A blend of luxury and serenity in a breathtaking natural setting in the heart of Rajasthan: Radisson Blu Resort, Kumbhalgarh

Radisson Blu Resort, Kumbhalgarh

Nestled amidst the majestic Aravalli Range, this exquisite Radisson Blu resort is poised to redefine the region’s hospitality landscape by delivering a comfortable and stylish experience to guests backed by the Group’s unparalleled service standards. Situated in Kumbhalgarh in the heart of Rajasthan’s best-kept secret. Surrounded by diverse flora and fauna on the foothills of the Aravalli Range, Radisson Blu Resort, Kumbhalgarh is a serene oasis spread across 5.18 acres.

The resort showcases a perfect blend of luxury and serenity in a breathtaking natural setting. The resort's architecture pays homage to the rich heritage of Rajasthan, seamlessly combining traditional elements with modern design to create a truly captivating ambiance. Set in a spectacular location with a mountainous backdrop, the resort is accessible from Maharana Pratap Airport Udaipur and Udaipur City Junction Train Station within two hours.

Radisson Blu Resort, Kumbhalgarh is located in proximity to the illustrious Kumbhalgarh Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage site renowned for its architectural splendor. The resort’s strategic location ensures convenient access to other prominent attractions, including the revered Ranakpur Jain Temple and the captivating wildlife of Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary. Just a 2-hour drive away from Udaipur, life at Radisson Blu Resort, Kumbhalgarh is all about the simple pleasures – waking up to warm sunshine, strolling through lush gardens, savouring local culinary delights, and exploring tales of bravery with guided treks and trails to sites undiscovered.

“We are thrilled to unveil Radisson Blu Resort Kumbhalgarh, a true gem in our growing portfolio. With its captivating setting, thoughtful amenities, and Rajasthan’s warm hospitality, we are confident that Radisson Blu Resort, Kumbhalgarh will become a preferred destination for travelers seeking an unforgettable experience. Radisson Hotel Group, in the past 25 years of operations in India, has become a part of the country’s social fabric. We derive deep inspiration from this and will continue to add more such magnificent hotels to our portfolio that are an embodiment of India’s rich heritage.” said Zubin Saxena, Managing Director & Area Senior Vice President - South Asia, Radisson Hotel Group

It is the only IGBC-certified property in the region. The resort boasts spacious rooms and suites that are elegantly designed with thoughtful touches offering stunning views of the picturesque landscape, ensuring a tranquil retreat for every guest. The resort offers three unique dining options, comprising a pizzeria, an all-day diner, and a lounge bar.

The resort also features a fitness center, a rejuvenating spa, and an outdoor pool for relaxation. It provides expansive meeting and banquet facilities with advanced technology. Guests can engage in self-rejuvenating recreational activities such as artisanal, puppet, and pottery workshops, guided treks led by naturalists, jungle visits, and cultural trails. The resort further enhances the guest experience with a royal welcome, performances like Nagada and Flute recitals, Ghoomar dance, and Sandhya aarti.

"We are delighted to collaborate with Radisson Hotel Group for the opening of Radisson Blu Resort, Kumbhalgarh. This partnership marks a significant milestone in our journey as a hospitality brand, as we join forces with a renowned global leader in the industry. Through this collaboration, we are confident in delivering an exceptional experience that allows our guests to immerse themselves in the rich culture and heritage of Rajasthan. We are committed to providing unparalleled hospitality and ensuring that every guest enjoys a memorable stay.”, said Sharad Mishra, Director & Owner of Radisson Blu Resort, Kumbhalgarh.

Gourav Deb, General Manager of Radisson Blu Resort, Kumbhalgarh said, “Radisson Blu Resort, Kumbhalgarh is designed to offer a perfect blend of tranquility, luxury, and cultural immersion. We are dedicated to crafting memorable experiences for our guests with exceptional services and recreational activities, making it a perfect cultural holiday spot. The resort ensures spectacular hospitality amidst the UNESCO world heritage site, and we are excited to host our guests with the Group’s signature Yes, I Can! Service ethos."

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India Space Congress 2023 drives collaboration, harnesses potential of Satellite & Space application for Empowering Socio-Economic Development

The India Space Congress 2023 in association with SIA-India united with respective Governors of 3 states concluded with the aim of harnessing the potential of satellite and space applications to drive socio-economic development across India.

 

"India Space Congress 2023 marked a significant milestone with the attendance of governors from Haryana, Uttarakhand, and Mizoram, showcasing the higher authority's recognition of the congress's importance. With the theme 'Redefining the Space Sector for Empowering Socio-Economic Development," remarked Dr Subba Rao Pavuluri, President, SIA-India in his concluding day Keynote Address. 

 

His Excellency, Dr Hari Babu Kambhampati, the Governor of Mizoram said, “The impactful role of the Space-Based Information Support for Decentralised Planning of Mizoram in promoting inclusive and sustainable development. The adoption of space applications in Mizoram holds immense importance in driving inclusive and sustainable development. These technologies empower local communities, optimize resource allocation, enhance infrastructure planning, and strengthen disaster preparedness. By harnessing the power of space-based information, Mizoram is poised to achieve significant progress in various sectors, ensuring a brighter and more prosperous future for its residents”

Air Marshal Surat Singh, Director General Air (Operations) mentioned, “The significance of space assets in warfare based on the Gulf War of 1991. In that conflict, space assets played a crucial role in monitoring, controlling, and softening the battlefield for 39 days, despite only 100 hours of ground fighting. Space assets must be protected from cyber-attacks through hardening measures and the application of quantum technology. The Indian Air Force views space as an extension of the air domain, considering persistent ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) and high-precision PNT (Positioning, Navigation, and Timing) as highly important.”

Shri Sunil, Additional Director General, Prasar Bharti emphasised on the commercial objectives, “Satellites are Leading innovation for B2B and B2C Video creating new revenue streams, and enhance the overall value proposition. By embracing new technologies, business models, and partnerships, companies can stay competitive and capitalize on the increasing demand for video content across various platforms and devices.”

India also needs a clear spectrum assignment mechanism. Simplifying the spectrum access process improves allocation and utilization, benefiting telecommunications, broadcasting, and other industries. This promotes growth and contributes to overall economic development by streamlining channels like the Department of Space and the Wireless Planning and Coordination (WPC). SIA-India looks forward to having spectrum policy that assures assignment through administrative license.

India Space Congress is an annual flagship event organized by the SatCom Industry Association of India (SIA-India). It brings together leading professionals, visionaries, and experts from the space sector to share insights, discuss advancements, and foster collaborations in the field of space and satellite technology.

Rapper Curtis 50 cent Jackson to be in India for FINAL LAP TOUR 2023

American rapper and actor Curtis James Jackson III known professionally as 50 Cent, will celebrate the 20th anniversary of his groundbreaking album 'Get Rich or Die Tryin' in India...

 

After record breaking sales with his tours across North America, Europe, Australia, and other regions, 50 Cent sets his sights on Indian shores!

 

One of the biggest hip-hop announcements of the year, GRAMMY® and EMMY® award-winning artist Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson will tour India as part of his global “The Final Lap Tour 2023” on November 25th. This monumental concert will commemorate the 20th anniversary of his pioneering album ‘Get Rich or Die Tryin’ and will take place at the DY Patil Stadium in Mumbai. 

 

Presented by VJP + Tracktical Concerts, a leading entertainment company known for its involvement in live entertainment, movie production and artist associations, the tour is expected to showcase the very best of 50 Cent’s illustrious career, including a lineup of fan-favorite hits and long-awaited tracks. The show will also feature supporting performances from internationally renowned hip-hop & urban acts from India and across the world.

 

Celebrated for his lyrical prowess, 50 Cent first cemented his place in music history with the groundbreaking success of ‘Get Rich or Die Tryin’, which propelled him to global stardom. Chart Toppers from this album, namely “In Da Club,” “P.I.M.P.,” and “Candy Shop” have dominated charts and airwaves till date, and the album still continues its reign as a cultural phenomenon, captivating audiences with its gritty storytelling and infectious beats.

 

Excited for his India show, 50 Cent added, “It’s been a minute—16 years to be exact - since I came to India. Ever since my last visit in 2007, India has always shown me a great deal of love and I can’t wait to return so as part of my Final Lap Tour, I'm returning to India in November! 

 

Vamseedharan Gowthamarajan – Founder & Director at Tracktical Concerts mentioned, “India has always been a strong supporter of global music, and with 50 Cent's upcoming 'The Final Lap Tour 2023', it is further solidifying its place on the global hip-hop map. Across local shores, 50 Cent’s influence on the genre cannot be overstated. Several of his songs have trended in the country, becoming anthems for generations. And we are thrilled to bring the legendary rapper to India for an epic hip-hop invasion like no other as part of his final global tour and give his fans a chance to party with him. 

 

In fact, 50 Cent’s timeless appeal continues to grow, with his iconic track "In Da Club” crossing over a billion streams worldwide, serving as a testament to the unwavering love and support from his dedicated fan base. The artist has also leveraged his star power to achieve unparalleled success as an entrepreneur, actor, and producer, earning a Star on The Hollywood Walk of Fame. 

 

The Final Lap Tour promises to be an unforgettable experience for his fans across the country. 

How AI will transform education, Coursera founder shares insights at Moneycontrol Startup Conclave

Jeff Maggioncalda, CEO of Coursera, a U.S.-based massive open online course provider, shared his views at the Moneycontrol Startup Conclave, on the topic of ‘Navigating edtech in the AI era held in Bengaluru on 10th of July..

On being told by his engineers, “Hey Jeff, this stuff is getting pretty powerful”, Jeff said how he then had to get his hands onto ChatGPT by early December of 2022. Since then, Coursera has moved pretty aggressively to integrate a ChatGPT implementation of a personalized learning assistant called Coursera Coach. It works on 5000 courses...

On being asked whether he thinks AI will save or destroy education, he said, “I think education has to adapt. Every time the world is changing, everything has to adapt. Relationships, institutions, everything. We’re all going to have to change the way we use tools, and even the way we use technology as a thought partner.”

“We’re using a large language model, we are not actually doing a lot of fine tuning right now, and we are constructing prompts that have the kind of context that a tutor would need to give you personalized prompts. So, it allows the language models to be really good at language, but the domain expertise comes from the university and the professor. We are rolling it out and, a little over 25% of our learners have access to Coursera Coach.”

On the impact of generative AI on kids’ learning abilities, Maggioncalda said, “The capability of this technology is quite remarkable, and I was worried that it was giving me too good of an answer. So, we are all figuring out how you can support a learner without letting them cheat. Cheating is a very big threat to the way people learn. So, we want to lend assistance, not give them the whole answer. The student still has to do all the work.”

“The pandemic was a major accelerator in the adoption of technology for teaching and learning. But even now as people go back to school, we are seeing really strong adoption of online learning in physical classrooms. I think we will never go back to a world of printed textbooks, with every student and every teacher in the same class. So, I think it’s going to be a hybrid world. Even students on campus are taking courses on Coursera, and our courses becoming a part of the curriculum. So, it is a hybrid world, and we all need to be pretty agile, because the world is changing pretty quickly,” he added.

A community for seniors over 60 - SilverWings App from SeniorWorld

Fostering interaction between seniors to express and exchange viewpointss, now there is a social, wellness and fun community app platform for seniors over 60, 'SilverWings' has been introduced by SeniorWorld, India’s leading company focussed on making a positive difference to the lives of the elderly since 2015.

Rahul Gupta, CEO and Co-Founder of SeniorWorld, shares his vision for the platform, stating, "With SilverWings, we aspire to give our beloved elders the wings to soar even higher and live their lives to the fullest - inspiring each other and younger generations along the way. The app has been designed based on the feedback received from our 3 Lakh plus seniors community on Facebook, which has one of the highest engagement scores among all FB communities” 

Social connect and engagement is a key need for the elderly with a staggering 65% urban seniors expressing loneliness as an issue. To address this, SilverWings has built the social aspect of the community around 4E's: express, engage, explore, and enjoy. The App publishes engaging articles and snippets every day, which provides seniors with an avenue to express and exchange viewpoints and experiences. Additionally, the app also fosters interaction between seniors who share common interests such as music, poetry, hobbies, travel etc making for more meaningful connections.  

 

Furthermore, seniors can attend technology classes to become more tech savvy, explore new experiences/hobbies, host events to share their expertise or even embark on group holiday tours with like-minded seniors. Most importantly, SilverWings ensures that seniors enjoy themselves with its wide array of fun sessions, games & quizzes etc. Says Mrs Mahajan- a single 68 year old SilverWinger from Noida "SilverWings is my daily dose of tonic for engagement and fun” 

With 70% seniors grappling with chronic disease, SilverWings offers a range of benefits to support their well-being. Seniors can enjoy daily fitness and meditation sessions, participate in live talks with doctors from renowned hospitals, access informative articles on health and wellness, set up medicine reminders, and conveniently keep track of their vitals in one place. Says Mrs. Sharma from Bhopal "SilverWings yoga is easy as it is specially designed for seniors. My husband has started doing chair yoga and the medicine reminders are very useful." 

To take care of safety, the SilverWings App has a digital SOS emergency button. With just a touch, the App automatically sends a distress message to designated emergency contacts with crucial information like the GPS location and medical history, and also initiates sequential and repeated calls to them, expediting the help they need. 

"The creation of the SilverWings app has been a labour of love," says MP Deepu, Co-Founder of SeniorWorld. "We have thoughtfully crafted this app using inclusive design principles and it is currently available for Android devices. It would be wonderful if everyone participates in this collective journey by helping their elderly family members install this app. It may possibly be one of the best things that you can do for them.” 

SeniorWorld vision is focussed on helping seniors lead more engaged, healthier and independent lives since 2015 by offering specially designed phones for seniors under the brand easyfone and assisted group holiday tours for seniors. 

Finest Indian artists to perform in Music, Theatre, Fine Arts, Crafts in Mahindra Group's various Cultural Festivals

A pioneer in promoting Indian art and culture ranging from rock music, performing and visual arts and crafts, Mahindra Group has unveiled the much-awaited Cultural Events Calendar for the year 2023-24 with incredibly enriching and impactful events that are a true celebration of Indian culture and communities that aim to ignite a vibrant cultural exchange and create a magnetic pull for artists from across the world while prioritising millennial engagement.

 

Aiming with its Cultural Outreach initiative to serve as a catalyst to preserving India’s traditions while ensuring that these cultural practices continue to flourish in the modern world.

 

The group is known to host some of the most talked about events in the country, playing a pivotal role in keeping the Indian cultural legacy alive across the globe with its tastefully curated events. Through time, these exclusive festivals with a strategic purpose have grown manifold in aspects of scale, footfalls and geographic locations, and have positively impacted the brand, its stakeholders and various art forms of traditional and contemporary India - leaving an indelible impression on its audiences.

 

And fuelled by this remarkable success, the group seeks to add greater impetus in enabling a spectrum of diverse audiences on an artistic discovery across North and South India via its cultural outreach initiatives.

 

Mahindra Excellence in Theatre Awards (META) is the only national level recognition in the field of theatre; Mahindra Blues Festival - the biggest blues festival in Asia - has hosted worldwide legends like Buddy Guy, Taj Mahal, Johnny Lang, Popa Chubby, Jimmy Thackery and the likes. The Mahindra Sanatkada Lucknow Festival launched in 2010 as a showcase of craft traditions, involving master craftsmen from the regions, has over the years transformed into a resplendent concoction of art, music, theatre, literature, dance, heritage, experiential exhibitions, and cuisine, in a grandeur intrinsic to Awadh. Mahindra Kabira Festival brings together the leading exponents of classical, folk and Sufi music and evocative poetry recitals, intending to be a beacon of love and hope in the Poet’s place of birth, while promoting the city’s cultural heritage.

 

In 2022-23, Mahindra Group resurrected the iconic Independence Rock fest which unfolded to be a roaring celebration of the genre, and also launched two new IPs - Mahindra Roots and Mahindra Percussion, all with an aim to offer a comprehensive symphonious experience comprising poetry, rock, classical, and folk music in multilingual forms. These powerful events together showcase artists and performances that strike a chord with everyone, particularly with millennials to strengthen their cross-cultural understanding and facilitate cultural preservation.

 

Jay Shah, Vice President – Cultural Outreach at Mahindra Group, said, “People make culture, just as culture makes people. India’s culture is a melting pot of diversity, steeped in rich history and heritage, and infused with numerous art forms, dialects and languages, creating a fertile ground for artistic exchange. Our Cultural Outreach Initiative is meant to bring communities together and promote the many aspects of the Indian cultural landscape that remain unexplored, particularly from the lens of the youth. After prospering for centuries many arts are now fighting for survival, many are struggling for mere acknowledgement. In the face of modernization and changing societal values, preserving these artistic traditions becomes imperative to safeguarding India's cultural identity. The endeavour is to present these dwindling art forms in a modernized fashion to millennials, bring in relevance and reignite the affinity for them. We achieved this to a great extent through the Kabira, Sanatkada and Roots festivals last year. And so, we are thrilled to announce another year of power-packed cultural festivals and we hope it will drum up similar support and a loyal following for the years to come.”

Listed below are the upcoming programs that promise to take fans on a soulful, artistic journey with an element of discovery, making the fests the beating heart of Indian arts and culture.

Mahindra Independence Rock Festival (4th & 5th November 2023): The rock festival was initiated to revive the rock scene in India through music alone besides providing the young independent rock musicians with a creative platform to express non-conformist ideas, freedom of speech, inclusivity, and equality.

Mahindra Kabira Festival (15th - 17th December 2023): The Mahindra Kabira Festival is held annually on the historic ghats of Varanasi with an aim to unleash the mystic melodies and artistic vibes of the Poet-Saint Kabir and convey the essence of Kabir’s philosophy to new-age audiences.

Mahindra Sanatkada Lucknow Festival (2nd - 6th February 2024): The Mahindra Sanatkada Lucknow Festival is an annual five-day affair dedicated to a beautiful slice of Awadh’s syncretic culture.

Mahindra Blues Festival (10th & 11th February 2024): Asia's largest Blues festival, and emerging as an iconic Western music event that has now embedded itself in the cultural tapestry of Mumbai by continuously showcasing the world's biggest blues names at Mehboob Studios.

Mahindra Roots Festival (24th & 25th February 2024): Mahindra Roots Festival which made its debut this year, aims to revive and showcase India’s multifaceted cultural roots embedded in performing and visual arts while enabling young minds to rise from their roots. The festival spans theatre performances, tribal music forms, immersive storytelling, folk music, classical music and poetry in multiple languages to bring millennial and Gen Z audiences closer to a melting pot of voices and art intrinsic to the pulse of India’s cultural matrix.

Mahindra Excellence in Theatre Awards Festival (14th-20th March 2024): The META Awards has been serving as a platform that has levelled unknown theatre companies on the same stage with well-known ones. By far, the platform has presented over 100 theatrical masterpieces from all over India and is referred to as an institution that recognises, nurtures and promotes great theatre.

Mahindra Percussion Festival (23rd March 2024): The festival is a first-of-its-kind platform that traverses various music genres, led by resounding percussion beats while celebrating the heartbeat of music. Intending to democratise various art forms and with artists breaking creative boundaries, the Mahindra Percussion Festival evokes a celebration of rhythm that deeply stirs human emotions, creating a world-class cultural experience.

Over the years, the overwhelmingly positive reaction that these initiatives have received shows that Mahindra Group is fiercely committed and successful when it comes to the support and patronage of the arts. Recognizing India's penchant for extraordinary experiences, several companies have joined forces with Mahindra, including Hyperlink Brand Solutions which has conceptualised and executed four of the seven cultural events (I-Rock, MBF, MRF and MPF). The Cultural Outreach programme is designed for the long term and also amalgamated with philanthropic endeavours, much in tandem with Mahindra’s Rise philosophy, one that ultimately seeks to create a positive impact for the community, the brand and Indian arts & culture

Infosys founder Narayana Murthy opines that Every startup should have only one leader

The founder of Infosys speaks to Rohan Murthy on the issues of starting up, sacrifices, values and more. Narayana Murthy, took the floor at Moneycontrol Startup Conclave 2023 to speak in a candid conversation with his son, Rohan Murthy, Founder of Soroco..

The IIT alumnus was asked why he chose to become an entrepreneur. He answered, "Because I believe the only way society can remove its poverty is through the power of entrepreneurship, creating jobs, translating ideas into jobs, translating ideas into wealth, and enhancing taxes paid to the government."

When asked to list key attributes of entrepreneurs, he highlighted, "They must have the power of imagination. They must be comfortable with innovation, with doing something unusual. Passion fuels your energy, enthusiasm, and ability to achieve the target, and for this, the leader must have an articulated value system."

The next key step for any nascent business is hiring talent. He recommended, "My focus was on competence. Without that, nothing will happen. The second is the value system. In the beginning, everybody has to trust everybody else implicitly. The only thing the employees have are your words. For this, you must be authentic. When employees work as a team, in unison, there is a high probability of people buying into your vision, and that vision must have something in it for everybody."

On devising leadership and organizational structure, he suggests, "Every startup company must have only one leader. There cannot be two or three leaders. Just one leader." He adds, "Once the managerial phase comes in, you invite managers to create systems and processes, establish protocols, invite independent directors, and have a good governance mechanism."

Crippling uncertainty and self-doubt are common among all startup founders. Addressing pathways to tackle that, Mr. Narayana Murthy shares how he felt when his company went public, "When we went public, we were worried about whether we would do well or not." For navigating times when things get tough at the office and at home, he suggested, "You should not panic. During uncertain times, I would crack jokes in the office and talk to them about how other people have gone through such times as well, and how God is with us. Sometimes, logic doesn't suffice. There are moments when one must transcend logic, embrace faith, and believe in God."

Reminiscing about his roots, he elaborated on how selecting a career pathway wasn't as parent-regulated back then as it is today. He said, "Back then, they didn't ask us 'what are you going to do.' Somehow, that environment gave us much freedom. Acknowledging his wife's pivotal role during the early stages of building his business, Mr. Murthy expressed his gratitude for Mrs. Sudha Murthy, present at the Moneycontrol Startup Conclave 2023. He shares, "My wife stood by me when my colleagues were unsupportive."

The session also included Mrs. Murthy sharing her perspective as the first angel investor in Murthy's life. She shares the anecdote, "Living with a successful man can be extremely challenging. They are not ordinary individuals; they possess eccentricities and lack conventional logic at home, reserving it solely for the office. These accomplished individuals often have sky-high expectations, requiring their partners to juggle multiple roles simultaneously." She adds, "They expect their partners to be a wife, secretary, finance manager, nanny, advisor, and assume various other responsibilities. Failing in any one of these roles can have a profound negative impact on their well-being."

A number of budding startups present at the Moneycontrol Startup Conclave 2023 sought Murthy's perspective on the principle of good governance, to which he suggested, "Put the interest of the community ahead of your personal interest, in the short and mid-run, and you will emerge a winner in the long term. It is a philosophy that you either have or you