‘Hrudaya Sangamam 2015’ on April 19; The Social Excellence Award goes to Mammootty

• The meet at Lisie Hospital, to be attended by around 600 patients who underwent heart surgery, will be inaugurated by Cardinal Mar George Alencherry
• There is a misconception in the society that patients who have undergone heart surgery have to lead an inactive life, doing no work. The motive behind the Hrudaya Sangamam is to enlighten the patients and their familes and empower them to lead a normal life

Kochi, April 14, 2015: ‘Hrudaya Sangamam 2015’, jointly organized by Heart Care Foundation and Lisie Hospital will be held in Kochi on Sunday, April 19. The meet to be held at the Lisie Hospital auditorium will be inaugurated by Cardinal Mar George Alencherry. In the inaugural function, actor Mammootty will be presented this year’s Social Excellence Award, constituted by the Heart Care Foundation. Dr. Jose Chacko Periapuram, Chairman of the Heart Care Foundation  said the award is given to people who have rendered yeomen services in various fields. Mammootty has been selected for his services in lessening the burdens of the less fortunate in the society, in his role as the patron of various organizations like Pain & Paliative Care Society, Care & Share International, Jeevan Jyothi, Kazhcha, Akshaya Kanivu etc. It may be also recalled that Mammootty has earned world attention through his ‘My Tree Challenge’ campaign and the measures taken for the propagation of organic farming. The award, that was constituted five years ago in memory of C. V. Shanmughan, the former trustee of the foundation, was earlier given to K.J . Yesudas, Uma Preman, V. J. Kurien IAS and Dr. Beena IAS.

Around 600 patients who underwent heart surgery and their kins are expected to attend the Hrudaya Sangamam. Educative programmes led by doctors and paramedical staff of the Cardiac Services will be held as part of the function. Eminent Cardiac Specialists like Dr. Rony Mathew Kadavil, Dr. Joe Joseph, Dr. Jacob Abraham, Dr. Rafeeq A.k, Dr. Jeevan Thomas, Nutritionist Dr. Nisha Vikraman and      Physiotherapist Dany Jose will lead the interactive session.

There is a misconception in the society that patients who have undergone heart surgery have to lead an inactive life, doing no work. Due to this, they are forced to lead a life with lots of limitations put forth by their family and the society as well. The motive behind the Hrudaya Sangamam is to enlighten the patients and their familes and empower them to lead a normal life, said Fr. Thomas Vaikkathuprambil, Director, Lisie Hospital.

For more details, please contact: 98470 06000

IMA Opens 8 New Chapters in India incl. Kochi; Signs New Strategic Partnerships

New Jersey/India/Kochi, April 2014: To provide training and certification tools for a growing group of accounting and finance professionals in India, IMA® (Institute of Management Accountants) has announced a partnership agreement with John Wiley and Sons, Inc. (Wiley), publisher of the CMA Learning System (CMALS), and Miles Professional Education (Miles), a major professional certification course provider in India. Under the agreement, Miles commits significant resources to support live training for management accountants preparing to take IMA’s CMA® (Certified Management Accountant) exam using Wiley’s CMALS.  

IMA’s globally recognized CMA credential is an advanced assessment of accounting and financial management knowledge in four critical areas: financial planning, analysis, control, and decision support. The two-part exam is offered through Prometric testing centers in India and throughout the world. 

“As local economies grow, so does the demand for highly qualified management accountants,” said Jim Gurowka, CAE, IMA vice president of international development. “This new partner agreement solidifies IMA’s commitment to the region and reinforces our dedication to supporting careers, organizations, and the public interest.”

Beginning this spring, Miles will offer an eight­week instructor­led course, to prepare management accountants for the exam. The courses, available in eight cities across India, provide 60 hours of training on exam content, guidance for taking the test, and career counseling.

“We at Miles recognize a great opportunity for management accountants in India with the recent government focus on economic development and growth. The availability of the CMA credential will enable a highly qualified workforce and enhanced performance of organizations,” said Varun Jain, CMA, CPA, National Instructor & Founder, Miles Professional Education.

“Wiley’s global success in providing best­in­class professional educational products and services is underpinned by collaborative relationships. As such, we are proud to cement this important initiative with our longstanding partners at IMA and Miles,” said David Pugh, executive publisher and senior vice president at John Wiley and Sons U.S. headquarters.

Vikas Gupta, managing director of Wiley India, added: “This partnership underscores Wiley’s commitment to support individuals around the world pursuing globally relevant professional certifications, such as the U.S.­based CMA. The planned coursework will allow undergraduate and post­graduate students to sit for the exams in parallel with their college coursework. The CMA also helps working professionals take their careers to the next level through a cost­effective path. The preparation of CMA professionals also fits perfectly with the national skill­development agenda of India, which Wiley has always championed.”

In tandem with this announcement, IMA has expanded its international chapter roster by adding eight new local chapters in India: Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kochi, Kolkata, Delhi, Mumbai and Pune. IMA also has an active Mutual Recognition Agreement with the Institute of Cost Accountants of India (ICAI). ® (Certified Management Accountant) exam using Wiley’s CMALS.

“IMA strongly believes in delivering the best in localized programs and services. Our new network of chapters in India and expanded CMA program support will help meet the specific needs of professionals in the region,” said Gurowka.

For more information on IMA’s regional chapters, visit IMA’s website – www.imanet.org. To learn more about Miles Professional Education, please visit www.milespcareview.com or www.milescma.com. For more information about Wiley, please visit www.wileyindia.com

UNI-GAUGE EMeD – All India Entrance Exam for multiple Universities for the students seeking admission to Engineering, Medical and Dental Courses

Cochin, 12^th March 2015 : With the motto to provide an intelligent and efficient platform to students, hunting for admission in engineering, medical and dental, ERA Foundation, a not for profit organization has announced “Uni- GAUGE EMeD” a single all India entrance exam window for multiple universities. The launch press conference was held at Hotel Grand today. The press conference was addressed by ERA Foundation CEO Mr. B.N. Subramanya and Mr. Sanjay Kulkarni.

Uni-GAUGE is beneficial to student community as it enables them to apply to multiple universities through a single gateway. In the current scenario, students apply to many universities leading to wastage of time, money and efforts. With Uni-GAUGE EMeD, candidates seeking admission to B.Tech, B.E, M.B.B.S and B.D.S courses, now have the facility to write a single entrance exam and seek admission in multiple universities which are the participating universities of ERA (Education Rating and Assessment Foundation). The partner universities will accept Uni-GAUGE scores, as one of the criteria for admission. However, they will have complete autonomy on their admission process. 

Speaking on the occasion Mr. Subramanya, CEO, ERA Foundation said “ERA Foundation has pioneered and brought about a positive difference in the country’s education ecosystem by introducing such programs “Uni-GAUGE EMeD. It will fulfill a vital need in the Indian higher education system by helping the student community to apply to multiple universities through a single gateway. As of now ERA Foundation has joined hands with M S Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences, Reva University, Kolar’s Sri Devraj Urs University, Faridabad’s Manav Rachna University, Guntur’s KL University, Saveetha University, Karpagam University, Periyar Maniammai University, Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswathi Viswa Mahavidyalaya SCSVM University and many more universities are slated to join the Uni-GAUGE platform shortly”.

In continuation, Mr. Sanjay Kulkarni, ERA Foundation said “Uni-GAUGE” is a pan-India, computer-aided assessment platform. It stands for trust, transparency and reliability in assessment. It benefits both the institutions as well as the students who have long felt the need of such international standards concept. Uni-GAUGE partners with universities to offer them several benefits including improve their ability to access students across the country, reliable, efficient, technology enabled entrance test and segregate entrance evaluation and admission processes”.

Eligible candidates should have qualified in second PUC or 10+2 or equivalent examination recognized by State / Central Government. The last two years of study shall comprise of Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics / Biology (PCB/PCM) with English as a compulsory subject.

Registrations are open -and the last date of submitting application is 4th April 2015 and to register and apply for Uni-GAUGE EMeD 2015, candidates are required to visit https://www.erafoundationindia.org/emed-entrance-examination. The first Uni-GAUGE EMeD 2015 Exam will be held on 26th April 2015.

About ERA Foundation: Education Assessment and Rating Foundation (ERA) is a Not for Profit organization pioneering educational reforms in India.

It is promoted by Dr. M.R Jayaram, Chairman of Gokula Education Foundation and first Chancellor of M.S. Ramaiah University of Applied Science, Dr. G Viswanathan, founder-chancellor of VIT University, and Dr. Prashant Bhalla, President, Manav Rachana Educational Institutions

It has an autonomous Board of Governors that oversees assessment methodology, design and administration. It is Chaired by Mr. Ranganath, Former Chief Secy. Government of Karnataka & non-executive chairman of IFCI, and comprises of Mr. KRS Murthy - Former Director (IIM-B), Professor Samir Brahmachari - Former Director General of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Professor Arun Nigavekar - Former Chairman of UGC, Dr A Gnanam- former  Vice Chancellor of Bharathidasan, Madras and Pondicherry Universities.

ERA foundation will also focus on two supporting platforms viz accreditation including programmatic rating for medical and technical education and skill building in the education sector.

It plans to assist the student community by providing scholarships, free counseling, career guidance and professional consultancy. 

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.

- 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

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.