Sunday, January 31, 2021

5 promising D2C health & nutrition startups to look out for in 2021

In the age of using platforms to reach maximum consumers, a few brands and companies are eliminating the middlemen to have a direct connection with their consumers. These Direct-to-Consumer brands are trying their best to sell their products via their platform/store to build a more loyal customer base. The year 2020 saw exponential growing popularity for D2C startups as the business model was accepted by many. Health and nutrition startups work a lot on D2C model, a few such promising startups are:


  1. OZiva - OZiva, a leading clean plant-based nutrition brand in India has a variety of products for daily fitness and lifestyle, nutra-cosmetics for hair and skincare for all age groups. Founded in the year 2016, by co-founders Mihir Gadani & Aarti Gill, they are committed to supporting every single person who wants to be a better version of themselves and wants to ensure that people achieve the best fitness, physically & mentally, with High-Quality Clean Nutrition - the one that the body truly deserves. OZiva products are available at: https://www.oziva.in/ and other e-commerce platforms like Flipkart, Amazon, Nykaa, etc. They also have exciting offers and sales on their platform.


  1. Cult Fit - Cult has become a phenomenon when it comes to gym and fitness. Cult fit is present all over India now and with their app they try to reach to their consumers directly on a personal level. Taking the fitness trend to another level, the app provides other facilities as well apart from just physical fitness. They have options of dietician/nutrition consulting, mental health consultation, therapy, healthy recipes, etc.


  1. Upakarma Ayurveda - Upakarma Ayurveda, India’s fastest growing Ayurvedic Brand founded in the year 2017 by the Brother Duo - Vishal Kaushik and Parag Kaushik, has established itself as a trusted brand for genuine-quality products. Its conventional media use along with constant social media presence and engagement with educational messaging has increased its customer base and involvement significantly and has resulted in a fifty-fold increase in clicks on its websites during the lockdown. Upakarma Ayurveda started on a very small scale with a few hundred customers and is now closing upto 50,000 orders per month. The brand has seen over 100 percent year-on-year rise in its revenues and putting faith in D2C strategy; it has seen its sales surge by 55-60% percent during the Pandemic. One can also buy its products from its official website - https://upakarma.com/


  1. Aadvik Foods - With an aim to bridge the gap in the farm-to-table organic milk landscape, founders Hitesh Rathi and Shrey Kumar began processing camel milk for popular consumption. Aadvik Foods was launched with the knowledge that camel milk contains Iron, Vitamin C, Calcium, Protein, and a host of other essential vitamins and minerals. Camel’s milk improves the immunity of the body. It helps in gut healing, reducing hyperactivity, and improving behavior. With the pandemic hitting, Aadvik has moved ahead more aggressively with doorstep delivery via Pickrr. With this, Aadvik has grown by 20% in the past few months compared to the previous year. Recently, Aadvik Foods has launched camel milk ghee. With this launch, Aadvik Foods further adds to its unique line of offerings that consist of 40 SKUs including raw camel milk powder, freeze-dried camel milk powder, frozen camel milk, camel milk chocolates, and camel milk-based skincare solutions.


  1. Patanjali - Patanjali Ayurved, is an Indian multinational consumer packaged goods company that manufactures mineral and herbal products. Patanjali is the biggest and successful D2C brand we have come across. They not only sell through different sellers but also have their own D2C channel. They have the largest consumer base for ayurvedic and health products, not only in India but worldwide.

Thane’s First-Ever Luxury Cinema Destination, INOX INSIGNIA Launched by Marathi stars Prathmesh Parab


 

Prathmesh and Nikkhhil are starring in Marathi movie “Darling” 

 

Director of movie Sameer Asha Patil was also present 

 

INOX throws open a 7-star luxurious multiplex with 4 screens 

 

30thJanuary, 2021, Mumbai. India’s leading multiplex chain with a presence in 69 cities, INOX has announced the launch of INOX INSIGNIA at R Mall, Ghodbunder Road, Thane. The 4 new screens and 240 seats soaked in 7-Star luxury will offer an unparalleled and an opulent cinematic experience to INOX’s patrons, not just in Thane, but the entire Mumbai region. The convergence of four exclusive auditoriums at R Mall, INOX INSIGNIA aims to redefine movie watching, by blending luxury throughout the course of the visit. Whether it is about check-ins, projection & sound, ordering food or enjoying the comfort of the recliners, patrons are in for the slickest of experiences at INSIGNIA. The multiplex has been designed in a modernized and stylized art deco feel, seamlessly merged into a modern design fabric. The charm and luxury coupled with the warmth of the lavish live food counters would ensure plenty of cherished moments for the patrons.

Personalized ticketing services: Starting with dedicated reservation lines, to a dedicated host to escort the guests to their seats, INSIGNIA guests will be pampered with personalized services.  

Bespoke interiors and opulent recliners: Uber luxurious art deco interiors, boasting of gorgeous patterns, complimenting the signature recliners crafted in Italian stich-art leather with micro-adjustable headrests  

Live gourmet delights from menu curated by Vicky Ratnani: Open food counters in the lobby, serving delectable food from a menu curated by Master Chef Vicky Ratnani. 

Effortless food ordering with a butler-on-call*: To relish the exciting menu, or for any other assistance, patrons press the Butler-on-Call button on the touch panel, from the comfort of their recliners, to enjoy the dedicated services of a butler  

State-of-the-art sound and screen technologies: Sharp picture quality ensured with LASER projection, coupled with explosive surround sound by Dolby ATMOS, duly complimented by Volfoni’s Smart Crystal Diamond Solutions screen, bringing movies to life.  

Uniforms crafted by Arjun Khanna: Each attendant in the INSIGNIA premises is styled by exclusive uniforms crafted by celebrity designed Arjun Khanna.  

*Currently unavailable as per COVID Guidelines 

 

What makes INOX INSIGNIA an ultra-luxurious movie destination? 

 

 

 

Talking about INOX’s latest multiplex, Atul Bhandarkar, Regional Director (West) – INOX Leisure Ltd said, “As we open the first ever ultra-luxurious cinema experience in Thane, we not only feel proud, but also excited, as we introduce something fresh and superior for our patrons. We have put together a 7-star experience, which is an amalgamation of top notch luxury, great sound and projection technology and amazing food options, all signature amidst our signature hospitality with a lot of warmth, care and safety. We welcome our patrons in Thane to visit us and enjoy movies in a manner, which they would love the most.” 

INOX’s latest multiplex is situation in the swanky R Mall located on the breezy Ghodbunder Road, offering an easy access to patrons. With this launch, INOX now operates 16 multiplexes with 79 screens in Mumbai.  

Link of the video of the new multiplex at RMall Thane West: https://twitter.com/INOXMovies/status/1353956885930496001?s=20 

 

About INOX Leisure Limited 

INOX Leisure Limited (INOX) is amongst India’s largest multiplex chains with 151 multiplexes and 641 screens in 69 cities. INOX has redefined movie experiences in India making it truly a 7-star experience. Each INOX property is unique with its own distinct architecture and aesthetics. Beyond the normal screens, INOX also has INOX INSIGNIA for the discerning audience or KIDDLES for young patrons or MX4D® EFX Theatre for an immersive experience or the panoramic viewing with ScreenX at select locations. INOX brings the very latest in projection and audio technology with INOX Laserplex, IMAX & INOX ONYX. Some of the key multiplex features include plush micro adjustable leather recliners with a butler on call facility, gourmet meal choices by celebrity chef, designer staff uniforms. INOX recently launched Megaplex, massive experience-driven entertainment destinations at Palassio Mall Lucknow and at Inorbit Mall, Malad, Mumbai which is home to the most number of cinema formats in the world.   

February 2021 FAB BAG Sealed with a Kiss

Good News : I received my FAB BAG today, very early in the morning. Here's what all in my February 2021 FAB BAG.


The Red Velvet pouch consists of all these cosmetics and discount voucher.


Nourish Mantra Facial cleanser [ Full Size : Rs. 875 /- ]


SUGAR  Smudge Me Not Lip Duo - 02 Brink of Pink [ Full Size : Rs. 599/- ]


SUGAR Arch Arrival Brow Definer - 04 Felix Onyx [ Full Size : Rs. 875/- ]


Aura De Purity Lip Scrub [ Full Size : Rs. 299/- ]


Saturday, January 30, 2021

Rama Mohan Rao Amara Takes Charge as the MD & CEO of SBI Card

Mumbai, 30 Jan 2021: SBI Card, India’s largest pure-play credit card issuer, announced that Mr. Rama Mohan Rao Amara has taken charge as the company`s new Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, effective 30 January 2021. Mr. Rao takes over from Ashwini Kumar Tewari.

 

Mr. Rama Mohan Rao Amara is a veteran banker, with a successful career spanning over 29 years at the State Bank of India. Prior to taking charge at SBI Card, Mr. Rao was the Chief General Manager, SBI Bhopal Circle, where he managed two key states MP & Chhattisgarh.

 

Commenting on the appointment, Mr. Ashwini Kumar Tewari, Managing Director, State Bank of India said, “We are pleased to welcome Mr. Rama Mohan Rao Amara as the MD & CEO of SBI Card. He has exhibited reliable and proficient leadership, while managing key assignments across India and abroad. His vision and strategic approach would be a key enabler to lead the rapidly growing credit card business. We are confident that he will be able to further strengthen SBI Card’s position and thereby increase value for all stakeholders.”

 

Mr Rama Mohan Rao Amara, MD & CEO, SBI Card said, “It is an exciting time to join SBI Card. The Indian economy is slowly but surely coming out of the grip of the pandemic. With a renewed focus towards cashless and digital payments, the country is firmly on the path to becoming a digital economy. Moreover, the Indian credit card market continues to present significant growth potential due to its favourable demographic changes and extremely low credit card penetration rate. SBI Card is known and respected as a customer centric, resilient, and nimble organization. I look forward to leading the organisation to newer heights.”

 

Mr. Rao started his banking career with SBI in 1991 as a probationary officer. He has gleaned expertise in field of credit, risk, and International Banking, both, in India and abroad. He has had two foreign postings first in Singapore and later at the US, as CEO of Chicago branch and then as the President and CEO of SBI California. He has also served as Chief General Manager, Financial Control at SBI Corporate Centre in Mumbai.

 

Mr. Rao holds a bachelor’s degree in Engineering. He has also displayed academic rigor by earning globally renowned financial accreditations namely CFA and FRM.

 

About SBI Card

SBI Cards and Payment Services Limited (formerly known as SBI Cards and Payment Services Private Limited) (“SBI Card”) is a non-banking financial company that offer extensive credit card portfolio to individual cardholders and corporate clients which includes lifestyle, rewards, travel & fuel and banking partnerships cards, along with corporate cards, covering all major cardholders’ segments in terms of income profile and lifestyle. It has diversified customer acquisition network that enables to engage prospective customers across multiple channels. SBI Card is a technology driven company.

The Company is listed on National Stock Exchange (“NSE”) and The Bombay Stock Exchange (“BSE”).


Note: The brand name of the company is ‘SBI Card’ and it is registered in the name of ‘SBI Cards and Payment Services Limited’. The company is trading under the entity name ‘SBICARD’ on stock exchanges. Visit 
www.sbicard.com for more details.

महात्मा गांधींचे विचारच देशाला तारतील.-धनंजय जुन्नरकर

 


                                             *दहिसर विधानसभेत महात्मा गांधी पुण्यतिथी साजरी*

मुंबई- प्रतिनिधी
मुंबई काँग्रेस अध्यक्ष भाई जगताप ह्यांच्या आदेशानुसार 30 जानेवारी रोजी महात्मा गांधी ह्यांना भावपूर्ण श्रद्धांजली देण्याचा कार्यक्रम अतिशय गांभीर्यपूर्वक पार पडला. 11 वाजता सर्व उपस्थितांनी 2 मिनिटे मौन ठेवले. गांधीजींना प्रिय असलेली सुरेल भजने सर्वांनी  ऐकली.
दहिसर विधानसभा क्षेत्रात प्रभाग 1,7 आणि 8 आयोजित महात्मा गांधी पुण्यतिथी  मंडपेश्वर रोड येथील अंकुर इमारती जवळ 
अतिशय गंभीर वातावरणात पार पडली. 

        

मुंबई काँग्रेस सचिव धनंजय जुन्नरकर ह्यांनी आपल्या भाषणात महात्मा गांधी ह्यांचे विचारच देशाला  तारतील व त्याच विचारांची सध्या प्रचंड  गरज आहे असे प्रतिपादन केले.
गोडसे चा अविचार समाजातून  उत्तम नैतिक शिकवणुकी द्वारे नष्ट करावा लागेल, तसेच गांधींच्या अंत्योदय विचाराचा पुरस्कार करण्या साठी दिल्लीतील शेतकऱ्यांच्या आंदोलनाला सर्वांनी पाठिंबा दिला पाहिजे व केंद्र सरकारने तात्काळ 3 काळे कृषी कायदे रद्द करावे असे वकत्व केले.
तिलोत्तमा वैद्य ह्यांनी प्रसंगोचित भाषण केले, तर ब्लॉक अध्यक्ष लौकिक सुत्राळे ह्यांनी सगळ्यांचे आभार मानले.
कार्यक्रमासाठी प्रभाग 1 चे ब्लॉक अध्यक्ष लॉयल फ्रान्सिस , 7 चे ब्लॉक अध्यक्ष नित्यानंद शेट्टी , रवींद्र केणी, प्रमिथा जॉन, आफ्रिन खान, राजेश मौर्य आणि इतर वरिष्ठ पदाधिकारी उपस्थित होते.
३० जानेवारी १९४८ साली नथुराम गोडसे याने महात्मा गांधी यांची गोळ्या घालून हत्या केली होती. आज गांधीजींची ७२वी पुण्यतिथी आहे.

Maharashtra commits to eliminate Neglected Tropical Diseases

India joins the World NTD Day movement to reiterate its commitment towards elimination of NTDs.

 MUMBAI, 30 January 20211 : World Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) Day, which is being observed today across India, is a key moment in the fight against NTDs, a group of preventable diseasesinclude Lymphatic Filariasis (Hathipaon), Visceral Leishmaniasis (Kala-Azar), leprosy (Kusht-Rog), dengue, chikungunya, snakebite, rabies etc. that are responsible for killing and disabling millions of people in India every year.

 

Now, as India takes a stand against NTDs in alignment with the WHO NTD Roadmap 2021-2030, Maharashtra has reiterated its commitment to ensuring that India’s NTD elimination goals are met. Speaking about the state’s determination to address the challenge of NTDs, Dr N. D. Deshmukh, Joint Director (Malaria, Filariasis and WBD), Government of Maharashtra said, we remain committed to ensuring India meets its NTD elimination target much before 2030”. We will ensure all available resource and strategies to move towards this objective”.

 

Prevention and control of endemic NTDs is being prioritised through national disease control programmes for Lymphatic Filariasis, Visceral Leishmaniasis, Leprosy, Rabies, Soil transmitted Helminthiasis and Dengue which have globally aligned strategies and dedicated annual financial outlay. Significant progress has been made towards achieving the elimination targets for Visceral Leishmaniasis (Kala-azar) and Lymphatic Filariasis (LF) in India.  India has successfully reduced Visceral Leishmaniasis as 97% of endemic blocks have achieved the target of elimination (less than 1 case of VL per 10,000 population).

 

Of the LF endemic districts, 98 out of 272 have been validated for interruption of transmission (TAS-1) and have successfully stopped MDA. Dengue remains a challenge due to its rapid geographical spread, but India is sustaining the case fatality rate at less than 1% since 2008. Service delivery for all diseases including NTDs is through the agency of public health systems. Platforms are being created for Filaria, Visceral Leishmaniasis, Soil transmitted helminthiasis and leprosy to harmonize elimination efforts in case finding, vector control, mass drug administration etc. wherever possible. Intersectoral coordination for vector control are being strengthened such that gains made for dengue, filaria and VL individually, reap collateral benefits for each other.

 

In Maharashtra NTDs like LF which is endemic in 18 Districts pose a significant public health challenge. However, the state has been taking concrete steps against these diseases. While COVID-19 diverted resources and attention away from other critical health issues like NTDs, Maharashtra was quick in resuming NTD related activities in alignment with the WHO’s guidance. Speaking about the state’s efforts against NTDs Dr N. D. Deshmukh said, “We are confident that our efforts will pave the way for building an NTD-free generation in India”.

 

In the lead up to and during World NTD Day, several awareness activities were held in the state to raise awareness about NTDs including organization of hydrocele surgery camps, MMDP trainings, demonstration of awareness campaigns are being held at village and HQ level.   

Friday, January 29, 2021

The budget expectations from Yogi Sadana, CEO - CASHe and Founding Member of Fintech Association for Consumer Empowerment (FACE).

1.       What can the fintech industry expect from the budget this year?

 

As the economy is set to recover post the Covid-19 pandemic, the expectations of fintech industry and the startup ecosystem from the upcoming Union Budget are also riding high. A broad wish list from the fintech industry includes tax relief, sops on technology and infrastructure spends made by the fintechs to increase credit penetration in the country, enable more engagement between fintech startups and banks to support other sectors through organized lending and to create a fund with PSU and large Private banks to improve liquidity and access to finance for fintechs.

 

The Government’s push for more Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) will manifest itself in the budget via the introduction of a slew of provisions for the financial industry. These provisions will be aimed at lubricating the financial engine of the country by improving operational efficiency as well as governance standards for banks/NBFCs.

 

Since most efficiency gains are likely to be originated through the use of technology, Fintechs can expect to see a widening market for their services. Open banking models are likely to be more widely accepted, while the simplification of compliance procedures will enable RegTech models to play a more prominent role as well. 

 

The 2021 budget will set the base that will allow India’s Fintech industry to mature faster and cater to a wider range of customers by providing digital alternatives. The potential savings that could be realized as a result of this transition to digital will only accelerate the growth for the industry. 

 

2.       What do you think the budget will have for startups?

 

Coming out of the pandemic, we expect the government to elevate the startup ecosystem including the MSMEs which is often considered as one of the biggest growth drivers of the economy. Certain policy incentives accelerate the business growth of startup will be very much appreciated. Angel Tax norms can be further eased to benefit the start-ups. Also, the GST structure can be made less complex and improve taxation, particularly for startups and MSMEs to make tax compliance simpler.

 

3.       What do fintech startups need from the budget this year? What do you want to see in the budget for the finance industry?

 

For this year, the needs of Fintechs, NBFCs, and MSMEs are intertwined. The IL&FS debacle, combined with the devastating effects of the nationwide lockdown has resulted in the drying up of all the funding streams available to NBFCs and Fintechs. This is distressing for all three parties because Fintechs/NBFCs play a key role in bringing several MSMEs into the institutional credit ecosystem.

 

As a Fintech that thrives on lending, we would like to see the budget put provisions in place that would allow Fintechs to have access to liquidity by creating a fund within the PSU and large Banks which is allocated for lending to Fintech and startup eco system without the need to provide hard collaterals which is the current hurdle. Access to liquidity to Fintechs will lead to a greater penetration of formal credit that will not only allow for a quick recovery for Fintech firms but also benefit the core customer base that is yet to have access to institutional credit.

 

GST reimbursement on certain kind of expenses including spends on technology and infrastructure are the other expectations from the Budget.

 

4.       What's one thing you according to you that the fintech industry wants, but the government is not likely to deliver?

 

The reintroduction of MDR (merchant discount rate) is something that prominent fintech firms have been clamoring for since it was abolished. The lack of MDR, despite being good news for merchants doesn’t really bode well for financial institutions, especially younger fintechs as they will not have any incentive to build newer, exciting products.

 

All in all, the fintech industry needs support from the government to create a eco-system in which the industry can thrive, drive more digitization and continue to add millions of underserved customers in the formal credit system.

Visaka Industries Ltd. donates ATUM (solar powered) street vendor carts to 13 beneficiaries in Hyderabad.

Hyderabad, 29 Jan 2021: Visaka Industries Limited donated 13 ATUM (Solar Powered) Street Vendor Carts to beneficiaries in Hyderabad as part of its social responsibility programme to support marginalized communities as well as promote sustainable and eco-friendly products. With this, the total ATUM Street Vendor carts, donated by Visaka Industries Limited, now stands at 75.

Each ATUM (solar powered) street vendor cart is fabricated at a cost of INR 40,000/-. It takes 6 hours for the ATUM Street Vendor Carts to be charged and this power can be used for 48 hours with one full charge. Visaka Industries Limited has provided a tube & socket to charge mobile.

The ATUM powered Street Vendor Carts will allow each beneficiary to save up to INR 2500/- per month which they would have otherwise used for renting Cart & Battery powered LED lights. This will allow him to recoup the cost in one and half years.

Speaking at the occasion, Mr. Vamsi GaddamJoint Managing Director, Visaka Industries Ltd, said“We have donated a total of 75 ATUM Street vendor Carts. The ATUM (Solar Powered) Street Vendor Carts are a boon for street vendors. Not only will they benefit financially by not having to spend on battery-powered LED lights, but they will also be using clean power which will benefit the environment. The ATUM (Solar powered) street vendor carts further strengthen our vision to innovate and focus on sustainable and green technologies Visaka Industries Limited remains committed to promote eco-friendly products and all our business segments are testimony to our commitment towards the environment.”

-END-


P.S Note: Also present at the even were Mr J.P Rao, Mr Sunil and Mr Kashyap to donate the street vendor carts to 13 beneficieries.

About Visaka Industries Ltd. 

Established in 1981, Visaka Industries Ltd. (NSE: VISAKAIND, BSE: VISAKAIND) is the second-largest manufacturer of cement roofing sheets in the country.  The company has multiple product portfolios ranging from corrugated cement sheets, fibre cement boards, hybrid solar roofs, and manmade yarn. Visaka also manufactures and is a global supplier of its Wonder Yarn, a manmade spool that has carved a niche for various fabric applications across garments, apparel, furnishings, automotive fabrics, and other technical textiles. Visaka has 12 manufacturing units, 13 marketing offices, and a PAN India distribution channel of over 7000 dealer outlets. 

For more information please visit - https://www.visaka.co/

About ATUM

ATUM, the world’s first integrated solar roof, generates electricity and is a completely integrated, seamless solar roof made with poly or mono-crystalline solar cells and cement boards - a highly durable roofing material making it world’s first solar panel which can be directly used as a roof.

ATUM does not need any roof underlay like many conventional solar tiles available in the market. As a roof it has mechanical properties which are far superior to tiles/ shingles/conventional panels. ATUM provides 20-40% higher capacity in a given area which makes it a go to product for utilising the roof area for generating solar power. It also generates 20- 40% more power compared to the traditional solar roofs. Atum also looks aesthetically appealing and gives an additional floor space which is not possible with the traditional systems. This makes the ROI with ATUM less than 4 years and a highly attractable investment. Therefore, a consumer can expect to break-even in less than 4 years and enjoy free power for the next 25 years.

In 2020, Visaka Industries Limited was granted a 20-year patent for its ATUM Solar Roof. The patent was granted for the invention titled “Eco-Friendly Energy Generating Roof.” ATUM secured the prestigious UL Certification as per International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) standards. ATUM has also been certified by the Campbell Corporation, to take a uniform load of 780 lbs per sqft, a snow load of 2200 lbs, and the jointing mechanism is a patented leak proof system as per American Society for Testing and Material (ASTM) standards. It is a roof which is class A fire rated and designed to take wind speeds of over 150kmph making it hurricane proof. ATUM uses GreenPro Certified material which makes it a highly sustainable, reliable, and safe solar roof.

Convergence Energy Services Limited commissions 1 MW of Goa’s first solar project

Achieves first milestone of its 100 MW integrated project

  • Goa has also set on the path of self-reliance as nearly all of Goa’s current power requirement till now was met by other states

Goa, January 29, 2021: Convergence Energy Services Limited (CESL), a wholly owned subsidiary of Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), commissioned 1 MW of Goa’s first solar energy project. This is CESL’s and Goa’s first milestone in this 100 MW project.          

 

The project was inaugurated by the Honorable Minster Shri Nilesh Cabral last year on the Liberation Day of Goa on 19 December 2020. The project integrates the delivery of clean, renewable, decentralised energy from solar feeders with energy efficient pump sets and LED lamps for rural homes. Nilesh Cabral, the Hon’ble Power Minister, Goa, said, "Supporting Goa in its target of generating 150 MW of green energy in the next two to three years, this Convergence project integrates the benefits of energy efficient lighting and irrigation. It marks a robust commencement for the state's Solar Power Policy, under which we envision the installation of 150 MW of clean power this year."

 

Of Goa’s total 600 MW power demand, 100 MW from solar energy is a big move towards energy independent and Green Goa.  The commissioning of this project also sets the state on the path of self-reliance as nearly all of Goa’s current power requirement was met by other states.

 

Mr Saurabh Kumar, Executive Vice Chairman, EESL said “Integrating renewable generation and energy efficiency projects will, in coming months, serve as a powerful catalyst for India’s energy vision. Goa’s initiative enables the achievement of multiple energy imperatives. It unlocks the latent energy potential of the state’s unused land, galvanizes local agriculture, and demonstrates the viability of innovative business models in the energy sector.”

 

Commenting on the milestone, Ms Mahua Acharya, CESL’s CEO & MD said, "This uniquely structured project is the first Renewable Energy project in Goa apart from being CESL’s first project. I am delighted for its commissioning in record time and congratulate the government of Goa for its support. By being the first state to embrace the benefits of amortising energy efficient pumps and lighting, it has set a precedent for India's energy sector. This project will provide provide agricultural pumps, and LED bulbs free of charge for rural domestic households, day-time high-quality uninterrupted and clean power, will enable the state to greatly reduce power consumption as well as T&D losses.”

 

Under this project, CESL will implement 100 MW decentralized solar energy projects on government lands and the energy generated would be used for agricultural pumping.  In addition, CESL would replace approximately 6,300 agricultural pumps with BEE star rated energy efficient pumps and distribute approximately 16 Lakh LED bulbs for rural domestic households to bring down overall energy demand of the State of Goa.

 

This INR 450 crore project will solarise unused or degraded land near sub-stations and points of use and is also likely to save approximately 50 per cent of electricity cost burden on the government of Goa, enabling a savings of INR 2,500 crores for the state of Goa over twenty-five years. It is likely to benefit approximately 4 lakh households and mitigate 1.4 lakh tons of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG).           
The project will accelerate the usage of renewable energy sources, especially for agricultural and rural power consumption in the State and will contribute to reduction of peak energy demand through deployment of energy efficient pumping and lighting.

 

Through its initiatives, CESL seeks to connect seemingly independent sectors like Solar Energy, Energy Storage and LED lights to provide solutions, which can enable in decarbonisation and affordable energy access. Under this programme, CESL is offering convergent interventions, which solve multiple gap areas in the energy ecosystem. It is currently providing solutions such as solarised agriculture feeders, LED streetlights in local villages and battery energy storage system. CESL is also leveraging the carbon financing mechanism to rapidly strengthen rural infrastructure in a clean and sustainable manner, to create a resilient and sustainable rural community in India. Its climate financing interventions currently include Gram UJALA, Decentralised Solar and Gram Panchayat Street Lights programmes.

 

About Convergence Energy Services Limited (CESL)

A 100% owned subsidiary of EESL – Convergence Energy Services Limited (Convergence), a new energy company is focused on delivering clean, affordable, and reliable energy. Convergence focuses on energy solutions that lie at the confluence of renewable energy, electric mobility and climate change.

 

Kolkata Commissioner of Police Shri Anuj Sharma, IPS, inaugurating Pronam office for Senior Citizens along with The Bengal members Goutam Ghose and Arindam Sil in Kolkata.


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Kolkata Police Commissioner Anuj Sharma inaugurated the Pronam office with The Bengal members  Goutam Ghose, Esha Dutta and Arindam Sil in Kolkata today.
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Police Commissioner inaugurates

PRONAM office in Kolkata

29 January 2020, Kolkata: The Commissioner of Police, Kolkata, Mr Anuj Sharma, IPS, formally inaugurated Pronam office in Kolkata today in the presence of Goutam Ghose, Working President, The Bengal, and Arindam Sil and Esha Dutta, members of The Bengal and Joint Convenors of Pronam, along with other dignitaries and Kolkata Police officials. The Pronam project for senior citizens of Kolkata is run by Kolkata Police in collaboration with city-based non-governmental organization (NGO) The Bengal.

I am glad that Pronam now has an additional state-of-the-art office. The Kolkata Police has created a 24x7 infrastructure to support the senior citizens of our city and ensure their safety. Pronam also organises various cultural activities for the elderly during the year,” Mr Sharma said.

Project Pronam, which currently has nearly 20,000 registered senior citizens on its roll, was started in June 2010. The Pronam project is supported by Shree Cement Ltd as a part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative.

The Pronam project has grown over the years and reached out to the senior citizens of the city providing security and moral support. The corona virus outbreak has posed a serious question mark on the well-being of senior citizens in Kolkata, especially those who live by themselves. Many elderly residents of Kolkata have children working outside the city or country and are hard up to carry out the daily chores like going to the market or doctors. The Pronam staff with the help of Kolkata Police personnel have stood by the elderly during these trying times,” said industrialist Hari Mohan Bangur, Chairman, The Bengal, in a message.

This additional Pronam office, which is an Emergency Coordination Room for Senior Citizens, is a modern fully-equipped computerized office with video conferencing facility which would further streamline Pronam’s functioning and managing the ever-growing registration base of senior citizens,” said Esha Dutta, Joint Convenor of Pronam.

The Kolkata Police has a dedicated Senior Citizen Helpline Number for the elderly to call on and report their problem. The Pronam office works 24 hours with the helpline 03324190740.

On an average, Pronam receives close to 1000 applications each month from senior citizens seeking membership. Currently, senior citizens above the age of 60 years living within the jurisdiction of Kolkata are eligible for Pronam membership under certain criteria.

Pronam has been very successful in reaching out to the elderly in Kolkata and there is a huge demand to expand its sphere and cover more senior citizens. The Pronam project has been very successful in creating a community service model for the elderly. At this time our helpline is buzzing with calls for groceries and medicines. We are trying our best to meet the requests. Now, with two offices of Pronam the coordination work would be a lot smoother,” Mr Sundeep Bhutoria, Secretary General, The Bengal.

At present Jogen Choudhury is the President of The Bengal and Goutam Ghose the Working President. Other members of The Bengal include Usha Uthup, Dona Ganguly, Bickram Ghose, Arindam Sil, Agnimitra Paul who extend their support to the Pronam project.

5 Must Have Energy Saving Appliances / Products for home

The world is making conscious choices be it related to what they eat, drink and use in their daily lives. People have started using environmental friendly products even more on a day to day basis. It is very simple to make positive changes to your lifestyle just by figuring out from where to start, and most people start their positive lifestyle with sustainable living. Even if you just make a few changes in your household, you will be working to build better habits in your space of the world. Below mentioned are few energy efficient products  that you can include in your daily life and make a better choice for yourself: 


  1. Eco friendly water purifier  

Since water is the basic necessity in the life of each and every individual, using an eco - friendly water purifier is a must. Companies like Livpure, Kent provide eco - friendly RO’s for your home and encourage a sustainable living among their customers. Livpure is a frontrunner in delivering healthy and sustainable living and has recently launched the world's 1st Water Purifier with 70% water recovery. It will save around 20,000 liters of water per household per year, thereby contributing in a big way in conserving water in India and across many countries in the world. 


  1. Mini Fridge

Haier HC33SW20RB It is the best mini fridge overall on this review of the best energy efficient fridges. It combines the best of both worlds by being energy efficient and comes with a good size. This is among the best appliances that you should have in the kitchen due to its performance. Good for a lot of foodstuffs. The mini fridge saves a lot of volume and it doesn’t cost much in terms of electricity to use this fridge. The energy efficient fridge is known to consume only a tiny amount of electricity. Once in use, its two sliding glass shelves can be taken out and the user can rearrange them any how they please. Then again, the door of this fridge also works as a good space to store items and foodstuffs




  1.  Air Conditioner

Our last few review moments will be spent on the Sanyo 1.5 Ton 5 Star Air Conditioner, which has proven to be one of the air conditioning highlights since its inception on the market a few months ago. This Sanyo air conditioner boasts of a powerful functional unit as well a design prowess rarely seen in most models within its price range. Let’s walk through the details. It’s a split air conditioner with standard indoor and outdoor unit designs. The indoor unit is quite similar to the previous product from Godrej. The top houses an inlet panel with prominent louvers, while the base accommodates the outlet panel for the processed air. A simple LED display occupies the bottom right corner for easier visual feedback. The indoor unit is 100cm wide,  23 cm thick and 29 cm high while the outdoor unit measures 78.0 (L) × 24.1(B) × 55.7(H).



                                                              


  1. Eco friendly Geyser: The Airier Eco Geyser is 100% reliable for day-to-day domestic use as it has zero maintenance, lower fuel cost, energy saving as it will give 50 litres of hot water from 1 kilogram of waste. It runs on biomass, i.e., domestic waste, paper, pieces of wood, garbage, dried cow-dung, sugarcane bagasse, sawdust, groundnut/coconut shells, agro/forest waste, etc. Also, the unused hot water retains heat for a subsequent period of 24 hours due to the special insulation provided, which makes it an economic, yet effective water heating solution.

  2. Non electric air purifier 

Non-electric air purifiers are budget friendly that you can buy for your homes without worrying about your electricity bill going too high. You can opt from these popular sustainable air purifiers which are easily available in the market. To name a few are: Oxypure, Eco Nation, Breathe FreshVayu Natural Activated Charcoal Air Purifying bag, etc.