Dharmasthala is an Indian temple town on the banks of the Nethravathi River in the Belthangadi taluk of the Dakshina Kannada district in Karnataka, India. The village is known for its Dharmasthala Temple which houses the shrine of Shiva, Manjunatha, Ammanavaru, Chandranath and the Dharma Daivas (guardian spirits of Dharma) namely Kalarahu, Kalarkayi, Kumaraswamy and Kanyakumari. On an average the flow of pilgrims is about 10,000 people a day. A mechanised kitchen provides free food for all pilgrims and there are guest houses with modern amenities.

Dharmastala represents religious tolerance. A Jain Tirthankara is worshipped beside Daivas and Lord Manjunatha (Shiva). The priests are Vaishnavite Brahmins and the guardian of the temple a Heggade (Jain). To those who come here for justice, the Heggade dispenses judgements that are said to represent the will of the deities.

Sri Sankara TV will telecast the religious happenings and social activities conducted by Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala.

Monday to Friday 8:00 AM in the morning.

Chennai: Ramanan played a protagonist’s role during the December rains, he’s cult icon enough for his room to be constantly bustling with visitors who want to take selfies with him.

Amidst his daily weather forecasting work, he obliges every single visitor - relentlessly posing for photos, meeting visitors, answering the phone that’s ringing off the hook.

After being at the helm of affairs in the Regional Meteorological Department, S.R.Ramanan, Director, Area Cyclone Warning Centre, will end his 36-year-long career on March 31, the month he turned 60. He has been a household name for weather forecasts and literally, the face of the met department for more than a decade now with his crisp updates on television.

“We are his fans and don’t miss his daily TV updates,” says V. Kumar, a catering worker who had come to the office to serve at someone else’s retirement party. He remembers to take a photo with Mr.Ramanan. But, Mr.Ramanan himself is quite nonchalant about all the attention showered on him, and his role in the scheme of things.

“I am just doing my job. This popularity is transient and is certainly not the result of a single man’s effort. Nothing could have been possible without my office and family’s support,” says Mr. Ramanan who spent nearly 13 years as director of Area Cyclone Warning Centre.

There have been several days when the office in Nungambakkam turned his second home as he stayed back to track cyclones and multi-task between media briefs, forecasts and communicating with government departments. Many a times, he missed being around with his family during crucial moments, notably when the December floods inundated his house.

“I have a responsibility to inform people about weather. I’m usually at office on festive days and holidays too. I have no regrets.” He is glad that he has contributed to saving human lives through timely weather forecasts.

What he will miss in a few days is his interaction with people in the Regional Meteorological Centre. He now wants to take time to be with his family and probably catch up with his favourite activities - travelling and reading.

In Pic: Mr. Gopal Pillai Director & GM – Seller Services, Amazon India with Amazon Tatkal Van in Chennai.

Make way for Amazon Tatkal, a unique service-on-wheels for SMBs from Amazon.in

Amazon Tatkal enables SMBs in Chennai to sell on Amazon.in within 60 minutes

Chennai, March 29, 2016: In line with its vision to transform the way India sells, Amazon.in brings Amazon Tatkal, a unique initiative to help thousands of small & medium businesses (SMBs) to Chennai. A one-stop-shop on the go, Amazon Tatkal enables SMBs to get online and sell on Amazon.in, in less than 60 minutes.

Amazon Tatkal is a specially designed studio-on-wheels offering a suite of launch services including registration, imaging and cataloguing services, as well as basic seller training mechanisms. It will enable thousands of interested sellers to start selling on Amazon.in in real time and experience the benefits of launching an online business.

Amazon Tatkal has been stationed in Chennai since Friday, March 25. The special van has covered markets such as Vadalpani, Porur, Anna Nagar, Ambattur, Richie Street and Triplicane. Today, March 29, the van will be stationed at Sowcarpet&Tondiarpet. Tomorrow, March 30, it will cover Kodambaakam& T Nagar. After Chennai, the van will traverse the entire country, engaging with thousands of entrepreneurs, artisans, manufacturers and sellers and help them sell online on the spot.

Talking about the concept, Mr. Gopal Pillai, Director & GM – Seller Services, Amazon India said “Our conversations with hundreds of SMBs reveal that there is a high level of interest among them to get online and start selling, but they are unable to overcome perception barriers of the process being time consuming, tedious and complex. As a result many interested sellers tend to put off onboarding tasks. As always, we worked backwards from seller needs and conceptualized Amazon Tatkal. We believe this initiative will help sellers to overcome these constraints,get them onboard, and start selling on the Amazon platform with speed and ease.”

Amazon Tatkal will visit seller-dense pockets across multiple cities in the country and engage with local businesses over the next several months. Specially trained company representatives will educate sellers on the benefits of selling online, introduce them to the specialised seller services offered by Amazon.in including innovations like Easy Ship, Fulfilment by Amazon as well as Global Selling and launch interested sellers on the Amazon platform, helping them with on-the-spot imaging and  cataloguing tasks.

“We are very excited to see the high level of interest and enthusiasm from sellers to get online and benefit from the digital economy. A number of sellers on Amazon.in witnessed a growth of 250% (YOY) last year. We believe that initiatives like Amazon Tatkal will help thousands of SMEs in the country to experience the ease and convenience of selling on the Amazon.in marketplace in a matter of 60 minutes,” adds Pillai.

Since its launch in June 2013, Amazon.in has been working extensively to launch services that meet different business requirements of sellers and help them grow their business profitably online. Over the past two and a half years, Amazon.in has introduced the most comprehensive suite of offerings for sellers to sell online in India. From running an extensive education and skilling program for SMBs called Seller University, offering Fulfilment By Amazon (a pay-as-you-go fulfilment service wherein Amazon.in  packs, ships and delivers products to customers, manages returns and does customer service on behalf of the sellers), innovating Easy Ship (an assisted shipping service that makes it easy for sellers to ship products across India) and Seller Flex (bringing Amazon’s flagship FBA experience to the seller’s doorstep by implementing the FBA technology at sellers’ warehouses), to  building the largest storage capacity in ecommerce in India for sellers to the tune of 5 million cubic feet, Amazon.in has been helping sellers reach millions of customers across the country.Amazon launched its Global Selling Program for sellers in India in May last year and today over 6000 sellers from India are selling their ‘Make in India’ products on Amazon’s nine global marketplaces to over 304 million active worldwide customers.

Amazon.in also recently launched a lending program for sellers through an independent, third party partner to offer secured & unsecured loans to sellers from 5 lakh rupees to INR 2 crores at very competitive interest rates.

Mr. Gopal Pillai Director & GM – Seller Services, Amazon India with Amazon Tatkal Van in Chennai.

அமேசான் தட்கால் சேவை மதுரையில் அறிமுகம்

சென்னையில் உள்ள சிறு மற்றும் நடுத்தர நிறுவனஙகள் தங்களது பொருட்களை அமேசான் டாட் இன் வலைதளத்தில் 60 நிமிடத்தில் விற்பனை செய்ய வசதி

சென்னை, மார்ச் 29 - சென்னையில் உள்ள ஆயிரக்கணக்கான சிறு மற்றும் நடுத்தர தொழில் நிறுவனங்களுக்காக (எஸ்எம்பி) அமோசான் டாட் இன் நிறுவனம் அமோசான் தட்கால் திட்டத்தை துவக்கியுள்ளது. ஒரே இடத்தில் விற்பனைக்கான அனைத்து வசதிகளும் கொண்ட அமேசான் தட்கால் பகுதியில் சிறு மற்றும் நடுத்தர நிறுவனங்கள் தங்களது உற்பத்தி பொருட்களை 60 நிமிடத்திற்குள் ஆன்லைன் மூலமாக அமேசான்டான் இன் வலைதளத்தில் விற்கலாம்.

பதிவு செய்தல், படம் எடுத்தல், பொருட்கள் குறித்த தகவல் கையேடு, உள்ளிட்ட வற்றை கொண்டதாக அமேசான் தட்கல் சேவை இருக்கும். இதற்காக பிரத்யோகமாக வடிவமைக்கப்பட்ட நடமாடும் வாகனத்தில் விற்பனையாளர்களுக்கு அடிப்படை பயிற்சியும் அளிக்கப்படும். ஆயிரக்கணக்கான விற்பனையாளர்கள்தங்கள் உற்பத்தி செய்தபொருட்களை அமேசான் டாட் இன் வலை தளத்தின் மூலமாக விற்பனை செய்ய அனுமதிக்கிறது. இது அவர்களுக்கு சிறந்த அனுபவத்தையும் ஆன்லைன் வாயிலாக வணிகம் தொடங்கவும் பயன்படும்.

அமேசான் தட்கல் வாகனம் மார்ச் 25 ஆம் தேதியில் இருந்து சென்னையில் நிற்கும். இந்த சிறப்பு வாகனம் வடபழனி, போரூர், அண்ணாநகர், அம்பத்தூர், ரிச்சித் தெரு, திருவல்லிக்கேணி ஆகிய முக்கியமான சந்தைப்பகுதிகளை வலம் வரவுள்ளது. இன்று மார்ச் 29 இந்த வாகனம் சௌகார் பேட்டை, தண்டையார் பேட்டையிலும் நாளை அதாவது மார்ச் 30 அன்று கோடம்பாக்கம், தி.நகர் ஆகிய இடங்களிலும் வலம் வரும்.

சென்னைக்கு பின்னர் இந்த வாகனம் நாடு முழுவதும் சுற்றிவந்து ஆயிரக்கணக்கான சிறு தொழில்முனைவோர், கைவினைக் கலைஞர்கள், உற்பத்தியாளர்கள், விற்பனையாளர்கள் ஆகியோருக்கு ஆன்லைன் வாயிலாக எப்படி வணிகம் செய்வது என்பதை கற்றுத்தரும்.

இது குறித்து அமேசான் இந்தியா விற்பனை சேவை பிரிவு இயக்குநரும் பொது மேலாளருமான திரு கோபால் பிள்ளை கூறுகையில், நாங்கள் நூற்றுக்கணக்கான சிறு மற்றும் நடுத்தர தொழில்முனைவோரை சந்தித்துப்பேசும்போது அவர்கள் தங்களது வணிகத்தை ஆன்லைன் வாயிலாக செய்ய விரும்புவது தெரியவந்தது.

ஆனால் இந்த வணிகம் நேரம் அதிகமாகும் சிக்கலானது என்று அவர்கள் கருதினார்கள். இதனால் அவர்கள் இந்த தயகத்தில் இருந்து வெளிவருவது என்பது சிரமமான விஷயமாக இருந்தது. இந்த சவால்களை அவர்கள் எப்படி எதிர்கொள்ளமுடியும் என்று அமேசான் அவர்களுக்கு பயிற்சி அளித்தது. அவர்களுக்கு என்ற சில வழிமுறைகளை அமேசான் உருவாக்கியது. இந்த முன்முயற்சிகள் நிச்சயம் பல்வேறு தடைகளில் இருந்து விற்பனையாளர்கள் விடுபட உதவும் அமேசான் டாட் இன் வலைதளத்தில் வேகமாகவும் எளிமையாகவும் தங்களது உற்பத்தி பொருட்களை விற்கமுடியும்என்பதையும் அவர்கள் அறிந்து கொள்ளமுடிந்தது.

இதுபோன்ற முன்முயற்சிகளால் ஆண்டுக்காண்டு அமேசான் டாட் இன் வலைதளத்தில் சேர்ந்து விற்பனையில் ஈடுபடும் வணிகர்களின் எண்ணிக்கை 250 சதவீதம் அதிகரித்து வருகிறது. 2013 ஆம் ஆண்டு ஜூன் மாதம் இந்த சேவையை அமேசான் துவக்கியது. இதனால் உற்பத்தியாளர்களும் விற்பனையாளர்களும் தங்களது பொருட்களை உடனுக்குட ன் விற்பனை செய்வதோடு அவர்களின் வணிகமும் நல்ல லாபகரமாக மாறியுள்ளது.

Domestic gas output to rise in long term following reforms; recent PNGRB notification a marginal plus for transmission sector: ICRA report

* FIITJEE General Admission Test on 3rd April, is exclusively designed for students going to Class VI, VII, VIII, IX, X, XI and XII- aspiring for success in JEE Advanced & Main, Olympiads, KVPY, XII Boards, NTSE & Jr. Science Olympiad.

* The General Admission Test will provide an opportunity through which students can join the First batch of the respective programs in FIITJEE, helping them surpass their Current Potential Level to achieve extraordinary Success.

New Delhi, February, 2016: FIITJEE will conduct the General Admission Test on 3^rdApril for all students going to Class VI, VII, VIII, IX, X, XI and XII and aspiring for success in JEE Advanced & Main, Olympiads, KVPY, XII Boards, NTSE & Jr. Science Olympiad.

“Building a solid foundation of scientific and technical knowledge and thus to prepare competent and motivated engineers and scientists is the primary motto of FIITJEE. The General Admission Test on 3^rd April is targeted to provide an early start advantage for students to get more time to adapt to the quantum jump in the level of difficulty with ease.

Students will get sufficient time for self-study, doubt clearance and additional practice tests. With exposure to competitive exams at an Early stage, Best-in-class faculty and a comprehensive teaching methodology , students will be geared up for  JEE Advanced, JEE Main, Olympiads, KVPY, XII Board, NTSE, Jr. Science Olympiads,” says Mr. R L Trikha, Director, FIITJEE.

FIITJEE will also conduct the General Admission Test on the 27th March exclusively for students going to Class XII.The emphasis on One Year Classroom Programs will enable students to imbibe the fundamental concepts of Physics, Chemistry & Mathematics  and on sharpening their analytical skills and parallel thinking process, making them capable of creatively resolving complex and tricky problems by mere application of basic concepts for a quantum jump in their performance in JEE (Main & Advanced).

“FIITJEE prepares students for JEE (Main & Advanced) in a Pattern Proof Mode. FIITJEE’s One Year exclusive Classroom Program for Class XII students enables them to excel not only in JEE (Main & Advanced) and other Engineering Entrance Exams but also in XII Board Exams. With weightage for Boards, FIITJEE programs are like an insurance policy to ensure you an optimum result,” says Mr. R L Trikha, Director, FIITJEE.

Registration Details:

Last Date to Register : 2 days before the Test (In Person / Online Mode)

By Post - One week before the Test Date

Registration Fee for Students registering for FIITJEE Test for the first time : Rs. 700/- (Inclusive of Service Tax)

Registration Fee for Students who had registered for any FIITJEE Test in the past : Rs. 600/- (Inclusive of Service Tax)

For online registration, log on to www.fiitjeelogin.com

Wear, Fold & Wrap: Maui Jim’s Latest Offering Is Its First Complete Fold up Sunglass ‘Stillwater’

Enjoy the best protection against glare and UV radiation with the comfort of portable sunglass use

Price: Rs 18,490.00

March 2016: For style enthusiasts who love their accessories fashionable yet compact, Maui Jim’s latest offering ‘Stillwater’ promises to be highly irresistible! Leading polarized technology sunglasses maker Maui Jim has introduced its very first sunglass with a fold up frame design.

Stillwater is a beautiful light weight and highly versatile pair of sunglasses with characteristics unlike any other Maui Jim sunglass. It features a complete fold up frame for easy, portable use, with both the temples of the frame and the bridge having hinges that unfold the frame to its full size.

So, you can enjoy the lightweight comfort of Stillwater all through the day protecting your eyes against the glare and harmful UV radiation of the sun. And, when the sun goes, down fold up Stillwater into a small compact case that fits almost anywhere! So, there is nothing 'still' about this fold-up frame. Stillwater’s flexibility is contradictory to calm, tranquil waters.

“This is Maui Jim’s first complete fold up frame and we are excited to introduce it in the market. Often people do not like the hassle of carrying large and cumbersome sunglass cases that occupy a lot of space in bags and purses. Easily foldable and fit to be fitted in anywhere, this is an ideal style for such people. The convenience of the fold up frame paired with Maui Jim’s PolarizedPlus2 technology give the wearer a sunglass an experience they have never seen before,” says Mr. I Rahumathullah, Managing Director, Maui Jim India.

The classic, rectangular-round design sunglass style is available in two color options in a matte finish: An Antique Pewter frame with Neutral Grey lenses; and an Antique Gold frame with HCL® Bronze lenses.

The 20% thinner and lighter than standard laminated glass lenses is perfect for long-wearing comfort, whether you’re driving or relying on them every day. Three rare earth elements ensure brilliance everywhere you look.

Maui Jim’s PolarizedPlus2® lenses wipe out 99.9 percent of glare, manage 95 percent of HEV and block 100 percent of harmful UV while boosting color to unmatched levels. Maui Jim’s optically correct, distortion-free lenses feature patented lens treatments or rare earth elements. So instead of dimming the light, color and clarity are enhanced using natural light.

All Maui Jim sunglasses have been recommended by The Skin Cancer Foundation as an effective UV filter for the eyes and surrounding skin. Proper UV protection is critical, as ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun plays a significant role in the development of skin cancer. About 86 percent of melanomas and 90 percent of non-melanoma skin cancers are associated with exposure to the sun’s UV rays.

Fit: (eye) 49, (bridge) 22, (temple) 140, 6-base curve

In pic: Arun Malhotra, MD Nissan Motor India Pvt Ltd inaugurating Shakti Nissan in Chembur

* Nissan increases pan-India sales and service network to 215 outlets across 165 cities

* Nissan now has 11 touch points in Mumbai to enhance its sales and aftersales service to customers

* The two new outlets will showcase both Nissan and Datsun brands

* Nissan was ranked third in the J.D. Power Asia Pacific 2015 India Sales Satisfaction Index (SSI) study, a recognition of the brand’s commitment to customers

Mumbai, India (March 30, 2016): Nissan Group of India strengthened its presence in Maharashtra today with the inauguration of Shakti Nissan and Royce Nissan, its two new retail outlets at Chembur and Kandiwali, Mumbai. The dealerships were opened by Arun Malhotra, managing director, Nissan Motor India Private Limited. Nissan now has a network of 215 touch points across 165 cities.

Establishing an extensive, quality-focused retail network is central to Nissan's long-term growth in India. The company has a commitment to operate 300 sales and service touch points by the end of the March 2017. In the last few months, Nissan has increased its network in the state of Maharashtra to 34 sales and service outlets. The inauguration of two new showrooms in Mumbai is a testimony to Nissan’s commitment to the Indian market.

Speaking about the dealer openings, Arun Malhotra, managing director, Nissan Motor India Pvt. Ltd. said, “I am delighted to inaugurate these two new dealerships in Mumbai. Adding them to the Nissan network in Mumbai marks Nissan’s three dealership openings in Mumbai in the last six months. We continue to expand our reach and provide our customers with best-in-class products and services together with our dealer partners.

“Nissan’s strategy for continued and significant growth in India is underpinned by our commitment to providing customers with a superior ownership experience. This is backed by our continuous expansion of dealership outlets nationwide towards our target of setting up 300 outlets across the country by the end of March 2017,” added Malhotra.

In addition to increasing in the company’s footprint across the country to provide easy convenience and accessibility to customers, Nissan has focused on improving the customer’s experience when visiting dealers. The brand was ranked third in the recent 2015 J.D. Power Asia Pacific - India Sales Satisfaction Index study.

Shakti Nissan in Chembur and Royce Nissan in Kandiwali, both in Mumbai, will cater to the expanding customer base in the region. Shakti Nissan is led by Mr. Arun Bhanushali, who is an experienced industrialist from the city. On the occasion, Mr. Arun Bhanushali, dealer principal, Shakti Nissan said, “We at Shakti Nissan are proud to be associated with such a successful global brand. As an authorised dealer of Nissan in Mumbai, Shakti Nissan will provide excellent sales and aftersales service to existing and prospective customers in the region. We will enhance our customer service and provide an outstanding ownership experience for our customers.”

Mr. Hemant Shah, dealer principal, Royce Nissan said, “We welcome the opportunity to work with Nissan, a brand which is globally recognised for its engineering and innovation. We at Royce Nissan will work towards tapping current and potential customers for the brand and provide best-in-class aftersales service.”

The exquisite rendering of a ‘Pallavi’ affectionately composed and choreographed by Smt. Lalith Sivakumar and rendered by her with Dr. Nithyashree Mahadevan marked the 97th Birth Anniversary commemoration of ‘Pallavi’ Smt. D. K. Pattamal; organised by Aanmajothi (Cultural Wing of Sarawathi Vidyalaya) and the Bharathiya Vidya Bhavan.

As a part of the celebration, this year’s ‘Smt. D. K. Pattamal ‘Birudhu’ and Title ‘Isaijothi’ was conferred to well-known musical artiste Shri O. S. Arun by Shri. L. Sabaretnam, Chairman of the Bharathiya Vidya Bhavan, Chennai Kendra.

Shri. L. Sabaretnam placed on record the Bhavan’s association with Smt. D K. Pattamal over many decades and considered it a blessing to be able to conduct the commemorative event along with Aanmajothi. He congratulated Shri O S Arun on his amazing virtuosity and being conferred with the award.

Dr. Nithyashree Mahadevan congratulated Aanmajothi for its work in corporation schools and the affection shown by the organization in conducting ‘Smt. D. K. Pattamal’ Birth Anniversary commemorative every year from 2010 and remarked on the positive aspects of showcasing a role model in Nationalistic and divine music, for the coming generations.

Smt. Geetha Rajsekar and Shri K N Ramaswamy, Director the Bhavan’s Chennai Kendra, were also present during the function.

Aanmajothi is an organisation which aspires to work for the preservation and propagation of the rich cultural heritage of India through efforts to take Music and Dance to children and the youth. It is the Cultural Wing of Saraswathi Vidyalaya, which is sponsoring the Project through the ‘ Smt K Saraswathi Endowment Fund’.

Pune, 30th March, 2016: "Learning a craft is a continuous process. To excel in any field you need to get out of your comfort zone, learn new techniques, try new things but most of all be dedicated and self confident", said Kshanam movie Cinematographer Shaneil Deo. Shaneil who is the talk of the town these days, thanks to his excellent work as a cinematographer in the recent Telugu thriller Kshanam shared his expertise and knowledge in an exclusive workshop conducted by AISFM for its students this week. In the 2 day workshop Shaneil spoke to AISFM students about different techniques and finer nuances of cinematography, photography and filmmaking.

Cinematography is a brilliant subject to learn and definitely very creative and effective when it comes to telling a story as all the 24 frames can be used to portray a visually penetrative content says Shaneil. While addressing to the students during the workshop Shaneil said "Dedication to a craft you are learning is very important. Never stop learning about the craft. Just because you learnt a technique does not mean that, that is the only technique. There are so many different ways and techniques to learn and implement.

The field we are in, photography or cinematography, there is no one way of doing things, no right or wrong. It’s the way you perceive something which makes the visual more impactful. So focus on learning the craft, push yourselves, get out of your comfort zone, learn new techniques, try new things, be at it, regroup, reassess and try again. But most importantly, be dedicated and be self-confident. Even if you don’t do it right, you will try some other way. I grew learning through trial and error. Studying in a film school is such an advantage as you have learned lecturers and faculty who can always help you. As students you got to avail such expertise in learning new aspects of film-making".

According to Shaneil studying at a film school and learning on the job both go hand in hand.

"At a school you learn how things are set up and you take that knowledge and learn how to apply it on the real set. On the set, it is good to see what is happening, but if you don’t have the knowledge of how it is happening and how to apply it then its doesnt help you. So learning at a school and then going and seeing how things are implemented, that makes more sense for someone who is new. So this background of studying at a film school is critical." said Shaneil.

Speaking about his personal journey towards film making Shaneil shares his experiences working in India. "Culturally it has been very different. I was born in Fiji and raised in the US and I don’t have any family in India. My first trip to India was in 2013 and I was there for one month and it was a culture shock at that time. I don’t speak Telugu but I speak Hindi. I only knew about Bollywood movies and never knew about Telugu movies per se. So coming here now, after three years, was okay to adjust because being here once before, helped. People are nicer and very cool to work with and it has been fun".

Shaniel' work on the short film Layla got him several international offers but he chose to come to India when the makers of the movie approached him at an international film festival last year, because the story of Kshanam intrigued him. Shaniel is also finishing the remake of Vicky Donor. He recently travelled to Cannes and met some producers and is in talks with a French team.

NSE emerges as the preferred designated exchange for large sized issues in FY 16

Corporates raise about 10 times more funds via IPO in FY16

Mumbai / Chennai: In a significant jump over the previous financial year, corporates have raised Rs. 14508.11 crore via Initial Public Offer (IPO) in the current financial year (FY) 2015-16. The year saw 22 corporates making their debut on the exchange platforms in India. More than 66% issues of over Rs. 500 crore have selected the leading bourse National Stock Exchange (NSE) as the designated exchange.

Among the listed entities, infrastructure companies dominate the chart with about 33% of the entities representing the sector. In spite of volatile secondary market, fund raised through IPO issuances in FY 2015-16 have witnessed an increase of more than 10 times of FY 2014-15. Last year, total money raised was Rs 1418.21 cr. As many as 21 out of 22 entities were oversubscribed during the current FY, while 15 reported listing gain. Apparently, most of the offerings were from corporates who had sizable private equity fund in their holding structures.

Apart from the economic scenario, an enabling legal framework may have also helped the IPO market. Capital market has seen introduction of some prominent norms and regulations to make fund raising process simpler and less time consuming.

Among the regulatory developments that took place in FY2015-16, announcement regarding the launch of e-IPO gateway seems to have helped many investors. The market regulator SEBI has approved norms for companies to launch their initial public offerings (IPOs) in an electronic form (e-IPO), to reduce the time taken between the share sale and the listing, to enhance the reach of retail investors in the share sale, and reduce costs.

T20 World Cup Special: Eat. Play. Cheer. Repeat at Smaaash, Bengaluru

We can feel the T20 World Cup 2016 fever and Smaaash, the city’s favourite entertainment and gaming centre spread over 44,000 sq. feet in 1 MG Mall, Bengaluru is gearing up to make it better.

You can enjoy the India VS West Indies match tomorrow and cheer for team blue from start to end with unlimited beers and appetizers at just Rs. 1299/- per person.

Offer valid from first ball to last ball!

When: Tomorrow, 31st March, 2016 (India vs. West Indies match)

Timing: 7 pm onwards

Charge: Rs. 1299 per person

Venue: Smaaash, 2nd Floor, 1 MG-Lido Mall, Trinity Circle, MG Road, Bengaluru - 560001

For queries call: 080-25066900

AstraZeneca’s Global Technology Centre in India sees strong growth and momentum

30th March: AstraZeneca, a leading global biopharmaceutical firm, has successfully established its IT presence in India with its Global Technology Centre (GTC) at Chennai. This year marks a key milestone in AstraZeneca’s journey of setting up India as a global technology delivery hub. The GTC in Chennai is AstraZeneca’s first, insourced IT facility globally, delivering significant value to the business through an end-to-end, integrated IT service delivery model.

Launched in September 2014, the Chennai Centre was established to improve the IT organization’s efficiency and responsiveness in support of 61,500 AstraZeneca employees worldwide.The centre has rapidly insourced IT Applications and Infrastructure Management functions previously outsourced to 8 global vendors. While the journey started with a target of 300 employees in the first year and 1000 in the second year, the early success resulted in an upward revision in scope and scale of the operations. The centre now grown to more than 1,500 qualified IT professionals in 18 months since inception and expects to grow to over 2000 IT professionals by the end of 2016.

Mr. David Smoley, Chief Information Officer (CIO), AstraZeneca explains, “The new in-house service delivery model has resulted in improved speed of response to the business, increased internal knowledge of critical IT systems, enhanced end-user satisfaction with IT services and significantly reduced costs of IT operations. The GTC staff have a high level of IT experience and expertise, and have been able to make valuable contributions in the very first year of our live operations. The centre has adopted a fully integrated operating model, helping simplify support structures and improve responsiveness to business needs. With Chennai emerging as an IT hotspot with a broad and deep population of IT talent, The GTC has been able to attract talent across all major areas of the IT landscape with the company’s emphasis on Technical Leadership and a being a “Great Place to Work”.

Siva Padmanabhan, Head of Chennai Global Technology Center says, “A unique feature of the Chennai centre is that every one of AstraZeneca’s major global IT functions is represented here. This enables the company to offer broad career opportunities to our employees.

During 2016 the centre will focus a lot on Application Development and Testing, Business Intelligence and Analytics, Mobility and Support of AstraZeneca’s Digital Health initiatives”.

AstraZeneca has adopted a wide range of employee friendly policies and has placed significant emphasis on increasing Gender Diversity in the workplace. This year, the company has also been able to also induct the next generation of IT talent into its workforce through Campus Recruitment efforts across major Engineering Colleges in Chennai.

இந்தியாவில் உறுதியான வளர்ச்சி மற்றும் உத்வேகத்தைப் பெற்றுள்ள ஆஸ்ட்ராசெனேகாவின் உலகளாவிய தொழில்நுட்ப மையம்

March 29, 2016: ICRA expects the Indian auto-component industry to gain momentum and register growth of 8-10% in the next fiscal (FY2017e). M&HCV demand is likely to stay robust but slow down to 13-15% given the increased base of FY2016. Recent ban on diesel vehicle in NCR and additional levy of 1-4% infrastructure cess on passenger vehicles (PV) in the Union budget will impact overall demand momentum in the PV segment which accounts for bulk of the domestic OE demand for auto components.

Over the medium to long term, growth in the auto component industry will be higher than the underlying automotive industry growth given the increasing localization by OEMs, higher component content per vehicle and rising exports from India, says ICRA in its latest research update on Auto Component Industry.

Overall demand from the OE and export segments remained subdued in FY2016 though some support from aftermarket sales drove overall auto component growth of 3-5%.

While export demand was weak during FY2016, robust demand for PV in North America as well as Europe is likely to offset the decline in the M&HCV segment in those markets over the next 9-12 months.

Subrata Ray, Senior Group Vice President, Corporate ratings says “Over the medium term, ICRA expects OPBDIT margin for the auto-component industry to stabilize at 14%-14.5% level, given expected bottoming out of commodity prices in the current year”.

“In FY2017, the rural demand (impacting motorcycles, tractors and passenger vehicle segments) will be contingent on monsoon, though government efforts in the Union Budget of FY2017 could benefit the rural economy.” Mr. Ray further adds.

With anti-locking braking system (ABS) becoming mandatory in 125cc+ two wheelers from April 2018, the domestic ABS market will witness exponential growth. Also, increasing awareness regarding safety aspects and likely implementation of mandatory crash test for passenger vehicles will further drive demand for ABS in PVs. International players like Bosch, Continental as well as home grown majors like Brakes India will be key beneficiary of the mandatory implementation of ABS for 2W and PVs. At present, ICRA estimates ABS penetration of 30% in PV segment and minimal (<5%) in the Two-Wheeler segment. the ABS market could turn out to be a Rs. 6,500 crore opportunity for suppliers by FY2019e in the backdrop of implementation of safety regulations

Given the demand slowdown and surplus capacities, the industry has been in a consolidation mode over the last two years, taking steps towards deleveraging their balance sheet. Gearing level as well as coverage indicators for the industry has improved considerably over the past 12-15 months and ICRA expects industry wide credit trends to remain stable, supported by demand from the OEM and replacement segment in the near term.

HONEYWELL BOOSTS OPERATIONAL RELIABILITY FOR GOAIR WITH INSTALLATION OF EFFICIENT APUS AND ADVANCED FLIGHT RECORDERS

GoAir equips its A320neo fleet with Honeywell’s Auxiliary Power Units, maintenance services and upgraded flight recorders

CHENNAI, India, March 31 2016: Honeywell Aerospace (NYSE: HON) has been selected to install and maintain the Auxiliary Power Units for GoAir’s fleet of 72 A320neo airplanes, providing the airline’s passengers with a more comfortable journey and fewer flight interruptions. Honeywell will also provide GoAir with its fifth-generation flight recorders, also known as black boxes, which feature resilient memory capabilities for data logging and tracking.

As part of the contract, GoAir will be adopting Honeywell’s 131-9A Auxiliary Power Unit (APU). This APU will help reduce flight delays and cancellations by enhancing airplane operability. As well as increased operational performance, Honeywell’s 131-9A APU will lower operational costs and emissions for GoAir, because it can use 3.3 percent less fuel.

“With domestic travel demand within India on the rise, it is vital for regional airlines to increase turnaround times and improve dispatch reliability by keeping airplanes in the air more and on the ground less,” said Arijit Ghosh, president, Honeywell Aerospace India. “The latest installations, services and ground support for the A320neo enable just that. Airlines such as GoAir can better manage operations and costs during downtime, while reducing flight delays and cancellations for passengers.”

“Passenger comfort is paramount, and we’re committed to delivering a consistent and punctual travel experience,” said Wolfgang Prock-Schauer, CEO, GoAir. “Honeywell’s APU and maintenance, as well as its flight recorders, are already in place on our A320 airplanes. Our most recent investment allows us to continue delivering the same superior passenger comfort and reliability across our full range of fleets.”

Honeywell’s 131-9A APU, which provides compressed air to start the main engine and power the Environmental Control System, will be supported by a maintenance program featuring a Predictive Trend Monitoring and Diagnostics service that reduces costs and unscheduled maintenance. GoAir will also implement Honeywell’s heavy-duty, yet lightweight, recorders into its fleet. This includes the HFR5-V Solid State Cockpit Voice Recorder, which retains two hours of audio, datalink and timing data information, alongside the HFR5-D Solid State Flight Data Recorder, which is capable of storing up to 25 hours of flight data.

Honeywell Aerospace products and services are found on virtually every commercial, defence and space aircraft, and its turbochargers are used by nearly every automaker and truck manufacturer around the world. The Aerospace business unit develops innovative solutions for more fuel-efficient automobiles and airplanes, more direct and on-time flights, safer flying and runway traffic, along with aircraft engines, cockpit and cabin electronics, wireless connectivity services, logistics, and more. The business delivers safer, faster, and more efficient and comfortable transportation-related experiences worldwide. For more information, visit www.honeywell.com or follow us at @Honeywell_Aero and @Honeywell_Turbo.

* Recharge prepaid mobile without opening an app or visiting a website

* Family members or friends can be added for mobile recharge service

Mumbai, March 29, 2016: HDFC Bank Ltd., today announced the launch of Missed Call Mobile Recharge, a simple yet revolutionary way to top up your prepaid mobile number. HDFC Bank customers can now recharge their mobile by giving a missed call, without the need to visit a shop, log onto a website or open an app. Further, customers can also add his family or friends to avail of the missed call mobile recharge service.

This service allows the Bank to tap into an estimated 900 million pre-paid mobile customers which includes approximately 84 % smartphone users and 92% feature phoneusers. There are over 1 billion mobile subscribers in India.To use this facility one doesn’t need a data plan, making it particularly useful in smaller towns and rural areas, where internet connectivity is low.

"Missed call mobile recharge further simplifies the process of recharging pre-paid numbers. Even if a customer is on the road or based in a remote location, all he has to do is give a missed call to re-charge his phone. Further, this service gives the customer the option of adding family members, friends or dependents. We believe this is a unique service in the pre-paid market, which accounts for a large chunk of mobile phone users in India." - Mr. Nitin Chugh, Country Head – Digital Banking, HDFC Bank

To activate the service, customers can send an SMS from the mobile number registered with the Bank to 7308080808. A default recharge amount of Rs 50 is set, but the customer can also set his favourite recharge amount, ranging from Rs 10 to Rs 250. The next time when the customer needs a recharge, he can give a missed call on 7308080808 and the fixed amount is credited to his mobile number. The amount gets debited from the customer’s HDFC Bank account. Once activated, the service can be used on any phone across any telecom operator.

Further, HDFC Bank customers can also add family members and friends for this service and authorize them to recharge their mobile through Missed call by debiting customer’s own account.

* One Time Activation (SMS to 7308080808)-

     - HDFC Bank Customers who are registered for SMS Banking will activate this service by sending an SMS and will be activated for Missed Call recharge for a default amount say Rs. 50.

     For registering Mobile Number –

<ACT><Operator Name><Last 5 digit of Account Number>

Example: ACT Vodafon 12345

     For registering family member’s mobile number –

<ACT><Family Member’s Mobile Number><Operator Name><Last 5 digit of Account number>

Example: ACT 9930040512 Vodafon 12345

* Setting Favorite Amount(SMS to 7308080808)-

     - If customers wishes to set any favorite amount (other than the default amount of Rs. 50/-) for Missed Call recharge then the same can be done by sending an SMS.

     - For self: <FAV><Amount>

Example: FAV 100

     - HDFC Bank customers can set the favorite amount for other added members as well.

For Family members:<FAV><Mobile Number of Family member><AmountExample: FAV 9930040512 100

* Missed Call Recharge process (Missed call to 7308080808)

     - Registered customer will give a missed call to 7308080808

     - Registration status will be checked and accordingly the default/favorite amount will be debited from corresponding account

The initiative is part of the bank’s strategic focus on customer convenience, access and delight, using technology as an enabler. In line with this, post the launch of ‘Go Digital’ campaign in 2014, with the ‘Bank aapki mutthi mein’ offering, HDFC Bank has launched a host of new and very successful digital banking products.

These include 30 minute paperless auto loan using Biometric technology, 10 seconds personal loan on netbanking, PayZapp, Chillr, and the recently introduced instant loans at ATM. This is in addition to HDFC Bank’s powerful Netbanking portal and official mobile banking app, which allows customers to perform over 205 and 85 different types of transactions, respectively.

These innovations received recognition at the prestigious IBA Banking Technology Awards held last month. HDFC Bank has won the Technology Bank of the year, Best use of Digital and Channels Technology, and Best Payment Initiatives awards in the large banks category at the IBA Awards.

In addition to the digital initiatives, HDFC Bank is also reaching to out to people through its nation-wide distribution network. As of December 31, 2015, the Bank had 4,281 branches and 11,843 ATMs across 2,505 cities.

Important to take rightly balanced, nutritious diet during pregnancy, says clinical nutritionist and dietician Paras Bliss Hospital, Panchkula

* March is celebrated as “National Nutrition Month”, experts says nutritious diets helps in development of both mother and the child during pregnancy.

* Pre pregnancy nutrition is as important as nutrition during pregnancy, as both help to determine fetal growth and therefore size and health of an infant at birth.

Panchkula, 31 March 2016: Pregnancy is a wonderful milestone in the life of a woman. It is an experience that a woman would like to nurture in her heart for a lifetime. It is a time when a woman will be overwhelmed with a variety of emotions ranging from the happiness of being pregnant to the anxiety about the proper health, growth and development of young baby to be.

Child bearing imposes both physical and mental strain on the body and mind. To be able to counter this, it is important that the mother has a healthy diet during pregnancy. A nutritious and rightly balanced diet during pregnancy, is important not only to maintain the maternal nutritional needs and the development of a healthy fetus but also to provide continuous adjustments in maternal body composition and metabolism.

While it is important to have proper nutrition and right diet  during pregnancy, pre-pregnancy nutrition is equally important, as it helps determine fetal growth and therefore size and health of an infant at birth. Well balanced, nutritious diet also plays a great role post pregnancy as well by ensuring a good health to the mother and child during lactation.

As we observe of March as the National Nutrition Month, Dr Gunjan Pannu, Consultant - Chief Clinical Dietitian at Paras Bliss Hospital, Panchkula for Mother & Child talked about the importance of nutrition in ensuring good health and reproductive performance of women and survival and development of their baby. Conceiving is not an easy process and requires both health and mind to be prepared to take the leap. A major part of the nutrition given to the body during pregnancy is partaken by the fetus. Therefore, it becomes important for a woman to store her nutrition much in advance before she decides to get pregnant. Hence, it is important to ensure intake of nutritious and well balanced diet pre pregnancy. And, since nutritious diet provides strength during lactation, post pregnancy nutrition becomes equally important,” said Dr Gunjan Pannu.

The drain of pregnancy and child feeding is such that it often leads women excessively deprived of nutrients. In women who do not take conscious care of their nutritional status, this can be dangerous for both short-term and long-term health. Calcium is one of the most crucial mineral needed for the growth of a fetus and this deprives pregnant women of a lot of their own body reserves.

“During pregnancy, the nutrient to the fetus is provided by the food taken by the mother. While nutrients such as mineral, vitamins and others are required for the mother to stay healthy to be able to deliver the child, nutritious diet is also important to ensure proper supply of nutrients to the developing fetus.  In many cases women recover their bone calcium after they have delivered the baby and have breastfed her, many are left with depleted bones for life. This can be prevented if you take care of your calcium intake and bone health from early years and ensuring a healthy from the time you decide to get pregnant,” added Dr Pannu.

Following are the nutritional requirements during pregnancy:

Energy & carbohydrates: Additional energy is required during pregnancy to support the metabolic demands of pregnancy and fetal growth.

Protein: During pregnancy there is a need for additional protein. It is to support the synthesis of maternal and fetal tissues. The efficiency of conversion of dietary protein to milk protein is 70%. So the need for protein is greatest when lactation has reached its maximum.

Minerals: In pregnancy the needs for calcium, iodine, iron and zinc and in lactation calcium and iron increases.

Vitamins: During pregnancy Vitamin D, Vitamin E, Vitamin K, Vitamin C, Thiamine, Riboflavin, Folic Acid and Vitamin B6 and during lactation Vitamin C and Vitamin B are highly essential.

Fluid intake: You need to drink plenty of water. At least 4-6 glasses in addition to what is contained in the form of milk and other beverages. This should be taken throughout pregnancy and in lactation, an increased fluid is necessary for adequate milk production.

Supplements: These should be taken as per doctor’s prescription. Self-medication is not recommended.

Besides a healthy and varied diet, it is also important to bring changes in the lifestyle such as practicing light exercises regularly and avoiding stress and tension. You should try not to overload your system and keep it fresh with consuming juices and green vegetable on regular basis. It is highly recommendable to avoid non – nutritive substances in food like alcohol, caffeine and tobacco during pregnancy. It is important to increase daily consumption of whole grained breads, whole grain cereals, pulses, green leafy and yellow vegetables, fresh and dried fruits, milk and milk products proportionately along with selecting good sources of iron and folic acid. Additionally, it is also essential to take small frequent feeds. Notably, one should not miss meal or undergo fasting during pregnancy.

* Osmania Medical College from Hyderabad and National Law School from Bangalore will now battle against the top two teams from the other three zones at National finals to be held in Mumbai on April 17, 2016

* Venkatasubramaniam S and Rushabh Menon from IIT Madras emerged as the winners of Chennai regional round of Tata Crucible Campus Quiz 2016

Syed Mustafa Hashmi and Syed Murtuza Hasmi from Osmania Medical College, Hyderabad and Jeydev CS and Parth Singh from National Law School, Bangalore were the top two teams at the Zone 4 finals of Tata Crucible Campus Quiz 2016, held in Chennai. These teams will now compete against the top two teams from the other three zones, in the ultimate battle to win the 12^th edition of the Tata Crucible Campus Quiz, at the National Finals to be held in Mumbai on April 17 2016.

A total of 557 teams from Chennai participated in the Chennai Regional round of Tata Crucible Quiz 2016 breaking all the records in the past. The Zone 4 finals witnessed power-packed performances from all the finalists. The other zonal finalist teams were:

Nakul H and Mohammed Ameen Mammooth from NIT, Calicut

Venkatasubramaniam S and Rushabh Menon from IIT Madras

Rashmi Ravi and S Bhargav Ayyangar from National Institute of Engineering, Mysore

Avinash Pai and Sachin Santhosh from Model Engineering College, Kerala

Pushkar Kulkarni and Mintu Jothish from National Institute of Technology, Karnataka, Suratkal

Rishi Rajasekaran and Subramaniam B from NIT Trichy

Syed Mustafa Hashmi and Syed Murtuza Hasmi from Osmania Medical College, Hyderabad

Jeydev CS and Parth Singh from National Law School, Bangalore

Pranav R and B Ram Prakash from PSG, Coimbatore

On the occasion, Chief Guest ‘Mr. Ananth Krishnan, Chief Technology Officer, Tata Consultancy Services’ congratulated the winners and said, “It is wonderful to see the energy and passion at Tata Crucible. The world of quizzing is in very safe hands! Congratulations to the winners and I wish them the best at the finals”.

The zonal final was preceded by the Chennai regional round. Venkatasubramaniam S and Rushabh Menon from IIT Madrasdefeated 557 teams to win the Chennai regional round. The winners received tough competition from Siddhanth Rao and Abijit Hariharan from SRM University who emerged as runners-up. Besides the winners and runners-up, four other finalistswere Sai Ishwar and Samyuktha from ICAI, Chennai;Sai Ganga and Alen Roy from VIT, Vellore;Kavin Aadithiyan C and Shashwat SS from IIT Madras;Tharunya D and Anirudh PV from College of Engineering, Guindy.

The winners of the national finals will receive a grand prize of Rs. 5,00,000* along with the coveted Tata Crucible Trophy. The winners of the regional rounds and runners-up were awarded a prize money of Rs. 75,000* and Rs. 35,000* respectively.

(*Subject to tax deduction applicable at source)

With an interesting format, fresh thinking and competitive spirit, this season has been witnessing an electrifying and dynamic quizzing experience.

The prizes for Tata Crucible Campus Quiz this year are being supported by Tata Docomo, Fastrack and Tata Motors.

‘Making Waves - Tata Crucible’ is a video that captures the legacy and the milestones of the quiz over the years. You can view it on: https://youtu.be/m1I6xExfMuU

For more information on Tata Crucible Campus Quiz 2016 please visit: www.tatacrucible.com

QATAR AIRWAYS COMMITTED TO SUSTAINABLE AVIATION

Airline signs industry sustainable pledge to develop biofuel

30 March 2016: DOHA, Qatar – Qatar Airways has signed a pledge to support the airline industry’s commitment to sustainable aviation fuels. As a member of the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Users Group (SAFUG), a world-leading environmental research programme, the pledge unites Qatar’s national airline with industry leaders to drive the development and commercialisation of sustainable aviation biofuels.

As a global aviation operator, Qatar Airways will contribute its substantial sustainable aviation fuel knowledge and expertise to emerging industry programmes that are developing sustainable biofuels in an effort to achieve lower and more efficient greenhouse gas emissions

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency, Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said: “Aviation will make a significant contribution to the global response to climate change, and Qatar Airways is contributing towards the development of local and international solutions. Our investment in flying fuel efficient aircraft and focus on optimising environmental performance across our modern fleet demonstrates our leadership in the continued pursuit for lower carbon air travel.

“Qatar Airways is represented on IATA’s most senior environmental committee, and together with our commitment to SAFUG, we are fully united with our aviation partners in our shared ambition to reduce the industry’s impact on the environment. It will take time and shared vision to advance the development, certification, and commercial use of sustainable aviation fuels and Qatar Airways has the ambition to meet this challenge and achieve change.”

Qatar Airways’ fuel optimisation programme is one example of how it is working towards the airline industry’s target to improve fuel efficiency by 1.5 per cent each year to 2020 and to deliver carbon neutral growth beyond this date. This initiative involves testing and implementing new methods to save fuel and reduce carbon emissions such as reducing aircraft weight; optimising route efficiency; and using only a single engine while taxiing from the runway.

A commitment to the SAFUG Pledge will see Qatar Airways’ experts working in partnership with governments and industry representatives in response to global climate change challenges, identifying research projects and sharing best practice and innovations into the development of lower carbon and renewable fuels derived from environmentally and socially sustainable sources.