Qatar Visa Center inaugurated in Mumbai

Qatar Visa Centers in 7 metros to be functional for the convenience of visa applicants from India

 Mandated by the Ministry of Interior, State of Qatar, Qatar Visa Center was inaugurated by His Excellency Mr. Saif Bin Ali Almohanndi, Consul General, The Consulate General Of The State Of Qatar, in Mumbai. Having already launched in New Delhi and now in Mumbai, 5 other visa centers in Kochi, Hyderabad, Lucknow, Chennai and Kolkata will be operational shortly.

At the new Qatar Visa Center, work visa applicants for the State of Qatar will be able to sign on work contracts digitally, enroll their biometrics and undergo mandatory medical test all under one-roof, thus saving time and making it hassle free for the applicants. The move to get work visa applicants to complete the most essential and critical part of their visa processes in the country of origin (India in this case) is aimed at guaranteeing prospective employees their rights in a manner consistent with the best international standards.

The visa center is in sync with international standards guaranteeing greater transparency, traceability and improved anti-fraud measures and security screening mechanisms for the visa applicants. The center will operate between 08:30 am to 04:30 pm from Monday to Friday.

As part of the visa application process, the employer in Qatar will ensure all necessary procedures and make the visa payments on behalf of the applicant. The applicants will only need to book an appointment online and visit the Qatar Visa Center fifteen minutes prior to the scheduled time on a given day. Once at the center and after the identity of the visa applicant is verified and the list of required documents are checked a token gets issued. Once the token is being referred to, the respective visa applicant will be explained the contract terms and can thereby digitally sign the work contract. Biometric enrollment and the mandatory medical tests will be done at the center. Upon completion of the processes at the visa center, the visa applicant then can choose to track the status of his application online or through their employer in the State of Qatar.

H.E Mr. Saif Bin Ali Almohanndi, Consul General, The Consulate General Of The State Of Qatar, Mumbai expressed gratitude and said, “Our thanks and appreciation to the officials in the Ministry of External Affairs- Republic of India, and the Government Of the State Of Maharashtra for their continued support to achieve this goal by opening the Qatar Visa Centre (QVC) on Friday 29/03/2019 in Mumbai. This project is one of the advanced projects for the State of Qatar in the field of protection of labour rights, and would facilitate the recruitment procedures in countries where centers have been opened including the Republic of India, and would provide necessary services for obtaining visas, both for the purpose of visit and residence. For Indian expatriates who travel to Qatar for employment, can complete their medical tests and sign work contracts before their departure - and this stands confirm to the State of Qatar's keenness to ensure safety and protection for expatriates and residents.”

"As part of Qatar's willingness to facilitate the work process and protect the rights of expatriates, Qatar Visa Centers will be opened in a number of countries which include India," said Major Abdullah Khalifa Al Mohannadi, Director of Visa Support Services Dept at the Ministry of the Interior, Doha, Qatar. "Medical examinations, biometric data enrollment and the signing process of employment contracts will be done through the Qatar Visa Centers in the expatriate country of origin at the 7 Indian centers including the one in Mumbai. All of this, reflects the extent and depth of Qatar's endeavors to ensure the protection and safety of expatriates under a simplified and effective recruitment regime upheld and facilitated by the visa center," he added.

Suhail Shaikh - Business Head said, “We are honored to launch the Qatar Visa Center in India in Mumbai on behalf of Ministry of Interior, State of Qatar. We take great pride in being able to provide transparent, standardized and streamlined visa services for Indians seeking work visas through a simple process managed by our capable colleagues.”

Qatar Visa Center maintains robust multi-lingual information services for the benefit of visa applicants across multiple touch points. Information on appointment scheduling, requirements and steps at the visa center can be found in English, Hindi, Marathi, Telugu, Bengali, Tamil and Malayalam through a dedicated website (http://www.qatarvisacenter.com), call center helpline (+91 44 6133 1333) and walk-in at the reception.

‘Theatre has to reach a wider audience’ pledge Mita Vashisht, Ratan Rajput and Vikram Kochar

Tata Sky & Zee Theatre celebrate World Theatre Day 

 Tata Sky, India’s leading content distribution platform along with ZEE Theatre, a business vertical of ZEE Entertainment Enterprises Ltd., celebrated World Theatre Day with renowned Theatre artists Mita Vashisht, Vikram Kochar and Ratan Rajput and at JLWA in Mumbai. The event included a cinematic screening of the critically acclaimed Play ‘Wrong Turn’ along with a panel discussion on the need for archiving & televising some of the best plays in the country to enable wider reach for millennials and future generations.

As a part of the celebration, Tata Sky also announced the free screening of its recently launched service, Tata Sky Theatre on 27^th March at Zee’s Preview Theatre at Fun Republic in Mumbai for audiences.

Tata Sky Theatre powered by Zee Theatre has a bank of over 100+ plays from across genres. Subscribers can now watch a wide variety of plays - classic, period drama, social satire, comedy, etc. at the comfort of their homes thanks to the evolving cinematic format.

Speaking on the occasion, Pallavi Puri, Chief Commercial Officer, Tata Sky said, “The concept of bringing rich & imaginative theatre to life on TV screens with Tata Sky Theatre has worked well with our subscribers. As over the last few months we have seen a constant rise in subscribers from across the country. On World Theatre Day, Tata Sky in partnership with Zee Theatre and the theatre artists pledge to continue this endeavour of making quality theatre plays available by televising & archiving plays for the audience of today.”

Tata Sky Theatre brings a special line-up of renowned Plays including the most celebrated artists and playwrights on the occasion of World Theatre Day. These include Agnipankh, Piya Behrupiya, Sandhya Chhaya, Shyam ki Mummy, Doll’s House, Bagiya Bancharam Ki, Savita Damodar Paranjpe, Wrong Turn and The Big Fat City. With this you can now watch the performances of leading stars from theatre like Mita Vashisht, Nirmiti Sawant, Milind Phatak, Joy Sengupta, Govind Namdev, Shriya Pilgaonkar, Shikha Talsania, Shilpa Shukla and Varun Badola amongst many others.

Commenting on the occasion, Shailja Kejriwal, Chief Creative Officer – Special Projects, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd. said, “For over 2000 years Theatre has brought forth the most pertinent stories to the world, becoming a mirror to the society. It is also a platform that brings together storytellers and performers who are driven by passion and not commercialism. By televising plays, Zee Theatre in partnership with Tata Sky is proud to take Indian Theatre to more and more viewers who can now watch not only the most relevant stories but also the best artists and entertainers.”

Tata Sky Theatre service is available for subscribers on Channel #315 in HD and #316 in SD at just Rs.99/month and Rs.75/month respectively. These plays are also available on Tata Sky Mobile App under Live TV.

Check out the service on Tata Sky Theatre!

About Tata Sky:

Tata Sky Limited ('Tata Sky') is a joint venture between the Tata Sons and 21st Century Fox. Incorporated in 2001 and launched services in 2006, Tata Sky is India's leading content distribution platform providing Pay TV and OTT services. With the objective of connecting to the best content in the world on any budget, any screen, anytime and anywhere, Tata Sky was the first to launch multiple products and services that redefined the subscribers viewing experience in the country. Tata Sky has been a pioneer in the HD Set top box segment having significant market share in the category. It has been continuously adding new channels and platform services across various genres and languages to beef up its content offering to cater to all segments of the audience. Tata Sky currently has its footprints spread across 2 lakh towns with over 18 million connections in India.

About Zee Theatre:

Zee Theatre aims to provide a timely boost that will help create a modern take on this form of performing arts and proudly take Indian plays on the global stage. At Zee Theatre, we aim to revive, restore and spread our rich cultural heritage by bringing together some of the finest theatre works for audiences to experience. By partnering with renowned Indian theatre veterans, Zee Theatre recreates some of the most celebrated Hindi, Gujarati, Marathi and Bengali stories with magnificent production and refreshing music based on contemporary taste. We aim to revive the inheritance of Indian Theatre for the future generation and expand the theatre universe. Make Indian plays a cultural experience for the audiences and encourage the new generation to enjoy India’s finest art form and take Indian theatre to the world.

For more information on Tata Sky, visit www.tatasky.com & watch.tatasky.com 

A Truly Refreshing Experience – Society Tea introduces Elaichi Adrak Tea!

 Celebrated household name, Society Tea from the House of Hasmukhrai & Co., has launched their latest product, Society Elaichi Adrak Tea, which is the sublime blend of taste and nutrition. The tea offers the perfect infusion of rich colour and strong flavour of elaichi and adrak, keeping the consumers revitalised and active throughout the day with no compromise on the taste.

Society Elaichi Adrak Tea, as the name suggests, is the perfect mix of elaichi and adrak with each ingredient having a plethora of benefits. Elaichi is known for its digestive properties and its effect in reducing flatulence while Adrak is known to relieve cold, flu and ease out stomach cramps as well, among many such advantages of consuming their concoction(s).

Commenting on Society Tea’s latest product, Mr. Karan Shah, Director, Society Tea, said “It is our constant endeavour to create products which are beneficial for our consumers in more than one way. Apart from being the perfect cuppa to cherish, our Society Elaichi Adrak Tea has several medicinal values, ranging from building immunity and enhancing digestive health to relieving cold and stomach cramps as well. It is the ideal marriage of flavour and nutriment whilst incorporating all the freshness and aroma that Society Tea drinkers have come to expect from a cup of Society Tea.”

Available at retail stores in and around Maharashtra, Society Elaichi Adrak Tea comes in 100 gm pouches priced at INR 50/- and 250 gms bottle priced at INR 130/-. It is also available on their website -https://shop.societytea.com/products/society-elaichi-adrak-tea-100gm-pouch

Relish Nature’s Wealth for your Health in the form of Society Tea’s  latest product – Elaichi Adrak Tea

Society Tea today is the market leader in the Tea category in Maharashtra, and has become a dominant force, with around 40% market share of packaged tea in the state. We have a considerable presence in other states such as Goa, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Chennai, Punjab, Rajasthan and Delhi.

Since the inception of the company, we have always aimed to keep quality at the highest possible levels for all our products; this is also one of the reasons why we cannot match the media spends of other tea brands. To ensure this consistent quality, three members of the family have dedicated their lives as full time tea tasters.

Our quest for better quality goes on for our new range of Dairy Products, One Minute Tea and Instant Tea (Premix). To manufacture high quality Tea and Dairy products, we have set up a plant in Vadodara (Gujarat). This plant is one of India’s most advanced and completely automated milk and soluble tea processing units which manufactures these products under strict hygienic standards, to meet our high levels of quality and excellence. We see this new range as the products of the future

ISHRAE Mumbai Chapter to Appoint Mr. Mihir Sanghavi as their New President

On 27^th March 2019, ISHRAE announced the appointment of Mr. Mihir Sanghavi as the President of ISHRAE Mumbai Chapter.  Previously working as the President Elect, Mr. Mihir Sanghavi will assume the role of the President by succeeding Ms. Sangita Jhangiani who was the President for ISHRAE Mumbai Chapter. New committee members were also appointed for the year 2019-20 to serve ISHRAE’s Mumbai Chapter. According to the new appointments, Mr. Rajendra Joshi  will take over  as President Elect, Kishore Karle will assume the role of Secretary and Mr. Amod Dikshit will be the new Treasurer.

The announcement ceremony took place at Hotel Sahara Star Mumbai in the presence of the National President Ishrae Mr. Vikram Murthy and previous committee members such as Sanjay Verma, Nasir Khan, Sanjay Jadhav, Sandeep Mehendiratta, Kunal Bhavsar, Vivek Marde, Jayant Patekar, Mukesh Suthar, Sangita Jangiani, Atul Kochrekar, Amey and more.

Mr. Vikram Murthy, National President, ISHRAE Said “It gives us great pleasure to see Mr. Mihir Sanghavi taking on the mantle of the President, ISHRAE Mumbai Chapter. I am sure he will leverage on his immense knowledge and expertise in nurturing the growth of ISHRAE Mumbai Chapter. The pace of change in today’s Energy Efficiency Practices has accelerated and ISHRAE is committed to ensuring that we not only stay at the forefront of this change but will also continue to innovate and fuel the development of the HVAC&R MARKET as we have always done.”

There were around 250+ delegates present at the venue from the Consultant, Contractor, Manufacturer, Trader, OEMs of the HVAC & R community from companies such as Voltas Ltd, Bluestar Ltd, Hitachi, Ingersal Rand etc. It would also be attended by various heads of associations like RATA, ASHRAE, IGBC, IPA, FSAI, IFMA, AWESOME, IAEMP etc.

During the ceremony, Mr. Mihir Sanghavi presented the vision of ISHRAE Mumbai Chapter for 2019-20 where the theme would be ‘FEEL’ (F-Fun, E-Energize, E – Earn, L-Learn) and the future activities would revolve around the same theme. Mr. Sanghavi further stated, that, “I am deeply humbled and honored to assume the role of the President, ISHRAE Mumbai Chapter and would like to thank the members for bestowing this huge responsibility upon me. I would like to continue the good work done by ISHRAE, especially in the areas that further the cause of the HVAC&R industry. With the Government’s key infrastructure initiatives and Smart City programs, we see great potential in areas like Building Automation and Indoor Air Quality, which would contribute towards the rapid growth of the Indian HVAC&R industry.”

ISHRAE Mumbai Chapter is aiming to conduct close to 200 programs a year to provide comprehensive knowledge about, technology, Advocacy events, comprising of Technological talks,  Advocacy events, Seminars both domestic and international, Workshops, Industrial visits both domestic and international, Student programs, K12 activities, etc. With close to around 1400 members, Mumbai has emerged as one of the vibrant chapter of ISHRAE Society.

All the activities are designed to upgrade the members to meet the requirement of India Cooling Plan which expects Indian HVAC&R industry to grow 8 times in next two decades. It would also help in enhancing skill development scheme and Make in India plans.

CAHO launches its initiative to improve patient’s safety and quality healthcare in India

Prominent hospitals of Mumbai join hands to address challenges of Quality Healthcare in India

  Creating positive outcomes for quality healthcare and upgrading patient safety standards in India will be the key agenda of the 5th International CAHOCON 2019 to be held in Mumbai for the first time. Themed around Healthcare Quality Should Impact Outcome, the conference will be held on April 13^th -14^th 2019 and is organized by Consortium of Accredited Healthcare Organizations (CAHO) to bring all accredited hospitals together. More than 600 delegates and renowned doctors will be sharing their insights at the prestigious conference. The initiative is supported by The International Society for Quality in Healthcare (ISQua), The Asian Society for Quality in Healthcare (ASQua) and Quality Council of India (QCI).

The initiative was launched in a press conference at Nanavati Super Speciality Hospital by esteemed doctors, Dr. PM Bhujang, President, Association of Hospitals, Dr. Rajendra Patankar, COO, Nanavati Super Speciality Hospital, Mr. Joy Chakraborty, COO, P D Hinduja Hospital & Medical Research Centre, Dr. Hiren Ambegaokar, CEO, S L Raheja Hospital, Dr. Sujit Chatterjee, CEO, L H Hiranandani Hospital, Dr. Anupam Karmakar, CEO, D Y Patil Hospital and Dr. Deepak Patkar, Medical Director, Nanavati Super Speciality Hospital.

“The aim of this conference is to bring all stakeholders across the healthcare spectrum on a common platform. There is an urgent need to audit healthcare delivery standards and accredit healthcare organizations based on the quality of healthcare they provide to patients. This conference aims at finding the ways and means to build a robust healthcare infrastructure in the country that adheres to global healthcare quality standards,” stated Dr. PM Bhujang, President, Association of Hospitals.

“Quality healthcare forms the foundation of a healthy society and a growing economy. We need to ensure that there is no compromise with healthcare standards and people from all strata of society have access to best healthcare systems. Through an accredited healthcare ecosystem, we intend to standardize healthcare procedures and train healthcare professionals in practices and processes to provide state-of-the-art healthcare to the citizens of the country,” stated Dr. Rajendra Patankar, COO, Nanavati Super Speciality Hospital.

Workshops and training programs will be organized across all the major hospitals in Mumbai for staff involved in clinical, diagnostics, nursing, and general and support services. A separate Masterclass has been organized on April 12 in leading hospitals of Mumbai including Nanavati Super Specialty Hospital, Hiranandani Hospital, Bombay Hospital, Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Hinduja Hospital, Saifee Hospital, D Y Patil Hospital and Wockhardt Hospital. Topics to be covered include Process Re-engineering, Hospital planning, Nursing Communication, Cyber Security and Infrastructural Safety.

With a view to sensitizing medical personnel to the changing requirements and understand them, CAHO has been conducting programs to train doctors, nurses and administrators. CAHO intends to increase the frequency of these programs to provide training in the areas of quality implementers, fire safety, hospital infection control, disaster management and many others which have already become very popular.

Leveraging social media is very important to increase the outreach towards stakeholders across the healthcare ecosystem. CAHO has an active online presence through its website and Facebook. They also conduct regular webinars. Trained persons are regularly interacting on WhatsApp groups which are strictly for academic activity.

About CAHO:

With a growing number of healthcare organizations achieving NABH, NABL and JCI accreditation, there has been a need for a common platform that will facilitate communication amongst the accredited HCOs, share best practices, and provide benchmarking, while promoting and continuously improving the quality and safety of healthcare services provided by the HCOs across India, in collaboration with all stakeholders. The Consortium of Accredited Healthcare Organisations (CAHO) is a not-for-profit society that was formed to fulfill this need. The primary objective of CAHO is to promote collaboration among accredited hospitals and laboratories to initiate efforts to improve healthcare quality and to work closely with NABH and NABL.

Photo Caption: From Left to Right- Dr. Deepak Patkar, Medical Director, Nanavati Super Speciality Hospital, Dr. Hiren Ambegaokar, CEO, S L Raheja Hospital, Dr. Rajendra Patankar, COO, Nanavati Super Speciality Hospital, Dr. PM Bhujang, President, Association,  Mr. Joy Chakraborty, COO, P D Hinduja Hospital & Medical Research Centre,  Dr. Anupam Karmakar, CEO, D Y Patil Hospital and Dr. Aparna Jairam

Royal Enfield launches Bullet Trials Works Replica Inspired by Royal Enfield’s legacy at trials championships

Tech Specs

• Celebrates the world’s oldest motorcycle brand in continuous production - More than 87 years of Bullet heritage, since 1932
• Commemorates the Royal Enfield Bullet Trials motorcycle of 1949, and a tribute to the legendary Royal Enfield factory riders’ team and to Trials Wizard - Johnny Brittain
• Bullet Trials 500 to be launched in India at Rs. 2,07,104/- and Bullet Trials 350 to be priced at Rs. 1,62,345/- (ex-showroom price) | To be launched globally later in the year

 Legends live on! And the Royal Enfield Bullet is the best testimony to that. The Bullet’s enduring journey over the last 87 years - since 1932 - has given Royal Enfield the privilege of being the world’s oldest motorcycle brand in continuous production, with the Bullet being the longest running motorcycle model in the world. This journey of the Bullet has been both, iconic and legendary, but perhaps the most important story in its history is the legacy of the Royal Enfield Bullet at the Trials Championships. Inspired by this legacy of Royal Enfield at the International Six Days Trials and as a tribute to the prolific Trials Wizard, Johnny Brittain, Royal Enfield launches theBullet Trials Works Replica 2019.

The Bullet Trials will be available in 500cc and 350cc in India, and will have distinctive design and functional features that will be redolent of the heydays of classic trials competitions from the 1940’s and 50’s. The new Bullet Trials will feature tyres with block tread pattern for improved off road grip, and a reinforced handlebar with cross-brace. The motorcycle also features a raised silencer for improved ground clearance in addition to being equipped with dual channel Anti-lock Braking System (ABS). The Bullet Trials will have trimmed mudguards, a single seat, and luggage carrier. There will also be a set of five specific motorcycle accessories available, that have been designed for the Bullet Trials, including a sump guard for added engine protection. The Bullet Trials 500 will be available at an ex-showroom price of Rs. 2,07,104/- and the Bullet Trials 350 will be at a price of Rs. 1,62,345/-. In order to retain accessibility across markets, the Bullet Trials 500ex-showroom prices for Kerala have been kept at      Rs. 1,99,899/- to account for high levies and taxes in the state. The Bullet Trials will now be open for bookings across the country and will also be available to book online on www.royalenfield.com. The Bullet Trials will be launched globally across all key markets through this year.

Speaking at the launch of the Bullet Trials motorcycle, Mark Wells - Global Head, Product Strategy and Industrial Design, Royal Enfieldsaid, “Royal Enfield has had a long and proud history of building resilient and enduring motorcycles, the Bullet has been the most enduring of them all. The Bullet Trials motorcycle ridden by Johnny Brttain is unforgettable and a reminder of the machine’s prowess over challenging terrains and its trials pedigree. The Bullet Trials 2019 motorcycle is inspired by Johnny Brittain’s trials motorcycle that won more than 50 championships between 1948 - 1965 and it is also a fitting tribute to our seminal design and engineering expertise that introduced the swingarm for the first time in 1949 with the Bullet. I am confident that this motorcycle will be received well amongst Royal Enfield enthusiasts in India” 

The history of trials competitions can be traced back as early as the 1920’s when motorcycle manufacturers used ‘reliability trials’ to demonstrate their machines’ tractability, manoeuvrability, and overall endurance, in the UK and across Europe. However, when road surfaces improved in the 1920s, trials competitions went ‘off-road’ to dedicated courses, where challenging terrain provided a gruelling test for both man and machine.

Introduced first in 1932, The Royal Enfield Bullet was heralded as a motorcycle that was ‘perfect for touring or trials’. Soon after its introduction, the Bullet racked up successes from the 1935 International Six Days Trial (ISDT) with the Royal Enfield team being the only British motorcycles riding squad that did not drop a single point. In 1937, Enfield riders won a record-breaking 37 trials trophies along with six gold medals in the ISDT, with legends such as Charlie Rogers, George Holdsworth and Jack Booker riding a 250cc and 350cc Bullets and the 500cc Special Competition Model to victory.

But it was in the post-war era that Royal Enfield truly came to the fore in trials, with the all-new 350cc Bullet designed by Ted Pardoe and Tony Wilsone Jones, and incorporated the revolutionary swinging arm suspension with oil damped shock absorbers for the first time on any production motorcycle. This changed the course of motorcycle design forever. With the new swinging-arm Bullet, Royal Enfield took the unorthodox step of revealing it at a trial event, entering three prototype machines in the 1948 Colmore Cup. From thereon, the machines were selected for the British Trophy team to take part in the 1949 ISDT, held in San Remo, Italy. Success followed with both Bullet riders, Charlie Rogers and Vic Brittain, winning gold medals and contributing to the British team’s first place position and Bullet Trials with the swingarm became the backbone of the range for the following 14 years.

“It was in fact the proven success of the Bullet Trials motorcycle over challenging terrains that caught the eye of the Indian Army. It was around 1952 when the Indian Army placed an order of 800 Bullet motorcycles to patrol the harsh border regions of Kashmir and Rajasthan directly leading to the creation of Enfield India in 1955. This year we are also commemorating the 70th year of the Bullet Trials’ ISDT winning motorcycle that was showcased with the swingarm for the first time in 1949. ” added Mark Wells.

Speaking at the launch of the motorcycle, Shaji Koshy - Head India+ Business, Royal Enfield, said “The Royal Enfield Bullet has always had a fiercely loyal customer base in India and has been in existence for over 8 decades across the globe. In India, the Bullet has gained iconic status and has been associated with endurance and resilience, with motorcycles being passed on from one generation to the other. Taking the trials heritage of the Bullet marquee ahead in 2019, we are pleased to announce the availability of Bullet Trials in India.”

The remarkable story of the Bullet Trials dominance at the ISDT championships is incomplete without Johnny Brittain, who dominated the Trials championship on the Bullet Trials 350 for 15 years. Son of Trials legend, Vic Brittain, Johnny joined Royal Enfield as an 18-year old and picked up his first gold medal at the ISDT in 1950. On his famous 350cc trials Bullet, registration number HNP 331, Johnny won the prestigious Scottish Six Days Trial twice, an arduous 900 mile contest spread over six long days, (1952 and 1957), the formidable Scott Trial twice (1955 and 1956), the tough British Experts Trial twice, where he was its youngest ever winner (1952 and 1953). Johnny amassed over 50 major championship wins and a huge haul of open trial first places with 13 gold medals over 15 years.

The 2019 Bullet Trials motorcycle is a tribute to the 1949 Bullet Trials ridden by Johnny Brittain across various trials championships. This model perfectly captures the look-and-feel of these early 1950's models while offering modern features such as twin Disc ABS and EFI system. The Bullet Trials 500 will be powered by the 498cc UCE engine and the Bullet Trials 350 will be powered by the 348cc UCE engine.

Enhancing the trials riding experience of the new motorcycle, the Bullet Trials will be available with more than 30 Genuine Motorcycle Accessories from Royal Enfield to choose from. Royal Enfield has designed and developed 5 specific motorcycle accessories for Bullet Trials - compact engine guard, headlight grill, number board, aluminium sump guard and the handlebar brace pad. Royal Enfield apparel range including t-shirts inspired by the Bullet legacy are available on Royal Enfield’s online store - store.royalenfield.com and also across all our stores in India

About Royal Enfield:

The oldest motorcycle brand in continuous production, Royal Enfield made its first motorcycle in 1901. A division of Eicher Motors Limited, Royal Enfield has created the mid-sized motorcycle segment in India with its unique and distinctive modern classic bikes. With its new manufacturing base in Chennai, India, Royal Enfield is able to grow its production rapidly against a surge in demand for its motorcycles. With more than 40% growth every year for the last 5 years, Royal Enfield is fast becoming a very important player in the global mid-size motorcycle market and is working towards re-inventing this space with motorcycles that are evocative and engaging and great fun to ride.

Royal Enfield’s motorcycle line-up includes the newly launched Interceptor 650 and the Continental GT 650, powered by a modern 648cc twin cylinder engine. Royal Enfield also manufactures the  Classic, Bullet and Thunderbird models in 350 and 500cc displacement and the purpose-built Himalayan powered by the new LS410 engine. Royal Enfield operates through 18 company-operated stores and 850+ dealers in all major cities and towns in India, and exports to over 50 countries across the world including the USA, UK, several European and Latin American countries, as well as the Middle East and South-East Asia.

Royal Enfield also organizes and supports many motorcycling events and rides globally, more prominently the Rider Mania – an annual gathering of Royal Enfield riders from all over the world to the lovely beaches of Goa, and the Himalayan Odyssey, the most arduous motorcycle ride over some of the toughest roads and highest mountain passes in the Himalayas. Royal Enfield also conducts the popular ‘One Ride’ where people around the world ride out on their motorcycles on the first Sunday of April.

For more information about Royal Enfield please visit: https://www.royalenfield.com

BIC CELLO'S WRITE-TO-WIN INITIATIVE TRAINS 600,000 STUDENTS ON HOW TO PREPARE BETTER FOR EXAMS

 BIC Cello, the leading writing instrument company in India, launched in September of last year, ‘Cello Write-to-Win,’ a school initiative aimed at promoting a healthy attitude towards learning and education.

Academic stress is fast becoming a social issue as children and teens suffer from exam anxiety. Students are put under pressure to achieve academic excellence and outperform the best in class. The stress and fear of school failure can often adversely affect children’s social, emotional and academic success.  The ‘Cello Write-to-Win’ program has been designed to train students to develop handwriting skills and help them manage the stress levels that come with exams. Since its launch last year, the program has educated 600,000 students across 1,500 schools in India.

The program includes two workshops that have been developed by a team comprised of certified handwriting analysts and experts from the field of education training. The first workshop, ‘Secret to handwriting’, engages students from the 4^th to the 6^th grade. The session teaches them the techniques they need to develop and enhance their handwriting skills, helping them manage the transition from pencil to pen.

The second workshop, 'Making Exams Stress Free', targets older students from the 7^th to the 9^th grade. The session teaches students four cognitive techniques that help them to enhance their learning and memorization skills and enable them to prepare better for their exams. The workshop also trains students on writing with speed while maintaining precision.

Commenting on the initiative, BIC Cello's, Director of Marketing for India, Tanveer Khan said, “We at BIC Cello understand the kind of stress that students go through during the exam periods. The 'Cello Write-to-Win' initiative was developed to equip students with the techniques they need to overcome that stress and succeed academically. We are delighted with the positive response that we received from the students and teachers and we look forward to continuing the program and expanding it into new schools across India."

Kumar Abhishek from Rashtriya Military Schools, 9^th Standard, said while sharing his experience, “The sessions are extremely informative and helpful. It taught us appropriate techniques of holding a pen that help in developing handwriting skills. The activity focused on making exams stress-free by using learning techniques like mind maps which I will follow henceforth for better recall. Thank you, Cello, for making me feel more exam-ready.”

The Cello ‘Write-to-Win’ program also helps students to find the pen that is most suitable for them. Using the right pen can also help contribute to making exams less stressful by being reliable and offering comfort and glide in writing.

BIC Cello believes in empowering students by supporting them to reduce their stress, and help them prepare for their exams. The company launched an awareness campaign last year that addressed the academic pressure students feel from their parents. The ‘Surprise Test’ video garnered great success, with more than 40 M views, as it called on adults to support their children and pressure them less during exam periods.

Cello Pens is the market leader in writing instruments in India, offering a complete range of pens, pencils, colouring, and marking products, for all your writing requirements. Since 1995, Cello continues to revolutionize the stationery market with Swiss tips, German inks, rubber grips, and many other features never seen before in India. Cello continues to create excitement in the market even today with its interesting designs, smooth writing experience, and innovative technology. Cello factories produce millions of high-quality products a day, while its nation-wide distribution ensures that you will always find a Cello product available at a store near you

ONE VISION ONE TEAM (OVOT) UNVEILS AMSTRAD NEW SERIES OF NEXT- GEN INVERTER ACs

SMART SILENT RELIABLE HEAVY DUTY COOLING at 60° temperature consuming less electricity.

Appoints 4 brand ambassadors: Sports personalities Smriti Mandhana, Heena Sidhu, Jinson Johnson, Neeraj Chopra

OVOT – One Vision One Team, a new concept by Mr. Nipun Singhal (MD & CEO, OVOT), and has emerged in the Consumer Electronics and Appliances Industry as a new force, now presents Next Generation Quality, Technology and Services (QST) to consumers under the “AMSTRAD” brand. 

OVOT unveiled a new series of Inverter AC’s – AMSTRAD – that will cool even at 60 degrees ambient temperature and can function even with voltage between 130- 270 V making this a stabilizer-free AC. This series is also WiFi enabled and can connect to a Mobile Phone/Google Home/ Alexa, work on Voice Command & through App. AMSTRAD Next Generation technology is equipped with new age compressors, motors and sleek designs ensure ‘Silent’ ‘Reliable’ ‘Heavy Duty Cooling’ through a variety of challenging climatic conditions, with less electricity consumption.

OVOT has partnered with ETRONICS GLOBAL DISTRIBUTORS LLP having a collective experience of more than 100 years for distributing its product line in Mumbai, Thane and Raigad district and with VIJAY SALES for retail sales. Mr. Nilesh Gupta (Managing Partner – VIJAY SALES and Director – OVOT Pvt. Ltd.), Mr. Nipun Singhal (MD & CEO – OVOT Pvt. Ltd.), Mr. Vivek Shukla (COO – OVOT Pvt. Ltd.), Mr. Dewang Mehta (Etronics Global Distributors LLP), Mr. Shabbir Icewala (Etronics Global Distributors LLP) and Mr. Ajay Dugar (Etronics Global Distributors LLP) were present on this momentous occasion.

Keeping the theme in mind, OVOT signed four Brand Ambassadors who are also “Inspired by Passion” and have reached the gold standard in their respective fields. The four Brand ambassadors are Heena Sidhu (Pistol Shooter), Jinson Johnson (Middle Distance Runner), Neeraj Chopra (Javelin Thrower) and the ICC Player of the year 2018 and No 1 Batswoman in the world –Smriti Mandhana (cricketer).

This unique concept is by Mr. Nipun Singhal, MD & CEO of OVOT, a senior professional in the Consumer Durable industry. His last assignment from 2008-2017 was the successful creation of Brand Lloyd from scratch to a leading brand in India. “AMSTRAD leverages

groundbreaking tomorrow’s technology today. Our next generation air conditioners incorporate significant improvements in performance and efficiency over the preceding generation’s products. AMSTRAD air conditioners are packed with features that make your life easier while providing years of value. Brought to you by the experts in the industry, choose an AMSTRAD air conditioner that meets your need and individual style. Experience Smart Heavy Duty Cooling even at an outside temperature of 60 degrees. Amstrad meets the requirements of today’s consumer,” Mr. Singhal says, adding, “Our brand ambassadors comprise Real Heroes who truly embody the brand philosophy of AMSTRAD ‘Inspired by Passion‘. Each of them has encountered hurdles and obstacles but have emerged victorious in competition with global giants.” All the brand ambassadors have won numerous accolades on many International platforms and made India proud. They have redefined the highest standards in the world of the sport just like “AMSTRAD” would redefine the standards of Quality, Service and Technology in the Consumer Durable Industry.

AMSTRAD is “Inspired by Passion” to deliver PERFECTION in Quality, Service and Technology. Its key features such as 100% Copper, Self-Cleaning, Comfort Sleep, Cooling, Eco-Mode, Metal Enclosure for PCB, Operating Voltage and Hidden Display are best-in-class in the industry. It leverages new inverter system and WiFi 2.0. The PCB Pluggable Maintain increases maintenance efficiency; has a separate terminal board cover and maintains PCB directly. The Fin Style Air Flow optimizes airflow and increases the air blow distance efficiency. The Demountable Underjaw uses less manpower and reduces installation time by half. It leverages Nano-scale base protection polyfoam (Unibody poly foam), which is moisture proof and facilitates heat preservation. The Waved Vertical Louver Airblade (Co-movement finning airblade) helps Air-out directly and a more balanced air-out; longer and more concentrated air flow. The Heavy Duty Load Bearing Frame helps compressive resistance increase by 15%; Transport spoilage decrease by 30%. It also has a Seamless Design. It is Self Cleaning: Heat exchanger starts the auto cleaning by frosting and defrosting; prevents bacterial build inside; and brings healthier air.

One Vision One Team (OVOT) is different from other Companies in the Consumer Electronics and Appliances Industry as it has consolidated most of the leading players in the Industry and is providing a Pan India Platform for thousands of dealers who want to give their customers Next Generation Products and After Sales Service. OVOT is a unique creation by channel partners and experienced industry veterans who have for the first time in India come together to give the best products, services, and prices to Indian consumers. It endeavours to redefine and create new and higher standards for product, technology, quality, and after-sales service. It is committed to upholding our most cherished values in every customer that will be a part of OVOT family.

OVOT has conducted several dealers meets across India with all trade partners – big retail chain, small retail and also sales and service network. It has elicited a great response and participation from all trade partners across the country.

Thomas Edison’s Megaphone to empower smartphones

The city saw the launch of hyper-local connectivity app titled ‘Bhonga’. The app is an initiative by Linkus Infratech Private Limited.

The app in the beta stage was tested extensively by more than 2000+ users in Mumbai and Thane so that the system is totally bug-free before the commercial launch. Encouraging results paved the way for a full-fledged launch. “The app is designed keeping in mind the connect beyond family and friends. It is designed to connect people within the same locality without worrying about whether they know each other or not. "The idea behind the app is a very simple one – that of a megaphone or loudspeaker,” said Radhika Agarwal, Director, Linkus Infratech.

We tried to understand the areas a megaphone can be of use and realized the potential and the result was "Bhonga". Incidentally, Megaphone was invented by Thomas Edison, the same visionary who invented the bulb. The light bulb brought in a revolution when it was used and the same can be done with a digital megaphone which will empower every smartphone user.

Bhonga is a simple app which once downloaded allows the user send a message to all those who have this app in the 1 km radius, whether they know each other or not exactly the way a loudspeaker allows you to reach out to people around. The user can use the app to reach out to everyone around for posting messages which may be an emergency, an offer, a query or even an opinion or information which he believes may be of help to people around him. "The app dynamically changes its location based upon the phone's geography and hence it connects the user with others in whatever area he is present thus keeping him well connected where ever he goes" emphasis Radhika.

During the beta test we saw users asking for extra chairs and mattresses from people in the neighbourhood for a wedding in the house, a user looking for a language teacher in the neighbourhood, somebody willing to sell household goods, announcement of a medical camp in the society, home tuition inquires, mom and pop stores announcing offers, etc. Bhonga offered a completely new way of reach in the area. 

One can also put in a voice note and a photo to his post. Security and anonymity are at the heart of the app, the user’s identity is not disclosed but only the location coordinates from where the post was generated gets shared. This also enables users to fearlessly express their opinions. A locality or neighbourhood reach also is at times much critical than the reach to just the family and friends available over other personal messaging and social media platforms.

Bhonga is also in the process of working with several non-profit partners like blood-banks, ambulance services, etc. to make the app a lot more useful. The app is available for both Android and iPhone. The users are offered support to enable them to best use the app. “

"There are strong micro economies present in every locality and Bhonga will help to give new wings for these micro-economies to prosper. Bhonga will play a role in connecting localities and creating cohesive neighbourhood" concludes Radhika.

Make-Up Week: An Influx Of Creative Make-Up Talent Under One Roof

The Professional Beauty Group called it a wrap on the first edition of Make Up Week (MUW). Hosted at 18.99 Latitude Banquets at Kamala Mills, Lower Parel in Mumbai, on the 25^th and 26^th of March, 2019, MUW had a carefully curated agenda that was aimed exclusively for professional make-up artists in India.

UK-based celebrity make-up artist, Armand Beasley curated both days of MUW, effortlessly connecting the performing make-up artists on stage to the eager audience by explaining the nuances of make-up, and facilitating Q&A with the artists. First up for MUW was Zorain Khaleeli of Zorains Studio, who focussed on understanding the science behind make-up.

A seasoned prosthetic artist from Bollywood, Amod Doshi of Ovi Academy demonstrated his skills by creating an evil-faced character live on stage within 60 minutes! He commented, “I am happy to be part of MUW as it is the first ever show that has given such a good platform for prosthetic make-up.”

Next, Sanah Hassan from Kryolan Paris demonstrated one of the latest global trending looks whilst giving out important tips on application techniques. Sharon Knuiman from Makeup Studio Amsterdam demonstrated make-up using the Pantone colour of the year – Living Coral. She created a stunning red carpet look on a model using varying shades of coral and improvising on the smoky eye look.

The final session for the day was an interaction with the man in charge – Armand Beasley. He was questioned and cross-questioned by Kanishka Ramchandani, Digital Editor, Professional Beauty, on what it takes to be a brand ambassador. “If you want to grow as a make-up artist, you need to market yourself correctly, use social media to your best advantage. Collaborations with hairdressers, fashion stylists and others are a good way to expand your network,” he pointed out.

While the sessions were in progress, MUW was also hosting professional make-up brands and academies such as Presenting Partner Makeup Studio, Powered Partner, NYX Professional, Kryolan, Proarte and Nykaain the brand showcase area.

Apart from the brand booths, the exhibition area also had a demo zone for make-up academies. During the first half on Day 1, make-up maestro Marvie Ann Beck and her team demonstrated trending looks while interacting with the visitors. Post lunch, trainers from Asha Hariharan Academy created wearable looks on their models.

Day 2 at MUW opened with a livewire session by Armand Beasley, an eco-conscious artist, using cruelty-free products. Sessions by Strafford Braganza and Saloni of NYX Professional, Sharon Knuiman of Makeup Studio and Amisha Salunke of Amisha’s Academy were met with an enthusiastic response from the audience. Day 2 at the academy zone played host to MUD and FatMu in the first and second half of the day, respectively.

The day as well as MUW concluded with a panel discussion curated and moderated by Asha Hariharan, Founder – Asha Hariharan Academy and Beyond the Fringe salons. The panel comprised Geeta Roy, fashion influencer and ex-Editor of Vogue; Rafique Sayed, fashion and film photographer; Clint Fernandes, celebrity make-up artist; Shie Lobo, ace fashion runway choreographer; Ritoo Jhha, Editor, Beauty Launchpad; and Priyanka Karunakaran, model, actor and Kingfisher Calendar girl. These experts discussed at length the nuances of building a professional career as a make-up artist and creating a wide spectrum of looks – from the red carpet to editorial.

The first edition of Make Up Week concluded with a felicitation ceremony. Seasoned artists such as Ambika Pillai, Cory Walia, Clint Fernandes and Vipul Bhagat were felicitated for their contribution to the industry. Make-up veteran from the South Indian film industry, Pattanam  Rasheed, was bestowed with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his invaluable contribution to India's make-up and film industry. “The make-up industry needs such an event as make-up artists in India need to grow and learn more,” said Pattanam.

Delegates and visitors took away with them immeasurable knowledge about makeup trends and good business contacts. “I love the idea of a Make Up Week. I have been looking forward to attending such an event,” said Puja Chudasama, Makeup Director, Vipul Chudasama Academy, and a delegate at MUW.   

Speaking about the success of the maiden edition of the Make Up Week, Vikas Vij, Director, IDEX, said, “We are overwhelmed with the response MUW has received from the make-up fraternity. Brands, academies, artists and new comers to the field have all enthusiastically welcomed MUW. They have been yearning for this kind of an event to take place in India. We are happy and proud to be the first movers and we are looking forward to coming back with a bigger and better edition of MUW in Delhi later this year before returning to Mumbai in 2019.