Celebrations, especially weddings, are joyous occasions that bring together friends and family. Weddings are the 4th largest industry in India, and it is expected to add Rs 4.25 lakh crore to GDP in 2023, an industry that will never go out of fashion.

Source: FSSAI

The wedding season has just begun in India, including the Delhi-NCR region, which will host more than 35 lakh weddings this season, according to the traders body. Alcobev often plays a central role in these festivities.

The International Spirits and Wines Association of India (ISWAI), the apex body of the premium AlcoBev sector, urges responsible alcobev consumption that can further enhance the celebration of our big-fat Indian weddings.

Ms. Nita Kapoor, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), ISWAI, said, “It is important to note that alcobev products have varying levels of alcohol content. Many believe that a product with a lower alcohol content is a relatively milder product. However, this belief is based on a lack of understanding about the composition of alcohol.“

“One reason behind this misconception is the way alcohol content is labeled and perceived in different beverages. Alcoholic products often display their alcohol-by-volume (ABV), which indicates the percentage of alcohol in the entire SKU. Consumers might mistakenly assume that drinks with a lower ABV alcohol are milder However, standard serving sizes have the same amount of pure alcohol,” said Mr. Suresh Menon, Secretary-General, ISWAI.

Ms. Kapoor, further added, “For instance, a 99ml glass of wine at 13% ABV, a 30ml serving of spirits at 42.8% ABV, or a 257ml glass of beer at 5% ABV all contain the same amount of pure alcohol. In this example, even though the spirits have a higher ABV, they contain the same alcohol per standard serving. This means that drinking multiple glasses of lower-ABV drinks can result in a higher alcohol intake compared to consuming a smaller quantity of a higher-ABV product.“

Moderation of alcobev consumption plays an important role when you choose your drink of preference – what you are consuming, how much you are consuming, and how frequently you are consuming matters.

A successful wedding celebration is one where cherished memories are made without compromising on anyones well-being. Let us raise our glasses in a toast to love, happiness, and responsible revelry!

Amidst the bustling and competitive terrain of Indias fitness industry, a new frontrunner emerges – Orangetheory Fitness, a global fitness brand rapidly making waves in the countrys health and wellness sphere. The recent surge in success highlights the tremendous potential and impact of Orangetheorys offerings.

Drishti Chhabria, Founder and Chief Experience Officer of Orangetheory Fitness India

In a remarkable feat, Orangetheory Fitness India has witnessed an unprecedented 200% surge in sales over the past six months, a testament to its premium standing amidst fierce competition and a testament to its unique selling proposition. The company proudly inaugurated two dynamic centers in Kemps Corner and Worli, solidifying its footprint in Mumbai and setting the stage for ambitious expansion plans across the city and beyond.

“We are thrilled to bring Orangetheory Fitness to India, offering a transformative fitness experience that combines science-backed methodologies and cutting-edge technology.”“Our motto is More Energy, More Results, More Life, and we encourage everyone to embrace sustainable fitness practices that are easy to stay consistent with, so people are more likely to see real results and enhance their quality of life. It is not only about external changes, but internal changes that we focus on – more confidence, more energy, more strength & endurance, more power and many more health benefits,” shared Drishti Chhabria, Founder and Chief Experience Officer of Orangetheory Fitness India.

Orangetheory Fitnesss foray into the Indian fitness landscape comes amidst a seismic shift within the industry. The companys surge in sales serves as a testament to its immediate impact and significance within this dynamic arena.

At the core of Orangetheory Fitnesss success lies its commitment to quality and innovation. The fusion of cutting-edge technology with an innovative approach has resonated deeply with both existing patrons and a rapidly growing customer base.

About Orangetheory Fitness

Orangetheory Fitness is a leading American fitness studio with over 1500 locations in 25 countries that offers personalized heart rate-based interval training, expert coaching, and cutting-edge technology for maximum results. With a strong emphasis on heart-rate based training, Orangetheory Fitness is dedicated to helping individuals lead healthier lives with the smartest workout for science-backed results.

Global technology solutions provider Arrow Electronics, Inc. today announced it has provided engineering support to enable Bharat Pi, an India-based tech startup to design and build enterprise grade IoT development boards that deliver benefits of reliability, quality and scalability to millions of smart and connected devices.

Arrow Electronics Offers Engineering Support to Indian IoT Solutions Developers

According to the IoT device management platform analysis by Future Market Insights, the demand in India is expected to increase at a compound annual growth rate of 34% over the next ten years. The adoption of IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things) in the manufacturing industry and increasing usage of technologies such as 5G, AI, and Big Data are expected to continue fueling this demand.

Founded in 2020 by Prabhu Stavarmath, Savitri Patil, and Naveen Gopalkrishna, Bharat Pi has set out on a mission to accelerate IoT development by building cost-effective IoT development boards to help developers, startups, and innovators to convert their idea into a quick pre-sales demo in hours. Bharat Pi is also one of the incubates at IoT Open Lab in Bangalore, a joint collaboration between Arrow Electronics the Software Technology Park of India (STPI). With the help of Arrow and its global technology suppliers, Bharat Pi has recently launched RedPill STM32G0 series-based development board.

“Todays enterprise IoT applications like industry 4.0, remote asset monitoring, healthcare, connected automobiles, and smart cities require a massive network of robust and connected edge devices which can handle large amount of data collection and processing and deliver real-time responses. Some of the IoT development boards in the market are not designed to handle diverse AI or machine learning workflows and often require custom design efforts to build a prototype,” said Prabhu Stavarmath, Chief Business Officer, Bharat Pi. “Every IoT use case is different and some enterprises struggle to build quick pre-sales IoT device demos to minimize deal cycle and revenue impact. To address these unmet needs, our IoT development boards are designed to be easily customizable and versatile, providing a flexibility to build rapid pre-sales demos and prototypes for IoT use cases across a range of industry verticals. Arrows engineering team has provided us with everything we need, from product knowledge, technical insights, to evaluation. Their technical expertise and supply chain experience have enabled us to jump-start and scale up the design and manufacturing of IoT development tools, so that we can in turn to extend our plug-and-play offerings to the broader IoT developer community.”

Some of the key features of RedPill STM32G0 series-based development board:
Full Pin Access: Based on STMicroelectronicss STM32G0 MCUs, it exposes all 48 pins of the chip, allowing it to be connected to a myriad of sensors and devices.
Simplified Programming: It is equipped with a USB to UART Silicon Labs – CP2102 bridge, simplifying programming efforts.
Versatile Connectivity: With exposed headers for programming and 8-pin headers featuring SPI and UART interfaces, it allows seamless integration with various modules, including Wi-Fi and 4G.
Open-Source Compatibility: It is compatible with various open-source platforms and development environments. Bharat Pi also offers technical resources and community support to assist developers, hobbyists, startups, and tech enthusiasts, pushing the boundaries of embedded systems development forward.

“Todays IoT ecosystem requires ample technology competencies which span from product idea, design and engineering to supply-chain and manufacturing. With our global network of technology suppliers and world-class technology capabilities, we are well positioned to extend best possible support and help Bharat Pi as well as many other technology companies as they strive to simplify and scale up IoT deployment,” said Bhartendu Mishra, Arrow Electronics Managing Director of India.

Equipped with advanced engineering equipment and testing modules, the IoT Open Lab has assisted the start-up community from the region in their idea-to-prototype-to-product innovation journey. Arrows experienced vertical segment experts and engineers with expertise in areas of embedded computing, sensing, connectivity and system integration are on site to provide professional advice to these innovators and makers.

About Arrow Electronics

Arrow Electronics guides innovation forward for over 210,000 leading technology manufacturers and service providers. With 2022 sales of $37 billion, Arrow develops technology solutions that help improve business and daily life.

Learn more at arrow.com.

In the world of investments, our decisions are often clouded by emotions, leading us away from rational thinking. Recognizing this prevalent challenge, Bajaj Finserv Asset Management Limited has introduced an innovative solution in its product lineup – the Bajaj Finserv Balanced Advantage Fund. This strategic offering is designed to guide investors towards more informed decisions, providing a nuanced approach that balances emotions with logical reasoning. With this scheme, Bajaj Finserv AMC aims to empower investors with the confidence to make judicious investment decisions.

Bajaj Finserv Balanced Advantage Fund

The New Fund Offer (NFO) of this scheme opens for subscription on November 24 and closes on December 8, 2023. Let’s have a brief look at the NFO details of this scheme, followed by some of its unique features.

Investment objective of Bajaj Finserv Balanced Advantage Fund

The investment objective of the scheme is to capitalize on the potential upside of equities while attempting to limit the downside by dynamically managing the portfolio through investment in equity & equity related instruments and active use of debt, money market instruments and derivatives. However, there is no assurance that the investment objective of the scheme will be achieved.

Exploring the Unique Features of Bajaj Finserv Balanced Advantage Fund

Dynamic asset allocation: The fund adjusts its investments based on market conditions, providing a flexible approach that aims to optimize returns while managing risk effectively.

Navigate market volatility: The funds strategy helps navigate market ups and downs, providing relative stability and minimizing the impact of sudden market movements on your investment.

Optimizing returns: Actively seeking opportunities for growth, the scheme focuses on optimizing returns by making smart investment decisions aligned with its dynamic asset allocation approach.

Risk management: With an eye on potential risks, the scheme seeks to limit the impact of market volatility on investment returns.

Who should invest in Bajaj Finserv Balanced Advantage Fund

This scheme can be suitable for investors who:

Want to add dynamic asset allocation to their portfolio.

Want diversification in their portfolio.

Are seeking professional fund management.

Want potential capital appreciation with mitigation of downside risk.

Have a long-term investment horizon.

NFO details of Bajaj Finserv Balanced Advantage Fund

NFO Period:

November 24, 2023 – December 8, 2023

Minimum Application Amount:

Lumpsum: Rs. 500 and in multiples of Re. 1.

Systematic Investment Plan (SIP):

From Rs. 500 up to Rs. 1,000: minimum 60 instalments.

Above Rs. 1,000: minimum 6 instalments.

Plan:

Bajaj Finserv Balanced Advantage Fund – Direct Plan

Bajaj Finserv Balanced Advantage Fund – Regular Plan

Benchmark Index

NIFTY 50 Hybrid Composite debt 50:50 Index

Now that you know NFO details of Bajaj Finserv BAF, let’s have a look at the unique features that make this scheme a stand out proposition.

The INQUBE Philosophy:

At the core of the Bajaj Finserv Balanced Advantage Fund is the INQUBE philosophy, which is a synergy of Informational edge, quantitative edge, and behavioral edge. Its like having a three-in-one toolkit that includes smart facts, number-crunching, and understanding how people think. This blend would help in giving the fund a competitive edge when it comes to performance.

Information edge: This edge is about collecting relevant information about economies, businesses, and markets ahead of the others to ‘outperform the market’ based on superior information.

Quantitative edge: Even if investors don’t have material information earlier than the crowd, they can still generate better outcomes if they are able to process the information better.

Behavioural edge: This edge is achieved by superior behaviour in reacting to the inputs available to seek to maximize alpha. Behavioural managers try to explore situations where securities are mispriced by the market because of behavioural factors. Behavioural edge is split into two parts:

a) Taking advantage of overreaction or under reaction by the market in either direction
b) Improving one’s own decision-making process to avoid behavioural pitfalls

In conclusion, Bajaj Finserv Balanced Advantage Fund aims to address the common challenge of emotional decision-making with its innovative approach. The INQUBE philosophy, blending informational, quantitative, and behavioral edges, seeks to set the fund apart, offering investors a competitive performance edge. The NFO period of Bajaj Finserv Balanced Advantage Fund is from 24th November to 8th December 2023. Visit the website to learn more.

About Bajaj Finserv Asset Management Ltd.

Bajaj Finserv Asset Management Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Bajaj Finserv Limited, has announced its presence in the investment solutions industry. Backed by one of India’s most respected and oldest brands, it offers a host of innovative products and solutions to every Indian. With a future-focused and differentiated investment strategy, its ambition is to help every Indian achieve his/her financial goals.

Mutual Fund Investments are subject to market risks, read all scheme related documents carefully.

Solera Inc (“Solera”), the leading global provider of vehicle lifecycle management software-as-a-service (SaaS), data, and services, today introduced its new AI-powered digital triage (digital FNOL) and collision repair estimating suites in India.

Qapter ParkPlace

The announcement reiterates Solera’s commitment to advancing digitisation uptake in India, the world’s third-largest auto market[1], with continued introduction of Solera’s technology solutions across insurance claims, vehicle servicing, and repairs.

According to the TechSci Research report[2], Indias Digital Insurance Platform Market is expected to reach USD 165.02 billion by 2024 at a CAGR of over 13% during 2019-2024. Over the years, India has witnessed a remarkable surge in digital adoption among consumers, driven by widespread availability of connectivity and rapid advancement of digital services and solutions across various sectors.

Solera is aiming to tap into this growing market, having driven accelerated growth in recent years via its innovative Qapter platform and integrated technologies. It is now bringing its AI-driven Visual Intelligence (VI) suite to the market to enable fully digital workflows, from triage (including severity determination and vehicle allocation) to repair estimating within seconds.

“In an increasingly digitised society, consumers are focusing on service providers that can seamlessly provide automated, accurate, and efficient services for vehicle claims and repairs. As such, the auto insurance and collision repair industries will need to adopt new technologies to improve and facilitate their services. A touchless claim is no longer an aspiration, it’s an expectation,” said Chris Iacovou, Managing Director, Solera APAC.

Solera’s Guided Image Capture (GIC) and Intelligent Triage will drive the digitisation of severity determination and vehicle allocation via the quality-controlled capture and AI-powered recognition of images.

Solera’s Qapter VI is a global, modular, and flexible repair estimating and assessment platform that leverages AI technologies to provide exponential value to the vehicle claims industry.

Transforming the vehicle claims process into an AI-driven touchless experience, the full range of products including Qapter VI will increase automation and reduce cycle times via:

Intelligent damage detection via Guided Image Capture, reducing the cost of risk inspections

Enabling efficiencies for Insurers and Repairer Estimators via severity determination and automatic initial assessment of vehicle damage

Expediting parts ordering to improve cycle times, reduce parts fraud and CO2 emissions

Improving partial or total loss triage decisions

Accelerating claim resolution and settlements, benefiting both insurers and repairers

“Solera’s vehicle lifecycle management SaaS, data, and suite of services provide a range of innovative solutions that will empower insurers and repairers in India to digitise, upscale, and improve the customer experience of their offerings,” said Mr. Iacovou.

Since 2006, Solera has been transforming the auto insurance industry with its solutions from Audatex. Solera India is headquartered in New Delhi, with offices in other major cities across the country.

About Solera

Solera is the global leader in vehicle lifecycle management software-as-a-service, data, and services. Through four lines of business – vehicle claims, vehicle repairs, vehicle solutions, and fleet solutions – Solera is home to many leading brands in the vehicle lifecycle ecosystem, including Audatex, DealerSocket, Spireon, and others. Solera empowers its customers to succeed in the digital age by providing them with a “one-stop shop” solution that streamlines operations, offers data-driven analytics, and enhances customer engagement, which Solera believes helps customers drive sales, promote customer retention, and improve profit margins. Solera serves over 300,000 global customers and partners in 100+ countries.

For more information, visit www.solera.com.

[1] www.livemint.com/news/india/india-becomes-world-s-3rd-largest-auto-market-report-11673164107467.html

[2] www.expresscomputer.in/guest-blogs/digital-transformation-for-insurance-sector/97916/

In a fast-paced, dynamic world, we often grapple to focus on our pursuit of knowledge and forget the criticality of upskilling ourselves.

However, the distance learning revolution in the educational landscape, which includes easy access to quality education regardless of location, schedule, or learning style, is rising.

MITSDE Distance PGDM Courses

Distance or online learning stands out as the beacon of innovation that transcends the traditional education models, providing a dynamic and interactive platform.

An online Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM) is a specialized academic offering that leverages state-of-the-art virtual classrooms, interactive multimedia content, and real-time collaboration tools to bring education to the fingertips of learners around the globe.

MIT School of Distance Education (MITSDE) is at the forefront of bridging the gap between the industry skill gaps and a pool of professionals seeking to enhance their skills, knowledge, and career prospects.

For professionals looking out for opportunities abroad or aiming to climb higher up the corporate hierarchy ladder, MITSDEs online PGDM programs are a highway to achieving their dreams.

The PGDM programs are tailored to accommodate the working lots time crunch and diverse schedules, allowing flexibility in pursuing their academic journey. Whether youre a working professional looking to upskill or a parent balancing family responsibilities, MITSDE provides the flexibility needed to pursue education without compromising other aspects of life. The virtual classrooms and instructor-led sessions foster active participation and personalized attention. The learning portal is easily accessible and compatible with any device, which makes completing the course easier.

One of the key strengths of MITSDE is its ability to cultivate a global community of learners. The institute brings together students from various academic and occupational backgrounds, creating a rich tapestry of perspectives that enrich the learning experience.

Moreover, SDE collaborates with industry experts and subject-matter experts to tailor its programs to meet the specific needs of different learners. This approach ensures that graduates are equipped with a world-class education and possess the skills and knowledge relevant to their job markets.

An essential aspect of the course structure is the continuous support guaranteed by the dedicated team of student success managers and academicians. MITSDE specializes in holistic development and hence apportions a student success manager to each learner. The manager is in charge of aiding the learner with the processes, academic queries, and examination till the final certification exam. This attention to detail has given it a leading edge in the distance learning sector.

The success of MITSDE is not just in its delivery method but also in the substance of its courses. The institute takes pride in its commitment to delivering industry-relevant programs that prepare learners for the challenges of the real world.

Faculty members are not just academicians; they are seasoned professionals with extensive industry experience. This unique blend of academic expertise and practical know-how ensures that learners graduate with the theoretical knowledge and the skills and insights needed to excel in their chosen fields.

Moreover, the institute regularly updates its curriculum to align with the rapidly evolving job market demands. This proactive approach ensures that graduates are equipped with the latest knowledge and skills, making them highly sought-after by employers.

Pursuing a distance course and balancing work, family, and other commitments is a daunting task that can overwhelm many. However, MITSDE, a progressive and accommodative institute, has developed a well-rounded solution to help professionals upskill and balance their other commitments. The resolution of MIT Harbour, with its coping workshops, counselling sessions, assistance in creating a study plan and mentoring sessions, significantly benefits the learners.

Established in the year 2008, MITSDE possesses a vivid and extensive network of alumni and industry experts dedicated to mentoring and investing in the development of the newly enrolled and shaping them to be future leaders of the business world.

The institute stands as a shining example of how distance learning can be not just a viable alternative but a superior and transformative educational experience. For those seeking a flexible, high-quality education transcending geographical, work and budget constraints, MIT School of Distance Education beckons as the institute of choice.