BLS International Wins 'India's Best Visa Outsourcing Services Company' Award

BLS International Services Limited, the world's largest specialist provider for outsourcing of visa, passport, attestation, consular and citizen services globally since 2005, was chosen as 'India's Best Visa Outsourcing Services Company' at India's Best Company of the Year Awards 2017, as per the Companies Research Report 2017 by Media Research Group (MRG).

The company was awarded on Saturday 10 March at The Leela Hotel, Mumbai in the presence of over 200 people, including leaders from different businesses and service categories.

Mr. Shikhar Aggarwal, Joint Managing Director, BLS International quoted on the win, "We are very humbled to receive this award. BLS International is a proud Indian organization providing services at par with major international players in the visa outsourcing category. The award is a testament to our dedication and commitment to deliver quality services par excellence. Such recognitions motivate us to continue building robust expert resources and offer seamless, faster and convenient services at each level of visa application."

BLS International is amongst the world's largest specialist service provider for outsourcing of not just visas but also passport, consular, attestation and citizen services to the governments and diplomatic missions. With footprints across 62 countries, including India, European Union countries like Spain, Hungary and other countries like Russia, China, Africa, Algeria, Indonesia, Singapore, Iran, Iraq and UAE to name a few, BLS is currently serving 36 client governments world over with its 2325 offices. The company recently posted revenue of Rs. 584 crores for the period ended December 31, 2017.

India's Best Company of the Year 2017, organised by IBC Infomedia, a division of International Brand Consulting Corporation, USA is a unique platform for recognition of the success and ingenuity of the fastest growing companies across India and the unique brains behind them. Companies are awarded after being selected on a comprehensive research conducted by Media Research Group (MRG). 

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With a strong background in Advertising and Marketing, Ravinder Varma is an Assistant Professor, Writer, Short-film Maker, Consultant, Creative Designer, and a Marketer. He is the Brand Manager at Naturell India Pvt. Ltd. (Naturell Inc. California, USA) heading the Marketing Department at PAN India level. He recently launched his first Business & Marketing book, ‘118 Brands Around Me!’, at CMO Asia, which took place at Taj Land Ends, Bandra, Mumbai. The book is intended to encourage high level of knowledge exchange through Leadership and Networking among senior CMOs and brand decision makers across industry segments. The‘CMO Asia, World Federation of Marketing – The Greatest Marketing Influencers Award’ ceremony that took place on 15th February 2018, provided a perfect setting for the release of Ravinder’s book. "Such events give you a platform to kick-start your career as a writer. Plus, it's such a great initiative, I just had to be a part of it," he gushed. The event also saw the budding writer talk about his journey of writing this book. Before writing this book, Ravinder grabbed his mobile camera and started clicking pictures of the brands in his house. Starting from one, two, three… he finally stopped at 118. There were indeed 118 brands around him at that time! This led the title of the book, ‘118 Brands Around Me!’. With a consistent dose of humor, the book is all about, as he says, “Marketing, marketing and marketing”! Through it, the writer has shared his in-depth knowledge on marketing in a fun and easy way. A groundbreaking and thought-provoking book on business, branding, marketing and advertising, it’s hard to believe that this is Ravinder’s first attempt as a writer. With this book, he tries to go beyond the traditional 4Ps & 7Ps, setting the framework of his mantra, the 5Bs – “Customers Believe and Buy a Brand to get expected Benefits, thereby resulting in profitable Business for the brand”. Every chapter of his book defines the said framework and supports it with several examples and case-studies from the Indian Market. Ravinder explained how this book could be an infotaining experience for anyone reading it. He said “‘118 Brands Around Me!’ is a crisp book on marketing and branding written in a simple story style, without giving any gyaan or using any technical jargons. It’s a fun and interesting read that gives relatable examples to help you understand the power of marketing. The book makes you realize how several brands have invested crores of rupees to become a part of your life.” The book looks at sharing multiple ideas, thoughts, frameworks, examples, and situations that a marketer or a non-marketer can learn, unlearn, or relearn. ‘118 Brand Around Me!’ by Ravinder Varma is currently available in digital format (Kindle) on Amazon. Available on Amazon: http://amzn.to/2EBrvNq

With a strong background in Advertising and Marketing, Ravinder Varma is an Assistant Professor, Writer, Short-film Maker, Consultant, Creative Designer, and a Marketer. He is the Brand Manager at Naturell India Pvt. Ltd. (Naturell Inc. California, USA) heading the Marketing Department at PAN India level. He recently launched his first Business & Marketing book, ‘118 Brands Around Me!’, at CMO Asia, which took place at Taj Land Ends, Bandra, Mumbai. The book is intended to encourage high level of knowledge exchange through Leadership and Networking among senior CMOs and brand decision makers across industry segments.

The‘CMO Asia, World Federation of Marketing – The Greatest Marketing Influencers Award’ ceremony that took place on 15^th February 2018, provided a perfect setting for the release of Ravinder’s book. "Such events give you a platform to kick-start your career as a writer. Plus, it's such a great initiative, I just had to be a part of it," he gushed. The event also saw the budding writer talk about his journey of writing this book.

Before writing this book, Ravinder grabbed his mobile camera and started clicking pictures of the brands in his house. Starting from one, two, three… he finally stopped at 118. There were indeed 118 brands around him at that time! This led the title of the book, ‘118 Brands Around Me!’. With a consistent dose of humor, the book is all about, as he says, “Marketing, marketing and marketing”! Through it, the writer has shared his in-depth knowledge on marketing in a fun and easy way.  

A groundbreaking and thought-provoking book on business, branding, marketing and

advertising, it’s hard to believe that this is Ravinder’s first attempt as a writer.  With this book, he tries to go beyond the traditional 4Ps & 7Ps, setting the framework of his mantra, the 5Bs – “Customers Believe and Buy a Brand to get expected Benefits, thereby resulting in profitable Business for the brand”. Every chapter of his book defines the said framework and supports it with several examples and case-studies from the Indian Market.

Ravinder explained how this book could be an infotaining experience for anyone reading it. He said “‘118 Brands Around Me!’ is a crisp book on marketing and branding written in a simple story style, without giving any gyaan or using any technical jargons. It’s a fun and interesting read that gives relatable examples to help you understand the power of marketing. The book makes you realize how several brands have invested crores of rupees to become a part of your life.”

The book looks at sharing multiple ideas, thoughts, frameworks, examples, and situations that a marketer or a non-marketer can learn, unlearn, or relearn.

 ‘118 Brand Around Me!’ by Ravinder Varma is currently available in digital format (Kindle) on Amazon.

Available on Amazon: http://amzn.to/2EBrvNq

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Taj Inspired Copper Enamel Range from Baaya Design

Shibani Jain, Founder & CEO- Baaya Design, was always inspired by the resplendent marble inlay work on the walls of the Taj Mahal. She and her team of designers took on the challenge to bring the rich colours seen in the inlay work, into a totally different and equally rich craft- that of copper enamelling. Earlier, the enamelling process was seen in minute work, in jewellery. We decided to try and use a similar process to create a range of copper wall plates and lamps. This was also Baaya’s attempt to revive a fading craft form native to Alibaug, in Maharashtra.  The craft was brought into the place by a Spanish artist named Andreu Vilasís.

The artisan follows a comprehensive process using glass powder colours and copper wire. This is a painstaking process and is a true test of the dexterity of our artisans. Circular plates or bowls are created on a dye to a precise depth. The wire work is fastened through an initial process called flux work. The base wire work is created in such a way as to support the intricate floral motif work. The wire work is pre- cut to create the motifs. On a stencil. These completed designs are then placed and adhered to the copper surface by firing the entire piece at a temperature of 850 °C (1,560 °F). This is a tricky process as the wired designs tend to move until completely adhered. Once cooled, coloured glass powder is applied to the surface using a paint brush and the whole piece is re- fired to create the final enamelled piece. It is cleaned with an acidic solution and then biffed. The final pieces show off the rich glass enamel colours and motifs.

Mrs. Shibani Jain, who is a hands-on designer, gets a thrill at the thought of visiting workshops and getting involved in the actual conception of the product. Her keen eye for detail is what has sustained Baaya over the years and made it a treasured name in the interior design and crafts industry. Baaya is the first organization of its kind to truly work with grassroot artisans to uplift and sustain their livelihoods by generating a market for their skill.

She forms a bond with each artisan, getting superlative results out of them. In the process, she helps them reach their potential through challenging design projects. She is not one to settle for half finished products and expects the finest end product. The culmination of these efforts shines through in all aspects of the Baaya brand. You will be mesmerised by the complexity of the copper enamel and other ranges created by Baaya and Ms. Shibani Jain. The fluidity of thought is clear in each curve of copper wire and each bend of the flowers as they cautiously cling to the curved inner surface of the lamps

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Grand Master Viswanathan Anand joins Run Adam Sports Experts Board

Mumbai, March 13 2018: India’s only sporting talent app Run Adam has signed Five-Times World Chess Champion Viswanathan Anand as a part of the Run Adam Sports Experts Board and also as Advisor. M.S. Dhoni is already a part of this expert Board and also a mentor with Run Adam. Run Adam aims to nurture and foster sporting talent in India to help realise their dreams. The Run Adam app connects athletes with stakeholders, including experts, coaches, academies, specialists, sponsors, among others. Designed to be a single access tech-enabled platform, Run Adam is a 360-degree sporting talent marketplace providing instant and easy access to different resources. The Run Adam app is free for the sporting community and is available for download on Google Playstore currently and is expected to be available on Apple Store within a week.

Indian Grand Master Viswanathan Anand spoke about his association with Run Adam and said, “My association with Run Adam will be an important milestone in chess coaching approach. The app enables me to mentor chess aspirants who find coaching access difficult. The struggle of many budding hopefuls will be fulfilled by Run Adam through such an initiative. Here I will be teaching Run Adam subscribers what I know about the game and will also share my personal experiences. I hope to be able to combine my passion for chess with the reach of Run Adam platform to help budding talent to achieve international success”.

K. Yeragaselvan, CEO and MD of Run Adam, said “Run Adam is already privileged to have M.S. Dhoni as our mentor and ambassador. With Vishwanathan Anand now joining our Sports Experts Board, it will give chess players to learn and grow their game as well as their attitude. Anand’s involvement will not only teach chess nuances to aspirants but will also help our platform grow manifold. We welcome Viswanathan Anand in Run Adam and hope to make the dreams of many in the game to come true. Considering such sports achievers who have given their time, mentoring and effort, I feel that our Vision of empowering India as a sporting superpower is not distant”.

The Run Adam Masterclasses will be conducted by the Chess Champion on the Run Adam app for aspirants of the game from 5th May 2018 every fortnight. Anand’s one hour sessions will have 30 minutes focused on teaching the game, 15 minutes on his personal experiences and 15 minutes on his life lessons. As Advisor to Run Adam, Vishwanthan Anand will bring his knowledge and understanding of sports in general and sportspersons in specific to guide Run Adam to serve the interests of sporting community better. The Indian Grand Master will also be the brand ambassador for Run Adam.

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Mahesh Limaye – Dabangg Cinematographer & Yellow Director, Visits Times & Trends Academy to Interact with TTAians

Times & Trends Academy has started a unique, fast-paced, and an industry-relevant course called ‘Fashion

Reverse Engineering Course’ for all fashion aspirants out there. The course has been designed by experts from fashion & Bollywood industry. The lectures for this course are conducted by experts from Bollywood/Fashion industry such as directors, cinematographers, costume designers, actors, fashion label owners, etc.

On 18 th Feb, Mahesh Limaye, cinematographer for movies like Dabangg, Yellow, Balak-Palak, Freaky Ali, Rege, etc. visited Times & Trends Academy to interact with students and teach them about ‘cinematography & direction.’ Mr. Mahesh is an award-winning director. His directorial debut film, Yellow, won the Special Jury Award at the 61 st National Film Awards.

Amit Agrawal, Founder & Chairman – Times & Trends Academy, who also attended the session along with fashion faculties from TTA, said, “Fashion Reverse Engineering is one of the most apt courses in the education sector right now. It is a tailor-made course for enthusiasts who want to grasp relevant elements and acquire skills that help them obtain a job in the industry. Another amazing feature of this course is that this course doesn’t beat around the bushes and hits the bull’s eye – that’s why it’s just a 10-week course. You learn important things that can make difference and nothing else!”

Mr. Mahesh explained various concepts of direction and cinematography to students. He answered many questions that students raised. Students were seen inquisitive in knowing different elements of movies and daily soaps from him. Mr. Mahesh engaged student by sharing his experience in the industry. He narrated his own story and the challenges he overcame to reach the position he is in today. His various accounts on working with stars like Salman Khan, Arbaaz Khan, etc. engaged students beautifully.

Mr. Amit Agrawal also added, “Fashion Reverse Engineering Course a.k.a Costume Designing is a unique course that allows the students to interact with who’s who of Bollywood and fashion industry. Costume Designers, Film Directors, Cinematographers, Actors are the people who conduct lectures for this course. We have taken learning to a whole new different level.

The USP of this Fashion Reverse Engineering Course is that students have an opportunity to be placed in the Bollywood industry right after the course. TTA provides an opportunity; students just need to prove their mettle. People struggle for years to get here, and it’s a no joke that Times & Trends Academy is offering this wonderful opportunity to fashion enthusiasts. Students from previous batches have already been selected and placed in the industry, that’s a great news for fashion aspirants looking forward to joining TTA.”

Times and Trends Academy is one of the premier vocational training academies that offer courses like Fashion Designing, Fashion Styling, Fashion Boutique Management, Interior Designing, Interior Business Management, Event Management, Animation, Graphic Designing, Jewellery Designing, and Finance & Accounts.

TTA focuses on providing sound technical knowledge to the students along with building soft skills, and this allows 360-degree development in the student that lets them achieve success in their careers. With eight centers all over India, around 12,000-plus students have passed from TTA in the last 13 years.

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Shreeyum Foods Pvt. Ltd. launches “Infuze”- India’s first Sugarless naturally flavored bottled water

Mumbai, 28th, February 2018: Shreeyum Foods Pvt. Ltd., a start-up organization recognized under the Start -up India Scheme, today announced the launch of Infuze, India’s first of its kind purified water infused with natural flavors of herbs and fruits. Infuze flavored water with no sugar, no calories and no preservatives promotes healthy lifestyle by encouraging people to drink more water. It is a substitute to bottled drinking water, carbonated sodas as well as other flavored and sugary beverages that are available in the market today.

Infuze water is also the first to be available in Licorice (Saunf) and Basil (Tulsi) flavor in addition to Apple and Pineapple. They are priced at Rs. 20 and Rs. 10 for 500ml and 200ml respectively and will be soon available across Mumbai expanding their presence gradually to other cities.

The Company is planning to sell the product through indirect channel (Retailers, distributors) as well as direct channel i.e. direct supplies to the big customers. Some of the customers segment/market which have been identified as target customers are Catering industry, Hotel industry, Restaurants chains, Supermarkets, Online Grocery stores, Events, corporate clients etc. Water is a must requirement in all the events and gatherings and by offering varieties in water, company is creating a unique Niche that has large market prospects. Company plans to add more flavors later in a systematic and planned manner and also provide the option of customized flavors in direct channel (Big Event, Catering or Hotel etc.).

Speaking on the launch, Mr. Akshay Solanki, Promoter and Director of Shreeyum Foods Pvt. Ltd., said, “Flavored water industry in India is still at very nascent stage with no established player in Non-sugary infused water category but with the growing health consciousness, India is not very far from demanding and adopting flavored water. With Infuze, water is being made more interesting and readily available to the modern health conscious smart individuals who are bored of drinking normal water and want an alternate to the carbonated sodas and other unhealthy drinks. The Concept of Infused water is generation old in India but is diminishing with time. As an innovator in the new beverage category of ‘Flavored water’ we are passionate about bringing those infused water beverages again to the lives of people and promote a healthy lifestyle.”

Bottled water Industry is growing much faster than carbonated drinks in India, mirroring a global trend as consumers are going off from sugary beverages. Packaged water industry is growing at rate of 23-25% per annum. Indian Bottled Water consumption was 6.8 Billion in 2015-16 and 8.2 Billion Liters (approx.) in 2016-17. Carbonated drinks consumption has been approx. 5.6 Billion Liters in 2016-17.Both together accounting for approximately 14 Billion Liters in a Year which is 3.83 crore Liters in day and it is expected to grow at a CAGR of 22%. However Flavored Water Industry is still at a very Nascent Stage in India with no big player in Non-Sugary infused water category.

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A rural Indian village transforms with Mobile Technology to become a SmartGaon

Two IT professionals, with a dream to transform the lives of thousands in rural India, have developed an app called ‘SmartGaon’, that not only connects an entire village population internally and with the developed world, but also serves as a knowledge and information centre, a market place, a helpline and a holistic development tool to make their ‘gaon’ a ‘SmartGaon’.

Taudhakpur (Mirzapur Urf Taudhakpur), which has been a remote village with limited amenities in Raebareli, Uttar Pradesh is now growing at the speed of light!Within a span of 48 hours, the village has built 242 toilets, cracking the highest track record in the state of UP. From setting up CCTV cameras at various junctions, setting up Public Address Systems, Dustbins and Street lights at various junctions, this village is getting Smarter by the day. Apart from basic facilities and infrastructure the villagers have been able to set up Adarsh Primary Schools, conduct regular health checkup events in Primary School for students and Community health centres. Not only that the village has a Wifi Zone in addition to 18-20 hours power Supply. All of the development has been achievable owing to a vision, which transcended into a Mobile App called SmartGaon, wherein all initiatives undertaken are updated, recorded, tracked and monitored, ensuring free flow of information and bringing about community wellbeing.

Although rural India faces a plethora of challenges, right from the regulation of electricity and water supply to farming and transportation of the produce to the markets to bringing in a reform through education and development, technology coupled with a vision can bring in a sea change to the rural landscape of the country. Yogesh Sahu, a young entrepreneur from Mumbai, delivering IT solutions to small & medium businesses, along with his friend Rajnish Bajpai, who is a Software professional working abroad, together envisaged creating a transformation in rural India, knowing that Mobile Technology & IoT (Internet of Things) are the future of growth and development.

Mobile internet penetration, has taken the country by a storm! With around 420 million mobile internet users, the rural areas are witnessing a growth of 26% per annum. Developing mobile apps for start-ups and SMEs, Yogesh evaluated the power that the mobile phone possesses in our country with 68.9% of rural population. The Mobile app has key features like the villagers’ directory, news and events calendar, health centre, information centre, etc. in English as well as Hindi. It is aimed at reconstructing Indian villages for people to lead a vital life in them, as in the cities. SMART stands for S- social security schemes M- modern urban amenities A- adoption of smart agriculture practices R- roads infrastructure & transportation T- tech savvy for the all round development of rural India, whereas ‘gaon’ means village in Hindi.

The main trigger point of this initiative was Prime Minister Modiji’s speech at San Jose SAP center  where he said, "Sometimes in my country we used to hear people say that something has to be done to stop this ‘brain drain’- this needs to stop. The land of India produces a lot of gems. We have continued to produce brain after brain, a growth of brains. This ‘brain drain’ can also become a ‘brain gain’. Therefore, I have a different way of looking at this. What people see as a brain drain, I see as a ‘brain deposit’. And this brain that we have put on deposit is looking for opportunities, and the day it finds an opportunity, this brain is going to be used for the benefit of Mother India with interest."

This speech inspired Rajnish Bajpai so much who attended Indian Community reception at SAP Centre and he decided to do something for India. He discussed with his close friend Yogesh Sahu on various social improvement ideas and then after various brainstorm sessions, both come up with SmartGaon idea to improve quality of life of villagers.

The village authorities including Kartikay Shankar Bajpai (Gram Pradhan), DM, CDO Raebareli have been instrumental in the success of this initiative along with a strong support extended by all villagers of Taudhakpur who work relentlessly together in converting the remote village to a SmartGaon, thereby being a part of the tech revolution.

“With the successful laying of our first brick, we further wish to transform 10 more villages in the next 2 years. We already have 1 village where activities have been initiated. The next step is to spread awareness amongst urban citizens, NRIs and corporate to come forward and support this cause. Together, we can build a better India!”, says Yogesh Sahu.

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