Thursday, August 13, 2015

THE MONSOON SESSION – IS IT INDIA’S LOSS?

THE MONSOON SESSION – IS IT INDIA’S LOSS?
The scheduled Monsoon Session of Parliament has concluded today. Politically, this session was very educative but, frustrating. Parliament represents the best in Indian democracy. ‘Parliamentary paralysis without an issue’ signifies the vulnerability of the system.
The importance of GST need not be overstated. It converts the whole country into one economic market. It facilitates the smooth and seamless transfer of goods and services. It reduces harassment and corruption. It mandates a uniform tax regime. It eliminates ‘Tax on Tax’. It adds buoyancy to tax revenue and has a favourable impact on the GDP. The GST has received consistent support from most mainstream parties. The Congress / UPA government announced this idea in 2006 and it introduced the Bill in 2011. Today, it seeks to go back on the GST. The objections in the Congress Party’s dissent note are contradictory and trivial. The Parliamentary numbers are loaded against the Congress. It, therefore, relies on disturbance and lung power to prevent its consideration by the Rajya Sabha. The Congress is well aware that any delay in passage of the Constitution Amendment which has been accepted by most States will result in at least one year’s delay. That appears to be the Congress’ strategy. National interest is least on its priority.
The Congress party has exhibited that it continues to be enslaved to a family. It is willing to compromise national interest and policy merely because the family is unable to digest its electoral defeat in 2014. India’s loss in this Session is not Congress party’s gain. There is popular disapproval of its policies of ‘disruption without a cause’. The debate in Lok Sabha yesterday clearly demonstrated the hollowness of Congress party’s argument.
The Congress party President, Smt. Sonia Gandhi, hit a new low. It is for the first time that a senior-most leader of a mainstream party has jumped into the well of the House. Even the pretext of stature and dignity was not maintained. As for Shri Rahul Gandhi, there was no serious expectation that he would raise the level of the debate. He has failed to recognise the difference between sloganeering and a Parliamentary speech. The more he grows, the more he immatures. Aggressive body language is never a substitute for substance. It is the NDA Government which brought a tough law against illegal foreign assets. It is the NDA Government which is taking effective steps to bring to book the alleged offender around whom the present controversy is centred.
This Session has educated and enlightened public opinion that India’s economic interests are being held to ransom by the political frustration of the Congress party. India stands educated, though frustrated. The anger emerging out of this frustration will provide India the answer to face this challenge.
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AAC logo without Formaly
presents
The CEO Series:

Leading in the 21st Century
with
Ashok Soota
EVENT DETAILS
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DATEWednesday, August 26, 2015
TIME5:00 PM  – 6:00 PM (Registration: 4:30 pm onwards)
LOCATIONWWF Auditorium, 172-B, Lodhi Estate, New Delhi – 110003
SPEAKERSAshok Soota, Executive Chairman, Happiest Minds
Anuj Poddar, Executive Vice President, Viacom 18 Media Pvt. Ltd.
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ABOUT THE EVENT
One of the most pertinent issues facing our society is the balance between Success and Happiness. Success is achieving your goal and happiness is a sense of well-being, joy, or contentment. When people are successful, they feel happiness. Mr Ashok Soota, Executive Chairman, Happiest Minds will bring these two seemingly disparate subjects together based on his own experiences. He will be in conversation with Mr Anuj Poddar, Executive Vice President with Viacom18 and Ananta Aspen Fellow.
Participation is restricted and will be by prior registration only.
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SPEAKERS
 Ashok Soota 13-08-15Ashok SootaExecutive Chairman, Happiest Minds
Ashok Soota, Executive Chairman, Happiest Minds since August 2011 is one of the pioneers of Indian IT industry and a serial entrepreneur.   Prior to Happiest Minds, he was Founding Chairman & MD of MindTree (1999-2011) which he led to a very successful IPO.  He was also President of Wipro’s Technology business from 1984-99 and led it to becoming India’s second largest IT Company during his tenure. Ashok has led many leadership positions for Indian Industry including President of Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) – India’s largest Industry association and also President of Manufacturers’ Association of Information Technology.
He has received much recognition for his contribution to India’s IT industry and has served on Prime Minister’s Task Force for IT and on the Advisory Council for the World Intellectual Property Organization, Geneva. Ashok’s philanthropic contributions are channelled through Ashirvadam, a Trust he has founded for Environmental Protection and help for the needy including vocational training, education and medical assistance. Ashok holds a Bachelor of Engineering degree from Roorkee University (now IIT, Roorkee) and an MBA from the Asian Institute of Management, Philippines. He is a Fellow of INAE. Ashok’s hobbies include trekking, the outdoors, yoga, taichi and meditation.
 Anuj Poddar 13-08-15Anuj Poddar, Executive Vice President, Viacom 18 Media Pvt. Ltd.
Anuj Poddar is Executive Vice President with Viacom18, engaged in repositioning and redefining the scale of the regional entertainment space in India. In his prior role as Head of Strategy and Business Development, he spearheaded the formation of Viacom18 and architected its very successful journey of becoming one of India’s leading media and entertainment conglomerates. Prior to joining Viacom18, he has had over a decade of myriad professional experience in strategy consulting, mergers & acquisitions advisory and assurance with Arthur Andersen and KPMG, besides running his own entrepreneurial venture.
In all his pursuits, he brings to fore a unique blend of business acumen, diverse experience and, above all, deep insight into human and consumer behaviour. He is a Fellow of the Inaugural Class of Ananta Aspen’s India Leadership Initiative and member of Aspen Global Leadership Network, a member of BMW Foundation’s World Young Leaders’ Forum and has been on the Governing Council of CII-Young Indians. Anuj has schooled in Mumbai, India and Michigan, USA and is a rank-holding Chartered Accountant. Anuj lives with his family in Mumbai, India.
Having trouble with the link? Simply copy and paste the entire address listed below into your web browser: http://www.cvent.com/d/twxwCSCLLES6Pwde8FaLlg/njf0/P1/1Q?​
Ananta Centre Membership Now Open
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Renault hits the high note with A R Rahman 
Musical genius creates the theme track for Renault’s new brand campaign titled “Re Re Re Raftaar” 
~ Rendition is attuned with the Renault brand promise: ‘Passion for Life’ ~
                                                                                     

New Delhi, August 13, 2015: Renault India, one of the country’s fastest growing automobile manufacturers, announced its association with India’s Best Music Composer – A R Rahman, who has created the track for Renault India’s new brand campaign. The foot tapping creation will have an immediate connect with the listeners, and will perfectly complement the magic that Ranbir Kapoor, who Renault recently announced as  its brand ambassador, will bring to the TVC that will go on air shortly.
The composition, titled “Re Re Re Raftaar” is a lively and mellifluous mix that celebrates life in India. This association marks the formation of a trinity of iconic brands in the form of Renault, Ranbir Kapoor and now A R Rahman, who are all synonymous with passion and innovation and individually enjoy a universal appeal.
Speaking on the association, Mr. Sumit Sawhney, Country CEO and Managing Director, Renault India Operations said, “The fourth year celebrations continue at Renault India! After announcing India’s best actor Ranbir Kapoor as our brand ambassador, it is only fitting to have India’s best music composer create the theme track for our new brand campaign. Both Ranbir and Rahman perfectly embody our brand promise, Passion for Life, and they represent the DNA of brand Renault, which stands for being vibrant, forward looking and connected to people.”
On the composition A R Rahman shared, “For me, passion is music and I have attempted to create a melody that is catchy and appealing. The creation is contemporary and stands apart, in sync with Renault’s legacy of being an iconic and inspirational brand.”
Renault’s 117 year legacy is based on innovation, which has been a hallmark of Renault throughout its car-making history. For Renault, innovation means introducing features and services that are people centric, addressing real customer needs. The partnership with India’s iconic actor, Ranbir Kapoor and now with the musical maestro, A R Rahman, is timed with Renault’s next phase of growth in India. Renault is looking to significantly increase its presence pan India, and is taking major steps on product, network and building the brand.
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O P Munjal of Hero Group passes away

Hero Group's O P Munjal passes away
OP Munjal, Founder Chairman Emeritus of Hero Cycles and one of the founders of Hero Group,  passed away earlier today in Ludhiana. The 86-year-old industry veteran was facing health related issues for the past few months. He is survived by one son, four daughters, a daughter-in-law, four son-in-laws and 10 grandchildren. The cremation will take place tomorrow (August 14, 2015) in Ludhiana.Munjal  last month ceded Chairmanship of Hero Motors group and retired from an active role in the business.  Pankaj Munjal succeeded him as the Chairman and Managing Director of the Group.
OP Munjal, with his three brothers Brijmohan Lall Munjal, Dayanand Munjal and Satyanand Munjal started a bicycle spare parts business in Amritsar In 1944. They subsequently moved their base to Ludhiana naming the company ‘Hero’ and set up India’s first bicycle manufacturing unit in 1956. During 1980s Hero Cycles became the largest bicycle manufacturer by volume in the world. Shri Munjal, who led Hero Cycles for almost 60 years, also helped Hero Cycles in diversifying to other businesses such as auto parts manufacturing and hospitality. Under his able guidance, the company grew from its humble beginnings to a Rs 3000 crore industrial house. He also served as President of All India Cycle Manufacturers’ Association.
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Dear Naresh,
Without freedom of speech, we can’t have a truly free and progressive India. That’s why we’re fighting back against government attempts to shut us down with an online Thunderclap this August 15th, our Independence Day. Join us!
Naresh, if you have already signed up, please do help us by telling your friends. Let’s celebrate our freedom of speech this Independence Day!Thousands of people. One message. An India where we have the right to speak our minds.
Your message will go out at the same time as all the other Indians standing up for freedom on August 15th. The freedom to speak up without fear, to hold our heads high as we campaign for a more inclusive and sustainable India.Thanks so much,

Priya Pillai
Greenpeace India
PS: Thunderclap is an online platform that lets individuals and organisations rally together to amplify a message. Sign up:bit.ly/GpinIndependenceDayEmail
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Greenpeace India is funded by individuals like you. We don’;t take money from the government or any private companies. If you’;d like to donate, please click on the link below.
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Show some love: thanks for sharing and caring.
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Ashok Leyland reports revenue growth of 55% and EBITDA grows by 287%
Results at a Glance
·         Revenue for the Quarter ended June 30, 2015: Rs.3,841 crores
·         EBITDA: Rs.389 crores (10.1%)
·         Net Profit: Rs.159 crores
·         Volume Growth, over same period last year:  45%
Please refer attached press release for detailed report. Do write back to us for further queries from Ashok Leyland.
Regards,
Palak Malik
Clea Public Relations.   

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