With 40,000 farmers downloading Siddhi in Month 1, DestaGlobal to revolutionise agriculture

       96% of farmers found agri-inputs cheaper n the app, App looks to touch 1,00,000 downloads over this quarter

 Leading agritech and agri e-commerce startup, DestaGlobal today announced that their farmer app, aimed at improving the lives of farmers across the nation, had touched 40,000+ downloads within a month of its launch. More than 70% of the farmers are not aware of the prices of products they need to buy, and many a times they end up paying more. The app aims to bridge that gap and provide agri-input products at 10-15% cheaper than the market.

The app has a schemes page where farmers check prices and special offers on products they need at dealers near him. The knowledge section allows farmers to upload their farming related best practices and see what other farmers are sharing. Also, part of the app is a survey section that allows Desta to reach out to farmers and understand their pulse better. The brand is currently connected to 2,50,000 farmers and more than 1,200 dealers across Maharashtra.

Dealers in turn have also taken very strongly to the app, as it allows them to place orders with manufacturers basis products demanded by farmers from their region, insights on popular products and other product recommendations on the app. The aim is to help reduce sales returns, which today account for approximately 30% of sales value in certain categories such as seeds. Dealers on the DestaGlobal system have been able to liquidate 45% of the season’s stock within a month of the launch of Desta Siddhi.

The app also proactively suggests products to farmers and dealers basis real-time buying data which the app churns at the backend, helping understand which products are in demand in which region, as well as direct farmer reviews and feedback.

Currently launched in Maharashtra, DestaGlobal plans to take the app international this year. Speaking of the download numbers, Siddhartha Choudhary, CEO, DestaGlobal opined, “We’ve seen phenomenal pickup for the app, with around 40,000 downloads so far. We see downloads reaching 1,00,000 over the coming month. If all goes according to plan, we intend to launch across the nation. With the best discounts on offer for the farmers and the dealers, there is scope to save INR 137 crore for the Indian farmer community, in the next few years. In fact, we have an Independence Week Shopping Festival, going live from the 16^th August, in which we are celebrating 72 years of Independence by giving upto 72% discounts for the dealers and farmers across Maharashtra.”

Recommendations the app shares with farmers are based on the trends in product purchase in the region, seasonal changes, past buying history, new products launched / launching in the  region. Farmers can see on the app how far from their location these products are available and at what price. The app is currently available in Marathi and English and maps the farming community across Maharashtra. For further information, please visit DestaGlobal or download the app from Google Play.

GODREJ LAUNCHES ‘PROTEKT MR. MAGIC’ THE FIRST - EVER POWDER TO LIQUID HAND-WASH

·         Disruptive pricing of just Rs.15/-·         A Sustainable and environment friendly format

 With a focus on creating innovative products that brings about a larger social change, Godrej Consumer Products Limited has unveiled Protekt Mr. Magic, the first-ever powder to liquid handwash priced at just Rs 15. The hand wash market in India is pegged at Rs.740 crore, with the category growing at 15%. The market estimate for handwashing soaps stands at Rs.8000 crore. However, the penetration of handwash is very low and restricted to the higher SEC’s which is around 20% in urban India. This means only about 2 crore households use a liquid handwash.

Sharing his thoughts on the launch, Mr, Sunil Kataria, CEO – India & SAARC, Godrej Consumer Products Limited (GCPL) said, “Perception of liquid handwash being expensive is a major reason behind many households not adopting the category. We have always dreamt of a future where every home will be able to afford a liquid handwash. Protekt Mr. Magic, the first-ever powder to liquid handwash, is infused with natural ingredients likeNeem and Aloe Vera. With the germicidal properties of neem and the goodness of Aloe Vera, the product is soft on hands and tough on germs. Protekt Mr. Magic’s disruptive pricing of Rs.15 (for a sachet that can make 200 ml of liquid handwash) will make it easy for Indian households across segments and geographies to adopt this innovative format for a hygienic lifestyle.”

rotekt Mr. Magic is available in a single powder sachet and also in a combi pack comprising Protekt Mr. Magic empty bottle and powder sachet. The powder sachet is priced at Rs.15, which is one-third the cost of existing liquid handwash refills. This can potentially reduce consumers current expense on handwashing soaps estimated at Rs.30 to half. The combi pack is priced at Rs.35. This is less than half the price of current liquid handwash bottle packs.

Protekt Mr. Magic is an innovative and affordable solution addressing the pressing social issue of hand hygiene. In India, hand hygiene related issues have posed a serious threat, especially to children. Due to poor hand hygiene, more than 3 lakh children in India fall ill and lose their lives to diarrhoea every year. An estimate says that handwashing can prevent about 30% of diarrhoea-related sicknesses and about 20% of respiratory infections. However, the perception of a handwash being expensive has hindered its acceptance outside urban areas.  Protekt Mr. Magic will be integral to bring about this perception change and inculcate the habit of handwashing amongst consumers in urban and rural India.

Sharing his perspective on hand hygiene at the launch event, Dr. Samir Dalwai, Founder – Director, New Horizons Child Development Centre & Research Foundation said, “Hand hygiene, particularly, is recognised as a highly cost-effective public health intervention, having the potential to significantly reduce disease burden globally. Over 1.5 million children under five die each year as a result of diarrhoea. Handwashing with soap or liquid handwash at critical times - including before eating or preparing food and after using the toilet - can reduce diarrhoea rates by more than 40%.”

In comparison to handwashing soaps, liquid handwash is hygienic, less messy and convenient to use. While handwashing soap visibly becomes dirty once one has washed their hands, every drop of liquid handwash is pure, untouched and sanitized. The disruptive pricing of Protekt Mr. Magic makes the liquid handwash cheaper than even soap. All these features make a far more attractive proposition for people to develop the habit of handwashing with liquid handwash.

As per GCPL’s estimates, if all the households using current liquid handwashes shift to the company’s new product, it will result in the following:  

• 2,826 KL diesel is saved in transportation - equivalent to a car going around the earth’s circumference 4.7 times

• Save 2,532 tonnes of plastic - equal to saving 50 crore units of plastic bags, which if joined length to length, will go around Indian border 7 times

• Save 8,781 tonnes of paper - equal to saving 11,200 trees a year

• 22,000 tonnes of carbon emissions can be avoided in the entire value chain - equivalent to taking 4314 cars off the road for a year

Godrej Protekt is a range of hand hygiene products from Godrej Consumer Products Limited, with three handwash variants and a hand sanitizer. The brand’s handwash and hand sanitizers are made of 98% naturally-derived ingredients and do not contain any harmful chemicals or irritants. Protekt Mr.Magic will be the latest addition to the existing product portfolio of Godrej Protekt.

Takewadi Andhali village wins the Satyamev Jayate Water Cup 2018

 

Paani Foundation today announced the winners of the Satyamev Jayate Water Cup 2018 at an award ceremony hosted by Mr. Aamir Khan and Ms. Kiran Rao, Founders of Paani foundation, and Mr. Satyajit Bhatkal, CEO of Paani Foundation.

The event was held at the Balewadi Sports Complex, Pune in the presence of more than 6,000 villagers from all over Maharashtra. The Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Shri Devendra Fadnavis was the Chief Guest at the Award Function which witnessed an all-party galaxy of political leaders, notably Shri Ajit Pawar, Shri Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil, Shri Uddhav Thackeray, Shri Raj Thackeray, and the Hon. Minister for Water Conservation Shri. Ram Shinde. Leading lights from the world of film, television, media and business were also present to celebrate the stellar work done by lakhs of villagers to make their villages’ drought free. 

The first prize of Rs. 75 lakhs was given to Takewadi Andhali village from Maan taluka of Satara district. Second prize of Rs. 50 Lakhs was given jointly to villages from Bhandvali (Maan taluka) and Sindkhed from districts Satara and Buldhana respectively.  The third prize of Rs. 40 Lakhs was given jointly to villages of Anandwadi (Ashti taluka) and Umatha (Narkhed taluka) from districts Beef and Nagpur respectively.

“Paani Foundation has brought together people from all strata. The foundation should include 100 talukas next year and government will extend all help for the same. We can achieve new Maharashtra with each other's cooperation," said Maharashtra's Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday. The trophy was handed over by CM & Mrs. Amruta Fadnavis.

Along with CM, Minister of State for Water Resources Vijay Shivtare, Minister of State for Home, Ram Shinde, and Leader of Opposition in Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, former CM Ashok Chavan, former Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and CEO of Paani Foundation Satyajit Bhatkal were present at the occasion. In its third edition, Water Cup 2018 saw participation of 75 talukas where capacity to store 22,269crore liter of water was stored through rainwater harvesting works done over a period of 45 days.

Speaking as the chief guest of the function, Fadnavis said, "Paani Foundation realized that Maharashtra could not be water-abundant unless people are brought together. Maharashtra will have abundant water only when water conservation will become a mass movement. There can be no change in the lives of people or villages by external forces, any change whatsoever has to be brought by ourselves. Paani Foundation has underlined this fact and worked in that direction".

While appreciating that water table level in Maharashtra has gone up because of Water Cup competition works, he said that water has to be judiciously. "We have known the science, now it is our duty to follow it up. Otherwise we may well head towards drought again. There must be continuity in our efforts," he warned.

He appealed to Aamir Khan to include 100 talukas in the Water Cup League next year and promised to provide all assistance for the same at the government level.

Outlining his vision, Aamir Khan said, "Paani Foundation was born three years ago with a dream and this dream is of not one or two but 11 crore people. We want this dream to realize in our lifetime and happily, we are seeing it coming into reality. It is our dream to see Maharashtra water-abundant one day. I love every moment of this journey to realise. I do not know whether I will be successful in this effort but I enjoy this journey".

Satyaji Bhatkal said, "Paani Foundation was started just 30 months ago with the conviction that villages will be replete with water if entire village contributes in the effort. Water Cup was born out of this effort. Collective manual labour is important even in the age of machines. Some wise men said it wouldn't succeed but people of Maharashtra proved them wrong. This was kind of a craziness that would fill heart of every Marathi era on with pride".

Vijay Shivtare said, "Six commissions were appointed for eradicating drought from the state. Aamir Khan has achieved heart-conservation with water-conservation".

Ashok Chavan said, "We have come together here to salute Aamir Khan's work. He has shown that nothing is impossible when people join hands. Maharashtra had to face man-made drought in Maharashtra. But Aamir and his team has created a charged atmosphere in the state. He has lead the way by example. All political parties are with him in his endeavor".

While appreciating that Aamir Khan has done an exemplary work, Ajit Pawar advised Aamir Khan not to share platform of any political party. He also emphasized that we would have to rethink of the crop pattern in view of availability of water.

Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil said, "It requires immense strength to bring together so many people.” We will extend all support to eliminate drought from Maharashtra". Raj Thackeray said, "It is most unfortunate that water crisis has become severe in the state. Water is beyond caste, creed and religion which gives life to everyone".

In 2018, the competition witnessed the participation of 4025 villages from 75 talukas   from 24 districts of Maharashtra.  Over 20,000 villagers were trained in watershed management by Paani Foundation. Over half a million people participated in the shramdaan during the Water Cup. The water storage capacity created by this year’s competition is approximately 26,000 crore liters. 

Hey Deedee® forays into an all-women cargo logistics for the first time in India to do last mile and mid mile deliveries

The first set of five women drivers of the four-wheeler cargo vehicles flagged off by well-known women personalities

Hey Deedee®, India’s only all-women last mile logistic services company announced its foray into an all-women cargo logistics for the first time in India to do last mile and mid mile deliveries. Hey Deedee® has taken a step towards entering the bulk and bigger parcels delivery and mid mile delivery segment by adding their Hey Deedee® women drivers towards the cargo services. The company has been growing by leaps and bounds providing solution to the e-commerce companies for their last mile delivery. Recently, Hey Deedee successfully raised pre-seed funding of $ 500,000 from Metaform Ventures LLC of an undisclosed sum of valuation. The funds are going to be utilized for expansion of footprint, further gaining bandwidth and build technology. They intend to grow from current four cities to 10 cities in this calendar year 2018 and launch their four-wheeler warehouse to hub deliveries with an all women drivers team.

Ms. Revathi Roy, Serial Entrepreneur, Pioneer of Asia’s 1st Taxi service for women and Co-Founder of Hey Deedee® said, “At the end of 2017, the logistics market in India was valued at 160 billion USD. According to the Economic Survey 2017-18 tabled in the Parliament, with the implementation of GST, the Indian logistics market is expected to reach about USD 215 billion in 2020 growing at a CAGR of 10.5 per cent. Despite the fact that the logistics industry is a growing one and has opportunities for advancement, the glass ceiling for women is yet to be broken. Female representation in this industry is abysmal, being less than 5%. The demand for qualified personnel exceeds the supply in the logistics and supply chain sector and it has become imperative to attract and include women, especially since they are good in multitasking, an ability that enables them to handle a myriad of tasks such as planning, implementing and controlling the efficient flow and storage of goods. Research has also shown that the presence of women raises the standards of ethical behavior, lower corruption, production and economic growth. Recognizing this untouched potential and hoping to capture 20% of the market share by 2020 and increase the number of women in the workforce, Hey Deedee® is launching its four-wheeler cargo service. We are seeking to change the way India delivers.”

The occasion was graced by Dr. Sonia Sethi, IAS – Ex Transport Commissioner (Govt of Maharashtra), Mrs. Shweta Shalini, Spokesperson, CM office, Ms. Avani Davda, CEO, Godrej Nature’s Basket and Ms. Sapna Bhavnani, famous hair stylist, Mad-O-Wat. The first five women drivers of the four-wheeler cargo vehicles were flagged off by the dignitaries.

To ensure that the women drivers are ready, women undergo an extensive 60-day training. By building and engaging a community of trained and certified women riders and drivers, the desired goal of this intervention is to positively impact the employability of women in relatively high paying services, the safety of women customers when using transport other than their own; working in alignment with our PM’s vision of transforming India into a safe haven for women, and also road safety in India. With a mission to train and employ 10,000 women by 2018, Hey Deedee aims to become the largest solution provider for hyperlocals and offers last mile delivery services within the city through its hub and spoke model.

Dr. Sonia Sethi, IAS – Ex Transport Commissioner (Govt of Maharashtra) said, “We need women at all levels contributing to change the dynamics on reshaping of our economy. An empowered woman is powerful beyond measure and capable beyond description. I chose to back Revathi Roy for her enduring ledership on empowering women in logistics, a fast growing, untapped (women powered) sector with much needed diversity. HeyDeeDee continues to break down walls and defy stereotypes; creating a sector for women empowered logistics, not just logistics but heavy logistics.”

Hey Deedee® is an all women logistics firm based in India. It provides a platform to mobilize, assess and train women to become riders and drivers and gain employability. It is India′s first all–women instant parcel delivery service and cargo service. The all–women fleet is a group specially trained by Hey Deedee® (a unit of Zaffiro Learning Pvt Ltd [ZLPL]), which aims to empower underprivileged women by skilling them in two-wheeler or four-wheeler riding or driving and soft skills and guaranteeing them a job on its Hey Deedee® platform. All these women belong to families, which are below the poverty line that earn only Rs 1 lakh, annually. Empowering the women by employing them, doubles the entire family’s yearly income and removes the unfortunate ‘below poverty line’ stigma. Hey Deedee® also aims to provide employers with quick and efficient access to well trained and dependable delivery agents.

Ms. Roy further added that, “With a mission to train and employ 10,000 women by 2020, Hey Deedee aims to become thelargest solution provider for hyperlocals by offering last mile delivery services and parcel movement within the city through its hub and spoke model. Hey Deedee® hinges on the empowerment of women. The ladies come from economically challenged backgrounds where Hey Deedee® empowers them with a skill so that they can become financially independent and earn respect. Assistance is also provided to them for procurement of loan to purchase the vehicles which offers them skilling and sustainable livelihood. The USP of Hey Deedee is the buildup of the pool of human resources to do this job by skilling the girls in a 30—45 day program. It is also solving a huge problem of urban women unemployment. We currently have 2000+ women registered, all under different stages of training, and have 62 riders on the job, in Mumbai, Bangalore, Nagpur and Pune. We currently take both a per delivery model (with Amazon) and a management percentage model (with E-comm Express) and fixed income model in the current growth stage.”

Hey Deedee® delivered record 250,000 parcels till date for alliance partners Amazon, The Curry Brothers, The Bohri Kitchen, Subway, Herbivore, Shophop, Brijwasi, Pizza Hut, Ecomm Express, Ziptown, Spicebox, Everyday Gourmet kitchen, Pitaburg, Birdy’s, Snackboxwallah, Godrej Nature's Basket, Fresh India Organics. Some of the past clients include Pizza Hut, Subway, Heribvore, ZipTown, Brijwasi, ShopHop and thousands of retail customers. 

 

SKF India appoints Manish Bhatnagar as Managing Director

                                                                               

 The Board of Directors of SKF India Limited at their meeting held today, appointed Mr. Manish Bhatnagar as Managing Director for a period of 5 years effective 16th August 2018. The Board also accepted the resignation of Mr. Carl Orstadius as Managing Director and Director effective from the same date.

Commenting on the occasion, Mr. Rakesh Makhija, Chairman of the Board of SKF India Limited
said, “I am delighted to welcome Manish to SKF India Limited as Managing Director. His rich
experience with companies like Danaher Corporation, Underwriters Laboratories Inc. and General
Electric will be an asset for SKF. I wish him every success. I also take this opportunity to thank
Carl Orstadius for his valuable contributions to SKF India during this transition phase. Carl has
done an outstanding job during his brief tenure here and we wish him a great future ahead with
the SKF Group”.

SKF India is part of AB SKF , a leading global supplier of bearings, seals, mechatronics, lubrication systems, and services which include technical support, maintenance and reliability services, engineering consulting and training. SKF is represented in 130 countries with 108 manufacturing units. ® SKF is a registered trademark of the SKF Group.

Reliance Entertainment ; Series about Rakesh Maria, former commissioner of Police Mumbai

RELIANCE ENTERTAINMENT’S PHANTOM FILMS AND MEGHNA GULZAR

TO PRODUCE ORIGINAL SERIES ON THE LIFE AND CASE FILES OF RAKESH MARIA
FORMER COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, MUMBAI

Anil D. Ambani owned Reliance Entertainment’s Phantom Films and noted young director, Meghna Gulzar have signed up to produce a series on the life and case files of the highly regarded top cop, and former Commissioner of Police, Mumbai, Rakesh Maria.

The series will be based on his experiences and various case files of his accomplished career, and will be directed by MeghnaGulzar.

Rakesh Maria, an IPS officer, cleared his Civil Service Examination from the 1981 batch. As Deputy Commissioner Police (Traffic) in 1993, he cracked the Bombay serial blasts case, and later moved to DCP (Crime) and then Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime), of the Mumbai Police. Maria solved the 2003 Gateway of India and Zaveri Bazaar twin blasts case.  Maria was also given the responsibility of investigating the 26/11 Mumbai attacks in 2008 and interrogated AjmalKasab, the only terrorist captured alive, and successfully investigated the case.

Rakesh Maria commented, “It is exciting to re-live the journey, especially when piloted by a brilliant and sensitive director like MeghnaGulzar, and a production house of the caliber of Reliance Entertainment’s Phantom Films. More than the nostalgia, it’s also a valuable opportunity to place before the people the extraordinary work of the Mumbai Police when facing tough challenges and working against all odds.”

Amitabh Jhunjhunwala, Vice Chairman, Reliance Entertainment, said “We are delighted to partner with one of the most distinguished law enforcement officers of our times, Rakesh Maria, to present the courageous accomplishments of his career, and the unacknowledged contributions of thousands of members of the Mumbai Police, safeguarding the security of our city 24x7x365. We are also pleased that MeghnaGulzar, one of the country’s most talented young directors, is collaborating with us to present and direct the series.”

Meghna’s 2015 film Talvar released to rave reviews and tremendous audience appreciation. This was followed by her latest feature film Raazi, released in May, 2018, which also received critical acclaim and was a huge commercial success, earning big numbers at the box office.

Talking about the announcement, Meghna Gulzar said, “Mr Rakesh Maria’s life-experiences and his prolific career in law-enforcement are a powerful lens to explore the chronology of crime and terror, in our society - as a city, as well as, as a country and a geographical region. The potential of this content is limitless, and that is supremely exciting for me. The collaboration with Reliance Entertainment’s Phantom Films and MadhuMantena-both synonymous with cutting-edge narratives and vision- is a first I’m looking forward to greatly.”

Commenting on the collaboration for the series, MadhuMantena of Phantom Films said “Phantom Films has always been a director’s company. We are very excited about our collaboration with Meghna to produce the series on the illustrious career of MrRakesh Maria.”

The series is being packaged by KWAN.

OnePlus emerges as the No.1 premium smartphone brand in India with 40% market share

According to Counterpoint Research Q2 2018, OnePlus 6 became the best-selling premium smartphone in Q2 2018, surpassing both Samsung and Apple OnePlus enjoys a 40% market share while Samsung and Apple stand at 34% and 14% respectively OnePlus announces new exclusive offers for community members including 6 month no-cost EMI, easy exchange offers and exciting cashbacks

 According to the latest research from Counterpoint Market Monitor service, OnePlus (284%) has emerged as the fastest growing smartphone brand during the quarter, leading the premium (>INR30,000) segment for the first time ever. OnePlus 6 was the best-selling model in the premium segment, making it the leader for the full quarter, surpassing Samsung and Apple. Currently, OnePlus enjoys a 40% market share while Samsung and Apple stand at 34% and 14% respectively.

Pete Lau, Founder and CEO, OnePlus captures his thoughts on the Indian market in a forum post. He speaks extensively about OnePlus’ journey in India and where the company is headed. “I am truly humbled by the passion exhibited by our community and the trust that our partners have placed in us.

India is our benchmark for creating successful global products. This young market is now set to become our second homeground and a centre for product innovation."

OnePlus was also the fastest growing brand in the premium segment (+446%) while shipments for Apple and Samsung declined YoY. OnePlus is now increasing its points of sale by launching its offline and exclusive stores across key cities. This will enable the brand to reach out to a larger user base going forward, as the premium segment market is estimated to grow faster than the overall smartphone market in India for CY 2018 and beyond.

“The steady focus on high-end flagship smartphones and unprecedented community connect helped OnePlus earn user trust and spread brand awareness through word of mouth. OnePlus became a strong, No. 1 brand in premium segment with 40% share within just 14 quarters of entering India as well that also catapulted it into the coveted group of the 5 biggest smartphone brands with over 4% revenue share for the first time ever,” said Neil Shah, Partner & Research Director, IoT, Mobile & Ecosystems, Counterpoint Research.

 Additionally, the OnePlus 6 has been OnePlus’ fastest selling smartphone till date, selling over 1 million units within just 22 days of its global launch. The brand has successfully maintained its position amongst the top 3 premium smartphone makers in India for the last three quarters. OnePlus takes pride in the fact that it is leading in a competitive market like India based on their one flagship a year strategy and relying only on word of mouth policy to drive it, instead of resorting to heavily funded marketing campaigns. Overall, the smartphone market returned to double digit growth (19%) YoY after flat first quarter growth.

In terms of best-selling models, OnePlus 6 was the best-selling model in premium segment followed by Samsung S9 Plus and OnePlus 5T.

In a display of gratitude to the community that was at the forefront of OnePlus’ journey from the beginning, the company has announced exclusive offers for anyone purchasing the flagship OnePlus 6 starting 1^st August 2018. On the purchase of OnePlus 6, customers are eligible for INR 1500 cashback on ICICI Bank credit card EMI transactions across all online and offline channels. OnePlus has also introduced 6 months no-cost EMI on all popular bank debit and credit cards on all amazon.in and all offline channels. Starting 3^rd August 2018, consumers can avail INR 1500 extra off on exchange of old smartphone on Amazon.in. For more information, please visit official website – oneplus.in or follow OnePlus on Facebook and Twitter.