India's Great Workplaces to Shape Your Career in 2023

A COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE TO EXPLORE ABOUT INDIA’S TOP EMPLOYERS…

Business Connect’s latest edition, “India’s Great Workplaces to Shape Your Career in 2023,” is a much-awaited and highly anticipated publication for job seekers, professionals, and organizations across India. In the current fast-paced business landscape, where career advancement has become a crucial aspect, this comprehensive guide will undoubtedly serve as a valuable resource for those looking to make informed career decisions. And of course, stuffed with a variety of informative content will allow our readers to dive deeper into the pool of knowledge and insights. And who knows that it may be able to strike you with some innovative idea to embark on in terms of your career trajectory.

This publication doesn’t only showcase such organizations that are known for excellent work culture and employee experience but also serve as a benchmark for other organizations looking to improve their employee experience; a key distinguisher for a resounding business success.

The ‘guide’ will provide job seekers with a unique value proposition, allowing them to identify the best workplaces in India that are shaping the careers of thousands of professionals across various industries. This will undoubtedly help job seekers make informed decisions about their future career paths.

At the same time, this guide will also help organizations like yours get better recognition in their targeted market base. It will provide your organization with an opportunity to showcase your excellent work culture, attracting the best talent and enhancing your organization’s reputation in the industry.

Topping our list of some phenomenal organizations that people should consider working at, Navata Road Transport managed to grab our sheer attention. Hence, we couldn’t help but feature its success story on the cover page of this captivating edition. We hope that by diving into its success narrative, you will find yourself in the state of mind where you are convinced that ‘even mountains kneel down to human will and determination’. Do check out its story and share your precious feedback with us on it.

Last but not the least, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all our readers for taking the time to read our editorial and being a part of this exciting journey towards discovering India’s inspiring workplaces. Let’s continue to work together towards creating a better future for job seekers, professionals, and organizations across the country while ensuring the holistic development of the entrepreneurial community.

Kajal Dobhal

Kajal@businessconnectindia.in

Vol - 5|Special Edition|May 2023

Publisher & Editor : Abhishek Kumar Dubey

Editorial Team

Kajal Dobhal | Sugandh Bahl | Gulshan Parveen | Dr. Amit Mishra

Avishek Singh | Kriti Anand | Sanjay Maurya

Business Head

ASHISH KUMAR

Senior Marketing Manager

Sonia Tiwari

Senior Relationship Manager

Reshmi Mishra

Corporate Team

Satyam Singh | Sunny Pathak | Asha Dudeja | Pradeep Pandey | Reetu Chauhan | Komal Verma

Sudha Gupta | Vikash Kumar | Archana Mawar | Kazim Barati | Rahul Kumar | Abhishek Mishra |

Vijender Saroj | Karan Sharma | Kavita Tiwari | Sonali Priya | Kamaksh Panwar | Suful Bhattacharjee

Co-ordinator (Business Connect-Clients)

Anita Kumari | Priyanka Gupta | Archana Mawar

Data Research & Analysis

Satyam Tiwari | Amit Kumar | Anita | Ravinder Singh | Sweta | Shweta Kumari | Rekha | Khusboo | Hitesh | Khushi | Nupur| Gunjan

Finance Team

Gaurav Singhal | Jyoti

Creative Director

ASHUTOSH OJHA

Creative Team

Rajat Pathak | Pawan Yadav | Vishant Saroj | Vandana Gusain

Legal Affairs

Mukesh Kumar

Human Resources

Nivedita Basu

Digital Marketing Manager

Anurag Tiwari | Simran | Hitesh

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Email: corporate@businessconnectindia.in

Publisher & Editor : Abhishek Kumar Dubey

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A dynamic player in the transportation sector, catalyzing business growth via streamlined logistics and unparalleled customer service

NAVATA ROAD TRANSPORT

As you can see, this time our cover star happens to be Navata Road Transport. Well, what motivated our team to highlight it at the forefront is that the company is a values-driven and process-driven establishment that places great importance on principles, people, and performance, all while remaining prospect-centered. Such companies are critical to the growth of the business community as they serve as an example of how an organization can successfully balance profitability with a commitment to values and ethical practices. By prioritizing its workforce, Navata has created a culture that nurtures and empowers its employees, resulting in greater productivity, employee satisfaction, and, ultimately, better customer experiences. The company’s performance-oriented approach has enabled it to scale its operations, build a strong ecosystem, and emerge as a one-stop solution for all supply chain management needs. Navata demonstrates that a solemn promise to principles, people, and performance can lead to sustainable growth and long-term success, making them leave a trail of footprints to be followed and endowing them with global reckon as an invaluable contributor to the collective growth of the business community. This whole narrative would help you explore the length and breadth of the organization while shedding some light on industrial trends, knowledge, etc. that might help our global aficionados in their respective career pursuits. The outline of the business portfolio

Kajal | Business Connect

Navata has emerged as a trailblazer in the transportation industry, particularly in the delivery of goods for secondary and last-mile delivery. The company has developed a self-contained system consisting of multiple services that are managed by well-defined and sturdy standard operating procedures, along with advanced technology. The company utilizes a hubspoke approach, with strategically placed warehouses, to efficiently carry out operations. By tailoring solutions based on a thorough comprehension of clients’ business needs, Navata has established itself as a one-stop shop for all logistics requirements, which has led to a diverse and high-profile customer base. The organization is supported by an ecosystem that includes an “in-house” body-building workshop, vehicle maintenance, fuel stations, tire retreading unit, driving school, and ITI, all run as a part of corporate social responsibility.

Navata began as an automobile workshop fifty years ago and later started providing daily parcel services as a start-up with headquarters in Vijayawada in 1982. The company has now expanded to states including Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Odisha, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Pondicherry, Indore, and Silvassa. With a network of 650 branches, the company is managed through regional offices in locations such as Bangalore, Hubbali, Bellari, Raichur, Hyderabad, Vijayawada, Vizag, Rajahmundry, Nellore, Tirupati, Kadapa, Anantapur, Kurnool, Chennai, Salem, Pune, Bhiwandi, Vapi, Surat, and Ahmedabad. The brand’s regional offices and transhipment hubs are generally company-owned, structured premises. Navata offers its services through 400 customized closed-body vehicles that are equipped with GPS and connected to a central command control system. The company’s primary strength lies in its presence in tier 2, 3, and 4 locations in addition to all major cities and metros.

The intrinsic mission

Cultural principles that set them apart

Navata places a strong emphasis on its cultural principles, recognizing that its employees are the foundation of the organization’s success. From the very beginning, Navata has established a structured employee welfare system that has been developed and improved over the years. The company’s cultural principles revolve around the following key elements:

At Navata, the team’s mission is to connect even the remotest corners of India through its extensive network, delivering complete transport solutions with an unwavering commitment to service quality and business ethics. It strives to continuously improve its infrastructure and work environment while keeping pace with the evolving needs of its customers. The company’s ultimate goal is to maintain the highest standards in the transport sector and build lasting brand equity at every level.

• Navata ensures that its employees are covered with all statutory compliances, right from the day they join the organization. This not only ensures compliance with legal requirements but also demonstrates the company’s commitment to its employees.

• The company strives to create a healthy, hygienic, and congenial work atmosphere for its employees. This helps to promote a positive work environment and fosters employee satisfaction and productivity.

• Navata equips its employees with comprehensive training on skills, behavior, and processes. This helps to develop a skilled and knowledgeable workforce that is able to deliver high-quality services to customers.

• Navata offers scholarships for the kith and kin of its employees who are studying from primary to postgraduate level. This helps to support the education and development of the families of its employees.

• The company provides additional facilities such as a canteen, guest houses, dormitory, and hospital facilities for its employees. This helps to ensure that employees’ basic needs are taken care of and that they are able to focus on their work.

• All of Navata’s offices are surrounded by lush and well-maintained greenery. This creates a peaceful and serene work environment, which promotes employee well-being.

• Navata encourages cross-functionality to make the front runners as future managers. This helps to develop a pool of talented employees who are able to take on leadership roles within the organization.

Overcoming the Bullwhip Effect through Effective Processes and Tech Inclusivity

The bullwhip effect can arise due to a lack of coordination and communication among various supply chain elements. However, Navata has implemented wellstructured processes, including effective communication throughout the service life cycle, to overcome this challenge. This approach has resulted in better forecasts and customer satisfaction.

Navata also emphasizes data capture and detailed analysis to optimize resources and improve yields. Deviations are analyzed, corrective actions are taken, and standards are set to maintain highperformance levels. Collaboration among managers with better cross-functionality is also a key factor in Navata’s success. Moreover, the company recognizes the importance of tech inclusivity at all levels to keep up with emerging market trends. Data is captured at all trigger points and analyzed to continuously improve market share while keeping costs in check, resulting in a notable bottom line.

Leadership that fosters the holistic growth

The contribution of the workforce to business growth cannot be overlooked though the leadership is extremely competent in any organization. The implementation of the business processes and strategies is performed by the employees only. Hence, Navata recognizes the pivotal role of its workforce but also acknowledges that results are achieved through customer-centricity, a strong value system, and process control. The workforce is equipped to execute defined tasks with structured training and guidance to

achieve desired results. The team is always guided and led by stakeholders and continuously innovates through technology implementation and automation. The company’s research and development team puts its best foot forward to bring something out of the box to underpin its growth, enabling the introduction of more effective ways of achieving business goals like increasing customer satisfaction and boosting revenue while maintaining focus on the bottom line.

It goes without saying that Navata’s leadership embodies a self-made, experienced, visionary, participative, and philanthropic approach, driving the organization’s growth vertically through wider and deeper penetration across Pan India and horizontally to serve other areas of supply chain management. The company has ambitious plans to build a robust ecosystem and emerge as a one-stop solution for all SCM needs.

Proud accomplishments

Sitting on several laurels and having an unblemished track record of over 4 decades, Navata today stands as one of the leading service providers for most of the top brands in various sectors like FMCG, Electrical/Electronics, Hardware, Apparel, Fertilizers/ Seeds etc. All the major brands are associated with the organization for over a decade and are relishing the benefits of such a lasting relationship that has only become stronger with each passing day. But above all, the leadership panel takes immense pride in being able to offer customized solutions to their adored clients that resonate with the evolving business requirements and latest market trends.

The words to convey

The core leadership team at the company shared a keynote that could help the readers improve their ways of moving ahead in their respective businesses or any other career endeavors. Such as-

• In order to succeed, one should be focused, passionate and have patience.

• One needs to have thought about planning with business plans and projections.

• Understanding the market and exploring the business needs.

• Innovate and think ahead and walk the untrodden path

• Aim at strong long-term goals, which can be broken down into short-term goals.

An Iconic Luxury Brand that Rich & Royal Desire

Hermes International is a French luxury goods brand that manufactures leather goods, fashion accessories, home decor, jewellery, timepieces, and ready-to-wear. In the world of luxury, Hermès is regarded as an iconic brand. Hermès holds a strong position in the fiercely competitive and unforgiving world of luxury thanks to a blend of historic heritage, exquisite craftsmanship, attention to detail, and high standards of quality and competence across the entire manufacturing process. Hermès was ranked number 28 among the Best Global Brands 2020 by international brand valuation company Interbrand. Louis Vuitton, which is rated 17th and has a brand valuation of USD 31.7 billion, is behind it with USD 18.0 billion.

Success Story:

The brand, also known as Hermes of Paris or Hermes, was founded in 1837 by Thierry Hermes. Hermès established the first harness workshop in Paris’ Grands Boulevards neighbourhood, serving European royalty. He produced high-quality wrought harnesses and bridles for the carriage industry and won numerous honours, including the first place in its category at the Expositions Universelles in Paris in 1855 and again in 1867.

In 1880, Charles-Émile Hermès took over operation of the business from his father and relocated it to 24 rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré. Charles-Émile established saddlery and began retail sales with the aid of his sons Adolphe and Émile-Maurice. The business served the affluent of Europe, North Africa, Russia, Asia, and the Americas. The company introduced the Haut à Courroies bag in 1900, which was created especially for riders to transport their saddles. The first leather golf jacket with a zipper was created by Hermès for Edward, Prince of Wales, in 1918. The zipper was given the Hermès closure in France as a result of its exclusive rights relationship.

After Émile-wife Maurice complained that she couldn’t locate a handbag she liked, the first leather purses were made available in 1922. The handbag line was designed by Émile-Maurice. Hermès launched two stores outside of Paris in 1924 and established a foothold there. The first women’s couture clothing line debuted in Paris in 1929. Some of Hermès’ most recognisable original products were first produced in the 1930s, including the leather “Sac à dépêches” in 1935 (later nicknamed the “Kelly purse” after Grace Kelly) and in 1937 the Hermès carrés (square scarves). The company’s designers started using artwork, books, and other works of art as sources of inspiration from 1938. The first fragrance, “Eau d’Hermès,” was created in 1949, the same year the Hermès silk tie was introduced. In the early 1950s, the business also gained its Duc-carriage-

with-horse emblem and distinctive orange paper boxes. Grace Kelly, who had just been crowned the new Princess of Monaco, was pictured in 1956’s Life magazine holding the “Sac à dépêches” purse. She held it in front of herself, allegedly to hide her pregnancy. It thus gained enormous popularity when people started dubbing it the “Kelly” purse, a name that Hermès later adopted. Jean Louis Dumas, the great-great-great-grandson of Thierry Hermès, took over the business in 1978 and expanded their main store in Paris by buying the building next to 24 Rue Faubourg Saint-Honore. In 1981 the official debut of the famous Birkin bag was made, which was given the British actress Jane Birkin’s last name. Patrick Thomas succeeded Jean Louis Dumas as the new CEO of Hermès in 2003. Hermès acquired 28 Rue Faubourg Saint-Honore in 2007, expanding its flagship store in Paris once again. Axel Dumas, a member of the Hermès dynasty who is sixth generation, assumed the role of CEO in 2012 and has held it ever since.

Brand Strategy of Hermes

The company’s marketing strategy guarantees that its items will continue to be surrounded by a strong sense of exclusivity. Hermès approach is centred on ideals like, creativity, craftsmanship, quality, authenticity, and independence.

Creativity

Designers are given a theme to create their products and designs every year. “In the pursuit of dreams” was the theme for 2019. Also, the company’s creative pillar heavily relies on collaborations with designers, particularly in the home furnishings sector. The goal is for both the designer and the company to gain from one another’s creative partnerships and reputations.

Craftsmanship

Before a craftsman can begin working on creating any leather item in the Hermès portfolio, he or she must complete a 2-year training programme. The company’s aim has always been to retain exclusivity and scarcity, even when this slows down production time. The leather products section of Hermès only hires 200 artisans each year. This tradition has been followed by six generations of craftsmen at the company.

Authenticity

Hermès does not view celebrity endorsements as a strategy for establishing brands which is a practice that is quite common in the LVMH brand stables. Hermes consciously avoids this type of marketing. A genuine endorsement of the brand may be found in the fact that only A-list celebrities and the extremely wealthy can afford and have access to their most expensive and exclusive products.

Work Culture

Hermès has made “patience” a core value and component of their strategy to produce goods of the highest calibre. A three-day in-house training course called “Inside the Orange Box” that covers the company’s history back to its founders and the development of each of its product categories is required of all newly hired staff and artisans, who are carefully chosen. The goal of this training is to instill a sense of belonging, involvement, and identification with the company’s culture, philosophy, and values in every Hermès employee. This will show the company’s commitment to the calibre of its brand and legacy.

Independence

The ownership structure and familial ties of Hermès have long emphasised the company’s independence. This enables it to fulfil its long-term vision while keeping the majority of its output in France.

Mr. Frank Schloeder Managing Director - Hafele South Asia

An exceptional workplace is a combination of various factors that create a positive and productive work environment. It fosters open communication and collaboration between employees and management, creating a sense of transparency and trust. It also provides opportunities for professional growth and development, allowing employees to acquire new skills and knowledge. Additionally, a great workplace promotes worklife balance, recognizing the importance of employee wellbeing and supporting flexible working arrangements.

Häfele India:

Paving Way for the Future

Hafele India Pvt. Ltd.

Taking the above mentioned factors into consideration, we bring to your attention an organization that is known for cultivating a culture of respect, inclusivity, and diversity, ensuring that all employees feel valued and empowered to contribute to its overall success. Häfele India nurtures a workplace where employees feel respected, supported, and engaged, enabling them to put out their best work and strive to achieve their full potential. With Mr Frank Schloeder, Managing Director – Hafele South Asia, now at the helm of affairs, the company is expected to confidently underline its launch into a promising future. In a freewheeling conversation with Business Connect’s team, he spoke about various aspects of his work journey. He took over the company’s management on the 1st Feb 2023 and this article chronicles his approach, competencies and plans that will enable him to shape a formidable future for the organization. Here are some excerpts of our conversation with him-

Häfele India is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Häfele Global network and has been operating in India since 2003. The ability of the company to understand the diverse Indian market has made it an authority in the field of architectural hardware, furniture and kitchen fittings and accessories. The company also has a strong presence in synergized product categories namely Home Appliances, Interior Lighting, Sanitary and Surfaces catering to the focused demand from these industries.

The subsidiary has a strong nationwide presence with offices in Mumbai, Pune, Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Delhi, Kolkata and Cochin. It has full-scale operations in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh with Regional offices and Design Showrooms in both countries; and has also spread its operations to other regions of South Asia including Nepal, Bhutan and Maldives.

Häfele’s design showrooms are hubs of international home interior trends and cutting-edge designs presented in a world-class environment, where customers can see home solutions in their inherent applications. These showrooms function as a one-stop shop for all home interior improvement needs - from providing in-depth technical advice to kitchen and wardrobe designing services through a team of experts stationed at the showroom.

Häfele India services its customers with a base of 1500 employees, a well-networked Franchise base of over 180 shops along with over 500 direct dealers and 90+ distributors who in turn cater to over 10000 satellite dealers. The subsidiary has a sophisticated Logistics centre in Mumbai along with distribution centres in Delhi, Bangalore, Kolkata and Colombo respectively.

Having more than 25 years of experience with the BMW Group, Mr Frank Schloeder, holds a truly international career spanning different countries like Germany, France and India. He carries a dual degree in International Studies in Business Administration from the University of Munster, Germany and Montpellier Business School, France.

He has had the good fortune of gaining experience in different fields including Marketing and Sales, Product Management, Business Planning, Strategy and Operations giving him a comprehensive business understanding. He has been instrumental in unlocking market potential, developing strong business strategies, exploring new revenue channels and building strategic brand presence and sales in emerging markets for the automobile giant. During his 4-year stint in India (through his earlier organization), first as Director-Marketing and later as President, Mr Schloeder was able to understand the unique nuances of the Indian culture, devise be-fitting strategies for this market and build an impactful brand positioning in India.

Having an expansive yet diverse career trajectory has given him an immense exposure to various cultures and value sets.

Prior to Mr Schloeder, Mr Jurgen Wolf was the Managing Director of Hafele India. Having a core interest in setting up new markets, Mr Wolf took the Indian Subsidiary from a mere liaison office to the multi-regional Interiors Specialist giant that it is today. Over the last 21+ years, he has been instrumental in setting up new markets for Hafele in different parts of South Asia through a well-established trade network and an exclusive Hafele Franchise set-up. During the entire handover process, Mr Wolf demonstrated deep confidence in his successor, Frank, and felt that he was the right person to lead the company forward. Mr Schloeder in turn expressed his gratitude to Jurgen for all the guidance and support he received from him.

With a rich and diverse experience in his arsenal, Frank aims to harness his competencies to unlock market potential, customer experience, brand management and digitalization, so as to establish future capabilities of building a robust value chain and developing a strong connection with end consumers. According to him, a customer-centric approach is crucial for any organization’s sustainable success, and he intends to pivot the entire business process around the customer.

Story of Indian Aviation Sector:

is the newest causality of bankruptcy after ‘Go First’

Kingfisher and Jet Airways

The Indian aviation industry has witnessed several cases of airlines going bankrupt in the past two decades. Some of the major airlines that have ceased operations due to financial troubles include Jet Airways, Kingfisher Airlines, Air Sahara and Air Deccan. The latest airline to join this list is Go First, formerly known as GoAir, which filed for voluntary insolvency on May 2, 2023.

According to its bankruptcy filing, Go First owes financial creditors 65.21 billion rupees ($798 million) as of April 30, 2023. The company said it was forced to apply for insolvency due to the non-supply of aircraft engines by Pratt and Whitney, which resulted in the grounding of half of its fleet of 56 aircraft. The airline also said it was facing a severe cash crunch due to the Covid-19 pandemic, which has severely affected the demand for air travel.

Since the collapse of Jet Airways in 2019, Go First is the first noteworthy airline in India to declare bankruptcy. Jet Airways was once India’s largest private carrier, but it collapsed under a debt of more than $1 billion and failed to secure a rescue deal from its lenders and investors. The airline is currently undergoing a resolution process under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) and has received a conditional approval from the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) to restart operations.

How does a company go bankrupt?

An airline company can go bankrupt when it is unable to pay its debts or meet its financial obligations. There are many factors that can cause an airline company to go bankrupt, such as high operating costs, low demand, intense competition, regulatory hurdles, fuel prices, currency fluctuations, labor disputes, technical issues, etc.

The Companies that went Bankrupt Go First Airways

An Indian airline company that has filed for bankruptcy is Go First Airways, formerly known as GoAir. Go First Airways filed for insolvency resolution proceedings in the National Company Law Tribunal on May 2, 2023 and suspended its flights for May 3 and 4. The airline blamed “faulty” Pratt & Whitney engines for the grounding of about half of its 61-plane fleet, which led to its market share falling to 6.9% in March from 8.4% in January. The airline has sued Pratt & Whitney in federal court in the United States, attempting to enforce an arbitral ruling requiring the engine manufacturer to supply the airline. The airline had a severe funding crunch and was seeking to raise funds from potential investors. The Wadia Group, which owns Go First Airways, said it had no plans to exit the airline and was committed to its revival.

Jet Airways

Another example of an Indian airline company that went bankrupt is Jet Airways, which was once India’s largest private carrier. Jet Airways ceased operations in April 2019 after failing to secure emergency funding from its lenders. The airline had accumulated more than $1 billion in debt and was facing multiple challenges, such as rising fuel costs, low fares, overcapacity, fierce competition from low-cost carriers, and mismanagement. The airline also faced legal action from its lessors, employees, suppliers, and regulators for defaulting on payments and violating norms. The airline’s revival plan was approved by a bankruptcy court in June 2021, but it is yet to resume operations.

Kingfisher Airlines

Kingfisher Airlines was another prominent player in the Indian aviation market, owned by liquor tycoon Vijay Mallya. The airline was known for its luxurious services and flamboyant image. However, it also suffered from high costs, overexpansion, debt burden and regulatory issues. The airline stopped flying in October 2012 and was declared bankrupt by a court in January 2013. Kingfisher Airlines owes more than $2 billion to various creditors.

Air Sahara

Air Sahara was one of the first private airlines in India, founded by businessman Subrata Roy of Sahara Parivar. The airline offered cheap tickets and wide connectivity in domestic and international routes. However, it faced stiff competition from other airlines, especially Jet Airways, which acquired it in 2006

for $545 million. The merger did not work out well and Air Sahara ceased to exist as a separate entity.

Apart from these large and popular airlines, several low-cost carriers have also gone bust in India over the years. Some of them are Air Carnival, Air Pegasus, Air Deccan, Paramount Airways, SpiceJet and IndiGo. These airlines faced challenges such as low passenger demand, high fuel prices, operational inefficiencies and regulatory hurdles.

Recovered Airline Companies

However, not all airlines that have gone bankrupt in India have been completely wiped out. Some of them have managed to recover or are in the process of recovery through various means, such as mergers, acquisitions, restructuring or revival plans.

IndiGo is also an example of an Indian airline company that has recovered well from the crisis caused by the pandemic. The airline posted a net profit of 6.2 billion rupees ($80 million) for the quarter ended March 31, 2023, compared to a net loss of 11.4 billion rupees ($147 million) a year ago. The airline attributed its turnaround to cost-cutting measures, improved operational efficiency, and increased passenger demand. IndiGo also managed to overcome the engine issues that affected some of its Airbus A320 neo aircraft powered by Pratt & Whitney. The airline said that it had replaced all the faulty engines by January 2023 and had not faced any major disruptions since then. IndiGo also diversified its fleet by adding Boeing 737 MAX aircraft to its order book in February 2023.

Another Indian airline company that has shown resilience in the face of the crisis is SpiceJet, which was India’s second-largest carrier by market share as of March 2023. SpiceJet reported a net profit of 1.8 billion rupees ($23 million) for the quarter ended December 31, 2022, compared to a net loss of 5.7 billion rupees ($74 million) a year ago. The airline said that it benefited from lower fuel costs, higher cargo revenues, and better utilization of its fleet.

SpiceJet also resumed flying its Boeing 737 MAX aircraft in January 2023, after they were grounded worldwide for nearly two years following two fatal crashes. The airline said that it had received compensation from Boeing for the grounding and had renegotiated its contracts with lessors and vendors to reduce costs. SpiceJet also expanded its international network by launching flights to London, Dubai, Dhaka, and Male in late 2022 and early 2023.

Air India Crisis

Air India, the national carrier of India, has been undergoing a series of changes and transformations in the past few months. The airline, which was struggling with debt and losses for years, has finally found a new owner and a new direction. Here are some of the recent developments of Air India that you should know:

• On January 27, 2023, Air India was officially taken over by the Tata Group, one of India’s largest and most respected conglomerates. The Tata Group acquired 100% of the shares of Air India from the government for Rs. 18,000 crore (US$ 2.4 billion), including Rs. 15,300 crore (US$ 2 billion) for the carrier’s existing debt and Rs. 2,700 crore (US$ 360 million) cash to be paid to the government. This marked the return of Air India to its original founder, J.R.D. Tata, who started the airline in 1932 as Tata Airlines.

• After the takeover, Air India announced a series of initiatives to modernize its digital landscape, transform its customer engagement, improve its operational efficiencies and minimize its environmental impact. Some of these initiatives include migrating its Enterprise Resource Planning system to RISE With SAP, launching a new artificial intelligence-powered transformation program called Vihaan.AI, refreshing its inflight menu for international flights, launching a premium economy class on select flights and reducing single use plastic by ~80% on board all flights.

• Air India also secured loans from three banks - State Bank of India, Bank of Baroda and HDFC Bank - at a lower interest rate of 4.25% to refinance its old debt that was availed at over 10%. The airline also appealed in a US court against Devas Multimedia, arguing that a recent change in ownership prevents demands for recovery of arbitration awards ($1.2 billion) that were imposed on it by an international tribunal.

• Air India also expanded its network and operations by adding more flights to Dubai from Delhi and Mumbai, using TaxiBot operations at Delhi and Bengaluru airports to save ~15000 tonnes of jet fuel in three years, re-establishing its relationship with Sabre for distribution and network planning and integrating Air India Express and AirAsia India under its umbrella.

Latest developments in Indian airline industry

• Akasa Air, a new low-cost carrier backed by billionaire Rakesh Jhunjhunwala, is expected to place a large order for narrow-body and wide-body aircraft in 2023, as it eyes international growth. The airline, which started operations in October 2022 with four Boeing 737s, plans to have a fleet of 70 planes by 2026 and fly to destinations in Southeast Asia, West Asia, and Europe.

• Air India, the national carrier that was acquired by Tata group in December 2022, is set to revamp its fleet with a huge order of 470 planes worth $80 billion from Boeing and Airbus. The order, which is the largest-ever deal in the aviation industry, includes 250 narrow-body jets, 150 wide-body jets, and 70 regional jets. The new planes will replace Air India’s ageing fleet and help it compete with other airlines in the domestic and international markets.

• Airport infrastructure in India has also seen significant improvement in recent years, with the government aiming to have at least 200 operational airports by 2025. As of March 2023, India had 146 operational airports, heliports, and water aerodromes. Some of the new airports that were inaugurated in 2022 include Hollongi Airport in Arunachal Pradesh, Mopa Airport in Goa, Kushinagar Airport in Uttar Pradesh, and Darbhanga Airport in Bihar. The government has also launched the DigiYatra App in December 2022 to facilitate a contactless air travel experience for passengers.

REVOLUTIONIZING THE FUTURE OF E-COMMERCE WITH VIRTUAL SHOWROOMS AND A MULTIPLAYER SHOPPING EXPERIENCE

As Hil Davis has quoted,

The craze for e-commerce platforms has risen in recent years, fueled by many factors. Firstly, the convenience and accessibility that e-commerce offers have revolutionized how2 people shop. With just a few clicks, consumers can browse a vast range of products, compare prices, read reviews, and place orders from their homes or on the go. This convenience has been further amplified with the proliferation of mobile devices, making online shopping accessible anytime, anywhere. Additionally, e-commerce platforms often offer a wider selection of products, allowing consumers to explore and purchase items worldwide. With that being said, we introduce today’s star of the show, which is revolutionizing the e-Commerce world exceptionally.

Business Connect is a renowned platform well-known for its impactful monthly volumes. And here again, we are back with one such exclusive edition, which we call ‘India’s great workplaces to shape career in-2023.’ And to make a great impact through this edition, our editorial team had an interesting and joyful virtual session with the leadership panel of Metadrob. The company’s management and the Founder & CEO, Mr. Adhyan Mangal, and the Marketing Head, Ms. Aditi Mangal, shared numerous lesser-known facts about the company and shed some light on their overall entrepreneurial journey.

Their passion and dedication to the business world highly inspired us and made us feature them in this exclusive volume. We truly hope and desire that this fascinating read will add some extra value to the lives of our global readership panel and will encourage the budding leaders out there to break the barriers and chase their dreams.

COMPANY PROFILE

Giving a detailed introduction of the company, Mr. Adhyan quips, “I am 23 years old I love shopping, innovating, and facing challenges, and I have had work experience in the Augmented and Virtual Reality Industry for about 2 years. When the Covid-19 era began, and everything was becoming digital, I started stopping more on e-commerce, and I realized that I spent more time on e-commerce websites than I spent in-store, and I ended up buying nothing because I did not have access to trying on the Products or any assistance from the seller. While facing these challenges, I started researching more about it and realized that the problem is real, and e-commerce sales only account for 17% of instore sales. So, I thought about how to solve this problem so all retailers could benefit from it and came up with a platform to bridge the gap between offline and online shopping experiences by having the best of both worlds. This could only be done by using Virtual Showrooms, providing the retail experience with the comfort of being at home.”

Explaining more about the differentiating element throughout the organization, Aditi affirms,

“Currently, there is no platform that allows retailers to create their own showroom, and if someone wants to get a Virtual showroom, they need to get it customized for them, and they end up paying a huge amount of money for that. The current competitors only target large retailers with the budget to invest money in this technology. However, we are focused on making it accessible to retailers of all sizes and industries.”

“e-Commerce and mobile commerce have dramatically changed the way brands reach customers, making it faster and easier for consumers to make purchases on the fly while avoiding the hassle of going to the store.”

Adhyan Mangal Founder and CEO

Gulshan | Business Connect

BOND WITH TECH

Metadrob, the cutting-edge e-commerce platform built on the MERN stack, is revolutionizing the way retailers create and manage their virtual stores. With its powerful customization capabilities, 3D modeling features, pricing options, and performance tracking tools, Metadrob empowers retailers to create unique online shopping experiences for their customers with no coding required, thanks to its front end built on Fiber and Three.

One of the key aspects of Metadrob’s vision is scalability. While currently serving a moderate number of concurrent users, Metadrob has plans in place to handle large volumes of traffic and transactions in the future. Leveraging cloudbased load balancing and caching services, Metadrob will ensure that its platform can seamlessly handle increased traffic without compromising performance. Automated monitoring and alerting systems will be implemented to swiftly detect and resolve any issues, ensuring a seamless experience for users and retailers alike.

But that’s not all. Metadrob has exciting updates and improvements planned for its platform. These include enhancements to the 3D engine, enabling higher fidelity graphics to create stunning virtual stores. Backend infrastructure updates will further increase scalability and performance, ensuring a seamless user experience even as the platform grows. And to stay at the forefront of technology, Metadrob will leverage cloud solutions to ensure the platform remains agile and adaptable to handle the ever-increasing demands of the e-commerce landscape.

Metadrob is truly a trailblazer in the e-commerce world, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with its innovative use of the WebGL and cuttingedge technologies. With its commitment to scalability, performance, and continuous improvement, Metadrob is set to redefine the future of virtual stores, empowering retailers to create unparalleled shopping experiences for their customers.

THE BRIGHT FUTURE

Metadrob, the innovative multiplayer platform, is redefining the future of retail and the Metaverse. By

enabling customers to shop alongside their families and friends, and retailers to provide sales representative avatars for personalized assistance, Metadrob is revolutionizing the online shopping experience. The platform also incorporates gaming in the showroom to enhance user satisfaction and engagement, making it an exciting and immersive shopping experience.

Looking ahead, Metadrob has ambitious plans. As VR headsets become more prevalent, the platform aims to transform its web tool into a VR application that can be accessed through WebVR, bringing virtual shopping to a new level of accessibility and convenience. Metadrob is also aware of the evolving trends in the retail and Metaverse industries. With a vision for the future where 3D commerce becomes the norm, Metadrob is positioning itself as a leader by making its platform accessible to retailers of all sizes and industries. By providing the best retail tech available and empowering retailers to create their own virtual showrooms, Metadrob aims to make the customer experience seamless and as real as possible.

Innovation is at the core of Metadrob’s vision for the future. The platform plans to build a community for Retail Technology, allowing retailers to deploy upgraded retail tech on the Metadrob platform readily. This commitment to continuous improvement and staying ahead of the curve will ensure that Metadrob remains at the forefront of the ever-evolving retail and Metaverse landscape.

Creating a user-friendly interface for a complex platform like Metadrob is a top priority. Taking inspiration from benchmarks like Shopify and Canva, Metadrob focuses on making its platform as user-friendly as possible, with no coding or designing skills required for retailers. Grid-based editing makes it easy for retailers to create showrooms, alongside tutorials and 24/7 support available to assist them always.

In conclusion, Metadrob is poised to redefine the future of retail and Metaverse platforms with its innovative features, ambitious expansion plans, and commitment to user-friendly design. As the retail landscape evolves, Metadrob continues to innovate, improve, and stay ahead of the curve, ensuring it remains a leading platform in the ever-changing world of virtual shopping experiences.

Health

Dark Reality of the Nauru: World’s Fattest Country

Nauru is a small island nation located in the Pacific Ocean. It covers just 21 square kilometers and is home to around 10,000 people. However, despite its small size, Nauru has a big problem - it is known as the world’s fattest nation. In this blog post, we will explore the history of Nauru and how it became the world’s fattest nation. We will also look at the dark reality of this issue and what steps are being taken to deal with it.

Nauru: Country in Oceania

• Area: 21 km²

• Continent: Oceania

• Population: 12,511 (2021) World Bank

• Currency: Australian Dollar

• Gross domestic product: 13.32 crores USD (2021) World Bank

• GDP per capita: 10,648.14 USD (2021) World Bank

• Official languages: Nauruan, English

The History of Nauru: The Rise of Obesity in the Smallest Independent Republic in the World Nauru was first settled by Micronesian and Polynesian people over 3,000 years ago. The island was discovered by Europeans in the 18th century, and it was annexed by Germany in the late 1800s. The island then became a protectorate of Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom in 1914. During World War II, Nauru was occupied by Japanese forces, and the island suffered significant damage as a result.

After the war, Nauru was administered by Australia under a United Nations trusteeship. The island was granted independence in 1968, and it became the smallest independent republic in the world. Nauru is known for its rich deposits of phosphate, which were first discovered in 1900. Phosphate mining became the main industry on the island, and it provided the country with significant revenue.

For several decades, Nauru enjoyed a high standard of living, and the people of the island enjoyed a diet that was largely based on fish, coconut, and other local foods. However, the prosperity that came with the phosphate industry did not last. By the 1980s, the phosphate deposits on the island had been largely depleted, and the industry was no longer able to support the economy.

As the phosphate industry declined, the people of Nauru began to rely more heavily on imported food. This change in diet had a significant impact on the health of the island’s population. As more processed foods and sugary drinks became available, the people of Nauru began to consume them in large quantities. This change in diet, combined with a lack of physical activity, led to a rise in obesity on the island.

Today, Nauru has one of the highest rates of obesity in the world. According to a 2016 report by the World Health Organization, more than 70% of the island’s population is classified as overweight or obese.

The Dark Reality of Obesity in Nauru

The obesity crisis in Nauru has had devastating consequences. The country has high rates of diabetes, heart disease, and other health problems associated with obesity. The healthcare system is struggling to cope with the demand, and many people are unable to access the care they need. The economic impact of obesity is also significant, with the cost of treating obesity-related illnesses and lost productivity estimated to be around 20% of the country’s GDP.

Obesity has also had a profound impact on the social fabric of Nauru. The stigma associated with being overweight has led to discrimination and exclusion. Children who are overweight are often bullied at school, and adults face barriers to employment and social participation.

What is Being Done to Address Obesity in Nauru?

The government of Nauru has recognized the seriousness of the obesity crisis and is taking steps to address it. In 2016, the government launched the Nauru Healthy Weight Initiative, which aims to promote healthy eating and physical activity. The initiative includes a range of programs, including community health education, school-based interventions, and workplace health programs.

International organizations have also stepped in to support Nauru’s efforts. The World Health Organization (WHO) has provided technical assistance and training to health professionals, and the Pacific Community has provided funding for health promotion activities.

In conclusion, the obesity crisis in Nauru highlights the far-reaching impact of lifestyle and diet on health and wellbeing. While efforts are underway to address the issue, the complex nature of the problem requires sustained and coordinated action.

It is worth noting that Nauru is not alone in facing this challenge. The World Health Organization reports that there are presently 1.6 billion adults around the globe who are overweight. This number is anticipated to increase by 40% over the next decade. The succeeding list represents the proportion of adults aged 15 and above who are overweight, as defined by having an individual body mass index (BMI) of 25 or greater. An individual is considered obese if their BMI is 30 or higher.

“World-class Consulting”

India’s engineering and consulting services market has gained global standards and offers a wide range of facilities for challenging, multifaceted, and large projects. The expanding number of consultants charging for their invaluable expertise and experience is unmistakable evidence of their impressive capacity to succeed on an international scale.

One such enterprise that has a successful track record of more than two decades in a variety of civil infrastructure projects, including rail infrastructure, tunnel and underground engineering, structural engineering industrial projects, rural and urban infrastructure, and hydropower, is PEMS Engineering Consultants Pvt. Ltd. With its dedicated team of in-house experts, the firm is adding value across various sectors of infrastructure with its engineering services like design, project management, and guiding clients in implementing projects from concept to reality.

M Padmakumar

Managing Director

Leveraging unique techniques to bridge multiple gaps in engineering consulting, PEMS embarked on a journey 30 years ago to accelerate infrastructure development in India and worldwide. The emergent firm has been headquartered in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, and aspires to be a global engineering consultancy

organisation that adopts the best engineering methodologies and delivers superior, affordable, and integrated solutions while adhering to implementation management by related codes and standards.

PEMS is renowned for focusing on domains where they find opportunities before they evolve. PEMS, accordingly, started off with initiatives related to hydropower and transportation infrastructure. Later, they turned their focus to tunnels, and today, mobility and digital engineering are on their radars. In the engineering sector, they have been entering a particular field before others try to penetrate it, which is only achievable with intensive coordination efforts and concept selling. As it involves risks, many may not venture and would like to wait for one person to take the risks and come out successful, mainly due to the Indian system of working. The ISO-certified consulting firm (ISO 9001:2015) is further planning to enter the digital space of managing infrastructure projects with real-time data.

• Mobility

• Project management consultancy

• Construction management service

• Project consultation advisory

• Project audit services

• Design Engineering

• Disaster management

• Digital engineering

• Water engineering

• Architecture services

• Water

• Energy

• Road

• Railways

• Underground engineering

• Buildings

• Urban infrastructure

M. Padmakumar, the managing director of PEMS, is a postgraduate structural engineer with more than 35 years of experience working on infrastructure projects in the civil engineering field. He is an accomplished leader with a wide range of specialities, focused on contract management and project management. The visionary leader had undertaken major projects in the areas of transportation, structures, water supply, and sanitation.

Gulshan | Business Connect

Prior to founding PEMS, M. Padmakumar worked in government project implementation organisations, mostly in the irrigation, energy, road, and railway sectors. Later, as a strategy, he joined employment assignments with private civil engineering contracting companies to understand and gain practical knowledge of ground-level reality. These two incredibly diverse treasures of knowledge inspired M. Padmakumar to consider launching an engineering consultancy.

PEMS has established its relevance globally and can persuade foreign individuals who are domain specialists in fields such as tunnels, water, transportation, trains, etc. Due to PEMS’s capacity to make choices quickly, highly competent people choose to work with the company. To remain competitive, the corporation has consistently changed its business model. Once they realised they had reached a certain saturation point, they moved to diversify the business through acquisitions. In order to further their diversification, PEMS launched their digital branch last year. This has enabled the firm to maintain its position in the industry and keep its clientele. This also empowered the team to partner with foreign firms to try for bigger projects.

The ultimate goal of a consulting firm is to solve the challenges that clients face in implementing projects. The PEMS team deals with difficulties regularly as engineering consultants. A few examples include late payments, a shortage of Indian professionals, extremely cheap bid amounts to win the project, needless criteria for government bids, trained workers changing jobs, etc. The leadership team handled these problems effectively and made sure they did not have an impact on teamwork or business operations.

M. Padmakumar asserts that research and development are major contributing factors in our business. All members of the workforce, from junior engineers to top executives, should be aware of the latest innovations happening in the industry. Although we have not made significant investments in research and development, we are close to opening a research facility where we intend to house research scholars and techsavvy young professionals to create cutting-edge new-age solutions.

emerging enormous prospects in transportation, airports, seaports, buildings, power, etc., nearly all of the top global engineering consulting firms established offices in India. The World Bank, ADB, IMF, JICA, and other organisations provided funding, and all of them attracted several foreign special expertise teams because India lacked the cuttingedge technological know-how required to carry out such infrastructure projects.

India has used fewer foreigners as training facilities have expanded there over the years. As a result, this has created huge potential for Indian consultants like PEMS.

PEMS was founded in 1993 and subsequently constituted as a private limited company in 2005. Since then, it has been taking on challenging assignments. Their initial foray was into roads, then they diversified into tunnels and railways. The firm has successfully acquired two firms specialising in rail and hydropower. They first acquired M/s ECI Renewable Energy Pvt. Ltd. in 2013 for diversification in the renewable energy sector and, in 2015, entered the railway sector by acquiring an established railway company, Vogue Construction and Consultancy Pvt. Ltd. They could team up with a few large European companies to compete in the Indian market if they had these credentials. Since then, PEMS has contributed to numerous significant infrastructure projects and gained recognition on a worldwide level.

Unveiling the future outlook for PEMS, M. Padmakumar states,

The world is going through a rapid transformation. This infrastructure industry experienced this transformation slowly until COVID-19. But after the pandemic, clients have considered implementing fast methods of data retrieval. There are several advantages to implementing new technologies in the infrastructure sector:

● Timely completion of projects

● Better data transparency

● Faster bill payments

● Less corruption

● Regular monitoring of workforce efficiency

● Fewer accidents

● Less project cost

The engineering consulting industry has grown significantly over the past three decades. To take advantage of the then-

“We are planning to expand into a global consultancy organisation by focusing more on new-age technologies and engaging with policymakers. We have started the process of setting up our foreign offices in Sweden and the UAE. To enable us to achieve progress, we are building our technical team to provide timely, cost-effective solutions. We are also planning to focus on new verticals such as architecture, mobility, infrastructure data management, etc.”

By the year 2025, PEMS aims to boost revenue by 10 times, which is possible with the current expansion plan. Their future strategies also include entering the private sector to provide support in various aspects such as design, project management, value engineering, digital engineering, etc. They are currently transitioning from an Indian engineering firm to a large consulting firm.

Must-visits Markets in Delhi for

Foodies and Fashionistas

Delhi is a city of contrasts, where ancient monuments coexist with modern skyscrapers, where street food stalls compete with fine dining restaurants, and where traditional markets offer everything from spices to saris. If you are a foodie or a fashionista, you will find plenty of places to explore and enjoy in Delhi. Here are some of the best markets in Delhi for foodies and fashionistas.

This is one of the oldest and most famous markets in Delhi, dating back to the 17th century. It is a maze of narrow lanes and shops selling everything from spices, sweets, snacks, clothes, jewellery, books, antiques and more. You can also find some of the best bargains on ethnic wear, bridal lehengas, sarees, suits and accessories. Chandni Chowk is the best wholesale market in Delhi for clothes.

But the main attraction of Chandni Chowk is its food. You can find a variety of delicacies here, such as parathas (stuffed flatbreads), chaat (savory snacks), jalebis (deep-fried sweets), kebabs (grilled meat), and biryanis (rice dishes). Don’t miss the famous Karim’s restaurant, which serves Mughlai cuisine since 1913.

This is a paradise for fashion lovers who want to shop for trendy clothes and accessories at dirt cheap prices. You can find export surplus and rejected items from popular brands here, as well as local vendors selling their own designs. You can haggle your way to get the best deals on dresses, tops, jeans, jackets, shoes, bags and more. You will also find street vendors selling trendy jewellery, sunglasses, scarves, and more. There are some good eateries and cafes nearby to refuel after a long shopping spree. SN, as it is generally called by Delhiites, is among the best markets in Delhi for shopping.

This is a cultural hub that showcases the handicrafts, cuisine and culture of different states of India. It is designed like a traditional village market, with open-air stalls and thatched roofs. You can find stalls selling pottery, paintings, carpets, shawls, jewellery, leather goods and more from various regions of the country. This is the place where you can buy handicrafts from the artisans themselves. Dilli Haat is among the most famous markets in Delhi.

You can also enjoy some mouth-watering dishes from different cuisines, such as momos from Tibet, dosas from South India, biryanis from Hyderabad, dhoklas (steamed cakes) from Gujarat and thalis from Rajasthan. You can also catch some cultural performances and events here, such as folk dances, music concerts and festivals.

1. Chandni Chowk

2. Sarojini Nagar:

3. Dilli Haat

This is one of the most upscale and expensive markets in Delhi, frequented by diplomats, expats and celebrities which makes it one of the top 10 markets in Delhi. It is a well-maintained and organised market that offers a range of high-end products and services. The shops sell branded clothes, accessories, books, cosmetics, and home decor.

You can find some of the best bookstores, boutiques, salons, spas, cafes and restaurants here. You can also splurge on some luxury brands like Fabindia, Good Earth, Anokhi and more.

It also has some of the best cafes and restaurants in the city, serving cuisines from around the world. You can enjoy a cup of coffee at Cafe Turtle, a slice of pizza at Big Chill, a plate of sushi at Town Hall, or a glass of wine at Perch.

This is another popular market for clothes and accessories, especially for ethnic wear. You can find a variety of salwar kameez (pants and tunics), sarees (drapes), kurtis (tops), lehengas (skirts), and sherwanis (jackets) in different fabrics, colors, and designs. You can also get your clothes stitched or altered at one of the many tailors in the market. Lajpat Nagar also has some famous food joints, such as Haldiram’s for snacks and sweets, Afghan Darbar for kebabs and curries, and Wimpy’s for burgers and shakes.

Janpath Market is a popular market located in the heart of Delhi, near Connaught Place. It is a great place to buy traditional Indian clothes, accessories, and souvenirs. This market offers a range of items, from ethnic wear to bohemian jewelry. You can find a variety of fabrics, including silk, cotton, and chiffon, here.

This is a market that caters to both locals and tourists alike. It has a mix of shops selling souvenirs, handicrafts, antiques, books, music CDs, and more. You can also find some quirky items here such as Tibetan prayer flags, Buddha statues, and hookah pipes.

Janpath Market is also known for its street food. You can try a range of dishes, from chaat and golgappe to parathas, chaat, kulfi(ice cream) and momos. The market is also a great place to buy handicrafts and artifacts from all over India. You can find a variety of items, including paintings, statues, and wall hangings, here. Janpath Market has a unique charm and is a great place to explore the local culture and traditions.

This is a trendy and hip market that has transformed from a medieval village to a modern hotspot. It has a cluster of boutiques, art galleries, cafes, bars, and restaurants that attract young and creative people.

You can find some unique and funky clothes, accessories, and home decor items here. You can also enjoy live music, stand-up comedy, and poetry readings at some of the venues.

4. Khan Market

5. Lajpat Nagar

6. Janpath:

7. Hauz Khas Village

Paharganj

Paharganj market is a bustling market located in the heart of Delhi. It is a popular shopping destination among budget travelers and backpackers. This market is known for its affordable clothes, shoes, and accessories. You can find a variety of items here, from traditional Indian wear to western wear. Apart from fashion, Paharganj is also known for its street food. You can try a range of dishes, from parathas and samosas to chaat and lassi. Paharganj market is also a great place to buy souvenirs and handicrafts. This market offers a unique shopping experience that you won’t find anywhere else in Delhi.

9. INA Market

South Delhi is home to the well-known market known as INA Market. It is a great place to buy fresh fruits, vegetables, and seafood. This market offers a range of international and local produce. You can also find a variety of cheese, spices, and herbs here. Apart from food, INA Market is also a great place to buy flowers and plants. This market has a vibrant atmosphere and is a great place to explore the local culture. The street cuisine at INA Market is also well-known. You can try a range of dishes, from momos and tandoori chicken to shawarmas and kebabs. Overall, INA Market offers a unique shopping and culinary experience that is worth visiting.

10. Kamla Nagar Market

Kamla Nagar Market is a bustling market located in North Delhi, near Delhi University. It is a popular shopping destination among college students and locals. This market offers a range of affordable clothes, shoes, and accessories. You can find a variety of items here, from trendy tops to traditional Indian wear. Kamla Nagar is also known for its street food. You can try a range of dishes, from momos and chhole bhature to dosas and chaat. Apart from fashion and food, Kamla Nagar Market is also a great place to buy books, stationery, and electronics. You can find a variety of shops selling books and gadgets at reasonable prices. Kamla Nagar Market has a vibrant atmosphere and is a great place to spend a day exploring the local culture and cuisine.

These are just some of the many markets in Delhi that cater to foodies and fashionistas. Each market has its own charm and vibe that will make you want to come back for more. So, what are you waiting for? Grab your wallet and your appetite and head to these markets to experience the best of Delhi.

8.

TT DIGITALS:

A PARADIGM OF EXCELLENT DIGITAL MARKETING

The scope of Digital Marketing has spread its wings to almost every domain. When it comes to expanding the horizons of your product, company or service, then in today’s era, you just can’t skip Digital Marketing.

TTDigitals is a digital marketing company based in Pune. Their services include Digital Marketing, Content Marketing, Search Engine Optimization, Website Design & Development, Branding & Creativity, Social Media Management and Web Hosting. They cater to businesses of all sizes and types, and offer both standards services and customized packages based on the needs of the clients. Clients can choose from monthly packages or yearly packages.

They are not just a digital marketing company, but they serve both as the growth partner and growth advisers to their clients. They do market research, take customer reviews and gain industry insights to suggest their clients with the best strategies to augment their business. From asking their clients to improvise their products to giving suggestions to expand their product line, they offer growth advice to their clients.

Mr. Hrishikesh Deshmukh, the founder of TTDigitals witnessed a major gap between the clients and digital marketing agencies. He could observe the unavailability of standard services and the agencies displayed their materialistic attitude. They gave deceptive assurance to the client. This posed problems for the startups and SME as they wanted standard services in their limited budget. This inspired Hrishikesh Dehmukh to launch Digitalseed (now known as TT Digitals) to offer standard digital marketing services at a rational cost.

AN EDGE OVER THE PEERS

They are a digital marketing agency offering qualitative services at affordable prices. This makes TT Digitals an ideal choice for businesses. In addition to this, they offer customized plans for elite clients.

They follow a client-centric process in which they understand the needs and budget of the clients before starting and then they develop a plan accordingly. Based on the needs and business of the clients, they choose the best strategies and best channels for digital marketing.

Their transparency in terms of pricing, deliverables and services give them an edge over their peers. A detailed delivery chart, marketing plan and break down of services along with prices are given to the clients before starting the work. They never charge anything extra beyond the intended budget and there are no hidden charges. Furthermore, they follow their delivery plan rigorously without deceiving the client. They keep the client updated on the progress of the project. They offer daily, weekly and monthly reports to their clients. Their clients can also gauge the ROI of their services. They even take regular feedback from the clients, and thereby make suitable changes.

HRISHIKESH DESHMUKH Founder

TO THE CLIENTELE

They offer standard packages and customized packages to cater to the needs of the clients. They understand the needs of the clients first and then suggest services or plan accordingly. In the last three years, they have worked with top clients like MIT Vishwashanti Gurukul, Ideal Institute of Biology (IIB), MIT School of Distance Education, Avantika University, MIT institute of Design, osliton lab, DS Karad Eye Institute. and many more.

ACHIEVEMENTS AND MILESTONES

TTDigitals had occupied a special space in the digital marketing realm of Pune within three years of its inception. Over the years, they have handled the marketing budget of over 20 crores. They have worked with renowned brands and augmented their traffic conversions by 200-500%. Till date, they have garnered over 80 happy customers, completed 300 projects and created/designed/revamped over 500 websites. They have got the opportunity to work with clients like MIT institute of Design, MIT School of Distance Education, MIT Vishwashanti Gurukul and Avantika University, Osliton lab, DS Karad Eye Institute.

FUTURE PROSPECTS

They are a follower of Digital India, and thereby, they want to empower all types and size of businesses with digital marketing solutions so that they can reach wider masses. They are currently operating in Maharashtra but they offer services in PAN India. Their future plan is to become the pioneer choice of businesses looking for impressive growth in a limited budget.

Is Your Child Always Irritable?

Here Are 10 Possible Reasons Why

If you have a child who is constantly cranky, moody, or angry, you might be wondering what is wrong with them. Is it just a phase, or is there something more serious going on? Irritability in children can have many different causes like emotional, physical, or environmental, some of which are easy to fix and some of which require professional help. In this blog post, we will explore 10 possible reasons why your child might be irritable and what you can do about them.

• Lack of sleep

One of the most common reasons for irritability in children is not getting enough sleep. Children need more sleep than adults, and their sleep patterns can be disrupted by various factors, such as stress, noise, light, or screen time. If your child is not sleeping well, they might be tired, cranky, and unable to focus during the day. To help your child get enough sleep, you should establish a regular bedtime routine, limit their exposure to screens before bed, and make sure their bedroom is dark, quiet, and comfortable.

• Hunger or thirst

Another simple reason for irritability in children is being hungry or thirsty. Children have smaller stomachs and faster metabolisms than adults, so they need to eat and drink more frequently. If your child is skipping meals, snacking on junk food, or not drinking enough water, they might be experiencing low blood sugar, dehydration, or nutrient deficiencies. These can affect their mood, energy, and concentration. To prevent this, you should provide your child with healthy meals and snacks throughout the day and encourage them to drink water regularly.

• Illness or pain

Sometimes, irritability in children is a sign of an underlying physical problem, such as an infection, allergy, injury, or chronic condition. Children might not be able to express their discomfort or pain clearly, so, they might act out instead. They may also be more sensitive to noise, light, or touch when they are unwell. If your child is irritable and also has other symptoms, such as fever, rash, cough, headache, or stomachache, you should take them to see a doctor as soon as possible. They might need medication or treatment to relieve their symptoms and improve their mood.

• Stress or anxiety

Children can experience stress or anxiety for various reasons, such as school pressure, family conflict, peer pressure, bullying, trauma, or change. Stress or anxiety can make children feel overwhelmed, nervous, or scared. They might also have physical reactions, such as sweating, shaking, or breathing fast. These feelings can interfere with their daily functioning and make them irritable and defensive.

To help your child cope with stress or anxiety, you should listen to their worries and fears without judging them, reassure them that they are safe and loved, help them find healthy ways to relax and calm down, and seek professional help if needed.

• Depression or mood disorder

Irritability in children can also be a symptom of a more serious mental health issue, such as depression or mood disorder. Depression is a condition that causes persistent sadness, loss of interest, low self-esteem, and hopelessness. Mood disorder is a condition that causes extreme mood swings, from high (mania) to low (depression). Both conditions can affect children’s behavior, relationships, school performance, and self-harm risk. If you suspect that your child has depression or mood disorder, you should consult a mental health professional as soon as possible. They can diagnose your child and provide appropriate treatment, such as therapy or medication.

• ADHD or learning disability

Another possible reason for irritability in children is having attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or a learning disability. ADHD is a condition that causes difficulty

with attention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. Learning disability is a condition that causes difficulty with reading, writing, math, or other academic skills. Both conditions can make children feel frustrated, bored, or inadequate in school or at home. They might also have trouble following rules, completing tasks, or getting along with others. If you think that your child has ADHD or a learning disability, you should talk to their teacher or school counselor and request an evaluation. They can help you identify your child’s strengths and weaknesses and provide appropriate support and accommodations.

• Sensory issues or autism spectrum disorder (ASD)

Some children are more sensitive than others to sensory stimuli, such as sounds, lights, smells, textures, or tastes. They might get overwhelmed or irritated by sensory input that others find normal or pleasant. Sensory issues can be a sign of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a condition that affects social communication and behavior. Children with ASD might also have difficulty understanding emotions, making eye contact, taking turns, or expressing themselves. They might also have repetitive behaviors

• Anger or frustration

Children may become irritable when they are angry or frustrated about something that happened or something that they want but cannot have. They may not know how to express their feelings appropriately or how to resolve conflicts constructively. If your child is irritable, they may be holding on to some anger or frustration that needs to be released. Help your child identify and name their feelings and teach them how to express them in a respectful and non-violent way. You can also help your child find solutions to their problems or accept the things that they cannot change.

• Boredom or lack of stimulation

Children need opportunities to learn, explore, create, and have fun. If your child is irritable, they may be bored or lack stimulation from their environment or activities. They may also be restless or have excess energy that needs to be burned off. Provide your child with a variety of engaging and age-appropriate activities that suit their interests and abilities. You can also encourage your child to play outside, join a club or a sport, read a book, or do something creative.

• Sensory overload or underload

Children have different sensory preferences and thresholds for how much sensory input they can handle. Some children may become irritable when they are exposed to too much sensory input, such as loud noises, bright lights, strong smells, or crowded spaces. They may feel overwhelmed and overstimulated by their environment and need some quiet time to calm down. Other children may become irritable when they are deprived of sensory input.

Leading Digital Marketing Firm With Gamut of Services

Lately, Digital Marketing has become one of the most dependable mediums to attract probable clients. We see almost every industry find digital platforms fruitful irrespective of their nature of the work. Today we are going to talk about a prominent Digital Marketing firm which has carved a niche in the market.

Quintesstial Media & Marketing (OPC) is a leading full service Digital Marketing Agency based in Pune. Nowadays businesses big or small needs more than mere marketing. At Quintesstial Media & Marketing, it offers creative approach crafted by its team of specialists committed to delivering big results for the clients.

It has a wide array of services starting from digital marketing consulting and strategy solutions to managing entire brand presence. It can handle everything from building an SEO-friendly website to creating comprehensive digital marketing campaigns, including SEO, email marketing, mobile marketing, content development and marketing, social media consulting, graphic & media designing, brand development & trademark registrations.

It believes in providing end to end branding solutions, hence offers entire brand development solutions starting from name development, logo designing, corporate stationaries, brand strategy, communication designs, website development, marketing campaigns (digital, social media & direct mail), video magazines, promotional videos & more.

EXPLORING CREATIVITY

FARHEEN SHAIKH Founder and Creative Director

We asked Farheen Shaikh, founder of the company, about the conceptualisation of the firm. She says, “It all started with exploring my creativity & attempting something new. Designing visual graphics & websites was something that came natural & the idea of having a website to showcase my work always fascinated me since my school days. Gradually I was inspired by the idea of doing my thing with conviction without getting influenced by the external world. I wanted the freedom of running my own business & making my own brand and thus the idea of having a website designing company popped that gradually converted to a full-fledged digital marketing company today.”

Gulshan | Business Connect

At Quintesstial Media & Marketing, it passionately believes in ‘Crafting Brand Stories’ for it believes every brand has a story to tell. It must not be only about marketing instead it is about the whole experience, creativity and engagement with the client and their target audience. It understands businesses need more than an agency or a marketing team so it makes sure to be proactive and consistent with how it interacts with the clients to solve their digital needs.

Every startup founder knows from the outset that there are going to be obstacles. Within days after setting up her first office space and spending about a major part of her savings, she had to move out from the space overnight since the landlady couldn’t approve of her business only because they were not happy with the interiors. “So not only I was left with a complete setup of office furniture but also had the pressure of looking out for a new space immediately with very limited savings”, says Ms Shaikh.

BATTLING OBSTACLES

This was the time when her mentor’s golden words motivated her - “when you do something so deliberately & with conviction, you are bound to achieve it.” Today after 3 years starting from a rented space to now owning her own office space with efficient & dedicated teammates, Quintesstial Media & Marketing has come a long way marking its presence in the industry.

It utilises all the services it offers to not only better understand the process, but to make sure it’s triedand true. Quintesstial Media & Marketing is more than a digital marketing agency to its clients seeking for result oriented online promotions of their businesses. It provides and implements successful marketing strategy across the web, online ads, and social media.

In less than 4 years, it has worked with clients in varied business category to produce some insane results, from a 200% increase in traffic (with a reduced bounce rate), a 95% occupancy goal, higher SEO-rankings, generating leads and effective business collaboration for clients. The list of clients varies from different industries right from automation, health care, food, movies to music production & budding names in fashion industry.

As a digital marketing agency, it strives to understand the client’s business goals first then all decisions are made with those goals in mind. It fathoms that time is money in business so it sets realistic deadlines (for itself and for the clients) and stick to them. It communicates constantly with the clients to give updates as it progresses and gets projects launched by the agreed launch date.

Today technology is changing the way we do business and has made its impact on digital marketing as well. Platforms like Snapchat, Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube and Facebook are the best channels for social media

advertising. Quintesstial Media & Marketing keeps itself updated with the changing needs.

Based on the client requirements & keeping up with the market’s pace, it offers varied creative solutions like video magazines, brand campaigns, motion posters, launch videos that has proved a great way for customer retention & engagement. It has adapted conversational marketing as model for engaging customers in real time capturing their needs, and intuitive connecting them with brands.

Talking about work environment, in Quintesstial Media & Marketing, work is fun. It values sense of humour and hangout together with teammates. The idea is to have a positive and supportive environment and take care of its employees.

ACHIEVEMENTS & MILESTONES

• Quintesstial Media & Marketing has been nominated for India 500 startup Awards 2019

• Exclusive Magazine & look book design for celebrities and fashion brands

• Celebrity Fan Management

• Promotional campaigns for fashion brands in Dubai, London & Germany

• Editorials for international fashion magazines (London Fashion Week)

• Campaign management for fashion brand in Fashion & dance, Hanover in collaboration with GIBC

• Brand development and Trademark registration for health care and automation brands

• Digital partner for films promotion

MEET THE BRAINCHILD

Farheen Shaikh, Founder & Creative Director at Quintesstial Media & Marketing (OPC)

With over 10 years of experience in designing and marketing, Farheen is an ambitious entrepreneur with a passion for creativity and exploring new arenas. She is the inspiration and driving force behind Quintesstial Media and Marketing. With her unmatched creativity and strong business sense, she has made her presence in the industry. She began her career as a graphic designer which gradually transformed into website designer and various digital marketing roles.

Being an MBA graduate in Digital marketing, her passion led her to found Quintesstial Media and Marketing, helping customers get easy and creative solutions for their brands. At Quintesstial she is responsible for all the creative decisions and oversees all marketing, Public Relations and strategic development initiatives.

In addition to her creativity and marketing skills, she has a keen interest in poetry and music. Combining her love for poetry and music with her constant zeal for doing something new every time inspired her to write and produce ‘Rehnuma’ a fan anthem which has now more than 1 lakh views on YouTube.

2023

LAUNCHES IN INDIA

Affordable & Ideal for Indian Roads

The updated SP 125 from Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI) has been launched in India. The 2023 version of the Honda SP 125 is available in two variants and has a starting ex-showroom price of INR 85,131. The 125cc premium commuter motorcycle now features an OBD-2 compliant engine, which meets the new emission standards.

Honda Motor Company

Automobile company

• CEO: Toshihiro Mibe (Apr 2021*)

• Founded: 24 September 1948, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, Japan

• 31 Mar, 3:00 pm GMT+9 - Disclaimer

• Headquarters: Minato City, Tokyo, Japan

• Founders: Soichiro Honda, Takeo Fujisawa

2023 Honda SP 125: Variant-wise prices

SP 125 Variant Price (ex-showroom)

Drum brake with alloys Rs 85,131

Disc brake with alloys Rs 89,131

There are two variants of the new Honda SP 125, with the front drum brake and alloy wheels option priced at Rs 85,131 and the front disc brake with alloys variant retailing at Rs 89,131, both prices being ex-showroom Delhi. The Honda SP 125 is in direct competition with other 125cc commuter motorcycles, such as the Hero Glamour, Hero Super Splendor, Honda Shine, and TVS Raider.

2023 Honda SP 125: Upgraded Features and Enhancements

For the year 2023, Honda has updated the SP 125 and it is now compliant with OBD-2 emission norms that will come into effect from April this year. The Honda SP 125 is powered by a 123.94cc, single-cylinder, air-cooled, fuel-injected engine, which generates 10.7 bhp and 10.9 Nm, and is coupled with a 5-speed gearbox. Honda is also offering a new Mat Marvel Blue Metallic paint scheme and a wider 100mm rear tyre option with the SP 125.

The Honda SP125 2023 is available in five colour options -- Black, Matte Axis Grey Metallic, Imperial Red Metallic, Pearl Siren Blue and Matte Marvel Blue Metallic.

Atsushi Ogata, the Managing Director, President & CEO of Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India, commented on the release by stating,

“With the launch of the OBD-2 complaint 2023 SP125, we are proud to offer a motorcycle that is not only sporty and stylish but also efficient and value for money. The SP125 is a testimony to our continuous efforts to fulfill our customers’ expectations, and we are confident that it will deliver an exceptional riding experience to motorcycle enthusiasts.”

Honda has upgraded the Activa scooter line and the H’ness CB350 and CB350RS motorcycles to comply with the BS6 Phase 2 standards, in addition to the SP125.