MSMEs boost country's overall economic growth with inclusive development

A unique strategic partnership is formed to educate Small Businesses on Government Schemes and Promote Digital Credit across the Country that aims to empower India's Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME).

U GRO Capital, a leading DataTech NBFC focused on MSME lending, and Laghu Udyog Bharati, an organization dedicated to supporting and promoting micro-enterprises, today launched a transformative awareness campaign designed to empower India's micro-enterprises with knowledge about government schemes, digital credit, and strategies for success in today's ever-evolving business landscape.

India's MSMEs have long been the backbone of the country's economy, contributing significantly to employment generation, industrial production, and overall economic growth. The importance of MSMEs cannot be overstated, as they account for a substantial portion of India's GDP and play a crucial role in poverty reduction and inclusive development. However, for these businesses to thrive, access to credit and financial resources is paramount. This collaboration is set to bring a positive and transformative impact on micro-enterprises in India, promoting their growth and success.

Under this partnership, U GRO Capital, along with Laghu Udyog Bharati, will host a series of seminars, workshops, and events in over 100 micro markets across India. These events are aimed at educating and empowering the network of small businesses empanelled with Laghu Udyog Bharati. U GRO Capital, known for its innovative financial products and proprietary underwriting model, GRO Score 3.0, is well-equipped to support cashflow-based lending to MSMEs. This approach offers an effective means of extending credit to micro-enterprises, aiding them in their growth journey.

Om Prakash Gupta, All India General Secretary, Laghu Udyog Bharati, said, “Laghu Udyog Bharati has always been committed to supporting and promoting micro-enterprises in India – from enhancing gainful employment to their sustained growth. Our collaboration with U GRO Capital aligns perfectly with our mission and vision of helping MSMEs achieve their potential. We believe that providing education and awareness about government schemes and digital credit will be a game-changer for small businesses in India.”

Shachindra Nath, Vice Chairman and Managing Director of U GRO Capital, expressed his enthusiasm for this collaboration, saying, “At U GRO Capital, our mission is to address the credit needs of over 1 million small businesses in India over the next three years. We believe that empowering MSMEs with knowledge about government schemes and digital credit solutions is essential for their growth and success. As part of our ongoing expansion efforts, we are set to establish a presence across 175 locations by the end of this fiscal. We believe that India’s MSME require education regarding the benefit of being part of formal economy and adoption of digitisation. This partnership with Laghu Udyog Bharati will be instrumental in helping us reach, educate, and empower the MSMEs, providing them inputs which enables them ready to embrace credit solutions. We view this collaboration as a significant step toward realizing our mission.”

Laghu Udyog Bharati, since 1994, being the largest MSME association of the country, with presence in 22 states, 550 Districts and 45000 Members, has been key in bring out Financial Environment for Micro & Small Enterprises at the National Capital with Government of India.

Laghu Udyog Bharati, in line with G20 Financial Inclusion Mission, is desirous of fulfilling the huge needs of growing economic demand for Micro and Small Enterprises.  Laghu Udyog Bharati has engaged, as part of its Financial Outreach for Micro & Small Enterprises, with UGRO Capital, to extend Capital Support in 100 Locations of 22 states to Micro & Small Enterprises.

Conference on Global Dialogue on Harassment and Discrimination by Women Inspiring Network & ANVAY

Women Inspiring Network (WIN), a distinguished advocate for women's empowerment and equality has partnered with ANVAY, a global platform dedicated to addressing the pervasive issues of harassment and discrimination. This collaboration marks a significant milestone as it coincides with the commemoration of a decade of the implementation of the POSH law.  

 

The central theme of the conference Global Dialogue on Harassment and Discrimination revolves around the vital issues of harassment and discrimination. With 14 panel topics addressing specific sub-topics such as women's safety, child safety, the well-being of young adults, and the role of universities, the event promises to provide a comprehensive exploration of these crucial subjects. 

  

The ANVAY Global Dialogue, a two-day conference and dream project culminating on the 10th anniversary of the POSH law, will bring together expert contemporaries and voices from prestigious institutions and organizations worldwide. Representatives from the United Nations, UNICEF, National Commission for Women (NCW), Harvard University, various ministries, judiciary, and professionals from diverse backgrounds in India and abroad will convene to engage in critical conversations. 

“WIN is honoured to be a media partner for the ANVAY Global Dialogue contributing to this impactful initiative. This partnership is a testament to WIN's steadfast commitment to advancing women's rights and fostering a world free from discrimination.” said Stuti Jalan, Founder of Women Inspiring Network. 

ANVAY's global reach will be further exemplified by Video Insights from experts spanning the globe, representing countries including Pakistan, Nepal, Kenya, Indonesia, the USA, the UK, and Australia. This inclusive approach underscores the universality of the issues at hand and emphasizes the necessity for a collaborative international effort to effect meaningful change. 

"This dialogue is one with a cause and for a cause," stated Divya, Chief Quality Officer (Social Media), The Legal Swan "Our primary objective is to create awareness around 'taboo' topics, fostering an environment conducive to open and honest discussions about harassment and discrimination." 

There will be speakers from different areas of works who will share their distinguished opinions on thought-provoking panels.  A few of the speaker names are listed below:  

Rachel DiBella- Associate Director, Strategic Prevention Initiatives, Office for Gender Equity, Harvard University  

Arvind Rao- Advocate, Supreme Court of India, Legal Counsel – Constitution, Disability Rights & Accessibility  

Nina Jane Patel- Co-Founder, Kabuni, United Kingdom  

Ju’Riese Colόn- Chief Executive Officer, U.S. Centre for SafeSport  

Priyanka Chirimar- Founder at Action Against Prohibited Conduct, United Kingdon  

Eleanor Manley- Co-Founder at Metta Space (Techstars '23), Spain 

Bradley Poynting- Child Safeguarding & Child Protection Consultant, Poynting Consulting & Advisory and Australian Red Cross  

Matt Skallerud- LGBTQ+ Marketing, Advertising, PR & Social Media, World's Leading LGBTQ+ Global Media Company, United States 

Kate Jenkins AO- Chair, Creative Workplaces Council, Former Australian Sex Discrimination Commissioner, Australian Human Rights Commission 

Sujata Nabar- DGM - Ethics & Governance, Mahindra Group 

Dr. Charlene Doak-Gebauer- Founder/Chair Internet Sense First, Founder and Chair the AICET Council, Global Chair Childcare and Protection, G100 

Luiza Drummond Veado- Human Rights and Gender Specialist, SOGIESC Expert, New York, United States 

Date: 08th & 09th December 2023 | Time: 10AM IST to 6PM IST 

Location: Virtual conference | Registration Link: https://www.anvayglobal.com/register/  

For further information about the ANVAY Global Dialogue, including registration details and a complete list of distinguished speakers, please visit https://www.anvayglobal.com/ 

A mesmerizing account of the debate between right and wrong -The Bhagavad Gita translated by Bibek Debroy

A mesmerizing account of the debate between right and wrong, The Bhagavad Gita tr. by Bibek Debroy is a mesmerizing account of the debate between right and wrong. 

This beautiful edition of The Bhagavad Gita is a masterful verse-for-verse translation, providing the original Sanskrit verses alongside the English rendition. Penguin set to release a special bilingual edition of the foundational text on Dharma and Hindu Philosophy

About the book

As a spiritual guide, the Bhagavad Gita is a mesmerizing account of the debate between right and wrong, and the bond between action and consequence. One of the core Hindu scriptures, it is part of the great Indian epic, the Mahabharata, and unfolds in the form of a dialogue between Krishna and the Pandava prince, Arjuna.

Bibek Debroy's deep familiarity with the text yields a treasure trove of insights that will delight the scholar and the lay reader alike, making this essential reading for anyone with an abiding interest in Indian scriptures.  

About the translator

Bibek Debroy is a renowned economist, scholar and translator. He has worked in universities, research institutes, industry and for the government. He has widely published books, papers and articles on economics. As a translator, he is best known for his rendition of the Mahabharata in ten volumes, the Bhagavad Gita, the Harivamsha, and the Valmiki Ramayana in three volumes, published to wide acclaim by Penguin Classics. He is also the author of Sarama and Her Children, which combines his interest in Hinduism with his love for dogs. 

Unique Halloween Carnival across India that brings together pet and pet lovers for a spooky evening

Keeping up with the festive season, Zigly organised it’s third Halloween Carnival bringing joy and laughter to pets and their loving parents. Assuring a frightful and entertaining event to remember, Zigly's experience centres were all decked out for Halloween on October 29th. The event was full of surprises and delights, with excited pet parents dressing up their furry companions in eerie but charming costumes and enjoying the Halloween atmosphere at Zigly Halloween carnival organised at experience centres in Delhi, Gurugram, Noida, Indore, Dehradun, Bengaluru, Chandigarh and Lucknow.

The Halloween Carnival was hosted across experience centres in Delhi, Gurugram, Noida, Indore, Dehradun, Bengaluru, Chandigarh and Lucknow. With more than 500 visitors, the event featured a variety of activities, including a costume contest, fun games and a trick-or-treat trail. The day’s highlight was the Pet-Parent Masquerade, which delighted paw-parents who loved showcasing their creativity and style. The costume contest turned out to be a delightful duel of style, cuteness, and spookiness, with users submitting photos of themselves dressed up in their best Halloween costumes. To keep up with the excitement, prizes were awarded to the most creative pet parents showing the Halloween spirit. Total of 25 Halloween Carnival winners received certificates and gift vouchers.

Speaking at the launch of Halloween celebrations, Pankaj Poddar, Group CEO, Cosmo First said, “As a pet care brand, we are always looking for ways to make pets' lives easier and healthier while providing a quality pet parenting experience. Our Halloween carnival is a fun way to celebrate the spooky season while staying true to our mission of creating a happy place for pets. We are excited to offer a variety of specially crafted on-ground activities that will provide a thrilling experience for our furry companions and pet lovers alike.”

From spooky-themed decor to fun selfies with paw babies at the photo booth, horror movie-inspired games, and more, pet parents had the chance to capture the charm of the day with special photo booths and decorations designed for them and their furry companions.

Apurv Abhay Modi's passion for innovation propels him to the forefront in content and tech industry

Apurv Abhay Modi MD and Co-founder - ATechnos Group of companies, has been appointed as the Co-chair of the ICT, Electronics & Telecom Committee of the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) for the Presidential Year 2023-24.-

On his appointment, Apurv Abhay Modi said, “India is on the way to become world’s most highly growing digitally driven economy and in the same time becoming a co-chair of  ICT, Electronics & Telecom committee of PHD Chamber  of commerce make us proud as well as give us a chance to build  footprints on global map with worldwide network of PHD chamber”

Apurv Modi is a successful young entrepreneur who has significantly impacted various industries, particularly in the mobility and mobile tech sector in India and International market. He is doing exceptionally well in Media Broadcasting, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning, Green Energy, and health tech. His passion for innovation in content, creativity in production, and development in Virtual Events, Games, Gamification, and Enterprise Gamification has propelled him to the forefront of the tech industry, where he strives to improve people's lives worldwide.

With a strong vision for the future, Apurv's group of companies focuses on creating affordable mobile internet products and services that allow the masses to access the latest technology. As the leader of the group's businesses in consumer electronics, technology, and B2B channel engagement, Apurv has successfully built a diverse portfolio of ventures that exemplify his visionary approach.

Apurv started his entrepreneurial journey with Channel Distribution, Content Distribution, laying the foundation for his ventures. However, recognizing the potential of tech-based services, he expanded his business interests and ventured into augmented reality and virtual reality game development. Additionally, he emphasizes the importance of mixed reality experiences.

He has successfully enabled business arms in Enterprise Services, E-commerce Services, and Brand Management Services, further diversifying his group's offerings and reinforcing his commitment to staying at the forefront of innovation.

Apurv also receives exclusive "Director General's Honour" from the Punjab Police, Guest of Honour from Health-A-Thon, and Appreciation award from Startup India. Additionally, Apurv’s entrepreneurial prowess was acknowledged at India’s First Mining Startup Summit.

Festive Spirit Fuels a 61% Surge in Women Applicants in India

With the festive season on the horizon, the job market in India is witnessing a notable shift. Apna.co, a leading jobs and professional networking platform in India, witnessed a significant 61% YoY increase in women applicants during July-September 2023 compared to the previous year. The increase in women applicants indicates a growing demand for women professionals across industries, as companies tend to experience heightened activity during the festive season, especially in sectors like e-commerce, retail and hospitality.

Over 1.2 lacs job openings were recorded in August and September 2023 across key Indian cities, reflecting a surge in hiring demand ahead of the festive season.

Leading companies like Bajaj, Axis Bank, Paytm, Flipkart and Reliance boosted hiring for roles such as Sales, Marketing, Finance, HR and business development.

Job Landscape Highlights

According to insights from apna.co, the job market landscape underwent a significant transformation from 2022 to 2023, particularly in the top five job categories: telecalling, accounts, business development, marketing, and delivery. The festive season saw active participation from leading companies like Bajaj, Axis Bank, Paytm, Flipkart and Reliance, who offered attractive incentives to secure top talent, highlighting the dynamic nature of the job market and apna.co's role as a key facilitator for both job seekers and employers.

City-wise demand revealed unique patterns such as  in Delhi, there was a preference for roles in Sales & Marketing, Customer Support & Sales, and Accounting Technicians positions, while Mumbai displayed high demand for Finance & HR, Sales & Marketing, and Business Development roles. This diverse demand underscores the platform's ability to cater to a wide range of job preferences and employer needs across different cities.

Job Application Surge

During the period of July-September 2023, apna.co witnessed a 25% increase in its user base compared to the same period in 2022. This surge highlights the dynamic shifts in India's job market, with job applications experiencing an impressive 36% increase during this timeframe.

User and Employer Growth

According to apna.co, the platform witnessed a substantial increase in employer engagement during July to September 2023, with 78,000 new employers joining the platform, a significant rise from the 42,000 in 2022. This growth was accompanied by a notable increase in job postings, reaching 213,000 compared to 170,000 in the same period in 2022. These trends underscore the platform's significant role in connecting job seekers and employers in India's dynamic job market

Nirmit Parikh, Founder & CEO, apna.co commented - “We've observed a significant rise in women applicants and changing job seeker preferences over the past year. At apna.co, we're committed to fostering a more inclusive and diverse job market while connecting job seekers with unique opportunities. Looking ahead, we anticipate further transformations in the employment landscape as we continue to empower professionals and bridge the gap between job seekers and employers. We are dedicated to shaping a brighter, more diverse, and inclusive job market for all as we pave the way for the next generation of professionals in India.”

In an ever-evolving employment landscape, apna.co's commitment to inclusivity and empowerment shines through. With a remarkable surge in women applicants and significant growth in job applications, user base, and employer engagement, apna.co is reshaping India's job market. These milestones signify a path toward empowerment, backed by a vibrant job landscape and support from top companies. apna.co continues to be a beacon of hope for job seekers and employers, fostering a brighter, more inclusive job market landscape for the next generation of professionals in India

apna.co was founded in 2019, apna.co is India’s largest jobs and professional networking platform dedicated to helping India’s rising workforce to unlock unique professional networking and skilling opportunities. apna is on a mission to enable livelihoods for billions in India. With more than 40 million users in 70-plus cities and counting and more than 500,000 employers that trust the platform, India has a new destination to discover relevant opportunities. 

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Fostering legal education, civic engagement, informed debates at among the youth National Youth Parliament, 2023

Engaging in meaningful discussions and debates, the attendees delved deeper into crucial socio-legal and political issues, highlighting our society's fundamental challenges and opportunities, the event served as a transformative platform that witnessed the convergence of 90 bright participants from 27 universities

The unprecedented event was hosted by IILM Law School on October 27 and October 28, 2023, at the IILM University campus in Gurugram, Haryana. It featured extensive dialogues, with the first day dedicated to Lok Sabha discussions on the Bharatiya Nyaya Bill 2023 and the second day incorporated on the All India Political Party Meet regarding the Uniform Civil Code. 

The event allowed the participants to simulate parliamentary proceedings, enabling them to role-play as members of parliament and contemplate a broad range of social, legal, geopolitical, and economic challenges. 

''The essence of the National Youth Parliament lies in its "learn by doing" approach, allowing participants to enhance their skills in public speaking, debate, presentation and research. IILM University and IILM Law School express their gratitude to all the participants, mentors, and sponsors for making the 2nd National Youth Parliament 2023 a resounding success. We are committed to inspiring and nurturing future leaders who, through informed and active conversations, will bring about positive change in society,'' said Dr Asha Verma, Pro Vice- Chancellor, IILM University Gurugram. 

The occasion was also graced by the esteemed presence of Honourable Shri Dhanpat Singh, Election Commissioner Haryana, who emphasised the significance of youth parliaments in educational institutions. 

''Youth parliaments nurture leadership, public speaking, and negotiation skills, preparing students for future roles in society,’’ said Shri Dhanpat Singh. 

The competition was open to undergraduate and postgraduate students from any discipline and furnished certificates of recognition to all participants. Furthermore, students were also awarded prizes in three categories, including- ₹20,000 for the Best Speaker, ₹15,000 for the First runner-up and ₹10,000 for the Second runner-up.