Business Bureau

A 60-member Indian contingent has arrived in Lyon, France, to represent the country in the prestigious WorldSkills 2024 competition. This marks India's largest-ever participation in the event, with competitors vying in 52 skill categories against participants from over 70 countries. The competition will be held from September 10-15, 2024, at Euroexpo Lyon, attracting over 2.5 lakh attendees. India’s team showcases remarkable diversity, with participants hailing from regions as distant as Mizoram and Andaman and Nicobar. This year also marks a milestone, as women from India will compete in traditionally male-dominated fields such as Welding and Plumbing. The WorldSkills competition is…

The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Swiggy to launch the ‘Swiggy Skills’ initiative. This partnership aims to provide comprehensive skilling and employment opportunities within Swiggy's expansive food delivery and quick commerce network. The initiative will integrate Swiggy's platform with the Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH), offering online courses, certifications, and training modules to Swiggy’s 2.4 lakh delivery partners and restaurant staff. This alignment supports the Government’s Viksit Bharat 2047 vision by addressing the logistics sector’s growth potential, with Rs 80 lakh crore earmarked for development in this area.Minister of State…

Rapido, India’s largest ride-sharing platform, has raised $200 million in its Series E funding round, pushing its valuation to over $1.1 billion. The funding round was led by WestBridge Capital, with participation from Nexus, Think Investments, and Invus Opportunities. With this capital infusion, Rapido aims to accelerate its expansion across India and strengthen its position in urban mobility. The platform has seen impressive growth, with daily rides surging to 2.5 million, and its GMV increasing 2.5 times over the past year.Aravind Sanka, Co-founder of Rapido, expressed excitement about the funding: "This investment will help us expand our offerings and continue…

A recent survey by Supradyn, a leading multivitamin brand under Bayer’s Consumer Health division, has unveiled alarming statistics about fatigue among young Indians. The Supradyn Fatigue Survey, which covered 10 cities and involved a sample of 20 million individuals aged 25-45, reveals that a staggering 85% of young people wake up feeling tired. This study, conducted by Hansa Research Group, coincides with National Nutrition Week and emphasizes the urgent need for improved nutritional awareness and supplementation. The survey highlights that major metropolitan areas such as Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore are at the forefront of this issue, with over 85% of…

Samsung India announced the top 10 finalist teams for its Solve for Tomorrow 2024 CSR programme, advancing students from some of the nation’s most remote areas. Representing regions such as Golaghat in Assam, Udupi in Karnataka, and Bilaspur in Chhattisgarh, the 22 finalists will pitch their innovations before a jury of Samsung executives and industry leaders in the grand finale. The programme, now in its third edition, aims to drive social change by encouraging young innovators to address real-world issues under the themes of Community and Inclusion and Environment and Sustainability. Finalists developed solutions ranging from arsenic pollution mitigation to…

Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) is set to transform the vehicle ownership experience with the launch of "T CARE," an innovative initiative that integrates advanced technology to enhance customer service. This groundbreaking program introduces a suite of tech-driven solutions, reflecting Toyota's commitment to modernizing and elevating the customer journey. T CARE features cutting-edge services designed to streamline and enrich the ownership experience. T DELIVER ensures secure and pristine delivery of vehicles via flatbed trucks, while T GLOSS offers state-of-the-art car detailing. T ASSIST provides 24/7 roadside support with real-time tracking capabilities. The initiative also includes T SECURE for extended warranties, T…

A recent study in The Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology reveals a concerning rise in pre-diabetes across India, affecting 15.3% of the population, up from the 6–15% range in 2017. As pre-diabetic cases soar, Dr. Rohini Patil, MBBS and nutritionist, stresses the critical role of nutrition and lifestyle in reversing this condition. Dr. Patil advocates for a diet rich in almonds, green leafy vegetables, Greek yogurt, lean proteins, and whole grains. Almonds, in particular, have been shown to significantly reduce pre-diabetes risk, with recent studies indicating their potential to normalize blood sugar levels comparably to medication. Leafy greens like spinach and…

Lancer Container Lines Ltd, a leading player in India’s shipping and logistics sector, has announced a strategic agreement with Indonesian firm P.T. Map Trans Logistic, Surabaya, to lease 10,000 TEUs (Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units). This significant deal, signed by Lancer’s Managing Director Mr. Khalik Chataiwala and P.T. Map Trans Logistic’s Director Mr. Praful Jha, is set to enhance Lancer’s container capacity from nearly 20,000 TEUs in FY24 to 45,000 by FY26. In Q1 FY25, Lancer expanded its fleet by 3,008 TEUs, bringing its total to 22,707 TEUs. The company plans to add 200-300 containers monthly to meet growing demand, while also…

Filatex Mines and Minerals Pvt Ltd, the mining arm of Filatex Fashions Ltd, has secured a series of significant export orders totaling Rs. 661 crore (USD 78.88 million) within the past month. The latest order, announced on August 29, 2024, involves the supply of 1,59,000 tonnes of polished marble tiles to Société DIMO - BTP SARL (SDBS) of Guinea. This contract, valued at approximately Rs. 368 crore (USD 43.88 million), spans five years and reinforces SDBS's expansive distribution network across 14 African nations. Earlier in July 2024, the subsidiary had already clinched an order for 2,97,388 metric tonnes of white…

Star Health and Allied Insurance Co. Ltd has launched India’s pioneering insurance policy in Braille, marking a significant step in inclusivity for the visually impaired. The new "Special Care Gold" policy is tailored specifically for individuals with 40% or more disability, providing comprehensive health coverage and support services. This innovative policy aims to empower visually impaired individuals by ensuring they can independently access crucial health and financial information. In addition to this groundbreaking policy, Star Health has introduced a long-term inclusivity and diversity initiative. This initiative is designed to economically empower the 34 million visually impaired individuals in India, offering…