Farewell Ceremony at iLEAD

Farewell Ceremony at iLEAD

A star-studded night, a photo booth resembling the hall of fame with some big celebrities and a beautiful balloon canopy at the entrance, followed by streamers all around the campus – this is how the juniors bid adieu to their lovely seniors from the MBA 2014-16 batch, M.SC 2015-17 batch and BBA and BMS batches of 2014-17 on the 19^th of May at iLEAD Campus.

The show began with an opening performance by the first year students, followed by an inspirational opening speech by the Chairman, Mr. Pradip Chopra.  Hosts Mustafa Rangoonwala and Fazal Elahi of BMS Semester IV entertained the audiences with their comic partnership and enactment of the seniors.

This was followed by the batch video of the passing out MBA Batch with Sohail Anwar of the batch sharing his experience with the audiences. Following this the audience was then entertained by the solo dance performance of Vishnu Kejriwal of BBA Semester IV batch.

President of the student council 2016-17, Sukhbinder Singh Bedi addressed the crowd which was quickly followed by the medley dance performance of the first year students. BBA and BMS batches of 2014-17, had a wonderful experience of going through their iLEAD journey, with their batch video being played.

While SouravBhattacharjee of BBA talked about the positive impact iLEAD has had on his life, Anisha Das and ManrajJawanda of BMS batch spoke on their three years in the institution. The secretary of the student council 2016-17, Taqdees Ur Rahman then gave out his speech, reliving all the precious moments that he experienced in the institute.

The most awaited part of the ceremony was the awards being given out for 21 categories including Mr and Miss Romantic Hero and Heroine, Mr and Miss Fashionista and the Lifetime Achievement Award, which went to the Vice-President of the student council 2016-17, Abhishek Tiwary.

This was followed by an amazing medley performance of the second year students, which included a tribute to Shah Rukh Khan and Madhuri Dixit and some peppy tracks to groove on. The show finally concluded with a dance performance and DJ Nite spinning dance numbers for the crowd.

It would forever remain a night to remember for all those who would be welcoming their lives ahead after their journey at the institute. 

Rotaract at iLEAD

Rotaract at iLEAD

Rotarians or members of Rotary International, a worldwide charitable society of business and professional people unites leaders from all continents, cultures, and occupations to exchange ideas and take action in communities around the world. It brings together a global network of 1.2 million members from more than 200 countries who dedicate their time and talent to tackle the world’s most pressing humanitarian challenges. iLEAD arranged an one-hour discussion session with fellow Rotarians for its students. For starters, Rotaracts are groups that the Rotary Clubs organize to promote leadership, service among youngsters and overall professional development. At present, there are more than 8000 Rotaract clubs in 167 countries. The real reason for arranging this talk session was the desire of the Rotary Club of Calcutta Samaritans for adopting a Rotaract Club under Rotary International District 3291 at iLEAD to be its partner in service. Besides, students would get a great opportunity to interact with experts and learn how to enhance their career as they contribute whole-heartedly towards community and social development.

Among the dignitaries present were Rotarian AmitavaMookherjee, past district Governor International District 3291, Sayan Gupta, President of Rotaract Club of MSIT, Rotarian Vaijayanti Bose, ex-President of Rotary Club of Calcutta Samaritans and Zonal Secretary 17-18 of Rotary International District 3291 and Rotarian Sanjiv Gandhi, District Rotaract Chair who was himself a Rotarian for many years.

The discussion began as Mr. Sanjiv Gandhi provided an intro about how the movement began in its initial days. Being associated with the Youth Movement, he stressed on how the students can benefit by joining a Rotaract Club. The partnership with organizations, scholarships, youth exchange and leadership programs, project grants and most importantly the motto of ‘service above self’ are reason why youngsters these days have understood the importance of being a  Rotary member.

Soon after, Sayan Gupta beautifully explained how he benefitted from his school days by being a Rotarian. He gave a presentation to iLEADERS and discussed at length about the Rotary Structure (Interact for 13-18 years, Rotaract for 18-30 years and Rotary after 30), alongside other vital projects and four important avenues, which included community service, club service, professional development and international service. He stood as a fine example that began early in life and went on to become the President by sheer hard work and dedication.

The discussion came to an end after the ‘storehouse of knowledge’; Mr. AmitavaMookherjee inspired students about how being a Rotarian can bring about terrific transformation in them. One has to learn the intricacies of joining this movement and the benefits will speak naturally.

The session was truly enlightening and quite a number of iLEAD students were interested in joining the Club. Needless to say, organizing the event was truly a success.

Snowcem Paints in a Modern Avataar: changes logo and packaging

Snowcem Paints in a Modern Avataar: changes logo and packaging

Snowcem Paints, one of the leading manufacturers of Exterior and Interior Paints in India launched the big brand refresh introducing the new logo, comprehensive product range for exteriors and interiors with impressive packaging and pricing for 100 plus partners in Kolkata.

Mr. Amit Sahai, CEO & Executive Director, Snowcem Paints announced a revamp of its go-to-market (GTM) strategy in all major cities of India including Metros, Tier-II and Tier-III cities. Over 900 plus partners were revamped and reenergised during the partner’s meet in these cities.

Keeping in mind customers’ and partners’ current needs and reinvent its’ corporate image, ‘Snowcem Paints’, has donned a modern avatar with the first biggest revamp in two decades, a remarkable expansion targeting engineers, builders, contractors, partners’ and consumers alike. Website has also been revamped to address performance shortfalls and specific challenges and serve as a vital tool for partners’, engineers, contractors, builders and consumers’.

Six-point plan to revamp over a period of six months’;

1.      Availability – Entire range of Interior and exterior materials on all counters pan India.

2.      Quality- Consistent quality of products.

3.      Servicing – Customers pan India.

4.      Training – Conduct training for all ‘Applicators’ in target cities pan India for products &                    applications.

5.      Organising customer and partner’s meet at regular intervals in target cities pan India.

6.      Complaints & Feedback - 24/7 toll free number and special page on the website.

Snowcem Paints endeavors to better understand their customers’ and partners’ needs, found new and unique ways to create stronger and healthier customer partnerships and remain top of mind.  The best-in-class products both in interiors and exteriors have been modified to meet market requirements, have a youthful appeal to accelerate the pace of change in today’s business environment and attract new customers’. New products in interiors’ have been introduced catering to the needs of niche, upper-middle and middle consumer group.

It will also reflect the growing capabilities of the distribution partners’ pan India, driving marketing and sales, providing excellent service and steer the company with long-term growth and profitability.

Local partners in all target cities across India will provide additional capabilities catering to a customer base that has an ever-growing desire for novelty, competitive pricing and best service, always. In the brand-new avatar, distribution partners’ will identify and manage the needs of each customer segment in all target cities while Snowcem Paints will give impetus to overall growth of the company.

Snowcem Paints is the pioneer leader across the country, renowned for its determined skills and persistency and, maintaining its’ new, comprehensive product range with high quality. Snowcem Paints aims to brand itself as not only an Exterior Paints company but an end-to-end painting solutions entity. Snowcem Paints aspires to take the paints industry by storm with its sheer quality and determination, Snowcem Paints holds tight to their age-old values and standard as the most trusted brand in the paint industry and assures their patrons of:

·         Uncompromising quality standards with continuous innovation

·         Environmentally friendly paints and products maintaining consistent quality

·         Value for money

·         Customer satisfaction

·         Integrity above all

Mr. Amit Sahai, CEO & Executive Director at Snowcem Paints commented, “We are delighted to introduce Snowcem Paints with a brand-new appeal and much needed vigour. With time, desires and choices in home decor have evolved. We not only understand the changing demands of the industry but also strive to meet them through constant innovations and research.”

Mr. GaganRuia, Director- Marketing at SnowcSem Paints said, “For growth, change is inevitable and the first step towards this change was to completely transform our look and appeal, and in sync it with the current requirements and age. We are a young, vibrant & modern organization, and take utmost pride in serving our beloved customers with quality and efficiency.”

About Snowcem Paints:

Snowcem Paints is one of the leading manufacturers of Exterior and Interior Paints in India. With a profound industry presence of over five decades, SnowcemPaints today, has become the preferred choice for consumers and painters. The organization has consistently delivered on their promise of long lasting protection combined with beauty, season after season.

Career Counselling Session at iLEAD

Career Counselling Session at iLEAD

One of the biggest crisis today is the inability to make the right career choice at the right time. With increasing competition in the market, range of career options, peer and family pressure anyone without correct counselling is bound to fall into the pits of confusion, despair, frustration, depression, identity crisis and financial crisis. 

iLEAD being one of the premier media and management institutes of the country took the responsibility to bring the best career counsellors of India Ms Pervin Malhotra and Mr. Zubin Malhotra and rescue students from the daunting tasks of choosing from more than 3500+ career options by helping them make the best decision for their future.

With 2 career counselling session on April 30th from 9:30 am and 1:30 pm onwards   Ms Pervin Malhotra and Mr. Zubin Malhotra interacted with students looking for a breakthrough or a solution to their career problems. 

iLEAD Chairman Mr. Pradip Chopra delivered the welcome address and spoke about the relevance of choosing the correct field in which an individual is interested. “As you go along the path of life, you will yourself explore what you are passionate about and how to work on that” said Mr. Chopra 

Starting from talking about how the movie industry works today for aspiring actors tohow streamlining the right career option in commerce or science would benefit students, the counsellors said it all. The session also included talk on the fields of Law, the automated industries of the future, what will become obsolete very soon and much more.  “What is hot today may become lukewarm tomorrow and ice cold the day after,” said Ms Pervin Malhotra while explaining the illusion of glamorous industries. 

Mr Zubin Malhotra on the other hand gave wonderful insights on the changes in the industry dynamics today. For instance the changing dynamics in the world of journalism, writing and publishing was well explained to one of the students.  Even working professionals who are for instance in marketing fields were recommended to take up short term professional courses like Digital Marketing. “If you are a woodcutter the edge of your axe should remain sharp, otherwise you will not get the same results as you did yesterday,” said Mr Zubin while explaining the importance of knowing about industry trends and keeping an all-round open mindedness when looking for careers, courses and colleges.     

About iLEAD:                                                            

Institute of Leadership, Entrepreneurship and Development (iLEAD) is one of the premier Media and Management School of Kolkata having world class infrastructure   excellent teaching and non teaching staff and is using latest educated technologies and is affiliated to West Bengal University of Technology (WBUT) and is located in the heart of the City. To know more about iLEAD one can visit : www.ilead.net.in.

Red Riding Scarves Celebrates First Anniversary

 Red Riding Scarves Celebrates First Anniversary

·         The brand has opened 50 stores in 17 different  Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities across India

·         The brand has the  turnover of  INR50 crore and is expected to double it by the end of  next year

Red Riding, a lifestyle brand having expertise in edgy, urbane, classy and elegant scarves catering to the fashion and styling needs of women of all ages is celebrating its first anniversary. It was founded in April, 2016 by Mr. Yogesh Jain and Mr. Paras Mahajan. It is a part of Mahak Group, which has a turnover of Rs.5000  crores. Within one year of its inception, the brand has opened 50 stores in 17 different Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities across India.

The brand aims at giving shape and organizing an approx. INR10, 000 crore Indian market, 95% of an unorganized sector of scarves and stoles. The brand is rapidly expanding its footprint in India by opening. 10 stores in Delhi NCR, 3 stores in Mumbai, 2 stores in Bengaluru , 1 store in Kota  et al..After witnessing the great response from the people and the growing popularity of the brand in Kolkata, the brand has opened its third store in the city to fulfill the demands of its customers.

Commenting on the milestone, Mr. Paras Mahajan, CEO ,Red Riding Scarves said, ”We are glad that in such a short time span  people are liking our products. We plan to expand our footprints in the neighboring countries like Srilanka, Dubai, Malaysia, Singapore, Sharjah etc. as we see immense business and growth opportunities in these countries. ”.

According to a report, the total fashion accessory retail market is worth Rs 15,557 crore, growing at 18 per cent to 19 per cent and is expected to touch Rs 25,306 crore by end of the year 2017. Red Riding Scarves  offers a wide range of unique  design products  at affordable  prices with no compromise on quality of fabric ,  very cool and classy prints. These products are easily available in the brand’s store across India and online at www.redriding.in , Jabong, Amazon and LimeRoad.

About Red Riding  Scarves-

Red Riding Scarves is a lifestyle brand started in April 2016, by Paras Mahajan. The products represent the pinnacle of European and Indian Craftsmanship and are unsurpassed for their quality and attention to detail. It offers a wide variety of scarves with very cool and classy fabrics available at affordable prices. Presently, the brand has a turn over of INR50 crores. The brand has online and offline stores.

For more details, please visit  http://www.redriding.in

Tourism and hospitality Skill Council (THSC) to skill manpower

·         Tourism and hospitality Skill Council (THSC) to skill manpower

Digital Platform  'thsc.skillgrid.in' to connect industry with (THSC) Certified manpower, ensuring job opportunities to skilled candidates

Tourism & Hospitality Skill Council (THSC), a sector skill council for Tourism and Hospitality industry under the National Skill Development Corporation(NSDC), has launched a digital skill grid to connect hotel and tourism industry, training partners and trained manpower. The digital platform - thsc.skillgrid.inwas showcased to Training Partners and Industry in a Meet on 26^thApril 2017 in Kolkata at The Park.This is a pioneering initiative by THSC, a strong step towards achieving the objectives of ensuring job opportunities to skilled candidates.Thsc.skillgrid.in currently has over 7800 candidates who have completed or currently undergoing training across Job-roles and states, available for the Tourism and Hospitality Industry to Engage.

Industry Meet was held to connect all Stake Holders; Industry Leaders, HR Heads and Vocational Training Partners in the skilling ecosystem. The event was attended by NSDC representative Mr.Bikram Das. Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group,Taj Group, Sarovar Group, Park Group of Hotels, Fortune Group of Hotels, Jubliant, Sodexo, Compass, Balmer and Lawrie and Hyatt  along with many more Industry leaders came out in full support of Tourism and Hospitality Skill Council.Some of the Training Partners who attended the meet were Orion Edutech, Globsyn, Keertika, Britti Prosikshan, Asensive Educare, Kamona Charitable society, Frontline Global, Vision and Voice Educare.

On behalf of Mr. Arun Nanda (Chairman Mahindra Holidays and Resorts, Chairman THSC) the Training Partner Meet and Industry Meet was chaired by Mr.Jaideep Anand, (GM- The Leela Ambience Convention Hotel, Delhi ). Mr. Anand represented the Governing Body of THSC. Mr.Jaideep Anand emphasised that as an Industry it is our collective responsibility to ensure a brighter future for the youth because the future of the Country rests on their shoulders. He pledged his whole hearted support to thsc.skillgrid.in and urged Industry and Training Partners to register.Mr.Anand urged the Training Partners to focus on Quality of Training to meet Industry needs and train in Job roles as per Industry Demand.

Quoting Mr.Nanda, Chairman THSC, Mr.Jaideep Anand said “ It serves no purpose to make the best sweet dish for a diabetic”.He emphasised that the skilling ecosystem must be very clued and connected to the Industry, so that training is attuned to the needs of the Industry.

Mr.Sundeep Chhabra, National Head-Training, THSC,urged theTrainingpartners to register through the new process of registration through smartnsdc.org. He further urged various Principals of Hotel Management Colleges to become training Partners with THSC to partner in Mission Skill India and also utilize their state of the art infrastructure to its maximum potential.

Mr. Jaideep Anand summed up that it is important to remember that Mission Skill India is bigger than any of us. It’s a larger cause”. The ultimate beneficiariesof collective efforts must be the candidates who gets a job in/near their hometowns”.

The occasion also saw presentations by Ms. Monika Narang, Leading Industry Engagement,Tourism and Hospitality Skill council to sensitize the Industry on the process leading up to the making of a skilled candidate, beginning from creation of Standards, to Training and Certification.

About THSC

The Tourism and Hospitality Skill Council (THSC) is promoted by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) with inclusive representation of the Government, Industry, Industry Associations and Training Institutes across India, with financial support by National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC).

Tourism and Hospitality Skill Council (THSC) which is formed by the Industry and for the Industry to tackle the skilling of large manpower to fulfill the industry requirement plays a crucial role in bridging this ever-growing gap. THSC is mandated to create a robust and sustainable eco-system for skill development in the industry. THSC caters to all the sub sectors of the Industry, namely, Hotels, Tour Operators, Food Service Restaurants, Facilities Management and Cruise Liners.