Business Bureau

Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, the Hon’ble Minister for Education and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, has laid the foundation stone for National Skill Training Institutes (NSTI) Plus in Odisha. NSTI Plus, under the Directorate General of Training (DGT), will train 500 instructors in Phase-1 under the Craftsmen Instructor Training Scheme (CITS) and will incorporate another 500 instructors for upskilling and reskilling. The initiative aligns with Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi's vision of making India the Skilling destination of the World. MSDE is introducing several fresh and innovative initiatives and NSTI Plus is a robust step in this direction, enabling the State of…

IBM has opened its new Client Innovation Center (CIC) in Gandhinagar, India, as part of its ongoing expansion into non-metro and emerging cities across the country. In addition to gaining access and offering expanded opportunities to a broader talent pool, the Center will also help further fast-track the digital transformation and economic growth in the region. The Chief Minister of Gujarat, Shri Bhupendra Patel, praised the collaboration between IBM and Gujarat for its success in digital transformation and the value proposition of Gujarat's forward-thinking policies. IBM Consulting's Senior Vice President, John Granger, said that the expansion of its CIC network…

Flipkart Group has successfully diverted around 3000 tonnes of non-hazardous solid waste in one year, starting with four facilities that achieved Total Resource Use and Efficiency (TRUE) Gold certification for their zero waste efforts. These facilities, located in Farrukhnagar (Haryana), Uluberia (West Bengal), Malur (Karnataka), and Renaissance (Maharashtra), account for an area of 1.8 million sq ft. Flipkart has demonstrated its commitment to promoting a circular economy and embracing the Zero Waste policy, which entails responsible consumption, reuse, and recovery of products, packaging, and materials while avoiding incineration and landfill. The organization has surpassed the certification's requirements for diversion rates,…

Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Government of Karnataka to enhance its operations in the country through fresh investments. The investment worth around INR 3,300 crores, will involve the setting up of a new plant, which will boost the local manufacturing eco-system and introduce new technologies to create "mobility for all". This will be the company's third plant in India, all located in Bidadi near Bangalore.  Toyota Kirloskar Motor's Managing Director and CEO, Masakazu Yoshimura, expressed confidence that the MOU with the Karnataka State Government for a new plant will generate employment and…

In a landmark development, Amazon India and the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to embark on a transformative journey in the transportation of customer packages through inland waterways. Amazon India has become the first e-commerce company in India to use Inland Water Transport, demonstrating its commitment to strengthening India's transportation infrastructure and aligning with the Prime Minister's vision for a more affordable and sustainable mode of transportation using inland waterways. Under this MoU, Amazon India and IWAI will work together to enable the containerized…

Unity Bank has opened five new branches in Kolkata, aiming to capitalize on the city's growing business opportunities. State-of-the-art branches are opened at Central Avenue, Rashbehari Avenue, Sarat Bose Road, Shakespeare Sarani & Dalhousie. The bank offers easy, convenient, and smart banking facilities through its mobile app and new branches. It offers up to 9.5% per annum on fixed deposits and 7% per annum on savings accounts. The bank's unique features include digital onboarding, a state-of-the-art branch network, attractive interest rates, and wealth management solutions across insurance, mutual funds, and other asset classes. The bank aims to leverage the city's…

Simple Skincare has launched the Water Boost Range, offering four products that provide constant hydration throughout the day. The range includes four products, all dermatologically tested and approved, ophthalmologically tested, suitable for sensitive skin users, hypoallergenic, and non-comedogenic. The range is PETA certified cruelty-free and contains no color, perfume, alcohol, or harsh chemicals.  Simple offers various skincare products, including the Water Boost Micellar Facial Gel Wash, Water Boost Hydrating Gel Crème for 100 hr hydration, Water Boost Skin Quench Sleeping Creme, and Hyaluronic Acid + Vitamin B5 Booster Serum. Simple Water Boost Micellar Facial Gel Wash effectively cleanses dry skin,…

Scapia, a fintech company aiming to make travel accessible through its suite of financial products, has raised $23 million in its Series A funding round, led by Elevation Capital and 3STATE Ventures. The funds will be used to grow the customer base, add more banking partners, and enhance the product offerings. Scapia's $23 million Series A fund-raise is a testament to the customers' love for its co-branded credit card and app experience. Within five months of launch, Scapia has gained widespread popularity and distributed its card in over 7500 pin codes. 40% of Scapia's users are from beyond the top…

Samsung has upskilled 3,000 less-privileged students from eight Indian cities in future tech domains such as Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things, Big Data, and Coding and programming under its flagship program, Samsung Innovation Campus.  The program, executed by the Electronics Sectors Skills Council of India (ESSCI) through its nationwide network of approved training and education partners, aims to empower the country's youth and strengthen Digital India. The final batch of 120 students, from Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University in Lucknow, were felicitated and given certificates at a ceremony in Lucknow. Around a third of the 3,000 students trained under the program…

The Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) and MakeMyTrip have partnered to launch "Project Maitri," a program aimed at supporting women's entrepreneurship and self-reliance in India's North-Eastern region. The initiative, launched at the Dorjee Khandu State Convention Center in Itanagar, aims to empower and inspire homestay owners across all northeastern states.  The program will provide specialized training in hospitality, safety, digital marketing, and compliance, and recognize the top three homestay owners with awards. The initiative aligns with national goals of gender equality and economic development, with the potential to deliver long-term dividends as homestays in India can become a viable and lucrative…