Aspiration and ability are the two critical factors in any planning process, says K V Kamath of NaBFID

Maharashtra paves the path to a $1 Trillion Economy with Sustainable Growth at the MGIS 

 

Themed "Maharashtra's Green Yatra to Become $1 Trillion SGDP," the landmark event Maharashtra Green Infrastructure Conclave 2023 hosted on 4th August by PHDCCI placed a spotlight on Green Initiatives in Industry & Infrastructure, paving the way for impactful discussions on sustainable development and growth opportunities taking Maharashtra state into the centre stage. Read on...

The conclave boasted an impressive lineup of distinguished speakers and panelists from diverse sectors, including K. V. Kamath, Chairman of National Bank for Financing Infrastructure and Development (NaBFID), Sudhir Hoshing, Chair, PHDCCI Infrastructure Development Ports, Shipping, Roads and Waterways Committee, as well as Himanshu Agarwal, Co-Chair, PHDCCI Infrastructure Development, Ports, Shipping, Roads and Waterways Committee. 

“In any planning process, two critical factors come into play: aspiration and ability. It is essential to assess Maharashtra's ambition of achieving a $1 trillion economy by examining the recent developments in India's economic landscape and the momentum gained. We must question whether the target of one trillion is the right goal and how long it will take to achieve it. While aiming high is commendable, we should also consider reaching for higher milestones. However, we must be realistic and assess whether we have the capability to meet such aspirations. Some years ago, reaching half a trillion seemed unattainable, but now, given our current trajectory, reaching five trillion in a specific timeframe becomes a possibility,” said K. V. Kamath, Chairman of National Bank for Financing Infrastructure and Development (NaBFID). 

He added: “The cleanup of balance sheets for both banks and corporate India in the last 2-3 years has been unprecedented, something I have not seen in the past 50 years of my career. Corporate India is willing to borrow, and banks are willing to lend. Given the optimism arising from clean balance sheets, the next consideration is setting growth targets. Maharashtra's growth rate of 9 percent indicates a doubling in about eight years, which suggests reaching a trillion within 7-8 years. This growth trajectory aligns with the focus on rail connectivity, green power, and urban rejuvenation, which presents a significant opportunity for transformation. The rejuvenation of our cities, including redevelopment, improved infrastructure, roads, housing colonies, and beautification, are crucial building blocks in driving the growth momentum. These endeavours contribute to GDP acceleration and create ample investment opportunities. Maharashtra has the ability, capability, and opportunity to pave the way for a promising future.”

“As we gather here today, we are witnessing unprecedented changes in the world. The need for innovative solutions has never been more urgent, and green infrastructure emerges as a beacon of hope. It envisions cities as vibrant ecosystems with clean air, water, and the well-being of our communities at the core. The choices we make now in terms of infrastructure will echo for generations to come, so this conference serves as a platform for action, not just knowledge dissemination,” said Sudhir Hoshing, Chair, PHDCCI Infrastructure Development Ports, Shipping, Roads and Waterways Committee.

The event also witnessed the unveiling of the PHDCCI – Cushman & Wakefield Knowledge Report, offering valuable insights into Maharashtra's green initiatives. As Maharashtra charts its path towards a remarkable $1 trillion SGDP, this conclave serves as an essential platform to drive the state's ambitious vision through sustainable and eco-conscious practices.

The report extensively examines Maharashtra's green initiatives and highlights the state's proactive efforts to promote clean energy, ensuring affordability, reliability, sustainability, and modernisation. According to the Economic Survey of Maharashtra, the installed capacity of renewable energy in the state saw a significant 9 percent increase in 2022-23 compared to the previous financial year. As a result, Maharashtra now ranks fifth in the country with a total capacity of 11,400 MW, which includes an impressive 3,352 MW of solar energy. Notably, during the World Economic Forum's 53rd annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland, Maharashtra signed 19 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) across diverse sectors such as hi-tech and infrastructure, energy, IT/fintech/data centers, steel manufacturing, agro, and food processing. These MoUs have the potential to attract investments worth INR 1.37 trillion and create over one lakh employment opportunities. Notably, a significant portion of these investments, amounting to INR 460 billion, were allocated to the renewable energy and electric vehicle sectors, further reinforcing Maharashtra's commitment to a sustainable and green future.

Mr. Manick Wadhwa, Director, SKI Capital Services and Founder Chairman, ABANS group were the other speakers at this conclave that featured three engaging panel discussions covering topics such as Sustainable Construction, Green Infrastructure Financing, and Harnessing Growth through SEZs.

Alleviating Separation Anxiety and Fussy Eating: Comprehensive Solutions for Pet Parents

A free-for-all open house helped owners to address behavioral challenges in their pets

Bangalore, 02 August 2023: Wag-Ville, a Bangalore-based premier pet care facility, hosted “Let’s Talk Dog- Open House” on Sunday, July 30, 2023. The free-of-cost canine Open House was held at the Wag-Ville facility in Jakkur and was attended by several pet parents to address the behavioral issues of their pet dogs. Read on...

The event addressed several canine behavioral issues including bonding, separation anxiety, biting, aggression, fussy eating, howling etc.

“It is never too late to train a dog. Dogs have inborn curiosity. So, pet parents should use this curiosity to train them subtly. Pet parents are always anxious about whether their training tactics are having a positive impact on their pets or if is it leading to other behavioral issues. Many pet parents face the issues of separation anxiety or aggressive attention-seeking behavior where they do not know how to handle the situation. Correct guidance and training by professionals can help build a stronger bond between the pet and its parent. At Wag-Ville, our experienced professionals always try to understand the root cause of the issue to help the pet parents overcome their problems and strengthen their bond,” said Subhadra Cherukuri, Founder, Wag-Ville. 

Addressing some of the key issues brought up by the pet parents, the professional trainers at Wag-Ville individually discussed each problem giving scientifically proven training methods to address them. “Separation anxiety is one of the most common issues that pet parents face. Separation anxiety should not be mistaken for bonding. Separation anxiety comes when the dog is constantly looking for comfort from their owners. For the dogs, their pet parent is the entire universe. Hence, while we are training our dogs, we should also give them ‘away time’ to build their independence. If it is important to give them your time and attention, it is also important to ignore them at times, so that they know when to expect pampering and when to fend on their own,” she added. 

Wag-Ville delved into the various handy tips and advice that are used to imbibe discipline in pets. According to research, it takes 3000 consistent repetitions for a dog to learn the action associated with the sound.  In other words, while training a dog, one needs to repeat the same word and actions consistently for the pet to follow the command. 

Taking about the importance of exercise for pets, the trainers said, “Every dog breed is genetically conditioned to work as a guide hunter or guard dog, etc. according to the purpose they were bred for. Now that these breeds are kept as ‘pet dogs’ they don’t have any work in an urban setup. Thus, there are two things that we need to keep in mind. When you take a dog as a pet, it is important that they are given an opportunity explore the world in a way they like. Secondly, we need to give them a certain amount of work and challenges in the form of sniffing activities, play fetch, etc.  for their mental and physical stimulation and maintain the overall health of your pet.” 

Keeping pets in gated communities or residential apartments also has its share of issues where other residents are not comfortable around pet animals. Having a well-trained dog becomes very essential as pets not just become a part of a family but also a loved member in the community. 

The trainers also conducted insightful demonstrations with dogs and their owners. Through these sessions, they provided valuable insights into understanding the dogs' behaviors and effectively addressed each issue, offering practical and tailored solutions to pet parents.
Taking about several cases of pet aggression and biting in public, Subhadra said, “Animals should not be feared but be raised as a part of society. For this, it is very important to reach out to a trainer who can assess the triggers of an animal and train them for their behavior. This work will involve some effort from the trainer and the dog owner,  but it is possible to make a change that can lead to a huge positive transition in pet behavior.” 

Wag-Ville is a dedicated pet care facility aimed at strengthening the bond between pets and their owners. The company offers a wide range of professional and safe services to ensure the well-being of pets. 

Wag-Ville hosts these Open House programs once a month, free of cost, and open to any dog owner to attend. Please follow them on Instagram @wagville_india for updates.

Spectacular Spectrum Musical Night Mesmerizes Thousands of Attendees with Sensational Gippy Grewal

Spectrum Metro hosted a mesmerizing "Spectrum Musical Night" that left music enthusiasts spellbound. The event witnessed breathtaking performance by renowned band like 'Shivaya'. The event was also graced by sensational Punjabi actor and singer Gippy Grewal and his newly released web series team 'Outlaw'. Thousands of people attended the musical extravaganza, making it an evening to remember.

Gippy Grewal, known for his exceptional talent, enthralled the audience with his latest project, the much-anticipated "Chaupal's Original Outlaw". Fans were elated to witness the exclusive glimpse of his Punjabi web series, "Outlaw", which added excitement to the event.

The Spectrum Musical Night was a celebration of music, fun, and togetherness, bringing together people from diverse backgrounds and music preferences. The captivating  performances and electric atmosphere resonated with the audience, creating an immersive musical experience. The event was a resounding success, leaving attendees in awe of the talent and passion showcased on stage.

"We are thrilled to have hosted the 'SpectrumMusical Night' in the presence of the charismatic Gippy Grewal. As a platform dedicated to curating fascinating events across multiple genres, Spectrum Metro was excited to present this unforgettable evening filled with the magic of music. The overwhelming response from the audience reaffirms our commitment to providing top-notch entertainment experiences," stated Mr. Ajendra Singh, VP, Sales & Marketing, Spectrum@Metro.

Spectrum Metro, located in Sector 75 of Central Noida, has become a dynamic entertainment hub that offers a wide array of immersive and exceptional shopping experiences. With its commitment to fostering a vibrant and inclusive community, Spectrum@Metro is setting new benchmarks in entertainment and leisure and continues to create its monopoly by being a great business proposition for investors.

Parindey Storytellers win honours at the 12th Kolkata Shorts International Film Festival

Two short films ENTRAPMENT and RAJU;S CONFLICT directed by Gurgaon Based filmmakers, Parindey Storytellers, win big at the 12th Kolkata Shorts International Film Festival. Entrapment won the award for Best Background score while Raju’s Conflict won Honourable Jury Mention.

This is after they also won big at the 13th Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival 2023. The two short films were directed by Prakhar Gautam and produced under the banner of Parindey Storytellers...

Entrapment is the story of a lonely woman who lives in a concocted reality of a family she never had and an idea she has lived with for years to kill her loneliness. The story of the film was conceived by Harrdeep who also played the lead role in the film. The film was shot on a shoestring budget with a small crew and has already one other honours including the Best Editing award at the 10th Noida International Film Festival.  

Hardeep who has acted in various TV shows and films said “The making of entrapment was a very emotional experience for me as the topic was very close to my heart. My father who left us two years ago due to covid was the inspiration for this story. The film is about loneliness and social entrapment that almost every woman faces at some time or the other. This feeling can get so overwhelming at times that the mind starts concocting things as a defense mechanism”.

Raju’s Conflict is set in pre-independent India and the film depicts the dilemma of Raju, a simpleton in a small village in pre-independent India. Raju is from a family of patriots who have sacrificed their lives for the country. His Brother was recently killed by the English rulers for being a Revolutionary. The dilemma he faces here is a choice between killing for an ideology or not killing for humanity…

Anmol Bhayana who played the role of Raju said “Had a fantastic time working on this film. We all went to a village to shoot this one and it was extremely cold. It has come out really well and everyone is liking it which makes us happy and grateful”

Sucheta who has also acted in many major ads said - The making of this movie reaffirmed my belief that if a story resonates strongly with your thoughts and ideals, you will put in all your effort to make it believable to others. Camera work, acting, editing, and all other aspects that make a film loveable fall into place. That has been my personal learning from working with this film.

About Prakhar, Anil, another actor said - His vision as a director and his interest as a historian seeing those two aspects come alive into the camera and on the screen. 

Ayush an actor in the film said Raju's Conflict talks about the different conflicts we have in our personal life. It was a fabulous life experience, acting in the movie and learning new perspectives about the shoot

Jashan who was also an associate director in the film said - I feel lucky to have worked with Parindey both in front of and behind the camera. Entrapment and Raju's Conflict are two starkly different films but the one thing that is common between the projects is the effort put in by Prakhar and his team that has brought about phenomenal success.

It was a great experience working in Raju's conflict with Prakhar's team as we share one vision whenever we do something we always try to provide something new to the audience and more importantly to you yourself also. As for my character Zamindar, it's a layered one that I thoroughly enjoyed playing with the help of Prakhar and which I have not done before also. Felt blessed to be part of such a project and team thankyou and keep rocking said Sarat Bothra.

Miyawaki plantation adopted by Vedanta Aluminium towards nature conservation

Observing World Nature Conservation Day on July 28, Vedanta Aluminium commenced extensive afforestation efforts, based on the unique Miyawaki method, for the first time ever in the vicinity of its Jamkhani coal mines in Sundargarh district, Odisha.  Following this up on International Tiger Day (July 29) with widespread awareness efforts among community members on the crucial need to conserve the magnificent feline, Vedanta Aluminium is deploying comprehensive efforts to raise awareness and intensify actions around nature conservation. The company is spurring collective community action across its operations to enhance its efforts towards conserve natural ecosystems.

Pioneered by noted Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki, the Miyawaki method of tree plantation is an effective way to create dense, multilayered plantations using native species within a very short span. Commencing the initiative on 1 acre of land on the periphery of its Jamkhani coal mines, the company intends to quickly scale this up to cover over 61 hectares of land within just two years’ time. The resultant plantation will be self-sustaining in nature with an estimated 12,50,000 plants, including several fruit-bearing species.

In addition, on the occasion of International Tiger Day recently, employee volunteers at Vedanta Aluminium’s units across Odisha, Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh conducted engaging awareness sessions in multiple schools in the vicinity of their operational locations. They focused on educating young minds about the importance of preserving tigers, which are an important keystone species that help preserve several other species, thereby conserving entire ecosystems. The awareness sessions were also undertaken for community members at several Nand Ghars, which are modernized anganwadis supported by Vedanta that act as free hubs of women and child development.

On the occasion, Mr. Sunil Gupta, COO, Vedanta Limited - Aluminium Business commented, "At Vedanta Aluminium, we wholeheartedly embrace nature conservation as a fundamental of sustainable business practices. We proudly call ourselves ‘green hearts’ as we pursue impactful initiatives to conserve and foster thriving natural ecosystems while simultaneously sensitizing communities about the best practices for the same. With unwavering dedication, we strive to pioneer eco-conscious approaches that safeguard our planet for the legacy of generations to come."

Adding his views, Mr V. Srikanth, CEO (Mines), Vedanta Ltd - Aluminium Business said, “Preserving nature is not just an environmental imperative; it's also a crucial, shared obligation and a strategic interest for both businesses and society. As joint stewards of this planet, we are consistently focusing on embracing sustainable practices and championing conservation efforts. This will help build a thriving future that respects and protects the precious resources nature has to offer.”

Vedanta Aluminium is establishing scientific targets towards resource efficiencies and conservation, reinforcing its commitment to sustainable development. The company undertakes its environmental stewardship efforts aligned with the philosophy of ‘Lifestyle for Environment - LiFE’ a Government of India initiative and the UN Sustainable Development Goals 14 & 15 focusing on conserving biodiversity and natural ecosystems.

The company’s mega aluminium smelter at Jharsuguda, world-class alumina refinery in Lanjigarh, iconic subsidiary BALCO at Korba, Chhattisgarh and its extensive mining and port operations are also spurring collective community action to conserve nature. Recently, the company established a lush new Butterfly Park within its premises at Jharsuguda, featuring over 100 meticulously curated selections of plant species that will attract and nurture more than 30 rare and exquisite butterfly species providing them with a nurturing habitat.

Vedanta Aluminium consistently organises mega plantation drives, while actively engaging employee volunteers and local communities in extensive city clean-up efforts across its operations. Furthermore, the company has also deployed electric vehicles for on-site travel alongside organising awareness rallies and online workshops aimed at fostering informed, sustainable lifestyle choices to conserve and foster nature. The company undertook the restoration of over 40 waterbodies around its business units to rejuvenate the aquatic life and support the livelihoods of the local communities.

The company has embarked on an extensive range of natural conservation projects across its business units, achieving several milestones in the journey:

Planted around 2.5 lakh saplings in FY23 towards enhancing community access to green cover

Recycled 13.69 billion litres of water in FY23, in the journey towards water-positive operations

Partnered with global environment conservation firm ERM, to bolster the company’s biodiversity management plan

Conservation awareness talks for employees, their families and community members, led by notable conservationists such as Ramveer Tanwar (Pond Man of India) and Rakesh Khatri (Nest Man of India)

Planting saplings of Chloroxylon Swietenia, commonly known as Ceylon satinwood, to help conserve the vulnerable species

Substantial contributions to the conservation of Schedule 1 species, such as through community awareness session on the need to protect the yellow monitor lizard species.

Training women under the Vedanta Sakhi project in beekeeping and honey production as a remunerative avenue for livelihood

Installation of birdhouses and nests in the company’s residential townships to support bird conservation at and around operations. Watering stations were installed across peripheral areas to provide hydration for birds and animals during hot weathe

Key economic forecast: Monsoon may disrupt inflation calculations

Real Economy: Dun & Bradstreet expects the Index of Industrial Production (IIP) to remain robust, supported by the improvement in overall consumer demand. Strong growth in infrastructure and construction goods since November 2022 reflects healthy investment activity in the economy and will continue to support industrial production even as exports remain weak. Nonetheless, the monsoon remains a major risk to industrial output. Dun & Bradstreet expects the Index of Industrial Production (IIP) to have grown by 8.0% - 8.50% during June 2023 partly due to the low base of the previous year.

Price Scenario: Dun & Bradstreet expects retail inflation to remain elevated given the food supply chain, especially cereals and vegetables, has been disrupted by an intense heatwave followed by heavy rainfall. The progression of the monsoon and the trend of Kharif sowing will play a crucial role in determining inflation in the coming months. The recent increase in food prices is expected to amplify inflationary pressures and may delay a policy rate cut in the short term. On the other hand, wholesale inflation is likely to remain negative due to the high base of the previous year and the decline in global commodity prices. Dun & Bradstreet expects the Consumer Price Inflation (CPI) to be in the range of 4.3% - 4.5% and Wholesale Price Inflation (WPI) to be around (-) 3.3% - (-) 3.2% in July 2023.

Money & Finance: The impact of uneven rainfall and weather-related uncertainties followed by festival related demand from September 2023 is likely to keep inflation elevated, thereby pushing the possibility of a policy rate cut to early next year. This would keep bond yields elevated. Furthermore, the expected rate hike by the US FED and the consequent rise in US treasury yields will also prevent the yields from moderating. Dun & Bradstreet expects the 15-91-day Treasury Bills yield to remain at around 6.7%-6.72% and 10-year G-Sec yield to be 7.08%-7.10% for July 2023.

External Sector: While the net Foreign Institutional Investors (FII) inflows and the narrowing of the trade deficit will continue to support the rupee, it is expected to remain range bound given the interventions by the Reserve Bank of India. Dun & Bradstreet expects the rupee to remain at around 82.1 - 82.2 per US$ during July 2023.

Dr Arun Singh, Global Chief Economist, Dun & Bradstreet said, “Irregular rainfall has disrupted the supply chain of cereals and vegetables and the consequent increase in prices is expected to further amplify inflationary pressures, thereby delaying the possibility of a rate cut in 2023. Lending rates are likely to remain elevated this year. Despite the rising lending rates, the overall bank credit is growing in double digits. This should not undermine the uneven pace of credit growth across different sectors which points to the underlying challenges faced by some of them. On the other hand, growth in personal loans, vehicle loans and credit card debt shows the healthy consumer demand in the economy. Nonetheless, given the steep increase in the lending rates for personal loans, unsecured credit could see an increase in bad asset”.

Sanjaynagar slum in Ahmednagar witnesses transformation with dignified homes for residents in Phase

"Together, we can make a lasting difference in the lives of these communities," these inspirational words on Empowering the Society from Sandhya Naidu Janardhan, Managing Director, Community Design Agency is in regard to the significant strides taken in transforming the lives of residents in Sanjaynagar, a slum in Ahmednagar, through its innovative slum redevelopment project. With Phase 1 already providing safe and dignified housing for several families who have been residing in their new homes for over a year, CDA is now calling for support to ensure the successful construction of Phase 2.

Sanjaynagar, a community of 298 families who were living in challenging slum conditions, has witnessed a significant change, with 33 families already moving into comfortable and utilitarian homes. This accomplishment was made possible through the collaborative efforts of the residents themselves, Ahmednagar Municipal Corporation, Snehalaya (a local non-profit organization), and CDA, an initiative of Curry Stone Design Collaborative. Construction on the remaining 265 homes under Phase 2 is set to be completed over a 2-year period.

The redevelopment plan for Sanjaynagar extends beyond housing and encompasses the development of essential amenities such as water and drainage systems, roads, street lighting, childcare and community centers, courtyards for healthy recreation, edible gardens, and retail shops. The wide corridors in the design facilitate the utilization of common spaces for social interactions, fostering a strong sense of community. The involvement of the residents in decision-making processes and social issue resolution has been a key element of this transformative project.

With India firmly dedicated to achieving a 45% reduction in the emissions intensity of its GDP by 2030, the Sanjaynagar Redevelopment Project has focused on issues of sustainability and resilience right from the start, with an emphasis on passive cooling mechanisms, building rainwater harvesting and solar lighting systems, as well as using locally sourced fly-ash bricks for construction. CDA-designed houses are engineered to remain several degrees cooler, a feature that is often lacking in slum projects.  

The redevelopment of Sanjaynagar showcases the transformative power of collaborative design and emphasises the impact of the built environment on the flourishing of marginalised communities. CDA embraces an inclusive approach and aims to share its expertise with other underserved communities, extending its innovative design principles beyond Sanjaynagar to benefit other slums and informal settlements.

The successful Phase I of the Sanjaynagar slum redevelopment project has been made possible through financial support from both central and state governments under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. For Phase 2, donors, including corporate entities with a strong commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility, as well as philanthropists, have a unique opportunity to support the construction and furnishing of such spaces, which will significantly enhance the quality of life for the residents, building upon the government's assistance. In order to help the homeowners make their contribution towards the redevelopment, CDA has collaborated with the peer-to-peer lending platform Rang De to provide loans to the families. Contributions from like-minded and visionary individuals, organizations, and businesses will play a pivotal role in the construction of Phase 2 and in empowering the residents of Sanjaynagar.

Sandhya Naidu Janardhan, Managing Director, Community Design Agency, expressed gratitude, "The positive impact of Phase 1 has been immense, and we are determined to continue this journey by creating even more sustainable housing solutions. We invite everyone who believes in our cause to join us in this endeavour by contributing towards the building of Phase 2. Whether through financial or in-kind support, including building materials, you can become a part of setting a new benchmark in affordable housing."