Business

KKCL’s Integriti Shines at Mumbai Fashion World with its AW24 Men’s Collection

deccanwebtv Feb 14, 2024

● Integriti was the brand of choice for the customers visiting the MFW trade show for the upcoming Autumn Winter season 2024

Chennai , 14th February 2024: Integriti, a youth-focused men’s fashion brand from Kewal Kiran Clothing Limited (KKCL) once again proved its prowess in enchanting fashion audiences as it unveiled its Autumn Winter 2024 collection at the prestigious 6th Edition of Mumbai Fashion World. Coming from the largest manufacturing facility of KKCL, Integriti latest AW24 collection artfully plays with different fabrics, layers, and textures, redefining men’s fashion with a youthful and spirited touch. The collection captures the latest fashion designs with premium quality at an affordable price range that received an overwhelming response from trade partners.

Drawing inspiration from today’s youth the AW24 collection has an extensive range of latest apparels under new and innovative collections like Urban Cargos, Washed Denims, TrueColour, Tripping shirts and ipocket jeans that connect with the Gen Z consumers while perfectly encapsulating the brand’s ethos.
Commenting on the event, Vikas Jain – Director at KKCL said, “Integriti from KKCL is always committed to redefining fashion for the youth across every nook-and-corner of India. Our AW24 men’s collection is a celebration of the dynamic and free-spirited essence of today’s youth. We wanted to infuse energy into every piece, creating a collection that only speaks to fashion enthusiasts. We are excited to share the news that Integriti’s winter collection garnered an unprecedented number of bookings at this year’s MFW event. This achievement not only underscores the brand’s commitment to cutting-edge fashion but also highlights the growing popularity of our designs. We’re grateful for the continued support from our customers and partners, and this success only motivates us further to push the boundaries of style and innovation at Integriti.”
For trade enquiries on the newly launched Integriti AW24 collection, please call +91 93727 59400.

About Kewal Kiran Clothing Ltd: Founded in 1981 and headquartered in Mumbai, Kewal Kiran Clothing Limited (KKCL) has emerged as a distinguished entity within India’s landscape of branded apparel manufacturers. KKCL takes pride in overseeing a portfolio of iconic brands, including Killer, Easies, LawmanPg3, Integriti, Iti, and Izel, each contributing to an impressive range tailored for both men and women, predominantly crafted in-house.
With a formidable presence in Asia, the Middle East, and the CIS region, KKCL has cultivated a robust consumer base. The company’s core competencies are centered around the meticulous design, manufacturing, and strategic marketing of a diverse array of apparel and lifestyle products. Demonstrating an unwavering commitment to quality, KKCL’s manufacturing units hold ISO 9000 certification, underscoring their pivotal role as the driving force behind the company’s sustained growth and enduring success.

Indulging in Celebration: The Relevance of Chocolates and Choco Pie as a Trend in Gifting

deccanwebtv Feb 9, 2024

Overall, the idea of gifting has changed significantly in recent years due to people embracing the current trends of modern delectable treats such as cakes, cookies, chocolates, and other confectioneries. Beyond being delightful treats, these sweet confections have become symbolic expressions of love, celebration, and joy. On ‘Chocolate Day 2024’ celebration, let’s delve into the various aspects of Chocolate and related confectionaries like the iconic Lotte Choco Pie, that make it’s a relevant part of today’s gifting culture:

Choco Pie: A Modern twist on tradition
Choco Pie adds a contemporary flair to the traditional act of gifting sweets. With its irresistible combination of soft cake, creamy marshmallow, and decadent chocolate coating, Choco Pie offers a unique and indulgent experience. Its convenience and portability make it an ideal choice for gifting on Chocolate Day, allowing recipients to enjoy a delicious treat on the go.

Versatility for all occasions
 Chocolate and Choco Pie are suitable for a myriad of occasions, ranging from birthdays and anniversaries to holidays and special achievements. Their versatility ensures that they remain relevant and appreciated gifts, regardless of the recipient’s age or relationship with the giver. Whether shared among friends, family, or colleagues, chocolate and Choco Pie foster moments of joy and connection, making them integral to various celebrations.

Beyond Personal Celebrations:
The significance of chocolates and Choco Pie extends beyond individual celebrations to corporate and professional settings. Businesses often leverage these sweet treats as tokens of appreciation for clients, employees, and partners. The universal appeal of chocolates makes them a safe and thoughtful choice for corporate gifting, fostering positive relationships and leaving a lasting impression.

On Chocolate Day, let’s celebrate the enduring relevance of chocolate in gifting culture. Whether it’s Lotte India’s Choco Pie or other confectioneries, they enable us to enjoy and express our love for our dear ones and is the perfect simple way to express our affection. Whether you’re expressing love, celebrating achievements, or simply sharing a moment of joy, these sweet treats offer a delicious way to spread happiness and connection. So, indulge in the tradition of gifting and delight your loved ones with the timeless gift of chocolate and Choco Pie, knowing that their significance stretches far beyond their delectable taste—they’re symbols of love, celebration, and togetherness that will always hold a special place in our hearts.

A Fabulous Musical Extravaganza this Weekend at Chennai’s Phoenix Marketcity

deccanwebtv Feb 7, 2024

. 3 prominent sensational singers and icons for youth including violinist Abhijith Nair to set the

stage on fire this weekend.

. Free entry for all the 3 concerts on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday

Chennai, February 6, 2024 – Starting with a bang, this February we will be witnessing some amazing
musical performances at Phoenix Marketcity, one of the premium malls of Chennai proudly
presenting the playback singer and vocal coach Aishwarya Kumar, noted musician and singer
Akshaya and band of Sa Re Ga Ma Pa sensation as well as the musical genius and celebrated
violinist Abhijith Nair shall be performing exclusive musical flash mob at 6 pm on all the three days
Feb 9 th (Friday) , 10 th ( Saturday) and 11 th ( Sunday) respectively at the Central Atrium of the mall . All the three
concerts promise to captivate your senses, immerse, and indulge you into a beautiful world of
cinema music, famous albums, and blockbuster hits. This is sure to leave you craving for more. The
concerts are open to all and has free entry.
Playback singer Aishwarya Kumar famous for English, regional & Bollywood music hits, Akshaya and
band known for their amazing and famous regional & Bollywood music melodies shall mesmerise
the audience with a live performance. Abhijith Nair known for his exceptional musical prowess as a
violinist has played amongst the maestros and Indian musical legends such as Shankar Mahadevan,
Dr. K J Yesudas and many more. Abhijith Nair will be performing on tunes such as Ilaiyaraaja and
A.R. Rahman Hits at Central Atrium of the mall mesmerising the public with his tunes.
Don’t miss the chance to witness Abhijith Nair’s spellbinding performance live at Phoenix
Marketcity. Get ready to be grooved and immerse yourself into these lively magical moments and
soulful experience during this weekend.

காமிக்ஸ் வடிவில் அப்போலோ மருத்துவமனையின் வரலாறு புத்தகமாக வெளியீடு

deccanwebtv Feb 5, 2024

அப்போலோ நிறுவனரான பிரதாப் சி. ரெட்டியின் பிறந்தநாளன்று, ‘அப்போலோவின் கதை’ எனும் பெயரில் புத்தகம் வெளியிடப்பட்டது.

இந்திய மருத்துவதுறையில் புரட்சியை ஏற்படுத்தியவரும், மருத்துவத்துறை ஆற்றிய சேவைக்காக பத்ம பூஷன் மற்றும் பத்ம விபூஷன் போன்ற உயரிய விருதுகளை வென்றவரும், உலகம் முழுவதும் கிளைகளை நிறுவி, மில்லியன் கணக்கிலான மக்களுக்கு இடையறாத மருத்துவ சேவையை வழங்கி வரும் அப்போலோ மருத்துவமனையின் நிறுவனருமான டாக்டர் பிரதாப் சி. ரெட்டியின் 91 ஆவது பிறந்த நாள் இன்று கோகலமாகக் கொண்டாடப்பட்டது. சென்னை கீரீம்ஸ் சாலையில் உள்ள அப்போலோ மருத்துவமனை வளாகத்தில் நடைபெற்ற அவரின் பிறந்த நாள் விழாவின் போது, அவரின் பேத்தியும், ‘குளோபல் ஸ்டார்’ ராம்சரணிண் மனைவியுமான உபாசனா காமினேனி கொனிடேலா கலந்து கொண்டார். இதன் போது எழுத்தாளர் நிம்மி சாக்கோ எழுதி, அமர் சித்ரா கதா பிரைவேட் லிமிடெட் நிறுவனம் பதிப்பித்திருக்கும் ‘அப்போலோவின் கதை’ எனும் காமிக்ஸ் வடிவிலான புத்தகம், தமிழ் மற்றும் ஆங்கில மொழியில் வெளியிடப்பட்டது. அப்போலோ மருத்துவமனை உருவானது முதல் பிரம்மாண்டமாக வளர்ச்சியடைந்திருக்கும் அப்போலோ மருத்துவமனையின் வரலாறைக் கொண்ட இந்த புத்தகத்தை அம்மருத்துவமனையின் நிறுவனரான பிரதாப் சி. ரெட்டி வெளியிட்டார்.

இந்நிகழ்வில் திருமதி உபாசனா காமினேனி கொனிடேலா பேசுகையில்,“ எங்களுடைய தாத்தாவின் பிறந்த நாளான இன்று.. எங்களுக்கு மிகவும் உணர்வுபூர்வமான நாள். அவருடைய பிறந்த நாளை எதிர்காலத்தில் தொழிலதிபர்களாக வேண்டும் என கனவு காணும் இன்றைய இளம் தொழில் முனைவோர்களும், இளம் பெண்களும் எங்களுடன் இணைந்து கொண்டாடுகிறார்கள். இன்று வெளியிடப்பட்டிருக்கும் ‘அப்போலோவின் கதை’ எனும் புத்தகத்தில் ஒரு மனிதனின் சாதனைப் பயணம் எழுதப்பட்டிருக்கிறது. இந்த புத்தகம் தந்தையானவர்.. தன்னுடைய மகள்களின் மீது வைத்த நம்பிக்கையின் வெளிப்பாடு. இந்த புத்தகம் அவரின் தொழில் வாழ்க்கையையும், சொந்த வாழ்க்கையும் எப்படி சமாளித்து வெற்றிப் பெற்று சாதனை படைத்தார் என்பது இடம்பெற்றிருப்பது சிறப்பானது. அவருடைய பெண் வாரிசுகளான நாங்கள்.. மருத்துவ துறையில் அவர் உருவாக்கிய சாம்ராஜ்யத்தை மேலும் விரிவுப்படுத்தவும், அவர் காட்டிய பாதையில் சொந்த வாழ்க்கையையும், தொழில் ரீதியிலான வாழ்க்கையும் திறம்பட சமாளித்து அவரின் கனவை நனவாக்கவும் கடுமையாக உழைத்து வருகிறோம். ஒவ்வொரு குழந்தைகளும் இந்த புத்தகத்தை வாசிக்கவேண்டும். இது இந்தியாவின் கதை. ஒவ்வொரு மகள்களும் இதனை வாசிக்கவேண்டும். ஒவ்வொரு தந்தைமார்களும் இதனை படிக்கவேண்டும். இந்த புத்தகம் ஒவ்வொரு மகள்கள் மீதும் அவர்களது தந்தை வைத்திருக்கும் அன்பின் வெளிப்பாடு.” என்றார்.

டாக்டர் பிரதாப் சி. ரெட்டி பேசுகையில்,“ இன்று என்னுடைய வாழ்வில் முக்கியமான நாள். மருத்துவராக மட்டுமல்ல.. இந்திய சுகாதாரத்துறையின் சிறந்த அடையாளமாக அப்போலோ உருவாகியிருக்கிறது. உலகத்திலேயே மருத்துவ சேவையளிப்பதில் இந்திய சுகாதாரத்துறையின் பங்களிப்பு அதிகரித்திருக்கிறது. இது தொடர்பாக அண்மையில் பாரதபிரதமர் பேசும் போது ,‘இந்தியா- உலகளவில் சிறந்த மருத்துவ சேவைகளை வழங்கும் நாடு’ என் தெரிவித்தார். இதற்காக நான் இந்தியனாக பெருமைப்படுகிறேன். நாற்பது.. நாற்பத்தைந்து ஆண்டுகளுக்கு முன் இந்த மருத்துவமனையை உருவாக்கும் போது, வெளிநாடுகளிலும் சேவையை அளிப்போம் என நினைக்கவில்லை. தற்போது உலகம் முழுவதும் மருத்துவசேவையை வழங்கி வருகிறோம். இதற்கான நான் தற்போது மகிழ்ச்சியடைகிறேன். இதற்கு மக்கள், மருத்துவர்கள், மருத்துவ ஊழியர்கள்… என அனைவரின் ஆதரவும் கிடைத்தது. தொடர்ந்து கிடைத்தும் வருகிறது. இதற்காக இந்த தருணத்தில் நன்றியைத் தெரிவித்துக் கொள்கிறேன். தற்போது இந்தியா.. உலகளவில் மருத்துவ சேவைகளை வழங்கிவருவதில் முன்னணியில் இருக்கிறது. அதனால் எதிர்காலத்தில் இந்திய மருத்துவர்களுக்கும், இந்திய செவிலியர்களுக்கும், இந்திய மருத்துவமனைகளுக்கும் என தனி அடையாளம் உருவாகும்.” என்றார்.

24 Hours Toyota Hackathon – A Road SafetyInitiative Aimed to Instil ‘Road Safety Sense’ and Promote‘Positive Behavioural Change in the Youths and the Community’

deccanwebtv Feb 5, 2024

Chennai, 4 th February 2024: Reinforcing the road safety and coinciding with the ‘Road Safety Month
(18 th Jan – 17 th Feb 2024), Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) today announced the successful culmination of
24 hours Toyota Hackathon, held at the RV Institute of Technology and Management, Bangalore. The
stage event of the 24 Hours-Hackathon was presided by the Chief Guests – Shri. H C Balakrishna,
MLA Magadi & Chairman – Karnataka Road Development Limited, Government of Karnataka, Shri.
Sharath Bache Gowda, Chairman – Karnataka State Electronics Development Corporation Limited
(KEONICS), Government of Karnataka, Guest of Honour – Shri. J. Purushotham, Additional
Commissioner for Transport & Director – Road Safety Cell, Transport Department, Government of
Karnataka, Special Invitee – Mr Brijesh Agarwal, Vice President- Operations at Consero Global &
Assistant Chief Traffic Warden, along with TKM’s Senior Executive – Mr. Sudeep S. Dalvi, Chief
Communication Officer & Senior Vice President and Director, and other key dignitaries.
Education and Road Safety is one of the key pillars of TKM’s core CSR. Through this initiative, TKM
focuses to drive the inventive minds of the students (class 9th to 12th standard) from across various
private and government schools as well as colleges based in Bangalore. The Toyota Hackathon
provided a dynamic platform, divided into three engaging phases, where students showcased their
creativity, innovation, and prototype development of practical digital solutions aimed to promote road
safety. Further, this program underscores the strong efforts of the company’s contribution to the vision
of ‘Zero Road Fatalities’ through ingenuity of young minds, by empowering future generations to
develop actionable road safety solutions.
India with its vast population and diverse road networks, experiences a high number of road accidents
annually. The report for calendar year 2022* reveals that the number of road accidents, the number of
persons killed, and the number of injuries has increased compared to previous years by 11.9%, 9.4%
and 15.3% respectively. Further, young adults in the age group of 18 – 45 years accounted for 66.5
per cent of the fatal road accident victims during 2022.
(*As per the publication ‘Road Accidents in India 2022’, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways – Transport Research Wing,
Govt. of India)
In this direction, the Toyota Hackathon (initiated in 2018) acts as a catalyst to include road safety in
the school & college curriculums, and thereby encourage children to become critical thinkers, further
develop solutions for modern-day road safety challenges. This helps to unlock the hidden talents of
young minds, empowering them to make significant contributions to the vital cause of road safety.
Further, by actively engaging students, it seeks to develop them to become ‘Change Agents’, playing
a crucial role in bringing about a positive behavioural change in the community at large. Furthermore,
this initiative provides an ideal platform, encouraging the future generation to leverage their
knowledge and technical expertise to address high-priority issues effectively.

Sharing his views about the Toyota Hackathon, Shri. H C Balakrishna, MLA Magadi &
Chairman – Karnataka Road Development Limited, Government of Karnataka, said, “It is
important to identify and tackle the root causes of road accidents in a comprehensive manner and the
youths can play a critical role as change makers and become road safety champions. I am truly
impressed by the innovative spirit and dedication showcased through the ideation and prototypes
developed by the students at participating schools and colleges at Toyota Hackathon. Further, it is
commendable to witness TKM’s commitment towards fostering road safety by creating the right
platform to engage and empower the young minds and at grassroot level.

The government acknowledges the importance of collaborative efforts in
addressing road safety challenges, and initiatives like these is essential to deploy the creative
potential of our future road users and drive a impactful positive change amongst the community as
well”.
Present at the Toyota Hackathon, Shri. Sharath Bache Gowda, Chairman, Karnataka State
Electronics Development Corporation Limited (KEONICS) – Government of Karnataka, said,
“We commend Toyota Kirloskar Motor for their proactive efforts in promoting road safety through their
well-designed initiative like the Toyota Hackathon, encouraging the youths to express their innovative
ideas and develop prototypes which can support to address the road safety challenges faced in
today’s world.
The government recognizes the pivotal role that collaborative initiatives like this play in leveraging the
creativities and engaging the young minds to influence the society in positive way with good road
behaviour. Such endeavours contribute significantly to the shared goal of reducing road accidents &
ensuring the safety of the citizens, and Toyota’s efforts in this direction is truly appreciated”.
During the academic year 2023-24, 62 students comprising of 31 teams registered for the Toyota
Hackathon. The program’s innovation themes actively covered a broad spectrum of seven road safety
challenges – “Road Safety Awareness and Education”; “Community Engagement for Safety”; “School
Zone Safety”; “Road Infrastructure and Pollution”; “IoT/ICT in Road Safety”; “Traffic Easement” &
“Making Roads Inclusive”.
The first phase of the Toyota Hackathon 2024, kicked off with students submitting a 200-word concept
note about their new ideas on road safety. Out of which, the qualifying students consisting of 25
teams were invited to an onsite, one-day boot camp in Bangalore during Jan 2024, where they honed
their best ideas and presentation skills, preparing for the on-ground Hackathon. In the second phase,
students further re-submitted a 300-word revised concept note, showcasing the evolution and
refinement of their initial proposed ideas. The culminating phase featured the 2-day onsite, 24 hours
Hackathon held in Bangalore, which offered technical mentorship by experts and industry professional
to build prototype basis the ideation submitted during the first phase of the Hackathon. The jury
members comprised of representatives and officials from Bangalore Traffic Police; Mindzwork
Bangalore; Transportation Systems Engineering (TSE); IISc Sustainable Transportation Lab (IST
Lab); R V Institute of Technology and Management – Bangalore; Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara
Palike (BBMP); Traffic Training & Road Safety Institute; Infosys; Media and Centre for Infrastructure,
Sustainable Transportation and Urban Planning (CiSTUP).
Out of 10 competing teams, three final top winning teams were announced that constituted Delhi
Public School (1 st prize winners – Dev Vats & Eshaan Godbole) – Bangalore; Delhi Public School (2 nd
prize winners – Anay Lohani & Angad S.K) – Bangalore; and Karnataka Public School (3 rd prize
winners – Apoorva A.S & Asha A.R) – Bangalore. The consolation prize winners consisted of
Soundarya Central School, Bangalore (1 st Consolation – Abhishek Gowda B.S & Amogh Rao) and
Podar International School, Bangalore (2 nd Consolation – Naresh Patel & Kushal V).
Commenting on the Toyota Hackathon initiative, Mr. Sudeep S. Dalvi, Chief Communication
Officer and Senior Vice President & Director, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, said, “At Toyota, our
commitment to road safety extends beyond manufacturing of safe cars; we strive to grow in tandem
with society and enrich the lives of the communities we serve by promoting road safety and instilling
behavioural change in them. Our journey towards raising awareness on road safety dates to 2007,
reaching 790,000 students thus far through various road safety initiatives, focusing on school
children, and developing them to become ‘road safety ambassadors’, thereby inculcating the positive
change amongst the people. In this direction, Toyota Hackathon is an extended program aimed to
provide a platform to school children (class 9 th – 12 th ) to emerge as ‘Solution Providers’, to promote
road safety. This unique road safety initiative contributes to enhance a strong connect with the
young minds to demonstrate their creativity, developing solutions towards improving road safety and
advance their sustainable development as future safety champions.

As we mark the successful culmination of the 24-Hours Toyota Hackathon, we are
truly inspired by the creativity and dedication displayed by the school and college students. This
important initiative stands as a testament to our unwavering commitment to ensuring ‘People’s
Safety on Road’. Our heartfelt thanks to all the students, teachers, faculties, educational institutes,
and esteemed authorities for joining hands with us and their strong encouragement and
participation in this important Toyota Hackathon program”.
During the awarding ceremony, the key dignitaries along with TKM senior executive presented the
‘Certificate of Participation’ and exciting ‘Prizes’ to the top 10 finalists and top three winning teams of
Toyota Hackathon, appreciating the students’ enthusiasm and contributions as road safety
champions.
Going forward, TKM will further evaluate the incubation support to the Toyota Hackathon finalists’ and
continue to explore the possibilities of the prototype implementation, thereby promote road safety.

MSDE hosts ‘India – Germany Dialogue on Avenues for Future Collaboration’

deccanwebtv Feb 1, 2024

Chennai, 01.02.2024: Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) hosted a dialogue with the delegation from Germany visiting India, led by State Secretary, German Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (BMAS), Ms. Leonie Gebers. The objective of the dialogue was to extend further co-operation between the two countries in the areas of skill development and pave pathways for mobility of skilled workforce from India to Germany.

Led by Shri Atul Kumar Tiwari, Secretary, MSDE, the Indian delegation constituted of Ms. Trishaljit Sethi, Additional Secretary, Director General, Directorate General of Training (DGT), Ms. Sonal Mishra, Joint Secretary, MSDE, Shri Ved Mani Tiwari, Officiating CEO, NSDC and Ms. Vinita Aggarwal, Executive Member, NCVET, among other officials. The State Secretary was accompanied by Ms. Viktoria Holm, Personal Assistant to State Secretary Leonie Gebers, BMAS, Ms. Gunilla Fincke, Director-General, Skills, Vocational Training and Securing a Skilled Labour Force, BMAS, Ms. Katrin Holländer, Head of Unit, Law on Employment of Foreign Workers, BMAS, Ms. Vanessa Margarete Elisabeth Ahuja, Executive Director of Benefits and  International Affairs, Federal Employment Agency (BA), Mr. Steffen Sottung, Managing Director International Affairs, BA, and Mr. Stefan Baraniak, Head of Office of Executive Director of Benefits and International Affairs, BA.

The dialogue centered the discussion on harnessing India’s skilled workforce to address workforce shortages in Germany. It also made way for valuable insights on the new immigration law adopted by German Bundestag in June, last year and that which is planned to be in force this year. This new immigration law lays three clear pathways, a path laid by qualifications, a path laid by experience and a path laid by potential of the workforce. The pathways are formalised though the EU Blue Card, Experience Card, and the Opportunity Card respectively.

Commending the efforts of BMAS in the formulation of the new migration law, the Indian delegation put forward suggestions that would further enhance the mechanism of mobility of skilled Indian workforce to Germany through mapping of sectors with high employment or apprenticeship potential, mutual recognition of qualifications, formulation of a Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) or an implementation framework for Migration and Mobility Partnership Agreement (MMPA), establishment of a Skill India International centre that

would singularly focus on workforce requirement for Germany, collaborative projects for women in new age job roles and mentorship support for entrepreneurs, amongst others.

Speaking on the occasion, Shri Atul Kumar Tiwari, Secretary, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) said, “The India-Germany partnership,

which is marked by mutual respect and strong cultural ties, has evolved into a vibrant strategic partnership with flourishing collaborations in areas ranging from renewable energy to education and vocational training. We are actively preparing Indian candidates for global mobility and Germany is a country of focus for us. I am confident that this dialogue with the German delegation will pave new pathways and strengthen our partnership ever more”.

Both countries have been working closely through Indo German Joint Working Group Meetings and today’s dialogue lays a strong foundation and action points for future engagements, leading to fruitful outcomes.

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

deccanwebtv Jan 31, 2024

• 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, 31^st 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.