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Real estate developers don't just shape our city's skylines, they also define the way we live and work. However, rampant real estate development, especially by smaller players has left many a city a mere concrete jungle. Chennai is no exception. It is hard to believe therefore that nestled within the hustle and bustle of this ever-growing city is a carefully crafted lung space, spread over 63 acres, in the form of SPR City. Currently being constructed, SPR City, Chennai's largest integrated township, envisages well thought out residential spaces, supported with ample infrastructure in close proximity to shopping centers, world class schools and hospitals to present a complete living experience. Hectic modern life, busy work hours and search for better employment prospects have eroded the essence of living. Today, who wouldn't want to thrive amidst Nature? Who wouldn't want the old way of living where you get to meet, interact and know your neighbours? Who wouldn't want to evade the daily hassle of manoeuvring through heavy traffic jams? Hitesh Kawad, Managing Director, SPR Highliving says, "The lack of adequate infrastructure, poor facilities, pollution, improper access to emergency services and educational facilities, and remarkably high home prices are forcing people to make compromises on quality of living. An increased number of people are looking to revert to the old ways and embrace community living as the new way of life - and that's something we offer at SPR City" Aimed at giving Chennaiites a respite from the urban decay that is slowly ebbing the essence of healthy living, SPR City is a departure from the concrete jungle life prevalent elsewhere. Considered Chennai's largest integrated township, SPR City includes a sprawling 18-acre residential development named Highliving District, offering 5 lakh square feet of greenery, world-class standards and the best of community living, while also being located at a prominent place. The township residents can reach SPR City Mall, Shri Ram Universal School, and Market of India within a minute's walk. It is also in close proximity to metro stations, railway and bus stops, while also being accessible from all prominent locations within the city. The residential phase, Highliving District, houses three high rise towers Tower A, B and H, which are in various stages of construction. Recently, construction in Tower A hit the milestone of 36-floors in record breaking time and the handover for fit outs and furnishing is expected to be done in 12 months. Offering 2,3,4 BHK variations, these residential spaces are crafted with meticulous attention to every single detail. Highliving District also boasts of Chennai's tallest towers, that promise breathtaking views of the surrounding area. Despite an ultra-modern and sophisticated design, Highliving District retains traditional influences. Hitesh Kawad says, "Quality of life is something most people miss out on, and it's largely due to modernization and the allure of an urban lifestyle. SPR City strikes a balance and stays true to our traditions, while also incorporating the essence of modern living. With well thought-out architectural design, parks, entertainment centers and ample open spaces to promote Indian sports such as kabaddi, wrestling, sitolya, among others, the project manages to stand out from the rest" Another noted development within SPR City is Origine, a 6-acre luxury bungalow development. Origine is split into three series, among which is Affluence, consisting of 15 ultra-luxurious five bedroom bungalows developed over an area of 1.77 acres. These bungalows are surrounded by lush green landscapes and offer a private retreat from the buzz of the city. Completing the gamut is the Origine Buckingham Series and the Origine Carnatic Series, which comprise of four and three bedroom bungalows respectively. Origine Buckingham Series draws influence from Indo-British South Indian Fort Settlement architecture and derives its nomenclature from the world's most admired symbol of royalty, drawing parallels to create a legacy of its own. The Carnatic series, on the other hand, is inspired by the rich harmony of South India's musical heritage, and is available as two variants: Terrace Garden Bungalows and Garden Bungalows. Origine is equipped with its own private parking space, a massive park and every amenity that one can dream of. Residents of SPR City will also have easy access to 65+ amenities art centers, a cafeteria, fencing area, jacuzzi, a jogging track, wrestling area, yoga center, library, meeting halls, recreation club, residential offices, a sports club, swimming pools, a spa and a reputed school. SPR City also houses Market of India, a first-of-its-kind organized wholesale center, which will bring all trade under one roof and is projected to rival some of the biggest trade centers in China. It is spread over 54 lakh square feet and has a combination of more than 5000 shop and office spaces in different sizes. It also houses SPR City Mall, a 1.5 million sq. ft. of uber-cool shopping space with a multiplex. The acclaimed Shri Ram Universal School is also coming to SPR City, and will provide priority admissions to the residents of the township. SPR City stands out as a true symbol of excellence being the largest township of its kind to be located within the heart of the city. With all this and a lot more to offer and an emphasis on quality of living, SPR City has definitely kicked off a revolution that has reverberated across the property development space. To all prospective home buyers, it's about time you left behind a suffocating urban lifestyle and chose community living at SPR City. Because it just can't get any better than this!

The residential home market is undergoing a churn! Developers are being forced to customize and pay attention to buyers' needs. Integrated townships are slowly but surely becoming the format of the future for development. With burgeoning cities, hours spent in traffic and ever reducing lung spaces, new home buyers are progressively looking for complete living experience. Today's young and well-heeled working class is increasingly seeking high-security homes which have easy access to swimming pools, clubs, restaurants, healthcare facilities, schools, shopping malls, and landscaped gardens; all this, preferably within a residential complex. To help home buyers address this issue and provide heightened convenience, SPR Highliving, a leading property developer in South India, has conceived SPR City, a 63-acre development that is considered Chennai's largest integrated township. "The central idea is to create 'A city within a city' with luxury residences, parks, a mall, school, offices, commercial center, recreation spaces and more. Being built along the concept of Work-Live-Learn-Play-Commune, SPR City makes holistic living a reality for its residents.", says Hitesh Kawad, Managing Director, SPR Highliving. Located just 2 kms from Kilpauk, SPR City is in close proximity to areas like Sowcarpet, Vepery, and Egmore. It is barely twelve minutes away from Central Railway Station and is also easily accessible by metro. The famous Purasawalkam Retail Market is just three minutes away and Kilpauk Medical College and Hospital within five minutes' distance. CMBT Koyambedu is less than thirty minutes away. SPR City Mall, which is within the township is merely a minute away, as is the distinguished Shri Ram Universal school and India's largest wholesale center, Market of India. Added to this, the proposed metro stations at Otteri, Perambur, and Pattalam will be within walking distance. Nestled within SPR City is Highliving District, a residential development spread over a massive 18-acre area comprising high rise towers offering a combination of luxury and architectural finesse while encapsulating the very concept of modern living. Highliving District includes some of the tallest towers that Chennai's skyline will witness and boasts of the largest private park spanning 3.5 acres. One cannot be wrong in saying that it is one of the most ambitious projects ever planned in Chennai. These residential towers showcase impressive luxury spaces that combine the essence of modern life with the true flavor of India. Every space has been planned to perfection; each luxury has been detailed beyond compare and it offers every amenity that one can dream of. The high rises are surrounded by lush green spaces in picturesque settings and offer breathtaking views of the vicinity. This meticulously planned integrated township addresses every convenience that a consumer would look for while considering the purchase of a home. Currently, the first phase of the project, Tower-A (36 floors), Tower-B (36 floors), and Tower-H (45 floors) is under development. Once completed, Tower-H will undoubtedly be the tallest residential tower in Chennai. Apartments are available in 2/3/4 BHK configurations. While the 2 BHK apartments range approximately from 1335 to 1404 square feet in size, the 3 BHK and 4 BHK apartments are sized between 1952 and 2191 square feet and 3161 and 3715 square feet respectively. Residents of Highliving District will have access to 65+ world-class amenities such as art centers, separate swimming pools for men and women, dedicated spaces for kabaddi/ wrestling, fencing area, a mini theatre, a Nana Nani park, outdoor gymnasiums, a golf course, meeting halls, a temple, and yoga center. "While there's ample space made available to revive the magic of traditional Indian Sports, we've also made thoughtful inclusions keeping our heritage in mind such as the papad and pickle drying zones", says Hitesh Kawad. "In addition to placing an emphasis on lifestyle, SPR City encompasses around five lakh square feet of greenery to promote healthy living. The project boasts of the highest GSI (Green Space Index) with around 250 - 300 times of green space made available for every square foot of land purchased.", he adds. The lush greenery, wide open spaces and minimal traffic within the township makes for a living experience that would be close to impossible to replicate within core city limits. It is characteristics such as these which set this project apart, making it a paradigm of engineering excellence that is all set to alter the city's skyline forever!

When it comes to luxury residential developments in India, Pune based real-estate developer, Panchshil Realty, has always been at the forefront of pioneering global best-practices in Indian real estate. Over the last two decades, Panchshil's projects have gone on to become landmarks that have put Pune City on the map with other global cities in terms of world-class living, lifestyle, workspaces, and infrastructure. These include - India's first internationally branded residences yoopune by Philippe Starck, Pune's first Ritz Carlton hotel, India's fourth operational World Trade Center, India's first and only ready-to-move-in Trump branded residences - Trump Towers Pune, and a branded luxury villa development - YOO Villas, styled by celebrated UK based designer Kelly Hoppen. The YOO Villas at Pune is the first branded luxury-villa project in India, set amidst a scenic riverside location in Wagholi on the Eastern corridor of Pune. The Villas are a 'five-star-style' gated luxury development and an address for some of India's most discerning citizens. Developed next to a lush green parkland and with only a limited number of units, the YOO Villas are another milestone in the journey towards this vision. With a lush green central park located at the heart of the development, the Villas are designed to co-exist in harmony with nature. Also, at an individual villa level, the YOO Villas are a journey of curation and craftsmanship, making the entire project concept and project proposition a unique and bespoke one. When it comes to design, Kelly Hoppen, (MBE), needs no introduction. As one of Britain's most celebrated creative icons, Kelly's ever-evolving style is underpinned by clean lines and neutral tones, blended with charming warmth and sumptuous opulence. Over her four-decade-long career, Kelly has put her design stamp on homes, yachts, private jets, hotels, bars, restaurants, offices, and even aircraft lounges all over the world. In YOO Villas, Kelly adds her signature touch through three interior style palettes: Urban, Sea Breeze, and Vintage. Currently, the villas are being offered in two different size configurations - the standard V3 villas and the larger V2 villas. The spacious and comfortable V3 Luxury Villas are planned and designed to ensure generously proportioned and spacious living spaces for the entire family. A typical V3 villa has a carpet area of 477.67 sq.m. (5,141.6 sq.ft.) * and comes with 4 bedrooms, 2 car parks and attached quarters for the staff. The spectacular V2 villas have a carpet area of 884.24 sq.m. (9,517.9 sq.m.) ** and come with 5 lavish bedrooms, 4 car parks, 2 staff quarters and even have their own lap-pools. The villa types also have beautifully landscaped front and rear yards, and water-features like granite water-walls and koi ponds among other features. Both V2 and V3 villas come with the exteriors fully done up, with the option of custom interiors. These would be designed and executed by Panchshil's experienced engineering, interiors, and fit-out teams. In keeping with Kelly's aesthetic of east meets west, the YOO Villas serve as a canvas for her expression of a simple yet luxurious style which offers a spiritual approach to design. At a broader level, the entire enclave offers rich visual experiences like undulating landscapes seasonal flora, broad tree-lined avenues, jogging and walking tracks, a water stream and three waterbodies running through the central park, and to top it all, an exclusive club - The Panchshil Club at the heart of the development. The member's only club features amenities like a dedicated play area for kids, swimming pool, a separate kid's pool, a lounge, restaurant, a fitness center, tennis court, business center, screening room, aerobics/yoga room, a convenience store, a sauna/steam room, a salon and a cards room among others. All of these have also been designed by Kelly's unique design approach and palette. Of all the inspiring living environments that Kelly Hoppen has created - YOO Villas stands out as a stunning example. Architecturally rich and environmentally friendly, it preserves the true character of communities. Kelly's iconic style and her whole design philosophy are complementary to Panchshil's unwavering commitment to offer the very finest of lifestyles in YOO Villas. As a brand, Panchshil Realty has been inspired and driven by its vision of 'bringing the best of the world to Pune'. Through its projects, Panchshil Realty has played a significant role in putting Pune on the world map and partnering in its growing global identity. Needless to say, the Villas are another milestone towards achieving this vision. *Area mentioned for V3 Villa No. 109 **Area mentioned for V2 Villa No. 285 ---- This communication is in respect of a total of 45 Villas of both Type V3 & Type V2 only which have been completed before 1st May 2017. Panchshil Infrastructure Holdings Pvt. Ltd. (PIHPL) makes all reasonable efforts to include accurate and up-to-date information in this communication. However, PIHPL does not make any warranties or representations, expressed or implied, as to the timelines, accuracy or completeness of the information contained or referred to in this communication. Therefore, any advice or information received via this communication should not be acted upon without consulting our sales team. The Panchshil club mentioned in this material is not exclusive to the residents of the project. It is an independent clubhouse developed by PIHPL. PIHPL reserves the right to extend membership and admission to non-residents of this project. References to any products, features or services are to be read as statements of fact and not as their endorsement or recommendation by PIHPL. Further, PIHPL reserves the right to make any changes in any way, at any time and for any reason, without prior notice, to the contents and information in this communication, including materials, equipment, specifications and/or availability. Images are for illustrative purpose only and views rendered are representational and not intended to reflect actual views.

ARS Steel TMT Bars receives Excellence Award from Ministry of Steel ARS STEEL, one of the leading TMT Bar manufacturers of Tamil Nadu, as part of the consolidation of its premium position in the market, has introduced several measures and initiatives. Here is what the founder and Managing Director Mr. Ashwani Kumar Bhatia has to say: ARS is said to be one of the 'Pioneers' of 'D' quality. Yes, we are one of the very few manufacturers in India to consistently manufacture 'D' quality. 'D' stands for 'ductility' and denotes a much lesser Phosphorus and Sulphur which are considered as impurities in iron. So '550 D' denotes the best quality one can get ready in the market today. We are probably the only manufacturer to make "D" quality on a regular daily basis. Tell us about the International Certification We have commissioned a renowned International Testing Agency that will test and certify each consignment coming out of our factory. All the consignments will carry a seal and sticker of the international testing agency towards quality authentication on the product and Test Certificate. (First time in South India) Does the better quality save money for the end user? Proper usage of ARS 550 D ensures 4-6% savings in steel consumption which is duly authenticated and certified by CSIR-SERC, the leading Central Government Research Institute. To add more, the right MRP ensures savings of Rs.4000/- approx. per tonne to the end user. Tell us something more about right MRP? Fixing MRP is one of the initiatives to bring professionalism and transparency into the existing unorganized market. ARS Steel will have uniform pricing system across the territories for the end consumer thus bringing in confidence and clarity to its customers (again for the first time in South India). Is ARS 550D TMT safer? Certified and Tested elongation of ARS 550 D is 25% more than BIS standards, thus making it 25% safer and stronger during natural calamities. ARS has also received an Award from Ministry of Steel, right? Yes, ARS has received an Excellence Award from Ministry of steel this year. We were one among the 26 companies for making a substantial contribution in making quality steel from all over India. Our commitment to quality and service catapults ARS Steel right to the top of the list of choices in the market at the right price. For Enquiries: Email: crm@arssteels.co.in Customer Helpline: 97104 11111 Website: www.arsgroup.in

Iconic designer Phillippe Starck needs no introduction. Over the course of a career spanning four decades, Paris born Philippe Starck has stamped his name on seminal pieces of design - be it tableware, bath ware, toothbrushes, electric cars, and even yachts. With a style that's minimalist, quirky, and even shocking at times Philippe Starck's design and work stir up very different emotions. A genius par excellence, Starck prefers to work alone and has designed thousands of products, interiors, and buildings for clients ranging from Microsoft to Baccarat. When it comes to living spaces, Philippe Starck has partnered international property entrepreneur John Hitchcock to create YOO. With 87 projects in 55 cities and 36 countries, YOO is a thoroughly international residential and hotel design brand, with a pioneering vision for living. The YOO name also has other names like Kelly Hoppen, Marcel Wanders, Jade Jagger, and Steve Leung, all of whom are internationally celebrated designers. Needless to say, there are several who covet a Philippe Starck-designed home. But while many may aspire, only a few reside, as every YOO project is unique and specific to the city of its development. yoopune by Phillippe Starck is an ode to design-led luxury living. The 30th YOO project in the world, yoopune is India's first YOO project and the first one designed by Phillippe Starck. The horse-shoe shaped project is a contemporary landmark in glass and steel-look with lush green landscaping at the center and ample indulgence for a discerning clientele. The project has 228 well-appointed, spacious residences spread across 6 towers and offer a plethora of indulgent lifestyle amenities. A lush green landscape forms the distinctive feature of this award-winning luxury project. The 5-acre greenery has tall tropical trees and creates an oasis of calm at the center of the project. Spread over 17 acres, yoopune offers design-led living with an intricate connection with nature woven beautifully through contemporary interiors and verdant outdoor spaces. The apartment sizes range from 5,100 - 6,900 sq. ft. and has limited penthouses. The project has been developed by Pune-based Panchshil Realty. The Panchshil Group is known for its globally benchmarked luxury and commercial properties including India's first Trump Towers. Over the last two decades, Panchshil properties have gone on to develop some of the most defining landmarks of Pune and India. The idea for a YOO address in Pune, came about when Sagar Chordia, Director of Panchshil Realty visited the YOO project in Tel Aviv. Delighted with what he saw, Sagar Chordia connected with John Hitchcock and Philippe Starck, thereby paving the way for YOO and Philippe Starck to arrive in India. The design philosophy for yoopune centres on bringing together bold, classic and contemporary elements with luxurious materials and impeccable craftsmanship. Created as a boutique enclave, the interiors feature eye-catching decorative elements curated locally and make for a fresh new design statement. Not just a luxury residence, yoopune also carries signatures of sustainability thanks to its green credentials. Overhanging roofs for protection from the sun, rooms with brilliant natural light and plenty of cross-ventilation energy dependence for cooling. The homes also offer smart lighting and sound features controlled by tablet or smartphone app. Perhaps, the most soothing aspect of life at yoopune is its wide offering of amenities, which allow its residents to relax, rejuvenate, and recharge. These include: ● Luxurious triple-height reception ● Swimming pool with swim-up bar ● Table tennis ● Pool table room ● Wine and Cigar lounge ● Music and Games room ● Art gallery ● Private cinema ● Business centre Once out of the residences, interactive communal spaces make for great places to unwind. A unique feature of this project is its underground state-of-the-art Spa la Vie by L'Occitane - a sanctuary to rejuvenate body and soul. The L'Occitane Spa offers a tranquil escape inspired by the Provencal style of life where one can indulge in traditional massage treatments, sensorial treats, relaxing music, herbal concoctions, and other wellness treatments and therapies. Residents at yoopune also have exclusive access to 24x7 concierge services, which aim to fulfill every lifestyle request. Because of its unique mix, yoopune has swept several award categories internationally over the years including 'The Best Residential Property Interior - India' at Bloomberg Asia Pacific Property Awards. Contemporary with a classic twist, yoopune designed by Starck truly reflects Starck 's value - the ability to explore, surprise, and offer exclusivity. Learn more about yoopune at www.yoopune.com DISCLAIMER This communication should not be considered as an offer and is solely of an informational nature. The references or declarations made herein are informational only and are not to be interpreted in any other manner. The developer (Eon Hadapsar Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd. and/or its affiliates and/or its subsidiaries) reserve the right to make any modifications to the materials, specifications, plans, designs and delivery of the residences communicated here without providing any prior notice. All of the specifications contained herein, including technical, promotional, related to images or of any other nature, are the property of Eon Hadapsar Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd. and/or its affiliates and/or its subsidiaries, and such specifications may not be used by any person, including any individual entity, without the prior written consent of Eon Hadapsar Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd. and/or its affiliates and/or its subsidiaries. This project was completed before May 1, 2017.

Sacorooms, a start-up that is building co-living spaces, has closed a pre-Series A round of funding for an undisclosed amount from Mr. Broadway. The investment comes after a strategic round led by Incubate Fund and a group of investors from the real estate industry this year. The funds are being used to scale the business and create more supply as demand increases. Sacorooms currently has 260 beds live and is operating at 94% occupancy at 45 properties across Bengaluru and has plans to expand to other cities in due course. 50 more buildings are due to be launched in Bangalore as the company goes deeper into micro markets. The company continues to be operationally profitable. Co-living is gradually becoming the preferred way of living for several reasons - saves money, is more fulfilling than living alone, people want to make/have friends to share common interests with and it's easier to move in when shifting to a new city. Mr.Kali Prasad Rath, Founder, Sacorooms, says, "We're excited to partner with investors that believe that co-living is the future of residential real-estate for millennials and see this as an opportunity to create a new asset class in real estate investing. Each of our investors brings on-board a unique perspective to our vision of redefining the way millennials live in our cities. Capital raised now will be primarily used to make key hires across verticals and set the base for our expansion into our cities across the country". Mr. Broadway, says, "We're thrilled to partner with Viral and his team to support the growth of Sacorooms. Co-living space is not just financially attractive but will also enable millennials to have a more fulfilling and delightful living experience through bonding and social activities. We look forward to boosting this delight to the next level by offering our expertise in the entertainment-related field". Mr.Kali Prasad Rath, Founder, Sacorooms, ads "Given land prices in the country, co-living is perhaps the only solution to India's affordable housing woes. Co-living allows millennials to buy into a meaningful lifestyle without the hassle that comes with renting and without compromising on location and affordability in case of buying. Space is set to explode much as co-working has and so I am excited to back Sacorooms with its excellent execution track record". Sacorooms - Is leveraging technology, design, service, and brand to build co-living spaces for the rental residential real estate market at scale. Sacorooms's co-living spaces mix small private spaces - a bedroom and bathroom, with communal areas - common rooms, games areas, common kitchens, and living rooms, music and art corners etc. At these co-living spaces, one doesn't need to be bothered about managing a household. Where - utility bills are paid, housekeeping is done, linen washed and where one cooks only when one feels like. At these co-living spaces, one can connect with like-minded people. Is one of the pioneers in this segment offering some of the finest service apartments in Bangalore, we offer safe, secure and economical Serviced apartments/accommodations in Bangalore India, are it for work or for pleasure. Service Apartments are fast emerging as preferred choices of long-stay. Why Sacorooms? Sharing your desire for simplicity, we offer you experiences unparalleled in comfort and convenience. Claim a house you can call your own. Sacorooms was founded in January 2018 by Kali Prasad Rath, who has strong backgrounds in marketing, technology having founded start-ups and previously worked for Multiple Company with 12 Years Work Experience.

A new study by TimesJobs concludes that nearly 45% of the employees still experience unequal treatment due to their physical appearance. Let's find out what more India Inc. employees have to reveal about the much-hyped Diversity & Inclusion programs at the various workplaces... Key Highlights: · 25% of employees think that their organisation's management is not committed to meet the needs of employees with disabilities · 57% denied that their companies openly recruited LGBTQ or disabled candidates in the organisation · 55% of employees still experience bias at their workplaces on the grounds of gender, ethnicity and appearance · About 52% of employees mentioned that their managers treat all the employees equally regardless of their background "If people in powerful positions continue to hire and cast only people who look like them, sound like them, come from the same neighbourhoods they grew up in, they will never have a greater understanding of experiences different from their own", Beyoncé Knowles said in a recent interview. With this, she lifted the lid off the controversial 'inclusive' aspects of society and workplaces at large. The rat-race of being 'the best employee' has shifted to being 'the best employer'. In that bid, many employers roll out glossy initiatives to promote Diversity & Inclusion at their work floors, but how much of these pay off in the real sense? TimesJobs surveyed more than 2,000 India Inc. employees and hiring managers to find an answer to this question. Even though Indian corporates are progressively adopting Diversity and Inclusion at workplaces, TimesJobs survey data reveals that employees today still feel awkward or are conscious while openly expressing about their sexual orientation and cultural values at their workplaces. Almost 29% of the employees hesitate in doing so because they think it might hamper their career. A good 26% felt that their colleagues would make fun of them. And about 23% were worried that they will be judged by their co-workers. What organisations say v/s what they really do In the TimesJobs survey, about 52% of employees mentioned that their managers treat all the employees equally regardless of their background. About 48% of respondents said that managers treated them differently. On asking about the reasons for this mistreatment, these 48% respondents said the physical appearance of employees was the biggest reasons for unequal treatment. Another reason was gender. According to our survey, nearly 57% of employees denied that their companies openly recruited LGBTQ or disabled candidates in the organisation. Only 42% of the India Inc. reported a yes to it. Ironically to all the above data, among the hiring managers who took the TimesJobs survey, 65% said that their employees show a commitment to diversity and inclusion policy. About 46% of recruiters surveyed by TimesJobs said that the primary objective of diversity programs at their organisation is to give targeted development opportunities for employees coming from different backgrounds. About 29% of recruiters said that their agenda with diversity programs was to recruit candidates from different backgrounds, and almost 16% said that the motive of such programs was to develop a pipeline of diverse leaders. "With the rising quotient of millennials at the workplaces, the companies are innovating the D&I policies. The market demand is growing for diversity beyond the gender ratio. For example, a lot of organisations are sculpting their D&I programs for the physically disabled and LGBTQ candidates. It's overwhelming to see such progress in both public and private offices in our country", said Ramathreya Krishnamurthi, Business Head, TimesJobs & TechGig. Here is the link to complete report: https://bit.ly/2MEnjQk

The much-anticipated hiring numbers by TimesJobs are out. After witnessing muted growth in hiring, the month of July finally brought some cheer for job seekers. July 2018 saw highest growth (16%) in recruitment activities in a month-on-month analysis, making it the best month from employment generation perspective in 2018! All key industries and job roles showed a major upswing in talent demand in July 2018. Aug 4, 2018, New Delhi: Hiring activities in July 2018 saw an uptick with a 16% increase in talent demand, making July the best month for recruitment as compared to last six months of 2018, as revealed by TimesJobs RecruiteX a€“ a monthly hiring report. The RecruiteX August 2018 report observes that demand for talent in the BPO industry topped the chart reporting 14% growth in demand for talent in July 2018.Similar growth was also witnessed in sectors such as IT/Telecom, Healthcare, Petrochemicals/Oil and Gas/Power and the Manufacturing industry where hiring numbers showed growth in July 2018 over the preceding month. Demand for Petrochemicals/Oil and Gas/ Power professionals posted 13% hike in month-on-month comparison. Chennai recorded the highest demand for talent among other key locations in India. Tier II cities like Indore too performed well in July 2018 when compared with June 2018. Mumbai, which registered a low demand in hiring last month, witnessed a rise of 12% in talent demand. Among Indian states, Assam posted the highest rise in demand for talent. Among the experience levels, most jobs were available during the month for candidates with an experience of 10-20 years. Hiring sentiment gained maximum momentum for professionals with experience of 5-10 years. "InJuly 2018, the hiring numbers rose by 16% in the Indian job market after recording subdued growth in the first six months of 2018. In fact, the last major spike in hiring was noticed in April 2017, but the numbers were subtle as compared to July 2018. The bulk of talent demand came from Manufacturing, Petrochemicals, Oil and Gas, Power and BFSI sectors. Going by the trends from RecruiteX editions from previous years and a good sense of the job market we expect hiring activity to sustain the same growth in the coming months too," said Ramathreya Krishnamurthy, Business Head, TimesJobs and TechGig. Top hiring industries a€¢ BPO industry registered 18% rise in hiring a€¢ Projects and Infrastructure sector posted 16% rise in talent demand a€¢ Petrochemicals/ Oil and Gas/ Power sector saw 13% rise in talent demand Top hiring cities a€¢ Among top ten locations, Chennai reported more than 30% rise in demand a€¢ Chandigarh posted 40% rise in talent demand a€¢ Indore saw 36% rise in talent demand during the month Top job roles a€¢ HR professionals reported 28% rise in demand a€¢ Engineering profiles saw a 24% rise in demand a€¢ Customer Service/Tele-calling professionals witnessed 24% rise in demand About TimesJobs: TimesJobs is a platform to help competent professionals enhance their career growth. With over 25 million registered jobseekers across the board and more than 60 million-page views every month, it is the most preferred career portal among ambitious and talented professionals who want to make smarter career decisions that accelerate their career progression.

JobBuzz Workplace2025 Conclave Brings Together India's Top Business Leaders to Envision Tech Disruptions at Work Spheres  As technology is making quick inroads into workplaces, JobBuzz organised its maiden conclave to discuss and outline the changes that will alter workplaces. This event was attended by 8 CEOs, 24 CHROs, 15 CTOs, 7 business case presenters, 3 spiritual speakers, 1 motivational guru, 1 robot and 400+ business leaders! Read on… Technology is the beacon of fourth industrial revolution. Everything that is fast paced and tech-led will be the future in its respective domain. Accordingly, workplaces are expected to change. The nature of jobs, the scope of work, present job profiles, the mode of work and work culture - everything is bound to change.  To raise an industry dialogue on these disruptions, JobBuzz - an employer rating and review website from TimesJobs - recently organised one-day long HR conclave titled 'JobBuzz Workplace2025: Technology, Talent and Transformation Conclave 2018' powered by Times Internet Limited. The recently concluded event at New Delhi's Taj Palace hotel, witnessed the confluence of India's top CEOs, CTOs, CHROs and business leaders.  The day began with an exclusive CEO roundtable where India's top leaders discussed 'The Evolution of Work: New Realities Facing Today's Leaders'. This session was anchored by Gautam Sinha, CEO, Times Internet. After this session, Satyan Gajwani, Vice Chairman of Times Internet formally inaugurated the event via video message and welcomed all delegates.  This was followed by a welcome address by Gautam Sinha. In his speech Gautam Sinha hailed the use of technology and said, "New digital and communication technologies are eliminating the conventional ways of working. The transformations that surfaced in 50 years, are now merely taking five years owing to the technological advancements. It is imperative for every individual and organization to prepare for the age of compressed timelines".  Post his speech, Gautam Sinha was joined by Mitra Robot, the humanoid bot known for performing various workplace chores, for a brief dialogue on jobs done by bots. After this, Sister Shivani from Brahma Kumaris delivered the opening address on 'Managing Stress and Mental Wellness at Workplace: Tips for Mobile Ready World'.  Soon after, a series of panel discussions featuring CHROs of top Indian companies ensued throughout the day. Alongside, the event hosted two CTO panel discussions and a tech breakout session anchored by Jagdish Mitra, Chief Strategy and Marketing Officer at Tech Mahindra. All details on panel discussions are available @ https://jobbuzz.timesjobs.com/workplace2025 Highlighting the digital transformation at workplaces, Sanjay Goyal, Vice President & Head of Product, Technology, TimesJobs, TechGig and JobBuzz said, "Workplaces are rapidly turning to technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, data science and chatbots to make their work easier. This phenomenon is only going to increase in the coming years. The only way to make the most of this technology-led future is to remain ahead of the learning and adoption curve." He also complimented all the panelists for sharing intrinsic insights on the adoption of technology in their organisations, their challenges and frank discussions on possible solutions as well.       While explaining the Gig Economy and its boon, Ramathreya Krishnamurthi, Business Head, TimesJobs, TechGig and JobBuzz said, "Hiring a skilled freelancer from any location and making payments through secured means are some of the things that the technology has enabled us to do. With further tech-innovations and advancements, Gig Economy will surely witness a boost and that will be yet another revolution in the way people work and organisations get work done." The event concluded with a glitzy awards night where best new-age workplaces were felicitated based on the employee reviews posted on JobBuzz.  Different organisations were honored under 11 award categories. Find below the details:  Best New-Age HR Practices: 1st Place: Cisco Systems  Runners-up: Johnson & Johnson  Best New-Age Employer for Employee Engagement Practices: 1st Place: Philips India  Runners-up: Microsoft India  Best New-Age Employer for Innovative Talent Management & Succession Planning: 1st Place: Dr. Reddy's Laboratories  Runners-up: Ernst & Young  Best New-Age Employer for Work-Life Balance: 1st Place: IBM India  Runners-up: CGI  Best New-Age Employer for Work Culture: 1st Place: Hewlett-Packard  Runners-up: Oracle  Best New-Age Employer for Career Growth:  1st Place: Lupin Pharmaceuticals  Runners-up: Hindustan Construction Company  Best New-Age Employer Branding Campaign:  1st Place: Amazon India  Runners-up: Accenture  Best New-Age Employer in Conglomerates: 1st Place: Tata Group  Runners-up: ITC Group Best Innovation in Recruitment: 1st Place: Capgemini India  Runners-up: Just Dial  Excellence in HR Through Technology: 1st Place: IBM India  Runners-up: Bajaj Allianz General Insurance  Best New-Age Employer: 1st Place: Tata Consultancy Services  Runners-up: Google India  The conclave witnessed 400+ delegates, 300+ companies, and a plenitude of industry experts, who apart from learning and exploring how technological advancements will impact workplaces in year 2025, also leveraged the event to expand their networking circle. 

The JobBuzz Workplace Index for May 2018 identified Consumer Durables, FMCG and Automobiles as top three best sectors to work for. This index is based on the ratings and reviews posted by Indian employees on JobBuzz. Here's more… May 17, 2018, New Delhi: Consumer Durables toppled Automobiles to become the best sector to work for in May 2018 on the JobBuzz Workplace Index. Automobiles was on top in April 2018 and got pushed to the third spot in the May edition of JobBuzz Workplace Index - a monthly tally of workplaces and sectors based on the ratings and reviews provided by Indian employees on the website.  Consumer Durables has been in the news over the past few months due to its growth statistics. Alongside its business growth, the employees working here hail it for career growth prospective, salary offering, work-life balance and work culture. That pushed this sector to grab the first position at the workplace index.  This month, Automobiles sector ranked third on the workplace index. The Consumer Durables and FMCG sector were highly rated for their workplace culture. Hospitality and Pharmaceuticals sectors were rated at par for the career growth opportunities they offer.  Sanjay Goyal, Head of Product and Technology, TimesJobs, JobBuzz and TechGig attributed this to the overall growth and positive sentiment for the sector. "The effects of demonetisation and GST are wearing away and Consumer Durables sector is back on the track. The sector is witnessing a positive sentiment and that is constantly pushing the demand for talent as well. The sector has been able to match the expectations of its workforce even with a large number of people joining it every year. It is indeed setting up a benchmark for other sectors to take a clue and create policies to build an engaged workforce," said Sanjay Goyal. It is worth noting here that consumer durables scored on top of all other sectors in all concrete factors like work culture, work-life balance, career growth and salary benchmarks. The overall scores for May 2018 looked like this -  1. Consumer Durables 2. FMCG 3. Automobiles 4. Hospitality 5. Pharmaceuticals 6. Manufacturing 7. BFSI 8. Retail 9. IT 10. Telecom DOWNLOAD THE MAY 2018 EDITION OF JOBBUZZ WORKPLACE INDEX HERE 

A wise traveler once enlightened the world with the truth that it's indeed the journey and not the destination we must cherish. MSC Cruises follows the "travel for the experience and not for the destination" philosophy and has become synonymous with affordable luxury. It's exciting and family-friendly Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Asia, South America, etc. cruises are a romantic's dream come true. Crafted exclusively keeping in mind the contemporary traveler's love for sophisticated aesthetics, the melody, and solace of the oceanic wind and the shrinking wallets, MSC Cruises is big on tailoring unique, inspiring experiences. Travel is a remedy for the lost soul and sailing, a remedy for the exhausted one. With its 20 hours buffets, broadway style theatre shows, recreational activities, diets tailored to suit the fancy of the choosy ones, exclusive sundecks, and pools to delight and revive your mind, MSC Cruises are one of their kind. And, if you thought cruises were all about the old-world charm, then MSC Cruises will blow your mind. Their groundbreaking innovation and a new milestone in affordable luxury and tailored experiences, Zoe, the digital cruise personal assistant is all set to push the boundaries of sea travel. Designed to serve the guests better and cater to their individual needs instantly, the feature will make a grand debut with the much awaited MSC Bellissima. With an elegant and sturdy fleet dominating the oceans from far east to the west, MSC Cruises is redefining cruise holidays in the 21st century. Embrace the glory with MSC Meraviglia Wonder in English & Meraviglia in Italian, MSC Meraviglia is among the youngest of the MSC Cruises fleet and has every deck named after the awe-inspiring wonders of the world. The 5th to feature a marvelous Swarovski Staircase, MSC Meraviglia is truly hypnotic with its world-class entertainment, gorgeous cinema, gaming rooms, tailored shows by Cirque Du Soleil, bowling alley, live music, broadway theatre, onboard casinos, F1 simulators! The giant beauty is perfection with its elegant dining, Mediterranean shore excursions, and entertainment that'd keep you indulged so deep that you'd lose track of time. The "next generation cruise ship" is first of its kind, 315 mtr long, towering over 65 mtr and apt for families and children of all ages with its flexible facilities covering travelers' every need. Enjoy your tailored Caribbean adventure with MSC Seaview MSC Seaview is a modern beach condo style ship crafted with the vision of helping the guests find a healthy and nurturing connection with the ocean. The ocean holds enormous power within itself and what better way of harnessing the positive energy than a tailored adventure through the sea? MSC Seaview takes guests through the warmer and magnificent destinations of the Caribbean and keeps their mind, body, and soul engaged so they find the ultimate connection and inspiration with nature while away from the cobweb of the urban jungle. Witness the wealth of cultures as MSC Seaview takes you through the ancient treasures of Valletta and Italian town, bustling boulevards of Spanish towns, sparkling beaches of Brazil this summer. Sail through the gorgeous and most coveted destinations of Cuba and Caribbean, Barbados, Martinique, the Virgin Islands, Bahamas, Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago and let the bright sun and revitalizing warmth give you memories of a lifetime. The ancient pirate coves, colonial, yesteryear villages, and indulgence worthy rum plantations will make you swoon to the Caribbean tunes. Imagine a star-studded sky and sparkling aquamarine waters keeping you company and marine life presenting an otherworldly exhibition below; Just the contemporary definition of a romantic and revitalizing getaway. MSC Bellissima, the queen who will reign MSC Cruises is all set to expand their young fleet and advance their leading name and reputation in the cruise market with MSC Bellissima (Italian for beauty). The digital assistance, Zoe, is among the most innovative and sophisticated offerings of the ship that's been designed keeping in mind the wholesome entertainment of a family. From waterparks, amusement parks to carousel lounge, karaoke bar, dancing stages, MSC Bellissima is all about unwinding and personal space where guests can indulge and build real and unique experiences to nurture their imagination. Succumb to Mediterranean temptation this Summer Imagine floating over the Mediterranean while sipping aged wine, enjoying greedy bites of creamy, rich cheese. Throw in some indulgent and reinvigorating massages to breathe life into your body and then add some live entertainment with artists from every corner of the world playing to spoil your fancy and soothe your stressed soul. Sounds dreamy? Bespoke luxury MSC Cruises is spinning an unbelievably mesmerizing reality with its summer offerings and season of the Mediterranean cruise packages. The class apart MSC Cruises doesn't just offer indulgent journeys through the sea and mere excursions but unique experiences crafted to satiate individual desire to explore and revel in the glory of nature. Get a taste of the exotic cultures, palates, and witness beauty in the farthest corners of the world. Learn all about the millenary history of the beautiful countries, explore their traditions, and experience the classic marine adventure with cruises to and from and within the significant ports of Italy, France, Spain, Greek Islands, Croatia. Consider this as the best time to resign yourself temporarily to the worldly beauties without breaking your bank. Let the ocean's sunrise invigorate all of your atoms and nurture your thoughts while the picturesque sights soothe your sore eyes this summer. Irresistible destinations MSC Cruises is redefining and reviving the Mediterranean cruises with fresh itineraries covering the most thrilling Destinations like Mykonos, Heraklion, Corfu in Greece and King's landing Dubrovnik in Croatia. The MSC Lirica embarked on its first Mediterranean sail covering awe-inspiring destinations and islands across the Eastern Mediterranean. Taste the luxury without breaking your bank with MSC Cruises' royal sail through Montenegro and witness the glory of Kotor's medieval Old Town with hulking peaks in the background and secluded alleyways during your delightful Eastern Mediterranean escape. MSC Cruise's Summer Mediterranean Cruises will take you from Bari to Venice, Naples to Cannes, while you float through the refined and classic towns of France and enjoy a rendezvous with the Spanish Culture. With barely 4 months to go for the official naming ceremony of the MSC Bellissima, MSC Cruises is geared with tailored and elegant cruise experiences through the Mediterranean. Spinning refined packages focused on crafting and immortalizing memories of a lifetime and assisting guests to find inspiration within nature and culture while striking the perfect balance between affordable luxury and indulgence, MSC Cruises is indeed a name worth trusting. For more details, contact your nearest travel agent.

Norwegian Cruise Line is the innovator in cruise travel with a 51-year history of breaking the boundaries of traditional cruising. Most notably, Norwegian revolutionized the cruise industry by offering guests the freedom and flexibility to design their ideal cruise vacation on their schedule with no set dining times, a variety of entertainment options and no formal dress codes. Today, Norwegian invites guests to enjoy a relaxed, resort-style cruise vacation on some of the newest and most contemporary ships at sea with a wide variety of accommodation options, including The Haven by Norwegian®, a luxury enclave with suites, a private pool and dining, concierge service and personal butlers. Norwegian Cruise Line sails around the globe, offering guests the freedom and flexibility to explore the world on their own time and experience up to 27 dining options, award-winning entertainment, superior guest service and more across all of the brand's 16 ships. Why should you choose Norwegian for your next holiday at sea? Here are our top 6 reasons: Accommodation perfectly styled for you With dramatic, ever-changing views from your private balcony, you'll have a new perspective almost every day. All Mini-Suite and Balcony Staterooms feature comfy sitting areas, convertible or pullman beds and plenty of storage space. If you're looking for an accommodation option for two, a little more space for your family or the convenience of connecting staterooms, there's a choice that's right for you. You can also choose to relax and embrace your personal space in a wide range of comfortable and well-designed Oceanview and Inside Staterooms which will suit you perfectly. Discover true exclusivity - The Haven by Norwegian Hidden away at the top of the ship is The Haven by Norwegian®, an exclusive enclave accessible by private keycard with our most luxurious and well-appointed accommodation offering. Bask in tranquility in The Haven Courtyard with a private pool and sundeck. Indulge in the unparalleled personal service of a certified butler and concierge, who will make all your arrangements on board and on shore. Best of all, you're just steps away from a variety of unique specialty restaurants, award-winning shows and exciting activities your ship has to offer. Experience true exclusivity at sea on a holiday you'll never forget. Award-winning entertainment There's no better way to shift into holiday mode than on our thrilling two-level race track on board Norwegian Bliss, catch some sun and a sea breeze as you whoosh down towering waterslides or conquer the largest ropes course at sea on Norwegian Escape. There's something for everyone around every corner of our ships. Norwegian sets the standard for the best entertainment at sea. From Broadway musicals to live music to hilarious comedy, it's showtime - all the time - on all of our ships. Indulge in Norwegian Cruise Line Freestyle Dining Feel free to discover your inner foodie. Dine how you want. When you want. And wherever your palate leads you. If you prefer to start with dessert, we won't stand in your way. That's the freedom you'll enjoy with Freestyle Dining. Discover the Main Dining Rooms, where daily changing menus are as fresh as the ingredients used. Or Feel Free to reserve a seat at a specialty restaurant for a taste of something unique and unexpected. With no fixed dining times or pre-assigned seating and superb culinary experiences, nobody does dining like Norwegian. Choose from up to 27 dining options and for Indian food lovers, Norwegian Cruise Line offers Indian menus on most Norwegian Cruise Line ships. Feel free to cruise the world - 300 ports of call With Norwegian Cruise Line, you're free to discover all the amazing beauty and exciting adventures the world has to offer. Cruise through history and marvel at the architectural masterpieces and stunning vistas in the Mediterranean and along the shores of the Baltic Sea. Admire spectacular natural scenery as you journey through Norway's magnificent fjords. Unravel the mysteries of the Far East or experience Australia and New Zealand's natural wonders. Find your slice of paradise and explore the treasures of Hawai'i or enjoy the vast landscapes and exciting rhythms of South America. In Alaska, witness awe-inspiring scenery and discover unique wildlife. Visiting 300 ports of call in 85 countries with Norwegian, the world is yours to discover. Get glacier-size goosebumps in Alaska as you witness a 30-tonne whale leap out of the Pacific Ocean. In Europe, walk in the footsteps of history, get a taste of local culture and relive the epic battles once held at the Colosseum. Swim with dolphins and other incredible marine life in the crystal-blue waters of The Caribbean. Norwegian Cruise Line Shore Excursions let you experience the world around you up close and personal - and on your time. Whether you're discovering natural beauty or making your own history, each destination you visit allows you to create an incredible story you will share for years to come. Family cruising Splash the day away at the Kids' Aqua Park or at the pool. Feel Free to enjoy Family Insanity, where families compete in engaging and wacky activities. Sign up your little ones at our age-appropriate complimentary youth programmes so they can learn to juggle in Splash Academy (a complimentary program for kids aged from 6 months to 12 years, with children divided into age-based activity groups supervised by trained staff). Teens can have the coolest themed parties in Entourage and the option to join other teens to watch a film, shoot hoops high above the sea, play video games, tackle a rock climbing wall, race their mates on multi-level waterslides and dance to the latest tunes under the stars. Whether you're playing dodgeball or winding down in front of a huge two-storey screen during movie night, consider Norwegian Cruise Line ships the ultimate family playground at sea. Norwegian Cruise Line's fleet Recently, the line was named "Europe's Leading Cruise Line" for the eleventh consecutive year, "World's Leading Large Ship Cruise Line" for the sixth consecutive year, the "Caribbean's Leading Cruise Line" for the fifth consecutive year, as well as "World's Leading Cruise Line" and "North America's Leading Cruise Line" both for the second straight year by the World Travel Awards. Norwegian's newest ship, Norwegian Bliss, was delivered in April 2018 and features many firsts-at-sea for the global market including the largest race track at sea, award-winning Broadway entertainment, two observation lounges for guests to enjoy stunning ocean and glacier views and more. Norwegian will introduce Norwegian Encore in 2019 and has six additional ships on order for delivery beginning in 2022. For more information call +91 22 71279333, contact your preferred travel professional or visit www.ncl.com.

Cruises holidaying got a whole new meaning with The Palace on board the Genting Dream and World Dream, the two cruises ships from the Dream Cruises fleet. Featuring the comfort of authentic Asian hospitality combined with the finest experiences from around the world, The Palace aboard Dream Cruises is your entrée' into the vacation experience of your dreams. Indeed, it has perfected the art of luxury cruising. Genting Dream and World Dream set sail in different directions exploring the hidden jewels in the Asia Pacific region with itineraries specially curated to mesmerize the hidden explorer in guests. Dream Cruises, being the parent to both, has received accolades and recognition from across platforms in the hospitality and travel industry. The brand has been recognized as the Star Performer in the Top Ten Rating by Berlitz Cruising and Cruises Guide 2018. Besides this, Dream Cruises made its mark by being recognized as the Top 5 Cruises Lines in the Large/Medium sized cruises ships category by Conde Nast Traveller's Gold List. CNN cited it as "The Ocean's most luxurious room". On these uber luxurious ships, The Palace, is a part boutique hotel, part private clubhouse offering exclusivity, style, and impeccable service. What makes it stand apart, is its palatial naming, giving it a royal touch. The Palace is the exclusive, ship-within-a-ship concept on the upper decks of Dream Cruises' spectacular Genting Dream and World Dream. With all-suite accommodations, dedicated private facilities, butler and concierge services, and exclusive food and beverage privileges, The Palace is designed for those who appreciate and expect the finer things in life. INTRODUCING THE ART OF LUXURY CRUISING - THE PALACE Hospitality at its best The Palace prides itself for its stellar service with European styled butler concierge carefully selected and trained to the most exacting standards. The staff is mindful of guests' needs. They are attentive yet discreet - from booking of restaurants within The Palace or throughout the ship, to arranging reservations for shows and exclusive spa treatments - the list goes on and they are effortless in all. Taste the exclusive privileges! Live your dream amidst the exclusivity of The Palace. Enjoy some of the world's best wines, make new acquaintances, and explore everything on offer. Palace guests can enjoy a complimentary inclusive premium beverage package to be enjoyed throughout the ship as well as complimentary set-menu meal entitlements at specialty restaurants. Beyond this, Palace guests have exclusive access to their own 3-meal-a-day complimentary private restaurant. Rejuvenation done right Under the clear blue sky, how lovely it would be to spend quality, private time with loved ones. Within the confines of The Palace, there's an impressive array of exclusive facilities including the private pool deck and bar beside the Palace Restaurant. Palace guests also have priority access to all the other facilities and services throughout the entire ship including the renowned Crystal Life™ Spa and entertainment venues. At The Palace, experience the best of both the worlds - luxury and exclusivity. Dream Villas - Palace Villas The next level of high-end cruising, unmatched by any other luxury accommodation at sea, these duplex suites are elegantly designed and are amongst the largest at sea. They are the epitome of The Palace experience - heavenly spacious spread across 224 square meters each. Each villa is awe-inspiring, having a fully automatic coffee machine, original contemporary artwork, whirlpool spa, sauna, private sun-deck, and even a grand piano. Take in panoramic views of the ocean from your own private terrace or host an intimate dinner in your dining room. The Suites Both the cruises ships are vessels designed for your dream, giving you the finest experience of high-end cruising. Genting Dream features over 140 and World Dream features more than 150 elegantly furnished suites that provide the perfect setting for an incomparable experience. All suites are equipped with a Nespresso machine, exquisite Italian linens, a range of elegant bath amenities, spacious balconies, pillow-mattress queen-size beds, separate sitting areas with plush sofas, walk-in closets and double bathroom sink vanities. The spacious interiors& exteriors emphasize comfort, relaxation, and personal indulgence. Dream Cruises through the introduction of The Palace offers guests unforgettable experience on high seas with a pampered voyage and unmatched amenities. The Palace ensures guests are engulfed in the peace and quiet while they bounce off the elegant waves while sailing. So, come, be a part of this exciting and luxurious gateway to Asian countries and live your dream of cruising with the Dream Cruises & The Palace. See you onboard!

The International Youth Robot Competition, better known as IYRC was held in November, 2018 in Thailand. It is one of the largest Robotics competitions in the world. As an event for science and technology, it is an educational experience that brings young minds from all over the world together. It encourages their creative thinking and problem solving skills; offers a platform for science experiments and social activities. Leap Robots is an R&D company, which offers efficient & affordable Robotics & IOT solutions. Among 1500 participants from 23 countries, 3 students from Aham Learning Hub have performed exceedingly well. Two students, Gautam and Bharat were part of the 4-member team and stood 2nd in creative designing. Gautam Veerapaneni has been a home scholar with Aham Learning Hub for the last 1 year and he wanted to pursue Robotics apart from mainstream schooling subjects. He is currently preparing to appear in the 10th board exams, IGCSE curriculum as a private candidate. Being a student above par and through Aham's support, Gautam has been able to devote ample time to IYRC and prepare rigorously for his boards. Gautam said "Aham's Homeschooling helped me remove distractions and focus on in-depth learning for any chosen subjects". He wants to be a Mechanical Engineer in future. Bharat Teja Verma Kalidindi is a student from Indus International School and is enrolled in our after-school program for additional help in academics. Another bright mind from Aham is Ridhima Chukkapalli who has won the 8th position in Recycling and 5th in Group Robotic dance. She is specifically learning about Leap Robotics from Aham Learning Hub. She is in class V and wants to choose space research in future. On this proud moment of her son, Priya - Gautam's Mother said, "Last summer we tried homeschooling for our older son Gautam as he was getting stressed out at school. After three weeks of trying it at Aham, he decided that homeschooling is the best option for him. Gautam has become more confident, independent, and relaxed than he was at school. He feels that the flexibility which homeschooling offers allows him to better utilize his time and be more productive. Thanks to all the wonderful teachers and administrators at Aham for making a difference to Gautam's education." About Aham Learning Hub Aham leverages expertise of tutors, engaged learners, vetted content, Aham's processes and Aham's technology solutions, we intend to create personalized learning experiences for the 21st century learners. Homeschooling is gaining popularity in India as more parents are learning about the diverse interest, skills & learning abilities of their children. Aham provides an excellent environment of homeschooling as per student's requirement. They can choose options - What, Where, When, How and Why - to find the perfect match for their learning needs of the hour. At Aham Learning Hub students get experienced, qualified subject-experts on-demand; sometimes for learning a specific concept, topic or for an entire subject, whatever the need is. With 1000s of organized topics to choose from, flexibility of time and location to pick from, "Aham Learning Hub supports students in every possible way". It is mandatory that students not only understand their syllabi to secure good grades but get quality teaching time. Students cannot pursue interesting and alternative subjects like Robotics, programming, etc. due to hectic syllabus schedule. However, Aham Learning Hub is in every step of the way - be it is homeschooling, additional help with school or learning new & interesting subjects. It also provides career counselling for college programs so that the students can choose the best for them. Aham is continuously creating value to their students' academics & life. With academic centres in Gachibowli, Banjara Hills, Kukatpally and an upcoming branch at Nallagandla, Aham is all about alternative learning. Website: https://www.ahamlearning.com E-mail: contactus@ahamlearning.com FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/AhamLearning/ (@AhamLearning) YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6EOJEj4oiaHDrAyDZ8fVUQ/featured Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ahamlearning/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/Ahamlearning Contact: +91-9121144665, +91-7330666701, +91-7330666702, 7330666703

This is Byju Raveendran's story. Byju, a graduate who started working as an engineer. During one of his work breaks, he sat for a CAT exam with no preparation and scored a 100 percentile! Totally surprised at his score, he took the test again to get 100 percentile again. This was just the beginning to the creation of India's largest Learning App, BYJU'S! Byju's friends encouraged him to teach and help them prepare for the CAT exam and before he knew he was conducting workshops for over 1000 students in packed auditoriums. This overwhelming response validated his method of teaching - how to predict questions and how to learn. Byju eventually quit his job as an engineer and took up teaching full-time. He travelled to other cities to reach as many students as possible. With a strong dedicated team in place, Byju launched online video based learning for CAT through VSAT. This helped the team to conduct lectures in multiple centers across the country. Through these sessions, Byju realised that if he wanted to make a real impact on the way students learn, he needed to make students fall in love with learning. He would need to start early. The crucial and founding years of learning are when the students start feeling the subject. Byju launched Think and Learn Pvt. Ltd. (the parent company of BYJU'S) with a focus on K-12 segment (school going students from 4-12) in 2011 followed by their flagship product of BYJU'S learning App in 2015. BYJU'S mission is to help students become better and lifelong learners. The addressable market for the K - 12 segment is around 260 million. India is the largest K-12 education system in the world, but consistently ranks low in global education. He noticed that there was a huge gap in the way students learnt and how the concepts could be learnt. Children get trained to solve questions and not ask questions. In the conventional classroom learning, there is a lack of high quality education due to limited access to quality teachers. Learning that is not personalised as 1:35 teacher-student ratio vis a vis ratio 1:14 in developed world. It is memory-based learning driven by fear for exams than love for learning. Byju started creating systems and learning experiences which made learning fun and easy. He made learning accessible, effective, engaging and personalised. It made learning contextual and visual and not just theoretical. He leveraged technology and data science for a truly personalized experience for students. The advantage of integrating technology in education is that it not only enables one to take classes from the best teachers but also personalizes the way students learn. It allows a combination of teachers, video lessons and interactive games - explaining concepts by relating it to real life experiences. This improves understanding and retention of concepts for life. It makes complex concepts visual and contextual, which will help students understand not just the "What" of learning it, but the "Why" and the "How" as well. The huge availability of data on the learning patterns of students allows for personalized feedback and assessment. This way, the learning program is personalized to every child's style and pace of learning based on their proficiency levels and capabilities which helps them learn at their own pace and style. BYJU'S vision was to complete learning experience that integrates classes from the best of the teachers, assessments and assignments which are personalised for every student, along with in-depth analysis and recommendations. To reach out to their target group i.e. students, BYJU'S partnered with Brand Capital, the strategic investment arm of The Times Group. It was able to create strong brand presence. The brand targeted urban parents seeking high quality and innovative delivery of content to their children, while making learning fun and contextual. The company utilised a good mix of print ads, television campaigns and digital media properties offered by the Times Group, leading to strong top-of-mind recall. This partnership created valuable impact to build awareness and establish credibility. Global expansion is on BYJU'S cards. In the last one year, their app has seen great adoption along with it successfully foraying beyond the metros. They have a strong and diverse investor portfolio. There are no products like BYJU'S Learning App which can reach out to such a large number of students and create great engagement at the same time. Their product will revolutionize the way students are learning across the world today, making students fall in love with learning. To know more about Brand Capital, visit www.brandcapital.co.in / Follow on Twitter and LinkedIn.

Mumbai, 2019: Kokuyo Camlin, the premier stationery brand true to its commitment of creating innovative ways of making learning fun and better for children through its products launched the '2 in 1 Geometry and Pencil box' at KidZania, the global indoor theme park at RCity Mall, Ghatkopar. Mr. Satish Veerappa, the CEO, Kokuyo Camlin, unveiled this first-of-its-kind product which would be very useful for the children. The '2 in 1 Geometry and Pencil box' is an ergonomically designed, sleek yet tough, transparent geometry cum pencil box made from high-quality unbreakable plastic with slots for pencils and geometry instruments organized in separate compartments and at the same time offering space for more components. At a time when the kids are overburdened with a heavy school bag where there is a jostle for space, this product comes as a blessing as it will reduce the space taken in the bag and will serve the purpose of both - geometry and pencil box. The MRP of the product is an affordable Rs.200 per piece. The product is a result of intensive research the company has been doing with children and teachers for the last two years, which led to strong consumer insight and product development. Commenting on the launch, Mr. Satish Veerappa, CEO, Kokuyo Camlin, said "It gives me immense pleasure in launching the 2 in 1 Geometry Box. This innovation has been an outcome which has been enabled by inputs from academia and the students who regularly use geometry box. We believe that this product should not only aid kids in their curricular work but also overcome the inconvenience of carrying 2 boxes almost every day." An equally elated Mr. Saumitra Prasad, Chief Marketing Officer, Kokuyo Camlin said, "Our team has always maintained a strong connection with children and teachers to get valuable insights and we are delighted to launch a product which should redefine the category of geometry box, and most importantly give delight to our consumers" The products will be getting distributed across the country in the coming weeks before the big school season starts. About Kokuyo Camlin Ltd: Kokuyo Camlin Limited www.kokuyocamlin.com (formerly known as Camlin Limited) is in the business of marketing and selling of art materials and stationery products under flagship brands 'Camel' and 'Camlin' which have been in existence for more than 80 years. The company offers a wide range of products such as Fine Art materials, scholastic colors and stationery, hobby products, office products, writing and drawing instruments, adhesives and notebooks. For any media related query, please contact: Integrated Brand-comm Pvt. Ltd. Ullas Krishnan, ullas@brand-comm.com, 9004724580

Aiming to provide students with valuable and relevant industry exposure and to emphasize on the increasing role of collaboration in design, Pearl Academy, India's leading institution in design, fashion, business and media partnered with the illustrious Pune Design Festival for its 2019 edition which concluded on 12th January 2019. Over 20 design faculty and more than 85 Pearl students attended the coveted event and gained insights into industry-related collaborations, case studies, and intellectual design conversations. The festival also witnessed senior academic team from Pearl Academy engage with design fraternity through panel discussions and workshops. Six Pearl Academy students studying interaction design, interiors and graphic design from School of Design were selected as finalists; competing with over 260 participants from over 30 design colleges from across the country in the 'Battle of Projects', a competition organized by ADI. The competition was held in 7 categories - industrial, graphics, user interaction, craft, transportation, experiential space and lifestyle product design and the entries were evaluated by a panel consisting of eminent design industry stalwarts. Three of Pearl Academy students were selected as winners and the rest three won runners up prizes. Alumnus Priyanshu Mukhopadhyay's project- Tuntuni's Adventure, immersive, interactive experience on touch devices was announced as a winning entry under the 'User Interface Design' category. His project attempted to build a bridge between the evolving needs for children's entertainment and Indian folklore by translating them from traditional to new media. Raghav Sharma's short film - 'Dhundh' aimed at generating awareness around air pollution emerged as the winning project under 'Graphic Design' category. Communication Design alumna Kanika Chaudhary's project named Bastar Bol Raha Hai, on the revival of the art and craft of the Gond Tribe in Bastar, Chhattisgarh bagged first prize under the 'Craft-based Design' category. The other finalists, Communication design alumni Parth Varshney's project - 'Orange Pulp', an installation shedding light on the growing trend of hyper-nationalism emerged as the first runners up in the 'Experiential Space Design' category. Interior Design alumna Prachi Gupta's project - The Organic Hub won second runners up prize in the 'Experiential Space Design' category. Alumna Akangksha Sarmah's project #ReDEAFine was declared second runners up in the 'Graphic Design' category. It is a designer-driven awareness campaign that makes an active effort to address and gain a deeper understanding of the deafness as a disability and educate society about the community. All students and alumni attributed their win to industry mentoring, inspiration and motivation from the faculty to explore beyond the brief and to holistic learning, they receive at Pearl Academy. 'Collaboration is an important reality in design and related disciplines, but ideal collaboration is too often difficult to achieve to partner with each other effectively,' pointed out Professor Nidhip Mehta - Dean, School of Design, Pearl Academy while hosting a panel discussion titled, 'Collaboration - What stops you?'. The panel included industry veterans including Kevin Gilboe, Head of Design, Asia-Pacific at 3M and Pankaj Jhunja, Head of Mobility Innovation Hub at Tata Motors. During the discussion, a key theme that emerged was the need to build a more collaborative industry environment and encourage younger minds to effectively partner with each other and draw on a multitude of strengths, thus building more creative solutions to the industry. The audience too was excited to share their experiences and discuss how they've overcome obstacles in language, jargon, and nomenclature, as well as the various digital and non-digital modes of communication that can hinder or help modern collaboration. Delving further into the idea of collaboration and communication, Agat Sharma - Associate Dean - Innovation and Design Strategy - Pearl Academy, engaged participants in a workshop named 'Collaboration, Game On'. The workshop was an experiment in writing collaborative speculative fables. The brief for the story was about a temporal micro-community inhabiting a new land and create civilization. At the end of the workshop, the participants came up with a short manifesto that promised to save this community from extinction. Professor Nandita Abraham, President, Pearl Academy said "It was heartwarming to see our students excel at the national design festival winning three prizes out of seven and three more. Pune Design Festival provided a perfect platform for our students to interact with a community of designers and educators who are looking at changing the world. Industry and academia at the event stressed that competency and learning experience was more important than just degrees. Based on a superior student experience through our collaboration with the Association of Designers of India and others, Pearl Academy is being recognized as a leading provider of quality design education."

Blockchain is a new technology. Whoever has the first mover advantage will be ahead in their career." says a Participant of IIIT-H | TalentSprint Blockchain Executive Program It is a radical technology shift that is going to redefine platforms, verticals, and applications to an unprecedented level. The question is - who is scared and who is ready? The gossip continues! However, the theme has changed. Earlier, when he used to walk up to the water cooler, he would hear about who has got the H1 Visa, who is leaving for his venture and who ate away all the cookies in the office-pantry. However, now, the chatter hovers around Blockchain, distributed ledger technology, automating trust and blockchain beyond cryptocurrencies and how will it impact the life of a tech professional. As he walked up to his desk, he used to wonder whether it is too early or too late for him to brace up for this new storm. That's when he looked around. The friends he trusted for the perfect advice were equally disillusioned and kept going back to their cubicles with the same blank expressions. The camp is on! People like Ramesh Hallur, Senior Manager, Cognizant, are often the early birds walking in the direction of the industry trend enabling early adoption of something new. They can be spotted at boot-camps conducted by the likes of IIIT-Hyderabad and TalentSprint. He is one of the participants in the first cohort of the program which started in October 2018. IIIT-Hyderabad and TalentSprint have designed this program covering both Blockchain Technologies and Solutions. The program gives equal focus on theory and practice. Over 3 months, participants learn two blockchain platforms, ethereum, and hyper ledger in depth and get exposure to half a dozen others. In addition to continuous practice, the capstone project enables them to get close to implementing a blockchain POC in the area of their choice. Hallur thinks it is the future, he says, "Right now everyone is, more or less, on slate zero. The ones who are here, they will now be ahead in their career." So, what makes them observe the big picture and fly towards the land of opportunities? It certainly is not the temptation of just learning the fundamentals, which of course is essential. Cut your teeth deep Replete with master lectures, mentored labs, group projects, and hackathons - this program is as much fun as it is challenging. One gets to learn from both academic and industry leaders and people who form the top-notch think-tank of Blockchain in India. Modules are designed with particular emphasis on experiential learning. Interestingly, a participant points out something else too - the mindset wheels that get changed at these pit-stops. "Blockchain, if one has to apply it for an entity like the Government, will not be about just one stakeholder. Coaching on it, before the POC (Proof of Concept) comes into play, is very crucial. After coming here, a person who gets into implementing Blockchain goes in with the right mindset. It helps to get this figured out; Blockchain is not just a technology challenge but a business challenge." Sundeep V Reddy, Cloud Ops Engineering Specialist, is now confident of building his own app on a DL (Distributed Ledger). For Anthony George, Technical Specialist, IBM the hands-on experience plus the test cases that are provided here are the keys. "We can put it into the code and try to use blockchain on a small scale. It is truly a technology about bridging differences between small and big players." The focus of the Blockchain Executive Program by IIIT-Hyderabad and TalentSprint is on laying the foundations followed by practice and implementation. Participants have worked on use cases across the supply chain, microlending, asset securitization, insurance, digital identity, content management, trade finance, disaster management and more. Ramkrishna, CEO, Pranco Technologies Pvt. Ltd says, "It is about how to give a business solution. To commercialise it and incentivise it." Walk away from the cooler - to the Bonfire V Aravind, Founder CEO, Sahasradhaara Services says, "The program is designed with exposure to its impact on the future. This is a place that harbors everything, from a three-month intensive boot-camp, complemented with one-year online access and support to an in-depth plus comprehensive curriculum. Partnering with India's top blockchain COE gives it the strength and foresight that participants adore and leverage strongly." Some professionals have got so confident, they may launch their startups in this space soon. "The knowledge shared by industry experts is exceptional. It motivates me to apply it in my start-up, with confidence." As Hallur sums it best - it was worth coming and joining here. Hope the guy at the water-cooler heard him in time.

The world has almost ceased to be offline and with every passing year the online space is adding more and more user base. This has been well understood by advertisers as well and a robust momentum in the scope and diversity of online advertising is at place. With increasing digital penetration, one of the newest ways of reaching consumers is through 'Native Advertorial'. Now what exactly is Native Advertorial? In simple words, it is a paid form of online material that resembles editorial content but is intended to promote and advertise a product by the advertiser. Native advertising is heavily relied upon now days for maximum and effective reach to the audience. Why go native? Going native allows brands to reach their consumers more effectively by surpassing barriers like ad-blocks. Viewing ads as a part of content doesn't cause any disruption to the audience and thus is a more acceptable kind of advertisement. We as users aren't aloof to native advertisements, but we fail to recognise them as they are blended with content. A native ad is basically categorised into three broad categories, namely: ⦁ In-feed ads: Social media platforms like, Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, Instagram, Yahoo, these ads appear on your feed as you scroll through. The digital space dwellers are not aloof to the feeds preceded by 'sponsored'. These are the in-feed ads that direct you to some other page or link or product. ⦁ Recommendation Widgets: A common experience for an internet user is that of coming across widgets of contextually similar content that you are browsing through at the moment but from a different source or author. These are recommendation widgets as you must be familiar with, "You may also like" and "Recommended for you". ⦁ Promoted listings: Remember how a product you once thought of buying online but decided otherwise, but the product kept popping up every now and then on your browser? This is called promoted listings. A little different from editorial content, this type of native advertisement is used by e-commerce websites.

Crowdfunding - raising small amounts of money through various lenders - as a concept is not new. While books have been crowdfunded for centuries, war bonds too were theoretically a form of crowdfunding military conflicts. But the concept on the internet first gained popularity when in 1997, fans raised $60,000 for British rock band Marillion's US tour. Cut to the present. In India, crowdfunding via the internet has been around since a decade but has gathered pace only in the past five years. The penetration of the internet and the popularity of smartphones has stirred a lot of action in the segment. Globally, there are broadly four types of crowdfunding that's accepted: P2P (peer to peer lending), reward crowdfunding, equity crowdfunding and donation crowdfunding. Of this equity crowdfunding, though still largely unexplored, has a lot of potentials. With equity crowdfunding, companies sell securities, whether in the form of equity in the company, debt, revenue share, convertible note, and more. Investors in equity crowdfunding stand to make a profit if they make a good investment and the company they invested in grows. While crowdfunding by Indian start-ups is not allowed, Indian investors can invest in start-ups and early-stage businesses on foreign platforms such as Republic.co, Seedinvest, Wefunder, AngelList, EquityNet, CircleUp, etc. in the US and Crowdcube, Syndicate Room and Crowdfunder in the UK. This form of asset class involves high risk but also promises good returns without requiring heavy investment. A little due diligence on the investor's part to assess the authenticity of the entrepreneur and the project can help them reap huge benefits. Interestingly, Manshu Agarwal, CEO, Ponder, believes India is a good market for equity crowdfunding. "Once the market and the regulatory landscape develops, equity crowdfunding can work well in India as people are looking for ownership in entities that excite them. The stock market has created a lot of new wealth, and equity crowdfunding can spread this through another asset class." As for building investor confidence, being fully legally compliant is the way to go, he said. Currently standing at an estimated `300 crore, the sector has huge growth potential, believes Vinay Mathews of Faircent, a P2P lending platform. "Since we started five years back, we have seen 20-25 % growth, both in terms of borrowers and lenders. Riding on the shared economy wave, this sector has the potential to see 100-200% growth in years to come." The platform attracts borrowers with requirement as low as `50 and does several checks and balances to ensure their authenticity. Over the past few years, P2P and donation-based lending has really caught up. Milaap, one of the most prominent donation-based crowdfunding platforms that entered the space eight years back is a case in point. "India's private healthcare spending is estimated at $90 billion a year. Of this, about $60 billion is out-of-pocket: From savings, borrowing or support from friends and family. Crowdfunding can be a great debt-free way to meet urgent medical needs," says Anoj Viswanathan, President and Co-founder, Milaap. The platform that sees a huge influx ofborrowers in need of urgent medical aid everyday, raised 1.2 crore for Kerala flood victims last year. As is the norm these days, being women-centric has its own advantage. Desiredwings, a reward-based, women-only crowdfunding the platform helps women entrepreneurs raise money for their projects. Apart from helping women raise money, the platform also provides them access to renowned influencers, big investors and mentors besides keeping them apprised about various government announcements and schemes. "We don't really allow people to invest directly through the platform, but our Investor Zone function allows them to contribute and behave like a backer and monitor the entrepreneur and the project closely," said Shabir Momin, Co-founder, Desiredwings. The platform claims that investors have gained anything between 5-30 times RoI (return on investment) through it. For the borrower, the advantage is that the backers pay for the service or product in advance, which helps them significantly in managing cash flow. The future looks bright for the segment but there are some challenges too. Some promising start-ups are picked up by the angel investors at an early stage and don't reach the crowdfunding platforms. "Plus, the absence of a standardized process for rating investment opportunities makes it difficult for an investor to evaluate a project," says Gayathri Parthasarathy, National Head - Financial Services, KPMG in India. However, with Sebi working on a regulatory framework for crowdfunding, things may look up for the sector, she said. A regulatory framework would be a boon for the investor as it will mitigate the risk of fraud and ensure due diligence and immediate transactions reporting. As of now, the crowdfunding industry seems to be on the right path but whether it attains the glory it deserves, only time will tell.

Being the ultimate destination for purchasing, and dining and a sought-after hangout spot for many in the metropolis, Phoenix Marketcity Chennai leaves no stone unturned to impress and amaze its patrons of all ages. Festive seasons across the year have witnessed mind-boggling efforts put in by this premium retail establishment to always make it big and special for its visitors. And this year, they have gone all out to welcome Christmas in style! Housing the best of brands from across the world to having irresistible offers - flat 50% discount and collections, this shopping paradise that is also a foodie's delight, is unbeatable! Engulfed in an absolute celebratory mood, and emitting vibrant hues, the ambience in and around the Phoenix Marketcity is no less than what's seen and sensed at Santa Claus Village in Finland! The 15 feet tall Santa Claus that plays a joyous host at the entrance does not fail to excite adults and children equally. Christmas is incomplete without a choir, and with its stellar performance, the Shillong Chamber Choir nailed it in uplifting the place's mood completely! The magnificent Christmas tree at the central atrium that houses the surreal, 35 feet tall Santa's Toy Factory leaves patrons spellbound. And needless to say, the Christmas Bazaar sets a shopper's mood right as they browse through several accessories and more, just as the thousands of beautiful strip and LED lights, the reindeer, the drums and trumpets, the Christmas parade, the Elves who distribute goodies and the Santa Claus, who walks around cracking up people, making it impossible to let anyone leave the place, but in glee! A special mention about the jaw-dropping setup of the 35 feet tall Santa's Toy Factory is a must! Adorned with attractive toys, this Christmas tree-like structure has two conveyor belts on either side, positioned like escalators, exhibiting cute soft toys making their rounds, having everyone go aww! Meticulously planned and erected, this marvel works like a magnet, attracting people who consider the space to be an irresistible photo op! Most of the schools are shut for Christmas and for parents with children between the age group 6 and 12 years, here's a golden opportunity to engage your child in a fun activity. What's better than having tiny tots be a part of the celebrations than just a spectator. With the mall culture gripping the city tighter by the year, ushering in festivities elegantly is not only a challenge but also enthralling! And at Phoenix Marketcity, with each year, fun and festivity scenes are only getting bigger, brighter and better, giving its patrons not only a visual treat but a complete experience!

The success stories of successful professionals always kindle the enthusiastic enzymes in us and we incline to impersonate them on our path to success. But it is not too easy to hand - pick the names of successful people around the universe. Here we present one of those kinds. His story is not rags to riches, but from inspiration to innovation, from credos to credits and from hardship to entrepreneurship. Monish Pattipati the founder of pick n hook, hails from Ongole, Andhra Pradesh. He has become an icon of business fraternity by carving his own niche. He is every inch a self-made man whose tailor-made online shopping site is a benchmark that marks his roaring success. His father Mr.Prasad Pattiptati plays a pivotal role in honing his career. He gets motivated from his father every now and then and that leads to the conspicuous contribution to the business world. His father backs him up and makes his sagging spirit soar. He has been reliable, reasonable and accessible too. His dreams are for the real world and for the real people. He designs his destiny and the script of his story is unique and unusual. Now, all his inspirations make his life inspiring. He never did sit back even after a setback, he turns all his setbacks to the stepping stones to his success. He blows down all the barriers with sheer bravery. His positive persistence paves the way to a prosperous path. He knows pretty well that the milestones are the specimen of our life's journey. His hard work pays him with more laurels. His contemporary ideas lead to the path of glory. He defines and refines all his thoughts and finally gives a hyperfine structure. His slogan is 'believe in yourself '. His self- reliance shimmers when he sees the dark side of his life and today his life has become a source of inspiration to all the youngsters across the planet. He is graduated from Amity University, Noida. His father has been his inspiration for all his innovations. His ideas are out of the box all the time. He wanted to start off with his own business that he always dreamt of. Initially, he researched a lot on bikes and its parts. During that time, he used to shop on online. But he encountered problems related to price, faulty delivery and the quality of the products when he placed his orders. The outcome of these issues was the affiliated e-com business. His business proposals were cast off by many online shopping sites. This persuaded him to become an entrepreneur. He realized that being an entrepreneur is not a cake walk. It is a bit of a sticky wicket. But his unstinting perseverance has brought him success and pick n hook is his foster child. It is a platform for plenty of sellers who win their bread through pick n hook. He places his customers on the pedestal, keeping them on his mind he strains his nerve to live up to their satisfaction; he delivers the best products at affordable price. People go online shopping either for a reason or a season but on pick n hook they can go on shopping spree. Especially the shopaholics can stockpile the stocks available there. In pick n hook, customers can pick a hook or a holder, toy or a tap faucet and footwear or fashion wear. The genuine products, quality check and on time delivery are his forte in running the portal consistently. The door delivery reaches each and every door of even a remote village in Telangana and AP. He goes for a breakthrough when it comes to customers. He keeps the manufacturers and small-scale retailers under the limelight. His escalation has seen leaps and bounds over the years. His top-notch business ideas notch more feats and those enable him stand on his own feet. His passion does not rest on pick n hook but on movies too and he proves his mettle by having done the branding for Arjun Reddy, Bharath Ane Nenu- Audio launch, Rangasthalam- Success meet, Nela Ticket- Audio Launch, Silly fellows- Audio Launch, Nawab - Audio launch and Next Enti - Audio launch. The theme song of his dream business grabs the globe towards his one roof destination.

The Board Meeting opened exactly as expected. After the welcome note, the usual cautious-sounding commentary from members and experts followed. It covered topics related to the uncertain regulatory environment, sluggishness in the economy and difficulties in working with financial institutions. But, the heavy fog of concern soon lifted as Pankaj, in his inimitable positive style, shared the last quarter's results. With pride, he pointed out that for the previous eight quarters in a row; the group had been witnessing healthy growth in revenues and profits. He said, "At M3M, volatility in the larger environment is being transformed into opportunities by keeping a sharp focus on the evolving needs of our customers." Everyone in the room knew that the real estate industry had been served a severe blow in the last few years; and appreciated that M3M group stood out as a beacon of success. At the core of M3M trailblazing history has been the attitude and approach of its Director, Mr. Pankaj Bansal. As one of India's youngest and enterprising directors, Pankaj demonstrates an excellent balance between sharp business acumen and exuberance of youth. He has successfully designed and executed the growth and diversification plans of the company with a customer-focus and forward-thinking approach. Early in his career, Pankaj understood that economic cycles are here to stay, and despite the gloom and doom created by these fluctuations, there is always opportunity in the face of adversity. Changing demographics can be a segue to develop new market segments; technological advances can help the business reach exponential scale, and volatility can be a trigger to develop strategies that keep the group closer to its customers. Ajay Batra, Director of Bennett Hatchery, and author of Startups and Beyond: Building Enduring Organizations, comments that M3M's mindset of building a lasting brand and a respected institution is admirable. He says, "The group's approach to balance the long-term with the short-term, and to keep an equal focus on business outcomes while building an inclusive culture are typical hallmarks of an enduring organization." So, which characteristics of an enduring organization does M3M demonstrate? Ajay answers: PERFORMANCE ORIENTATION: Because they are sharply customer-centric in their strategies and execution, enduring organizations produce exceptional products or services for their customers while delivering great financial and non-financial results for their shareholders. ECOSYSTEM BUILDING: Enduring organizations focus not just on themselves, but also others in the ecosystem. They see themselves as an integral part of society. Hence as they grow, they take their employees, communities, partners, and customers along with them. SELF-RENEWAL: Enduring organizations are lean and mean learning machines. Continuous innovations - incremental and breakthrough - are common in their culture, enabling them to outlive cycles of business, social and economic disruptions. HUMANE VALUES: Enduring organizations define, and live by, values that are humane, just and ecologically responsible. Such values help their employees know what they stand for and guide them in moments of crises. M3M group's partnership with Brand Capital, the strategic investment arm of The Times Group, has ensured that their path-breaking market innovations reflect strongly in its brand building strategies. Specifically, the partnership has helped in delivering high-decibel campaigns using impactful formats like Glazed NewsPrint Jackets, Centre Spreads, first-of-its-kind online property bidding campaign on Magic Bricks. Mr. Pankaj Bansal is committed to building an enduring and world-class organization by hiring the best of people and motivating all to become entrepreneurs in their areas of work. This highly-motivated team of over 500 professionals is moving forward to create one of the best corporates in the Real Estate industry. M3M India takes a lot of pride in bringing the Trump brand to Delhi-NCR, a residential development, at the prime Golf Course Extension Road of Gurugram. Regarding area, over 1 million sq. mtr. of projects were delivered by M3M last year, making it one of the largest real estate conglomerates across the country. Approx. 1.3 million sq. mtr. of area is under development. The group recorded sales close to Rs 3,700 crore across its projects in Gurugram during the last year making it North India's fastest growing developer. Mr. Pankaj Bansal has been instrumental in the Group signing some path-breaking deals with: DLF Group in 2012 worth Rs. 440 crore, Shapoorji Pallonji and Co. Ltd. in 2014 worth Rs. 116 crore, Sahara Group in 2016 worth Rs. 1211 crore and Tata Realty and Infrastructure Ltd. and Standard Chartered Private Equity worth Rs. 500 crore. Brand Capital is the strategic investment arm of Times of India group. Brand Capital I Brand Estate offers value-added support that includes brand and communication strategy, creative ideation and media strategy support along with offering access to a 360-degree spectrum of media assets including print, radio, TV, OOH, Events and the Internet.

Diners across India waited for and then celebrated the Great Indian Restaurant Festival (GIRF) in 2018 for an entire month from 1st to 28th February. India's largest annual restaurant festival, GIRF 2018 saw 1 Million Indians eating out at the top restaurants in their city without burning a hole in their pockets. This year, the number of restaurants that offered diners a flat 50% off on food, alcohol or buffet, were 2,182, giving diners multiple options. A diner chose from top restaurants like Social, SodaBottleOpenerWala, Tamasha, FLYP@MTV, Yauatcha among many others. The festival gave diners access to the best of 5 star dining in their city, from The Ritz-Carlton in Bangalore to Westin in Gurgaon, from Hyatt Regency in Kolkata to Taj Deccan in Hyderabad and many others. Thanks to Dineout, February has now been branded as the official month for Foodies. With two years of the Great Indian Restaurant Festival, foodies across India's top 8 cities have started associating February as the month of experimenting with new cuisines and restaurants. A large number of diners tagged Dineout at the many office parties, birthdays as well as family reunions that were planned at festival restaurants in the month. Ankit Mehrotra, Co Founder & Business Head of Dineout added, 'We received an overwhelming response to the second edition of the Great Indian Restaurant Festival 2018. There was an extremely high percentage of diners who went out multiple times during the festival which truly is the best way to fully utilize the amazing offers available to a diner during February. Dineout consumers saved a whopping 45 Cr in discounts on restaurant bills.' This festival is proving to be a unique and beneficial initiative for India's F&B industry. When asked Ayush Madan, CEO at The Barbeque Company said, 'Last year, our association with the Great Indian Restaurant Festival was hugely successful and it has been so this year as well. Infact, GIRF has always helped us bring in more clientele and generate more leads for us. The festival also plays a huge role in marketing our outlet and we are sure that it'll indeed help us in the long run.' The Barbeque Company in New Delhi was one of the fastest selling outlets during the festival. Dineout drove more than 125 Cr INR worth of business for the participating restaurants. During GIRF 2018, diners were engaged on social media via a daily contest that made 28 lucky diners eat their way to owning a OnePlus 5T. Each day of February, saw one lucky winner who shared his/her dining images on Instagram & Facebook, win the much-coveted OnePlus 5T. This was a much talked about social contest and saw thousands of foodporn posts giving visibility to the participating restaurants. Apart from trending multiple times on Twitter, GIRF 2018 was the most talked about festival in February in the food blogging circles. The festival was presented by Airtel Payments Bank, with NRAI as the industry partner, William Lawson's CDs as the drinks partner and Pepsi as the food partner; all of whom played a huge role in the festival's success. Until next year's Great Indian Restaurant Festival, Dineout continues to offer great discounts to diners who make table reservations through them at the top restaurants in the city.

Enjoy flat 50% discount while dining at India's top 2000+ restaurants. Dineout, India's largest table reservation platform by Times Internet, is back with this country's largest online restaurant festival to suit the many tastes of India's food enthusiasts. Throughout February, people across India's 8 major cities- Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Bangalore, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Pune, can avail a flat 50% discount on menu prices at 2000+ premier restaurants, courtesy- the Great Indian Restaurant Festival. In Feb, 2017, Dineout organized India's first and largest restaurant festival. Owing to the popularity of the campaign and popular request, the team decided to host a second edition of the festival for an entire month, from 1st to 28th February 2018. This year, the amount of partnering restaurants will be double that of last year, to provide customers an even wider buffet of choices. "Eating out is one of India's biggest forms of entertainment, if not the biggest. So, it only made sense to create a festival where all of us foodies can have a month long party - eat the best food, discover new restaurants and have a good time.' said Ankit Mehrotra, Co-founder, Dineout. He continued 'All the big cities in the world have their own restaurant festivals, where locals as well as tourists, get an opportunity to sample different tastes and food experiences during the festival. Not only does it promote the eating out culture, it also gives an opportunity to the restauranteurs in the city to showcase their best and make more people fall in love with their restaurant's experience.' The National Restaurant Association of India are the official industry partners to GIRF 2018. Mr Rahul Singh, President, NRAI commented, ‘Dining out is no more limited to celebrations or festivals, it is an occasion by itself. Urban youth travels and eats out at least 5-6 times a month. Restaurant goers are looking out for novelty experiences and are more willing to experiment. It only made sense for National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI) to partner with Dineout’s Great Indian Restaurant Festival. This initiative will give multi fold visibility to chain and standalone restaurants and is taking eating out to the next level.” More than 2000 restaurants will be participating in this unique festival, such as Social, Irish House, Sigree Global, Khandaani Rajdhani, JW Marriott, Ritz Carlton, Mainland China, OLive Bistro, Punjab Grill, Cafe Delhi Heights & many more. Airtel Payments Bank, the lead sponsor adds spice to the offering by providing additional 100% cashback on the booking fee to customers paying via Airtel Payments Bank on the Dineout app. In addition, customers who pay their restaurant bill through the Dineout app using Airtel Payments Bank will get an extra 10% cashback on top off the existing 20% cashback offer by Dineout. Speaking about the partnership with Dineout, A. Ganesh, Chief Operating Officer, Airtel Payments Bank said- "We are delighted to partner with Dineout for the Great Indian Restaurant Festival and look forward to offering visitors a host of discounts and offers launched by Airtel Payments Bank especially for the event." During this festival, William Lawson's are offering one free drink to each guest who has booked a deal at select restaurants in Delhi, Gurgaon, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Kolkata. Anshuman Goenka, Marketing Head, Bacardi India says 'We are delighted to associate William Lawson's with Dineout given their scale and diverse network of restaurants.' Pepsi is the official Food Category Partner and will offer 50% off the menu price of Pepsi at 400+ select GIRF participating restaurants that the festival will cover. Raj Rishi Singh-Director-Marketing Pepsi, PepsiCo India says 'Pepsi is delighted to be associated with Dineout. No food occasion is complete without a chilled bottle of Pepsi.' To use a 50% discount, one has to first download the Dineout app or visit www.dineout.co.in. After selecting a restaurant and offer of one's choice, one must buy the deal which will be nominally priced (such as Rs.50). On showing the confirmation message at the restaurant, the offer will can be redeemed.