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Tag: Mahindra Group

  • Mahindra group hires Devendra Sharnagat as SVP- AI division

    Mahindra group hires Devendra Sharnagat as SVP- AI division

    MUMBAI: AI– especially it’s use to improve productivity and work flows –  is the juice that’s keeping organisations moving forward and invest in it greatly. The Mahindra group is not far behind. It recently appointed Devendra Sharnagat as the senior vice-president of the AI division. In this new role, he will oversee the centralised data and AI expertise pool, driving the group’s AI initiatives across various companies.

    Hitherto, he was the chief data & analytics officer at Mahindra Finance where  he was leading data and analytics function for the financial services sector and driving business effeciency and productivity through data and digital.

    He has spent a large part of his career at HDFC Bank (eight years) where he rose from being manager campaign management in the credit card division to deputy vice-president analytical marketing when he decided to quit and join Kotak Mahindra Bank. A 11-year stint there saw him rise from vice-president, head – BIU & customer value management to senior executive vice-presdent – head of data and analytics. He then made a lateral move in the Mahindra  group to Mahindra Finance.

    Sharnagat is well  wired for the job.  Apart from  his work experience, he holds a master’s degree in technology from Bits Pilani and a master of management studies from Sydenham Institute of Management Studies. 

  • Mahindra I-Rock’s ‘Dirty 30’ sells Rs 30 tickets to mark its 30th edition

    Mahindra I-Rock’s ‘Dirty 30’ sells Rs 30 tickets to mark its 30th edition

    Mumbai: Since its inception, Mahindra Independence Rock has embraced an unapologetic spirit. Iron Maiden’s lead vocalist Bruce Dickinson once said, “Kids get bored easily. They have got to get out and get their hands dirty: make things, dismantle things, fix things.” In its 30th edition, the festival, titled ‘Dirty 30,’ will take place on 16 and 17 November 2024, continuing its tradition of embodying the rock genre’s anti-establishment ethos. To celebrate the milestone, Mahindra I-Rock offered ₹30 limited edition tickets, which sold out in 90 minutes after being announced via an Instagram post, without aggressive marketing.

    The Bayview Lawns in Mazagon will host the 30th edition, following last year’s performances, including a surprise act by Parikrama featuring Farhad Wadia. This year’s edition promises a diverse lineup of genres and languages. ‘Dirty 30’ will maintain its theme throughout the festival, while continuing to represent the spirit of a legacy that challenged India’s music norms. The event will feature guitar riffs, pounding drums, and frontmen delivering powerful performances.

    In 1971, a distinct music scene began to take root in Mumbai, then called Bombay. The Simla Beat Contest in Matunga served as the precursor to Independence Rock, marking a shift in the country’s musical landscape. Farhad Wadia, the driving force behind I-Rock, started the movement after being banned from performing at St. Xavier’s College. The first edition took place during India’s Independence Day celebrations, laying the foundation for a rock revolution in India.

    Independence Rock has shaped India’s festival scene, becoming a key event for rock and metal fans. The festival has featured artists like AR Rahman, Indus Creed, and Hanumankind of T.ill Apes, many of whom went on to achieve global success.

    In 2001, despite heavy rain, Farhad Wadia found the festival venue filled with eager attendees, reinforcing the resilience of rock music. Although the festival paused in 2013, it returned with new energy a decade later, partnering with Hyperlink Brand Solutions Pvt Ltd and Insider.in. Each year, the festival has aimed to surpass previous experiences, cementing its place as India’s oldest and most prominent rock event.

    Independence Rock founder Farhad Wadia said, “My love affair with rock music began long back, and I-Rock became a channel to express that love and reverence for the genre. It has been a fulfilling journey to see an act of rebellion culminate into 30 editions of a universal, raw, and intimate sonic odyssey that has grown into a big platform, accommodating artists across the nation. We have levelled up and brought some interesting acts on board for the 30th edition, setting a new benchmark for experiential concerts. These thirty years have been nothing short of arduous efforts, sweat, and most importantly, love. To sum it up, I would like to quote a lyric from a Black Sabbath song, which goes, ‘Love is life and hating is living death.’ ”

    Wadia, along with Mahindra and Hyperlink Solutions, has laboured to take fans’ experience up another notch. Through the evolutionary years of rock in the world and India, it has always been reinvented, as the genre itself stands for challenging the conventional.

    Mahindra Group VP of cultural outreach Jay Shah said, “Mahindra Group has always strived to push the cultural envelope in the country and initiate an important dialogue around arts and culture. By joining forces with Farhad and Hyperlink Brand Solutions, we are instilling life again in a genre that has caused transformation across the globe, and Mahindra Group is more than happy to associate with the 30th edition milestone of I-Rock, working as a catalyst for reshaping the sonic experiences of Indians and scaling the volume of the festival as we enter a new decade of India’s loudest rock event.”

    Hyperlink Brand Solutions Pvt Ltd founder VG Jairam said, “Hyperlink Solutions’ vision lies in promulgating any medium that transforms the storytelling experience for its audience. All these years, since the inception of the festival, Farhad Wadia and I-Rock have contributed to creating a cultural wave that revolutionised rock in the country. It is a great pleasure to further promote the indigenous talent at Independence Rock that goes on to pave the way for others on the global stage. With this 30th Edition, Farhad and Hyperlink Solutions are all set to create a transcendental musical experience for the audience and a rite of passage for the performers and audience alike.”

    As the festival begins, attendees will experience powerful riffs that resonate with the crowd of rockers and metalheads. There will be pyrotechnics, and artists will engage directly with the audience. The blend of cultures and genres will take the crowd from Mazagon to the streets of New Orleans and the reggae rhythms of Jamaica.

    Ranging from raw rock to neo-soul, the music and food will connect the audience for an evening of timeless beats. I-Rock’s 30th edition marks its shift from a niche event to a nationally recognized rock festival, drawing multiple generations to celebrate the genre. Tickets are available on Insider.in.

  • Nanhi Kali launches campaign combining education and sports for girls

    Nanhi Kali launches campaign combining education and sports for girls

    Mumbai: The K.C. Mahindra Education Trust has announced the re-defined intervention from Project Nanhi Kali with an innovative campaign that integrates football into the curriculum for underprivileged schoolgirls across India. This campaign, created by Ogilvy, underscores the trust’s commitment to holistic education, blending academic learning with essential life skills acquired through sports.

    KC Mahindra Education Trust started Project Nanhi Kali to encourage and support underprivileged girls to complete 10 years of schooling. In alignment with the National Education Policy which advocates integration of sports as part of the curriculum Project Nanhi Kali is introducing girls to the game of football.

    Project Nanhi Kali’s campaign film captures the transformative power of football on young girls, highlighting real-life stories of schoolgirls from across India who are part of this program. These girls are not just learning to play football; they are gaining confidence, leadership skills, and a sense of self-worth that transcends the football field. The film is a testament to how sports can be a powerful vehicle for change, teaching values such as teamwork, perseverance, and resilience.

    Project Nanhi Kali has transformed the lives of more than 700,000 girls across India.

    Commenting on the new film, K.C. Mahindra Education Trust trustee and executive director Sheetal Mehta said, “At Project Nanhi Kali, we empower underprivileged girls through a transformative blend of education including 21st-century skills and sports leadership training. This holistic approach provides the girls with the essential tools to succeed in life. Our ‘Lessons from a Football’ film vividly showcases how football teaches crucial values like teamwork, leadership, and perseverance. By incorporating sports into our program, we see Nanhi Kalis evolving into strong, confident leaders who are ready to take on the world.”

    Mahindra Group chief customer and brand officer Asha Kharga also added, “Nanhi Kali represents Mahindra’s philosophy of Rise in action. We approached the new campaign with the mindset of an innovation launch. In alignment with the National Education Policy, Nanhi Kali has revamped its curriculum to be more holistic by integrating sports, while maintaining a focus on English, Math, digital & financial literacy, and soft skills.“

    “We needed to effectively communicate this shift and a day with the Nanhi Kalis in the village of Jambusar gave us rich insights. For these girls, football is more than a sport, it instills in them the confidence to Rise.”

    Ogilvy India conceptualised this thought-provoking film. Ogilvy India chief creative officers Kainaz Karmakar and Harshad Rajadhyaksha opined: “We visited a rural Nanhi Kali centre and spent a lot of quality time interacting with several Nanhi Kalis, and their coaches. The raw, captivating, and liberating stories of what the simple game of football has come to mean for these little girls and their sense of confidence and self-worth, is what inspired us to create this piece of communication.

    “It is a privilege and honour for all of us at Ogilvy to partner with the super-driven Nanhi Kali client team in this journey. We are also very pleased with what our director, Afshan, has been able to bring to life in this film, working with so many amazing actual Nanhi Kalis who had never ever faced a movie camera in their lives, before this film.”

  • Goafest 2024 unveils stellar line-up of speakers and sessions

    Goafest 2024 unveils stellar line-up of speakers and sessions

    Mumbai: Gearing up to present three days of learnings, discussions, and deliberations while celebrating creative excellence, Goafest 2024 presents a stellar line-up of speakers for its 17 edition. With sessions that discuss various facets of the festival’s theme ‘The Age of Adaptability’, Goafest 2024 promises to unpack and deliver practical learnings through topics that are of significant relevance through keynotes, discussions, masterclasses and more.  

    The festival will host over 50 speakers and entertainers, across 20 sessions in addition to 15 masterclasses.

    Tata Play’s managing director and CEO, Harit Nagpal and Sanjiv Mehta, executive chairman, L Catterton India are among the select few who will address attendees through keynotes.  

    Additionally, Tarun Puri, senior operating partner, Lighthouse Funds, Asha Kharga, chief customer & brand officer, Mahindra Group, Raymond Lifestyle’s Sunil Kataria, Maruti Suzuki’s Shashank Srivastava, Nestle’s Chandan Mukherjee, Tata Motors’ Shubhranshu Singh, The Good Glamm Group’s Sukhleen Aneja, Honasa’s Zairus Master, Darshana Shah from Aditya Birla Capital, among others will engage in conversations and discussions. Other prominent speakers include Dr Marcus Ranney, Manoj Bajpayee, Sourav Ganguly, Zeenat Aman, Vikrant Massey, Medha Shankar, Neha Dhupia, Tahira Kashyap and Neelesh Misra.

    In addition to Goafest sessions, Goafest 2024 will host the second edition of its talent showcase, ‘Advertising Rocks’. Moreover, making way for wholesome entertainment will be performances by Sukhwinder Singh and Harshdeep Kaur as well as an After Hours Party each day.

    On unveiling the stellar line-up of speakers and sessions, Goafest 2024 FCB Global partner and chairman of the content committee Rohit Ohri said, “Goafest 2024 is set to ignite minds, spark creativity, and explore new frontiers in the ever-evolving landscape of advertising and marketing. We are excited to offer a diverse array of speakers and sessions that celebrate creative excellence and emphasize the crucial role of adaptability in thriving within our industry. With warm hearts and joyful smiles, we eagerly anticipate welcoming all delegates and together redefining the future of our business.”

    Anupriya Acharya, CEO South Asia, Publicis Groupe, and Immediate Past President of The Advertising Agencies Association of India further added, “This year at Goafest, we are embarking on a transformative journey with the theme ‘The Age of Adaptability’. Our carefully curated speaker line-up reflects this ethos, showcasing how our industry must pivot and innovate in response to shifting landscapes. From insightful sessions to vibrant celebrations, Goafest 2024 will promise an enriching experience for all. With this, we are eagerly looking forward to welcoming our delegates, confident that together, we will navigate the ever-evolving currents of our industry with agility and ingenuity.”

    Visit https://www.goafest.com/goafest2024/event-schedule.php for the event schedule along with speakers, and sessions.

    For details and registrations for masterclasses visit, https://www.goafest.com/goafest2024/event-schedule.php#masterclass.

    Don’t miss out on attending South Asia’s foremost advertising and marketing festival. Register today by visiting  https://www.tecogis.com/goafest/client/Login.aspx

    For details on partnership opportunities, masterclasses, talent initiative ‘Advertising Rocks’ and more, visit goafest.com

    For more updates, follow Goafest 2024 on Instagram @goafestlive. Follow @theadclubindia on Instagram for updates on the Abby Awards 2024 Powered by One Show.

     

  • M&M leads the Indian auto-pack with record-breaking 674 patents in FY24

    M&M leads the Indian auto-pack with record-breaking 674 patents in FY24

    Mumbai: Mahindra & Mahindra [M&M], the automotive and farm equipment flagship of the Mahindra Group, has received a record 674 patents in FY24, the most of any Indian four-wheeler automobile/farm equipment manufacturer. This is a 380 per cent increase in the number of patents issued to M&M over FY23.

    M&M is constantly pushing the boundaries of innovation by investing in research and the use of cutting-edge technology. Our strategy of prioritizing R&D has helped us to come up with futuristic automotive brands with world-class features. We firmly believe that by staying at the forefront of technology, we can deliver the loftiest expectations of our customers.

    So far, we have been conferred 1185 patents across multiple geographies, and we currently have 193 applications awaiting patent approval, as of 31 March 2024. Cumulatively, we have filed 2212 patent applications to date. The patent portfolio also includes fillings of M&M’s subsidiary, Mahindra Electric Automobile Ltd. In addition to our patents, we have also got 115 designs registered and 178 new applications filed. This record-breaking achievement is a testament to our cutting-edge research prowess.

    Speaking about the achievement, Mahindra & Mahindra ED & CEO [auto & farm sectors] Rajesh Jejurikar said: “We are constantly working to push the frontiers of what is possible in the automobile and farm equipment segments. Our relentless pursuit of cutting-edge technologies has enabled us to create the safest and most advanced products and positioned us as a true innovator in the industry. We understand the importance of being future-ready; therefore, we have made significant R&D investments to ensure that we stay ahead of the curve in terms of technology and talent.”

    M&M’s patent portfolio covers a range of critical functions, such as powertrain (ICE & EV), vehicle mechanical systems, electronics, manufacturing processes, electric tractors, and advanced engineering, among others. These patents have led to pioneering new technologies that have redefined the automotive and tractor segments, creating the safest and most cutting-edge customer experiences.

    Our investment in the development of these technologies has been in areas related to innovation, customer experience, and safety. This includes active safety systems, advanced driver assistance systems, advanced automotive electronics, lightweight technologies, enhanced vehicle dynamics, connected vehicle technologies, high-precision hydraulics, smart combine harvesters, smart connected implements, and hill farming, among others.
     

  • ABP Network’s ‘Ideas of India’ Summit 3.0 opens with spectacular focus on people

    ABP Network’s ‘Ideas of India’ Summit 3.0 opens with spectacular focus on people

    Mumbai: In the year of India’s 18th general election, ABP Network’s flagship event ‘Ideas of India’ Summit 3.0 launched to an enthralling opening, celebrating the spirit of democracy and plurality while converging many ideas of India.

    Representing India’s business world, Mahindra Group group CEO and MD and FICCI president Dr Anish Shah took stage to share his perspective on the pivotal role industries and enterprises will have to play for accelerating national growth and economic prosperity.  

    Dr Anish Shah remarked, “Over the next seven years, Indian GDP will add as much to the global GDP as the entire European Union combined.”

    Deliberating upon the topic ‘Viksit Bharat: The Road to 2047’, Mahindra Group group CEO and MD and FICCI president Dr Anish Shah expressed, “The Union Budget has prioritized economics over politics, adopted fiscal discipline and invested more in capex. The RBI has done a stellar job in containing inflation. Infrastructure is being massively developed to make manufacturing competitive in India. To make this vision a reality, each one of us has to play a role.”

    Setting the goals for the industry, Dr Anish Shah, remarked “India envisions to be a 30 trillion economy by 2047 to be a Viksit Bharat. This means manufacturing should be 25 per cent of GDP. We should be more ambitious and make manufacturing grow 16 times and exports grow 11 times.”

    Setting the spotlight on the people with the Summit theme “The People’s Agenda”, the two-day-long intellectual discourse was set around how India can leverage its population potential to reinforce its leadership position globally on the way to becoming a developed economy.

    The ABP Network’s ‘Ideas of India’ Summit 3.0 spotlighting the ‘The People’s Agenda’ brought a confluence of ideas and ideators to a common platform celebrating the country’s people and its plurality. The two-day summit hosted policymakers, cultural ambassadors, industry experts, celebrities, business leaders, economists, and leading luminaries to delve into the fundamental ideas of liberty, justice, equality, and diversity that define India, its society, culture, and politics. The meaningful deliberations on diverse topics had the brightest minds across sectors providing insights about the nation’s trajectory and its journey to become Viksit Bharat.

  • Jawa Yezdi Motorcycles joins Mahindra I-Rock 2023 as official ride partner

    Jawa Yezdi Motorcycles joins Mahindra I-Rock 2023 as official ride partner

    Mumbai: Last year’s historic return after a nine-year hiatus set the stage for a legendary rock comeback. India’s oldest, largest and loudest rock festival, Independence Rock, was reborn as Mahindra Independence Rock (I-Rock) in 2022 and is now once again making its way to the city in November. This year too, Mumbai’s Bayview Lawns will witness a thunderous reunion of headbanging and moshing rock scenesters in a loud celebration of the genre on the 4 and 5 November, 2023.

    Overlooking the breathtaking Arabian Sea, the Mahindra I-Rock stage is all set to transform into a kaleidoscope of rock subgenres coming together for two days of rock shindig. This year, the festival is transcending geographical boundaries by stretching its soundscape across the length and breadth of the country. From the north and the northeast to the west and the south, as well as crossing borders to Nepal, Mahindra I-Rock seeks to bring and unite diverse sounds of rock to its iconic stage.

    This will see the festival become a confluence of genres and languages and a collision of energies – from pummeling death metal and old-school thrash influences, genre-bending fusion of rock and reggae and authentic 80s style glam metal to the nuanced blend of Indian classical and folk sounds of the mridangam and flute with guitar riffs and pulsating drums – Mahindra I-Rock will dig deeper into Indian Rock music subcultures to underscore rock music’s spirit of diversity and inclusivity through its unique sonic landscape.

    Reflecting on 2022’s Journey

    In 2022, Farhad Wadia, Hyperlink Brand Solutions, and the Mahindra Group, along with Jawa Yezdi Motorcycles as the Riding partner got together to reignite the rock movement by reviving the festival and creating an ecosystem of rockers all over India. The 2022 edition of Mahindra I-Rock saw 7000 rock-and-rollers flock to the venue, proving that the country’s rock spirit was intact through the years and reinstating the festival as the largest and most iconic rock festival in India. Pure energy and raw emotions punctuated Mahindra I-Rock as the festival reclaimed its 28-year-old legacy as the bedrock of a thriving rock scene, with some of the most celebrated rock artists, such as Parikrama, Thaikkudam Bridge, Avial, Indus Creed and Pentagram taking to stage – a testament to the enduring love for this iconic festival.

    Continuing the Legacy – Mahindra I-Rock 2023

    Coming from this legacy, Mahindra I-Rock, in its 29th edition, will continue to live upto it’s reputation as a national phenomenon by amplifying its reach and pushing the Indian rock community to take the genre to the next level. Moreover, by providing fans across the country a never-seen-before experience of the highest standard, the festival seeks to become a rock destination in this part of the world.

    It will stay rooted in its three-decade-old tradition and nurture the growth of new and aspiring artists in the genre with “Tomorrow’s Headliners,” and provide them an opportunity to perform on the biggest rock stage, aka the Mahindra I-Rock stage.

    Independence Rock founder Farhad Wadia said, “Since the 80s, the festival has provided a platform to launch careers of several huge names in the rock fraternity, and it has sparked an everlasting spirit among rockers across India. This stage is where it all began! Mahindra I-Rock is not just a festival; it has become a meaningful movement. And movements never die – they are recorded in history. They not only continue to inspire future generations but are also reborn over and over. Mahindra I-Rock is one such movement that I hope continues to inspire the new gen to express themselves uninhibitedly through rock and live on.”

    Mahindra Group vice president – cultural outreach Jay Shah said, “We look forward to beginning the Mahindra Season of Festivals 2023-24 with Mahindra Independence Rock. It has been a pleasure to be able to revive this iconic festival, and we were heartened by the love shown by Mumbai last year. The Indian rock scene is waiting to be tapped, and this festival aims to present India’s incredible talent while simultaneously nurturing an appreciation for this genre in our youth.”

    Jawa Yezdi Motorcycles CEO Ashish Singh Joshi was quoted as saying, “We’re thrilled to once again partner with Mahindra Independence Rock. Just as our motorcycles provide riders with the exhilarating experience of the open road, rock music evokes a sense of liberation and self-expression. What makes this association even sweeter is that this legendary music festival has had a resurgence story just like us at Jawa Yezdi Motorcycles. As enthusiasts of both rock and the open road, we can’t wait to be a part of this thunderous reunion of rock fans and Jawa Yezdi riders!”

    Hyperlink Brand Solutions founder VG Jairam mentioned, “Multidimensional storytelling, creating cultural movements and being the bridge between consumers and culture is at the core of Hyperlink. And we are expanding on this by once again partnering with Farhad Wadia and the Mahindra Group to bring back Mahindra I-Rock, which is not just a rock festival but a cultural lifestyle movement in itself. After a successful sold-out show last year, I am looking forward to the newest edition which promises to be grander in all aspects and give both artists and the attendees an experience, unlike any other editions of Mahindra I-Rock.”

    Mahindra I-Rock’s journey: From rebellion to revival.

    Mahindra Independence Rock’s origin story embodies the very ethos of rock music culture – democratisation, freedom of expression, equality, inclusivity, and challenging the status quo. Three decades ago, in 1986, Farhad Wadia and his band’s gig at St. Xavier’s intercollege fest Malhar was cancelled. The principal didn’t approve of their music. However, this did not deter Farhad, who, with other students and bands, organised what eventually became the first edition of I-Rock at Rang Bhavan. In the 80s and 90s, I-Rock was the rite of passage for countless Gen X rockers in the country, giving birth to a roaring Indian rock scene and growing from a rock fest to pioneering a cultural movement in the Indian indie and rock music scene up until the close of its legacy venue in 2013.

    Mahindra Independence Rock 2023 promises to be an unforgettable celebration of rock music, with a focus on diversity and new-age talent. The festival has consistently been a platform for rock enthusiasts to come together and revel in the magic of live music, and this year will be no exception.

    Mark your calendars for 4 and 5 November 2023, and join us at Mumbai’s Bayview Lawns for a weekend of rock music like no other. Registrations for the festival are open now  – log on to the website and Instagram for more updates on the lineup and early bird tickets!

  • Mahindra Group names Pramuch Goel as VP & head – group comms

    Mahindra Group names Pramuch Goel as VP & head – group comms

    Mumbai: Multinational business conglomerate Mahindra Group on Wednesday announced that it has elevated Pramuch Goel as VP and head – group communications, with immediate effect. He will report to Mahindra Group’s chief customer and brand officer and member of the group executive board Asha Kharga,

    In his previous role, Goel was a strategic communications head for auto and farm sectors. He takes over from Varsha Chainani, who has decided to pursue opportunities outside of the Mahindra Group. “The group communications team and communications heads of businesses will report to Goel,” said the company.

    “Pramuch is an accomplished brand and communications leader who has been part of the Mahindra Group for several years, working and contributing to various businesses. At Mahindra, it has always been our endeavor to nurture and promote talent and I am very pleased to see him grow and further his career with us,” said Asha Kharga. “I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Varsha Chainani for her contribution to the Mahindra Group and wish her the best for her future endeavors,” she added.

    Goel has been with the Mahindra Group for over five years and has previously worked for sectors including Mahindra Lifespaces, Mahindra Holidays and Mahindra Partners. He was also responsible for the IPO communications of Mahindra Logistics. 

    He has 25 years of experience in brand and communications function and has worked with top global companies including Samsung Electronics, Cisco Systems, and IBM. 

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  • Asha Kharga joins Mahindra Group as chief customer & brand officer

    Asha Kharga joins Mahindra Group as chief customer & brand officer

    NEW DELHI: Axis Bank’s Asha Kharga has joined Mahindra Group as chief customer and brand officer. She announced her move in a LinkedIn post.

    At Axis Bank, she worked as executive vice president and group chief marketing officer.

    Prior to joining Axis Bank in November 2016, Kharga had an eight-year-long association with FMCG major Hindustan Unilever (HUL), during which she served in various capacities. Her last role at HUL was as marketing director, Brooke Bond and Lipton tea.  

    A senior marketing professional with over two decades of experience, she has also had stints with ad agencies like Leo Burnett, JWT and TBWA.

    Kharga has a Masters in management studies and marketing.