Archive: March 6, 2025

Tata Power Renewable Microgrid Limited and ESAF Small Finance Bank Collaborate to Drive Clean and Renewable Energy Growth in Rural India

Kochi: Tata Power Renewable Microgrid Limited (TPRMG), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Tata Power Company (TPC), a prominent player in India’s Solar rural microgrid sector, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with ESAF Small Finance Bank, a Social Bank with a priority to impact and execute Environmental Social Governance (ESG), to drive the adoption of clean and efficient energy solutions in rural India. The partnership, focusing on rural communities, aims to empower them and entrepreneurs by promoting renewable energy-based solutions, providing affordable financing options, and fostering energy entrepreneurship. ESAF Small Finance Bank operates in 24 States and 2 UTs of India, serving over 9.1 million customers, mainly from unserved and underserved geographies.

Under this collaboration, TPRMG and ESAF BANK will work together to enhance accessibility to sustainable energy solutions for rural communities and entrepreneurs. The alliance aims to promote energy entrepreneurship, ensure trained professionals support clean energy initiatives in energy-deficit areas, and contribute to the transition to renewable energy. ESAF Small Finance Bank will offer affordable financing schemes to rural micro-entrepreneurs, enabling them to adopt renewable energy solutions. TPRMG will provide expertise in designing, supplying, and installing renewable energy solutions to facilitate a seamless transition to clean energy.

Furthermore, TPRMG will drive the deployment of innovative renewable energy technologies to provide reliable and affordable energy solutions to rural micro-entrepreneurs. Meanwhile, ESAF Small Finance Bank will financially support such projects. Both organizations will collaborate on public policy advocacy initiatives aligned with India’s Net Zero plans, reinforcing their focus on ESG-driven growth.

Commenting on the same, Shri Manoj Gupta, CEO of TP Renewable Microgrid, stated, “Our partnership with ESAF Small Finance Bank marks a significant step towards enabling rural communities access to clean, efficient and affordable renewable energy. This partnership aims to enhance energy accessibility, promote skilling & entrepreneurship, and drive India’s renewable energy transition at the grassroots level”.

Speaking about this collaboration, Shri K. Paul Thomas, MD & CEO of ESAF Small Finance Bank, said, “We are proud to collaborate with TPRMG to empower unserved or underserved rural areas and enhance energy security in the country, and support micro-entrepreneurs with sustainable energy solutions. By offering affordable financing options and supporting the deployment of clean energy technologies, we strive to enhance livelihoods and contribute to India’s green energy goals”.

This strategic alliance between TPRMG and ESAF Small Finance Bank is set to create a meaningful impact in rural India by facilitating access to energy-efficient decentralized renewable technologies and solutions for rural entrepreneurs. Thus, it will promote economic growth and contribute to the country’s carbon neutrality objectives.

Shri Manoj Gupta, CEO of TP Renewable Microgrid; Shri P. R. Ravi Mohan, Chairman, ESAF Small Finance Bank; Shri Hari Velloor, Executive Vice President, ESAF Small Finance Bank; Shri George Oommen, Business Head – General Loans & Mobility Loans, ESAF Small Finance Bank, and Shri Alok Thomas Paul, MD, Cedar Retail, were present on the occasion.

Apollo Tyres & French Institute in India Honor Eight Trailblazing Women Entrepreneurs

India, March 06th, 2025: Apollo Tyres recognised the achievements of 8 exceptional women entrepreneurs from Project Navya, an initiative by Apollo Tyres Foundation (ATF), aimed at empowering rural women. The inspiring event was organised in collaboration with the French Institute in India (IFI), and was honoured by the presence of H.E. Dr Thierry Mathou, Ambassador of France to India, and Onkar Kanwar, Chairman, Apollo Tyres Ltd.

Since 2019, #EkNaam has become a powerful symbol of hope, highlighting extraordinary Change Agents who have transformed their communities. Over the years, Apollo Tyres has celebrated more than 40 remarkable women, showcasing the strength and impact of grassroots movement. As part of the 6th edition of #EkNaam, Apollo Tyres and IFI today felicitated:

1. Leena Krishnakumar, Kerala: facing financial pressure initially, she has empowered 20 women in her community
2. Raji K K, Kerala: having insufficient income to educate her children, she supports 80 women in her community on their apiculture journey
3. Nilamben Rameshbhai Parmar, Gujarat: facing low family income, she leads large-scale vegetable cultivation, and has mentored 50 women on income generation
4. Snehalben Sanjaybhai Parmar, Gujarat: facing financial instability, she launched a pickle-making business, and has worked with 125 women to enhance their skills
5. Shabira Abubhai Shaikh, Maharashtra: deserted by her husband, she has empowered over 80 women to pursue milk production and poultry farming
6. Vaishali Pravin Shelar, Maharashtra: when her husband lost his job, she trained to become a tailor, and has trained 400 women to earn for their families
7. Sanchita Daphal, Maharashtra: facing financial instability, she started a dairy cooperative for herself and the community
8. G Devi, Tamil Nadu: facing unhygienic conditions in her village, she embraced waste management, along with 24 women, and transformed waste into valuable resources

H.E. Dr Thierry Mathou, the Ambassador of France to India, commended the remarkable partnership between Apollo Tyres and IFI for orchestrating this significant event. He also praised the Apollo Tyres Foundation for its steadfast dedication to pioneering transformative initiatives that champion diversity, equity and inclusion.

Paris 2024 Paralympian Bronze Medallist, Ms Simran Sharma and Padma Shree awardee, Ms Dulari Devi graced the occasion reinforcing the commitment to gender equity and development. They were also felicitated by Onkar Kanwar, Chairman, Apollo Tyres Ltd.

In his powerful address, Onkar Kanwar, Chairman, Apollo Tyres Ltd championed the ethos of ‘One Family,’ underscoring the company’s steadfast dedication to empowering women within the community. He lauded ATF’s unwavering commitment to fostering the entrepreneurial journeys of women, igniting personal growth and cultivating a profound sense of unity among all.

Apollo Tyres Foundation has worked towards uplifting over 24,000 rural women as of December 2024, helping them gain access to government-supported livelihood schemes and enabling them to dramatically change their economic landscapes. This initiative has positioned them as influential catalysts of change within their communities.

Beyond this celebration of women’s empowerment, the French Institute in India, with the support of Apollo Tyres, is deeply committed to fostering equality and diversity. ‘French for All, French for a Better Future’ is the flagship programme, developed by French Embassy – French Institute in India, which aims to introduce French language learning in government schools, engaging 38 schools from Delhi covering approximately 4000 students. The partnership would co-create diversity awareness sessions in Schools culminating into a wall art project.

Kyndryl Foundation Expands Global Reach, Boosts Cybersecurity & AI Training in 11 Countries

Bangalore, March 06th, 2025:  Kyndryl Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Kyndryl, today announced that 12 nonprofit organizations from 11 countries have been awarded its second-year grants. The program is expected to touch the lives of more than 55,000 people over the next two years through cybersecurity and artificial intelligence (AI) skills development, awareness and job placement initiatives.

Building on the positive impact of its inaugural year, Kyndryl Foundation is extending its philanthropic support to serve nonprofits from five additional countries – Brazil, Canada, Costa Rica, Spain and the United Kingdom. Countries already served by Kyndryl Foundation include the Czech Republic, Hungary, India, Japan, Poland and the United States. The Foundation has also introduced select multi-year grants – up to two years at a time – to build deeper engagements with grantees and create longer-term, sustainable impact.

The Data Security Council of India (DSCI) is one of the first multi-year grantees and will offer two programs. DSCI launched the Cyber Vaahini program in 2024 with an inaugural Kyndryl Foundation grant to provide cybersecurity training to women in tier two and three cities and help them find job opportunities. They will train 100 women under the Cyber Vaahini program. The nonprofit will also use the fund to establish a state-of-the-art cybersecurity training center in Mumbai.

“As the largest IT infrastructure services provider, we are committed to addressing the critical shortage of cybersecurity and AI professionals,” said Una Pulizzi, Kyndryl Foundation President and Kyndryl Global Head of Corporate Affairs. “We are proud to offer second-year funding to our grantees and look forward to the positive impact that can be achieved through our continued and expanded work together to drive innovation and build a new generation of skilled professionals.”

“India is becoming a hub for security products and services, thanks to its rich talent pool, inherent capability in serving global markets, and the rapidly accelerating pace of innovation in the cybersecurity startup ecosystem. The Data Security Council of India is coming up with a pioneering Cybersecurity Skilling Centre to give further impetus to bridge the talent gap in cybersecurity. We are thankful to the continued support from Kyndryl Foundation for this novel initiative and the Cyber Vaahini skilling program to achieve sustainable development goals in the process of building the cybersecurity industry,” said Vinayak Godse, CEO, DSCI

Other multi-year grantees

• Czechitas (Czech Republic) provides training programs for two tech career paths – Security Operations Center (SOC) Analyst and Information Security Specialist. The nonprofit will train 100 women in cybersecurity, run cyber awareness initiatives for 50,000 women and educate government officials on cyber resiliency.
• Girl Security (US) will grow its Workforce Training Program – designed to prepare individuals from low-income communities for cybersecurity pathways. The nonprofit aims to create a pipeline of more than 1,000 prepared participants planning to enter the technology sector by 2026.
• NPO Sodateage Net (Japan) enables youth empowerment and economic independence through various employment support programs, awareness activities, career guidance sessions and family support. The nonprofit will provide a cybersecurity skilling program to nearly 1,500 young people and help them with internship and job placement.

Single-year grantees

• CLACK (Japan) will offer its “Be Pro Cybersecurity” course for 100 students from economically disadvantaged families in Tokyo and Osaka. The two-day skilling program trains students on the basics of cybersecurity and helps them expand their career choices.
• Fundación Cibervoluntarios (Spain) runs a one-year cybersecurity skilling course. The nonprofit will extend this course to 5,000 young people from underserved communities and depopulated areas.
• Generation: You Employed (UK) will organize train-and-place boot camps for 230 people facing barriers toward careers in IT and cybersecurity.
• Junior Achievement (JA) Americas (Brazil and Costa Rica) runs the “She is Digital” program focused on training and employability in the knowledge economy, specifically in cybersecurity. The nonprofit will deliver cybersecurity and career skills training to 400 women from Brazil and Costa Rica and support them in finding jobs.
• Joint Economic and Development Initiative (JEDI) (Canada) aims to empower Indigenous communities through digital literacy and IT training, bridging the gap in rural, underrepresented communities. They will support approximately 50 Indigenous students from New Brunswick.
• Justice Through Code (JTC) (US) runs “The Flagship,” a 10-month software engineering and professional development program for formerly-incarcerated talent. The nonprofit will train 125 people under The Flagship program, developing AI skills and supporting them with job placement.
• Mamo Pracuj Foundation (Poland) organizes “The Cyber Women Leaders” program that enables women, including refugees and migrants, to return to the workforce after a career break. The nonprofit will support 40 women with cybersecurity training, career consultation, soft skills sessions and job search guidance.
• United Way Hungary offers a modular training program on cybersecurity – “The United for CyberSafe Youth” – for secondary school students and young adults, with a focus on underserved communities and people with visual disabilities. The nonprofit will train 345 people under this program and help them with career development.

According to the Kyndryl Readiness Report, the number one challenge for organizations is cyberattacks. In addition, 64% of leaders feel that their IT is not prepared for AI implementation because of a lack of required skills and talent. Learn more about Kyndryl Foundation’s commitment to addressing the global skills shortage in cybersecurity and AI at www.kyndryl.org.

Obesitas 2025 Wraps Up with a Strong Call to Combat India’s Growing Obesity Crisis

New Delhi, March 06th, 2025: Obesitas 2025:  The Future of Obesity Care, hosted by the IJCP Group and the Asian Journal of Obesity on March 2, 2025, brought together leading medical experts, researchers, and policymakers to address India’s escalating obesity crisis. The conference facilitated critical discussions on comprehensive obesity management, emphasizing the urgent need for evidence-based interventions, multidisciplinary collaboration, and community-driven solutions.

The obesity epidemic continues to grow at an alarming rate, with one in eight people worldwide living with obesity. In India, 40 percent of women and 12 percent of men suffer from abdominal obesity, a major risk factor for chronic conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and metabolic disorders. The Economic Survey 2023-24 has underscored the importance of timely policy interventions, particularly for the country’s youth, to mitigate obesity-related health risks. Inspired by the vision of Honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the conference focused on translating awareness into actionable strategies to curb this public health crisis.

“Obesity is a complex disease that cannot be tackled in isolation,” says Mr. Nilesh Aggarwal, CEO of IJCP Group. “The “Obesitas” Conference served as a vital platform where leading experts from across India discussed the entire spectrum of obesity management, addressing both standard and specialized treatment approaches.”

The conference featured discussions on lifestyle modifications, behavioral strategies, and advancements in pharmacotherapy. Experts also deliberated on specialized care for children, adolescents, and individuals with obesity-related complications such as heart, kidney, and liver diseases. In addition to medical interventions, the role of community-based awareness programs and workplace wellness initiatives was highlighted as crucial components of a broader preventive strategy.

During the conference, key discussions covered lifestyle modifications, motivational therapeutics, and pharmacotherapy, along with the management of obesity in special populations, including children, adolescents, and patients with heart, kidney, and liver diseases. In addition to medical interventions, considerations were made on motivational strategies and behavioral therapies, recognizing that patient engagement and long-term adherence to lifestyle changes are crucial for sustained weight management. The role of community awareness and workplace wellness programs was also emphasized as part of a broader preventive strategy.

The organizing committee, comprising Prof. Nishant Raizada, Dr. Saptarshi Bhattacharya, Dr. Sanjay Kalra and Prof. Nitin Kapoor, opined that “the rising prevalence of obesity requires a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach as it presents in diverse ways and demands tailored treatment strategies. To enhance knowledge-sharing and improve patient care, it is imperative that healthcare professionals (HCPs) collaborate, undergo cohort learning, and implement the latest evidence-based interventions to combat obesity and its associated health risks. The “Obesitas” Conference reaffirms the collective commitment of the medical community to addressing obesity through evidence-based care and patient empowerment.”

In addition to this national-level annual conference, The Asian Journal of Obesity, a quarterly publication, continues to be a key resource for advancing scientific understanding in this field. Through education, innovation, and collaboration, we can make a meaningful impact in reducing obesity-related complications and improving overall health outcomes.

Muthoot Microfin Secures e-KYC License for Faster and Seamless Customer Onboarding

Kochi, March 06th, 2025: Muthoot Microfin (NSE: MUTHOOTMF BSE: 544055), a leading microfinance institution, has received approval to conduct Aadhaar enabled e-KYC for customer onboarding. With this milestone, the company is set to introduce fully digital e-KYC, enabling a seamless and paperless onboarding experience for rural women entrepreneurs, Joint-Lending Groups (JLGs), and other underserved communities across India.

With the e-KYC license in place, Muthoot Microfin will soon roll out a faster, more secure digital onboarding process, leveraging Aadhaar-based authentication, biometric verification, and OTP-based validation. By ensuring accurate customer identification, e-KYC serves as a crucial solution to the growing issue of overleveraging in the microfinance sector, helping lenders assess borrower exposure more effectively and mitigate financial risks. This initiative will eliminate manual documentation, ensuring a streamlined process while reinforcing compliance and data security.

The e-KYC initiative is designed to address key challenges faced by rural communities, such as limited access to financial services, time-consuming onboarding, and identity verification barriers. As part of the rollout, the company will also introduce financial literacy initiatives in regional languages to help customers navigate digital financial services with confidence.

The nationwide implementation of e-KYC will cover all states where Muthoot Microfin operates, ensuring inclusivity. Once launched, customers will be able to onboard digitally and gain access to a wide range of financial products, including microloans and insurance, fostering economic self-sufficiency.

Commenting on this significant move, Mr. Sadaf Sayeed, CEO of Muthoot Microfin, said, “We are committed to making financial services more accessible, secure, and efficient for rural communities. Securing the e-KYC license is a critical step in our journey toward greater financial inclusion. By embracing digital advancements, we aim to remove barriers that have traditionally limit financial access, ensuring that even the most remote communities can benefit from a from a streamlined and secure financial journey.”

As the financial landscape evolves, Muthoot Microfin remains committed to embracing technology-driven solutions that enhance customer experience and operational efficiency. As on 31st December 2024, the Company operated in 20 states, having a presence in 379 districts with 1,651 branches spread across the country.

Re’equil’s Women’s Day Initiative Raises Awareness on Postpartum Depression

India, 06th March 2025: This Women’s Day, Re’equil is sparking a much-needed conversation about postpartum depression (PPD) with its latest campaign, #StartTalking. Through an emotionally compelling ad film, the campaign sheds light on the often-overlooked struggles of new mothers and emphasizes the critical role of family support in maternal well-being.

Postpartum depression affects 1 in 5 mothers in India, yet it remains a topic rarely discussed in families. Many new mothers struggle with overwhelming emotions, exhaustion, and isolation, often without realizing they are experiencing PPD. Re’equil’s Women’s Day campaign urges families to recognize these signs, take action, and start to have open conversations.

Vipul Gupta, Founder at Re’equil said, “At Re’equil, we believe self-care goes beyond skincare. It’s about mental and emotional well-being too. Through this campaign, we want to empower families to support new mothers, ensuring they don’t feel alone in this journey.”

This Women’s Day, Re’equil is urging families to recognize, acknowledge, and support the emotional well-being of new mothers. With its #StartTalking campaign, the brand is taking a step beyond skincare, positioning self-care as a holistic experience that includes mental, emotional, and physical health. The campaign encourages open conversations about postpartum depression and the role of family support, ensuring that every mother has a partner, a caregiver, and a community that truly listens. The film ends with a powerful call to action: “1 in 5 mothers experience postpartum depression. 60 Lakh Mothers, 60 Lakh Fathers. Start talking, so we can help the next generation.”

Beyond Women’s Day, Re’equil is committed to advocating for maternal well-being as an ongoing conversation. By broadening the definition of self-care, the brand emphasizes the importance of nurturing not just the body, but also the mind and emotions—ensuring that mothers feel supported at every stage of their journey. This Women’s Day, let’s go beyond celebrating women and commit to understanding, supporting, and uplifting them — one conversation at a time.

Re’equil’s range of science-backed skincare and haircare solutions is available online at Re’equil and on the Re’equil mobile app, making self-care accessible to everyone, anytime.

Ultraviolette Expands EV Lineup with New Electric Scooter and Lightweight Motorcycle

Bengaluru, March 06th, 2025: Ultraviolette takes a significant stride in its mission to revolutionize the electric vehicle industry. As the makers of ‘The Fastest Indian,’ and following the recent launch of the F77 SuperStreet, the company held its most extensive Product and Technology showcase: FAST FORWARD India ’25, in Bengaluru today. This landmark event prominently highlighted the company’s roadmap for the future, unveiled two new disruptive products, and showcased its RsD prowess, epitomizing Ultraviolette’s vision for the future of electric mobility.

In a bold move to expand its market footprint, the company unveiled its exciting new product portfolio aimed at both the Indian and Global markets. Among the new offerings are two mainstream products set to redefine the EV landscape and slated to be The World’s Most Advanced Electric Scooter -‘Tesseract’ and a disruptive Electric Motorcycle- ‘Shockwave’ that promises to reignite the joy in every ride – a hark back to the days of 2-stroke motorcycling.

Narayan Subramaniam, CEO s Co-founder of Ultraviolette, stated “We are exhilarated to introduce our latest products— The World’s Most Advanced Electric Scooter and a new Motorcycle that will redefine urban commuting. Our top-down approach has enabled us to harness the core technology that we have developed over the last seven years. Our new scooter and light-weight motorcycle platform epitomizes iconic design, segment defining features and category leading performance that will ensure an unparalleled riding experience. We are proudly presenting this portfolio on a National and Global stage- highlighting Indian R&D, indigenous technological prowess, and engineering excellence. Our journey is just getting started as we aim to position India as the global leader in mobility.”

Tesseract features a segment first integrated radar and dashcam, seamlessly coupled with Omnisense mirrors, providing advanced safety technologies such as Blindspot Detection, Lane Change, Overtaking Assist, and real-time Collision Alerts. It is also equipped with Traction control and Dynamic regen for enhanced safety and optimizing energy consumption. In addition, Tesseract boasts a 7″ touchscreen TFT display, and multi-colour LED displays embedded in the ORVMs – further enhancing rider awareness and reducing the risk of accidents: making every journey safer and more enjoyable.

Shockwave marks Ultraviolette’s second unveil- a meticulously designed and engineered motorcycle to meet the demands of riders seeking an exhilarating riding experience and reigniting the joy in riding. It promises the same iconic thrill of the ‘2-stroke’ motorcycling era that represented the lightweight, fun, and accessible motorcycles.

“Our cutting-edge technology is poised to become more accessible to the mainstream market while maintaining the brand’s hallmark of futuristic design and advanced engineering. Today, we have showcased several exciting segment-first technologies that will significantly influence the future of rider safety and connected riding gear, which promises a more seamless ride. This demonstrates our steadfast commitment to innovation, research and development, and customer centricity. We will continue to focus on developing superior technologies that not just makes our products the best-in-class but deliver a more connected and hassle-free riding experience.” said Niraj Rajmohan, CTO s Co-founder of Ultraviolette.

Ultraviolette has attracted prestigious investors, including Ferrari and Stellantis-backed majority stakeholder EXOR N.V., American tech giant Qualcomm Ventures, Zoho Corporation, TVS Motor, and Speciale Invest.

In a short span, the company has expanded its presence to over thirteen cities. By FY 2026, the company aims to extend its reach to fifty cities across India, with a strategic focus on fast-paced global markets such as the UK, Germany, Spain, Portugal, and France.