June 2, 2025, New Delhi: AP & Partners is pleased to announce that Lagna Panda has joined the firm as a Partner, further strengthening its growing practice in competition law and data-related matters.

Lagna brings over 13 years of deep expertise in these areas, having worked at leading law firms including P&A Law Offices, J. Sagar Associates (JSA), and most recently as Partner at Chandhiok & Mahajan.

At AP & Partners, Lagna will lead and grow the firm’s competition and data practice, advising clients on a wide range of matters including merger control filings, antitrust investigations, and strategic compliance. She will also play a key role in bolstering the firm’s data privacy and protection advisory services, especially in light of India’s evolving data regulatory framework.

“I’m excited to be joining AP & Partners at a time when regulatory frameworks around competition and data are rapidly evolving,” said Lagna Panda. “The firm’s collaborative approach and forward-thinking mindset make it the right platform to help clients navigate this complex and dynamic space.”

“We’re delighted to welcome Lagna to the partnership. Her deep experience in regulatory and competition matters will be a valuable asset to our clients, especially as they navigate the increasingly complex intersections of law, data, and digital strategy,” said Arjun Sinha, Partner, AP & Partners.

This appointment reflects AP & Partners’ continued investment in building a future-ready practice that aligns with the rapid changes in India’s regulatory and digital landscapes.

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National, 15th August, 2024: Ek Desh Hai is a stirring musical tribute to India and its rich cultural heritage, composed by the Maestro Bickram Ghosh. This special song, released to celebrate the 78th Indian Independence Day, captures the essence of India’s diversity and unity, celebrating its history, traditions, and the spirit of its people.

The song is performed by a talented group of singers from Indian Idol: Ashish Kulkarni, Subhadeep Chowdhury, Anjana Padmanabhan, and Ananya Pal. Each vocalist brings their unique style and voice to the song, creating a harmonious blend that resonates with the patriotic fervor of the occasion. Their voices weave together to tell a story of love, pride, and dedication to the motherland.

Ek Desh Hai is presented by Eternal Sounds, with heartfelt lyrics penned by Sutapa Basu. The words are a poetic homage to India’s vast and varied culture, evoking images of its majestic landscapes, vibrant festivals, and the enduring spirit of its people. The lyrics delve into the soul of India, reminding listeners of the values and traditions that have shaped the nation.

The key players behind Eternal Sounds are: Mr. Utsav Parekh, Financial Markets Guru; Mr. Mayank Jalan, Industrialist, Managing Director at Keventer Agro Ltd; Mr. Gaurang Jalan, National Award Winning Film Maker & Entrepreneur; Mr. Bickram Ghosh, Music Maestro. All four partners, who are lovers of music and have a strong desire to see the resurgence of endearing music in India.

The video, directed by Pijush Chakraborty, complements the song beautifully. It is a visual journey through India, showcasing its beauty and the diversity of its cultures.

In essence, Ek Desh Hai is not just a song but a celebration of what it means to be Indian. It is a reminder of the sacrifices made by countless individuals for the freedom and unity of the country and an affirmation of the cultural richness that continues to thrive in every corner of the nation. The collaboration of Bickram Ghosh with the talented singers and creative team has resulted in a piece of music that will resonate with every Indian, evoking a sense of patriotism and pride in their nation.

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 POGO unveils a weeklong birthday bash, featuring new and fun filled episodes, movies and Big Picture for fans!

Watch Little Singham’s birthday celebrations’ promo here

MUMBAI, 14^th August 2024: Little Singham, India’s beloved young supercop, is gearing up for a spectacular seventh birthday celebration on August 15. Produced by Rohit Shetty Picturez in collaboration with POGO and Reliance Animation, this beloved action-comedy series continues to enchant millions of young viewers across the country. To commemorate the celebration, POGO, India’s homegrown kids’ entertainment channel, will host a weeklong extravaganza of new episodes and exciting movies featuring Little Singham and his police team Hawaldar Karate, Inspector Kavya and Chiki using their intelligence and bravery to ensure the safety of Mirchi Nagar, tackling dangerous villains and supernatural criminals with determination.

POGO as part of the special occasion has packed up a delight for fans to cheer along with a brand-new birthday bang song, inviting fans to chant and dance along with Little Singham and his POGO gang. That’s not all! The ‘Police ki Vardi and Sher ka dum’ cop will have fans hooked on the new adventures with all new episodes started airing on August 11, every day at 3:30 pm. The excitement will peak with a special Big Picture episode of Little Singham: Narkasur & Kans – Andhera aur Dhwansh, airing every Sunday at 12:15 pm. In this high-stakes storyline, Little Singham must summon all his courage and ingenuity to thwart the evil duo, Narkasur and Kans, who plan to plunge Singham City into chaos and darkness.

Speaking about the show’s success and popularity, Uttam Pal Singh, South Asia Head of Kids Cluster, Warner Bros. Discovery, said, “Little Singham is a character and universe that instantly climbed the popularity charts on POGO with fans engaging and reciprocating the love and joy of bravery and determination. As we mark this special occasion with exciting new episodes, movies and Big Pictures throughout the week and on Independence Day, POGO remains committed to continue innovating and building the much-loved Little Singham universe that resonates with kids and families.”

Tejonidhi Bhandare, CEO, Reliance Animation said, “We are thrilled to continue our journey with POGO, bringing to life the beloved crime fighting team of Little Singham in various engaging formats in exciting storylines. The success of Little Singham reflects the deep connection audiences feel with the character and its adventures filled with action and comedy. As we celebrate another milestone, we’re reminded of the love and enthusiasm that has fueled this journey, and we’re excited to keep sharing new stories that captivate and inspire our young fans.”

Little Singham’s birthday celebration will continue with back-to-back Sunday bonanza of high-octane action and thrilling Maha Blockbusters. Viewers witnessed a rollercoaster ride of emotions, witnessing the power of bravery, friendship, and justice with 2D movie ‘Tanashah se Takkar’ on August 11 at 1:15 PM. Additionally, fans will also get to see an exhilarating 3D telefeature ‘Naagsingham aur Sarpkaaal ka vaar’ on August 18 at 1:15pm, featuring another action-packed adventure.

Little Singham leads the way for an unforgettable childhood experience. Join POGO in celebrating Little Singham’s birthday with thrilling new episodes, entertaining kids this Independence Day.

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 Tuesday, August 13, 2024, Mumbai: StockHolding Corporation of India Limited (SHCIL), a key subsidiary of the Government of India’s financial institution IFCI Limited has appointed

Mr. Atul Saxena as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, w.e.f. August 05, 2024.

Mr. Saxena brings over 25 years of extensive experience in management & technical consulting, corporate finance and capital markets. His diverse expertise spans across senior-level positions in various functions, including Credit & Recovery, Corporate Planning, Secretary to the Board and Internal Audit. During his distinguished career at IFCI Limited, he played a pivotal role in the company’s strategic and operational endeavors for more than a decade.

In his previous role as Managing Director of IFCI Infrastructure Development Limited, Mr. Saxena steered the company through challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic. Most recently, he served as Chief General Manager and was one of the Principal Officers of IFCI Limited, where he oversaw key financial and operational initiatives.

Mr. Saxena has also accumulated extensive board experience, having served as a Nominee and Non-Executive Director on the Boards of various companies for over a decade. His broad understanding of corporate governance and strategic planning has been a valuable asset in these roles.

Before his tenure at IFCI, Mr. Saxena held positions with Engineers India Limited and PwC, where he further honed his skills in engineering and consulting. He holds a degree in Civil Engineering from the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kanpur and a Post Graduate Diploma in Management from the Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Calcutta.

Commenting on his appointment, Mr. Atul Saxena said, “I am honored to join StockHolding Corporation of India Limited as Managing Director & CEO. I look forward to working with the talented team at StockHolding to build on the company’s strong foundation and drive continued growth and innovation. Together, we will strive to deliver exceptional value to our stakeholders and achieve new milestones in our industry.”

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Outshines 75 Malls Globally, Bags Silver Award for Marketing Excellence

Lulu Mall Lucknow, the city’s renowned shopping destination, has once again put Lucknow on the global map. In a prestigious award ceremony held in Las Vegas, Lulu Mall Lucknow bagged the Silver Award for Marketing Excellence Integrated 2024 under the ICSC MAXI Awards for its spectacular Lulu Wedding Utsav.

The ICSC Global Awards are among the most recognized awards for business excellence. With 75 malls from across the world participating in the ceremony, Lulu Mall outshone many renowned malls to win the Marketing Excellence Integrated Award.

Sameer Verma, General Manager of Lulu Mall, Lucknow expressed shared  “We are extremely honored to receive the Silver Award for Marketing Excellence Integrated 2024 under the ICSC MAXI Awards. This is a testament to the dedication and relentless efforts of the Lulu Mall Lucknow team in elevating Lucknow’s name on the global stage. Such achievements motivate us to strive for even greater heights.”

Lulu mall, Lucknow was inaugurated by the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Shri Yogi Adityanath, in July 2022, has welcomed approximately 3 crore visitors to date. Since its opening, the mall has rapidly become a premier destination for both locals and tourists, boasting over 200 stores and more than 300 renowned brands, which speaks to its widespread popularity. Strategically located at Amar Shaheed Path, Golf City, Lulu Mall, Lucknow, this expansive 2.2 million sq. ft. shopping complex houses some of India’s leading brands.

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AirAsia serves as the first and only carrier in Asean to fly direct from the island to Malaysia’s capital

Bengaluru, 13 August 2024 – AirAsia continues its momentum of enhancing its network from India to Malaysia and Thailand with the announcement of a new route from Port Blair to Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia – further solidifying its position as a leading low-cost carrier in the region. This route makes history with AirAsia serving as the sole airline in Asean to operate international flights to and from Port Blair.

Set to commence on 16 November 2024, AirAsia will fly three times weekly to Kuala Lumpur, marking its 17th and counting route from India. With the addition of Port Blair, the airline operates flights from numerous cities across India, including Amritsar, Chennai and more, with a total of 97 flights weekly. In 2024 alone, AirAsia launched 10 new routes to Malaysia and Thailand, namely Jaipur, Bhubaneswar and Kozhikode – just to name a few.

Situated in the heart of Southeast Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur has long remained on the bucket list of avid adventure-goers looking to explore its stunning islands, quaint cities and towering skyscrapers. From touring Kuala Lumpur’s historical landmarks to munching on its world renowned street food, there is something for everyone. The city serves as a popular getaway for Indian travellers from across the country, who can also traverse more than 130 destinations within AirAsia’s extensive network from Kuala Lumpur.

To commemorate the launch of this new route, AirAsia is offering promotional fares to Kuala Lumpur from Port Blair from only INR4,999 all-in* one way. These special fares are available for booking on the AirAsia MOVE app (formerly known as airasia Superapp) or airasia.com from today to 25 August 2024, for travel between 16 November 2024 to 8 October 2025. All Indian citizens are eligible for visa-free entry to Malaysia for tourist visits of up to 30 days until 30 June 2025.

Flight Schedule between Port Blair (IXZ) and Kuala Lumpur (KUL):

*Fare is inclusive of airport taxes, fuel surcharges and other applicable fees. Fares mentioned are Subject to availability.May not be available during weekends, holidays & embargo period. Other T&Cs apply.

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(Left to right- Dr. Nikita Goel & Yukti Puniani, co-founders of Tiny Tycoonz)

New Delhi, 11th August 2024 – The highly anticipated event, Tiny Tycoonz x Playtos Miniversity Delhi, held on 11th August 2024 at Essex Farms, New Delhi, was a tremendous success. This groundbreaking initiative, co-founded by Yukti Puniani and Dr. Nikita Goel, and in collaboration with Playtos Miniversity Delhi, successfully empowered young entrepreneurs aged 4-18 years through an engaging and hands-on entrepreneurial experience.

Tiny Tycoonz showcased its debut event, setting a new standard for entrepreneurial education in New Delhi. The event provided a dynamic platform for young minds to present and sell their innovative creations, ranging from handcrafted goods to tech innovations. This unique showcase not only highlighted the creativity of the young entrepreneurs but also celebrated their burgeoning business acumen.

Yukti Puniani, co-founder of Tiny Tycoonz, expressed her enthusiasm- “We are thrilled to have seen such incredible participation and enthusiasm from our young entrepreneurs. As a mother, I understand the critical importance of instilling an entrepreneurial mindset in children. It’s essential for fostering creativity, resilience, and confidence from a young age. This event was a testament to their potential and the value of nurturing these skills early on.”

Dr. Nikita Goel, co-founder of Tiny Tycoonz, added, “The success of this event has reinforced our belief in the power of encouraging young minds to dream big and take bold steps. Our goal is to inspire children to transform their ideas into reality, and seeing their achievements today has been truly rewarding.I felt great pride in seeing such amazing talent in this generation, the young entrepreneurs of today have great potential to reach great heights.”

The event was enriched by the collaboration with several distinguished partners:

• Playtos Miniversity Delhi: Our esteemed sponsor, known for its innovative approach to education.

• WonderLab: Our science partner delivered a captivating science show that sparked curiosity and wonder among attendees.

• Little Future Founders: Our learning partner, led by Ms.Sonia Agarwal Bajaj, an award winning entrepreneur and educator. They are committed to democracing financial literacy and early entrepreneurship for children offering storybooks, activity books and online programs.

• Kiddybuzz: Our outreach partner, ensuring broad community engagement and awareness.

• Avyu: Our activity partner conducted an interactive perfume-making workshop that delighted participants.

Mrs. Karishma Seth Prasad, Executive Director and Chief Awesomeness Officer at Playtos Miniversity Delhi, shared her excitement: “.”

The event featured a vibrant atmosphere filled with youthful energy and creativity, offering attendees opportunities to interact directly with young entrepreneurs, learn about their products, and support their ventures. Engaging activities included Rubik’s Cube Challenges, Magic Shows, Interactive Financial Literacy Session, and Mind Game Challenges, all contributing to a memorable and inspiring experience.

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Hyderabad, 8th August 2024: Studying abroad can be a confusing and scary journey, often lonely and daunting for the student who dreams of an education abroad. Keeping this in mind, The Duolingo English Test (DET), the world’s leading English proficiency test for international students, organized the inaugural Study Abroad Fest with DET in Hyderabad. The event brought together over 800 students under the roof of the Le Meridien hotel in the city, where they got deep insights into the entire journey of studying abroad, right from identifying courses to preparing applications to planning finances for living abroad. It was the first-of-its-kind study abroad festival in India, which was curated specially for the students, addressing their biggest pain points along with India’s leading key opinion leaders in the field and doyens from the region, who inspired the students through their personal experiences as students abroad in their time.

Recounting his time as a student at the San Francisco State University from when to when, Telugu film industry superstar, Adivi Sesh had the audience in rapt attention when he shared (anecdote). Sesh, as he is popularly known, also said, “If I had to go to the US now I would prefer taking the Duolingo English Test as I would be able to give it from the comfort of my home.” Seconding him was celebrated director Sailesh Kolanu, who studied at the University of New South Wales, Australia, when he said, “I operate much better from my couch so I was sold when I heard that the DET can be given from home!” Sailesh also shared that he was interested in research and chose Australia for his higher education as the government was ready to sponsor his potential.

Earlier in the day, the aspiring students gave a rousing welcome to an inspirational hero, Srikanth Bolla, who challenged the Indian educational system in the 90s to become the first visually impaired student to study science in an Indian university, thus paving the way for generations of similar students to follow their dreams. Srikanth is now a successful industrialist as the founder of Bollant Industries and a motivational speaker and was also the first visually impaired student in Management Science at the Sloan School of Management at MIT. Sharing his journey of determination and the value of global education, Srikanth declared, “I might lack eyesight, but I don’t lack vision”, and recommended that more students should seek to study abroad as it widens their world view and horizon. Rajkummar Rao’s recent film ‘Srikanth’ is based on Bolla’s inspiring story.

The Study Abroad Fest offered students a comprehensive platform to explore international career opportunities and academic pursuits. Other engaging activities included panel discussions and workshops led by renowned finance and social impact influencers Shashank, Murrad, Dhairya, and Sudhakaran. They provided practical advice on the study abroad journey including the application process, managing finances, course selection, accommodation tips and the overall student experience. While Murrad advised students to prepare early and said, “If you’re looking for scholarships, it is recommended to apply at least one year in advance.”, Dhairya highlighted the importance of building a professional social profile, “Build a 360-degree profile, your LinkedIn banner should stand out. Get active and activate your network and get your skills endorsed.” 

Launched in 2019, the Duolingo English Test was the first fully online English proficiency test in the world and saw quick adoption in India. Test takers have found great value in the test’s flexibility and convenience, thus enabling them more time to focus on other aspects related to their study abroad journey. The DET is available at a fraction of the cost of other alternatives in the market (INR 5000) and allows test takers to take unlimited practice tests and apply to unlimited international universities from the vast list of over 5000 institutions across the US, UK, Canada, Germany and other markets. “The panel discussions provided clarity on the application process and what to expect as an international student. It was great to hear from others who have been through the process and learn from their experiences,” Nidamaluri Sandeep, a student who attended the fest.

Tara Kapur, Marketing Head for India at Duolingo English Test said, “India stands as the largest market for the Duolingo English Test, with Hyderabad leading as the top city for DET test-takers, reflecting strong demand for international education, especially for the US. Recognising this, the Study Abroad Fest was a significant initiative in DET’s commitment to breaking down barriers to global education access. We believe in the power of the English language as a key to unlocking international opportunities. This event was designed to inspire and guide students, showing them that no dream is too big. We are thrilled to see such an enthusiastic response, reinforcing our mission to support every student in achieving their global education aspirations, regardless of their background. Our goal is to empower students to confidently step onto the international stage and realise their dreams.”

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Kochi, 08-08-2024:  The 32nd Annual Scientific Meeting of the Indian National Association for the Study of the Liver (INASL), themed “Shaping the Future of Hepatology,” was inaugurated at Le Meridian Kochi. The chief guest was Prof. J.B. Dilawari, former Head of the Department of Gastroenterology at PGI Chandigarh, Prof. Aleksander Krag, Secretary-General of the European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL), and Prof. Nazia Selzner, representing the International Liver Transplantation Society (ILTS), were the guests of honour.
This conference, being hosted in Kerala for the first time, has attracted 200 international and national faculty members, along with over 1,500 delegates from across India and around the globe. With nearly 420 presentations scheduled, researchers and practitioners will share their insights and experiences in hepatology.
The conference, which runs until Saturday, will cover key topics such as Predictive and Preventive Hepatology, Liver Transplantation, Alcohol-associated Liver Disease, Viral Hepatitis, Metabolic Dysfunction Associated Steatotic Liver Disease, Acute Kidney Injury and Kidney Failure, and Autoimmune Liver Disease. Attendees will also engage in case-based discussions and explore the latest advancements in the field.
INASL 2024 is being jointly organized by the Indian Society of Gastroenterology Kerala Chapter, Cochin Gut Club, Cochin Liver Club, and Kochi Liver Transplantation Society, providing a comprehensive update on current knowledge and future advances in liver disease research and treatment.
Dr. G.N Ramesh, Organizing Chairperson-INASL-2024 and Senior Consultant – Medical Gastroenterology, Aster Medcity-Kochi , Prof. S.P Singh, President-INASL, Prof. Ajay Duseja, Secretary General-INASL, Prof. Aleksander Krag, Secretary General-EASL, Prof. Nazia Selzner, President-ILTS, Prof. JB Dilawari and Dr. Charles Panackel, Organizing Secretary -INASL-2024 and Senior Consultant – Hepatology- Aster Medcity-Kochi spoke at the ceremony.

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