Tuesday 25 September 2012

Architecture students to showcase their design skills in national competition


Institute for Steel Design &Growth (INSDAG), a non-profit making, member based organization established at Kolkata by the Ministry of Steel, Govt. of India and the major steel producers in the country, today flagged off the 13th National Award Competition for Students for Best Innovative Use of Steel in Architecture (2011-12), at a gala function in Kolkata. The function was inaugurated by Mr. Bimlendra Jha, Vice President, Long Products, Tata Steel Limited. The theme for this year is “Steel Intensive (B+G+4) Storeyed Office Building.”
Rapid technological advancements, space constraints and need for multiple functionality have made the designing of steel-based structures like bridges, buildings,industrial structures, housing complex etc., a challenging task. Engineers and designers have to design the best structures by combining technology, quality, aesthetics, functionality, ergonomics and ecology.
The Competition is open to all the first year to final year under graduate and post graduate students of architecture in India.
Not only there is a growing need for trained young engineers and designers but also to identify the best talents in the field and reward them. Fulfilling this need, at least partially, is the annual national-level competition on “Steel Intensive (B+G+4) Storeyed Office Building” organized by INSDAG
Explaining the rationale of the competition, Mr Sushim Banerjee, Director General, INSDAG said, “This competition provides a platform for young students to demonstrate their talents and designing skills and also an opportunity to interact with industry experts and gain insights into the latest advancements and the required skill sets and stay abreast of the global technological advancements in civil engineering.”
The competition challenges students, working individually or in teams, to explore a variety of design issues related to the use of steel in design and construction. “The objective is to create awareness among the students on high potential of structural steel (as a material of construction), to expose them to the world of steel in depth and also to stretch their imaginations to make use of the unique properties of steel as a building material,” Mr Banerjee said.
The competition, now into its 13th Year, seeks to recognize and reward talented students of architecture engineering in India for excellence and innovation in structural steel design. This year’s theme – “Steel Intensive (B+G+4) Storeyed Office Building” - is very relevant and inspired by projects that are currently in great demand in the country. A total of 27 Groups consisting of 80 students participated all over India out of which 14 Groups (3 each from East, West, South and 4 from North zones) comprising of 42 students from different engineering colleges have been shortlisted for the final round. The presentations to be made in the final round will be judged by the central selection committee comprising of four zonal jury members and two central jury members who are all eminent professors/structural engineers from renowned engineering colleges of the country.
The top five entries will receive cash prize along with Medals and Certificates from INSDAG.


Wednesday 12 September 2012

‘UNBELIEVABLE EXCHANGE” at Ezone ~Exchange ANYTHING old for Electronics~


Ezone, the lifestyle electronics retailer, a part of Future Group, has announced another first for Indian customers. It has launched one of its kind ‘UNBELIEVABLE Exchange’ offer in all its stores across India. For the very first time customers can exchange all types of products which include old newspaper, clothes, plastics, utensils, luggage, tyres, shoes, electronics, furniture and others to avail best value exchange vouchers to buy new electronic items.

Customers can walk into any Ezone store till September 23, 2012 and get great value for their old scrap items. The value will be in the form of coupons, which can then be used by customers to buy new electronic products (applicable on 8 times the Value of the exchange GV).

Ezone will give customers the Exchange Voucher of unbelievable value, for their old scrap items such as newspapers at up to Rs. 20/- per kg; old clothes up to Rs.50 per kg; old utensils up to Rs.75 per kg; old TV & Laptop up to Rs.10,000; old kitchen appliances up to Rs2000; old refrigerator & AC up to Rs 5000.

This Unbelievable Exchange Offer is running across all Ezone Stores till 23rd September 2012. So, what are you waiting for? Walk in to your nearest Ezone store with old items and walk away with brand new electronic products of your choice.

About Ezone:

Ezone is a lifestyle electronics retailer, part of India’s largest retail conglomerate - Future Group. Ezone brings together the best in national and international consumer durable & electronic brands. Ezone promises “Smarter Living” and plays the role of a digital diet planner enabling consumers to choose from the latest in technology, best suited to individual lifestyles. Ezone offers the widest range of electronics across categories like Audio, Accessories, Communications, Computing, Home Entertainment, Home and Kitchen Appliances, Imaging, Personal Entertainment & Gaming. Ezone is present across India in Malls, High Streets and within other group format stores like Home Town, Central and Pantaloons. One can also avail of the Blindfold Sale offers and many more exclusive deals on www.ezoneonline.in.


Thursday 6 September 2012

Back by popular demand, South African Tourism commences its second roadshow


As South Africa sets to maximize the increasing in-bound tourism potential from India, South African Tourism commenced its second road show on 3rd September 2012. After successfully travelling across Mumbai, Ahmedabad and Delhi, the roadshow concludes in Kolkata today.  
Underlining the significance of the Indian market for South Africa and the increasing popularity of the destination in India, this roadshow breaks some new ground by traveling into newer markets and having new attendees and participants. In this roadshow, South African Tourism will aim to promote the country’s varied holiday experiences through its trusted, superior quality products and suppliers.
Following the success of the roadshow held earlier this year and the incredible feedback shared by the stakeholders from South Africa and the Indian travel trade, this roadshow continues to focus on maximizing business opportunities and introductions for the trade partners from India as well as the South African suppliers and representatives. This roadshow is an excellent platform for partners from India and South Africa to interact and identify mutually beneficial areas of collaboration.
The first roadshow held earlier this year, reiterated South African Tourism’s commitment to the Indian market as it traveled across key markets like Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi and Pune with over 62 Suppliers and 135 South African representatives participating in it.
Commenting on the announcement, Ms. Hanneli Slabber, Country Manager, South African Tourism India said, “India is a key market for us and the roadshow provides the right opportunity for us to get on the ground, face-to-face with the country's top travel agents to discover and explore newer business possibilities and helps us build on a two-way, win-win opportunity. Taking into account the immense potential showcased by cities like Ahmedabad and Kolkata, we have added them to our roadshow itinerary this time. The popularity of South Africa as a preferred destination can be gauged through the warm response we receive from the Indian trade annually during our roadshow. Needless to say, our recent April arrival figures firm up our belief in this market and further encourages us to undertake varied initiatives to promote the destination in India.”
As per the latest Indian tourist arrival figures for May 2012, Indian tourist arrivals to South Africa saw a jump of 22.3% with a total of 12,641 Indians visiting South Africa.
South African Tourism’s key stakeholders will take part in the roadshow to provide Indian travel agents with insights into current and future developments and general destination information to help them better understand the offerings of South Africa as a preferred travel destination and therefore enabling them to cater to the wide-ranging requirements of Indian travelers.





Wednesday 5 September 2012

FARMTRAC LAUNCHES INDIA’S FIRST EXECUTIVE TRACTOR With new models 6060 and 6065 - Farmtrac targets #1 Position in the Premium Tractor Segment


FARMTRAC, a leading tractor brand, today announced the launch of two new tractor models, 6060 and 6065 – India’s first ‘Executive’ Tractors. Available in 60HP and 65HP, these tractors are designed to cater to the progressive new- age Indian farmer, who are smart, educated, have an entrepreneurial bent of mind, and have adopted farming as a business of their choice.

These ‘executive’ farmers are exposed to innovative technologies and modern farm practices. They cultivate more acres and raise more crops every year. They need modern and efficient products that can speed and ease operations, reduce dependency on labor, and at the same time save cost both in terms of time and money. With an unmatched combination of power and efficiency, the new Farmtrac 6060 and 6065 helps these farmers produce more, earn more and save more.

Both Farmtrac 6060 and 6065 come with a new four-cylinder turbocharged, intercooled engine that delivers higher torque to run larger implements and pull heavier loads. The tractors are offered in two transmission options – a modern 24-speed Syncroshuttle Gearbox providing versatility to do multiple tasks – and, a heavy-duty 8+2 speed Epicyclic transmission delivering high reliability in toughest of conditions. Furthermore, the tractors are equipped with the latest 4-wheel drive technology which ensures full utilization of engine power allowing these tractors to perform bigger tasks in the least time. These new tractors provide for an in-line fuel injection pump, which unlike the rotary pumps used by the competition, stays unaffected by adulterated fuel and is the preferred customer choice. 

Speaking at the launch, Mr. Shenu Agarwal, Head of Marketing, Escorts Agri Machinery said,Over the past six decades, Escorts in its own way, has been a part of the dynamic process which ushered in farm mechanization and brought prosperity to Indian farmers. Our products are durable, sturdy, cost effective solutions which have stood the test of time. Both Farmtrac 6060 and Farmtrac 6065, built on Farmtrac’s well-proven design and technology, stand for powerful performance and unmatched efficiency. We believe these robust workhorses will help increase farm yield, productivity and will in turn boost farm income.”

Says Mr. Sameer Tandon, Head of Sales, Service & Spare Parts, Escorts Agri Machinery, “With these new powerful offerings, Farmtrac plans to establish itself as the leader in the premium tractor segment. The company is looking at introducing new variants and products every six months to further consolidate its position in the high end segment.

For the Editor:
The ESCORTS GROUP is among India's leading engineering conglomerates operating in high growth sectors of Agri Machinery, Material Handling & Construction Equipment, Railway Equipment and Auto Components. The Group has earned the trust of over 5 Million customers by way of product and process innovations over six decades of its existence. Escorts endeavors to transform lives in rural and urban India by leading the revolution in agriculture mechanization, modernization of automotive & railway technology and transformation of Indian construction.