Relaxo Footwears Announces The Great Freedom offer
New Delhi, August 9th, 2024: To commemorate India’s Independence Day, Relaxo Footwears Ltd., India’s leading footwear company today announced “The Great Freedom Sale”. Starting from August 14th till August 19th, 2024, the sale unveils impressive discounts on a wide range of footwear delivering stylish options at affordable prices for customers nationwide.
Experience unbeatable savings at Relaxo’s “The Great Freedom Sale,” showcasing a diverse selection of footwear across various categories. Customers can explore sporty shoes, fashionable sandals, trendy flip flops, and comfortable clogs from brands such as Relaxo, Flite, Sparx, Bahamas, Mary Jane, Boston, and KidsFun. Whether shopping online or in-store, this sale provides a perfect opportunity for customers to upgrade their footwear collection with massive discounts.
Bangalore tops flex office stock in APAC region, outshines Shanghai, Seoul and Tokyo
National – August 8th, 2024 – CBRE, world’s leading real estate consulting firm, announced the findings of its report, ‘H1 2024 Asia Pacific Flexible Office Market’. According to the report, Bangalore topped the list of 20 APAC cities with the highest flexible office stock at 15.5 mn. sq. ft. in the APAC region, including Shanghai, Seoul and Tokyo. Delhi NCR ranks second in the city list with a total stock 10.7 mn. sq. ft. (till June’24) of flexible office space. Recent growth in the Asia Pacific flexible office space market has been primarily driven by Indian cities, where the expansion is supported by the demand for managed solutions offered by domestic flexible space operators.
The report highlights that Delhi NCR witnessed the highest increase of 26 % in the flexible office stock since CY 2023. Other Indian cities also did exceedingly well with Hyderabad and Mumbai making it to the top 10 cities, with 6.8 and 6.1 mn. sq. ft. of flexible office stock, respectively.
The Asia Pacific flex space market continues to display stable growth, with the total stock of flexible office space in the APAC region reaching 89 million sq. ft. as of June 2024, an increase of 3.9% from CY 2023. The report points out that the APAC region is home to approximately 3,000 flex space centers. With strong leasing activity by flex space operators during this period, it is anticipated that the pace of new flex center openings will continue to be rapid throughout the remainder of the year in these markets.
Anshuman Magazine, Chairman & CEO – India, South-East Asia, Middle East & Africa, CBRE, said, “Recent growth in the Asia Pacific flexible office space market has been primarily driven by Indian cities, where expansion has been underpinned by demand for managed solutions offered by domestic flexible space operators. The ongoing expansion of the flexible office space market in India highlights its significance as a strategic option for businesses adapting to the changing demands of workspace needs”.
Henry Chin, Global Head of Investor Thought Leadership and Head of Research, CBRE APAC, said, “Recent years have seen an evolution in business strategy by operators of flexible office space in Asia Pacific. In the post-COVID era, operators’ priorities have shifted towards income diversification, turn-key managed solutions, and maximizing centre utilization. Operators are increasingly differentiating their brands and exploring alternative deal structures, such as management agreements and CapEx contributions by landlords, to create more sustainable business models. Leveraging turn-key managed solutions enables operators to increase commitment terms while providing additional value to occupier solutions”.
The report also points out that despite a return to growth mode after the pandemic subsided, the Asia Pacific flexible office space market has now entered a period of normalized expansion compared to the pre-COVID boom years.
CBRE APAC study covered 20 major Asia-Pacific markets, including Japan, China, South Korea, Philippines, Hong Kong, Australia, Vietnam, Singapore, Australia, Taiwan, New Zealand and India.
Real Estate Sector welcomes LTCG tax amendment
In a significant move that brings relief to homeowners and the real estate sector, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has proposed an amendment to the Finance Bill, 2024, offering taxpayers the option to choose between a 12.5% Long-Term Capital Gains (LTCG) tax rate without indexation or a 20% rate with indexation for properties acquired before July 23, 2024. The amendment, now widely welcomed by the industry, had earlier faced backlash warning that the initial proposal to eliminate indexation benefits, as outlined in Budget 2024, could hamper the growth of the real estate sector. The proposed amendment now provides much-needed flexibility and ensures that taxpayers can opt for the most beneficial tax calculation method. Below are insights from industry leaders on this development.
Mr. Prashant Sharma, President, NAREDCO Maharashtra
“We welcome the amendment to the Finance Bill by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, providing taxpayers with the flexibility to choose between a 12.5 per cent LTCG rate without indexation or a 20 per cent rate with indexation for property acquired before July 23, 2024. This decision is a significant relief for the real estate sector, which has been concerned about the potential impact of the indexation proposal introduced in Budget 2024. The ability to select the more favorable tax computation method ensures that homeowners and real estate investors are not unduly burdened by changes in tax regulations. This move by the government reflects an understanding of the complexities within the real estate market and its importance to the overall economy. We believe this amendment will help maintain investor confidence and support the sustained growth of the real estate sector, benefiting not just developers, but also homebuyers and the larger economy.”
Mr. Pritam Chivukula, Co-Founder & Director, Tridhaatu Realty and Vice President, CREDAI-MCHI
“The recent amendment proposed by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to allow taxpayers the option to choose between a 12.5% LTCG rate without indexation or a 20% rate with indexation for properties acquired before July 23, 2024, is a welcome relief for the real estate industry. This balanced approach not only addresses the concerns raised by stakeholders but also provides homeowners with flexibility in managing their tax liabilities. The initial proposal to eliminate indexation benefits had sparked significant apprehension within the sector, as it threatened to impact the growth momentum we’ve been working hard to maintain. By reintroducing these options, the government has shown its responsiveness to the industry’s needs and the broader economy. This move will encourage continued investment in real estate, providing stability and fostering confidence among both developers and homebuyers. We commend the government’s decision and look forward to continued collaboration to support sustainable growth in the sector.”
Mr. Rajeev Ranjan, Co-Founder & CEO, The Mentors Real Estate Advisory Pvt. Ltd
“The proposed amendment by the Finance Minister allowing taxpayers to choose between a 12.5% LTCG rate without indexation or a 20% rate with indexation for properties acquired before July 23, 2024, is a significant relief for property owners and investors. This flexibility will empower taxpayers to make decisions that best align with their financial strategies, especially in a real estate market that has witnessed varied growth patterns. By offering this choice, the government not only acknowledges the diverse nature of property investments but also provides a much-needed breather for those looking to optimize their tax liabilities in a challenging economic environment.”
Mr. Vedanshu Kedia, Director, Prescon Group
“The recent amendment to the Finance Bill, allowing taxpayers to choose between a 12.5% Long Term Capital Gains (LTCG) rate without indexation and a 20% rate with indexation for properties acquired before July 23, 2024, is a much-needed relief for property investors and homebuyers. This move reflects the government’s responsiveness to the concerns raised by the public at large and shows empathy to the citizens who plan their taxes in advance. By providing homeowners with the flexibility to opt for the more beneficial tax regime based on individual circumstances, this amendment will help sustain investor confidence and encourage continued investment in the sector as the government acknowledges the vital role that real estate plays in our economy. We believe this decision will positively impact both developers and homebuyers, fostering a healthier, stable and more resilient real estate market.”
Saudi Arabia Emerges as a Leading Industrial HubBoosting Global Mobility says Writer Relocations
Riyadh, KSA, 8 August 2024 — Writer Relocations, a leading global player in the relocation industry, highlights Saudi Arabia’s emergence as a pioneering force in the global industrial sector. The Kingdom’s major industrial cities, such as Jubail and Yanbu, are central to this development, attracting a significant influx of professionals from Europe and America.
Saudi Arabia’s industrial sector experienced a 63% increase in new investments in 2023, amounting to SR15 billion ($3.99 billion). The number of industrial units also surged by 10%, reaching 11,549 in 2023. These developments align with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, aimed at diversifying the economy and reducing dependency on oil by fostering industrial growth and innovation.
Anoop Bosco, Regional Head Middle East at Writer Relocations, remarked: “Saudi Arabia’s swift ascent as a key industrial hub is showcased by its world-class cities like Jubail and Yanbu. These cities are driving industrial innovation and development, making the Kingdom a sought-after destination for top talent from Europe and North America. Writer Relocations is honoured to facilitate this influx of skilled professionals by ensuring seamless relocations for individuals and their families moving to the Kingdom. Our mission is to provide a smooth transition and comprehensive support, enabling professionals to effectively contribute to Saudi Arabia’s industrial growth.”
For over 75 years, Writer Relocations has been at the forefront of the global relocation industry, offering comprehensive end-to-end services in the people and asset mobility sector. Handling more than 8,000 relocations annually, the company caters to the needs of employees and executives from over 3,000 global companies, solidifying its position as a premier mobility partner.
Jubail and Yanbu are exemplars of industrial success, featuring state-of-the-art infrastructure, advanced facilities, and a commitment to sustainable development. These cities play a crucial role in Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which aims to diversify the economy and reduce dependency on oil by fostering industrial growth and innovation.
Enhancing IT Operations through the Infraon Infinity Suite’s AIOps Capabilities
BENGALURU, India – August 8, 2024: In the rapidly evolving world of IT, maintaining seamless operations and staying ahead of potential issues is paramount. The integration of Artificial Intelligence for IT Operations (AIOps) within the Infraon Infinity Suite is transforming how businesses manage their IT infrastructure. This advanced integration leverages predictive analytics, automated incident management, and intelligent insights to enhance decision-making,
optimize resource allocation, and improve overall IT performance.
Satish Kumar V, CEO of EverestIMS Technologies, shares his vision: “Our goal is to revolutionize IT operations by leveraging the power of AI. The integration of AIOps within the Infraon Infinity Suite represents a significant leap forward in how businesses manage their IT infrastructure.”
Predictive Analytics: Identifying Issues Before They Impact Business
One of the standout features of the Infraon Infinity Suite with AIOps integration is its predictive analytics capability. This technology utilizes machine learning algorithms to analyze historical data, detect patterns, and predict potential IT issues before they impact business operations. By identifying anomalies and trends early, IT teams can proactively address these issues, preventing downtime and ensuring continuous service availability.
Predictive analytics enables organizations to transition from a reactive approach to a proactive strategy in managing their IT environments. This shift not only improves the reliability of IT services but also reduces the time and cost associated with resolving unexpected incidents. By anticipating problems and addressing them before they escalate, businesses can maintain smoother operations and deliver better service quality to their customers.
“Predictive analytics and automated incident management are game-changers for our clients. These capabilities allow them to stay ahead of potential issues and resolve incidents swiftly, ensuring uninterrupted business operations,” says Kumar.
Automated Incident Management: Accelerating Resolution Times
The integration of AIOps within the Infraon Infinity Suite also enhances incident management through automation. Automated incident management involves the use of AI to detect, diagnose, and resolve IT issues without human intervention. This capability significantly reduces the mean time to resolution (MTTR) and minimizes the impact of incidents on business operations.
With automated incident management, IT teams can focus on more strategic tasks while the system handles routine issues. This not only improves efficiency but also ensures that incidents are resolved quickly and effectively. Automated workflows streamline the entire incident management process, from detection to resolution, ensuring that IT services remain uninterrupted and business operations continue smoothly.
Intelligent Insights: Enabling Informed Decision-Making
AIOps integration within the Infraon Infinity Suite provides intelligent insights that are crucial for informed decision-making. These insights are derived from the continuous analysis of IT data, offering real-time visibility into the performance and health of IT systems. By understanding the current state and predicting future trends, IT leaders can make data-driven decisions that enhance the overall performance of their IT infrastructure.
Intelligent insights enable IT teams to optimize resource allocation, ensuring that the right resources are available where and when they are needed most. This optimization not only improves operational efficiency but also reduces costs associated with over-provisioning or underutilization of IT resources. By leveraging these insights, organizations can achieve a more balanced and efficient IT environment.
Optimizing Resource Allocation for Better Performance
Resource allocation is a critical aspect of IT management, and the Infraon Infinity Suite with AIOps integration excels in this area. The suite uses AI to analyze resource usage patterns and recommend optimal allocation strategies. This ensures that resources are used efficiently, reducing waste and improving overall performance.
By optimizing resource allocation, organizations can achieve better performance without increasing their IT budget. The system continuously monitors resource usage and makes adjustments as needed, ensuring that IT resources are always aligned with business needs. This dynamic approach to resource management helps businesses stay agile and responsive in a rapidly changing IT landscape.
Enhancing Overall IT Performance
The ultimate goal of integrating AIOps with the Infraon Infinity Suite is to enhance overall IT performance. By leveraging predictive analytics, automated incident management, and intelligent insights, the suite provides a comprehensive solution for managing IT operations effectively. This integration ensures that IT services are reliable, efficient, and aligned with business objectives.
Improved IT performance translates to better business outcomes, including higher customer satisfaction, increased operational efficiency, and reduced costs. By proactively managing IT issues and optimizing resources, organizations can focus on strategic initiatives that drive growth and innovation. The Infraon Infinity Suite with AIOps integration empowers IT teams to deliver exceptional service quality and achieve superior business results.
“Intelligent insights and optimized resource allocation are critical for maintaining an efficient and high-performing IT environment. With AIOps, we provide our clients with the tools they need to make informed decisions and achieve better business outcomes,” Kumar concludes.
In summary, the Infraon Infinity Suite with AIOps integration is a powerful solution that transforms IT operations. By leveraging advanced technologies like predictive analytics, automated incident management, and intelligent insights, the suite enhances decision-making, optimizes resource allocation, and improves overall IT performance. With this integration, EverestIMS Technologies continues to lead the way in delivering innovative IT service management solutions that drive business success.
Essential Pre-Travel Planning for a Safe and Healthy Summer
August 8th, India — As the peak summer travel season is underway in the Northern hemisphere, International SOS, the world’s leading health and security services company, is urging organisations to prioritise the health and safety of their travelling employees. With summer travel reaching record highs, particularly in North American and Western European regions1, robust pre-travel planning and effective risk mitigation strategies are crucial for a healthy and safe summer travel season.
Summer’s warmer temperatures and the corresponding rise in outdoor activities create a heightened risk environment for health and safety. These risks are amplified for travellers with unfamiliar destinations, where individuals may encounter food and waterborne illnesses, vector-borne diseases and excessive sun exposure. International SOS global assistance data revealed that the top most common assistance requests from clients in the Northern hemisphere during 2023 summer were upper respiratory tract infection, fever and urinary tract infections.2 Traveller’s diarrhoea is another commonly reported travel-related illness.
Additionally, the increased frequency and intensity of heatwaves globally also pose significant health threats, including heat stress, which is the leading cause of weather-related fatalities and can exacerbate underlying medical conditions.4 To ensure employee health and wellbeing, organisations should provide clear guidance on heatwave preparedness, such as staying hydrated, avoiding outdoor activities during peak heat hours and recognising the signs of heat-related illness.
Dr Katherine O’Reilly, Regional Medical Director at International SOS, commented, “The excitement of summer travel can sometimes overshadow potential health risks. It is important to understand that conditions such as heart disease, asthma, and diabetes can be worsened by warmer weather, leading to more severe symptoms and sometimes complications. To mitigate these risks, organisations should encourage their workforce to consult with healthcare professionals before travelling. These consultations help travellers identify destination-specific health threats and inform essential preventive measures, including vaccinations, hygiene practices and sun safety protocols.”
James Wood, Regional Security Director at International SOS, commented “The surge in summer travel underscores the importance of prioritising employee safety and fostering a strong security awareness culture within organisations. By conducting comprehensive destination research, travellers can equip themselves with knowledge of local security risks, cultural nuances and common scams. This knowledge empowers travellers to make informed decisions and minimise their vulnerability to threats. Unfamiliar environments can heighten the risk of security threats, emphasising the need for robust personal security measures.”
International SOS offers guidelines for organisations and their workforce to stay healthy and safe whilst travelling this summer:
1. Pre-Travel Health Check-Up: Encourage employees to schedule a pre-travel consultation with a healthcare professional. This allows for necessary vaccinations, review of existing health conditions, and guidance on travel-specific health risks.
2. Destination Research: Advise employees to research their destination thoroughly. This includes understanding local weather patterns, potential health risks, cultural norms, and security concerns. International SOS offers a suite of travel advisory resources for various destinations worldwide.
3. Plan ahead and choose safe accommodation: When selecting a place to stay, use credible booking sites, pick the location carefully and consider checking reviews from other travellers.
4. Highlight the importance of understanding traveller targeted risks: International visitors can be common targets for pickpocketing and scams. Provide basic travel safety training to travelling employees.
5. Encourage employees to take precautions to prevent heatstroke: Promote sun protection practices and remind travellers of the importance of hydration.
6. Inform employees of food safety risks whilst travelling: Food poisoning peaks during the summer months due to warmer temperatures. Advise travellers to exercise caution with unfamiliar food and water sources. Bottled water and thoroughly cooked meals are generally safer options.
FireCompass Unveils Agent AI for Ethical Hacking & Autonomous Penetration Testing
8th August 2024 – Firecompass, a Saas startup in Continuous Penetration Testing and Red Teaming, announced the launch of its Generative-AI powered Agent AI for Ethical Hacking & Autonomous Penetration Testing. FireCompass Agent AI is natively integrated with the FireCompass Platform and autonomously executes the entire penetration testing workflow.
Unlike current generative AI tools that typically only provide interfaces or generic suggestions, Agent AI executes the tasks autonomously, orchestrating to achieve specific objectives like finding organization-specific vulnerability information, generating tailored attack plans, and autonomously executing specific attack playbooks to demonstrate potential breaches. The platform dramatically increases testing coverage, accelerates the discovery of complex attack paths, and enhances the productivity of human pen-testers. This capability is available as an add-on to FireCompass’ existing platform for Automated Pen Testing, Red Teaming, and External Attack Surface Management.
India faces severe cybersecurity challenges, ranking among the most targeted countries globally. CERT-In reports a 25-fold increase in breaches over 5 years, with each breach costing an average of $2.18 million (RBI). A shortage of 800,000 cybersecurity professionals (World Economic Forum) amplifies the immediate need for AI-driven autonomous solutions.
“An average organization conducts ethical hacking or penetration testing on the top 20% of their assets annually. However, attackers are leveraging automation and AI to continuously target 100% of the assets,” said Bikash Barai, CEO and Co-Founder of FireCompass. “Conventional Penetration Testing cannot match the pace of attackers. FireCompass GenAI & Agentic AI can help us achieve 10 to 100 times more frequency and cost efficiency than traditional models.”
Traditional Ethical Hacking or Penetration Testing involves multiple tools and manual effort. FireCompass Autonomous Pen Testing Agent AI with the LLM-powered interface eliminates the need for repetitive manual tasks, significantly improving delivery speed and the depth and breadth of testing.
“Automating penetration testing of complex, multi-stage attacks is the next level of penetration testing. Agent AI is a promising way to solve this otherwise hard problem,” said Bruce Schneier, an internationally renowned security technologist called a “security guru” by the Economist.
- Gaps with Standard LLMs in Penetration Testing
- Standard LLMs have several limitations in the context of penetration testing:
- They cannot answer queries specific to an organization (e.g., “Give me the list of IPs of all risky assets”).
- They cannot create an organization-specific plan of attack for a given objective.
- They cannot execute end-to-end Penetration Testing or red-teaming on their own.
- Introducing Agent AI for Penetration Testing & Red Teaming
FireCompass combines Agent AI with Gen AI to create autonomous end-to-end penetration testing capabilities. While Gen AI typically makes suggestions, Agent AI executes the completion of a workflow to achieve specific objectives. This capability, available as an add-on to FireCompass’ existing platform, will:
- Interact in natural language to provide organization-specific information on vulnerabilities and risks.
- Generate attack plans tailored to an organization based on user-provided objectives, guardrails, and existing vulnerabilities.
- Execute attacks autonomously and demonstrate how an organization can be breached.
- FireCompass has already been awarded a patent by the USPTO for automated penetration testing and red teaming.
- FireCompass’ Agent AI vs. Traditional Methods
- FireCompass uses Agent AI and Gen AI to creatively generate and autonomously execute attack plans.
- Provides 10-100x more testing with the same budget, making human PenTesters four times more productive.
- Accelerates the discovery and mitigation of complex attack paths, reducing the risk window from months to hours.
FireCompass is considered a leader in Automated Pen Testing, Red Teaming, and Attack Surface Management by leading analysts like Gartner, Forrester, and IDC. Founded by serial entrepreneurs and supported by leading VCs, the team holds multiple patents in cybersecurity and has discovered zero-day vulnerabilities in platforms such as McAfee, Microsoft BitLocker, Sophos, and AVG. FireCompass is trusted by Fortune 500 companies globally which includes Top 5 Global Telco, Top 10 Manufacturing Firms, Top 10 Technology, and Banking Firms.
Helen Keller Students Unleash Creativity at Target Publications Mandala Workshop
Mumbai, 08 August, 2024: Leading publishing house Target Publications brought a burst of creativity to the lives of students at Helen Keller Institute for Deaf & Deafblind. In collaboration with Penkraft Ideas Pvt. Ltd., a unique end-to-end entity for all things art, the company ignited a passion for Mandala art through a vibrant workshop.
Over 70 budding artists, including students, trainee educators, and in-house teachers, participated in this whirlwind of creativity. The workshop, buzzing with excitement, equipped participants with all the skills and knowledge they needed to embark on their artistic journeys. Printed Mandala art papers and gel pens distributed among Helen Keller students became gateways to a world of intricate patterns and vibrant self-expression.
Anuradha Bagchi, Director of the Helen Keller Institute, couldn’t contain her delight. “We are incredibly thankful to Target Publications for bringing this remarkable workshop to our students,” she said. “They were captivated by the Penkraft trainers’ guidance, and the joy of creating Mandala art was truly infectious. We believe this experience will not only spark a love for this art form but also empower them to continue practicing at home.”
Tushar Chaudhari, Executive Director of Target Publications, Thane, beamed with pride. “We are honored to have had the opportunity to partner with Helen Keller Institute for Deaf and Deafblind for this special event,” he said. “At Target Publications, we understand the importance of fostering creativity beyond academics. That’s why, alongside our educational content, we offer Mandala art books – a testament to our commitment to keeping students and their artistic journeys at the heart of everything we do.”
This captivating workshop wasn’t just about creating art; it was about igniting a spark of creativity within these remarkable young minds. And that, truly, is a masterpiece in itself!
“It was pure magic to see their faces light up!” exclaimed Pallavi Desai, Founder & MD of Penkraft Ideas Pvt. Ltd., who along with Penkraft Master Trainer Vishakha Kalangan, conducted a mesmerizing Mandala Art workshop for the institute’s students.
Pallavi Desai, who imparted the workshop, echoed this sentiment. “Witnessing the student’s focus and meticulousness as they crafted their Mandalas was truly heartwarming,” she shared. “Mandala art offers a multitude of benefits, from enhancing fine motor skills to boosting creativity and focus. It’s a practice that empowers both children and adults alike.”
Aswathy Sreekanth: ‘Trust Your Body’ at Aster Medcity’s Breastfeeding Week
Kochi, 08 August, 2024: Aster Medcity hosted a special gathering for mothers and babies as part of the World Breastfeeding Week. The event was inaugurated by the renowned actress and writer Aswathy Sreekanth.
Trust Your Body: Breastfeeding is a Beautiful Journey,” said Aswathy Sreekanth at Aster Medcity’s Breastfeeding Week celebrations. “There is an incomparable, moving connection that breastfeeding creates between a mother and her child. It’s a unique bond that nurtures closeness, security, and love.” She also emphasized the importance of supporting mothers who cannot breastfeed for any specific reason, urging them not to feel guilty.
World Breastfeeding Week is observed globally from August 1st to 7th each year to promote awareness about the vital importance of breastfeeding for infants. Around 50 mothers and their babies enthusiastically participated in the event, which included informative sessions highlighting the significance of breastfeeding. The programme also addressed the concerns and doubts of mothers regarding this natural process.
Senior Consultants in Neonatology such as Dr. Jose Paul, Dr. George Jose, Consultant, Dr. S. Rajasree, Dr. Zareena A Khalid, Senior Consultant – Obstetrics & Gynaecology and Dr. Jeeson C Unni, Senior Consultant- Paediatrics participated in the event to support and educate the attendees on the benefits of breastfeeding.
SPJIMR-Abhyudaya’s Hastantaran 2024: A new mentorship journey begins
Mumbai, August 08, 2024: Hastantaran, meaning ‘handing over’ or ‘transferring’, is an exciting ceremony marking the start of the mentoring journey undertaken by SPJIMR’s first-year PGDM participants and Abhyudaya Sitaras (Stars).
Abhyudaya, meaning ‘growing together’, is an experiential learning programme where each first-year PGDM participant is assigned a Sitara to mentor for the entire year. The Sitaras, selected based on their academic records and performance in specially curated aptitude tests, are some of the brightest students from Mumbai’s marginalised and underprivileged sections.
Speaking about the initiative, Prof. Varun Nagaraj, Dean, SPJIMR, said, “The SPJIMR-Abhyudaya programme is designed to cultivate social sensitivity and empathy in our future business leaders by exposing them to the realities of urban poverty and inculcate mentorship qualities.” Since 2008, 948 Sitaras and 3,688 PGDM participants have undergone this transformative journey.
The Sitaras, who refer to the PGDM participants affectionately as ‘Didis’ (sisters) or ‘Bhaiyas’ (brothers), gain lifelong mentors who provide academic support, personality development training, emotional counselling, and advice on personal or professional issues.
Hastantaran 2024 marked the propitious commencement of Abhyudaya for the PGDM cohort of 2024-26. Arati Nagaraj, Director, SPJIMR-Abhyudaya, inspired the Sitaras and PGDM aspirants, and said, “To the senior mentors, remember, your journey is never over. You continue to be your Sitaras’ North Star. And to the new mentors, embrace this journey and strive to become a guiding light for your Sitaras.”
‘Celestial Connections’, the theme of Hastantaran 2024, signified the sincerity and depth of the bonds formed between the PGDM participants and the Sitaras. “Abhyudaya was a life-changing experience for me. I learned a lot from my mentee and her family,” said Swapneel, PGP2 mentor. Added Sakina Jabir Khan, his mentee and a class 8 student, “I learnt about leadership from Swapneel bhaiya. He helped me with my studies. Though I am sad that I won’t see him every month, I am excited to know who my new mentor will be.”
To celebrate the beginning of these beautiful mentor-mentee relationships, the Sitaras and the PGDM participants lit up the stage with energetic dance and soulful song performances. During a panel discussion, second-year PGDM participants and Sitaras shared their Abhyudaya experiences to clarify doubts and allay concerns of the first-year participants.
The most awaited event of Hastantaran 2024 was the first mentor-mentee meeting. Each Sitara searched with keen eyes, bated breath, and hopeful hearts for their beloved ‘Didis’ and ‘Bhaiyas’. A sense of emotion overtook them as this moment marked the rite of passage from their previous mentor to their next mentor. The event concluded with a series of ice-breaking and team-building exercises where the Sitaras and their new mentors shared personal stories, aspirations, and expectations.
Hastantaran 2024 marked a shift in the energy on campus. The excitement of being part of an experience that shapes lives, creates lifelong bonds, and builds a treasure trove of memories was almost tangible. Each participant and their Sitara are now set to embark on a stellar journey of personal growth and learning.