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November 21, 2024

January 2024

Advantage Vidarbha successfully concluded the 1st edition of’Khasdar Industrial Mahotsav – Nagpur’ 

  • The exhibition took place from January 27th to 29th, 2024, witnessed the participation of ministers from both the Central and State Governments.
  • The expo witnessed the participation of over 250 exhibitors from more than 40 diverse business verticals, and more than 25 MoUs were signed at the event.
  • The expo attracted 70000 visitors from Vidarbha and Maharashtra, highlighting its regions significance.

New Delhi, 31st January, 2024: The Association of Industrial Development (AID) concludes the first edition of the ‘Khasdar Industrial Mahotsav – Advantage Vidarbha’ in Nagpur. The event was inaugurated by Shri Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister for Road, Transport, and Highways, Shri Devendra Fadnavis Deputy Chief Minister Maharashtra, and other dignitaries Shri Narayan Rane Minister MSME Government of India, Shri Sudhir Mungantiwar Minister of Forests of Maharashtra,Shri Ajay Bhat Minister of State for Defence GOI,Shri Girish Mahajan Tourism Minister of Maharashtra along with senior leadership from central and state politics, as well as business industry stalwarts.

‘Khasdar Industrial Mahotsav – Advantage Vidarbha’ was a three-day event that took place in Nagpur from January 27th to January 29th, 2024. The event focused on promoting industrial development in the Vidarbha and Maharashtra regions, creating a unified platform for Vidarbha industries to showcase their business potential, and exploring opportunities for expansion and collaborations. Over 250 exhibitors participated in the expo, with 90% of them representing the Vidarbha industry. 

“The issue of carbon emissions due to vehicles running on petrol and diesel, and the resultant pollution has become a growing concern today. Alternative fuels like ethanol, methanol, and other components can be used to address this, reducing both carbon emissions and the dependence on oil imports. The time has come to prioritize coal gasification and reconsider royalties. Moreover, if electricity is generated nearer to the mines, it would not only save transportation costs but would also increase the capacity for energy generation,” – Union Minister Shri Nitin Gadkari said on the sideline of Advantage Vidarbha Expo

Speaking on the occasion Ashish Harshraj Kale, President, Association for Industrial Development (AID) said “It was a pleasure for all of us at AID to host the senior government delegates along with senior industry stalwarts. On behalf of the association, I express gratitude to each of them for their vision for the region. The region has immense potential to make a stronger and consistent contribution to the nation’s growth drive. 

This three-day expo marked great success with varios panel discussions in the presence of stalwarts of the sector. The startups, given that India is a developing country, have made incredible contributions. We are pleased to see a larger set of startups emerging from the region. The level of support and mentorship provided by the industry will be a milestone in this journey.

Our honorable Union Minister Shri Nitin Gadkari Ji has been the torchbearer of the development drive in the nation, and it is his vision that has made this landmark expo a reality. The expo witnessed the participation of over 250 exhibitors, representing a diverse range of 43 business sectors in the region.”

He further added, “This is just the beginning, and we have a long way to go. As an industry, we are committed to the vision of our leadership.”

Vidarbha in Maharashtra, known for its rich biodiversity and resources, is emerging as a promising hub for industrial and tourism investment. Comprising 11 districts including Nagpur and Gadchiroli, it boasts excellent infrastructure and a high mineral contribution. The ‘Advantage Vidarbha – Khasdar Audyogik Mahotsav’ event marked a significant step in this direction, with over 25 MOUs signed between angel investors and regional startups. Major investors like Haldiram and Nuwals pledged not just financial support but also mentorship. This initiative is crucial as Maharashtra, contributing 20% of India’s startups and 25% of its unicorns, is seeing a startup boom beyond metros, with tier 2 and 3 cities gaining momentum. Advantage Vidarbha is set to play a key role in nurturing young talent and startups in the region.

The three-day event featured diverse sessions and panel discussions covering various sectors such as education, defence, aviation, startups, MSME, bamboo, IT & ITES, pharmaceuticals, real estate, steel & PEB, finance, logistics & warehousing, mining equipment, coal gasification, fisheries, Ayurveda, dairy, and more. Senior Ministers from the State and Central Government, industry stalwarts across sectors, and renowned educational institutions, experts, and think tanks came together to discuss the potential challenges and their solutions to create a seamless business ecosystem and ensure the developmental growth of the region.

The inaugural day of the event centered its discussions on exploring the region’s potential, the availability of skilled manpower, geographical advantages, and efforts to promote and raise awareness about the initiative. Additionally, the focus was on attracting investors to invest in the region. The day of the event witnessed keynote addresses and sessions on the startup ecosystem of the region, education, aviation, defense, gem and jewelry, and the food processing industry. The first day concluded with the signing of 25 MoUs with angle investors, providing financial support to startups in Vidarbha.

The second day of the event concluded with in-depth discussions, including sessions and panel discussions, regarding the advancement of the bamboo sector and the exploration and creation of business opportunities for MSMEs, startups, pharmaceuticals, IT & ITES, real estate, and steel & PEB. There was a particular emphasis on the significance of coal gasification, efforts to reduce carbon emissions, and the transition towards alternative fuel options.

On the final day, there was a brainstorming session and panel discussions focused on tapping into the region’s potential for the expansion of fisheries and fish farming, dairy, and Ayurveda. The conversations also addressed themes like training local youth for job creation and the development of various sectors, encompassing mining equipment, logistics & warehousing, IT & ITES, and finance. The event concluded with the unveiling of a Coffee Table Book showcasing the entrepreneurial success stories of Vidarbha. The book aims to highlight the significant contributions of these individuals to the region’s economic development.

Largecap: The Pillar of An Investor Portfolio – By Sidhavelayutham,Founder & CEO, Alice Blue.

Investors should always remember that portfolio risk management is as essential as striving
to meet the return objective. There are more than 5000 stocks listed in the Indian stock
market. It is a huge collection of a lot of microcaps, a few smallcaps, some more midcaps
and a handful of largecaps.
Currently, there are a lot of investors who might be thinking that there is no evident benefit of
investing in largecap stocks as the smallcap and midcap stocks are hitting through the roof
and becoming multibaggers by giving double or even triple digit returns in a span of months.
In this kind of return environment, it is very important to understand and recall the concept of
volatility. Smallcaps and midcaps have comparatively much higher volatility against
largecaps. If there is a black swan event in the world such as a war or a global epidemic, the
largecaps will be the one to balance out investors’ losses in other stocks during market fall.
Additionally, there are a lot of global pension funds and large institutional investors which
hold largecap stocks just for getting a regular cash flow stream in the form of dividend
income. In fact, as the standard deviation in these stocks is relatively much lesser, it saves
the investor from large capital losses during instances of market turbulence.
Despite modest growth on a yearly basis, the L&T and TCS of the stock market have been
exceptional compounding stories as the Indian economy rose to periods of super strong
economic growth, higher corporate earnings growth in a declining interest rate environment.
On the other hand, if one looks into smallcap stocks,say for example Brightcom Group there
are a series of days where the stock went through lower circuit/upper circuit patterns
bringing in more stress on any investors’ mindset. Additionally, there is a big issue in terms
of low liquidity when it comes to smallcap stocks.
If the risk profile of an investor is about getting stable returns, then there is no better choice
than largecaps. In fact, the investors can further cut down on their volatility risk by investing
in index funds. These are mutual fund schemes in which the investment is in the top 50
companies by market cap regarded as largecaps. The role of a fund manager is largely
passive here and the portfolio churn cost is limited.
However, if an investor seeks higher growth with some amount of stability to his/her portfolio,
then one should go for a mix of both smallcap/midcap and largecap stocks. The portfolio
allocation of these types would certainly depend on the individual investor risk appetite.

Indel Money Limited Launches Public Issue of up to Rs. 200 crores of Secured, Redeemable Non-Convertible Debentures (NCDs)

  • Secured NCDs of face value of Rs.1,000 each
  • The Issue includes a Base Issue Size for an amount of up to Rs.100 crores with an option to retain over-subscription up to Rs. 100 crores aggregating up to Rs.200 crores
  • Issue opens on Tuesday, January 30th, 2024 and closes on Monday, February 12th, 2024
  • Doubling of investment in 72 months – Option VIII
  • Coupon yielding up to 12.25% per annum
  • Secured NCDs with tenure ranging from 366 days to 72 months
  • Minimum application size 10 NCDs (Rs.10,000) across all Options of NCDs

Chennai, 31 January 2024

Indel Money Limited, one of the fastest growing NBFC in the gold loan sector, announced the 4th public issue of Secured NCDs of face value of Rs.1,000 each. The Issue opened on Tuesday, January 30, 2024 and will close on Monday, February 12, 2024 (with an option of early closure in case of early over subscription).

Mr. Umesh Mohanan, Executive Whole Time Director, Indel Money Limited said, “Our business strategy is designed to capitalize on our competitive strengths to enhance our position in the Gold Loan industry and to expand our presence. The first half of FY24 saw the company demonstrating a stellar performance with its profitability surging by a record 568.86% buoyed by a strong AUM growth, heightened demand for gold loans, expansion into newer territories and operational efficiencies despite a challenging business environment. Tamil Nadu has always been our primary strategic focus in the south Indian states. We aim to continue to grow our loan portfolio by expanding our branch network by opening new branches. Increased revenue, profitability and visibility are the factors that drive the branch network. With this issue, we aim to expand our sources of funds.”

The issue includes a Base Issue Size for an amount of up to Rs.100 crores with an option to retain over-subscription up to Rs.100 crores aggregating up to Rs.200 crores. The Lead Manager to the Issue is Vivro Financial Services Private Limited.

The funds raised through this issue will be used for the purpose of onward lending, financing and for repayment/prepayment of principal and interest on borrowings of the Company.

Indel Money Limited had a total outstanding AUM (excluding off-balance sheet assets) amounting to Rs.81,740.86 lakhs as on September 30, 2023 as compared to Rs.64,768.53 lakhs as on March 31, 2023. Gold Loans takes up ~82% of the loan portfolio with a branch network of 250 branches as on September 30, 2023. Indel Money Limited intends to widen our geographic footprint by Fiscal 2025 to over 425 branches across 12 Indian states, expanding to eastern and northern states in India.

Indel Money Limited had successfully launched 3 public issues of NCDs and raised more than Rs.260 crores.

Notes to the Editor: Indel Money Limited:

We are an NBFC in the gold loan sector lending money against the pledge of household gold jewellery (“Gold Loans”) in the states of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Maharashtra and Telangana and the union territory of Puducherry. We also provide loans against property, business loans and personal loans. Our Gold Loan portfolio (excluding off-balance sheet assets) for on the half year ended September 30, 2023, and Fiscal 2023, 2022 and 2021 amounted to ₹67,132.98 lakhs, ₹50,635.60 lakhs, ₹42,135.99 lakhs and ₹30,994.35 lakhs which is 82.13%, 78.18%, 80.46% and77.71% of our total loans and advances (excluding off-balance sheet assets) as on such specific dates. We, as on September 30, 2023, had a network of 250 branches spread in the states of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Maharashtra and Telangana and the union territory of Puducherry.

Disclaimer:

Indel Money Limited is subject to market conditions and other considerations, proposing a public issue of Secured Redeemable Non-Convertible Debentures and has filed a Prospectus dated January 16, 2024 (“Prospectus”) with the Registrar of Companies, Maharashtra at Mumbai, BSE Limited (“BSE”) and Securities and Exchange Board of India (“SEBI”). The Prospectus is available on our website at www.indelmoney.com, on the website of the stock exchange at www.bseindia.com, and on the website of the Lead Manager at www.vivro.net All investors proposing to participate in the public issue of NCDs by Indel Money Limited should invest only on the basis of the information contained in the Prospectus. Please see the section titled “Risk Factors” beginning on page 17 of the Prospectus for risk in this regard.

Dalmia Bharat Foundation Empowers 500 Farmers in Tamil Nadu withSolar Light Insect Traps, Promoting Sustainable Agriculture.


Trichy, 30 th January 2024: Taking a significant step towards the promotion of sustainable
agricultural practices, Dalmia Bharat Foundation (DBF), the Corporate Social Responsibility
(CSR) arm of Dalmia Cement (Bharat) Ltd (DCBL), the leading Indian cement major distributed
Solar Light Insect Traps benefitting 500 farmers from seven village panchayats around
Dalmiapuram, Tamil Nadu. This automatic solar powered device provides a cost-effective and
environmentally friendly solution for pest control, effectively reducing crop damage, and
increasing the yield and income of farmers. This device operates completely autonomously,
utilizing solar energy for charging during the day and seamlessly transitions to operation in the
evening after sunset. The trap works by attracting insects and flies with UV light, causing them
to fly around it, hit the flaps, and eventually fall into a tray filled with water. Recommended by
the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Tamil Nadu Agriculture University and the Agriculture
Department of Pest Control, this device is a highly advantageous tool for farmers, contributing
to sustainable and efficient farming practices. The training session and distribution of the solar
light traps for the project were conducted under DBF’s Gram Parivatan Project. Additionally,
100 vermi compost bags and 100 Azollo production bags were distributed to the core village
beneficiaries as part of organic farming practices.
Commenting on the initiative, Mr. K Vinayagamurthi, Executive Director and Unit Head,
Dalmiapuram said, “At Dalmia Bharat, we actively engage in farmer education programs,
providing comprehensive training on sustainable agricultural practices to empower
communities for a better livelihood. This technology exemplifies eco-friendly practices by
relying on the abundant renewable source of solar energy and minimizing the environmental
impact. By combining education and innovative solutions, we strive to create a positive impact
on farming communities, promoting resilience, biodiversity and holistic development for a
brighter and more sustainable future for all.”
As part of another initiative focused on empowering women and promoting sustainable
livelihood, DBF conducted a 20-day Aari embroidery training for 20 marginalized women in
Dalmiapuram. Aari embroidery, using a hooked needle, creates intricate designs, often
enhanced with Zari Zardozi—a technique using metallic threads for added shimmer and shine.
Post the completion of the training, the beneficiaries will have the opportunity to receive local
orders, potentially earning a monthly income ranging from Rs. 3000 to 10000. In the FY22-23,
the company provided similar training to 140 women beneficiaries from the surrounding
villages.
Dalmia Bharat Foundation spearheads community development with a focus on rural
upliftment. Under their Gram Parivartan Project it aims to promote economic development in

village households and qualitative improvements in the standard of living for
targeted families in a region.

டிஸ்னி+ ஹாட்ஸ்டார், ஹாட்ஸ்டார் ஸ்பெஷல்ஸ் “ஹார்ட் பீட்” சீரிஸின் தீம் பாடலை வெளியிட்டுள்ளது!!

இந்தியாவின் முன்னணி ஸ்ட்ரீமிங் தளமான டிஸ்னி+ ஹாட்ஸ்டார், அடுத்ததாக வெளியிடவுள்ள ஹாட்ஸ்டார் ஸ்பெஷல்ஸ் “ஹார்ட் பீட்” சீரிஸிலிருந்து “ஹார்ட் பீட் பாட்டு” எனும் பெப்பியான பாடலை வெளியிட்டுள்ளது.

சூப்பர் சுப்பு எழுத்தில், மேட்லி ப்ளூஸ் இசையமைத்துள்ள இந்தப் பாடல், ‘ஹார்ட் பீட்’ சீரிஸின் சாரத்தையும் அதன் ஆன்மாவையும் வெளிப்படுத்தும் வகையில் அமைந்துள்ளது.

‘ஹார்ட் பீட்’ சீரிஸ் இளைஞர்களைக் கவரும் வகையில் நட்பு, ரொமான்ஸ், காமெடி என அனைத்தும் கலந்த கலக்கலான பொழுதுபோக்கு சீரிஸாக இருக்கும்.

இந்த சீரிஸில் நடிகை அனுமோல், தீபா பாலு, யோகலக்‌ஷ்மி, தாபா, சாருகேஷ், ராம், சபரேஷ், சர்வா, பதினே குமார், குரு லக்ஷ்மண், ஜெயராவ், கிரி துவாரகேஷ், சந்திரசேகர், தேவிஸ்ரீ, கவிதாலயா கிருஷ்ணன், தியான்ஷ், ரியா, ஸ்மைல் செல்வா மற்றும் சரவணன் ராஜவேல் ஆகியோர் நடிக்கின்றனர்.

இந்தத் சீரிஸை A Tele Factory நிறுவனம் தயாரிக்கிறது, இயக்குநர் தீபக் சுந்தர்ராஜன் இயக்குகிறார். ரெஜிமெல் சூர்யா தாமஸ் ஒளிப்பதிவு செய்துள்ளார். இந்த சீரிஸுக்கு சரண் ராகவன் இசையமைக்க, விக்னேஷ் அர்ஜுன் எடிட்டிங் பணிகளை செய்கிறார்.

இந்த சீரிஸ் பற்றிய மற்ற விவரங்கள் விரைவில் அதிகாரப்பூர்வமாக வெளியிடப்படும்.

டிஸ்னி+ ஹாட்ஸ்டார் பற்றி:
டிஸ்னி+ ஹாட்ஸ்டார் (முந்தைய ஹாட்ஸ்டார்) என்பது இந்தியாவின் முன்னணி ஸ்ட்ரீமிங் தளமாகும், இது இந்தியர்களின் பொழுதுபோக்கு முறையை மாற்றியுள்ளது – அவர்களுக்குப் பிடித்த டிவி நிகழ்ச்சிகள் மற்றும் திரைப்படங்கள் முதல் விளையாட்டு நிகழ்வுகள் வரை, இந்தியாவில் பரந்த அளவிலான உள்ளடக்கத்துடன், டிஸ்னி+ ஹாட்ஸ்டார் 8 மொழிகளில் 100,000 மணிநேரத்திற்கும் அதிகமான தொலைக்காட்சி நிகழ்ச்சிகள் மற்றும் திரைப்படங்களை வழங்குகிறது மற்றும் ஒவ்வொரு முக்கிய உலகளாவிய விளையாட்டு நிகழ்வின் கவரேஜையும் வழங்குகிறது

Ministers Pledge Support and Announce Key Initiatives Committing to Boost Real Estate Industry in TN

~ Tamil Nadu’s Real Estate Outlook Report Unveiled at STATECON 2024 Organised by CREDAI Tamilnadu

Chennai, 29th January 2024: “Of the 43 requests consolidated, we are pleased to say 25 of them are in progress. We also assure the industry your needs are looked into and we will offer the maximum support. We are also looking into the Building Height approvals and FSI etc. and an announcement should be made at the earliest opportunity, said, Thiru. S. Muthusamy, Honorable Minister for Housing & Urban Development, at the inaugural session of South India’s largest Real Estate Conclave – STATECON, organized by CREDAI Tamil Nadu. The theme of the two-day conference was Conservatism to Cosmopolitanism.

Lastly, commenting on the demand for self-certification to ease the approval process, the Minister put it back asking what about deviations. Would the industry take responsibility for the deviations? If the responses are favorable, it can be considered,” he concluded.

Thiru. P.K. Sekar Babu, Honourable Minister for Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments and CMDA in his speech said, “The request for Single window clearance is on the cards. Between 2021-2023, 605 approvals were granted for NHRB when compared to 426 earlier. Also, layout approvals have grown from 197 to 305 and reclassification has increased by 300% based on plan approvals,”.

“Overall, we witness major progress throughout the State but, we can do a lot more if we work together. The commitment of 60 days to process and approve will be truly possible only when we get all the papers and documents that are asked for from your side on time. So, to make things work, we need to work closely,” he added.

A report by Frank Knight and CREDAI Tamil Nadu was released at the conference with the State Ministers receiving the copies along with other members of CREDAI.

The report states, “In FY 23, Tamil Nadu, the second-largest economy in India, demonstrated a dynamic economic structure with the tertiary sector leading at 53%, followed by the secondary sector at 34%, and the primary sector at 13%. The state’s economy, valued at USD 294 billion, showcased an impressive average annual growth of 11% from FY 9 to 2019. Foreign direct investments and private equity inflows reached USD 81 billion post the global investors’ meet, affirming the state’s appeal. Tamil Nadu’s stock market engaged 4.7 million investors with USD 28 billion assets under management, predominantly in equity (59%),”.

“Notably, the construction sector, currently valued at USD 32 billion in FY 23, is projected to reach USD 208 billion by FY 47, reflecting a significant opportunity for real estate stakeholders. Furthermore, the manufacturing sector, constituting 19% of the state’s economy, is expected to expand to USD 374 billion by FY 48, necessitating 2.25 lakh hectares of industrial land. To support this growth, enhancing capital expenditure to 5.7% of the GSDP is crucial. The state must undertake a cumulative capex exceeding USD 110 billion over the next 24 years to ensure robust infrastructure for sustained development. Key advisory measures include targeted retail policies, leveraging textile strengths, and strategic promotion of tourism. The report provides comprehensive insights for stakeholders to engage in further discussions and capitalize on the potential outlined,”.

Mr. R. Ilankovan, President, CREDAI TAMILNADU, in his speech appealed to the Hon’ble Ministers at the conference to regulate, reduce, and limit the number of approvals so that the industry can grow quicker and achieve the targeted numbers, particularly DTCP approvals. Also, DTCP should give a revised master plan as the current ones are all outdated,”.

He further suggested that all approvals and payments could be made to DTCP instead of the industry dealing with multiple local authorities, this would lead to time efficiency as the delays in approvals result in a higher cost for the buyer eventually.

“The recent global investors’ meeting has proven to be a remarkable success, resulting in the signing of Rs. 6.36 lakh crore worth of Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs). This development marks a significant stride for Tamil Nadu as it sets ambitious goals to transform into a one-trillion-dollar economy,” said Mr. W.S. Habib, Chairman – STATECON 2024 in his welcome address.

“Tamil Nadu has been growing in all trends and is at the forefront in this transformation. Our state has been an icon of innovation and progress setting benchmarks for others to follow other states. A recent report states that commercial space absorption is 11 million square feet. This proves Tamil Nadu is ranked in the second or third highest absorption of space in India when compared to other states,” said Mr. Sridharan, Vice President, South Zone, CREDAI National.

“Tamil Nadu is truly a cosmopolitan state, given our diverse dependencies on various sectors such as career development, agriculture, tourism, healthcare, transportation, and the intricate network of logistics and finance circuits at the state level. Our industrial landscape boasts considerable diversity, setting us apart from states like Bangalore and Hyderabad, where their focus is often singular,” Mr. Srinivas Ankipatti, Sr Director- Tamil Nadu and Kerala, Knight and Frank India.

“I strongly encourage all members, ministers, and stakeholders to seize this forum as an opportunity to initiate a departure from conventional thinking. Let’s embrace this positive momentum,” he added.

Mr. M V R Murali Krishna, General Manager, State Bank of India , said, “There is a huge growth potential for Chennai and Tamil Nadu as a whole, given the rich culture, industrialization, and excellent infrastructure. Housing growth serves as an indicator of regional economic development, contributing 7% to the country’s GDP and is expected to touch 13% of the GDP by 2025,”

Mr. S. Anand Secretary CREDAI Tamil Nadu delivered the vote of thanks by thanking the Hon’ble Ministers for taking time to be present at the inaugural session of STATECON 2024 while also encouraging the industry members stating announcements will be made shortly that will tremendously lift the morale and eventually help buyers invest in the real estate market.

Hon’ble Chief Minister of Karnataka, Shri Siddaramaiah inaugurates the 5th Edition of Bengaluru GAFX 2024 with the focal theme ‘Augmented Intelligence: Powering AVGC’ by the Government of Karnataka & ABAI

29 January 2024: The Fifth Edition of Bengaluru GAFX, India’s flagship event in the Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming & Comics (AVGC) sector, organized by the Ministry of ITBT, Karnataka, and ABAI, today inaugurated by Shri Siddaramaiah, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Karnataka. The event took place in the august presence of Shri D.K. Shivakumar, Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka today at the Hotel Lalit Ashok, Bangalore.This year’s focal theme, ‘Augmented Intelligence: Powering AVGC,’ serves as a unifying force, bringing together the Animation, Visual Effects, Games & Comics (AVGC) industry for an audience of knowledge exchange. The event aims to create a common platform, fostering collaboration among industry, academia, and government to deliberate the learnings, trends, challenges, and future roadmap of the AVGC sector.

The inaugural ceremony was graced by guest of honour, Shri Rizwan Arshad, Minister of Karnataka Legislative Assembly; Shri Prithul Kumar, IRTS, Joint Secretary (Films), Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India & Interim Managing Director, National Film Development Corp. (NFDC); Mr. Kris Gopalakrishnan, Chairman Axilor Ventures, Co-founder Infosys, President Infosys Science Foundation; Mr. Thierry Berthelot, Consul General of France in Bangalore; Mr. Alfonso Tagliaferri, Consul General of Italy in Bengaluru; Ms. Nivruti Rai, MD, and CEO Invest India; Mr. Rajan Navani, Founder & CEO, JetSynthesys; Mr. Vishal Dhupar, Managing Director, Asia South – NVIDIA; Mr. Sai Srinivas Kiran Garimella; Co-Founder, MPL;  Mr. Ashish Kulkarni, Founder & CEO, Punnaryug Artvision Pvt. Ltd.; Mr. Sudhir Kamath, COO, Nazara Technologies; Dr. Ekroop Caur, IAS, Secretary to Government, Dept. of Electronics, IT, BT and S&T, Govt. of Karnataka; Mr. Biren Ghose, Country Head, Technicolor India and President, ABAI; Shri Darshan H V, IAS, Director, Department of Electronics, Information Technology & Biotechnology, Govt. of Karnataka; Mr. RK Chand, Executive Director, The Mill India & Secretary, ABAI.

Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Karnataka, Shri Siddaramaiah said, “I am pleased to inaugurate this congregation of the Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming & Comics (AVGC) industry at the 5th edition of Bengaluru GAFX. Karnataka has long been the torchbearer state in India across technology, innovation, and growth. We are proud to be the pioneers of leading the IT and IT-enabled services industries. Our state, a trailblazer in technology, is proud to lead the nation’s Media & Entertainment sector, contributing 20% to the industry. With over 15,000 professionals and 300 specialized studios, GAFX celebrates Karnataka’s role as a global AVGC hub. With a focus on generating 30,000 jobs by 2028, targeting 80% revenue from exports, the policy rests on six strategic pillars—emphasizing skill development, infrastructure, startup empowerment, global market access, incentives, and a ‘Mobile First’ approach. Since 2012, Karnataka has been a pioneering force, boasting 139 specialized institutes and Digital Art Centers, with the Karnataka Centre of Excellence (COE) serving as a unique facility nurturing creative technologists and technicians. As we delve into the next two days of discussions, let’s concentrate on the synergy of creativity and technology that defines our industry. Bengaluru GAFX 2024 provides the platform for government and industry collaboration, propelling the AVGC industry in India to new heights.”

A patron of Bengaluru GAFX 2024, Shri Priyank Kharge, Hon’ble Minister for Information Technology & Biotechnology and Rural Development & Panchayat Raj, Govt. of Karnataka said “Karnataka, a pioneer in evolving India’s AVGC policies, is committed to securing a future where it not only maintains the state’s leadership in traditional IT-BPM but emerges as a global powerhouse in AVGC-XR. With a vision to create 30,000 jobs by 2028, we shall leverage our existing strengths and additionaly establish a center of excellence for Gaming. The state is also looking to help establish AVGC-XR-focused incubators. Bengaluru GAFX epitomizes our dedication to becoming a global skilling epicenter, aiming to position Karnataka as the world’s #1 hub for creativity and technological advancement. The Bengaluru GAFX B2B Forum acts as a catalyst, propelling local talent onto the global stage, and defining Karnataka as the leader in AVGC-XR intellectual property creation.”

Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, Shri Biren Ghose, ABAI President & Country Head, Technicolor India, said: “Bengaluru GAFX 2024, is a celebration of our wins and exploring new avenues for the all-round growth of AVGC in India. With diverse sessions, competitions, and networking opportunities, Bengaluru GAFX 2024 will witness a stellar lineup of speakers comprising industry veterans and thought leaders. The AVGC industry is on a continuous growth spree, and events like GAFX bring together studios, producers, and investors, creating a hub for gaming, film, animation, AR/VR, and comics. It’s more than an event; it’s a platform where innovation meets opportunity, shaping the future of India’s creative narrative on a global scale.

I foresee Karnataka and India leading in the gaming developer industry, leveraging our cultural history and a talent pool of 5 million software developers. Invest India pledges to be a catalyst in this journey, fostering the growth of our dynamic youth. Contributing to hardware-software innovations in entertainment, education, tourism, and national value, I’m thrilled to announce Invest India’s commitment to establishing its office in Karnataka. Thanks to the GAFX Team for providing the stage for this exciting collaboration.”

Bengaluru GAFX 2024 is set to host 120 sessions and 200 speakers, including more than 20 renowned international speakers hailing from 10 different countries. This impressive lineup features industry veterans and thought leaders, including winners of prestigious awards such as Oscars, British Arrows, VES Awards, Cannes Golds, and esteemed Indian accolades. Bengaluru GAFX stands out as a unique event in the AVGC industry, facilitating the convergence of Indian and international synergy. Both international and Indian studios, along with industry veterans, will present some of the largest and most critically acclaimed titles during the event.

  • VFX: This edition will see some leading Indian & international names in the world of visual effects. Some mind-blowing visual effects showcases from Hollywood that wowed audiences the world over will be presented at GAFX including the Oscar-winning Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio, Antman & Wasp Quantamania, and The Fast & the Furious X. As well as the Making of Blockbuster LEO’s Photoreal Hyena VFX by multiple-Oscar winning studio MPC’s Jateen Thakkar & Nimish N Shah, the Making of Jurassic World by Industrial Light and Magic, London and Srinivas Mohan- the VFX Supervisor for RRR. The rise of VFX content in the Indian regional landscape will be further underscored by showcases from Ghost, Jawan, Animal, PS2, Charlie 777 and Vikrant Rona.
  • Animation: Cutting-edge animation presentations and showcase include the animation of Oscar-nominated movie Nimona by DNEG, Delivering Spectacular Animated Features from India by Oscar-nominated studio Mikros Animation, and Independent Global Animation Films by Assemblage, as well as How to secure your IP for Content Creators by Zebu Animation. Greengold Animation will present its unique work on the Making of Chhota Bheem Live Action movie.
  • Gaming: Kalari Capital’s Vani Kola & Invest India CEO Nivruti Rai are slated to address the incredibly exciting gaming landscape of India in the session ‘Investor Speak – Strategies for Staying Relevant and Resilient in the Indian Gaming Startup Ecosystem.’ Leaders of the Gaming ecosystem Kris Gopalkrishnan- Chairman Axilor Ventures, Co-founder Infosys, President Infosys Science Foundation & Rajan Navani– Vice Chairman & Managing Director at JetLine Group of Companies; Founder & CEO JetSynthesys will address the gathering on The Indian Video Gaming and Esports Industry. MPL, Nazara Technologies, Nodwin Games and Technicolor Games will present insightful panels and showcases on topics ranging from the ecosystem, technologies, talent and game art & animation.

Moreover, the Bengaluru GAFX B2B Forum stands as a distinctive platform meticulously designed to connect IP owners, developers, content creators, and production houses aspiring to produce groundbreaking content. This event acts as an exclusive interface, attracting selected international and national studios, producers, broadcasters, distributors, and financiers. Esteemed industry figures like Rajeshwari Roy, Associate Chief Producer & Head of Content – Animation, Digital & Broadcast Media at Ramoji Group, Farnaz Esnaashari-Charmatz, Creator of Nickelodeon’s hit international franchise Shimmer and Shine, and Russell Tracy Jr. from Mikros Animation will contribute to the stellar industry lineup at this marketplace forum.

A diverse range of competitions is thoughtfully curated to engage the talents and potential of students and emerging professionals, representing the future workforce of India. Spanning from traditional artistry like Clay Sculpting to the digital realms of Sculpting and Painting, and venturing into the intricate world of 3D Character Animation, these competitions are carefully crafted by industry leaders. The primary objective is to nurture a sustained ecosystem that promotes a culture of progression, skill enrichment, and mentorship within the Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, and Comics (AVGC) realm in India.

In its fourth edition, Bengaluru GAFX and the B2B Forum continue to shape the future of the AVGC-XR industry, providing a platform that facilitates collaboration, innovation, and the exchange of ideas on a global scale. The event is organized with a steering committee covering all individual domains of VFX, Animation, and Gaming. GAFX will also witness the participation of AVGC trade associations from other states, including TVAGA from Telangana.

For more information, visit: http://gafx.in/

After the US, Daaji’s new book Spiritual Anatomy launched in India at the world’s largest meditation hall

The book brings in fresh air to one’s perspective on spirituality and life with simplest tools for modern man

Chennai, 29 January 2024: The latest book ‘Spiritual Anatomy’ by Rev Daaji – Guide of Heartfulness and President of Shri Ram Chandra Mission was launched in India at Kanha Shanti Vanam – the world’s largest meditation centre and headquarters of Heartfulness. The book was launched as part workshop held by Heartfulness for the Principals of leading schools across India. The launch was made by Mr. Praveen Raju – Founder of Suchitra Academy; Mr. M Komaraiah – Chairman, Pallavi Group of Institutions; Mr Uma Shankar Bajpai, Gen Secretary Shri Ram Chandra Mission; and  Mr Uday Kumar, Editorial team, Spiritual Anatomy book in the presence of 10,000 participants – practitioners and students included, and was received by rapturous applause.

Spiritual Anatomy has already been touted as a bestseller in the international market with the book in the top ten bestsellers. The book has already received widespread acclaim overseas including from renowned authors like Deepak Chopra who said, “Exceptional… Spiritual Anatomy blends the wisdom of yogic philosophy with practical techniques to unlock your infinite potential.”

The guiding mantra for Spiritual Anatomy is read and enjoy, do and feel, meditate and transcend. This applies whether you are an avid reader of wisdom books and identify yourself as a regular meditator or you are just starting out on your journey of self-transformation. Spiritual Anatomy is written to help you achieve your fullest potential and accelerate the tipping point of our collective consciousness.”― From the Author’s Note

Spiritual Anatomy talks about the science of the soul in a way that has never been told before. It decodes the concepts of consciousness and the chakras in the simplest way that will help the readers grow, transform and find their real purpose in life. It is indeed a book that is aimed at spiritual awakening unveiling the secrets of the chakras. The sixteen chakras in our body which serve as a map for consciousness, are the centres of spiritual energy. Understanding them help us to delve into true bliss and sustain happiness. The book enables the reader also to overcome the chakra blockages and cleanse them, nourish and measure our spiritual health, teaches heart-based meditation techniques, and helps connecting with the chakras as a gateway to an integrated heart-mind-soul.

Rev. Daaji – Global Guide of Heartfulness and President of Shri Ram Chandra Mission said, “I felt compelled to write this book as more and more seekers want to unlock their potential of abundant joy. I hope this comes as a hand-guide to overall happiness – physical-mental-emotional-and spiritual happiness through the simple tools offered in the book, which had always existed, but never made so easy.”

In Spiritual Anatomy, Daaji presents a bold vision and clear understanding of how we can enhance our lives to reach our greatest potential that leads us to our authentic self. Through the redefining of how we view wellbeing and the infinite possibilities that are available, he combines cutting-edge science and comprehensive research on the soul’s anatomy and journey with real-world applications.  Daaji has created an atlas for consciousness to map us back to our hearts – the seat of life and the source of love and peace.

Daaji has called this book, the story of an extraordinary adventure where the main character, your consciousness, undertakes an epic voyage to ultimate reality and beyond. It is the book of the century, the Story of Inventure, your inner adventure.

The book is a must-read for those seeking the essence of true joy, inner peace and harmony. It is intended at seekers, meditators and anybody who wishes to find long-term happiness in life.

Last year Daaji had written The Wisdom Bridge – a holistic guide to ideal parenting and families. It was by far one of the most bestselling books on the tips and guidance on raising harmonious families amidst the challenges of modern-day chaos and values. Many celebrities including ace badminton coach Pullela Gopichand, badminton champion P V Sindhu and many more had praised the book for its succinctly dished out nuggets of wisdom.


பிரபல எலும்பு முறிவு மருத்துவர் டாக்டர் ஜே எஸ் ராஜ்குமார் அவர்களின் பிறந்த நாள் விழா ஆயிரக்கணக்கான மக்களுக்கு நலத்திட்ட உதவிகள்

சென்னை அசோக் நகரில் உள்ள குமரன் எலும்பு முறிவு சிறப்பு மருத்துவமனையின் தலைவர் டாக்டர் ஜே எஸ் ராஜ்குமார் அவர்களின் பிறந்தநாள் விழா சென்னை பச்சையப்பன் கல்லூரி எதிரே உள்ள புனித ஜார்ஜ் வளாகத்தில் நடைபெற்றது பிறந்த தினத்தை முன்னிட்டு ஏழை எளிய மக்கள் பயன்பெறும் வகையில் நலத்திட்ட உதவிகள் செய்து பொதுமக்களுக்கு இலவச மருத்துவ பரிசோதனை மற்றும் 60 வயதுக்கு மேற்பட் முதியவர்களுக்கு அர்த்த கிரந்தி திட்டத்தின் மூலம் பத்தாயிரம் ரூபாய் காண பென்ஷன் 60 கோடி மக்களுக்கு இந்திய அரசு வழங்கி வரும் திட்டம் நான்காயிரம் பேர் ஆயிரம் பேருக்கு இலவச பரிசோதனை ஒரே இடத்தில் அமர்ந்து காணக்கூடிய மங்கி பாத் நிகழ்ச்சி 5000 ஏழை எளிய மக்களுக்கு அறுசுவை உணவு அரசு பள்ளிகளில் படிக்கும் மாணவ மாணவிகளுக்கு ஓவியப் போட்டிகள் நடத்தி அவர்களுக்கு பரிசுகளை வழங்கி வருகின்றனர் ஆயிரத்துக்கு மேற்பட்ட பெண்களுக்கு மார்பக புற்றுநோய் பரிசோதனை ஆயிரத்துக்கு மேற்பட்ட பொதுமக்களுக்கு வேஷ்டி சேலை போன்றவை இந்த பிறந்த நாள் நிகழ்ச்சியில் நடைபெற்றது எலும்பு முறிவு சிறப்பு மருத்துவராக இதுவரை எண்ணற்ற எலும்பு முறிவு அறுவை சிகிச்சைகளை செய்து அசத்தி வரும் டாக்டர் ஜே எஸ் ராஜ்குமார் அவர்களின் சமூகப் பணி தொடர்ந்து செய்து வருவதில் முன்னோடியாக திகழ்ந்து வருகிறார்

நிதின், வெங்கி குடுமுலா, மைத்ரி மூவி மேக்கர்ஸ் இணையும் “ராபின்ஹூட்”

முன்னணி நட்சத்திர நடிகர் நிதின், இயக்குநர் வெங்கி குடுமுலா இருவரும் இரண்டாவது முறையாக ஒரு மிகப்பெரும் திரைப்படத்தில் இணைகின்றனர். இப்படத்தினை மைத்திரி மூவி மேக்கர்ஸ் நிறுவனம் தயாரிக்கிறது. அட்டகாசமான கூட்டணியில் இப்பட அறிவிக்கப்பட்ட கணத்திலேயே, ரசிகர்களிடம் பெரும் உற்சாகத்தை விதைத்துள்ளது. தயாரிப்பு தரப்பு குடியரசு தின நன்னாளில் இப்படத்தின் டைட்டிலை வெளியிட்டுள்ளனர்.

இத்திரைப்படத்திற்கு ராபின்ஹுட் என்று பெயரிடப்பட்டுள்ளது. அனைத்து இந்தியர்களையும் தனது சகோதர சகோதரிகளாகக் நினைத்து, அவர்களிடமிருந்து பணத்தைத் திருட அனைத்து உரிமைகளும் தனக்கு இருப்பதாக நினைக்கும் நிதின் கதாப்பாத்திரத்தை அறிமுகப்படுத்தும், இந்த ராபின்ஹுட் டைட்டில் அந்த கதப்பாத்திரத்திற்கு மிகப்பொருத்தமானதாக அமைந்துள்ளது.

எல்லாத் தீமைகளுக்கும் அடிப்படை பணம்தான்

யாராவது பணம் என்ன செய்யும் எனக் கேட்டால் ?
குடும்பத்திற்கு இடையே சண்டை மற்றும் பிரிவினையை ஏற்படுத்தும் என்பேன்
அதைத் தான் பணம் செய்கிறது

ஒட்டுமொத்த தேசமும் எனது குடும்பம்
பணக்கார ஆண்கள் அனைவரும் எனது சகோதரர்கள், பணக்கார பெண்கள் அனைவரும்
என் சகோதரிகள்

எனக்கு தேவை இருந்ததால் அவர்களின் பாக்கெட்டிலிருந்து கொஞ்சம் எடுத்துக்கொள்வேன்

ஆனால் அவர்கள் என் மீது கொள்ளையடித்தாக புகார் செய்கிறார்கள்

அதற்காக நான் வருத்தப்படவில்லை, ஏனென்றால் என் குடும்பத்திடமிருந்து பணம் எடுக்க எனக்கு உரிமையிருக்கிறது . இந்தியா எனது நாடு இது எனது அடிப்படை உரிமை. இந்தியர்கள் அனைவரும் எனது சகோதர சகோதரிகள்.
இந்த அழுத்தமான வசனத்தை பேசியபடி நிதின் கதாப்பத்திரம் வீடியோவில் அறிமுகமாகிறது.

இந்த வீடியோவில் நிதினின் கெட்-அப் மற்றும் அவரது தோற்றம் மிக வித்தியாசமாக இருக்கிறது. நிதின் தனது பையில் நிறைய பணம் மற்றும் தங்கத்துடன் சாண்டா கிளாஸாக நுழைகிறார். பைக்கின் முன்பகுதியில், ‘நான் இந்தியன்’ என்று எழுதப்பட்டுள்ளது, பின்பகுதியில், நான் அரிதானவன் என எனக்குத் தெரியும் என்று எழுதப்பட்டிருக்கிறது. கடைசியாக, பணத்தை மறைவானதொரு இடத்தில் மறைத்து வைக்கிறார்.

நடிகர் நிதின், நவநாகரீக உடையில் ஸ்டைலான லுக்கில், மிகக் கூலாக வருகிறார். தனது முதல் இரண்டு படங்களில் வித்தியாசமான முயற்சியில் அசத்தலான படங்கள் தந்த இயக்குநர் வெங்கி குடுமுலா, இந்த முறையும் ஒரு புதிய முயற்சியுடன் வந்திருப்பது அறிமுக வீடியோவில் தெரிகிறது. டைட்டில் வீடியோவிலேயே தனது முத்திரையை பதித்துள்ளார் இயக்குநர். நிச்சயமாக இந்த டைட்டில் வீடியோ, மிக வித்தியாசமான ஐடியாவாக முத்திரை பதிக்கிறது. காட்சியின் வடிவமைப்பு, பின்னணி, உடை வடிவமைப்பு, தொழில்நுட்ப நேர்த்தி அத்தனையிலும் பிரம்மாண்டமும், கச்சிதமும் மின்னுகிறது.

நவீன் யெர்னேனி மற்றும் Y ரவிசங்கர் ஆகியோர் இப்படத்தினை தயாரிக்கிறார்கள், முக்கிய கதாபாத்திரங்களில் முன்னணி நட்சத்திர நடிகர்கள் நடிக்கவுள்ளனர். மிகச் சிறந்த தொழில்நுட்ப வல்லுநர்கள் இப்படத்தில் பணியாற்றவுள்ளனர். தேசிய விருது பெற்ற ஜி.வி.பிரகாஷ் குமார் இப்படத்திற்கு இசையமைக்கிறார், சாய் ஸ்ரீராம் ஒளிப்பதிவு செய்ய, பிரவின் புடி படத்தொகுப்பாளராகவும், ராம் குமார் கலை இயக்குநராகவும் பணியாற்றுகிறார்கள் .

நடா கிரீட்டி ராஜேந்திர பிரசாத் மற்றும் வெண்ணிலா கிஷோர் இப்படத்தில் முக்கிய வேடங்களில் நடிக்கின்றனர்.

நடிகர்கள்: நிதின், ராஜேந்திர பிரசாத், வெண்ணெலா கிஷோர் மற்றும் பலர்

தொழில்நுட்பக் குழு:
எழுத்தாளர், இயக்குநர்: வெங்கி குடுமுலா
தயாரிப்பு நிறுவனம் : மைத்ரி மூவி மேக்கர்ஸ்
தயாரிப்பாளர்கள் : நவீன் யெர்னேனி மற்றும் ஒய் ரவிசங்கர்
CEO : செர்ரி
இசை: ஜி.வி.பிரகாஷ் குமார்
ஓளிப்பதிவு : சாய் ஸ்ரீராம்
கலை இயக்குநர்: ராம் குமார்
நிர்வாக தயாரிப்பாளர்: ஹரி தும்மலா
லைன்புரடியூசர் : கிரண் பல்லாபள்ளி
விளம்பர வடிவமைப்பாளர்: கோபி பிரசன்னா
மக்கள் தொடர்பு – யுவராஜ்
மார்க்கெட்டிங் : ஃபர்ஸ்ட் ஷோ