8 weeks. 1.3 billion locked down

Mumbai 27^th May 202: Since March 24th, India has been locked down. A silent nation lay eerie and empty before an invisible threat. On March 25th Bharatbala and a devoted team of 117 set out to document this unprecedented time in the history of Independent India. The result is Uthenge Hum. A commemoration of the India Lockdown, a record of the collective human experience of the world’s most populous democracy. The story of 1.3 billion Indians. 

On 31st May 2020 India emerges from a strange time - yet the country must move forward. On 31st May 2020 India must rise up again.

Uthenge Hum India’s first pan India filming of the lockdown, premieres 31st May 2020 nationwide. 

Picture description link: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1kRrhm4vviiNRRfG0sm5OjikgF3rpx1wTdtGSK4yrYQg/edit?usp=sharing

Teaser video link: https://we.tl/t-EDD3RM332u

Website: http://www.bbp.co.in/

Customer Safety in focus: Maruti Suzuki issues safety norms for True Value

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• Stringent norms in line with Government advisories
• Reinforce commitment to safety, hygiene & social distancing  
• Complete digitization of documents and  booking processes
• Compulsory face masks for employees, dealership to offer face masks to customers
• Complete disinfection of the car before and after evaluation process
• All customer touch points sanitized frequently

Mumbai , May 26, 2020: Giving high accordance to safety of customers, Maruti Suzuki India Limited has put in-place comprehensive norms to ensure a safe and hygienic car buying experience at its True Value showrooms. India’s most trusted used car retail channel – True Value – network comprises 570 outlets in 280 towns and cities across the country. The guidelines and SOPs ensure the maximum hygiene, sanitization and safety for customers. These have been implemented in line with Government of India advisories on COVID 19.

Speaking at the introduction of the safety guidelines, Mr. Kenichi Ayukawa, Managing Director and CEO, Maruti Suzuki India Limited, said, “Customer safety is our top priority. From showroom walk-in to delivery of car, we are fully committed to offer a safe and hygienic experience to our customers. We have put in place steps to ensure complete safety, hygiene and sanitization of all customer touchpoints. With 376-check-point evaluation, refurbishment and certification processes, True Value is country’s most trusted pre-owned car retail channel. I assure our customers that their car buying experience at True Value is completely safe.”

Seamless digital integration

True Value offers a seamless and personalised online car buying experience. To avoid physical contact, customers are being encouraged to adopt all digital means such as e-mails, phone, video calls, use of True Value website and a dedicated mobile application to search and shortlist their preferred pre-owned cars. Documentation procedure will be strictly online for collection of driving licences, e-dockets, handover pictures etc.

Sanitization of customer interaction points

Frequent sanitization is being adhered to keep surrounding and outlets clean. Strict guidelines are in place to maintain complete hygiene at touch points like car evaluation area, parking, discussion area, display yard, registration desk, accessory display area, test drive vehicle, delivery and back office along with thermal screening to ensure absolute safety.

Sterilized test drives

Further to the robust evaluations and certification process each True Value car will be disinfected thoroughly before its test drive. The True Value staff visiting customer’s home will follow safety protocols with masks, social distancing and sanitizers. They will undergo thermal screening before and after visit.

Home delivery and Post-sales support

Delivery of the selected car at customer’s place with protective kits would be preferred. Digital communication modes/Video Call with customer would be used for any after sales support like documentation transfer as per customer’s preference.

Safeguard hygiene of employees 

Committed to maintain the hygiene of showroom and staff to offer a safe environment to customers, every staff member has undergone a safety and hygiene training. All showrooms are following daily morning meetings to educate the employees, strict monitoring of employees temperature, regular sanitization, staggered lunch timings and face masks are made compulsory throughout the working hours. 

Built on the pillars of transparency, reliability and customer satisfaction, True Value aims to empower both the pre-owned car buyers and sellers, through a methodical integration of technology and regulated safety protocol across all its showrooms.

Over 400 True Value outlets are presently operational in accordance with local government rules and guidelines. The remaining True Value showrooms would open in due course if they are not in containment zone or if not specifically restricted by any local guidelines.

Game-Streaming App NimoTv Launched In India

The world’s leading live streaming platform for games and esports has officially been launched in India. Launched in 2018, NimoTv has paved its way to global expansion with Southeast Asia. The app unveiling in the Indian market in a mid of global pandemic that’s left people all over the world isolated at home, rapidly burning through entertainment options.

NimoTv is the overseas unit of leading Chinese game live streaming platform Huya. The app is available for Andriod and iOS users.

NimoTv is a platform for all the gamers to stream, be popular and also earn through the monetization policy of the company. The company is intending to capture the bigger part of the Indian eSports market and are hiring pro-streamers from all across India.

With its operations in India from the last few months the company has already made a huge development by making new gaming starts from India. “We have already had a good pool of gamers from India who work with us and are doing quite a great job” says Ahmad Mukhtiyar, Manager Business Development and Marketing, India. He further added that, “there has been a tremendous rise in gaming during quarantine”.

NimotTv gives the gamers in India new ways of being new stars and compete at global level. Besides giving the gamers a chance to earn while they just have to Play, Go Live and share.

The app lets users follow high-profile gamers, watch live gaming streams, leave comments and take part in the ongoing tournaments. The streamer and users can take a big bounty from NimoTv while streaming their game and watching their favorite eSporst stars game live.

While NimoTv believes in providing equal opportunities to its streamers in India and we have seen how some of them have grown over the period of time. One such example is Vivek, who has been streaming on NimoTv since the last few months. He has managed to develop his own fan base and currently has more than 79K followers and makes about 1000 USD a month from NimoTv. “I never thought I could reach this level and earn good out of my gaming hobby” says Vivek, a gamer on NimoTv.

Vivek was born and brought up in a village called Simdega, which is some 150 KM’s from Ranchi in the state of Jharkhand. To take his eSports career to the next level he has now shifted to Ranchi city. NimoTv is committed to bring out the talented eSports players like Vivek from all across India. 

NimoTv always remains in search of the talented gamers of India who can be the streaming stars on the app. The company intends to create a community of eSports streamers, clans, clubs in India and never hesitate to bring such a talent pool in the public domain.

One more such emerging eSports player remains Vishnu Upadhyay, a youtube gamer who has been streaming on Youtube from last few years joined Nimotv initially under the Nimo’s agency recruitment policy but later his dedication and understanding on the gaming business made his entry into the world's leading game streaming app. Now he works as a full time Operations Manager for NimoTv in india.

“I am a gamer and used to stream for 10 hours a day under my youtube channel BABA YT. After I came to know about the NimoTv, I started earning from the day one”, says Vishnu. “There was no back looking. Starting from agency and later as a full time employee has changed my life altogether” he further added.

There are many such inspiring stories associated with NimoTv and the company has a plan to add more such success to their bucket. “We just don't want to enter the indian market as a game live streaming company but we want to make changes in people's lives, by giving them an opportunity to turn their hobby into a living. We also look forward to investing in creating an eSports infrastructure and want to conduct international eSports competitions in India” said Ahmad Mukhtiyar.

Download link- https://nimotvindia.onelink.me/m3Dg/6cbf9eb

Ingersoll-Rand Supports India in its Fight Against Covid 19

Ingersoll-Rand continues to support essential service industries like Hospitals, Medical Equipment, Pharmaceutical, PPE manufacturing companies, Food and Beverages during the lockdown: deploys dedicated teams to ensure running of air compressors critical to the functioning of these industries

• Creating sustainable campaigns on educating employees about their safety and hygiene measures at work and at home
• Donates INR 1.06 cr to PM Cares fund

Ingersoll Rand, a world leader in creating comfortable, sustainable and efficient environments, has through its group companies in India (“Ingersoll Rand”) extended its support to the government of India in its ongoing fight against COVID 19 by supporting critical industries and manufacturing units. The group is adhering with the government of India’s health and safety guidelines- to support the functioning of critical industries like Hospitals, Medical Equipment, Pharmaceutical, PPE manufacturing companies, Food and Beverages. Ingersoll – Rand (India) Limited has announced that it has donated a total sum of INR 1crore towards the Prime Minister's Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations (PM Cares) fund; the announcement is part of Ingersoll Rand’s community relations initiative.

As a voluntary drive, Ingersoll Rand employees have also contributed a part of their salaries, adding up to a total of INR 6 lakhs, for this novel initiative.

Supporting critical industries

Ingersoll-Rand’s dedicated teams have been working round-the-clock to support its customers across critical industries like Hospitals, Medical Equipment, Pharmaceutical, PPE manufacturers, Food and Beverages through the lockdown period enabling them to function without hassle. With the new norms of allowing opening of manufacturing units with a limited staff, Ingersoll Rand has its factories functioning across India to ensure a quicker turn-around.

Safety of employees a priority

Ingersoll-Rand is driving awareness campaigns for its employees across India to help them join office and factory units without any anxieties or worries. The company is also sending regular communication to guide employees to adopt best hygiene practices to remain safe.

Abiding by the government of India and WHO’s guidelines, Ingersoll Rand is ensuring social distancing and the availability of PPE kits for the employees across the manufacturing units and offices. 

                                           

Commenting on the initiative, Amar Kaul, Chairman and Managing Director, Ingersoll-Rand (India) Limited said, “As a responsible and committed corporate, we have always tried to support the right causes that directly impact people at large- be it collaborating with NSDC or working with organizations like SMILE Foundation and Akshaya Patra Foundation. In these tough times, it is important for corporates and people to come together and work with the government in its efforts to curtail Covid 19. While our teams work around the clock to support these critical industries, we are hopeful that the total donation of INR 1.06 cr. will further aid the government in its immediate relief measures for the people in need.”

Mankind Pharma stands by real-life hero Jyoti Kumari: admires her brave effort during lockdown

~Offers Rs 1 lakh aid to ease her daily struggle in testing times~

 Mumbai, 27^th May 2020: Amidst multiple tales of the struggle for survival in the ongoing global COVID-19 crisis, Mankind Pharma has been supporting the community and frontline workers fighting against the deadly virus. With similar thoughts , the company has now stepped up and applauded the heroic tale of Jyoti Kumari by offering Rs 1 lakh aid to the lion-hearted girl.

Mankind Pharma has been involved in the country’s fight against the pandemic in several ways. Besides producing affordable medicines, it has donated ventilators, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and medicines to the states. Now Mankind has supported 15-year-old Jyoti Kumari, who cycled 1,200 kms with her ailing father riding pillion, from Gurugram to her home in Bihar amidst the lockdown.

Mankind Pharma’s aspiration to become the top pharma company in India is not just about revenues, but also by being No. 1 in CSR activities, and by helping the nation in a crisis. Standing true to its motto of serving people, the company has also donated INR 51 crore to the CM Care fund last month. In addition to this, all employees of Mankind Pharma have also contributed one day’s salary for the relief fund.

Says Mr. Rajeev Juneja, CEO Mankind Pharma, ““Mankind Pharma is standing by everyone in this unprecedented crisis. Mankind salutes the selflesss love and commitment of Jyoti Kumari for her parents . She had cycled for 8 long days to cover 1200 km journey from Gurgoan (Haryana) to Darbhanga ( Bihar) to help her ill father reach home. We are proud of her as she overcame all hurdles to achieve her aim.Her mental toughness and sheer determination must be rewarded. We would like to support her in a manner that will help her achieve greater heights in life. We hope with our little support she can fulfil her dreams and become a role model for others to follow.”

Ms Jyoti Kumari said, “I thank Mankind Pharma for their support and look forward to completing my studies. This has motivated me to pursue my goal and also take care of my family.”  

About Mankind Pharma

Mankind Pharma, the 4th leading Pharmaceutical Company of India, incepted in 1995, today with an employee base of more than 14000, racing towards a turnover of $1 Billion. Mankind is a fully integrated pharmaceutical company, with a comprehensive network of over 40 C&F agents & 5000 stockists. With a pan India presence and offerings spanning across Antibiotics, Antifungals, Anthelminthics, Gastrointestinal, NSAIDs, Anti Diabetics, Gynaecology, Cardiology, Dermatology, Erectile Dysfunction and several other categories. The strong portfolio of products ranging from Pharma to popular OTC & FMCG brands  Manforce Condoms, Unwanted72, Prega News, Adiction, Gas-O-Fast, and Kaloree-1 provides the edge to Mankind pharma in the competitive market. Mankind is further expanding the horizon of Serving Life in International Markets  

Comniscient Group turns Lockdown into Gold

Comniscient Group’s Lockdown Golds instil sense of purpose, initiative and motivation among employees

Mumbai, May 26^th 2020: In what could be described as one of the most challenging times for the working professionals, the Comniscient Group, comprising of TRA Research, India’s leading consumer insights and brand analytics company, and Blue Lotus Communications, an award-winning PR agency, turned the lockdown challenges into a ‘golden’ opportunity for its employees. Internal employee awards titled ‘Lockdown Golds’ were conceived to urge each of team member to go beyond the current limitations, and explore their power to inspire, perform, coach and contribute. The underlying objective was to create a sense of purpose, initiative and motivation among the employees when the business environment continued to face a climate of uncertainty.

The Comniscient Gold Awards are held every year to acknowledge and reward the exceptional work by team members during the year. 'The Lockdown Golds' was a special edition for individuals who demonstrated their best during this lockdown period in each nominated category. Ms. Pooja Kaura, HR Head and Awards Coordinator, Comniscient Group, spoke about the winners said that “The concept of Lockdown Golds had multiple purposes, and prime among them was to create an attitude of winning during these trying times. If you ask me, everyone in the group turned a winner, with all employees participating in a fun-filled, awards ceremony through video conferencing.”

"Like everyone else, we too were stuck in our homes and also stuck in our thinking. We conceived of the Lockdown Golds to break away from the inertia and to create a sustained program which involved everyone. These awards take inspiration from the ‘GOLDS’, our group’s annual awards, which are an embodiment of our culture, our ethos and values. The Lockdown Golds were in one of six categories each making a difference in the lockdown period. Termed as Energizer, Guru, Client-Comes-First, Rookie, Sacred Heart, Hustler, these awards brought out the most from each, which was showcased through self-created videos. It required most to learn a new skill of video editing also, and that added to the fun element", Kaura added.

About The Comniscient Group                                                                          

The Comniscient Group, is arguably the most comprehensive providers of communication and brand solutions which include services of public relations, consumer insights and brand analytics. Three-time winner of the Agency-of-the-Year Award, Blue Lotus has been an acclaimed public relations strategy partner to several highly placed clients. TRA Research, the publishers of TRA’s Brand Trust Report and TRA’s Most Desired Brands is India’s leading syndicated consumer insights and brand analytics companies.

Paytm enables Vodafone Idea recharges for crores using feature phones with their UPI ID

India’s leading financial services platform Paytm is now empowering feature phone users to recharge for their Vodafone Idea numbers with just a valid UPI ID. Along with the telecom major and National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) to extend this service throughout the country. The move would help crore of citizens who mostly use feature mobile phones to now top up their numbers without having the need to visit physical stores. The company added said that there is no need to have a mobile-internet data facility and non-Paytm app users can also easily avail of this service.

Paytm said that this service is based on the NPCI’s innovative payment service *99# which works on the Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) channel. This service allows mobile banking transactions using basic feature phones without the need of having a mobile internet data facility for using USSD based banking. It is envisioned at the financial inclusion of the underbanked in mainstream banking services.

Paytm which is working towards the ultimate goal of bringing half a billion Indians into the mainstream economy, has taken part in this initiative to ensure that millions of migrants who might be away from home and have limited means, stay connected with their families.

Abhay Sharma, Sr. Vice President - Paytm said, "There are over 550 million feature phone users in the country. A majority of them are migrants and daily wage earners. Due to the ongoing lockdown, many people who rely mainly on mobile phone stores, recharge kiosks are finding it difficult to top-up their basic feature phones which rarely have internet data facility. This USSD based service would help all these individuals. Through this partnership with Vodafone Idea and NPCI, we will reach out to all these individuals and support them in these testing times."

Praveena Rai, COO, NPCI said, “We believe our USSD service would facilitate feature phone users having a UPI ID, to constantly keep in touch with their near and dear ones even if they don’t find mobile recharge shops in their localities. The *99# service is a welcome move, especially in the current situation. With just a UPI Id, people using feature phones can recharge their phones on-the-go without the internet. The USSD service would also help people register their UPI IDs on BHIM UPI and provide them with a seamless mobile recharge experience”.

Avneesh Khosla, Director-Marketing, Vodafone Idea Limited said, “It is our constant endeavour to ensure that our customers remain connected and safe during these times. In the last 2 months, we have launched a slew of initiatives to help consumers stay connected. We believe that this partnership with Paytm will help facilitate a large number of our digitally unconnected customers to recharge through USSD without being dependent on mobile internet, any digital app, or a physical retail touchpoint. Through this partnership we will be able to provide a simple and secure solution, enhancing the convenience factor to these pre-paid customers during very testing times so as to ensure that our consumers do not have to leave the safety of their homes to recharge their phones." The company said that there are two ways of recharging the phone using this service. If a customer's UPI ID is not registered with BHIM UPI, they then need to Dial *99# after which they are shown all bank accounts linked with the mobile number from where the USSD is dialled in. The customer then selects the bank account he wants to register his UPI ID with and sets up a UPI PIN.