Under its Corporate Social Responsibility commitment, Kotak Mahindra Bank Limited (“KMBL”/“Bank”) has extended support to Gulbarga Institute of Medical Sciences (GIMS), Karnataka, by providing a fully equipped Cardiac Ambulance for critical healthcare emergencies. The Cardiac Ambulance was inaugurated by Dr. Sharanaparakash Rudrappa Patil, Hon Minister of Medical Education and Skill Development, Karnataka; along with Dr. Umesh S R, Director & Dean, GIMS and R Vardharajan, Business Head – Government Business, Kotak Mahindra Bank.

Through this CSR association with GIMS, Kotak aims to strengthen access to healthcare for local communities. The fully equipped Cardiac Ambulance will provide initial emergency treatments such as cardiac and respiratory ailments. On average, it is anticipated to support close to 500 patients each month, contributing significantly to the healthcare needs of the community in Gulbarga.

R Vardharajan, Business Head – Government Business, Kotak Mahindra Bank Limited, said,”We are committed to support the healthcare needs of local communities. Through our CSR association with Gulbarga Institute of Medical Sciences we will provide critical support to patients with cardiac and respiratory ailments and contribute to the need for superior healthcare services in the state.”

Dr. Umesh S R, Director & Dean, GIMS said, “We are delighted to witness yet another feat which resembles the commitment of Gulbarga Institute of Medical Sciences and is in line with the service-oriented tradition of the hospital. This latest addition of Cardiac Ambulance to serve the underserved will prove to be a blessing for cardiac patients. We thank Kotak Mahindra Bank to have supported us in fulfilling our mission to serve the poor and enhance the quality of treatment.”

Kotak Karma is the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) identity of the Kotak Mahindra Group of companies.

Source: Press Release

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Pfizer and Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd. (Glenmark) have joined hands to launch abrocitinib, a first of its kind oral advanced systemic treatment for moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (AD), in India. Developed by Pfizer, abrocitinib has received marketing authorization from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) in India and is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), European Medicines Agency (EMA), and other regulatory agencies.

When launched in India, it will be co-marketed under the brand names JABRYUS^® and CIBINQO^® by Glenmark and Pfizer respectively. This collaboration combines the expertise of the companies to offer a groundbreaking treatment for moderate-to-severe AD, with improved efficacy and oral convenience to patients. Abrocitinib (CIBINQO) is available in over 35 markets globally, including the U.S., Japan, and China.

Atopic dermatitis is a chronic skin disease characterized by inflammation of the skin and skin barrier defects ^1,2. The persistent itching associated with moderate-to-severe AD disrupts daily life, impacting social interactions, work productivity, and overall well-being. Abrocitinib, a Janus kinase 1 (JAK1) inhibitor, provides rapid itch relief, sustained disease control, and a vastly improved quality of life for patients³.

Meenakshi Nevatia, Country President and Managing Director of Pfizer India stated, “We believe in abrocitinib’s transformative potential. Its approval is a milestone in bringing high-quality treatment for moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis in India, enabling patients to manage symptoms more effectively. Our collaboration with Glenmark will help leverage the collective strengths and capabilities of our organizations to make this breakthrough therapy available to patients and physicians across our country.”

Alok Malik, President and Business Head ‐ India Formulations, Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd. said, “We are excited to collaborate with Pfizer India for the launch of abrocitinib in the country. The prevalence of atopic dermatitis in India has been reported to be increasing owing to changes in environmental factors with symptoms appearing during the initial years of life in around 80% of patients⁴. Being a leader in the dermatology therapy in India, this partnership will help us ensure availability of this effective treatment for the Indian patients suffering from moderate-to-severe AD; and further strengthen our position in the dermatology therapy space.”

Prevalence of AD in India

The prevalence of AD has been on the rise over the past three decades with an estimated prevalence of AD of about 10-20% in developed countries³. Approximately 5.9%⁵ of adults in India are affected by AD, of which 4.4%⁶ suffer from a severe form of this disease. The symptoms of AD like itching and lack of sleep, lay a significant burden on the patients and their caretakers, affecting multiple aspects including their quality of life and mental health³.

Source: Press Release

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Samsung R&D Institute, Noida (SRI-Noida) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with The Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IITK) for a period of five years to focus on key growth areas that will include joint research projects by IIT Kanpur students, faculty and Samsung engineers, helping students become industry-ready. These research projects will span areas such as health, visual, framework and B2B security, and cutting-edge technology areas such as Generative AI and Cloud.

Apart from research projects, the MoU seeks to provide opportunities for upskilling Samsung engineers in key technology areas such as AI, Cloud and other emerging technologies.

The MoU was signed by Mr. Kyungyun Roo, Managing Director, SRI-Noida, Prof. Tarun Gupta, Dean, Research and Development, IIT Kanpur and in the presence of Prof. S. Ganesh, Director, IIT Kanpur; Prof. Sandeep Verma, Department of Chemistry, IIT Kanpur; Prof. Tushar Sandhan, Department of Electrical Engineering, IIT Kanpur; and other senior delegates from Samsung.

We are excited to begin this collaborative journey with IIT Kanpur. This collaboration reflects our dedication towards merging academic excellence with industrial innovation, thereby making students industry-ready. We look forward to a dynamic exchange of ideas, knowledge and talent, which will certainly play a crucial role in the success of groundbreaking projects and contribute to the growth of both Samsung and IIT Kanpur,” said Mr. Kyungyun Roo, Managing Director, SRI-Noida.

“By combining the academic excellence of IIT Kanpur with the industry expertise of Samsung India, we aim to create a dynamic environment for cutting-edge projects and provide invaluable opportunities for our students and researchers. This MoU complements IIT Kanpur’s relentless efforts in bridging the gap between academia and industry, while creating a connection between theoretical knowledge and practical industry solutions,” said Prof. S. Ganesh, Director, IIT Kanpur.

 “The MoU reflects our commitment to providing our students and researchers with opportunities that go beyond academics, contributing significantly to technological advancements and growth of the academic landscape of our institute,” said Prof. Tarun Gupta, Dean, Research and Development, IIT Kanpur.  

As part of the joint research projects, students and faculty of IIT Kanpur will work on real-world industry challenges, aligning themselves with actual market needs. They will also work on Digital India related solutions, along with Samsung engineers.

Students and faculty of IIT Kanpur will also be encouraged to publish joint research papers with Samsung engineers.

Under the upskilling opportunities for Samsung engineers, IIT Kanpur will conduct specialized training programs in various domains, providing them with access to the institute’s renowned expertise, culminating in degree programs, certifications and specialized courses tailored to enhance the skill and knowledge of Samsung engineers.

Source: Press Release

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West Bengal Cold Storage Association is the only active Association of Cold Storages in West Bengal. The 59th Annual General Meeting was held today at The Almond (Salt Lake)), Kolkata which was inaugurated by the Chief Guest – Sri. Becharam Manna, Hon’ble MIC Department of Agricultural Marketing Govt of WB; Dr. Pradip Kumar Mazumdar, Hon’ble MIC Department of Panchayat & Rural Development, Govt of WB and was attended by: Sri. Ashok Kumar Das, Special Secretary, Agricultural Marketing Govt. of WB; Sri. Rajesh Kumar Bansal, President of West Bengal Cold Storage Association; Sri. Sunil Kumar Rana, Vice President of West Bengal Cold Storage Association; Sri. Patit Paban De, Past President of WBCSA & many other eminent personalities.

On this occasion, Sri. Rajesh Kumar Bansal, President of West Bengal Cold Storage Association highlighted, “Considerable enthusiasm is observed among potato growers and around 4.6 lakh hectare land has been cultivated in current season. Despite occasional unfavourable weather condition production is expected to be almost the same like previous year. He estimated production of around 110 lakh ton potato in the current season; domestic consumption in West Bengal being 65 lakh ton, the balance stock need to be marketed outside the state. To ensure steady price and regular supply of potato in the market he requested the authorities to frame a system for release of the stored stock at a uniform rate of 12% each month during the unloading period. He recommended collection and analysis of pan India comprehensive data on cultivation, harvesting, storage & marketing for formulation of necessary action plan and monitoring the stock situation on a real time basis.”

Govt. initiative was suggested for farmers to maintain proper grading, curing and assortment; standardization on the above was also suggested. Since extension of storage period beyond November has become common experience for almost every year it was requested by him that the quantum of additional rent for extended storage period need to be included in the notification for periodical rent Revision.

In view of the periodical rise in input cost and cost of capital for cold storages, demand was placed for raising cold storage rent at par with rent in other potato producing states where current rate is Rs.230/- to Rs.270/- per quintal. He mentioned that cold storage rent was not revised by the Govt despite the Expert Committee recommendation for revision of cold storage rent to Rs 190 & Rs 194 for South & North Bengal respectively. He apprehended that operation of cold storages in the ensuing season may be hampered as store owners are unwilling to operate their units with the present rent structure.  Further, it was suggested that cold storage rent calculation should be based on 85% storage capacity instead of 100% storage capacity as utilization of 100% capacity is rarely experienced.

It was suggested that discussions on review of Cold Storage Act 1966 should include:

1. Duties of hirers in respect of quality of storable potato.
2. Simplification of process to be observed for disposal of potato stock left in store units after the end of storage season.
3. Extension of validity of cold storage license to five years.
4. Minimum volume of stock required in cold storage chamber for running the plant.

He laid special emphasis on industry-friendly business environment in the state and practice of simplified Rules & Regulations, Time-bound actions, Fair & logical dealing of issues concerning conduct of business.

Source: Press Release

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Honeywell (Nasdaq: HON) announced that Acelen Renewables has selected its Ecofining™ technology to help support the efficient production of a targeted 20,000 barrels per day of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and renewable diesel. The fuels will be processed at Acelen’s facility in Bahia, Brazil, from a blend of inedible seed and waste oils. With this agreement, Acelen Renewables becomes the 50th site to license Honeywell’s renewable fuels technology.

Honeywell’s Ecofining process, which was developed in collaboration with Eni SpA, offers a capital- and cost-effective solution for processing waste fats, oils and greases into renewable diesel and SAF. Blended with conventional jet fuel, the use of SAF can reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by up to 80% compared to conventional fossil fuels. Ecofining has been in use since 2013 for renewable diesel and 2016 for SAF production, making it a proven tool for helping to reduce carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions, particularly in air travel.

Over the past two years, Honeywell has seen rapidly increasing demand for renewable fuels technologies, including Ecofining. This growth tracks with international decarbonization efforts—especially in air travel. Initiatives like the SAF Grand Challenge and SAF tax credit in the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act as well as the European Council’s ‘Fit for 55’ package have set in motion key drivers to expand SAF production, accelerating the energy transition and aviation’s journey to net-zero emissions.

“The dramatic growth in demand for renewable fuels technology illustrates that fuel producers are accelerating adoption of solutions to help meet ambitious decarbonization goals,” said Ken West, president and CEO of Honeywell Energy and Sustainability Solutions. “Our 50^th license is testament to Honeywell’s leadership in renewable fuels. The milestone follows back-to-back years of solution launches that harness ethanol and e-methanol—to round out one of the largest ranges of feedstock processing technologies on the market.”

Acelen Renewables joins a roster of companies around the world currently licensing Honeywell’s renewable fuels technology, including BP, CVR Energy, Diamond Green Diesel, Eni, Repsol, Total Energies, and World Energy. Of the 50 licenses, eight facilities are already in operation and more than 40 licensed plants are slated to be operational by 2030. The combined renewable fuels capacity of these plants when functioning to peak efficiency will exceed 500,000 barrels per day.

“The addition of Honeywell’s Ecofining process is essential for us to meet our goal of producing one billion liters of Renewable Diesel and Sustainable Aviation Kerosene (SAF) per year from 2026 onwards, which will make our company one of the largest biofuel producers in the world. Through our “fully sustainable” project: economically, socially and environmentally responsible, we will show the world Brazil’s full capacity to produce the fuel of the future,” said Marcelo Cordaro, COO of Acelen Renewables.

GHG reductions are based on LCA analyses conducted at Michigan Technological University under the direction of Dr. David Shonnard.

Source: Press Release

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Ashwin Sheth Group, a leading real estate developer, known for crafting luxury residential developments in Mumbai, launches “FERN”, the last and the ninth tower of the Sheth Vasant Lawns project in Thane. Sheth Vasant Lawns is sprawled across 7 acres of landscape with eight aesthetically designed towers, the property is already home to over 550+ happy families.

FERN at Sheth Vasant Lawns offers an exquisite selection of 2, 3 and 4BHK residences, as well as Jodi apartments with a 32-floor storey building. ‘FERN’ epitomises luxury, privacy and convenience within the secure confines of a gated community starting from 840 sq. ft at 1.57 cr onwards. FERN is Vastu Compliant and the project has maximum privacy with only four apartments per floor. The buyers will enjoy the views of Yeoor Hills and the city view.

As per recent surveys and reports, in the years 2022 and 2023, Thane is the most searched location for buyers to buy their dream homes. Thane, once considered a distant suburb of Mumbai, has undergone a remarkable transformation over the past decade. It is now a thriving city with its own distinct identity. Located in the north-eastern part of the MMR, Thane boasts excellent connectivity to Mumbai via the Eastern Express Highway and the Central Railway line. This connectivity has played a pivotal role in Thane’s real estate growth, making it an attractive destination for both residential and commercial developments.  A recent report by Savills India also pointed out that Thane witnessed a significant increase of three to eight per cent Year on Year (YoY) on account of consistent demand for completed as well as under-construction properties.

Commenting on the award-winning project, Mr Ashwin Sheth, Chairman and Managing Director of Ashwin Sheth Group, said “Building Thane-Platinum Belt was my dream and a vision to give the best to our home buyers with the ease of connectivity and nearby good infrastructure. Thane Platinum Belt has the best residential, retail, hospital and commercial development. Sheth Vasant Lawns was one of our first developments in Thane and we have successfully delivered eight towers. ‘FERN’, the newest and best addition to Sheth Vasant Lawns, is a testament to our unwavering commitment to redefining luxury real estate and delivering an exceptional standard of living for the discerning homebuyer. Through our projects in the Thane Platinum Belt, including Vasant Lawns, we endeavour to provide world-class services and bespoke amenities to address every need and fulfil every aspiration. We constantly seek to unlock that potential and usher in a bold new era of elevated urban living in the Thane”.

Commenting on the Launch FERN, Mr. Bhavik Bhandari, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer of Ashwin Sheth Group, said “With Vasant Lawns, we’ve successfully curated a blend of comfort and luxury for over 550+ happy families through strategic location and unparalleled amenities. The introduction of ‘FERN’ extends this legacy, offering an unmatched living experience. FERN isn’t just a new tower; it’s a symbol of modern living and a lucrative investment opportunity for NRI customers. We believe it will be a sought-after choice for homebuyers, renters, and those seeking a promising real estate investment in Thane.”

An impressive 40% of the Sheth Vasant Lawns property is dedicated to open green spaces. Incorporating 25+ best-in-class amenities, it provides boundless opportunities for recreation and relaxation, catering comprehensively to the diverse preferences of homebuyers. Nestled within Thane’s Platinum Belt, the city’s most coveted location, Vasant Lawns enjoys proximity to the vibrant Viviana Mall, offering a plethora of premium entertainment and retail options. Furthermore, its strategic location, just a few kilometres away from the esteemed Singhania School and the upcoming metro station, ensures unparalleled connectivity and convenience. The proximity to Jupiter Hospital offers residents expedient access to world-class healthcare facilities.

The Design Architect for FERN is P &T Consultants PTE LTD, Singapore and ACIPL. The Landscape Architect is Site Concepts International Pvt Ltd, Singapore and the RCC Consultant is J W Consultants LLP. ‘FERN’ embraces Biophilic design and spacious balconies, offering a peerless living experience and an exclusive urban retreat within the bustling cityscape. The expansive floor layouts, filled with natural light, optimise functionality while creating a sanctuary of comfort. With its contemporary design ethos, superior construction quality, and meticulously planned landscapes, ‘FERN’ by Ashwin Sheth Group sets a new benchmark in luxurious living.

Source: Press Release

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SECTOR GIN Unveils its Hibiscus & Peach Infused Gin

Impactsure Technologies, an Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) powered document analytics SaaS company for Banks, Financial institutions and Enterprises, today announced the availability of its SURE (Secure Unified Responsive Engine) platform -based
SureMatch and SureXtract solutions in the Microsoft Azure Marketplace, an online store providing applications and services for use on Azure. Impactsure customers can now take advantage of the productive and trusted Azure cloud platform, with streamlined deployment
and management.

The system enables secure data extraction, processing and analytics. This helps users make accurate decisions and achieve better business outcomes, compliance, increased transaction volumes, and improved customer experiences. – The system can also handle various use cases such as trade documentation, invoices, accounts payable processing, customer onboarding, shipping and logistics documentation, compliance reporting, human resource documentation, supply chain documentation, manufacturing operations, contract management, ESG and many more. SureExtract, SureMatch, SureAutomate, and SureFlow have intuitive interfaces that can be easily integrated with ERP systems and existing workflows. These solutions streamline and automate complex document- based tasks that are usually labour intensive and error prone tasks resulting in reducing manual efforts by at least 80% and – reducing processing times of complex document-based workflows to just a few minutes.

Dharmarajan Sankara Subrahmanian, Founder & CEO of Impactsure Technologies, said, “Our commitment to global financial institutions and enterprises is highlighted by securing approval from Microsoft Azure Marketplace, emphasizing the quality and efficiency ingrained in Impactsure’s solutions. This achievement empowers Azure customers to effortlessly harness the advantages of the SURE platform. We anticipate leveraging the capabilities of the Azure platform to realize our business objectives, further solidifying our commitment to the global market.”

“Through Microsoft Azure Marketplace, customers around the world can easily find, buy, and deploy partner solutions they can trust, all certified and optimized to run on Azure,” said Jake Zborowski, General Manager, Microsoft Azure Platform at Microsoft Corp. “We’re happy to welcome Impactsure’s SURE to the growing Azure Marketplace ecosystem.”

The Azure Marketplace is an online market for buying and selling cloud solutions certified to run on Azure. The Azure Marketplace helps connect companies seeking innovative, cloud- based solutions with partners who have developed solutions that are ready to use.

Source: Press Release

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SECTOR GIN Unveils its Hibiscus & Peach Infused Gin

Guard Your Wallet: Security Tips for Republic Day Sale Shoppers

Ahead of the Republic Day long weekend, one hallmark of this time of year is the highly anticipated Sale Week. In the age of digital transformation, the trend of seasonal sales on e-commerce platforms has become incredibly popular, thanks to enticing deals on premium products.

To ensure a safe and hassle-free shopping experience this Republic Day, here are some tips from Sophos for navigating the virtual marketplaces for great deals.

1. Use an ad blocker – Advertisements are not only tracking your every movement and collecting enough information on your habits, but they are also a major source of malicious links and deceptive content on the internet. Not only is your browsing safer, but also faster and uses less bandwidth. Two of our favorites are Ad Block and Ghostery.
2. Avoid using one account on multiple services – When logging into an e-commerce site it is often tempting to use the “Sign in with Facebook” or “Sign in with Google” button. While it takes a few more minutes to create a new login, it will provide more privacy as you are not sharing all of the sites you shop at with these tech giants.
3. Use guest login when available – In addition to letting you use an account from other websites, many have an option to use a guest login rather than creating a new account. This is a great option if you don’t expect to need technical support or to do business on a recurring basis. Fewer passwords, fewer personal details, fewer problems if they get hacked.
4. Don’t save card details – Many e-commerce sites will default to storing your credit card information in your profile for your “convenience” (or their hope you’ll shop there again). They can’t lose what they don’t have, so tell them not to store your credit card unless it is absolutely necessary.
5. Use credit, not debit – All of us need to be wary of overspending during the season, but it is best to leave the debit card at home. Credit cards offer significantly more protection against online fraud, and you are in the power position in a dispute. You can simply not pay your bill while disputing the charge, rather than having criminals directly drain your bank account of your hard-earned cash.
6. Beware of direct messages via social media/chat apps – With modern generative AI technology it is almost trivial to create an entire fake online store and lure people to share their personal information and payment data with you. It’s safest to shop at established sites or those personally recommended to you by friends and family. Many unsolicited messages lead to data collection or theft.
7. Don’t click deals in email that look too good to be true or are from businesses you don’t have accounts from – these could be phishing emails hoping to bait you into clicking links to bogus, malicious web sites.

Online shopping during this Republic Day Sale Week can be a safe and convenient experience when approached with careful planning and awareness. By following these tips, you can ensure a smooth virtual shopping journey, allowing you to enjoy this seasonal sale week with joy and confidence.

Source: Press Release

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SECTOR GIN Unveils its Hibiscus & Peach Infused Gin

Appdome Extends Mobile Bot Defense Leadership