Latest news with #RavinderSingh
Time of India
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
When it rained mangoes in Delhi's heritage garden
Delhiites rejoiced taking part in a mango feast at Lodhi Garden For mango lovers, the arrival of monsoon marks the final call to indulge in the season's last mangoes. So, when a mango party was hosted in the Lodhi Garden, even the rains couldn't stop aam enthusiasts from showing up. As the greens glistened around the Shish Gumbad, the aroma of over 50kg of ripe mangoes mingled in the air. Under the heritage mango tree, host Ravinder Singh treated the attendees to a sensory performance titled Memory Orchard. 'You will not just see a mango, you will see my childhood,' he said while talking about how mangoes reminded him of his naani and how she taught him to savour dasheri aam and more. Folk songs like Ambwa Ki Chhaiyan Mein played in the backdrop, enhancing the mood of indulging in all things mango Scent meets sentiment Through the five senses - smell, sight, touch, sound, and taste - the host took the attendees on a journey of mango memories. They wrote childhood anecdotes and their favourite mango stories on postcards and then smeared them with mango or green mango-scented attars. Attendees smeared themselves with mango or green mango-scented attars The scent of the mangoes filled the air Mango mania meets monsoon at Lodhi Garden The final stage of the immersive journey was sharing the joy of eating, while songs like Ambwa Ki Chhaiyan Mein played in the backdrop. From Rataul and Husnara to unique varieties like gulab jamun and banana, the mango party was a joyful plunge into childhood. 'Mango is a fruit of integration' 'Garmi se tilmilaya hua sheher ho aur usmein thodi si barsaat ho jaye, aur aam apne aap apke paas ajaye… gazab hai maano! Mango is a fruit of integration - of families, friends and regions,' said veteran theatre actor-director MK Raina, while gorging on a slice of langda aam. Mango mania gripped aam lovers 'We hardly use the public spaces in the city to bring people together. Through the mango and my memories with mangoes, I want to bring people together," said Ravinder, who hosted the fourth edition of the mango party at Lodhi Garden The mango party was a joyful plunge into childhood 'This mango party was like recreating a summer moment from my childhood when our family used to sit together, on the floor, to eat mangoes. Haath, kapre sab gande ho jaate thay' Disha, who attended the mango party Ravinder Singh hosted the fourth edition of his annual mango party at Lodhi Garden
Hindustan Times
02-07-2025
- Hindustan Times
Punjab: Bhucho DSP's asst reader held for taking ₹1-lakh bribe
BATHINDA: The vigilance bureau (VB) arrested a personal security officer (PSO) attached to Bhucho deputy superintendent of police (DSP), red-handed while accepting a bribe of ₹ 1 lakh on Tuesday. The accused in VB custody in Bhucho. The accused has been identified as the head constable Raj Kumar, who was also working as the assistant reader to DSP Ravinder Singh. Kumar was arrested from the DSP office area, which is located on the premises of the women's police station, located near the district administrative complex (DAC). VB inspector Amandeep Singh Brar told reporters that the cash was recovered from the official vehicle of the Bhucho DSP. 'A case under the Prevention of Corruption Act has been registered against Raj Kumar at VB's police station of Bathinda range. More officials would be nominated in the case if an investigation leads to the involvement of more people in the case,' said the VB official. In a statement, VB authorities said the accused police official has been arrested following a complaint filed by a resident of Kalyan Sukha village in tehsil Nathana of Bathinda. It stated that the complainant approached the VB alleging that due to a dispute over agricultural land, the opposite party had registered a false case against her husband and both her sons at the Nathana police station. After her representation, the Bathinda senior superintendent of police (SSP) marked the complaint to the Bhucho DSP to probe the matter. 'Subsequently, Raj Kumar, reader, made two phone calls from the complainant's mobile phone and informed her that he had spoken to the DSP regarding this re-investigation and only the DSP's signature on the report was pending. To get the FIR cancelled, he demanded a bribe of ₹ 2 lakh,' reads the VB statement. It further added that the accused Raj Kumar told the complainant that ₹ one lakh should be paid immediately as the first instalment so that he could get the work done. 'The complainant recorded this conversation on her mobile phone and submitted it to the VB. After verification of the complaint, a VB team from Bathinda range laid a trap and apprehended HC Raj Kumar while accepting the bribe,' adds the statement. Block officer caught red-handed taking ₹ 13k bribe The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) on Tuesday arrested George Masih, block officer, posted at the block development and panchayats office (BDPO), Amritsar, while accepting ₹ 13,000 bribe. VB official spokesperson said the accused was arrested following a complaint lodged by a resident of Bikraur village in Amritsar district. 'The complainant had approached the VB alleging that he wanted to contest panchayat elections from his village in 2024 but could not do so, as a notice declaring him defaulter was issued against him by block officer, Ajnala, stating that he had not cleared outstanding dues of government land measuring four kanals and an FIR would be registered against him in this regard. As per the complaint, the accused asked the complainant that if he wanted to get his name stuck off from the defaulter list and also to get a correction in the revenue record, he had to pay a bribe of ₹ 13,000,' the spokesperson said. The spokesperson said that after preliminary verification of this complaint, a team from the VB unit, Amritsar, laid a trap and apprehended the accused while he was accepting a bribe. A case under the Prevention of Corruption Act has been registered against the accused at VB police station, Amritsar range. The accused would be produced before the court on Wednesday, and further investigation into this case was under progress, the spokesperson said.
New Straits Times
01-07-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
A wake-up call for insurance industry
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's insurance and takaful industry is confronting an uncomfortable truth: despite more than a century of operations, strong global brands, and modern digital tools, over half of the population remains uninsured or underinsured. For an industry built on protection, this isn't just a statistic - it's a wake-up call, said Ravinder Singh, a veteran who has spent more than a decade pushing online insurance solutions forward. "Let's face the hard truth. Sixty per cent of Malaysians still have no insurance or takaful. That means over 300 of the 550 people who die daily leave no protection for their families. For an industry that's been here for over a century, with all the world's biggest insurers, this is unacceptable," he said in the latest episode of Beyond the Headlines, which also featured Rhenu Bhuller, an experienced healthcare strategist with deep roots across Asia-Pacific. Ravinder - who is a reinsurer, actuary and advocate - said this protection gap reveals a deeper structural challenge: reaching groups who have long been underserved, especially the M40 and B40 income segments, gig workers, and rural households. "The most vulnerable are the M40 and B40 segments, who have limited savings and often large families. Only online, direct channels with simple and affordable products can close this gap. And until we do that, I have no plans to retire." He believes closing this gap will require more than just digital apps or brochures. To keep premiums sustainable post-retirement, he proposes actuarial and subsidy models that spread the cost over time. One solution is lifecycle pricing with cross-subsidisation. "This is where policyholders pay slightly higher premiums during their earning years to lock in more stable rates post-retirement. It works well for life and savings products, but not for medical insurance. That's because medical inflation and the emergence of costlier treatments keep pushing healthcare costs up," Ravinder said. He suggested a fresh approach: unlock unused value. "Many Malaysians hold two medical policies (employer and private) but can only claim from one. Instead of insurers pocketing that surplus, it could roll into a health savings account to offset future premiums. A matching contribution from employers or the government would sweeten the pot," Ravinder said. Ravinder also sees "longevity credits" as part of the solution - rewarding people who maintain good health with more stable premiums. This could be tied to employer health checks or programmes like Perkeso's SEHATI, which provides free screenings for people aged 40-59. Meanwhile, he said despite heavy investment in digital, self-service insurance sales still account for less than 10 per cent of total policies. "Insurance is still seen as complex and low-trust. Where it has worked, like in microtakaful or basic term products, it's because the value is clear, the pricing is transparent, and claims are simple. "We're in a hybrid phase now. The goal of self-service isn't just to digitise forms but to remove friction. That means guided journeys, smart defaults, and even trial coverage for specific communities." es. Ravinder added that consumer sentiment remains a hurdle. "Too many people still see insurance as confusing or, worse, a scam. The fix isn't more talks; it's real experience. Education alone won't shift sentiment. "People only understand it once they own a policy. Start with small, affordable plans. Once they're protected, they get curious, they ask questions, and they learn." Keeping critical illness cover within reach One area that Ravinder says can help plug the gap is critical illness (CI) coverage. "CI is a good complement to — or even a substitute for — medical insurance. Unlike medical plans, CI premiums are fixed once bought." He pointed out that for a healthy 40-year-old, an RM100,000 CI policy can cost less than RM1 a day on many online platforms. "The key is to buy early. Also, you don't need coverage for all 46 diseases. The "Big 5" illnesses, such as cancer, stroke, heart attack, kidney failure, and major organ transplant, account for the vast majority of claims. Keeping it simple makes it affordable and accessible," he said. For Ravinder, the message is clear: the industry must innovate beyond products, rethink pricing and distribution, and deliver simple, tangible value to those who need it most — and can least afford to go without. Malaysia at a healthcare crossroads amid global pressures, says Rhenu As healthcare systems worldwide brace for a turbulent decade, Malaysia's own system stands at a pivotal crossroads — grappling with the same mounting challenges that have forced developed nations to rethink how they deliver care. "It's clear that we're dealing with a complex interplay of five major forces – demographic shifts, economic pressures, workforce shortages, the acceleration of digital transformation and rapid technological change," said Rhenu. The stakes are high. Countries everywhere are wrestling with how to make healthcare more accessible, financially sustainable, and truly patient-centred, especially as ageing populations and rising costs from advanced treatments and administrative inefficiencies strain budgets, she said. "We're dealing with a complex interplay of five major forces — demographic shifts, economic pressures, workforce shortages, the acceleration of digital transformation, and rapid technological change," said Rhenu. While digital health solutions hold great promise, Rhenu cautions that issues like fragmented data, cybersecurity risks, and uneven adoption must be addressed head-on. "The challenge is scaling technology without overwhelming clinicians or widening health inequities," she said. She highlighted widening gaps in care by geography, income and ethnicity, as well as growing mental health needs among youth and the elderly. Women's health, she added, also continues to lag behind. "These challenges are interconnected, and solving them will require bold leadership, cross-sector collaboration, and a willingness to rethink how healthcare is delivered and financed," she said. Drawing on her work in Singapore, Australia, and Switzerland, Rhenu believes Malaysia has proven models it can adapt — provided they fit local realities. "I am sure our relevant departments have studied other healthcare models and every country curates what fits its unique context, but I will share 3 contrasting examples from countries I have lived in and personally experienced the healthcare systems of, all of which utilise a blend of shared services between public and private systems and insurance tailored to suit local situations." She said Singapore, for instance, is tackling rising costs, expected to nearly double to S$43 billion by 2030, with a balanced strategy of fiscal discipline, innovation, and inclusion. Its 3M Framework — Medisave, MediShield Life, and Medifund — ensures that even the most vulnerable citizens have access to care. In Switzerland, mandatory private insurance is balanced by robust government oversight and local accountability. Nearly 30 per cent of residents receive subsidies for their premiums, managed by cantonal governments that also oversee hospital services to reflect local needs while maintaining national standards. Australia, meanwhile, shows how strong public-private partnerships and an integrated digital health strategy can work in practice. "Their National Digital Health Strategy is a great example of using real-time data to guide care and shape policy," she noted. Malaysia, too, is ramping up its digital health push, from smart hospitals to interoperable health records, but Rhenu warns that technology must be designed around real people. "One critical lesson from Australia and South Korea is the importance of designing digital health strategies around the patient, not just the system. That means prioritising user-friendly interfaces, multilingual access, and seamless data sharing between providers." She added that digital solutions must reach beyond urban centres to truly serve rural communities through scalable, mobile-first approaches. Fragmented data and weak cybersecurity protections remain big hurdles. Just as crucial, she said, is ensuring healthcare professionals are ready to adopt and use these tools with confidence. "Ongoing digital upskilling must be a priority," she stressed. "Technology alone won't fix the system — people will." Balancing universal care with rising costs Rhenu sees a clear multi-pronged pathway for Malaysia to balance universal healthcare with the rising costs of advanced care and continuous innovation. She said one critical pillar is a sustainable funding framework, which could include a national health insurance scheme that pools risk across the population, similar to South Korea's model. "This would reduce reliance on out-of-pocket payments and create a more sustainable funding base for both basic and advanced care. Switzerland blends mandatory private insurance with strong public oversight. While insurers are private, the government regulates pricing and ensures universal access. This model fosters innovation while maintaining equity and cost control." She also called for stronger public-private partnerships to expand capacity without overstretching the public sector. By integrating private providers into national strategies through shared services, co-financing arrangements, or outcome-based contracts, Malaysia could deliver more care where it's needed most, she said. Another priority is a sharper focus on value-based healthcare. This means rigorously assessing treatments and technologies for their cost-effectiveness and measurable health outcomes. "Every ringgit should deliver clear, proven results for patients," she said, adding that a value-based approach ensures spending remains sustainable while improving care quality. Rhenu also stressed the need for greater investment in prevention, including early detection, health education, and chronic disease management, to help reduce the costly burden of hospital admissions down the line. She further recommended encouraging voluntary supplemental insurance alongside universal coverage. "Maintaining universal access to core services is essential, but giving people the option to purchase additional private coverage for elective or advanced procedures helps preserve fairness while offering more choice," she said. Rhenu added that balancing these solutions will require strategic trade-offs, but the end goal must be clear: stretch every ringgit wisely while safeguarding universal access for all Malaysians. Transparency and accountability will be vital to earning and maintaining public trust, she said. Closing the postcode gap Rhenu's ultimate vision is a system that breaks the "postcode effect", where the quality of care depends more on where you live than on what you need. "Around the world, we've seen how living in the wrong district can mean longer waits, fewer specialists, or limited preventive care. Countries are tackling this with regional networks, equity-based funding, and mobile services. "It is important for us to embed geographic equity into health planning. Malaysia's healthcare system is at a critical inflection point. My vision is for us to have a system that is resilient, inclusive, and rooted in people's everyday realities. "That means supporting our ageing population with home-based and community care, investing in preventive health, and recognising the vital role of family carers. We must also close equity gaps so that whether you live in a city or a rural kampung, you get the care you deserve," she said. With bold leadership, cross-sector partnerships, and a willingness to rethink old models, Rhenu believes Malaysia can meet this moment and build a healthier, more equitable future for all.
Hans India
27-06-2025
- Automotive
- Hans India
Yamaha Organises 3S Grand Prix 2024–25 with National-Level Showdown
India Yamaha Motor Pvt. Ltd. (IYM) organized the Yamaha National 3S Grand Prix 2024–25 today, which is a skill-based competition that recognises the efforts of dealership staff who play a pivotal role in delivering Yamaha's Premium 3S experience (Sales, Service, and Spares) to our esteemed customers. The activity aims at motivating and rewarding Yamaha's on-ground support and enhancing their skills, while simultaneously bolstering the brand's premium customer experience at dealerships across the country. This initiative highlights Yamaha's commitment to differentiating its aftersales service, and ensuring a unique, and unparalleled brand experience. The 2024~25 National 3S Grand Prix contest consisted of five key categories – Technician, Service Advisor, Tele-Caller (a brand-new category), Parts Manager, and Sales Consultant. It was held in three stages and began with the Regional Contest from 15th August ~ 30th September 2024, with highest participation of 7567. Evaluated through online examination, the top five contestant from each category and from each zone then moved to zonal round, which happened from 17th February ~ 18th March 2025, and depending on the category, took place either at the Yamaha Motor Academy or onsite at Yamaha dealerships. The final stage, which is the National-level Contest, was held on 24th and 25th June 2025 at Yamaha's Surajpur, Greater Noida facility. A total of 40 finalists competed for top honours, and top 3 from each category are felicitated by top management. The top winner of technician category will now go on to represent India at World Technician Grand Prix 2025 going to held in the month of November 2025 in Japan. At the service end, Technicians were judged on their acumen in troubleshooting, diagnosis and maintenance. Service Advisors, who happen to be the customer facing personnel at dealerships, were graded on their skills with handling customers and ensuring quality and timely vehicle delivery. The Tele-Callers were judged basis their prowess with handling customers and their command over effective communication skills. The purchase aspect of the dealership experience for customers is dependent on Sales Consultants. These critical front-line employees were judged on their abilities to handle customers and impart a premium experience to them. On the spares front, the Parts Managers were graded on their ability to efficiently manage the stock of spares to reduce vehicle downtime and while also testing their ability to attend to customers. Commenting on the event, Ravinder Singh, Senior Vice President at Yamaha Motor India Sales Pvt. Ltd. said, 'The Yamaha National 3S Grand Prix reflects our deep commitment to nurturing frontline talent and recognizing the critical role they play in delivering an exceptional experience for our customers. This platform not only motivates our dealership staff to strive for excellence but also reinforces our brand promise of quality, reliability, and top-tier service. We congratulate all the finalists and look forward to seeing the national winners representing India at the global stage in Japan.' The National Technician Grand Prix (NTGP) first launched in India in 2010 with participation from 350 technicians and has grown exponentially each year. By 2019, participation had surged to 2,522 technicians, 1,289 service advisors, and 499 parts managers. The 2023 edition saw over 6,000 contestants from across the country take part in the Grand Prix across all four key categories, showcasing the scale, enthusiasm, and growing impact of the initiative. With the introduction of the Tele-Caller category in 2024–25, the participation raised to highest ever 7567 contestants. While the contest is a way for the staff to represent their dealership as well as India across the world, the ultimate aim of these competitions is to ensure that the staff is well aware and prepared to support the customers, delighting them with exceptional service and care, being one of the prime focuses of the company for its customers. Furthering this commitment, Yamaha operates the Yamaha Motor Academy (YMA), a global training initiative that grooms 3S dealer staff into 'professional team' and eventually ensures Yamaha customers around receive expert care, unparalleled service satisfaction and premium experience at each touch points of dealership.
Time of India
26-06-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
Yamaha India hosts 3S Grand Prix 2024–25 to champion dealership excellence
India Yamaha Motor Pvt. Ltd. (IYM) successfully held the Yamaha National 3S Grand Prix 2024–25, a skill-based competition that celebrates the dedication and expertise of its dealership staff across Sales, Service, and Spares (3S). The initiative is part of Yamaha's ongoing efforts to elevate customer service and strengthen its premium brand experience at the dealership level. The contest featured five key categories—Technician, Service Advisor, Tele-Caller (newly introduced), Parts Manager, and Sales Consultant—evaluating participants on their technical know-how, customer engagement, communication skills, and operational efficiency. This year's competition witnessed a record participation of 7,567 entries, beginning with Regional rounds held from August 15 to September 30, 2024. The top five performers from each category and zone moved to the Zonal Contests between February 17 and March 18, 2025. The grand finale took place on June 24–25 at Yamaha's Surajpur facility in Greater Noida, with 40 finalists competing for national honours. The winners were felicitated by Yamaha's top management. Notably, the champion in the Technician category will represent India at the World Technician Grand Prix 2025 in Japan this November. Continuing the legacy Originally launched in 2010 with 350 technicians, the Grand Prix has grown significantly over the years, reflecting Yamaha's investment in skill-building. The inclusion of the Tele-Caller category this year further expanded its reach. To support this initiative, Yamaha also runs the Yamaha Motor Academy (YMA), a global training program aimed at developing dealership staff into professionals who deliver expert service and premium customer engagement. Ravinder Singh, Senior Vice President, Yamaha Motor India Sales Pvt. Ltd., said, 'The Yamaha National 3S Grand Prix reflects our deep commitment to nurturing frontline talent and recognizing the critical role they play in delivering an exceptional experience for our customers.'
