Thursday, June 30, 2011

BWI: Asia Knowledge Associates to Organize 'India Stem Cell Conclave 2011'- 2nd and 3rd July 2011

Press release from Business Wire India
Source: Asia Knowledge Associates
Thursday, June 30, 2011 05:00 PM IST (11:30 AM GMT)
Editors: General: Consumer interest, People; Business: Advertising, PR & marketing, Business services, Education & training, Healthcare, biotechnology & pharmaceutical, Major diversified industrial groups; Technology; Healthcare
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Asia Knowledge Associates to Organize 'India Stem Cell Conclave 2011'- 2nd and 3rd July 2011
Create, Collaborate, Cure...educate yourself about the future in medicine

Mumbai, Maharashtra, India, Thursday, June 30, 2011 -- (Business Wire India) -- Asia Knowledge Associates is organizing the Second Annual two day conclave and exhibition on Stem cell research and therapy named "India Stem Cell Conclave & Exhibition 2011". The conclave & exhibition will be held on 2nd and 3rd of July 2011 at the Westin Hotel, Mumbai. Whilst the conclave aims to showcase the latest research conducted by scientists from across the world, who are researching on the potential of using stem cells in finding new cures, the exhibition which in its second year offers a comprehensive knowledge to the common man on the various benefits of stem cell therapy, its reach and utility.

Speaking at the event, Mr. Mayur Abhaya (President & Executive Director) - LifeCell International said "The global cellular therapies industry is poised to grow significantly with exciting new therapies gaining regulatory approval, and with several more reporting very strong lead clinical data. Recently the industry crossed the $1bn threshold in revenues, and could potentially bring in more than $5bn in annual revenues by 2016. We hope that the outcome of the Stem Cell Conclave will provide the industry an opportunity to showcase the significant programs being worked upon in India and also importantly setup the advocacy necessary to provide the necessary impetus from a regulatory and structural point for continued investments into this emerging field.

We are also very keen in sharing excerpts from our R&D programs and recent developments in stem cell industry for the benefit of the audience present at the conclave".

Speaking at the event Mr. David Oxley (Vice President Emerging Market Sales) - "Regenerative Medicine, as "an Industry," is at a dynamic an important crossroads. Ten years ago, we were a small, fledgling group of innovators with a common goal; unlock the natural healing mechanisms of the human body to treat critical unmet medical conditions. Today, we are improving patient care through personalized, point-of-care cell therapy. Our aspiration would be for this collective dialogue to help ensure India becomes a leading hub in regenerative medicine worldwide.

For Cytori, it's about a Platform rather than a single product; it's about Enabling Surgeons and Hospitals worldwide to treat Ischemia Disease. In the end, it's about using a patient's own Adipose-Derived Regenerative Cells (ADRC) at the point of care to improve the quality and length of life."

Eminent panelists who would share their insights on various issues at this conclave are: Dr. Alok Srivastava (Chairman) - National Apex Committee for Stem Cell Research and Therapy, Mr. Mayur Abhaya (President & Executive Director) - LifeCell International, Dr. Charlie Archer (Professor) - Cardiff Institute of Tissue Engineering and Repair, School of Biosciences Cardiff University, Dr Paul J Verma (Senior Research Fellow & Senior Scientist) - Centre for Reproduction & Development at Monash Institute of Medical Research, Australia, Dr.Helena Barreto Henriksson - The Lundberg Laboratory for Orthopaedic Research Sahlgrenska University Hospital , Sweden, Dr. John Fraser (Principal Scientist) - Cytori Therapeutics Inc, Dr. N. K. Venkataramana (Vice - Chairman and Chief Neurosurgeon) - BGS Global Hospitals, Dr. Purvish Parikh (Managing Director India and Vice President USA) - AmeriCares India Foundation, Dr. Uma Nambiar, (Zonal Director Mumbai) - Fortis Healthcare Ltd & (CEO) - S L Raheja (A Fortis Associate) Hospital, Mr. Nalin Kumar (Managing Director and Head of Merger & Acquisition and Equity Capital and Advisory) Rabo Bank India,Dr.Milind Antani (Head Pharma & Life Sciences) - Nishith Desai Associates

About Asia Knowledge Associates:

Asia Knowledge Associates is a pioneer in the field of hosting world-class business conferences, and training workshops on path-breaking themes of the day, creating an excellent opportunity for learning and an unbeatable networking platform for senior management of corporate India. With a rich and varied background in organizing world class events across various subjects for the past 7 years, the company has also been actively involved in Carbon and Employee Wellness space for the past 2 years and has been advocating the same to corporate India through our conferences and Training Workshops

For more information, please visit:
http://www.stemcellconclave.com/india-2011.php

Conclave and Exhibition details

Date: 2nd & 3rd July 2011
Venue: The Westin Mumbai Garden City, International Business Park, Oberoi Garden City, Goregaon East, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400063



CONTACT DETAILS
Prasanna Arumugam, Asia Knowledge Associates, +91 9323291690, prasanna@asiaknow.com

KEYWORDS
CONSUMER, PEOPLE, MARKETING, BUSINESS SERVICES, EDUCATION, HEALTHCARE, GROUPS, TECHNOLOGY, HEALTHCARE

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BWI: ISB Expands Class Size by 200; Opens Admissions for the Class of 2013

Press release from Business Wire India
Source: Indian School of Business
Thursday, June 30, 2011 04:45 PM IST (11:15 AM GMT)
Editors: General: Consumer interest; Business: Accounting & management consultancy services, Advertising, PR & marketing, Business services, Education & training; Technology
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ISB Expands Class Size by 200; Opens Admissions for the Class of 2013
Class Size Increases from 570 to 770

Mumbai, Maharashtra and Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India, Thursday, June 30, 2011 -- (Business Wire India) -- The Indian School of Business (ISB) today announced an increase of 200 seats in its flagship Post Graduate Programme (PGP) in Management. Strengthened by the addition of a new campus at Mohali, the class size will increase from 570 to 770 for the incoming class. Admissions for the ISB's Class of 2013 are now open. To address prospective students, the ISB will be organising Admission Information Sessions at two venues in Mumbai on July 2 and July 3, 2011. Prospective applicants need to register themselves online http://www.isb.edu/pgp/IndiaLocations.shtml to attend the session.

To view the locations, please click on the link given below:

Locations

Apart from Mumbai, the ISB will be conducting Admissions Information Sessions in Delhi, Kolkata, Bangalore, Pune, Hyderabad, Chennai, Baroda, Mangalore and other small cities across the country. The sessions are an opportunity for aspirants to interact one-on-one with ISB's senior management and alumni to get their queries answered. The school will be represented by V K Menon, Senior Director, Career Advancement Services, Admissions & Financial Aid, ISB and A M Kannan, Director, Admissions, ISB.

Mumbai, India's megacity melting-pot, home to billionaires and movie stars, is the city of opportunities for aspiring professionals in India. With its world-class faculty, international students and visiting faculty from leading international b-schools, the ISB offers the right fit to such aspirants aiming to head-start their careers. This is testified by the increase in the number of Mumbaikars applying to the ISB. While the total number of Mumbai applicants has nearly doubled in the last five years to rise from 223 to 443, the total number of selected Mumbai students has risen by almost 50%.

Being true to the diversity and spirit of the city, Mumbai has presented the ISB with alumni from diverse backgrounds who are today successful entrepreneurs across industries and functions. Mumbaikar Varsha Bhawnani, ISB alumnus, has established herself as a young entrepreneur in the garment industry with her boutique chain Vinegar, a self-titled high-end clothes line and more recently as a wardrobe consultant. Similarly, Arun Shenoy, another ISB alumnus, is a co-promoter of Green India Building Systems and Services, offers maintenance and energy solutions to help buildings reduce costs and is part of the elite list of 100 LEED accredited green building professionals in India.

Second Campus at Mohali

Now in its tenth year, the ISB will have the Mohali campus operational from April 2012 and have its flagship Post Graduate Programme in Management (PGP) delivered across the two locations. The two campuses will operate as a unified entity, with the same commitment to world-class programme design and delivery, and by effecting a seamless integration through inter-campus exchanges and virtual connectivity. Following ISB's unique portfolio faculty model, the resident and international faculty will impart cutting-edge management insights and practices at both locations. The Mohali campus will also house four institutes focusing on the areas of Public Policy, Healthcare, Manufacturing and Infrastructure Management.

About the ISB

The Indian School of Business (ISB) was established in 2001 with an aspiration to put India on the global map of management education. In less than a decade since its inception, the ISB has successfully pioneered several new trends in management education in India, and firmly established itself as a world class management institution. In 2008, the ISB became the youngest institution to be ranked among the Top 20, in the Global B-school Rankings by the Financial Times, London, and since then has been ranked consistently among the top B-schools globally. The ISB today has a strong pool of research-oriented resident faculty and invites high calibre international faculty from reputed B-schools to teach in its Post Graduate Programme in Management (PGP), Post Graduate Programme in Management for Senior Executives (PGPMAX), and Executive Education Programmes. In addition to teaching, the visiting faculty also participates in collaborative research with the resident faculty. The school has over 3000 PGP Alumni and 12000 Executive Education Alumni, making an impact on business and society across the world.

For more information, please visit www.isb.edu
For picture(s)/data to illustrate this release click below:

http://www.BusinessWireIndia.com/attachments/Locations.pdf
Locations.pdf


CONTACT DETAILS
Sriram Gopalakrishnan, Director - Marketing and Communications, Indian School of Business, +91 9394568030, Sriram_gopalakrishnan@isb.edu

KEYWORDS
CONSUMER, CONSULTANCY SERVICES, MARKETING, BUSINESS SERVICES, EDUCATION, TECHNOLOGY

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BWI: NEXT100: The Search for India’s Next Gen Tech Leaders is Back

Press release from Business Wire India
Source: 9.9 Mediaworx Pvt. Ltd.
Thursday, June 30, 2011 02:23 PM IST (08:53 AM GMT)
Editors: General: Consumer interest; Business: Advertising, PR & marketing, Business services, Information technology, Media & entertainment; Technology
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NEXT100: The Search for India's Next Gen Tech Leaders is Back
Hundreds of IT managers rush to apply for the prestigious award

New Delhi, Delhi, India, Thursday, June 30, 2011 -- (Business Wire India) -- 9.9 Mediaworx (9.9 Media), the publisher of IT NEXT magazine, has announced the launch of the second edition of NEXT100 - India's most comprehensive effort to identify 100 future CIOs (Chief Information Officers) and technology leaders. These future CIOs, collectively called the NEXT100, will be recognized and honoured at a special awards ceremony in November 2011.

The NEXT100 award, launched in 2010, is perceived as a credible recognition by senior IT managers, and is endorsed and supported by India's top CIOs. Commenting on the selection procedure for award winners, Mr. Daya Prakash, CIO, LG Electronics who was a jury member for the NEXT100 2010 and is also on the jury for the NEXT100 2011 awards says, "The process followed is very good, and completely unbiased". Similar endorsement of the NEXT100 awards by India's top CIOs has helped the 2010 award winners to get recognition and boost their careers. "I got promoted to the position of Director IT", says Arun Kumar, Director IT, GlobalLogic India Pvt. Ltd who won the NEXT100 award last year.

The NEXT100 award is open to all IT managers, across the nation, who think they have the potential to become CIOs. Applicants for the award need to fill an online application on the NEXT100 site (www.itnext.in/next100), take a personality test, and participate in a management skills evaluation. Candidates who successfully complete the three-stage application process will be shortlisted for an interview by a jury of CIOs. There are no charges or fees to apply for the NEXT100 awards.

Sharing more details about what's different in the NEXT100 process this year, R Giridhar, Group Editor at 9.9 Media, says, "We've further refined and improved the NEXT100 selection process after taking inputs and feedback from CIOs. This year, we have introduced an additional managerial skills test, and we have a jury panel comprising 45 CIOs from India's leading companies (http://www.itnext.in/2011next100/web/jury), who will be personally interviewing the aspirants before deciding on the final awardees."

Vikas Gupta, publisher of IT NEXT magazine and a Director at 9.9 Media, says, "NEXT100 is not a routine talent hunt. It is a rigorous process that aims to identify IT managers with potential to make it to the top spot. In addition to professional qualifications and experience, NEXT100 will judge applicants on business and decision-making skills."

Within hours of throwing open the NEXT100 application process on June 21, 2011, hundreds of IT managers rushed to register themselves for the awards. IT NEXT magazine anticipates that it will receive more than one thousand applications before the NEXT100 process deadline.

All NEXT100 award applicants get the opportunity to attend technology workshops, webinars and thought-provoking sessions with experts from the industry. Regular updates on the Next100 process are shared with the 60,000+ community of IT managers, through regular e-newsletters and the monthly issue of ITNext magazine.

For more details on NEXT100, please visit www.itnext.in/next100.

About NEXT100

NEXT100 is a pioneering awards programme instituted by IT NEXT magazine that identifies 100 senior IT managers who have the skills, talent and spirit to become CIOs. Award aspirants participate in an extensive series of activities that tests their techno-commercial, management and leadership skills. The final selection of NEXT100 award recipients is made by a prestigious committee of CIOs and technology leaders who judge applicants on career accomplishments, professional expertise, and leadership potential. The NEXT100 selection process commences in June 2011, and will culminate in a gala awards ceremony in November 2011.

About 9.9 Media

9.9 Media is one of India's most diversified media companies and integrates its print, online, research and event platforms to serve highly-targeted communities such as CIOs, CTOs, CISOs, CFOs, Manufacturing & Logistics professionals, IT professionals, Entrepreneurs, Personal technology enthusiasts and leaders of higher education institutes. Some of its leading brands include The CTO Forum, Digit, Industry 2.0, Logistics 2.0, Digit Channel Connect, CFO India, EDU, iGovernment.in, thinkdigit.com, consumermate.com, Inc India and IT NEXT. The company also runs the 9.9 School of Convergence, which is focused on developing talent in journalism. For more information on 9.9 Media, please visit www.9dot9.in.


CONTACT DETAILS
Siddhant Raizada, 9.9 Mediaworx Pvt. Ltd., +91 9873555231

KEYWORDS
CONSUMER, MARKETING, BUSINESS SERVICES, IT, MEDIA, TECHNOLOGY

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BWI: EnglishEdge inks India’s first Portable Language Lab deal

Press release from Business Wire India
Source: English Edge
Thursday, June 30, 2011 12:35 PM IST (07:05 AM GMT)
Editors: General: Consumer interest; Business: Advertising, PR & marketing, Business services, Education & training, Information technology; Technology
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EnglishEdge inks India's first Portable Language Lab deal


New Delhi, Delhi, India, Thursday, June 30, 2011 -- (Business Wire India) -- EnglishEdge, premium English learning software has signed India's first Portable Language Lab deal. Meenakshi World School, Gurgaon becomes the first customer of EnglishEdge Portable Language Lab. The school bought 11 student- trainer tablets on a trolley. The tablets are pre-bundled with curriculum based EnglishEdge software.

The EnglishEdge Portable Language lab leverages technology to make learning interactive, interesting and engaging. It is an innovative model that provides multiple tablets ranging from 21 - 30 on a single trolley. The trolley comes equipped with a centralized charging unit and provides a wireless environment for the tablets. The wireless connectivity provides strong real time student-teacher interaction. Internet access opens up new channels & provides access to variety of relevant online content. This content can then be used to create engaging discussion scenarios.

Speaking about the deal, Vivek Agarwal, CEO, EnglishEdge said, "Our aim has always been to use technology to create scalable solutions that can help take English learning to the masses. Our portable language labs are a step ahead in that direction. Being portable, they reduce over dependence on infrastructure as well as on trainers, thereby increasing the reach as well as acceptance of this model. By developing India's first Portable Language Lab EnglishEdge has set the benchmark for others to follow. The first signed deal will encourage other schools & colleges to join the elite list of technology savvy institutes"

The rich, multi-media feel of EnglishEdge content makes learning exciting for students. Students feel more involved and find it easier to pick up the nuances of the language. Situational learning, video based activities and features like record-compare create an experiential learning environment. One of the key advantages of the tablet model is that students get almost 10 times more speaking time, which in turn, helps them enhance their conversational skills.

About English Edge:

EnglishEdge is a unique English learning programme that brings together innovative English content and technology to offer variety of courses, based on proficiency levels of various learners. EnglishEdge has a tie - up with BBC Active & University of Cambridge. The EnglishEdge content adheres to international standards but has been indigenously developed with neutral Indian accents and Indian scenarios, making it relevant and relatable for the Indian audience. Subject matter experts, content developers and graphic designers have worked in tandem to create over 400 hours of premium English learning content. Cutting-edge technology and rich multimedia experience make EnglishEdge the most comprehensive and the most effective English language training programme available in the market. EnglishEdge offers learning solutions for Schools, Vocational & Educational Institutions, Retail centres, Government & Corporate Customers. Programmes are also available for individual learners based on their proficiency levels.
EnglishEdge clients include Allahabad University, Haryana Agricultural University, CRPF Academy, IIHMR, Indian Military Academy, TechnoIndia, Spice, HCL, Career Launcher, Jetking, Frankfinn, ICA, IIJT, ICOFP, ICFe, NIFA India, VLCC, and many more.

EnglishEdge recognitions

EnglishEdge was nominated for the Innovation Awards' 2005 and was also recognized by NASSCOM, for making innovative use of Information Technology for teaching English.


CONTACT DETAILS
Tanya Singh, 20:20 MSL, +91 9910095036, tanya.singh@2020msl.com

KEYWORDS
CONSUMER, MARKETING, BUSINESS SERVICES, EDUCATION, IT, TECHNOLOGY

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BWI: Wipro builds Private Cloud for OnStream

Press release from Business Wire India
Source: WIPRO
Thursday, June 30, 2011 11:50 AM IST (06:20 AM GMT)
Editors: General: Consumer interest; Business: Advertising, PR & marketing, Business services, Information technology; Technology
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Wipro builds Private Cloud for OnStream


Bangalore, Karnataka, India, Thursday, June 30, 2011 -- (Business Wire India) -- Wipro Technologies, the Global Information Technology, Consulting and Outsourcing business of Wipro Limited (NYSE: WIT) has successfully built a private cloud for OnStream Utility Metering Services Limited. OnStream provides gas and electricity metering solutions in United Kingdom. OnStream is part of National Grid Group, which is one of the largest energy delivery businesses in the world and the largest investor-owned utility in United Kingdom. Wipro which has a matured set of cloud offerings initiated the private cloud project for OnStream in October 2010.

"With the commencement of a smart metering roll out in the UK and the need for a flexible dual fuel smart metering offering, OnStream embarked on a transformational programme through 2010 and into 2011, designed to improve service quality, improve business efficiencies and deliver a step-change in customer experience which would be at par or better than offered by home-visit operations in other sectors." said Declan McLaughlin, Head of Transformation at OnStream.

As a part of this programme, OnStream replaced its existing legacy IT infrastructure with a new service driven model using a private cloud approach. This approach aligned the IT architecture to be more flexible in functionality and configuration while at the same lowering operational cost and improving responsiveness.

"OnStream envisages that the Private Cloud based framework will drive consistency across IT environments so that OnStream can build on existing investments and skill sets. The private cloud based approach provided by Wipro will enable OnStream to tap and address opportunities in a market friendly manner and at a greatly altered cost structure", added Declan McLaughlin.

Neeraj Jaitley, Vice President & Business Head - Cloud Services at Wipro Technologies,
goes on to add that "Our engagement with OnStream covers design, build and implementation of a private cloud environment using Microsoft's Private Cloud solution. This approach provided OnStream with an ability to harness the best-of-breed technologies across the various layers in a private cloud stack. OnStream will benefit hugely through this program and such an engagement is a reflection of Wipro's ability to add value to our clients' business through new technology paradigms such as cloud computing".

This project will help OnStream seamlessly manage heterogeneous environments, standardize and automate data center processes to continue to optimize business efficiencies. The solution will also provide timely insights into key business applications that will help in delivering a new level of customer service management. This will lead to a common identity management platform that can seamlessly federate to public cloud in line with the business demands in future.

Wipro's Infrastructure cloud offerings include an in-depth analysis of workloads through Cloud Inventory Analysis Tool, design and build of private cloud use cases like Development/Test as a service; Disaster Recovery and Backup as a service; Virtual & Hosted Desktop as a service including its recently launched WDaaS offering and Identity and access management on the cloud. Wipro is an aggressive player in fast growing collaboration market through its Collaboration as a Service offering. Other cloud services include on-boarding of workloads to public cloud environments and integration between public-private environments to provide a hybrid cloud setup. Recently Wipro had launched Dynamically Adaptive Infrastructure (DAIT), a public cloud model for its clients. Wipro leverages its Global Command Center (GCC) to provide a unified monitoring and management platform for private, public and hybrid cloud environments. Wipro has also offerings in other layers of cloud including Business Process as a Service (e.g. loan origination as a service), Software as a Service (e.g. Bank in a Box with leading software vendors, implementation partner to leading SaaS vendors) and Platform as a Service (e.g. Development & Deployment partner to leading cloud platforms).

About Wipro Technologies

Wipro Technologies, the global IT business of Wipro Limited (NYSE:WIT) is a leading Information Technology, Consulting and Outsourcing company, that delivers solutions to enable its clients do business better. Wipro Technologies delivers winning business outcomes through its deep industry experience and a 360 degree view of "Business through Technology" - helping clients create successful and adaptive businesses. A company recognized globally for its comprehensive portfolio of services, a practitioner's approach to delivering innovation and an organization wide commitment to sustainability, Wipro Technologies has 120,000 employees and clients across 54 countries. For more information, please visit www.wipro.com

Forward-looking and Cautionary Statements

Certain statements in this release concerning our future growth prospects are forward-looking statements, which involve a number of risks, and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements. The risks and uncertainties relating to these statements include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties regarding fluctuations in our earnings, revenue and profits, our ability to generate and manage growth, intense competition in IT services, our ability to maintain our cost advantage, wage increases in India, our ability to attract and retain highly skilled professionals, time and cost overruns on fixed-price, fixed-time frame contracts, client concentration, restrictions on immigration, our ability to manage our international operations, reduced demand for technology in our key focus areas, disruptions in telecommunication networks, our ability to successfully complete and integrate potential acquisitions, liability for damages on our service contracts, the success of the companies in which we make strategic investments, withdrawal of fiscal governmental incentives, political instability, war, legal restrictions on raising capital or acquiring companies outside India, unauthorized use of our intellectual property, and general economic conditions affecting our business and industry. Additional risks that could affect our future operating results are more fully described in our filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. These filings are available at www.sec.gov. We may, from time to time, make additional written and oral forward-looking statements, including statements contained in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and our reports to shareholders. We do not undertake to update any forward-looking statement that may be made from time to time by us or on our behalf.


CONTACT DETAILS
Dirk Lewis, India, Wipro Technologies, +91 7760983976, dirk.lewis@wipro.com
Kathleen Ulrich, US, Wipro Technologies, +1 (732) 509-1337, kathleen.ulrich@wipro.com
Rahul Kadavakolu, UK, Wipro Technologies, +44 7920205496, rahul.kadavakolu@wipro.com

KEYWORDS
CONSUMER, MARKETING, BUSINESS SERVICES, IT, TECHNOLOGY

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BWI: Rapaport Melee Auction Sells 43,800 carats for $6.4 million 100% of lots sold. Average Prices up 45% year to year. Rapaport Introduces Price Index for Small Melee Diamonds

Press release from Business Wire India
Source: Rapaport Group
Thursday, June 30, 2011 11:00 AM IST (05:30 AM GMT)
Editors: General: Consumer interest, Economy, People; Business: Advertising, PR & marketing, Banking & financial services, Business services, Commodities & materials, Mining companies, Retailers; Technology
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Rapaport Melee Auction Sells 43,800 carats for $6.4 million 100% of lots sold. Average Prices up 45% year to year. Rapaport Introduces Price Index for Small Melee Diamonds


New York, United States, Thursday, June 30, 2011 -- (Business Wire India) -- The Rapaport Group's latest June melee auction brought record melee prices for commercial quality small diamonds. Average prices were up 45%, year on year while medium to low quality imperfect goods increased by 70%.

The new Rapaport Melee Index (RMI) tracks average auction transaction prices for commercial quality melee. The June 2011 RMI stands at 145 up 8.2% from the March RMI of 142, and 45.5% above the June 2010 RMI of 106. Additional information about the RMI can be requested by emailing: rmi@rapaport.com.

"Rapaport Auctions provide a unique opportunity for retailers and their consumer clients to obtain fair market value for their recycled diamonds. Rapaport Auctions and Buy Now programs attract hundreds of the best international buyers and are held internationally in New York, Hong Kong, Mumbai, Surat and Ramat Gan. Our auction tender system creates an open, transparent, and competitive market that ensures buyers receive honest prices for all qualities of diamonds." said Martin Rapaport, Chairman of the Rapaport Group.

Members of the trade who wish to sell or buy diamonds at Rapaport Auctions are encouraged to email: auctions@rapaport.com. Additional information is available at www.rapaport.com/auctions .

The upcoming schedule for Rapaport Auctions is as follows: July 4-12, Mumbai; August 15-25, New York & Belgium; August 29-Sept.1, New York; September 6-13, New York & Israel and September 12-16, Hong Kong.

To participate in Rapaport Auctions, companies are invited to visit: www.rapaport.com/auctions and contact Auction Support via email: auctions@rapaport.com or by calling their local Rapaport office.

The Rapaport Group operates in compliance with the U.S. Patriot Act and OFAC regulations and does not trade in diamonds from Marange, Zimbabwe.

About Rapaport Auctions:

Rapaport Auctions create a cash market for diamonds. The large quantity and wide variety of diamonds offered attract competitive bids from a broad range of local and international buyers. Rapaport Auctions address the needs of the international diamond community for enhanced liquidity while presenting unprecedented buying opportunities to buyers.

About the Rapaport Group:

The Rapaport Group is an international network of companies providing added value services that support the development of free, fair and competitive global diamond markets. Established in 1978, the Rapaport Diamond Report is the primary source of diamond prices and market information. Group activities include publishing, research and marketing services, internet information and diamond trading networks, global rough and polished diamond tenders, diamond certification, quality- control, compliance, shipping, and financial services. Major activities of the group include the development of markets for Fair Trade Diamonds and Jewelry as well as the creation of diamond futures markets. Additional information is available at www.Rapaport.com .

This email was sent to by The Rapaport Group, 133 E Warm Springs Road, Las Vegas, Nevada, 89119. To unsubscribe, please email unsubscribe-pressrelease@diamonds.net.

Rapaport Media Contacts:

Mumbai: Mittal Kalsy, +1-91-99-2093-0080
U.S.: Michelle Ickowics, +1-917-833-8796
International: Alissa Goren, +1-718-473-0882




KEYWORDS
CONSUMER, ECONOMY, PEOPLE, MARKETING, BANKING, BUSINESS SERVICES, COMMODITIES, MINING, RETAIL, TECHNOLOGY

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BWI: Leadstart Publishing and Oxford Bookstore Host the Launch of ‘Arindam and the Kalyug Debacle Premonition’ by Rohit Prakash

Press release from Business Wire India
Source: Leadstart Publishing
Thursday, June 30, 2011 10:00 AM IST (04:30 AM GMT)
Editors: General: Consumer interest, People; Business: Advertising, PR & marketing, Business services, Media & entertainment, Publishing & printing, Retailers; Technology
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Leadstart Publishing and Oxford Bookstore Host the Launch of 'Arindam and the Kalyug Debacle Premonition' by Rohit Prakash


Bangalore, Karnataka, India, Thursday, June 30, 2011 -- (Business Wire India) -- Leadstart Publishing and Oxford Book store, hosted the formal launch of the fantasy fiction "ARINDAM AND THE KALYUG DEBACLE PREMONITION" on 24th June 2011 at Oxford Book Store, Galleria, Leela Palace Hotel , Bangalore. The event took place in the presence of a fully packed house buzzing with Rohit's friends and family, media personnel, some of the prominent citizens of Bangalore and a distinguished panel of dignitaries.

The author made an excellent, thought provoking presentation covering the theme of the mystical fantasy and worthy message contained in his book for the youth of today which was acknowledged with rounds of applause repeatedly.

The eminent film directors & producers on the dais emphatically mentioned that a film based on the book could become an Indian answer to the much sort after 'Harry Potter' and 'Avatar'. The panelists applauded the book and the author, who had created such a creative piece of work at a young age. The author thanked his Book Publishers , Leadstart Publishing who gave him his first literary break. Amongst the elite crowd the distinguished panelists were, Mr. Basant Kumar Patil, Mr. B.Suresha, Prof. K.E. Radhakrishna, Ms. Mishta Roy (Exec. Dir Leadstart) and Dr C N Ashwath Narayan .

For more information, please visit www.leadstartcorp.com

To view the photograph, please click on the link given below:

Leadstart-Oxford- Arindam-Bangalore launch
For picture(s)/data to illustrate this release click below:

http://www.BusinessWireIndia.com/attachments/Pic_1(457).jpg
Pic_1(457).jpg


CONTACT DETAILS
Mr. Iftikar Shaikh, Head, Media Relations, Leadstart Publishing, +91-22-40700804 /+91-22-2404 6887, media@leadstartcorp.com

KEYWORDS
CONSUMER, PEOPLE, MARKETING, BUSINESS SERVICES, MEDIA, PUBLISHING, RETAIL, TECHNOLOGY

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Wednesday, June 29, 2011

BWI: Top Eight Colleges from Mumbai Regional Competition, qualify for SIFE India National Competition 2011

Press release from Business Wire India
Source: Students in Free Enterprise India (SIFE India)
Wednesday, June 29, 2011 07:26 PM IST (01:56 PM GMT)
Editors: General: Consumer interest, WNS; Business: Advertising, PR & marketing, Business services, Education & training, Telecommunications; Technology
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Top Eight Colleges from Mumbai Regional Competition, qualify for SIFE India National Competition 2011


Mumbai, Maharashtra, India, Wednesday, June 29, 2011 -- (Business Wire India) -- Students in Free Enterprise India (SIFE India), a part of SIFE International, a non-profit organisation operating in 39 countries globally, today announced the names of top eight qualifying colleges from SIFE India Mumbai Regional Competition, held at Hotel Intercontinental, The Lalit, Mumbai. The eight colleges, namely, Army Institute of Management - Kolkata, D.Y. Patil University - Dept. of Business Management- Mumbai, GITAM Institute of Management- Vishakhapattanam, H.R. College of Commerce and Economics- Mumbai, M.M.K. College of Commerce and Economics- Mumbai, National Institute of Industrial Engineering (NITIE)- Mumbai, Symbiosis Institute of Operations Management (SIOM)- Nashik and Welingkar Institute of Management Development and Research- Mumbai, were selected by the eminent jury panel comprising of industry leaders from distinguished organizations including- WNS Global Services, KPMG, PWC and HSBC.

"SIFE India offers these college students an opportunity to apply their academic knowledge to solve real problems in communities around them by creating economically sustainable business models. In the process, they learn to compete in a global environment, understand business ethics, develop leadership qualities and communication skills," said Keshav R. Murugesh, Chairman, SIFE India and Group CEO, WNS Global Services. "All the competing teams have displayed a great sense of responsibility towards communities around them, through their projects. We are proud to say that our students are making a difference to the society, by applying classroom learning in the real world," he added.

The top eight qualifying colleges of the SIFE India Mumbai Regional Competition will compete with other regional finalists, at the SIFE India National Competition to be held at Hotel Intercontinental, The Lalit, in Mumbai on July 1, 2011, where noted Banker and Chairman of HDFC Ltd, Deepak Parekh will be present at the event as the Chief Guest. The selected National Champion of SIFE India team will participate in the SIFE World Cup to be held in October, 2011, in Malaysia, where, 39 countries will compete at the SIFE World Cup for the SIFE global title.

About SIFE

SIFE is an international non-profit organization that works with leaders in business and higher education to mobilize university students to make a difference in their communities while developing the skills to become socially responsible business leaders. Participating students form teams on their university campuses and apply business concepts to develop outreach projects that improve the quality of life and standard of living for people in need. An annual series of regional and national competitions provides a forum for teams to present the results of their projects, and to be evaluated by business leaders serving as judges. National champion teams advance to the prestigious SIFE World Cup. In addition to the community aspect of the program, SIFE's leadership and career initiatives create meaningful opportunities for learning and exchange among the participants as well as the placement of students and alumni with companies in search of emerging talent.

About SIFE India

Launched in 2003, SIFE India has expanded to nearly 50 universities in more than 12 cities and has touched the lives of thousands of people, across the country. SIFE India has established itself as one of the premier student-based organizations in India supporting free enterprise and entrepreneurship. SIFE projects are guided by distinguished faculty advisors who help students apply their classroom experiences to develop and implement real-world educational outreach programmes.

For more information visit http://www.sifeindia.org

To view the photographs and Top 8 qualifying colleges list, please click on the links given below:

SIFE

Keshav Murugesh, Group CEO, WNS Global Services and Chairman, SIFE India

Top 8 qualifying colleges
For picture(s)/data to illustrate this release click below:

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CONTACT DETAILS
Sumi Gupta, Global Head - Public Relations & CSR, WNS Global Services, sumi.gupta@wns.com
Subir Nandi, K2 Communications Pvt Ltd, +91 9867260262, subir.nandi@k2communications.in

KEYWORDS
CONSUMER, WNS, MARKETING, BUSINESS SERVICES, EDUCATION, TELECOMMUNICATIONS, TECHNOLOGY

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BWI: iXiGO.com Launches “Fly & Win” in Association with Delhi Duty Free

Press release from Business Wire India
Source: iXiGO
Wednesday, June 29, 2011 02:32 PM IST (09:02 AM GMT)
Editors: General: Consumer interest, Travel & tourism; Business: Advertising, PR & marketing, Business services, Information technology, Travel & tourism; Technology
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iXiGO.com Launches "Fly & Win" in Association with Delhi Duty Free
Special discounts at Delhi Duty Free shops for international flyers using iXiGO.com

New Delhi, Delhi, India, Wednesday, June 29, 2011 -- (Business Wire India) -- iXiGO.com, India's leading travel search engine, has announced "Fly & Win", a special promotion in association with Delhi Duty Free Services Pvt. Ltd (DDFS), India's largest duty-free retail space at T3 at IGI Airport in New Delhi, more details about which are available at http://www.ixigo.com/delhidutyfreepromo.

The "Fly & Win" promotion entitles international travelers who book their international air tickets using iXiGO.com to avail special shopping / discount vouchers for upto 10% discount on their shopping at Delhi Duty Free. The offer is valid for all international bookings done between 24th June, 2011 and 24th July, 2011.

International travelers flying from/to New Delhi who search on iXiGO.com and redirect to a booking site for completing their transaction will see a small form, where they would need to fill their name, email address and phone number in order to participate in this promotion. The discount coupons from Delhi Duty Free will be mailed directly to these travelers, and they would be able to use them for availing discounts on their purchases at the duty-free retail shops at T3.

Nitin Gurha, VP, Travel Partnerships said, "This is a one of its kind offer. Not only do iXiGOers get the lowest international airfares compared across all travel portals, now they also get this additional discount voucher for the official Delhi Duty Free shops. If you are traveling from/to T3 for an international trip in the next few days, you shouldn't miss availing our "Fly & Win" promo!"

iXiGO.com powers the online flights & hotels search engine on New Delhi Airport (http://www.newdelhiairport.in) and Hyderabad Airport (http://www.hyderabad.aero). The website has grown to over a million monthly visits on the back of strong product-led word-of-mouth marketing, and has also become a case-study at INSEAD. Earlier this year, iXiGO.com had also launched a global multilingual iPhone app for global travelers.

About iXiGO.com:

iXiGO.com is South Asia's leading online & mobile travel search engine based out of Gurgaon, India. iXiGO.com searches across multiple airlines, hotels, trains, bus booking sites & online travel portals to find the best travel deals. Launched in June 2007 by IIT, INSEAD and Amadeus alumni Aloke Bajpai, Rajnish Kumar and Dharmendra Yashovardhan, iXiGO.com has been recognized by NASSCOM as India's Top-10 Emerging company / Top-100 Innovator, and won the TiE-Lumis Entrepreneurial Excellence Awards, 2010.

iXiGO.com (Le Travenues Technology Pvt Ltd) is backed by BAF Spectrum, a Singapore-based seed-investment fund. For more information about iXiGO.com, visit www.ixigo.com or m.ixigo.com (mobile). Keep up with iXiGO.com updates on Facebook (100K+ fans) www.facebook.com/ixigocom and Twitter @ixigorocks.


CONTACT DETAILS
Dharmendra Yashovardhan, iXiGO, +91 (124) 4045281, dharmendra@ixigo.com
Travel Partners, iXiGO, partners@ixigo.com
Affiliations, affiliate@ixigo.com
Advertisers, advertise@ixigo.com

KEYWORDS
CONSUMER, TOURISM, MARKETING, BUSINESS SERVICES, IT, TRAVEL, TECHNOLOGY

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BWI: GROHE design team named “red dot: design team of the year”

Press release from Business Wire India
Source: Grohe India Pvt. Ltd. (GIPL)
Wednesday, June 29, 2011 02:00 PM IST (08:30 AM GMT)
Editors: General: Consumer interest, Lifestyle; Business: Advertising, PR & marketing, Business services, Household & personal care products & services, Media & entertainment; Technology
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GROHE design team named "red dot: design team of the year"
Sr VP, Design Paul Flowers and his team win most prestigious reddot accolade

New Delhi, Delhi, India, Wednesday, June 29, 2011 -- (Business Wire India) -- This year, the GROHE design team headed by Paul Flowers has been named "reddot: design team of the year 2011", thereby joining an elite circle of such renowned award winners as Bose, BMW, adidas, Apple, Sony and Audi. The "reddot: design team of the year" title is a unique accolade and one of the most coveted awards in the global design community. Designers and companies cannot submit entries for this award but have to attract the jurors' attention through consistently excellent product design.

"In times of ongoing globalisation, companies find themselves in phases where they are challenged by external conditions to prove their worth," explains Prof. Dr. Peter Zec, the initiator and CEO of the red dot design award. "Then there are phases when companies prove their worth by coming up with innovative solutions which nobody - not even industry insiders - expected. In its eventful company history, GROHE has experienced both types of phases, but the company's design efforts in the past five years have put it in a completely new position of strength vis-à-vis its competitors. Design is a value driver and a top management issue at GROHE."

Strength in design is conducive to brand strength

Apart from quality, technology and sustainability, design is a fundamental pillar of product philosophy at GROHE, Europe's largest manufacturer of sanitary fittings and a global leader in this industry. Mr. Mathew Job, Vice President & Managing Director, GROHE India, quoted: "Recent years, in particular, have seen our company build on its design excellence, leading to a sustained increase in the value of the GROHE brand." GROHE today offers consumers a collection of highly aesthetic products, pioneering innovations which continue to point the way forward for the bathroom and sanitary industry.

The "reddot institute for advanced design studies" has closely followed the progress achieved by the company in its evolution from a mere technology leader to a design leader. This success is measured in the numerous international design awards garnered by GROHE. The most notable successes include a series of four "red dot: best of the best" awards, the latest of which has been bestowed on the company for its Digital Collection in 2011. Paul Flowers, Senior Vice President Design at Grohe AG, will receive the award on behalf of the Grohe design team along with the "Radius" trophy on the occasion of the red dot gala in Essen on July 4th.

Paul Flowers, Senior Vice President Design at Grohe AG said: "My team and I believe that being named 'reddot: design team of the year' is the design industry's equivalent of winning an Oscar. Winning this award means that we have successfully implemented our new company vision. We set out to create experiences which go beyond the product as such. Quality, technology and sustainability are fundamental pillars, which are genuinely acknowledged by consumers. However, our ambition was to take this relationship to a higher level by converting their acknowledgement into a feeling of love for our products. Through our designs we have been able to achieve this."

From the Design Studio to the Boardroom

The in-house GROHE Design Studio is part of the company's Corporate Center in Düsseldorf and reports directly to David J. Haines, the CEO of Grohe AG. This position in the corporate hierarchy affords the creative team considerable freedom to innovate and experiment with new ideas. Apart from designing products to be marketed globally, the 17 team members also draw on their diverse cultural backgrounds when creating designs targeting specific geographic markets. Wherever a product is marketed around the globe, it will always project the distinctive GROHE identity, given that all products are based on the elements of the GROHE Signature Elements - the lozenge, the ring and the 7-degree angle. As a result, the products, the packaging and even the look and feel of the website unmistakeably say: GROHE.

About Grohe AG

Grohe AG is headquartered in Düsseldorf, Germany and is world's largest manufacturer of single brand sanitary fittings. It employs close to 5100 employees worldwide, out of which 2600 are based in Germany. Grohe has six production plants of which three are located outside Germany, namely in Portugal, Thailand and Canada.

About Grohe India Pvt. Ltd. (GIPL)

Grohe India Pvt. Ltd. (GIPL) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Grohe, Germany and has completed five years of direct operations in India. In this time has acquired a significant position in the Indian market as one of the largest selling foreign brands. Grohe recently launched its first Indian 'Grohe Technology Centre' in Bangalore in November 2009. This centre is a great opportunity for people to come and experience the world of Grohe. Besides featuring the entire range of Grohe products, the Technology Centre also showcases the Grohe elements of Quality, Technology and Design.

To view the photographs, please click on the links given below:

Design Team

Starting from Left_Prof. Dr. Peter Zec, the initiator and CEO of the red dot design award, Paul Flowers, Senior Vice President Design at Grohe AG and CEO David J. Haines at Grohe AG
For picture(s)/data to illustrate this release click below:

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CONTACT DETAILS
Kapila Sethi, Grohe India Pvt. Ltd. (GIPL), Kapila.Sethi@grohe.com
Tanya Singh, 20:20 MEDIA, +91 9910085036, Tanya.singh@2020msl.com
Tanya.singh@2020msl.com, 20:20 MEDIA, +91 8800672858, madhu.taneja@2020msl.com

KEYWORDS
CONSUMER, LIFESTYLE, MARKETING, BUSINESS SERVICES, HOUSEHOLD, MEDIA, TECHNOLOGY

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BWI: CEOs Target Employee Performance to Achieve Bullish Growth in 2011: report by Hay Group

Press release from Business Wire India
Source: Hay Group
Wednesday, June 29, 2011 01:30 PM IST (08:00 AM GMT)
Editors: General: Consumer interest; Business: Accounting & management consultancy services, Business services, Information technology; Technology
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CEOs Target Employee Performance to Achieve Bullish Growth in 2011: report by Hay Group


New Delhi, Delhi, India, Wednesday, June 29, 2011 -- (Business Wire India) -- -- CEOs' growth targets outstrip economic forecasts
-- Firms will therefore demand 7.3 per cent more productivity from workers
-- Business leaders to ask more from stretched workforces

CEOs have set bullish growth targets for 2011, and are demanding significant increases in workforce productivity to meet them, according to new research from global management consultancy Hay Group.

According to the study, global firms are targeting 5 per cent growth for 2011, targets which outstrip local economic forecasts in most cases (see table below).

In India, firms are more ambitious: targeting double digit growth on average, which is outstripping the IMF's economic growth forecast of 8.2 per cent.

Business leaders admit this is a significant challenge, which will demand an unprecedented uplift in productivity from already stretched workforces.

The Hay Group report about Strategic performance management is based on research among 1660 senior decision-makers in large firms across more than 30 countries worldwide. In India, 100 large local and foreign companies (private sector only) took part in this qualitative study.

Mitali Bose, BEO Practice Leader, Hay Group India comments: "CEOs have set challenging targets, and are demanding more from their workforces to deliver them - and this needs to be delivered in more complex, dynamic and competitive environment. Given that over 76% of Business Leaders in India feel that Individual Performance Management is a key driver to achieving business results - "A fresh approach to managing performance is needed if leaders are to harness the collective power of their employees and deliver the performance uplift promised to shareholders."

The performance challenge

In India, over half of the business leaders surveyed (57 per cent) ¬- admit that their growth targets present a significant challenge. In comparison, their global peers are even less confident - nearly two in three admit that their growth targets are challenging.

Despite M&A activity showing signs of reviving, firms cannot rely solely on acquisitions to achieve growth. Businesses need a step-change in workforce productivity if they are to grow organically.

Business leaders in India claim they need to increase productivity by some 6 per cent on average, with the majority (63 per cent) intending to ask even more from their workforces. In this respect, Indian leaders are more achievement-oriented compared to their global peers, with 57 per cent intending to push their teams harder.

Meanwhile, about one in three (35 per cent) fear that their employees are already too stretched to deliver current business objectives.

Mitali Bose, BEO Practice Leader, Hay Group India comments: "This level of productivity improvement is a lot to ask, especially from employees who have worked hard to help their firms through the financial crisis and then motored their way through the sudden upswing. Business leaders used the efficiency and cost optimisation lever. Overleveraging this lever may lead to delivery fatigue. It's time for them refocus on growth by pulling the performance lever."

Spotlight on performance

Business leaders in India claim that improving individual performance is critical to achieving their growth targets. Nearly half (48 per cent) plan to implement more rigorous individual performance management this year.

A significant 3 out of 4 (76 per cent) business leaders agree that individual performance management is an important driver of overall business performance. Close to half (49 per cent) believe it makes a difference to the bottom line.

Mitali Bose, BEO Practice Leader, Hay Group India comments: "Performance management sits at the heart of business success. At a time when efficient execution and delivery is critical to achieving the challenging growth targets executives have set, business leaders must realise that performance management is their job."

Performance mismanagement

Yet firms in India are routinely getting performance management wrong, the study finds.

Linking individual performance to corporate strategy has long been recognized as a basic component of the performance equation. However, less than one-third of firms align their performance management approach to company strategy (31 per cent). Globally, one-quarter (27 per cent) of companies align their performance management with strategy.

The study highlights a further critical success factor for performance management. Nine tenths of leaders (91 per cent) in India stress that culture has an important influence on its effectiveness. Yet only a quarter (26 per cent) of firms tailor performance management to company culture and values.

Despite knowing the importance of connecting performance management to strategy and culture, only 13 per cent of business leaders actually do both.

Three in ten business leaders believe that managers in their firms fail to use their performance management process effectively (29 per cent) and that they do not actively support the process (44 per cent). Almost as many describe their process as a 'tick-box exercise' (37 per cent).

As a result, business leaders are unable to dedicate adequate time to managing poor performance: almost 26 per cent admit spending 10 per cent or less of their time doing so.

Mitali Bose, BEO Practice Leader, Hay Group India comments: "Business leaders have known for over 20 years that performance management must be aligned to company strategy to be effective. But that is not enough. Company culture plays a vital role in driving performance.

"Yet 91 per cent of firms in India are failing to align performance management with their strategy and culture and are thus not getting any ROI from their performance management systems.

"Without an approach that tailors performance management to their strategy, culture and values, firms will not be in the right shape to deliver the growth expected of them."
ends

For further information

For more information, an interview with Mitali Bose, BEO Practice Leader, Hay Group India or a copy of the forthcoming Strategic performance management report, please contact Nidhi Mehra Kapoor at nidhi.mehra@haygroup.com

The Strategic performance management report can be downloaded in September at: www.haygroup.com/spm

Notes to Editors

Please note: this study should be credited to 'global management consultancy, Hay Group', and not 'Hay' or 'Hays', which are separate and unrelated organisations.

Regional economic growth forecasts v. average company growth targets

About the Strategic performance management report

This is a report from Hay Group, based on independent opinion research among senior decision-makers in 1660 firms from over 30 countries across Western, Central and Eastern Europe, North and Latin America, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific. All respondents represent firms with in excess of ?250 million annual turnover. Research was carried out by independent market research agency Coleman Parkes.

About Hay Group

Hay Group is a global management consulting firm that works with leaders to transform strategy into reality. We develop talent, organize people to be more effective and motivate them to perform at their best. Our focus is on making change happen and helping people and organizations realize their potential.

We have over 2600 employees working in 85 offices in 49 countries. Our insight is supported by robust data from over 100 countries. Our clients are from the private, public and not-for-profit sectors, across every major industry. For more information please contact your local office through www.haygroup.com.
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CONTACT DETAILS
Nidhi Mehra Kapoor, Hay Group, nidhi.mehra@haygroup.com

KEYWORDS
CONSUMER, CONSULTANCY SERVICES, BUSINESS SERVICES, IT, TECHNOLOGY

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BWI: India's One97 invests in LeapSky Wireless of Singapore

Press release from Business Wire India
Source: One97 Communication Pvt. Ltd.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011 12:19 PM IST (06:49 AM GMT)
Editors: General: Consumer interest; Business: Banking & financial services, Business services, Financial Analyst, Information technology, Telecommunications; Technology
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India's One97 invests in LeapSky Wireless of Singapore


New Delhi, Delhi, India, Wednesday, June 29, 2011 -- (Business Wire India) -- LeapSky Wireless (LEAPSKY), a Singapore based organization which provides easy-to-use 3G/Wifi based mobile data services using patent pending 'Identity Management' Technology, has closed a significant round of funding with One97 Communications Limited, a leading provider of telecom applications and services in emerging markets.

This latest round of financing will enable LEAPSKY to continue their superb work on a challenge faced by customers and telecom operator equally. Exuberant data usage costs and bigger consumption on today's smart devices end up giving extremely high data bill for users and they stop using roaming data completely. Leapsky's initial product converts local 3G to WiFi for global roamer making it simple and cost effective to use roaming mobile broadband services. Such product can create a great affordable option for users and a potentially large revenue stream for telecom operators. For details, go to www.leapskywireless.com.

Talking about the investment, Vijay Shekhar Sharma, Chairman and Managing Director of One97 Communications Limited said "I am so happy that we are investing in a pre-revenue company working on a breakthrough product. Siva and his team have tremendous passion and focus solving a critical gap in mobile internet services for roaming users."

Siva Sai N, founder of LEAPSKY said "Investment from One97 is very strategic and the market timing is just right for such a product. Operator relationships and experience of One97 are very key to our product launch and global growth. We look at One97 more as a partner than just an investor."

About One97 Communications Limited

One97 is India's the widest and largest deployed telecom application cloud platform. Thriving on innovation, One97 delivers mobile content, advertising and commerce services to millions of mobile consumers. Headquartered in New Delhi, One97 is more than 1,000 people strong team and backed by marquee investors like Intel Capital, SAIF Partners and Silicon Valley Bank. For more information, go to www.one97.com

About LeapSky Wireless Pte Ltd

LEAPSKY deploys patent-pending 'identity management' technology for secure convergent Mobile Broadband access. They were incubated at Singapore Management University Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship and have started to commercialize their service with a Singapore government 'Spring TECS-POV' grant and seed stage funding. For more information on leapsky, go to www.leapskywireless.com.


CONTACT DETAILS
Hema Chockalingam, One97 Communication Pvt. Ltd., +91 9810780797, Hema.chockalingam@one97.net

KEYWORDS
CONSUMER, BANKING, BUSINESS SERVICES, Financial Analyst, IT, TELECOMMUNICATIONS, TECHNOLOGY

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BWI: ICON Aircraft Closes $25 Million Round of Investment Capital

Press release from Business Wire India
Source: ICON
Wednesday, June 29, 2011 11:45 AM IST (06:15 AM GMT)
Editors: General: Consumer interest; Business: Automotives, Banking & financial services, Business services, Financial Analyst, Heavy industries; Automotive
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ICON Aircraft Closes $25 Million Round of Investment Capital


Los Angeles, United States and Bangalore, Karnataka, India, Wednesday, June 29, 2011 -- (Business Wire India) -- ICON Aircraft announced that it closed a $25 million round of equity funding in June. The round will fund the company through the completion of its ongoing engineering development program, manufacturing setup, and the beginning of production of its A5 amphibious sport plane.

The financing was led by U.S. and U.K. venture investors Satyen Patel and Bart Becht, who have deep expertise in building consumer product companies. Other participating investors in the round included Eric Schmidt (chairman of Google), Phil Condit (former chairman/CEO of Boeing), and several top Silicon Valley venture capitalists. ICON will receive $15 million initially, with an option for an additional $10 million.

"We are honored to have the confidence, support, and enthusiasm of such great investors," said Kirk Hawkins, ICON Aircraft's CEO and founder. "That we were able to successfully raise funds in this time of economic uncertainty demonstrates ICON's unique and compelling market appeal. Not only does ICON have an extraordinary aircraft and an all-star team, but the consumer response to the A5 has been overwhelming, as confirmed by an order backlog of nearly 500 aircraft ($85 million)."

In conjunction with this financing, ICON is also proud to announce the addition of two new members to ICON's board of directors: Satyen Patel and Bart Becht. Patel, the former head of NIKE in Asia, brings an exceptional track record in building world-class consumer product brands. Becht is one of the U.K.'s top business leaders and is the CEO of the U.K. consumer products giant, Reckitt Benckiser.

Flight testing of the A5 is continuing at an aggressive pace and is focused on finalizing the company's newly designed spin-resistant wing, as well as refining directional stability. Flight testing is scheduled to conclude in the coming months. ICON continues to expand its engineering and manufacturing team to support the completion of the development program in 2011, as well as the transition to production in 2012. ICON has revised its production start date to the fourth quarter of 2012.

"The unprecedented disruptions in the capital markets during the past two years have challenged every aircraft company out there, and ICON is no exception. While these difficulties have delayed our production start, we're excited that those challenges are behind us now and that we're funded through production. There is a lot of work and some risk still ahead, but ICON continues its uncompromising commitment to safety and excellence. We remain laser focused on delivering our customers the coolest sport plane on the planet," said Hawkins.

For more information, visit www.iconaircraft.com.

ABOUT ICON AIRCRAFT:

ICON Aircraft is a consumer sport plane manufacturer founded by Kirk Hawkins and Steen Strand while at Stanford University shortly after the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) enacted regulation changes in 2004 that created the new sport flying category. Kirk is an engineer, former U.S. Air Force F-16 fighter pilot, and graduate of Stanford Business School. Steen, a former investment banker and Harvard graduate, holds a Masters in Engineering from Stanford in Product Design and is a serial entrepreneur. A privately funded company, ICON Aircraft's base of operations is in Southern California, which is a hotbed for automotive design and aerospace engineering.

ABOUT FAA LIGHT SPORT AIRCRAFT & SPORT PILOT CLASSIFICATIONS:

In 2004, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) created a new classification of easy-to-fly and affordable two-person planes called Light Sport Aircraft that enable a new classification of Sport Pilots to fly in uncontrolled airspace during the daytime and in good weather. The Sport Pilot License focuses on the fundamentals of flying and requires a minimum of 20 hours of in-flight training, which is half the time and cost of a traditional Private Pilot License. The Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) described the new rules as "the biggest change in aviation in 50 years."

To view the photograph, please click on the link given below:

Icon THE AIRCRAFT
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CONTACT DETAILS
ANITA DAWSON, +91 9341394633, anidawson@gmail.com

KEYWORDS
CONSUMER, AUTOMOTIVE, BANKING, BUSINESS SERVICES, Financial Analyst, HEAVY INDUSTRIES, AUTOMOTIVE

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BWI: pinkWhale Healthcare Launches Medical Second Opinion Services in Infertility and Women’s Health

Press release from Business Wire India
Source: pinkWhale Healthcare Services Pvt. Ltd.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011 11:00 AM IST (05:30 AM GMT)
Editors: General: Consumer interest; Business: Advertising, PR & marketing, Business services, Healthcare, biotechnology & pharmaceutical; Healthcare
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pinkWhale Healthcare Launches Medical Second Opinion Services in Infertility and Women's Health


Bangalore, Karnataka, India, Wednesday, June 29, 2011 -- (Business Wire India) -- pinkWhale Healthcare Services Pvt. Ltd. announced today the launch of Medical Second Opinion Services in Infertility and Women's Health. Using www.pinkwhalehealthcare.com, couples from anywhere in the world can take valuable medical second opinion from an eminent panel of super-specialist doctors and key opinion leaders in infertility, obstetrics, gynaecology, and women's health.

Infertility affects 10-15% of reproductive-aged couples worldwide. For many couples, infertility services are not widely available, there is little knowledge about the various options, and many treatments are simply expensive and unaffordable. Pregnancy and childbirth are emotional and unique life events that affect women in different ways. "Being knowledgeable, and fully informed is important to make the right decisions during such life changing events. Couples can now take medical opinion from renowned super-specialists without having to leaving their homes. " said Anita Shet, CEO of pinkWhale Healthcare.

pinkWhale Healthcare's Second Opinion expert panel in Infertility, Obstetrics, and Gynaecology has key opinion leaders: Dr. Kamini Rao, Dr. Vidya Desai, Dr. Jaya Bhat, Dr. Jyotsna Mirlay, and Dr. Varsha Patil. "This is probably the easiest way for patients to seek a second medical opinion, anytime they are confused about a diagnosis, or explore the possibility of alternate treatment options." said Dr. Vidya Desai, a leading Gynaecologist who is an expert in high-risk pregnancies. "Whether to just to confirm a condition that was previously diagnosed, or to get reassurance with a professional review of an initial determination, this online second opinion program will give a peace of mind that patients often seek."

Getting a second medical opinion is easy. Users can create a FREE account at www.pinkwhalehealthcare.com, select a super-specialist, and start a secure online medical second opinion consultation right away. Users can create their personal health record (PHR) for FREE, upload relevant test result reports, medical records, and securely share with specialists during online second opinion consultation. Now, pinkWhale is running a special promotional offer where users can join the program for a chance to win cool prizes!

About pinkWhale Healthcare Services Pvt. Ltd.

pinkWhale Healthcare Services is an e-Health company offering integrated online and telephone based personal healthcare services. Our goal is to give users quick, easy, and convenient access to the best health care from wherever they are, using a state-of-the-art technology platform. We are building the best network of health specialists who are providing health consultations by phone or online.


CONTACT DETAILS
Dr. Sai Subramaniam, pinkWhale Healthcare Services Pvt. Ltd., +91 9972398080, sai@pinkwhalehealthcare.com

KEYWORDS
CONSUMER, MARKETING, BUSINESS SERVICES, HEALTHCARE, HEALTHCARE

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BWI: First ever Machinery & Industrial Supplies(MIS) Fair, India to be jointly hosted by Global Sources & tradeindia.com

Press release from Business Wire India
Source: Tradeindia
Wednesday, June 29, 2011 10:30 PM IST (05:00 PM GMT)
Editors: General: Consumer interest; Business: Advertising, PR & marketing, Business services, Information technology, Retailers; Technology
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First ever Machinery & Industrial Supplies(MIS) Fair, India to be jointly hosted by Global Sources & tradeindia.com


New Delhi, Delhi, India, Wednesday, June 29, 2011 -- (Business Wire India) -- Global Sources (NASDAQ: GSOL), a trade show specialist, in association with tradeindia.com are scheduled to jointly host the Global Sources Machinery & Industrial Supplies Fair (MIS Fair) at the Bombay Exhibition Centre, Mumbai from November 23 to 25. The MIS Fair is scheduled to run concurrently with the very popular and established China Sourcing Fair which has been taking place in Mumbai for the last 3 years and has been a phenomenal success in striking a right cord between Chinese Suppliers and Indian Buyers. The China Sourcing Fairs in Mumbai are managed by Pico Event Management, under licence from Global Sources.

On the launch of bookings for the MIS Fair, the CEO of tradeindia.com, Bikky Khosla, said: "We have been organising several offline events, but with our partnership with Global Sources we are now taking a big step forward. The partnership marks our foray into the trade show business which has direct synergy with our current business.

"We are proud to partner with Global Sources, one of the world's largest trade show organizers. We are sure all trade shows which we conduct will work towards the growth of trade and will promote our customers who believe in tradeindia.com and connect with us to promote their business. For exhibiting companies, the MIS Fair will bring in business opportunities and work towards the growth of the machinery & industrial supplies sector."

To a question on why Tradeindia had chosen the MIS Fair 2011 to enter the business of organising trade shows, Mr Khosla said: "This event should create new domestic business opportunities for Indian suppliers, while supporting the growth of the local economy.

"Both of our companies are focused on connecting high-end buyers with quality suppliers. Our goal is to make this event the premier trade show platform for machinery and industrial product suppliers and buyers in India."

The President of Global Sources Exhibitions, Tommy Wong, on the occasion said: "India has earmarked US$1 trillion for infrastructure projects as part of a five-year plan starting in 2012. Additionally, as the country's manufacturing expands, demand for machinery is growing rapidly.

"The MIS Fair represents our entry into India's domestic market. We are pleased to be working with tradeindia.com, the country's largest online B2B marketplace and one of the country's B2B leaders, to jointly host this event. Our goal is to create opportunities for buyers to meet face-to-face with quality suppliers who can help them profit from this booming sector in one of the world's fastest growing economies."

The Global Sources Machinery & Industrial Supplies Fair is expected to have over 200 booths with pavilions for engineering goods & equipments, machinery, conveyor belts, gear boxes and gear cutting products, fasteners, nuts & bolts, pumps & pumping equipment, testing & measuring equipment and valves, etc.


CONTACT DETAILS
Vishal Grover, G.M. Marketing, Tradeindia, +91 9810597096, vishal@tradeindia.com

KEYWORDS
CONSUMER, MARKETING, BUSINESS SERVICES, IT, RETAIL, TECHNOLOGY

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BWI: DIGIT – India’s New English Monthlies Growth Leader

Press release from Business Wire India
Source: 9.9 Mediaworx Pvt. Ltd.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011 10:20 AM IST (04:50 AM GMT)
Editors: General: Consumer interest; Business: Advertising, PR & marketing, Business services, Information technology, Media & entertainment; Technology
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DIGIT - India's New English Monthlies Growth Leader


New Delhi, Delhi, India, Wednesday, June 29, 2011 -- (Business Wire India) -- DIGIT is India's best-read technology magazine, according to the Indian Readership Survey 2011 - Q1 published yesterday. The respected survey shows DIGIT achieved the fastest growth among top 10 English monthlies in India across all domains.

DIGIT's readership has increased 30% to 221,000 readers, taking it to 9th position among all monthly English magazines. Making the achievement more remarkable is the fact it's come at a time when eight of the top 10 English monthlies witnessed a decline in readership.

The survey showed DIGIT further increased its readership lead with its closest competitor in the tech-magazine space, PC Quest. PC Quest showed a readership of 83,000, a decline of 36% this year. Another tech-magazine, Chip, did not feature in the survey.

Pramath Raj Sinha, Managing Director of DIGIT publisher, 9.9 Media, said innovation had been the key driver of DIGIT's growth. "The smart mix of product reviews, game reviews, product comparisons, technology-buying advice, tech-news analysis and its generous dose of features on technology applications in everyday life, ensure 9.9 Media's DIGIT is growing exponentially in strength with each issue," he said.

The company's efforts on the online portal, thinkdigit.com, have also contributed significantly to growth on the print side. According to independent research and media-planning tools like Google Ad Planner and Alexa, thinkdigit.com saw 7.6 lakh visits in May, which lead to 17 lakh pageviews. Trailing thinkdigit.com on both parameters were Techtree.com, on 4.6 lakh visits and 12 lakh pageviews, and Tech2.in.com, on 2.9 lakh visits and 8.2 lakh pageviews. thinkdigit.com has also been the only tech-website in India to see consistent growth for the past few years.

The DIGIT community has an active following on popular social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter, where more than 1 lakh active members follow the latest tech-updates, advice and analysis from DIGIT's expert team of writers.

Having already assumed the leadership position in print, online and social networks, DIGIT is now looking to take its commanding tech-enthusiast support base to the next level by building on the modes of delivery of its already-rich content.

"With innovation being the constant driving force behind operations, 9.9 Media will soon release DIGIT apps for mobile phones and tablets, to help users access content with greater ease," Sinha said. "With leading media platforms of the ilk of DIGIT, we at 9.9 Media believe we can set the benchmark for technology media companies across the globe."


CONTACT DETAILS
Abhishek Anand, Product Manager, 9.9 Mediaworx Pvt. Ltd., +91 9582749714, abhishek.anand@9dot9.in

KEYWORDS
CONSUMER, MARKETING, BUSINESS SERVICES, IT, MEDIA, TECHNOLOGY

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BWI: SeaChanger Nemo Expands Professional Lighting Line

Press release from Business Wire India
Source: Ocean Thin Films
Wednesday, June 29, 2011 10:01 AM IST (04:31 AM GMT)
Editors: General: Consumer interest; Business: Advertising, PR & marketing, Business services, Chemicals; Technology; Healthcare
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SeaChanger Nemo Expands Professional Lighting Line


Mumbai, Maharashtra, India, Wednesday, June 29, 2011 -- (Business Wire India) -- The SeaChanger Nemo product line is designed with a LIFI® plasma light source, delivering energy-efficient, high intensity lighting for professional installations. The Nemo family includes a dichroic colour changing option that provides unlimited colour mixing with a 10,000 lumen output on only 320 watts of power. The 15,000 hour lamp life makes these particularly useful and low maintenance for hard to reach locations.

The Nemo CTE is the latest in the SeaChanger line of plasma lighting products. The Nemo CTE is attractive for a multitude of applications, including broadcast, due to its non-flicker stability and high Colour Rendering Index. The low UV/IR output significantly reduces heat loading and overall operating costs. The CTE includes a specially designed housing and reflector that turn your ETC Source Four® lens barrels into a LIFI® plasma lamp. The results are long-life and energy-efficiency for professional installations.

About SeaChanger

USA-based SeaChanger (www.seachangeronline.com), part of Ocean Thin Films, created a milestone in the evolution of theatrical lighting, the CYMxG colour changer for ETC Source Four Ellipsoidals. Through its patented processes the SeaChanger line of fixtures yields the most robust and highest transmission dichroics available. Colour, intensity and saturation of theatrical and studio lighting are controlled with unprecedented levels of precision and ease. This technology has been widely adopted and is now found in high-end installations around the globe including New York, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Seoul, Dubai and London. The company is a subsidiary of Halma p.l.c. and has two distributors in India.

About Halma

Halma p.l.c. (www.halma.com) is an international market leader in safety, health and sensor technology. A public company listed on the London Stock Exchange, it has 3,600 employees in 36 subsidiaries worldwide. Halma's subsidiaries make products that protect lives and improve the quality of life for people through innovation in market leading products which make its customers safer, more competitive and more profitable. These subsidiaries are assisting India's economy in areas such as manufacturing, energy, water and waste treatment, the environment, construction, transport and health.

Halma recently opened a Hub office in Mumbai. For further news about Halma in India and to subscribe to the Halma India RSS News Feed please visit our blog at: http://halmapr.com/news/india/.

Photo: http://halmapr.com/OTF/NemoPalm.jpg


CONTACT DETAILS
Ms Tania Samtani, StereoVision, +91 (44) 28550658, tania@stereovision.biz
Mr Anil Shah - Director, Hansa Cine Equipment, +91 (44) 42664608, anil@hansagroup.in
Bhushan Dhakras, Halma Trading and Services India Pvt. Ltd., +91 (22) 67080400/ +91 9930021866, bhushan.dhakras@oceanthinfilms.com
Santosh Sen, Halma India, +91 (22) 67080400/ +91 9820247680, santosh.sen@halma.com

KEYWORDS
CONSUMER, MARKETING, BUSINESS SERVICES, CHEMICALS, TECHNOLOGY, HEALTHCARE

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BWI: Bio-Chem Fluidics Educates Customers with New Applications Blog

Press release from Business Wire India
Source: Bio-Chem Fluidics
Wednesday, June 29, 2011 10:00 AM IST (04:30 AM GMT)
Editors: General: Consumer interest; Business: Advertising, PR & marketing, Business services, Chemicals; Technology; Healthcare
--------------------------------------------------
Bio-Chem Fluidics Educates Customers with New Applications Blog


Mumbai, Maharashtra, India, Wednesday, June 29, 2011 -- (Business Wire India) -- To increase knowledge and creativity among its customer base of design engineers, Bio-Chem Fluidics has launched its Technology and Applications Blog. Customers can visit the blog at http://blog.biochemfluidics.com.

The new blog features technical articles to deepen readers' understanding of its line of valves and micro-pumps. The blog will also include examples of prior application successes as well as practices to avoid, to aid engineers with their future designs and help them avoid problems before they start.

About Bio-Chem Fluidics

Bio-Chem Fluidics (www.biochemfluidics.com) is a world leading manufacturer of inert, miniature fluid handling components. Under its Bio-Chem Valve® and Omnifit® brands it offers complete fluid system solutions for a wide range of industries including analytical chemistry, clinical diagnostics and medical device manufacture, as well as a large labware portfolio for the scientific community. The company's design and prototyping expertise also enables it to offer simple modifications of standard products as well as completely customized designs. Bio-Chem Fluidics is a subsidiary of Halma p.l.c.

About Halma

Halma p.l.c. (www.halma.com) is an international market leader in safety, health and sensor technology. Halma is a public company listed on the London Stock Exchange and has 4000 employees in 40 subsidiaries worldwide. Halma's subsidiaries make products that protect lives and improve the quality of life for people through innovation in market leading products which make its customers safer, more competitive and more profitable. These subsidiaries are assisting India's thriving economy in areas such as laboratory instrumentation, health, industrial safety, energy, water treatment and the environment. Halma has a hub office in Mumbai.

For further news about Halma in India and to subscribe to the Halma India RSS News Feed please visit our blog at: http://halmapr.com/news/india/.

Photo: http://halmapr.com/bcf/BIO AppBlog EMAIL.jpg


CONTACT DETAILS
Santosh Sen, Halma India, +91 (22) 67080400/ +91 9820247680, santosh.sen@halma.com
Damian Corbet, Halma Public Relations, +44 (0) 20 8511 1821, dcorbet@halmapr.com

KEYWORDS
CONSUMER, MARKETING, BUSINESS SERVICES, CHEMICALS, TECHNOLOGY, HEALTHCARE

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Tuesday, June 28, 2011

BWI: Asia Society hosts first ever Conference on Indo-US Cultural Exchange

Press release from Business Wire India
Source: Asia Society
Tuesday, June 28, 2011 08:29 PM IST (02:59 PM GMT)
Editors: General: People; Business: Advertising, PR & marketing, Business services, Education & training
--------------------------------------------------
Asia Society hosts first ever Conference on Indo-US Cultural Exchange


New Delhi, Delhi, India, Tuesday, June 28, 2011 -- (Business Wire India) -- -- Eminent panelists conclude with a panel discussion on 'Arts in a Globalizing World: Collaboration or Competition' at IIC on June 27th
-- Featuring: Homi K. Bhabha (Harvard University), Joseph Melillo (Brooklyn Academy of Music, New York), Julián Zugazagoitia (Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City) and Rajeev Sethi (The Asian Heritage Foundation, New Delhi)

Asia Society hosted a Conference on Indo - US Cultural Exchange, at the India International Centre, New Delhi on June 27th. The conference, fully supported by a grant from the U.S. Department of State, was an initiative of Asia Society organized and led by Vishakha N. Desai, President of the Asia Society, New York; and Bunty Chand, Executive Director of the Asia Society India Centre, Mumbai and their team of working individuals in New York and Mumbai.

The conference convened twenty museum and performing arts professionals from India and the United States for a three-day meeting that commenced on June 25th, with the aim of developing collaborations, sharing vision and expertise, and strengthening the role of the arts in the relationship between these two countries.

"These two days have yielded not only with discussions around the very nature of cultural collaborations in the visual and performing art, but also very concrete suggestions about the way forward. As a group, we are excited about going beyond simple forms of exchanges to developing long term partnership to create joint project among arts institutions and artists of the US and India" said Vishakha N. Desai, President and CEO of Asia Society.

The conference culminated in a two-hour public programme with a panel discussion including eminent speakers, namely, Homi K. Bhabha (Harvard University), Kristy Edmunds (UCLA Live, Los Angeles), Julián Zugazagoitia (Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City) and Rajeev Sethi (The Asian Heritage Foundation, New Delhi). Vishakha N. Desai, President of the Asia Society, moderated the panel discussion. The speakers discussed the unprecedented opportunities and challenges that face innovators working together in transnational environments.

The panel discussion explored the role of culture in a globalized world, questioning how to bring about new models for arts collaboration in cross-cultural situations, moving away from the familiar tropes of import/export and nationalist show-and-tell.

Speaking on the occasion, Homi K. Bhabha (Harvard University) said, This important panel poses critical questions that challenge us to think afresh opportunities for collaboration in art and culture that have been opened up by the technologies and networks of globalization. To take duty of these opportunities we explore the potential for intercultural values to be institutionalized in order to generate empathy and equity amongst parties who feel that their creativity is enriched by making global affiliations and corrections".

Conference Participants

The conference participants offered their candid assessments, and shared experiences and insights laying fertile ground for new kinds of institutional partnership.

Confirmed conference participants and the institutions with which they are affiliated include: Bunty Chand (Asia Society India Centre, Mumbai), Rajeev Lochan (National Gallery of Modern Art, Delhi), Sabyasachi Mukherjee (Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya, Mumbai), Rajeev Sethi (The Asian Heritage Foundation, New Delhi), Ranvir Shah (The Park's New Festival, Chennai), Leela Samson (Sangeet Natak Akademi-National Academy of Music, Dance, and Drama, New Delhi) and Anmol Vellani (India Foundation for the Arts, Bangalore), from India; and from the United States, Homi K. Bhabha (Harvard University, Canbridge), Philip Bither (Walker Art Center, Minneapolis), Melissa Chiu (Asia Society, New York), Rachel Cooper (Asia Society, New York), Vishakha N. Desai (Asia Society, New York), Kristy Edmunds (UCLA Live, Los Angeles, and Park Avenue Armory, New York), Olga Garay (Department of Cultural Affairs, Los Angeles), Madhuvanti Ghose (The Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago), Joseph Melillo (Brooklyn Academy of Music, New York), and Julián Zugazagoitia (Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City); additional participants may be announced.

About the Asia Society, New York, and the Asia Society India Centre, Mumbai

Asia Society was founded in 1956 by John D. Rockefeller the 3rd. It is the leading global organization working to strengthen relationships and promote understanding among the people and institutions across Asia and the United States.

The India Centre is a part of Asia Society's global network of eleven offices. It is a not-for-profit, non-partisan institution inaugurated by Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh in 2006, and aims to be a key forum for catalyzing connections and exchange across and within Asia. It brings programming in the areas of Asian arts and culture, business, current affairs, education and policy to India.

To view the photograph, please click on the link given below:

Asia Society team
For picture(s)/data to illustrate this release click below:

http://www.BusinessWireIndia.com/attachments/Asia Society team.JPG
Asia Society team.JPG


CONTACT DETAILS
Lisa Marie De Souza, Sr. Manager PR & Events, REPUTE (Public Affairs & CSR Solutions), +91 (22) 26059019/ +91 9819044657, lisamarie.desouza@reputesolutions.com
Bahaar Chopra, REPUTE (Public Affairs & CSR Solutions), +91 (22) 26059019/+91 9619088099, bahaar.chopra@reputesolutions.com

KEYWORDS
PEOPLE, MARKETING, BUSINESS SERVICES, EDUCATION

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BWI: ASK Group raises Rs 520 crs Real Estate Fund

Press release from Business Wire India
Source: ASK Group
Tuesday, June 28, 2011 08:07 PM IST (02:37 PM GMT)
Editors: General: Consumer interest; Business: Banking & financial services, Business services, Construction, Real estate
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ASK Group raises Rs 520 crs Real Estate Fund


Mumbai, Maharashtra, India, Tuesday, June 28, 2011 -- (Business Wire India) -- ASK Group today announced the first closure of Rs. 520 crores of it's Rs. 1000 crore domestic real estate fund. ASK Property Investment Advisors had launched Rs 1000 crores domestic real estate fund with an initial close of Rs 500 crores and a green shoe option of Rs 500 crores. The company stated that the fund will continue to raise additional Rs 480 crores till its final close.

The fund has been raised primarily from individual high net worth investors and family offices said Mr. Amit Bhagat, CEO & Managing Director, ASK Property Investment Advisors Pvt Ltd. He further stated that, "The fund is focused on asset management and risk management as its core differentiators. It will invest in mid segment residential projects in top seven cities in partnership with prudently managed developers. We will continue the strategy of investing in city and suburban centric, smaller gestation projects which can be launched in 12 months from the date of investment and can be completed in 3- 4 years from the date of launch."

Mr. Sunil Rohokale, Executive Director of ASK Investment Holdings, said, "The fund continues to look for compounding opportunities and does not prefer only an opportunistic play. Counter cyclical opportunity provided due to liquidity crunch and high interest rate presents a risk diversification and expansion opportunity for developers and hence a win-win for developers and private equity to reap the benefit of the ensuing growth opportunities and increasing urbanization. Sunil Rohokale also mentioned that "High net worth individuals have understood the compounding power of investing through the fund route which targets the development margins without relying on property appreciation."

Mr. Sunil Rohokale highlighted the fact that, "This is the second real estate fund from ASK group. The first fund of Rs 340 crores was raised in 2009 which has been committed in six investments. The ASK Group currently has real estate assets under management of Rs 850 crores which will cross Rs 1500 crores mark shortly."


CONTACT DETAILS
Mr. Salil Vaidya, Head Marketing, ASK Group, +91 (22) 66460032, svaidya@askgroup.in

KEYWORDS
CONSUMER, BANKING, BUSINESS SERVICES, CONSTRUCTION, REAL ESTATE

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