Latest news with #Joshi
RNZ News
12 minutes ago
- General
- RNZ News
Harela celebrations focus on environmental sustainability
A couple dressed in traditional Uttarakhand attire attend the Herala festival in Auckland. Photo: Supplied/Uttarakhand Association of New Zealand More than 250 people celebrated the Uttarakhand Association of New Zealand's annual Harela festival in Auckland's New Lynn on 19 July. Uttarakhand is a state located in the Himalayas in northern India that is also known as Dev Bhoomi in Hindi, or "Land of the Gods". Chetan Joshi, president of the association, said the festival was deeply rooted in the culture, spirituality and natural heritage of his state. "Harela, which means 'Day of Green', is more than just a harvest festival. It is a celebration of renewal, prosperity and harmony with nature," Joshi said. "In Uttarakhand, it marks the onset of the monsoon, the sowing season and a spiritual reminder that our lives are deeply connected to the cycles of the Earth. "It is a day when families plant saplings, bless their children for a prosperous future and pray for environmental balance and abundance." Joshi, who was instrumental in establishing the association more than a decade ago, said the festival helps "keep the flame of rich Uttarakhandi traditions alive while also embracing the diversity and inclusivity that Aotearoa represents". In India, the festival has both religious and agrarian connotations. Communities in the Himalayas set up clay idols of Hindu god Shiva and goddess Parvati to celebrate their divine union. Devotees pray to the couple for a good harvest and environmental harmony. In line with the festival's green ethos, several tree plantation drives were initiated to mark the occasion. "Our communities have been celebrating this festival for at least the last 300 years," Joshi said. "Every year, here in New Zealand, the Indian community gathers at this time and renew its commitment to sustainable living, cultural preservation and community bonding."
Business Standard
2 days ago
- Business
- Business Standard
NHC Foods Signs Mou With Lotmor Brands, Eyes Diversification, Retail Growth, Appoints New KMPs
PNN Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], July 28: NHC Foods Limited (BSE: 517544), a leading exporter of agricultural commodities and spices, has entered into a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Lotmor Brands, marking a significant move in the company's growth and diversification strategy. This grants NHC Foods the rights to manufacture a range of beverages and similar products under Lotmor's 'Nature Day' brand. The strategic move aligns with NHC Foods' strategy to diversify its portfolio beyond exports and agricultural commodities. The company plans to leverage this tie-up to expand its footprint in India's organised retail sector, with a focused entry into leading chains. NHC aims to capture the growing demand for quality packaged beverages and allied FMCG products driven by evolving consumer lifestyles and preferences. Commenting on the MoU, Satyam Joshi, the newly appointed Managing Director of NHC Foods Limited, said, "This MoU with Lotmor marks a defining moment for NHC Foods as we step into India's thriving retail sector. Our strengths in manufacturing, quality assurance, and distribution, combined with Lotmor's product innovation, will enable us to deliver exceptional value to the consumers. This is the beginning of a long-term transformation for us. Highlights: * NHC Foods Limited has entered a strategic MoU with Lotmor Brands Private Limited to manufacture beverages and similar products under Lotmor's 'Nature Day' brand, marking its diversification beyond exports and agri-commodities. * Financial performance for FY 2024-25 shows strong growth, with revenue rising 63.1% to Rs. 341.41 crore and net profit increased 184.7% to Rs. 6.69 crore, reflecting operational efficiency and business momentum. * An EGM held on July 18, approved increasing authorised share capital from Rs. 65 crores to Rs. 100 crore and issuing 6.5 crore convertible warrants on a preferential basis to Mr. Joshi." Mr. Joshi's elevation from Executive Director to Managing Director follows the company's strategic shift under new leadership. An Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) recently approved several resolutions, including an increase in authorised share capital from Rs. 65 crore to Rs. 100 crore, and the issuance of 6.5 crore convertible warrants on a preferential basis to Mr. Joshi. Separately, the Board of Directors of NHC Foods has approved the appointment of Manoj Kumar Sharma as the Company's Chief Financial Officer. At the same time, Vijay Thakkar has been appointed as the Company Secretary and Compliance Officer. Both appointments took effect on July 16. Financially, NHC Foods continues to demonstrate robust performance. The company's revenue for the financial year 2024-25 was Rs. 341.41 crore, representing a 63.1% increase over the previous year's revenue of Rs. 209.24 crore. The company's net profit jumped by 184.7% from Rs. 2.35 crore to Rs. 6.69 crore, reflecting enhanced growth and operational efficiencies. Disclaimer: This document contains forward-looking statements, which are not historical facts and are subject to risks and uncertainties such as government actions, local developments, and technological risks. The Company is not responsible for any actions taken based on these statements and does not commit to publicly updating them to reflect future events or circumstances.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Mid-sized GCCs out-hire larger peers with double-digit growth in first half
Academy Empower your mind, elevate your skills ETtech Mid-size global capability centres (GCCs) in India are outpacing the large ones in hiring, according to data sourced by by mid-size GCCs , or those with 500–2,000 employees, increased 10–12% in the six months through June, compared with 4–6% by large GCCs , showed data from staffing services provider Quess Corp Most of the hiring by mid-size GCCs is aimed at replacing outgoing employees or expanding existing teams, said Quess Corp IT Staffing CEO Kapil Joshi. 'These centres are focused on long-term stability, process maturity, and cost efficiency.'To be sure, large GCCs, with more than 2,000 employees, still make up the majority of the workforce and continue to grow, albeit at a slower pace than in the the GCC wave is growing in India, large multinationals that already employ thousands in Indian GCCs are opting for leaner teams and sharper focus to make the workforce more agile and adapt quickly to business needs in the wake of the disruption from artificial large GCCs bring scale and reliability, the mid-size ones are leading the way in capability-led hiring, said relatively smaller firms are entering India for the first time or expanding operations quickly, building entire capabilities from the ground up, said Joshi. 'To attract the right talent, they are offering competitive salaries, signing bonuses and quicker career growth, especially for skilled professionals in AI and data roles…They're not just hiring more people, they're hiring differently, with a clear goal to build new capabilities and gain a competitive edge in the talent market.'Over the last five years, the headcount at mid-size GCCs grew 46%—to more than 220,000 in 2024 from 150,000 in 2019—compared with a 34% expansion in the workforce at other GCCs, showed data from ANSR that helps MNCs set up non-mid-market GCCs, largely comprising big GCCs, employed 1.68 million people in 2024, up from 1.25 million in GCCs are aggressively expanding in India. More than 45 new centres set up operations in the past two years alone, as per an April report by industry body Nasscom and consulting firm Zinnov. They account for nearly 35% of India's total GCCs, and 30% of the GCC additions during the past two operate under greater cost constraints than their larger peers, are rapidly evolving into significant contributors to their parent organisations' market strategies and are becoming influential players in their respective industries, according to sector centres are characterised by high maturity as transformation hubs, and deep product capabilities with a significant share of global product management talent. They have a high concentration of niche deeptech skills, a central role in global engineering, research & development (ER&D), an agile operating model enabling faster leadership elevation, and function as process transformation engines for their parents, say than 120 new mid-market GCCs are expected to be established in India by the end of 2026, adding about 40,000 jobs, ET had recently to the Nasscom-Zinnov report, the mid-market segment has the potential to attract at least 23–27% of the 130,000–150,000 global mid-market companies leading to AI-led transformation.
Indian Express
3 days ago
- Health
- Indian Express
What happens to the body if you take a berberine supplement every day?
Berberine has often been likened to nature's Ozempic, highlighting its properties that aid in weight loss. This supplement might not be very popular in the health and wellness space, but it promises numerous beneficial effects on the body. spoke to health experts to find out whether it is safe for daily and long term use. 'Berberine, a natural compound found in plants like goldenseal and barberry, activates AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), an enzyme regulating energy metabolism. This leads to improved insulin sensitivity, enhanced glucose uptake, and reduced blood sugar levels,' said Dr Manish Joshi, Additional Director- Surgical Gastroenterology, Fortis Hospital, Bengaluru. Berberine also exhibits antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties, supporting cardiovascular health by lowering cholesterol and triglycerides. He added that berberine may improve gut health, and enhance cognitive function. Umang Malhotra, clinical dietitian at Fitero, shared that berberine, widely used in traditional medicine, is a natural bioactive compound extracted from goldenseal, barberry, tree turmeric, oregon grape, and chinese goldthread. Berberine's ability to activate AMPK also supports fat loss by regulating the way the body processes energy. He shared that it inhibits fat storage, promotes fat breakdown, and can enhance metabolic rate, which helps in weight management. 'It significantly reduces inflammation by lowering pro-inflammatory cytokines and markers of inflammation such as C-reactive protein (CRP). Berberine inhibits the production of inflammatory molecules such as cytokines (e.g., TNF-α, IL-6) and decreases CRP levels, which are markers commonly elevated in chronic inflammatory conditions,' explained Malhotra. Dr Joshi shared that generally berberine supplements are considered safe when taken daily in recommended doses (500-1,500 mg). 'Human studies have shown minimal side effects, such as mild gastrointestinal upset, diarrhea, or abdominal pain. However, high doses (>2,000 mg) may increase risk of adverse effects.' He advised pregnant or breastfeeding women, those with kidney or liver disease, and those taking medications such as blood thinners and diabetes medicines to consult their healthcare provider before using berberine. This is important in order to monitor blood sugar, kidney function, and liver enzymes. Quality supplements from reputable manufacturers can ensure purity and potency. Malhotra added that berberine can cause some mild side effects, particularly if taken in high doses or for extended periods: • Gastrointestinal issues such as diarrhea, cramping, flatulence, or constipation. • Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) if combined with other blood sugar-lowering medications. • Potential interactions with medications, especially those metabolized by the liver, as berberine can inhibit certain liver enzymes. Dr Joshi also mentioned that long-term use may interact with medications, such as blood thinners, and decrease their effectiveness. Berberine may also lower blood pressure, potentially exacerbating hypotension. And in some rare cases, berberine toxicity has been reported, characterized by nausea, vomiting, and respiratory problems, he added.
India.com
3 days ago
- Business
- India.com
No Plan To Levy GST On UPI Transactions Exceeding Rs 2,000: Centre
New Delhi: The government has reiterated that there is no plan to levy goods and services tax (GST) on unified payments interface (UPI)-based transactions exceeding Rs 2,000. Pankaj Chaudhary, Minister of State of Finance, said in the Rajya Sabha that "there is no recommendation of levying GST on UPI transactions of over Rs 2.000 from the GST Council'. Answering a question about whether the government is considering a proposal to levy GST on UPI transactions of over Rs 2,000, the minister told the House that GST rates and exemptions are decided on the basis of recommendations of the GST Council. The reply came after traders in Karnataka received GST demand notices based on UPI transaction data. Minister for Food, Public Distribution and Consumer Affairs, Pralhad Joshi, also said last week that the GST notices issued to small-scale traders in Karnataka are the doing of the state government, and not from the Central government. Responding to Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar's claim that the state has no role in issuing tax notices, Joshi called the statement 'utterly ridiculous.' 'It is Karnataka's commercial tax officials who issued the GST dues notices to small traders. And yet, the state government is now misleading the public by pretending it has no involvement. This is nothing but an attempt to shirk responsibility,' Joshi said. 'If the GST notices had been issued by the central government, then traders in several other states would have received them. But that hasn't happened anywhere else. Why are these notices being sent only in Karnataka?' Joshi questioned. He clarified that under GST, there are two components – CGST (Central GST) under the central government and SGST (State GST) under state governments. The notices to small traders in Karnataka were issued by the state's Commercial Tax Department.
