ManipalCigna Launches Campaign Across 21 States
Mumbai, January 21, 2025 – ManipalCigna Health Insurance today launched the second phase of their successful campaign, Sada Secure Raho. In this phase the brand is going live with a comprehensive radio initiative aimed at reaching audiences in Tier II cities and beyond. This month-long campaign will take place across 63 locations in 21 Indian states from January 20, 2025, to February 21, 2025. To maximize reach and engagement, ManipalCigna will collaborate with popular regional radio stations, broadcasting in ten local languages including Hindi, Telugu, Assamese, Punjabi, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Oriya, Tamil, and Bengali.
“Sada Secure Raho campaign is envisioned to raise awareness about health insurance while promoting our latest offering ManipalCigna ‘Sarvah’, designed to cater to the health insurance needs of individuals across India. While phase one was digital focused, in the second phase, we went with radio as our medium due to its reach and resonance in our target markets, especially in tier 3 and 4 cities,” said Sapna Desai, Chief Marketing Officer, ManipalCigna Health Insurance.
The radio campaign features three engaging spots emphasizing the innovative offerings of the product like ‘Infinite cover’ – Anant Benefit, which provides access to unlimited coverage for hospitalization against 4 major illnesses, like Heart, Cancer, Stroke and Major Organ/Bone marrow transplant, and Zero Waiting Period, highlighting Day 1 coverage for listed pre-existing conditions.
With a total of over 45,000 spots scheduled over the campaign duration, ManipalCigna is ready to deliver impactful messages highlighting the significance of health insurance in everyday life. The total on-air seconds for this campaign will reach an impressive of around 10 lakh seconds, ensuring that the message reaches our target audience in these markets. Through this campaign, ManipalCigna Health Insurance looks forward to creating a positive impact in raising awareness about health insurance across India.
Canon India Launches Official e-Shop
National, January, 2025: Canon India today announced the launch of its first official e-Shop in India, marking a significant milestone in the company’s digital transformation journey. Serving as the ultimate ‘One-Stop Destination for Canon consumer products,’ the platform ensures seamless accessibility for customers across more than 89,000 PIN codes in India. By partnering exclusively with Canon-authorized business partners, the e-Shop offers a wide range of high-quality products, including cameras, lenses, printers, and accessories, enabling consumers to explore and purchase authentic Canon products from Canon authorized business partners. This strategic initiative aligns with the growing preference among Indian consumers for digital shopping to meet their technology needs.
With features like secure payment options and easy order tracking, the Canon e-Shop offers unparalleled convenience, reliability and security. In addition to offering Canon’s complete range of consumer products on a single platform, the e-Shop will showcase all ongoing offers and schemes, enhancing value for users.
Sharing his thoughts on the launch, Mr. Toshiaki Nomura, President & CEO, Canon India said, “At Canon India, we are committed to understanding and adapting to our customers’ evolving needs, thereby ensuring Customer Delight throughout. The launch of our e-Shop is a testament to this commitment, as it offers a seamless and trusted shopping experience at the convenience of a touch. By bringing our extensive range of Canon products onto a single platform, we ensure our customers can effortlessly transition from exploring our brand to fulfilling their technology requirements. This milestone aligns with our vision to enhance accessibility, convenience, and trust, reaffirming Canon India as a customer-first brand.”
The Canon India e-Shop launch reinforces the company’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its digital footprint. With a phased expansion strategy to onboard additional partners and products, Canon aims to establish a holistic platform to meet the dynamic needs of its customers. While the initial rollout emphasizes a cohesive shopping experience, future enhancements will include innovative features such as an AI-powered chatbot for personalised customer support.
Blood Donation: Good for Your Heart and Humanity
Dr. C N Patil, HOD and Lead Consultant – Medical Oncology & Haemato-Oncology, Aster CMI
Hospital, Bangalore
Blood Donation: Good for Your Heart and Humanity
January 2025 marks Blood Donation Awareness Month, a perfect opportunity to spotlight the myriad benefits of this selfless act. Blood donation is more than a gesture of generosity—it is a boon for the recipient’s life and a surprising boost to the donor’s health. Among the various health advantages, its positive impact on heart health stands out.
Lowering Iron Levels for a Healthier Heart
Excessive iron levels in the blood can lead to oxidative stress, which damages blood vessels and increases the risk of heart disease. Regular blood donation helps reduce iron overload by lowering ferritin levels, thus mitigating these risks. Research suggests that men who donate blood at least once a year have a lower risk of heart attacks and strokes compared to non-donors.
By maintaining optimal iron levels, blood donors contribute to better cardiovascular health, reducing the strain on their hearts while also aiding those in need.
Improved Circulation and Reduced Inflammation
Another significant benefit of blood donation is its positive effect on blood viscosity. Thick blood increases resistance within blood vessels, forcing the heart to work harder. Donating blood reduces viscosity, promoting smoother blood flow and potentially lowering blood pressure. Additionally, regular blood donors often show reduced markers of inflammation, a key factor in preventing cardiovascular diseases.
A Built-In Health Check-Up
Each blood donation session begins with a mini health screening, which includes checking vital signs like blood pressure, hemoglobin levels, and pulse rate. This acts as a preventive measure, allowing donors to stay informed about their health and catch potential cardiovascular issues early. Regular donors may benefit from these routine health assessments, ensuring their heart health is always monitored.
Boosting Emotional Well-Being
The act of donating blood also brings intangible rewards, such as emotional fulfillment and reduced stress. Studies have shown that acts of altruism, including blood donation, release endorphins and promote a sense of well-being. A calmer mind and reduced stress levels are directly linked to improved heart health, making this a win-win situation for donors and recipients alike.
An Act of Lifesaving Generosity
While the personal health benefits are noteworthy, the ultimate significance of blood donation lies in its potential to save lives. Every unit of blood donated can save up to three lives, providing hope to patients undergoing surgeries, cancer treatments, or recovering from severe injuries. This noble act not only strengthens communities but also creates a ripple effect of goodwill and unity.
As January unfolds, let Blood Donation Awareness Month inspire us to roll up our sleeves for this life-saving cause. Donating blood is an easy yet impactful way to contribute to society while nurturing one’s own health. So, why wait? Make an appointment to donate blood and let your heart literally and metaphorically grow stronger.
NHC Foods Reports 384% Growth in Q3-FY25 Net Profit
Mumbai, January 21, 2025: NHC Foods Limited, a prominent exporter of agricultural commodities and spices, has announced its financial results for the Third Quarter and Nine Months ended 31st December 2024.
For the quarter ended 31st December 2024, the company’s PAT increased by 384% to ₹208.33 Lakhs as compared to ₹43.03 Lakhs in the corresponding period last year. Revenue from Operations for the Quarter ended 31st December 2024 increased by 58% to ₹7352.97 Lakhs as compared to ₹4649.69 Lakhs in the corresponding period last year.
For the Nine months ended 31st December 2024, the company’s PAT increased by 384% to ₹614.30 Lakhs as compared to ₹126.88 Lakhs in the corresponding period last year. Revenue from Operations for the Nine Months ended 31st December 2024 increased by 64% to ₹21,420 Lakhs as compared to ₹13,062 Lakhs in the corresponding period last year.
The performance of NHC Foods over the last three quarters highlights the company’s remarkable ability to achieve strong top-line and bottom-line growth despite a volatile environment. The company reported profits of ₹200.88 Lakhs in Q1-FY25, ₹205.08 Lakhs in Q2-FY25, and ₹208.33 Lakhs in Q3-FY25, surpassing the ₹234.74 Lakhs achieved for the entire FY2024.
Commenting on the results, Mr. Satyam Joshi, Whole Time Director stated “NHC Foods’ performance during the quarter and nine-month period showcases its exceptional capability to achieve strong top-line and bottom-line growth despite operating in a challenging environment. The company’s focus on product and market expansion, along with strategic investments in manufacturing, technology and R&D, is set to create a stronger foundation for a brighter and sustainable future.”
“The successful completion of the recent Rights Issue stands as a testament to the confidence investors and stakeholders have in the company’s management and future growth prospects”, Mr. Satyam Joshi added.
As part of its expansion and brand-building strategy, NHC Foods has allocated sizable funds for establishing a state-of-the-art Sesame Seeds Cleaning and Hulling facility and revamping its flagship spice brand, ‘SAAZ.’
The cutting-edge Sesame Seeds Cleaning and Hulling facility at Pardi in Gujarat is designed to meet the growing domestic and international demand for sesame-based products, particularly in key export markets such as China, Korea, Turkey, USA and Europe. The plant is expected to be operational within a year and is expected to drive substantial revenue growth. This investment highlights the company’s commitment to addressing global demand while enhancing domestic supply capabilities and is a significant step toward cementing its leadership position in the sesame industry.
On the product innovation side, NHC Foods’ flagship spice brand, “SAAZ,” is set for a comprehensive strategic revamp to strengthen its consumer brand portfolio. The initiative includes enhancing its presence across modern retail chains and leading e-commerce platforms like Big Basket, Blinkit, Swiggy, and Amazon. The company is planning a pilot launch in Rajkot, Gujarat, with the revamped product line expected to roll out in the market within 5–6 months.
The Board of Directors has also granted in-principle approval for NHC Foods to invest in Inwelco Science Pvt. Ltd., the parent company of Buyceps, a prominent health and wellness brand. With a revenue target of ₹100 crores in the next 2–3 years, this investment enables NHC Foods to tap into the growing demand for wellness products both in India and overseas markets.
Skydo Receives RBI Approval as PA-CB
Bengaluru, Jan 21
Skydo Technologies Private Limited, a leading cross-border payments company, has received in-principle authorization from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to operate as a Payment Aggregator-Cross Border (PA-CB) entity. Skydo is among the first companies in the cross-border payments space to receive this authorization.
This further strengthens Skydo’s mission of making cross-border payments compliant, seamless and cost-effective for India’s exporters. Skydo started operations in 2022 and currently serves over 12,000 exporters in India, processing over USD 250 million in annual export payments.
“The RBI in-principle authorization is a testament to our compliance-first culture, secure systems and robust risk controls”, said Awadhesh Ranjan, Head of Risk & Compliance at Skydo.
Skydo’s customers are small and medium businesses selling a range of products and services to customers globally. Skydo partners with leading banks across the world and provides a comprehensive solution to manage their invoicing, payments and reconciliation. Key features include transparent pricing and fees with no markup on live mid-market forex rates, digital onboarding with instant KYC, dedicated customer support, fast settlements, and streamlined regulatory compliance with instant issuance of Foreign Inward Remittance Advice (FIRA).
“As an Indian fintech startup with global ambitions, we are thrilled to receive this approval. We plan to scale our payments volume by 10x over the next 18-24 months, expand to support import payments, and build out more trade corridors globally,” said Srivatsan Sridhar, Co-Founder and CEO of Skydo.
Looking ahead, Skydo plans to introduce several first-to-market offerings for India’s growing MSME export sector. “Starting with payments, we will extend our offerings to credit, tax compliance, treasury services and Export Data Processing and Monitoring System (EDPMS) reconciliation. Together, these products will be a comprehensive cross-border financial operating system for any exporter. By bringing cross-border payments into the Payment Aggregator framework, RBI has enabled companies like us to build superior technological products and power the international ambitions of Indian businesses,” said Movin Jain, Co-founder of Skydo.
The Bengaluru based fintech has also recently secured Payment Service Provider (PSP) approval from Amazon, enabling it to process payments for exporters participating in Amazon’s Global Selling program.
SOCIAL Unveils India’s First Co-Working Space
Hyderabad, January 2025: SOCIAL, India’s favourite neighborhood café announces the expansion of its co-working model – SOCIAL Works to 50+ locations in 10 cities. Introduced 10 years ago as the country’s first co-working space, SOCIAL Works was designed to cater to freelancers and professionals seeking an alternative to traditional offices. Now, with SOCIAL Works, SOCIAL is extending its reach to new neighborhoods and pincodes, offering dynamic workspaces where professionals can collaborate, create, and thrive in cities like Mumbai, Delhi NCR, Bangalore, Pune, Hyderabad, Indore, Lucknow, Chandigarh, Dehradun, and Kolkata.
Available from Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 6 PM, the SOCIAL Works seamlessly blends functionality with SOCIAL’s signature vibe. Designed to resonate with Millennials and Gen-Z, it creates an environment that fosters productivity, creativity, and community.
A Vision for Modern Workspaces
Over the years, SOCIAL Works has become a thriving hub where connections are forged, ideas take shape, and success stories continue to unfold. From freelancers to budding entrepreneurs, the space has nurtured ventures of all scales—from small startups to prominent companies like BOAT, IVM Podcasts, Food Talk India, Lazy 8, and many more which began their journey here. SOCIAL Works has also been a creative haven for artists and freelancers, offering them a platform to connect, collaborate, and grow. It has witnessed connections and partnerships flourish in the most unexpected ways in the Works section, making it more than just a workspace—it’s a place where ideas come to life, and creativity thrives. Today, it remains the go-to spot for professionals seeking a dynamic and inspiring environment, fostering meaningful partnerships and providing the perfect blend of productivity and creativity.
As the workday winds down, SOCIAL Works seamlessly transitions into a buzzing social hub. Whether you’re wrapping up a brainstorming session or unwinding with colleagues, the space adapts to your needs. It allows you to work comfortably in an environment that feels authentic to you, while also offering opportunities to meet new people and collaborate.
A Space That Adapts To You
- Flexible pricing options: INR 300 per day, INR 1200 per week, and INR 4500 per month—fully redeemable on SOCIAL’s delectable food and drinks. The cover can also be clubbed with other ongoing offers at the outlet, ensuring every workday comes with a side of culinary delight.
- Workspace pass includes free Wi-Fi, a confirmed seat in the workspace area, and access to SOCIAL’s vibrant atmosphere.
- Monthly members enjoy exclusive access to up to 4 SOCIAL events, such as workshops, conferences, networking meetups, live music, and DJ nights.
- Earn loyalty points through The SOCIAL Club, unlocking exciting offers, topical events, and freebies.
- Discover exciting new food and beverage offerings, featuring special limited-time menus, unforgettable experiences such as meeting your favorite artist, winning exclusive branded merchandise, or indulging in drinks at unbeatable prices!
Divya Aggarwal, Chief Growth Officer of Impresario Entertainment & Hospitality Pvt Ltd, shared her vision for the SOCIAL Works. “When we launched SOCIAL Works, our goal was to create a workspace that broke away from the rigidity of traditional offices. Over the years, it’s been incredible to see how this concept has supported startups, freelancers, and professionals in building their dreams. We’re creating spaces that are not only functional but also inspiring, blending work and leisure seamlessly as per different requirements. It’s about evolving with the needs of today’s workforce and continuing to offer a place where ideas can thrive, and connections can flourish.
Keeping in mind the future of co-working, SOCIAL Works is designed to cater to diverse work styles, whether you’re working solo, brainstorming with a team, or catching up with colleagues. The experience is a testament to SOCIAL’s commitment to staying ahead of the curve, blending work and play in a way that’s uniquely their own.
Hexaware Joins AWS for Cloud Solutions
Mumbai, January 21st, 2025 – Hexaware Technologies, an IT solutions and services provider, announced today that it has entered into a collaboration with Amazon Web Services (AWS), with plans to strengthen its offerings in migration and modernization, data and AI, and generative artificial intelligence (AI)-powered customer experience solutions.
Through this collaboration, Hexaware will help empower its customers to innovate and capitalize on real-time insights from data, unlock business value and optimize operational efficiency across key sectors such as retail, banking, healthcare and life sciences, travel, transport, and hospitality.
Hexaware’s AWS Migration and Modernization Consulting Competency underscores its efforts in helping clients accelerate their time to value. Leveraging AWS native accelerators and Hexaware’s Amaze®, and in compliance with AWS Foundational Technical Review guidelines, it will help deliver migration and modernization solutions faster while reducing costs for customers.
Hexaware has built RapidX™, a GenAI-based platform for modern software engineering. AWS and Hexaware will collaborate to further develop the RapidX™ platform to support clients for cloud-native product development, as well as legacy modernization initiatives to deliver cost-effective solutions by improving developer productivity and software development quality metrics.
Apurva Kadakia, Global Head – Cloud, Hexaware Technologies, said, “Hexaware has been working with AWS on domain-specific generative AI solutions and has released a few in the retail and customer analytics space on AWS Marketplace. This collaboration will enable us to harness the collective powers of all our service lines and verticals to enhance digital transformations by adding a layer of ease and predictability for customers.”
Hexaware’s client Aidan Lyons, CEO, FanCapital, said, “From the high-speed thrill of F1 to the intense action of SEC Volleyball, fans today demand more than just a game—they crave unforgettable, personalized experiences! With AWS platforms, FanCapital elevates digital fan engagement. Powered by the fan graph on Amazon Neptune, we are enabling sports stars and their fans to connect and enabling delivery of precision marketing and personalized interactions that keep the excitement alive, on and off the field!”
Amy Dennerlein, Chief Executive Officer, Realize-365, said, “Integrating Amazon Bedrock with Hexaware was productive for us. It helped tackle unstructured medical data in legal cases, reducing manual review time by 90%. This shift allowed legal professionals to focus on strategic preparation. Our AI now enables quick, precise, and accurate case summarization.”
Rima Olinger, Managing Director – North America Partners, AWS, added, “The collaboration between Hexaware and AWS will provide our joint customers globally with an accelerated path to modernize critical workloads to AWS led by our shared dedication to innovating on behalf of customers. AWS and Hexaware together will deliver tailored solutions, backed by Generative AI, to help customers improve productivity, insights, and value to their unique business challenges.”
This collaboration underscores the value of Hexaware and AWS to provide flexibility and unlock business value for customers across industries. For more information please visit: [hyperlink to landing page].
IIM Sambalpur Hosts CEO Immersion for Professionals
January 20th, 2025; Sambalpur: IIM Sambalpur, one of India’s premier management institutions, hosted a six – day CEO Immersion Programme for the Executive MBA 2024-26 and MBA for Working Professionals2023-25 batches at its Sambalpur campus. The programme aims to equip the batch with practical knowledge, industry trends, and leadership skills through direct interaction with seasoned professionals. As many as 100 executives from different industries participated in the programme that was addressed by over 15 – 25 CXOs of top companies.
In his welcome address, Prof. Mahadeo Jaiswal, Director, IIM Sambalpur, said, “Our campus blends modern infrastructure with Indian ethos, as reflected in its architecture, art, and cultural elements. We have also introduced transformative Drivers for digitalization and Green Technologies like AI, blockchain are set to revolutionize industries by creating unified systems for business processes, from design to sales. This shift will demand a new wave of consulting talent, and MBA graduates will play a pivotal role in leading this transformation.” Prof further said, “As the world transitions to sustainable practices, industries such as oil, gas, coal, and traditional automotive manufacturing will undergo significant changes. These shifts present both challenges and opportunities for leaders equipped with the right skills. Institutions like IIM Sambalpur must lead these transformations. We aim to contribute by fostering a knowledge base that supports global organizations and industries. To this end, we are signing an MoU with an AI-driven learning management system. This initiative will enable IIM Sambalpur to develop and share case studies and articles on a global platform, similar to the renowned Harvard Business Cases.”
Attending the events as the chief guest, Dr. Biswajit Mahapatra, Head of Customer Solutions-CIO Advisory – Amazon Web Services, said “Digital transformation is about reimagining how we think, act, and operate in an increasingly intelligent, interconnected, and instrumented world, where new business paradigms emerge through evolving models, innovative ways of working, and the cultivation of expertise. It’s a shift from merely adding AI to systems to centering every business outcome around AI, fostering democratized innovation and responsive operations. Expertise, once defined by narrow specialization, now demands a comb-shaped approach—deep skills across multiple areas with broad horizontal knowledge—while orchestrated ecosystems, built on collaboration and co-opetition, drive success. Technologies like cloud, blockchain, IoT, and intelligent workflows form the bedrock of transformation, with data as indispensable as air, fueling insights that power this evolution. “
During the programme, selected meritorious MBA female students including, Kratika Krishna Panchal, Sapna Rani, Pallavi Lata, Gunika Kaur and Manjot Kaur from economically weaker sections, awarded a scholarship of one lakh rupees in recognition of their academic excellence. The award was given by Mrs. Sharada Gupta of Delhi, wife of Dr. Girish Mohan Gupta, an MBA for Working Professionals student at IIM Sambalpur Delhi Campus.
The event was attended by Priyadarshi Nanu Pany, CEO of CSM Technology; Nilesh Biniwale, General Manager at Pattern India; Manas Barpanda, National Head at Britannia Industries Ltd.; Padmanabhan S., Senior Vice President at MSN Laboratories; Gulshan Tiwari, J oint President & Plant Head at Hindalco, Jharsuguda; Dr. Debasish Guha, Head of Research TCS innovation Park IIT KHARAGPUR; Aparna Chetan, CHRO at Torry Harris Business Solutions Pvt. Ltd.; Ghanashyam Parida, President & CEO of the Power Vertical at Welspun Corp; Abhishek Kumar Verma, Founder and CEO of Indiano Pelletteria; Dr. Angshuman Ghosh, CEO of MENRV AI; Jay Prakash Singh, CHRO at JSW Steel; Akshay Rakshit, HRBP at BMW Group India; Manish Pandey, Senior Director at Infosys and Head of Infosys Foundation Bhubaneswar; Damodar Mittal, Executive Director at Jindal Steel & Power Limited; Debasish Mallik, President at Hindalco – Hirakud and Rajesh Singh, Senior VP HR & IR at TRL Krosaki Refractories Limited.
86400 Powers UPI Credit Line Payments for Banks & FinTechs
Mumbai, 20th January 2025: 86400 (an Initiative of Mobileware Technologies), a leading provider of cutting-edge payments infrastructure announces the launch of its Credit-as-a-Service (CaaS) solution, designed to integrate Credit Line on UPI into the offerings of Banks and Fintech companies. This solution is set to develop and redefine digital credit accessibility, providing instant, flexible, and user-friendly credit options to millions across India.
Built on NPCI’s Credit Line on UPI framework, 86400’s new solution offers financial institutions a robust and compliant solution to unlock short-term credit capabilities without disrupting existing systems. As per the prediction by 86400, this scheme is poised to revolutionize the market, offering an end-to-end solution that enables banks to conceive and rapidly launch versatile credit products.
Credit Line on UPI
Credit Line on UPI is an NPCI offering that allows users to access pre-approved credit directly within UPI-enabled apps. By integrating the solution into its advanced technology stack, 86400 enables financial institutions to offer customers easy access to credit for transactions like bill payments, shopping, and emergency expenses.
How the Solution Works
The solution is designed to deliver seamless functionality for both customers and financial institutions. For financial institutions, the solution offers streamlined APIs that facilitate quick integration with their systems, ensuring minimal operational disruptions and accelerating time-to-market for credit services. For customers of these financial institutions, it enables easy access to pre-approved credit directly within their existing UPI-enabled apps, catering to a variety of financial needs such as bill payments, shopping, and emergencies.
Key Benefits
Instant Access to Credit:
- Customers can tap into pre-approved credit instantly without delays.
- Real-time credit utilization and repayment capabilities simplify user experience.
Seamless Integration for Financial Institutions:
- Quick onboarding with 86400’s robust and scalable technology stack.
- Reduced setup costs and operational complexities.
Regulatory Compliance:
- Fully adherent to RBI and NPCI guidelines, ensuring data privacy and securit
Relaxo Opens New Outlet in Nawada, New Delhi
New Delhi – January 20, 2025: Relaxo Footwears Ltd., India’s leading footwear brand, proudly announces the grand opening of its newest Exclusive Brand Outlet (EBO) in Nawada, Delhi. This significant addition reinforces Relaxo’s commitment to bringing stylish, durable, and affordable footwear closer to its customers across the state.
The launch of this outlet marks an important milestone in Relaxo’s retail expansion journey in Delhi, where the brand now operates 60 outlets across the city, solidifying its position as a preferred choice for quality footwear in the region.
The new EBO in Nawada showcases Relaxo’s flagship brands, including Flite, Sparx, Bahamas, and Boston, offering a diverse range of footwear that blends style, comfort, and functionality. From everyday essentials to trendsetting designs, the store caters to a wide array of customer preferences, ensuring a seamless and satisfying shopping experience.
With this opening, Relaxo’s retail presence has now grown to 412 Exclusive Brand Outlets nationwide, a testament to the company’s unwavering focus on making premium footwear accessible to both urban and semi-urban markets. This latest store underscores Relaxo’s strategy of deepening its footprint in key markets to meet the rising demand for high-quality and affordable footwear.