quoted as saying. 

All the supplements can be availed through the online platform, and come with a 60-day No-Question asked, money-back guarantee. If one isn't satisfied with the results after using the product, they can avail a complete refund. Effective for both males and females above the age of 18, the supplements can be involved in your weight loss regime along with a balanced diet and exercises.

"At Prorganiq, we don't take any chances. All ingredients are duly researched and processed carefully to be at their potent state. The nature of our supplements makes it safe for everyday use that can be taken along with one's daily meal. The capsules use a vegetarian base which renders these veggie capsules 100% suitable to the needs of vegans and vegetarians," added Mr. Surya Kumar, the MD.

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Great Lakes Institute of Management, Gurgaon was Graced by the Presence of Mr Avnish Sabharwal, Md, Accenture Ventures & Open Innovation at the Commencement of Its 7th PGPM Batch.

Great Lakes Institute of Management, Gurgaon, a premier management institute, recently commenced the academic year for the class of 2018-19 of its Post Graduate Programme in Management (PGPM) with 158 students in a ceremony held at its Manesar campus. The ceremony was addressed by the honourable Chief Guest Mr Avnish Sabharwal, MD, Accenture Ventures & Open Innovation and India Mentor of change, Atal Innovation Mission.

The ceremony began with the lighting of auspicious lamp by the honourable Chief Guest in the presence of Mr. Mohan Lakhamraju, Vice Chairman, Great lakes Institute of Management and Founder, Great Learning, Dr. Debashis Sanyal, Director, Great Lakes Institute of Management, Gurgaon, Dr. Umashankar Venkatesh, Director, PGPM and Professor (Marketing), Great Lakes Institute of Management, Gurgaon along with board of directors, staff and students from the new batch. 

Addressing the new batch, Mr Avnish Sabharwal spoke about innovation and world of digital disruption. He also spoke that “it is the combinatorial impact of technologies such as artificial intelligence, augmented learning, data analytics, block chain etc. that is causing disruption in the business processes. We are witnessing that the traditional value chain companies are being replaced by platform companies such as Google, Uber, facebook, Air bnb and so on. So, all organizations need to adopt technology and be a part of digital revolution to stay in the business. The same goes for students as they will be future leaders and entrepreneurs and they need to be nimble enough to understand these disruptive technologies and all the changes and shift caused by them in the businesses. Hence, they need to learn to learn and understand that learning should never stop,opined, Mr Sabharwal. 

Dr Bala V. Balachandran, Chairman of the Board, Founder and Dean of Great Lakes Institute of Management, wished the incoming ‘NINJAS’ and expressed, "You are entering into a Progressive and Premium Business School that not only is making a DIFFERENCE  in the Higher Management landscape but now Delivering that DIFFERENCE  in a way , where the Art of Leadership blends with the Science of Management. It is up to you to make the most of our Gurukulam style of Living and Learning. At Great Lakes, the art of living blends with the science of learning making for a truly holistic experience. Welcome at Great Lakes.”

Congratulating the new batch and sharing experience of his own educational journey, Mr Mohan Lakhamraju, expressed that “the high quality education can transform your life and open up world of opportunities and possibilities for you. It not only provides you with skills, network but also with the confidence to believe in yourself.” He inspired students to be more aspirational in life and aim higher. “Great Lakes will provide you with the exposure to acclaimed faculty, renowned industry leaders and world-class educational experience, so I advise you all to make the best of the opportunity and pursue your goals sincerely, said,Mr Lakhamraju.

Welcoming the new batch, Dr Debashis Sanyal, said, “Great Lakes has a tradition of naming its new batch after an acclaimed warrior clan because the spirit of the warriors and the zeal with which they fight bravely in every situation is what we want to inculcate in our students. This year the PGPM batch will be called as ‘Ninjas’. The term refers to the technique that helps users to enhance the capability to achieve feats which are otherwise unattainable.” Further he expressed confident that Ninjas will reach new heights through the learning that they will gain here at Great Lakes, Gurgaon. Speaking about curriculum, Dr Sanyal shared that “Great Lakes, Gurgaon is a new age business school for new age businesses. Infact is a pioneer in including business analytics, artificial intelligence and machine learning as a part of the curriculum. This year we will focus more on soft skills such as oral and written communication.”

The event concluded with Dr Umashankar Venkatesh, delivering the vote of thanks.

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What’s your Skin-töhl?

A finely made leather accessory affirms luxury and your choice of a handbag speaks volumes of your style. A handbag serves as both; a necessity as well as a statement piece. Eyeing this space in the market The Sac and Satchel Company has launched its brand, töhl. Ranging from hand and shoulder bags, to totes, backpacks, clutches and wallets, the töhl product range is versatile, utilitarian and thoughtfully crafted for varied purposes.

 Töhl combines the best of contemporary styling, technology and the legacy of time-honored handcrafted leather smithing traditions to manufacture the bags. ‘töhl’, meaning skin in Tamil, is a brand synonymous with luxury and craftsmanship. The leathers are handpicked and treated with artisanal respect using processes that meet international standards.

 Defined by its minimalist style, the product range has an old-world charm combined with understated modern elegance. The brand and its product range are perfectly suited to the urban lifestyle, combining functionality and aesthetics. töhl’s clientele is women who balance the many roles of contemporary life, whilst holding on to a sense and expression of personal style.

 With 25 years of industry experience exporting leather bags and accessories to Europe the finest product range is now accessible at your fingertips. All the products are made in India with a manufacturing facility in Chennai

.

Price Range: INR 990 – INR 8500 Availability: tohl.in

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IG International introduces DIVA apples to India

Associates with Mr Apple, New Zealand’s leading global apple exporter, to bring a premium variety of apples in the country

Biting into crisp, juicy and delicious apples is an experience one wants to enjoy every day! Once again, in its bid to delight apple lovers, IG International, India’s largest fresh fruit importer has entered into an association with Mr Apple, New Zealand’s leading global apple exporter, to launch DIVA, a premium variety of apples into the Indian subcontinent.

Deliciously sweet and crunchy, the DIVA variant is naturally bright red in colour and high in flavour. Derived freshly from the idyllic apple-growing conditions of New Zealand, DIVA apples are only available for a limited season, from April to August. One of the best apples cultivated in New Zealand, the DIVA variant is handled with great care and picked from the orchards at the right moment, so that its pure taste, crispness and aroma are passed on to the customers.

Commenting on the launch, Mr Tarun Arora, Director – IG International Pvt. Ltd, said, “Apples are highly sought-after in India for their abundant health benefits and juicy and crunchy wonders. The introduction of premium and fresh DIVA apples will help us meet the growing demand of exotic fruits in India, and at the same time resonates well with the Indian consumers who have developed distinct tastes and preferences for fruits. We are happy to include one more variety of exotic apples on our list through our association with Mr Apple.”

Commenting on the Diva Brand, Mr. Ben McLeod, Retail Sales Manager at Mr Apple said, “The best thing about DIVA apples is that they are grown on orchards that have access to cool ocean breezes, high-quality soil and an abundance of summer sunshine hours; all of this complements the freshness of the dishes they are added into! We are extremely confident that this sweeter-tasting apple is sure to win the hearts of many in the Indian market. Along with IG’s vast distribution network and leadership position, we are looking forward to taking off this association to greater heights.”

Produced in the best soil and climatic conditions of New Zealand, DIVA apples are sweeter tasting than the other varieties of apple in the country. The launch of the aromatic and tasty DIVA apples in India is sure to leave people wanting more of the delicious fruit with every bite.

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Manish Malhotra to mentor students online at INIFD & LST

Ace Bollywood Fashion Icon Manish Malhotra is all set to share his knowledge and expertise to Indian students by being their mentor. Mr. Malhotra has joined hands with INIFD & LST to impart specialized Fashion, education and training online. This ‘Learn with Manish Malhotra’ Program shall be available from the current academic session. 

Now every fashion enthusiast has the privilege and opportunity to learn from the Master himself, the finest nuances of the Fashion World. Mr. Malhotra will share his experience of last 28 years in Fashion & Bollywood Movies with students through the use of technology by providing extensive video lectures and online study material. Mr. Manish Malhotra will be providing specialized lectures covering the wide range of topics from Bollywood Costumes to Bridal Trousseau and from Men’s Apparel to preparing for the Fashion Weeks.

While Manish Malhotra will share his knowledge online, the Certified Faculty at INIFD Centres across India will provide the necessary skills to shape the career of budding designers. This unique blend of Fashion education will revolutionize the method of learning as students can now access the lectures of Maestro Manish Malhotra anywhere in the country with just a finger touch through a dedicated app.  

Mr. Manish Malhotra launched this ‘Learn from Manish Malhotra’ program in presence of INIFD Corporate Directors Ms. Ritu Kochhar, Mr. Ashok Kaushik and Executive Director London School of  Trends Mr. Sunny Somra.  Ms. Ritu Kochhar Director INIFD Corporate said that ‘shortly this coveted program ‘Learn from Manish Malhotra’ will be available to each and every Fashion Conscious Citizen who wants to gain insight and experience directly from the icon of the Fashion World – Mr. Manish Malhotra.’ The Centre Directors of INIFD Pune Deccan - Mr. Amar Khatri and Mr. Ashok Daryani said that ‘All students enrolled in academic session 2018 - 19 will get this exclusive opportunity to have ‘Learn from Manish Malhotra’ as part of their regular curriculum.’ 

The launch was done in the presence of the beautiful Mrs Universe Arab Asia (India) contestant - Khushboo Karva who visited the event as a Guest of Honor. She will be competing with leading ladies from across the globe in the month of December in Philippines and is an interior designer by profession. It was great to see the launch of the historic and prestigious event with the hands of a woman who has worked hard to be where she is today. 

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Fire Safety Drills at Orchids the International School

360 Degree Approach towards Fire Safety at both theory and practical Level

The increasing number of fire in educational properties has alarmed Orchids The International School to take that extra step towards educating and preparing students for a Fire Emergency both theoretically and practically. This school is one of the renowned schools in Bangalore, which has taken an extra conscious step towards educating not only the students but the entire teaching and non-teaching staff. Prevention begins with education, at Orchids The International School; the Fire Safety Drills are conducted at regular intervals. Unlike any other schools, all the students of K1 and K2 are also involved in the Fire Safety Drills and training them what to do when they see any smoke coming out.

A Fire Drill is a method of practicing how the building would be evacuated in the event of a fire. At Orchids, they carry out 2 drills every year that is followed by regular inspection of Fire Extinguisher and other tools used for Fire Safety. They have their own school fire safety calendar and guidelines, which have to be followed strictly by each and every branch.

To manage a classroom is a difficult task, but can become extremely difficult during chaotic situations like fire and other disaster drills. Although school fire drill can seem like more hassle than they are worth, they are very important to practice sessions. These drills teach students how to react and behave when a fire emergency occurs.

• ·         Some of the key factors that the school keeps in mind while conducting fire safety classes:
• ·         Conduct expected and unexpected yearly school fire drills in which everyone participates
• ·         Campus Incharge inspects the fire equipment weekly once
• ·         Regular inspection of stairways, doors, and windows to ensure that is unblocked and working properly
• ·         Train students on how to respond to fire alarm during a school fire drill
• ·         Aware of the exact locations of the fire protection system, fire alarm pull stations and sprinklers.
• ·         Every room has the map showing the Emergency Exits
• ·         Pair students with specific needs to adult or classmate for extra assistance
• ·         Predetermined location where students know to meet after exit from the building
• ·         Have a roster to ensure the students are accounted for

Capt. Ramesh Raju, Disaster Management Training Officer, Bangalore, said, "We have conducted the Fire Safety Drills all across the branches and have got a very positive response from students as well as the administration. This has helped us to upgrade our securities-related management and system regularly to meet maximum satisfaction at every level."

Kavita Chatterjee, The Principal, Orchids The International School, Mumbai, said, "We are very conscious about the safety of students and staff and dedicated for the same. The Fire Drill conducted at our school includes on-campus and off-campus precaution guideline that is set at par with industry standards to meet accurate efficiency during Emergency of fire."  

Umesh Kumar, student, Bangalore said, "The fire safety drills that are conducted at our premises, I am very fond of that and love the way our instructors teach the different levels such as evacuation, relocation, shelter-in-place, lock-down, lock-out in detailed yet in fun way." 

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Antuit Appoints Craig Silverman as Group Chief Executive Officer

 Antuit Group, a global analytics provider backed by Goldman Sachs and Zodius Capital, today announced that Craig Silverman has joined as Group Chief Executive Officer. The group’s solutions combine domain expertise and proprietary platforms with technologies like machine learning and AI to deliver advanced analytics solutions that drive revenue and margin growth, improve supply chain efficiency, enhance customer experience and manage cyber risks.

Silverman brings to Antuit an enviable track record of helping companies rapidly transform into digital data driven enterprises in retail, consumer goods, healthcare and manufacturing, along with extensive experience and expertise in advanced analytics, AI, cloud and innovation. Most recently as SVP Global Services for Qlik, Silverman led a team of 450 sales and delivery employees to accelerate customers' digital and data-driven journeys through data visualization, guided analytics and embedded analytics.

Prior to Qlik, Silverman led Accenture’s largest digital analytics practice, where he helped organizations leverage real-time, applied intelligence to enable personalized customer experiences and increased brand loyalty. Before Accenture, he delivered significant growth at IBM’s Retail Analytics and Retail eCommerce practices by helping customers drive digital transformation through omni-channel approaches across marketing, merchandising and supply chain management.

Silverman stated, "Antuit is uniquely poised to deliver insights that drive prescriptive actions and business transformation across an organization. Our data engineering, marketing and pricing analytics, forecasting and supply chain analytics, and cyber intelligence solutions capitalize on the power of Antuit’s talent and advanced technologies to empower businesses to predict, shape and fill demand while proactively managing security risks."

"Craig is the right CEO to lead Antuit through its next stage of growth and profitability. He has a strong track record of delivering outstanding results for business growth and expansion, and his vast analytics experience will deliver greater value for our customers. We are delighted to attract a leader with the vision and ability to build on our accomplishments and drive future success," commented Neeraj Bhargava, Chairman, Antuit.

Ankur Sahu, Co-Head of Private Equity at Goldman Sachs – Asia, said “Craig’s appointment as Group CEO marks a new chapter for Antuit. We are excited about Antuit’s progress to date, and are confident that under Craig’s leadership, the group will continue to innovate and execute to build an exceptional business.”

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Hyderabad’s Riyaz is ‘Fastest Rider’ at The Valley Run 2018

Hyderabad-based Mohammed Ryaz scorched the quarter-mile track of the Aamby Valley air strip to finish with the distinction of ‘Fastest Time’ in The Valley Run 2018 held at the picturesque outskirts of Lonavala this weekend.

Apart from the distinction of being fastest, Riyaz had three podium finishes; one top spot and two second-place to cap off a great day individually.

   

Riyaz’s moment of glory came in the M9 Class (881cc to 1050cc – 4-Stroke). Astride a Yamaha YZF-R1 he clocked 9.686 seconds to ensure that Hyderabad for the second consecutive year stamped their mark in the event as fastest two-wheeler. Last year Neeraj Sharma stole the show.

Overall Riyaz’s effort was one of three sub-10 second dashes recorded in the two- wheel section in the final runs of competition held over three days.  Riyaz also earned the ‘Fastest Foreign Bike’ title.

Mumbai’s Zahir Shah (BMW s1000RR) with 10.001s and Alimon of Bengaluru (Kawasaki Ninja) with 10.087s) made up the Top-3 of the class.

Emulating Riyaz with a top podium finish was his twin-city mate Sundeep Singh Sokhi who claimed the  

O2 (Open Class) Foreign (551cc & Above, Unrestricted) by clocking 9.917s. Interestingly, Riyaz was second with a 9.965s effort. Zubair Ali Jung (Bengaluru) completed an all-south India podium running his Suzuki Hayabusa with a 10.048s effort.

While this type of motorsport (drag racing) is all about a test of acceleration over a short distance, the key to being fastest revolves around syncing reaction time from a standing start to attaining top speed until the finish or vice versa.

A total of seven classes (M6 to M10, P, O2) made up the day in the two-wheeler section while six classes (M1 to M5 & O1) were run under the Promotors Classes only.

The event, promoted by Elite Octane Inc., received a whopping 475 entries from Delhi, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Kolkata, Gujarat, Surat, Indore, Mumbai and Pune and was supported by Sportscraft, the Race Management Partner with sanctions from the FMSCI, the governing body of motorsport in India.

The event overall had some of the country’s fastest motorcycles and top racers were present at this year’s Valley Run and the energy in the Valley was at full heat as under the scorching sun the riders gave their best to deliver some staggeringly fast drag race times.

This year the event had major presence of various sponsors which included Pirelli (Tyre partner), Motul (Lubricant Partner) and Mercedes-AMG (Official Pace Car) apart from Jeep, Suzuki, Kawasaki, MV Agusta, Norton and Nissan as co-sponsors.

Later the prizes were distributed by Rongom Tagore Mukerji, Director Elite Octane Pvt Ltd.

SPECIAL PRIZES

Fastest Foreign Bike of Event: O2 Class – Mohammed Riyaz (Hyd; Yamaha R1; 9.686s)

Fastest Time of Event: O2 Class – Mohammed Riyaz (Hyd; Yamaha R1; 9.686s)

Fastest Rider of Event – Female: M9 Class Sonia Patel (Guj; Aprilla RSV4; 11.854s)

Fastest Time of Event - Female: M9 Class Sonia Patel (Guj; Aprilla RSV4; 11.854s)

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White Spot in Eye – Be Aware! Early detection of childhood eye cancer is curable

       ·         World Retinoblastoma Week observed between May 13 and 19 to create awareness

       ·         Doctors recommend mandatory screening of eye for any abnormality in infants/toddlers

Bengaluru, May 10, 2018: With reported incidences of Retinoblastoma (life-threatening eye cancer affecting newborn and very young children up to 5 years of age) increasing over the years, doctors unanimously recommend that screening of eye for any abnormality in infants/toddlers should be made mandatory.  Further, doctors suggest that systemizing eye screenings for infants/ toddlers will go a long way in detecting lethal eye cancers and preventing childhood blindness.

Retinoblastoma (RB) is a life-threatening eye cancer affecting newborn and very young children up to 5 years of age. It can occur either in one eye or in both. Although it is life-threatening cancer, majority of the children could survive and retain vision if RB is detected in its early stage. Data from different sources reveal that every year globally over 8,000 new cases are reported of which easily 1,500 cases are from India.  However, the reality is many cases of RB goes unreported/ undetected and also awareness is abysmally low especially in India and more so in rural areas.

RB at its early stage is just not easily identifiable but for some telltale symptoms including a white shiny spot, squinted eye, swelling of the eye and continuous watering. As RB progresses a white mass from within the eye becomes prominent. Even this is often missed. As Rb further progresses, the eye becomes painful, red and swollen. If not properly diagnosed and treated at this stage, cancer spreads outside the eye, over time there is every chance of it spreading to the brain and other parts of the body and it becomes a threat to life.

According to Dr. Gagan Dudeja, Consultant, Orbit Oculoplasty & Ocular Oncology, Narayana Nethralaya, “Awareness about Retinoblastoma is low and early detection is crucial to give the best chance of saving the child’s vision, eyes, and life. Early detection and proper treatment will ensure 95% of the children diagnosed with RB are saved from death, 90% have their eye intact and 85% have their vision protected.”

Further, he pointed out that, unfortunately in Indian scenario, a child is taken to an eye specialist only when there is any notable problem, which makes treatment of RB at a later stage much harder. Against this background, he suggested that systemized screening of eye for any abnormality in infants/toddlers should be made mandatory and sensitizing doctors & healthcare authorities at different levels assumes great importance and opines that RB screening with an ophthalmoscope by a trained doctor will be beneficial in detection.

Dr. Fairooz P Manjandavida, who specializes in Retinoblastoma and Eye Cancer, Director at HORUS Specialty Eye Care and Consultant at Prabha Eye Clinic & Research Center, pointed out that RB is completely curable if detected early with currently available advanced treatments. Awareness regarding the disease can save many lives, eye, and vision. If a white spot is seen in child’s eye on flash photography it is a matter of concern and need immediate attention. Thorough eye examination with an ophthalmologist is mandated and further referral to eye cancer specialist if required.

Dr. Fairooz says “Being a genetic disorder, RB can run in families. Early screening of babies born to parents with RB and genetic tests will enable families to know if their child has a risk of RB. Pediatricians being the first point of contact for parents, plays a major role in early detection. White reflex, squinting and redness of eye in a newborn or infant can be an indication of underlying eye cancer. We should all join hands to ‘fight the white’.”

According to Dr. K. Bhujang Shetty, Chairman, Narayana Nethralaya, facilities for genetic testing and counseling should be made available for all children with Retinoblastoma. He also is of opinion that the research in India can take the lead in creating novel therapies that can improve upon currently available treatment.

According to Mr. Thanmaya Bekkalale, Founder Trustee, Iksha Foundation (a Bengaluru-based NGO supporting children with Eye cancer), “We only know the reported cases of RB, there are numerous cases that go unreported. The need of the hour is to spread individual and societal awareness about RB and promote early detection as it is documented that every day 4 children are born with eye cancer in India and one of them facing death as a result of diagnosis at an advanced stage or not diagnosed at all”

To create awareness on RB, one week in the month of May (starting from second Sunday of the month – May 13 to 19, 2018) is observed as World Retinoblastoma Week. Given the low priority is given to RB as compared to other disorders, Iksha Foundation is keen to build visibility about RB among various stakeholders and ensure that the message of early detection is communicated amongst the masses. This becomes vital as it is a fact that parents and even healthcare personnel are not even aware of RB symptoms.

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