·         EY employees will record over 40,000 pages for the audiobooks in a period of one month.

EY India has partnered with the National Association for the Blind (NAB) to create over 600 audiobooks, aiming to benefit more than 1,00,000 people with visual impairment across India. The initiative is part of EY Ripples program, where EY employees devote their time to SDG-focused projects, bringing together their combined skills, knowledge and experience to positively impact wider sections of the society.

Named ‘Talking Books’, this is the second edition of the initiative by EY Ripples team in collaboration with NABto enable enhanced availability of learning resources for the personal development of several members of the visually impaired community. As part of the initiative, EY employees will record over 40,000 pages for the audiobooks in a period of one month.

There are an estimated 5 million blind people in India (0.36% of the total population), 35 million people visually impaired (2.55%), and 0.24 million blind children in India. People with visual impairment lack access to adequate learning resources and audio books are therefore a crucial learning tool for them.

Reflecting on the overwhelming employee response to the program, Arti Dua, National Talent Leader, EY India, said, “Initiatives like Talking Books allow us to empower differently abled, ensuring everyone has access to the resources they need to learn and grow.The overwhelming response from our employees reflects not just a shared purpose but a collective action towards making a meaningful impact where it matters the most. We are committed to expanding our efforts and introducing new initiatives that uphold our shared purpose.” 

Talking about the initiative, Prashant RanjanVerma,General Secretary of National Association for The Blind said, “It gives us immense joy that such a large number of EY India employees have come forward to help enrich our library. This unique resource-building effort holds the potential to benefit the visually impaired community at large, making a meaningful difference in their lives.”

In India, the EY Ripples community has grown to over 4,000 volunteers and continues to expand. Over the past four years, these volunteers have positively impacted over 11.5 million lives through various initiatives around education, cleanliness drives, plantation drivesetc. 

The new productsoffer Industry-Leading Features including guaranteed additions in

the 1^st policy year.

Pramerica Life Insurance, one of India's fastest-growing life insurance providers, has joined hands with Policybazaar to accelerate its focus on Unit-Linked Insurance Plans (ULIPs). Building on ULIPs as a critical driver of its product strategy, the company introduced two new solutions: Pramerica Life NextGen Pension Plan and Pramerica Life Smart Invest 1UP. Leveraging Policybazaar’s digital expertise and extensive customer insights, these products are designed to empower individuals with retirement planning & wealth-building options, ensuring financial security in today’s dynamic economic environment.

Policybazaar is renowned for simplifying insurance solutions and providing seamless digital experiences to customers.

These ULIPs offer a suite of best-in-class benefits, including:

·         Upfront Guaranteed Additions in the policy

·         Zero premium allocation charges

·         Zero policy administrationcharges

·         Return of mortalitycharges (ROMC) upon policy survival

·         Unlimited fund switchesat zero charges

Pramerica Life NextGen Pension Plan gives access to Pramerica Life’s flagship Nifty Midcap 50 Correlated Pension Fund, which offers an impressive 30.7% 1-Year return. The fund is available through an NFL from 18^th December 2024 to 1^st January 2025 at anNAV of ₹10.

Mr. Pankaj Gupta, MD & CEO, Pramerica Life Insurance said, “Our collaboration with Policybazaar is a significant step in making innovative financial solutions accessible to a larger audience. These new ULIP offerings reflect our commitment to delivering customer-centric products with industry-first features that cater to evolving financial needs, helping individuals secure their future while creating wealth.The Pramerica Life NextGen Pension Plan, in particular, is designed to help individuals build a reliable retirement corpus, ensuring financial independence and peace of mind in their post-retirement years.”

Mr. Sarbvir Singh, CEO, Policybazaar stated “Retirement planning is more important than ever as India faces shifting demographics and evolving financial needs. At Policybazaar, our mission is to empower customers with tailored financial solutions that secure their future. Partnering with Pramerica Life Insurance to introduce these ULIP pension plans reflects our commitment to offering comprehensive products that help individuals achieve long-term financial stability and a worry-free retirement.”

~Pinnacle to drive 40% of LEAD Group’s revenue in the next 3 years~

LEAD Group, India’s leading School Edtech pioneer, today announced the launch of Pinnacle — a first-of-its-kind, modern curriculum solution that combines deeply researched curriculum, pedagogy and content — to address the unmet needs of more than 60,000 high-fee schools across India.  Pinnacle brings the much needed innovation and academic excellence that India’s high-fee schools are seeking beyond regular curricula. Pinnacle not only combines deeply researched, NCF-aligned curriculum, pedagogy and content,  but also blends AI and other advanced education technologies to enable a truly multi-modal, personalised and adaptive learning experience for students. Over the next 3 years, Pinnacle is expected to contribute 40% of LEAD Group’s total revenue, underscoring its importance in the company’s growth strategy.

Parental spend in the high-fee school segment is projected to reach Rs. 4,300 billion by 2030, reflecting a growing demand for quality education. Pinnacle’s deeply researched solutions will meet this rising parental demand for propulsive education.

Sumeet Mehta, CEO and Co-Founder, LEAD Group, said, “Designed and developed in India, Pinnacle is built on more than two years of research and insights from collaborations with schools nationwide.  It addresses the long-unfulfilled needs of progressive Indian schools by offering a modern curriculum solution that builds on the best in curriculum, pedagogy and technology, and is fully aligned with NCF 2023.  This is a first in school education in India and marks a significant shift from traditional approaches that have primarily focused on books, or standalone software or smart classroom content.  We are building an education brand that is made in India and is the best in the world!”

Pinnacle’s flagship innovation, the TECHBOOK, introduces India’s first AI-enabled intelligent books, personalising learning through data-driven insights and AR-enhanced experiences to boost student learning outcomes.  Pinnacle also includes Code.AI, a project-based coding and AI program with a free coding platform designed to nurture technology creators and innovators. The TECHBOOK and Code.AI build on Pinnacle’s Textbook series that leverages world-renowned pedagogies for deeper conceptual understanding Pinnacle also includes ACADEMIA for AI-powered assessments and teacher training for schools; and Pinnacle+ for comprehensive school support, including curriculum integration and infrastructure upgrades.

Pinnacle by LEAD Group meets the growing demand for innovation and integration in progressive Indian schools striving to distinguish themselves.  It empowers schools to streamline operations while maintaining the highest standards of learning. 

 Bharti Airtel (“Airtel”), one of India’s leading telecommunications service providers has partnered with the Indian Army to bring connectivity to villages in the Kupwara, Baramulla and Bandipore districts along the Line of Control in North Kashmir.

The company has deployed 15 mobile towers in this area, which will benefit the local population and also offer essential communication connections for soldiers stationed along the Line of Control, enabling them to stay in touch with their families and improve operational coordination.

Under the PM Vibrant Village Programme, villages such as Kachhal, Balbir, Razdan Pass, Taya Top, Ustad, Kathi, and Cheema are now connected to the rest of the country. These villages are located in the Keran, Machhal, Tangdhar, Gurez, and Uri valley regions, spanning the three districts of Kupwara, Baramulla, and Bandipore. Airtel is the only private telecom operator providing its services in these regions.

Airtel has collaborated with the Indian Army to improve network services and enhance connectivity in remote areas of military bases. Recently, the company has successfully established connectivity in the Galwan River region and Daulat Beg Oldie (BDO), which is recognised as India’s northernmost military outpost. 

Dr. Ramesh also credited the success of the surgery to the advanced medical facilities at Kamineni Hospitals, particularly the expertise of the anesthesia department, skilled medical staff, and experienced nursing team.

~The airline is offering 10% discount on group bookings~

Vietjet, Vietnam’s new-age carrier, is thrilled to announce its special promotion of the year, offering travellers an exciting opportunity to save on group bookings. From December 16 to December 30, 2024, passengers can enjoy a 10% discount (excluding taxes and fees) when booking Eco tickets for groups of 3 to 5 people (excluding infants under 2 years old).

This exclusive promotion is valid across VietJet Air’s entire flight network, allowing travellers to explore a variety of exciting destinations at reduced fares. The flight period for this promotion extends from January 1 to October 25, 2025, making it the perfect opportunity to plan upcoming holidays, family reunions, or group getaways.

Passengers can easily book tickets through VietJet Air’s official website or mobile app. Travelers can take advantage of this limited time offer to explore VietJet Air’s expansive route network, featuring popular destinations across Asia and beyond.

In 2024, the airline expanded its global presence with a network of 168 across Asia and Australia. Since 2019, Vietjet has pioneered direct connections between Vietnam and India, continually expanding its routes to meet rising demand. Currently, the airline operates 68 weekly flights between the two countries connecting key Indian cities—New Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad and Kochi—to major destinations in Vietnam such as Hanoi, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City.

The programme equips participants with skills in risk governance and financial technologies, driving long-term value creation in the evolving digital finance landscape

As the cryptocurrency era reshapes the financial landscape, the convergence of finance and technology has become a driving force behind new opportunities and challenges. With the rise of digital platforms, blockchain, and fintech innovations, professionals must be equipped with a solid understanding of technology and risk management to ensure consumer protection and financial stability. To address this growing demand, the Indian Institute of Management Lucknow (IIM Lucknow), a leading business school which is ranked 4th amongst all B-schools in India (ranked by FT-100), in collaboration with Emeritus, has announced the launch of its 10th batch of Executive Programme in Fintech, Banking & Applied Risk Management.

According to the Global Fintech 2023: Reimagining the Future of Finance Report, Asia-Pacific (APAC) is poised to outpace the US and become the world’s top fintech market by 2030, with a projected compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 27%. This data clearly underscores the urgent need for professionals in the region to sharpen their skills in emerging financial technologies and advanced risk governance, enabling organizations to harness the opportunities presented by this remarkable growth.

With a sharp focus on developing expertise in financial technologies and risk management, this 10-month high-impact programme is specifically designed for mid to senior-level managers in the banking and financial services sector aiming to grasp financial technologies, business leaders and risk management consultants overseeing digital transformation, as well as early-career professionals. Additionally, it will also benefit entrepreneurs  and visionary business owners seeking to elevate their ventures.

Speaking on the programme, Mr. Avnish Singhal, Executive Vice President, India and APAC, Emeritus, said, “We are thrilled to partner with esteemed institutions like IIM Lucknow to launch this high-impact programme that equips professionals with the essential skills to excel in fintech and risk management. This programme will empower participants to navigate the complexities of the financial landscape, fostering their ability to develop innovative solutions that drive meaningful change.”

The IIM Lucknow Executive Programme in Fintech, Banking & Applied Risk Management offers immersive live online learning sessions delivered by top IIM Lucknow faculty and international expert practitioners as well as a 2-day in-campus immersion at the IIM Lucknow campus. It also includes a capstone project guided by IIM Lucknow Faculty, real-world case studies and hands-on learning through business simulations. The modules of this programme include overview of risk management in banking and financial services, regulatory landscape and credit risk models, and digital disruption, innovation, and transformation among others.

EDITOR’S SYNOPSIS

• 200 MW Solar Power Project in Khavda to supply green power to 20 cement plants.
• Part of the first phase of the ambitious 1 GW Renewable Power (Solar+Wind) Project along with 376 MW from WHRS.
• 70% savings in power cost to significantly enhance EBITDA.
• A total expenditure of Rs. 10,000 Cr will enable 60% of the Company’s power requirement to come from green power by FY’28.

Ambuja Cements, the cement and building material company of the diversified Adani Portfolio, has successfully commissioned and started power transmission from its 200 MW solar power project in Khavda . The balance 806 MW capacity from this project is at various stages of commissioning and expected to start transmitting in phases between March 2025 and June 2025. Positively impacting the the Company’s EBITDA, this development leads to an impressive 70% savings compared to current power cost.

Mr. Ajay Kapur, CEO – Cement Business, Adani Group said, “Growing responsibly and sustainably is fundamental to our ESG excellence journey as we are proudly committed to achieving Net Zero emissions by 2050. This is the first phase of our 1 GW Renewable Power Project in our efforts to decarbonize the value chain. We aim to power 60% of our total energy consumption from green power sources by FY’28. This helps us in reducing our overall cost and delivering strong value to our stakeholders. Our sustainability principles are integrated into all aspects of our business and reflect our forward-thinking vision.”

The Company has received standing clearance for its 200 MW Solar Power Project from the Western Regional Load Dispatch Centre (WRLDC), effective 12^th December 2024. This first phase of its ambitious Green Energy Project, paves the way for further value unlocking for the Company’s Rs. 10,000 Cr investment towards green power – 1 GW of Renewable Energy, including Solar and Wind, along with 376 MW of Waste Heat Recovery Systems (WHRS).

Of the remaining 806 MW capacity from this project, 156 MW of Wind Power from Khavda and a further 300 MW Solar Power from Rajasthan are expected to be comissioned by March 2025 in phases. The balance 350 MW Solar power is expected to be commissioned by June 2025.

Ambuja Cements has a legacy of being environmentally responsible and continues to strive towards decarbonisation of the cement industry with future-ready inititiatives aimed at building a greener, more inclusive future.