Wednesday, February 18, 2015

Janasree Mission Award to Hedge Equities CEO N. Bhuvanendran

Kannur: N. Bhuvanendran, CEO, Hedge Equities, has been chosen for the Entrepreneur of the Year Award by the Janasree Sustainable Development Mission. At its Annual Conference held in Kannur, Chief Minsiter Oommen Chandy presnted the award.

photo caption: Chief Minsiter Oommen Chandry presents the Janasree Sustainable Development Mission's Entrepreneur of the Year Award to N. Bhuvanendran, CEO, Hedge Equitites. Minister K. C. Joseph, M. M. Hassan, Chairman, Janasree Mission are also seen.

Friday, February 13, 2015

- Love is now at your fingertips with the improved QuackQuack app


·         The new improved QuackQuack app allows the users to quickly surf the matches of their choice
·         Speedier browsing through profiles and pictures
·         QuackQuack.in Valentine’s Day Survey:Nearly 85% (84.21%) of men said they were looking to find a date this Valentine through an online dating platform
·         ‘We believe in matching interests than horoscopes of people. Find your true soul mate who has the same interests with QuackQuack.in' new and improved app’ – Mr. Ravi Mittal, Founder & CEO, www.QuackQuack.in
Mumbai, February 6th 2015: The season of love is here.And all the lonesome hearts are looking to find a match or a date to brighten up the month of hearts and roses - February. India’s most popular online dating platform, www.QuackQuack.inhas updated its dating app to help find your true love this Valentine’s Day even if you are on the move. Meet your soul mate through a simpler, easier and exciting manner with the new and improved version of the QuackQuack app.
Ravi Mittal, Founder & CEO, QuackQuack.insaid, “Your phone may not have the number stored of your soul mate yet, but it definitely now has the ability to look for your soul mate faster. All you need to do is to download the new QuackQuackapp and sift through probable profiles even while travelling. And before you know, you might find that one number that makes your heart beat the fastest.”
The QuackQuack app was launched in August 2014 and became an instant hit with more than 50,000 downloads within four months of its launch. Now with the new version of the app one can Wave, Message or Chat with members on the go.
The updated features of the app are:
·         Swiping for liking or disliking  match
·         Shows 15 matches in a day
·         Faster and easier access to profiles and pictures of members
“We have added features to our app which makes it simpler for people to find their match. All you have to do is just log in. The screen shows you a match. Swipe left if you dislike a match, swipe right if you like a match. The app shows you 15 matches in a day. The new update to the QuackQuack app helps saves time for mobile users to browse through profiles, look up the picture, and see their common interests,” added Mr. Mittal.
QuackQuack.inapp is currently available for Android smartphones and tablets. The app is available on the Google Playstore and can be downloaded for free even though love is precious.
QuackQuackrecently also conducted a Valentine’s Day survey with 1200 respondents pan-India/Specific cities. The survey threw up interesting results.
·         Nearly 85% (84.21%) of men said they were looking to find a date this Valentine through an online dating platform. On the other hand, around 58% (57.86%) women were interested in the same
·         53% (52.86%) of women said that their date’s looks do not matter whereas 40% (40.77%) men refused to be romantic with an unattractive date
·         Nearly 68% of men have no one to court this Valentine, whereas 66% women have no one to date this time.
“The results of our survey have been an eye opener. Online dating is gaining traction in India and the results tell us exactly that. And for all the people we surveyed, who don’t have a date this season can log on to our http://www.QuackQuack.in  page and find the right match,” said Mr. Mittal.
About www.QuackQuack.in
QuackQuack.inis a modern matchmaking platform launched in 2010 for the young, hip, urbane and single Indians thriving amidst a booming economy. It works on a simple principle of matching one person with another with similar interests and helps them break the ice. QuackQuack.in offers its users a safe platform to date by ensuring to verify the user’s profile, moderating the content and also prompting them to be proactive in their search for a perfect date. It ensures there is no spamming or stalking on the website.Currently, QuackQuack.in has 7 lakhs total registered users, with new signups of 1200+ people on a daily basis.

To know more please visit: http://www.QuackQuack.in

Tuesday, February 10, 2015

SmartCity Kochi Ready to Deliver Kochi’s IT Promise; Holds Road-Show in Chennai

Chennai, February 6, 2015: Minister: As SCK01, the first IT tower with a total built-up area of 6.5 lakh sq ft and a floor-plate of more than 1 lakh sq ft targeting Platinum LEED rating, part of the 246-acre SmartCity Kochi (SCK), is to be opened for business by June 2015, the project’s top executives showcased the credentials of the futuristic knowledge hub in a road show held Chennai organized under the auspices of NASSCOM. Coincidently, the road-show held here was also followed by a recent report by NASSCOM itself which rated Kochi as an "Alternative to Tier I City" with a cost differential of about 25% as compared to any Tire I market. Speaking on the occasion, Gigo Joseph, CEO, SCK, said the project will be a game changer for the IT-BPM industries in India as a pioneer of the many smart cities envisaged subsequently, with its sheer size, employment generation potential and world-class, future-proof and integrated facilities for live, work and play.

Jointly promoted by Dubai Holding and Government of Kerala, SCK has set up an IT/ITES Special Economic Zone in the envisaged 13 million sq ft built-up area, housing Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Media, Finance and Research & Innovation clusters. SCK is the third such undertaking by Dubai Holding after the acclaimed SmartCity Dubai and SmartCity Malta.

 Slated to be the single largest provider of jobs in the talent-rich state (around 90,000 direct jobs by 2020 and two times indirect jobs), the first phase of SCK will generate 6000 direct IT employments, Mr. Gigo Joseph said.

“The second building will also start its construction in 2015. It will be in 5 acres but will have almost the same BUA of the first building, with higher FAR – 6.3 lakh sq ft. It will be built near the first building and will generate another 6000-7000 jobs. In the meantime, construction of infrastructure facilities like roads, supplies and landscaping are also fast progressing while joint-developments teamed with major players in each sector of various social infrastructure milieus including housing, healthcare, education and recreation are also under various stages of construction. SCK had also received the environmental clearance for the entire project last year,” he added.

With these, Kochi is all set to become a major IT hub in the country as suggested in the NASSCOM report with its striking advantages, Mr. Gigo Joseph said.  Kochi is already home to a busy Infopark, which is housing nearly 120 IT majors, employing more than 30,000 professionals. Gigo Joseph explained that a from being a Challenger city six years ago as described by NASSCOM, Kochi’s recent emergence as an 'Alternative to Leader City' is proof that the dynamic port city is as good as Bangalore and other Tier-1 cities for IT.

Mr. Gigo Joseph has also highlighted some other unique advantages of Kochi including the upcoming Metro Transit system and proposed intra-city waterways. “There are 30,000+ apartments already in the vicinity and teh largest mall in India (Lulu: 2 million sq.ft) in addition to the finest healthcare system in the country (15,000+ beds),” he said.

SCK creates dynamic knowledge clusters where companies can succeed. It is a part of globally connected SmartCity communities fueling growth and spurring local economic development. Each SmartCity is committed to long-term sustainability, designed as environmental friendly walk to work township understanding the importance of work-life balance. Thus, in addition to workspace, it features residential, retail, entertainment, schools, training centers, play areas, etc.
Smartnesss will be created from ICT-enabled smart features such as integrated command centre, energy efficient homes, integrated video surveillance, fire fighting integration, parking facilities and electronic billing system, etc and sustainability features such as zero discharge, LEED silver Certification, green building, integrated mobility, etc. “The entire project is envisaged as an integrated Digital Smart City. We have Smart City in Malta and have plans to start more such cities in various geographical locations. So, we could provide an efficient business network of companies,” he said.


For joint developments, Mr. Gigo Joseph said there is a Single Window Clearance facility available for the prospective developers, through which approvals will be given in 45 days. These developers do not need to take separate environmental clearance. Stamp duty is also exempted for them. The companies can also avail many SEZ tax benefits, including 17% reduction in cost of construction.  “What SCK aims is an integrated and autonomous township authority constituted by the Government of Kerala,” he said.

Fmart, India's First Premium Specialty Convenience Store Chain, Opens in Kochi

Kochi, February 2, 2015: Fmart, a Dubai-based convenience store chain which is on a fast-paced expansion plan including opening 100 stores in Malaysia within the next 3 years, opened its first outlet in India in Kochi. Tony Chammany, Mayor, Corporation of Cochin, inaugurated the country's first F-mart at the Panampilly Nagar Junction today. Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Yoonus Mohamed, Managing Director, Fmart Specialty Retail Concepts, said Fmart is a chain of contemporary convenience stores offering a wide range of FMCGs and other ethnically traditional branded foods. “We are planning to open 25 Fmart stores in Kerala alone in 2015, mostly on franchised model," he added.

Convenience stores normally operate in busy city areas supplying cookies/candies, groceries, cosmetics and household supplies. Fmart also offers a variety of high quality pantry items, including bakery, barista and other fresh as well as heat & eat eatables and a wide range of hot & cold beverages and other consumables.

Mr. Kareem Abdullah, Director, said at present Emaco Investments, the holding company of Fmart, collectively runs 11 stores in various prime locations while it continues its accelerated growth by expanding in the Middle East and Asia. "In the UAE alone, Fmart has 7 stores in Dubai, with the first outlet being a 3600 sqft shopping space at the famous Downtown Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest tower and 2 in Abu Dhabi, two coming up in Sharjah. We plan to have 15 such stores around premium locations in Dubai alone and at least 3 outlets each in the other 6 Emirates," he said.

In April 2015, Fmart plans to open four outlets in Malaysia and are highly ambitious to have 100 outlets in the next three years. "In India, each new Fmart outlet will require an investment of approximately Rs.30 lakhs to start a franchise model store. Fmart offers four flexible franchise models with different investment plans to cater to different segments of society," Dr. M. A. Babu, Director, said.


"Our franchise model is a low investment business opportunity along with premium margins,bBrand recognition and quality service,” Mr. Yoonus Mohamed said.