Category: Business

February 5: “Dedication and passion are what one needs to achieve their goals. Struggles are a part of it that makes you stronger and a better person to judge your decisions”, says Mulayam Singh, a man who stood above his struggles to inspire and help thousands of people.

Sharing the same birth date as the Father of the Nation, Mulayam Singh was nicknamed ‘Gandhi’ from the start. Since childhood, he was always the one in the crowd of hundreds. However, life has always been challenging for this young man. With his family’s financial condition reaching rock bottom, Mulayam finished his schooling at a government school. Nothing could ever stop him from flourishing. The diligent man went on to complete his Bachelor’s Degree in B. Com, spent 3 years training as a CA and LLB.

It was while working in Legal courts, after 7 years in a CA firm, Mulayam Singh saw his magnificent skills. Starting his consultancy firm, it was over this period that his name started gaining all the praise it deserves. From his management skills to his command over the subjects, his work spoke for itself.

Presently, Mulayam has a consulting firm for Legal and Tax orders along with several businesses in chemical and mobile accessories. The entrepreneur is adept at providing one with legal and tax advice that aids people’s financial decisions. He is keen on devising strategies that help reduce tax liability by taking advantage of tax credits and deductions through interviewing his clients. With a team build with professionals like CA, CMA, advocates, Mulayam Singh’s firm is one of the best in India.

Yet the journey of Mulayam Singh continues further with a new sun rising. After being associated with NGOs for over 7 years, Singh wanted to help society more effectively by becoming a politician. Determined to work towards the welfare of the public, Singh instils faith in the words “Neta Nahi Beta”. Akhil Bharatiya Janshakti Party has even decided to nominate him as the National Vice-President for the party which gives the nation’s youth a shoulder to rely on.

Having witnessed poverty so closely in his life, the ‘People’s Man” has inspired the youth with his journey from rags to riches and, how hard work and dedication can make dreams come true.

Vadodara (Gujarat) [India], February 05: Ajay’s Takeaway Food, which started with a small outlet in Gujarat’s Navsari town offering cold coffee, burgers, and pizzas celebrated a landmark occasion in the Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) history with the launch of its 100th outlet on the Vasana Road in Vadodara on February 5.

The launch marks an important step in the brand’s attempt to establish its footprint in the burgeoning foodservice market in Gujarat. In a very short span of eight years, Ajay’s has spread its wings by setting up outlets in Surat, Navsari, Billimora, Valsad, Chikhli, Ankleshwar, Bharuch and Vadodara. The brand has big plans to penetrate pan-India.

Ajay’s, which began its journey in Navsari town in 2014 with the business principle of serving tasty, high-quality, and affordable food, is giving established multinationals a run for their money by demonstrating a better ability to penetrate the market and target lower price-points.

Ajay’s Takeaway Food is the brainchild of the two Gujarati brothers—Ajay Solanki and his elder brother Jaideep Solanki. After they shifted from Pune to Navsari in Gujarat along with their parents in 2012, they opened their first store, which was not branded as Ajay’s. The success of the first venture inspired them to open a second location, but it failed miserably. They realised that successful businesses have distinct brands and provide something unique. MNC-operated fast-food chains were out of reach for a large segment of the population.

This is how Ajay’s was born in August-2014 on the philosophy of providing branded and hygienic burgers, pizza, and cold coffee at reasonable prices.

Ajay Solanki, the founder of Ajay’s, which is named after him and his elder brother Jaideep Solanki, said, “During Covid-19 pandemic, like most businesses, Ajay’s too bore the burnt, and from 21 outlets, the number fell to 13 within two months of the nationwide lockdown. We adopted a multi-pronged strategy by reducing entry barriers with zero franchising fees and scrapped the 5% royalty on sales. Today, more than 75% of our franchise outlets are run by entrepreneurs below 35 years.”

Starting from 2014 to 2015, Ajay’s established three outlets in Navsari. In 2016, the first franchise of Ajay’s Takeaway Food was set up in Surat’s Nanpura. The food-loving people of Surat accepted the reasonably priced burgers, pizzas, and cold coffee offered by Ajay’s and there was no looking back.

From 2017 to 2021, Ajay’s spread its wings by setting up more outlets in Surat, Navsari, Billimora, Valsad, Chikhli, Ankleshwar, Bharuch, and Vadodara.

Jaideep Solanki, co-founder of Ajay’s said, “Like our philosophy of affordable food, we are offering franchise for Rs 8 lakh, allowing the budding entrepreneurs to make a windfall of profits.”

New Delhi (India), February 5: GroupM, WPP’s media investment group, welcomed Abhijit Adhya as Finance Business Transformation Lead, EMEA effective immediately. Abhijit joins GroupM UK from GroupM UAE where he held the role of Regional Head, Business Transformation and PMO, MENA.

Abhijit will focus on “connected growth” strategies for EMEA, thereby playing an instrumental role in ensuring the implementation of synergies in action across geographies. The connected growth initiative is an ambitious mission of GroupM EMEA for the coming years, thereby creating growth through fully capitalizing on market growth with new solutions while retaining people; Delivering the full potential of digital transformation to clients; and becoming the authentic ethical business partner with clients.

Leveraging his background as a Senior Transformation Leader, with solid experience in transformation strategy of large corporations, Project Management, Offshoring, and business application of Ai, Abhijit will focus on connecting the dots across various agencies, projects, and people within EMEA Finance teams.

Abhijit will support the EMEA Finance team in achieving strong commercial outcomes through simplification, growth parameters, and aid transformation to deliver result-based outcomes for stakeholders, which ultimately will optimize every penny spend or investment in the region.

Abhijit said “I am delighted to join GroupM EMEA and enthusiastic to immerse myself into the business. Honestly, it’s going to be an uphill task for me as I have not handled such a massive market earlier in my career and that is what excites me the most! I relish this challenge as an opportunity to learn from the best in the industry. At the fag end of the pandemic (hopefully), the landscape of doing business has changed drastically and along with knowledge, one needs to be innovative and forward-thinking which I have seen leaders demonstrate in this organization. I hope to keep up to the faith bestowed on me.”

Abhijit Adhya is a Senior Business Leader, with over 22 years of experience, specializing in Business Transformation, Corporate Leadership, PMO, Operations, and Change Management. Abhijit has traveled extensively across the globe working with global organizations like Genpact, JP Morgan, GI Outsourcing, WPP, GroupM (MENA). He has worked on a broad range of domains such as Business Transformations, Program Management, Offshoring, Business Development, Marketing, Operations & Client Services. He is also an Award-Winning Filmmaker, Photographer, Start-up evangelist, Trekker, Adventure Sports, and travel enthusiast.

Abhijit will be based in GroupM’s London office.

For more information, Please visit http://www.groupm.com/

Marching towards creating a holistic workplace amidst global uncertainty

Gurgaon (Haryana) [India], February 5: Sagacious IP, one of the largest IP research and consulting firms globally, announced its recognition after being certified as a “Great People Manager Company” by the Great Manager Institute®. The certificate is a testimony to years of hard work and commitment towards building a people-centric organization with a core focus on employee well-being and overall growth. People managers are essential to the plan of building a successful organization. That is why; Sagacious IP has a systematic and well-laid out process for training and nurturing its managers.

Great People Manager Study is the largest study of People Managers and Leaders in India that helps to recognize Great People Managers and the companies that nurture them. The 2021 cycle of the study involved registrations of 10,273 leaders and managers (including self-nominations) from 4,189 organizations, spanning all sectors. The evaluation was done for about 18 months starting April 2020, thus being able to assess and analyze greatness in leadership during one of the worst crises ever faced by humankind.

To achieve the certification of “Great People Manager Company,” a survey was performed to gauge the state of a company’s work culture and its managers. The survey questionnaire collated feedback of Managers on subjects related to effective communication, technical expertise, leadership traits, strategic thinking, and reputation. People managers at Sagacious IP performed exceptionally well on the index reaffirming its beliefs and values and based on the cumulative people managerial effectiveness score, it emerged as a company of Great People Managers.

Sagacious IP understands the importance of people as its most valuable asset. Therefore, it is constantly rediscovering its learning and training program for managers with changing times. For example, even during the challenging period of the Covid-19 pandemic, the company demonstrated resilience with low to moderate effect on its employee.

On the recognition, Tarun Kumar Bansal, President, Sagacious IP, stated that the certificate is a culmination of years of painstaking work and commitment towards improving our employee’s productivity, happiness, and welfare. The certification strengthens our tenets and inspires us to achieve even more illustrious feats for our employees and people’s managers.

Sagacious IP truly believes that the fortune of a company is positively correlated to the well-being of its people. This desire propels the company to invest its resource actively to prepare the next generation of bold, innovative, and compassionate people’s managers.

Sagacious IP is an award-winning IP research solutions provider working with the world’s largest companies, law firms, institutions, research organizations, and inventors to help them monetize, defend, and expand their patent portfolios and drive innovation within their industries.

For more information visit: https://www.sagaciousresearch.com/

New Delhi (India), February 5: BSE listed, ARC Finance Ltd, a NBFC, Non Deposit taking Non Banking Finance Company engaged primarily in the business of advancing loans and investing/trading in securities has informed the BSE that its board will meet on February 11th 2022 to consider proposal for sub division of equity shares of Rs.10 each to Re.1 each.

The Company has been able to give the significant upward performance in terms of Sales, Profitability from the last five years. The financial parameters of the company are the indicators of its performance and the company has been able to outshine and stand among the other players in the Finance Industry.

Finance company offers loans in various segments including small scale and large scale industries for affordable rates. The company is also offering Micro finance loans in different sectors.

Company offers loans to the customers for their expansions of business and widely operates in very large scale in terms of financing and rendering financial services to their customers. The company operates from branches in urban, semi-urban & rural areas of Maharashtra and Gujarat, Eastern India, etc. with own offices, direct selling agents and business partners.

ARC has a strong Loan book too which it is planning to increase in coming time very shortly.

As per a recent survey, Non-banking finance companies (NBFCs) continue to grow in the personal loan (PL) segment in volume terms, doubling their market share in the last two years up, whereby companies like Comfort would tend to be benefitted substantially. Also this helps in expanding their borrower base rapidly and provides cross-sell opportunities for other financial products & services.

With the Budget laying thrust on infra related sector, ARC would tend to benefit as its loan and financing to infra sector could improve substantially.

New Delhi (India), February 5: As the startup IPO boom is set to continue in 2022, travel tech major Ixigo is eyeing a robust stock market debut on the back of a forward-looking and infrastructure focussed Union Budget for FY23.

According to the company, the announcement of new Vande Bharat trains over the next three years and further support for the hospitality sector under ECLGS scheme would, in turn, support the travel industry and boost consumer demand in the sector.

In December, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) gave its approval for Le Travenues Technology Limited which manages the travel platform Ixigo to raise Rs.1600 Cr. through initial public offering. It plans to raise Rs 750 crore in fresh issue and Rs 850 crore in an offer-for-sale. Elevation Capital, with a 24 per cent interest in the company, is the largest shareholder in the travel booking company, followed by SCI Investments, with a 16.02 per cent stake, and Gamnat, with a 9.89 per cent stake. Aloke Bajpai and Rajnish Kumar, the company’s co-founders, own 9.18 per cent and 8.79 per cent of the company, respectively.

“This year’s budget has been among the most progressive budgets. Along with its focus on startups, the government has also given major push on infrastructure and railways. These measures will result in long term growth and boost demand,” said Utkarsh Sinha, Financial Analyst.

The Union Budget for 2022-23 was presented in Lok Sabha by Nirmala Sitharaman, India’s Finance Minister, who announced that 400 new-generation Vande Bharat trains with improved energy efficiency and passenger riding experience will be developed and constructed over the next three years. The increased number of trains will lead to higher travel and, as a result, more traffic on booking and reservation platforms such as IRCTC, Ixigo, and Confirmtkt. Because demand would increase, it will be a tremendous opportunity for Ixigo.

LE Travenues operates www.ixigo.com and www.confirmtkt.com, as well as the ixigo / confirm ticket mobile applications, which provide real-time information and booking services for the travel industry across airlines, trains, hotels, buses, and cabs.  Both Ixigo and Confirmtkt are official IRCTC B2C premium ticketing partners for online train reservations in India. It helped the IXIGO group to consolidate its presence in Tier 3-4 markets with its combined user base of nearly 200 million Indians. IXIGO acquired Abhibus and reached the app earlier.

Ixigo is an AI-based technology company focused on empowering Indian travelers to plan, book and manage their trips across rail, air, buses and hotels. The company applies artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data science-driven technologies on their OTA platforms, which include their websites and mobile applications, to empower travelers to make better travel decisions. According to the F & S Report, they have a 42 per cent market share in train booking, a 10 per cent market share in bus ticketing, and a 12 per cent market share in flight ticketing. Since its start, the platform has processed Rs 5,000 crore in annualized gross booking value, with over 250 million app downloads.

The company’s financials have showed phenomenal growth, with revenue rising from INR 42.65 crore in 2019 to INR 138.40 crore in 2021, a CAGR of 80.13 per cent in three years, and assets rising from INR 60.38 crore in 2019 to INR 181.34 crore in 2021, a CAGR of 73.30 per cent in three years.

The company’s ESOPs are currently selling around Rs 240-Rs 250 in unlisted markets, and there is strong demand for this stock. IXIGO is presently valued at 1.2 Billion $ and would add to India’s unicorn club.

New Delhi (India), February 5: BSE listed Sindhu Trade Links Limited is pleased to inform that in terms of Company Managements decision to become debt-free, it has reduced its bank-debt by Rs. 1041.5 million, almost 1/3rd of its peak bank-debts.

With promoters’ persistence, the company dared to initiate this debt reduction program during the previous financial year itself, wherein businesses across the world were considerably disturbed by outburst of Covid-19 pandemic, and is continuing thereafter with tenacity to reduce bank-debt every quarter, and accordingly Rs. 784.7 million bank-debt has been repaid by the Company in first 9 month of the current financial year.

Commenting on the development, Mr. Satya Pal Sindhu, Managing Director of the Company said “I am very happy that we are moving towards becoming a Zero Debt Company, repayment of bank-debts amounting more than Rs. 1000 million in last 15-18 months not only shows resolve of the company management but also signifies company’s financial strength. The bank-debt reduction ’ll result into huge perpetual savings in interest expense, increased profitability and stronger financials, better credit ratings etc. We are working on other alternative plans also to augment the long-term resources in order to reduce the bank-debt further and confident of becoming debt-free earlier than the envisaged timelines.”

Sindhu Trade Links Limited (STTL) is flagship company of the conglomerate engaged in the business of logistics, transportation, mining, coal beneficiation, power generation, sponge iron and steel, stock broking, media, finance, food processing park, and Real Estate.

Headquartered in Delhi-NCR, STTL is a ‘one-stop shop’ for a wide spectrum of support services required for mining and allied activities, logistics and transportation. STTL’s has 5 subsidiaries and associates, involved in diversified businesses, namely 1. Hari Bhoomi Communications Private Limited-Media Business, 2. Sudha Bio Power Private Limited – Bio Mass Based Power Generation, 3. Indus Best Mega Food Park Private Limited – Development of Food Park for Food Processing Industries, 4. Shyam Indus Power Solutions Private Limited – EPC of Power Distribution, Power Transmission, Railway OHE, Railway Track Laying, and 5. Param Mitra Resources Pte. Limited – Overseas Coal Mining. For Overseas Coal Mining businesses, the Company has several step-down subsidiaries, associates, joint ventures in Australia, Hongkong, Singapore and Indonesia.

The Equity Shares of STTL are listed on BSE (Scrip Code: 532029) with ISIN: INE325D01025

(NSE Listing-applied and awaited)

New Delhi (India), February 5: With the advent of technology and the constant-evolving digital space, HT is foraying into web 3.0 by launching NFTs (Non-fungible tokens) that will include digitized versions of an original historic creatives which were published through the decades under the banner of “HT Timeless Tokens”.

HT Timeless Tokens is an endeavour to do something that has never been done before. Through HT Timeless Tokens, anyone can now own a piece of history from HT archives; these archives have India’s 100-year-old history documented and preserved now as digital art. For a cricket fanatic, owning the first announcement of India’s historic 1983 World Cup win would be a dream come true, and HT Timeless Token brings that thrill to the larger population.

Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) are a digital certificate of ownership of a piece of digital asset that can be bought and sold. These exclusive digital artworks can be purchased with cryptocurrency and Fiat currency.

These NFTs are available on nft.hindustantimes.com and Beyond Life, an NFT marketplace and platform that facilitates the creation, sale, and purchase of ownership rights to digital works of art via NFTs. Powered by GuardianLink.io – BeyondLife.Club is also responsible for launching two of the greatest NFT drops so far – Amitabh Bachchan’s rare exclusive NFT and Marvel creator Stan Lee’s exclusive NFT collection ‘Chakraverse’.

Kamesh Elangovan, COO & Co-Founder, GuardianLink.io said, “With industries like tech, finance, lifestyle, music and media advertising companies moving into the crypto/NFT ecosystem, new opportunities are set to be unlocked in the space of Web3. The secondary marketplace for NFTs at GuardianLink.io will see more and more collectors investing with knowledge on the future monetization of their NFTs. The partnership with Hindustan Times, opens yet another avenue to explore the world of NFTs in the media and marketing industry.”

The NFTs launched include the iconic cover page of the first-ever republic day edition. Amongst other NFTs, which are inspired by pertinent events and moments in India’s history, such as the success of the first missile launch to the nation’s first historic win at the World Cup in 1983 against the West Indies.

A great sound experience begins with an excellent experience center, and Focal invites you to its first one in India. With everything an audiophile could ever want, the store offers outstanding products, extraordinary services, and irresistible deals

New Delhi (India), February 4: Focal, one globally renowned Hi-Fi audio equipment manufacturer, has opened an exclusive store powered by Naim in Pune, India. As Central India’s largest store, it provides a wide range of Focal, Bentley and Naim audio devices.

Focal’s Experience Center offers a personalized and real-life audio experience through numerous custom-designed spaces, beating the standard retail practices. Choose the right speaker for your house, office, cafeteria, etc., without hassle. This distinctive showroom allows the customers to relax, listen to music and test the devices before purchasing.

Different demo rooms in the store help you to distinguish between speakers and their sound in a given space easily. The following rooms with diverse configurations offer a demo of the complete range of Focal and Naim speakers:

• A Living room
• A room for home theatre
• An open area with acoustics

What would you find in the store:

• Loudspeakers, Wireless speakers, In-Ceiling speakers, In-Wall speakers, On-Wall speakers, Bookshelf speakers, Floor Standing speakers, Center channel speakers
• Headphones, Audio monitors, Soundbars, Subwoofers, Wireless subwoofers
• Accessories and cables, AV Processor and amplifiers

Inside the store, you would find devices ranging from Sopra to Chora, Aria, Kanta, Chorus, and the soon-to-be-launched Utopia series. In addition, you can also enjoy various other series such as 5.1 Focal Sib Evo, 5.1 Focal Dome Polyglass, Focal Dome Sub, 5.1 Focal Sub Air, 5.1 Focal Dome Flax, Naim Muso, and Muso Qb, Naim Uniti Star, Naim Uniti Atom, Naim Uniti Nova, Naim Uniti Star, and many more.

To find out more while shopping in convenience and luxury, Contact Abbas Sodawala,at Focal’s Experience Center, Millenium Star, Shop No. 9, Dhole Patil Rd, near Ruby Hall Clinic, Sangamvadi, Pune, Maharashtra, 411001 or schedule an appointment here or do connect with +917219431747.

Focal and Naim are owned by the same parent company named Vervent Group.

Focal

Focal is a French brand renowned globally for its excellent audio equipment. Based in Saint-Étienne, France, it was founded by Jacques Mahul in 1979.

As one of the leading audio equipment manufacturers in the consumer electronics industry, the brand manufactures all products in its factory in France with the help of innovative technology, skilled mechanics, experienced engineers, and noble materials. It has a collection of high-end speakers, soundbars, headphones, car speakers, monitors, audio accessories, etc.

Naim

Naim is one of the finest British brands famous worldwide for manufacturing high-end audio equipment. Located in Salisbury, Wiltshire, United Kingdom., It was founded by Julian Vereker in 1973.

With fifty years of history, Naim has been one of the foremost brands in the high-end audio manufacturing industry. Its proficient engineers and trained professionals work proactively to reproduce sound naturally using efficient production methods and exceptional engineering technology. It produces high-quality speakers, amplifiers, CD players, digital-to-analog converters, turntables, etc.

Targets to add value to overall well-being and health of a wide range of consumers

February 4: With aim to meeting the ever- evolving and diverse demands of ayurvedic and herbal products in India and around the world, Rajsha Pharmaceuticals, a group company of Trojan Lifecare Pvt Ltd today  announced the launch of a new range of Innovative ayurvedic Products. Rajsha Pharmaceuticals is one of the fastest growing pharmaceuticals companies in India. The fresh product range include Evergreen Liquid, Giloi Tablets, Vigor Capsules, Anu Oil and Ayush Decoction (Kadha).

The Evergreen product range of the company is already registered in the United States and has got immense response in the US market. Rajsha Pharmaceuticals is also eying to launch a health booster with Vitamin B soon.

During the last two years,  Covid-19 has made people more cautious about their well-being and good health. What’s more, the ayurvedic and herbal products played their important part to an extent by acting as crucial immunity-boosters in fighting against the pandemic thereby helping a large number of people against serious corona infections.

Raj Upadhyay, Director, Rajsha Pharmaceuticals said, “We are delighted to launch a new range of innovative products of Rajsha Pharmaceuticals. We make quality products as per international standards. We are confident that these products will help people maintain their health at its best. Currently, our portfolio of products toothpaste, hair tonic, inhaler, balm, sanitizer, syrup, tablets etc. and are planning to bring in more products in near future.”

Rajendrabhai Shah, Director, Rajsha Pharmaceuticals said, “ Our products are the result of our extensive research-led approach along with a dedicated R&D team who ensure product development and product efficiency to the core without compromise. With unequalled quality, our products are poised to compete both in Indian and international markets and we’re quite confident to make a mark by attaining a leading position.”

With the launch of a new range of products, Rajsha Pharmaceuticals projects to strengthen its presence in the global market through rapid expansion. The company also boasts a large customer base of various high-quality ayurvedic products with no scope of side effects.  Rajsha Pharmaceuticals, a 35-year old pharmaceutical company has been acquired by Trojan Lifecare Pvt Ltd.  Rajsha Pharmaceuticals is engaged in developing, manufacturing and selling a wide range of Pharmaceuticals products.