Millions of views in record time!
India's leading NBFC Muthoottu Mini Financiers Limited's powerful portrayal of a woman protagonist in its latest commercial has taken the internet by storm and has got the netizens talking about it. With over 2 million views on youtube itself (Malayalam and Hindi) and counting, the newly launched commercial film's storyline centering around a confident young woman rocking the social status-quo is driving conversations on social media.
Helmed by award-winning director Martin Prakkat and magnificently captured by celebrated cinematographer Jomon T John, this masterpiece was shot at some of the most picturesque locales in Ladakh. The duo, true to their reputation has brilliantly articulated and captured the controlled emotions of the protagonist, her sly suitor's expectations and the bonding she shares with her open-minded progressive father, sans cliched theatrics or verbatim.
The strategically thought ad brings the essence of women to focus, not conforming to expectations, or letting barriers to their dreams, get in the way -- as mirrored by a soul-stirring drive through the limitless expanse of the Ladakh. The film goes on to establish a strong message that no dreams are beyond a woman's reach if she is focused, has strong convictions backed by a like-minded and progressive-thinking partner. This storytelling perfectly aligns with the brand Muthoottu Mini's slogan - Standing by you, always.
Speaking at the sidelines of the launch of the new commercial, Mr Mathew Muthoottu, Managing Director, Muthoottu Mini Financiers Limited said, "We are thrilled and ecstatic at the overwhelming response to our new commercial which encourages women to dream and calls for shattering cultural stereotyping of women. The film makes a bold attempt to dispel outdated societal myths still in vogue and the need to bring in a paradigm shift in our attitude towards women. Being a socially responsible company, with strong values, we are extremely proud of rooting for a socially relevant cause. Time has come to address challenges faced by women and stress the importance of increased participation of women in mainstream activities, be it socio-cultural-politico-economical. We urge women of today to dream, stay financially independent and go places. Rest assured, we, the Muthoottu Mini, will stand by you always."
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Real estate refers to property consisting of land and any structures or natural resources attached to it, including buildings, houses, apartments, and commercial spaces. It is one of the most prominent and sought-after investment avenues globally.
Real estate stands out as a top-tier investment avenue in India, renowned for its success and high ratings. For many workers and employees, it represents a significant once-in-a-lifetime investment opportunity. While numerous factors play vital roles, strategic planning, steadfast focus, and an initial investment can lead to substantial gains in real estate ventures. In this regard, first-time investors must consider the following key factors before diving into real estate projects.
Location
If the real estate investment also serves as a permanent residence, its location becomes paramount. Factors such as accessibility to public transportation, safety, proximity to offices/schools, hospitals, shopping/entertainment/sports centers, etc., should be carefully considered. Additionally, investors may want to explore areas near cities where new infrastructure development projects are underway. Conducting a thorough assessment of the area's pros and cons independently can be beneficial. For apartment investments, it's essential to compare the size indicated in the blueprint with the actual constructed size. The importance of homeownership has been underscored once again due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Construction phase
The need and importance of owning a home have been revealed once again after the Covid pandemic. Along with this, the newly emerging 'work from home' methods of employment may encourage people to acquire their residence even if it is far from the city. Due to this, the demand for housing projects in the rural areas is also increasing. The advantages of cost reduction, high return on investment, and a more favorable environment for business transactions following the implementation of the RERA Act have motivated investors to consider investing in under-construction real estate projects. Conversely, completed projects offer the advantage of immediate occupancy and the potential to avail tax benefits.
Check the documents
To confirm the ownership of the property and avoid future legal tangles, the documents should be checked thoroughly. This will also provide an understanding of the extent of legal aspects required to finalize the trade agreement.
Resale Value
Before making any real estate investment one must understand their resale potential. Future property price appreciation is also crucial to ensure a healthy return on the initial investment. This is a factor that most investors overlook during the home-buying phase. If it is only considered as a project within the budget, it is likely to backfire later. Also, assess how much future potential value is contained in the current asking price.
Last Updated Jan 13, 2022, 4:16 PM ISTICICI Bank introduces a new feature for NRIs in India, allowing UPI payments via international mobile numbers through its iMobile Pay app. Transactions up to Rs 1 lakh per day are permitted, enhancing convenience for NRIs managing finances in India. This innovation reflects the bank's commitment to providing tailored solutions and reinforcing its position as a banking leader.
ICICI Bank has rolled out a new feature catering specifically to the needs of NRIs residing in India. With this latest offering, NRIs can now utilize their international mobile numbers linked to their NRI or NRO accounts to conduct UPI payments effortlessly. The service extends across ten countries, including the USA, UK, UAE, Canada, Singapore, Australia, Hong Kong, Oman, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia.
iMobile Pay:
The bank's mobile banking application, iMobile Pay, serves as the gateway for accessing this convenient service. Through the app, NRIs can manage utility payments, engage in e-commerce transactions, and execute various financial transactions, all without the requirement of an Indian mobile number. Additionally, iMobile Pay simplifies the process of scanning Indian QR codes and facilitating money transfers to UPI IDs or Indian bank accounts.
How to activate UPI payments?
Enabling UPI payments via international mobile numbers is a straightforward process with the iMobile Pay app. Users can activate the service by following a few simple steps:
1. Log in to the iMobile Pay app.
2. Access 'UPI Payments.'
3. Verify the mobile number.
4. Navigate to 'My Profile.'
5. Generate a new UPI ID.
6. Select the desired account number and submit.
What is the transaction limit?
ICICI Bank currently permits NRIs to conduct transactions up to Rs 1 lakh per day through this service, without incurring any charges. This daily transaction limit offers flexibility and convenience to NRIs managing their finances in India.
By leveraging technology and innovation, the bank continues to empower NRIs with seamless financial solutions tailored to their unique requirements. With the introduction of UPI payments through international mobile numbers, the bank paves the way for smoother and more accessible financial transactions.
Last Updated Jan 13, 2022, 4:16 PM ISTRepresenting over 150,000 mobile retailers nationwide, AIMRA claims that POCO and OnePlus are violating national regulations and statutes, leading to trade issues
The All India Mobile Retailers Association (AIMRA) has urged the Competition Commission of India (CCI) to address alleged anti-competitive practices by smartphone brands POCO and OnePlus. Representing over 150,000 mobile retailers nationwide, AIMRA claims that POCO and OnePlus are violating national regulations and statutes, leading to trade issues as reported by the Financial Express (FE).
What are the allegations against POCO and OnePlus?
AIMRA alleges that Xiaomi's sub-brand POCO and OnePlus engage in monopolistic practices by favouring online sales channels over offline retailers. The association has raised concerns about the impact of these practices on consumer experience and job creation in India.
In its statement, the South Indian Organised Retailers Association (ORA) criticized POCO's approach to business, alleging a preference for online and "illegitimate" distribution channels that disregard consumer experience and job creation. The association highlighted that POCO operates with only three distributors in the country and lacks dedicated sales promoters.
Why are the retailers crying foul?
Due to the unavailability of POCO and OnePlus products in mainline (offline) retail outlets, many retailers resort to procuring products from e-commerce platforms at discounted rates, which they then resell to consumers.
Several retailers across India have stopped selling OnePlus phones since May 1 due to perceived issues such as unprofessional behavior toward offline retailers, price disparities between online and offline platforms, less favourable margin structures, and delays in claim settlements.
Kailash Lakhyani, founder chairman of AIMRA, emphasized the importance of CCI's intervention to address malpractices within e-commerce platforms and collusion with mobile phone manufacturers. Lakhyani stated that strict actions and penalties are necessary to ensure fair competition and a level playing field in the market.
ORA emphasized the need for swift action to address POCO's conduct and establish standards for ethical business practices in the country, aiming to prevent brands from operating at the expense of legitimate businesses and government revenue.
Last Updated Jan 13, 2022, 4:16 PM ISTApple CEO Tim Cook talked about the company's performance in India during the earnings call in which it was announced that the iPhone maker set revenue records in India in the quarter ended March 2024.
Apple CEO Tim Cook spoke about the company’s performance in India during the earnings call in which it was announced that the iPhone maker set revenue records in India in the quarter ended March 2024. This comes as Apple's overall revenue fell 4% due to a 10% drop in iPhone sales from the same time last year.
Tim Cook stated, "We did grow strong by double digits, which we were extremely delighted about. It set a new March quarter revenue record for us. As you know, and as I've stated previously, I regard it as a really interesting market, and it's a significant emphasis for us."
Apple's chief financial officer, Luca Maestri, stated, "We were particularly pleased with our strong momentum in emerging markets, as we set first-half revenue records in several countries and regions, including Latin America, the Middle East, India, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Turkey."
"We are pleased since these are markets with low market share, vast and expanding populations, and our products are making significant headway in those markets. "The level of excitement for the brand is extremely high," Luca Maestri stated.
Apple CEO Tim Cook remains enthusiastic about the company's AI efforts. During an investor call following the latest quarterly reports, Cook stated that Apple is making "significant investments" in AI. "We continue to feel very bullish about our opportunity in generative AI," Cook told investors on the call.
He also stated that Apple saw "generative AI as a very key opportunity across our products." Apple's annual developer conference, WWDC, will take place on June 10, with the focus on the AI-powered breakthroughs that Apple will reveal.
Last Updated Jan 13, 2022, 4:16 PM IST