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The year 2014 is just two days old, marking the beginning of yet another <keyword id="89477" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Gregorian-calendar">Gregorian calendar</keyword> year. But revellers who painted the town red and want more party time need not lose heart. Officially, the year has taken off on January 1, but the regional variants of the New Year’s Day still prevail in a country like India – home to a colourful mélange of cultures and traditions. So we are yet to experience a spate of <keyword id="471694" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="New-Year-festivities">New Year festivities</keyword>, celebrated from <keyword id="6354495" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="kashmir">Kashmir</keyword> to Kanyakumari, from the <keyword id="53478" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="North-East">north-east</keyword> to the western coast. 
 Interestingly, both the Gregorian calendar (introduced by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582) and the previous <keyword id="89476" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Julian-calendar">Julian calendar</keyword> (first implemented by Julius Caesar in 46 BC) kick off on the same day – January 1. The Romans originally dedicated the first day of the year to Janus, the god of gates, doors and beginnings, and January, the first month of the year, was named after him. Later on, most nations in Western Europe officially started the New Year from January 1. The UK was a late adopter, though, and observed New Year’s Day on <keyword id="47282" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="100" keywordseo="march">March</keyword> 25, popularly known as Lady Day since it celebrated Virgin Mary and the Feast of the Annunciation. This practice stayed in England up to 1752. 
 Closer home, we have many time-reckoning systems but the most significant among them is the <keyword id="1998432" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Sakabda">Sakabda</keyword> or the <keyword id="1998433" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Saka-calendar">Saka calendar</keyword>. It was introduced in 78 AD, most probably by the Kushan ruler Kanishka, and was even used in other countries such as Kampuchea and Indonesia. Another one is the popular <keyword id="1998435" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Bangabda">Bangabda</keyword> or the <keyword id="1282409" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Bengali-calendar">Bengali Calendar</keyword>, a <keyword id="1998436" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Solar-calendar">solar calendar</keyword> started by Mughal emperor <keyword id="6363995" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Akbar">Akbar</keyword> in 1584 AD. Then there is the <keyword id="1998437" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Hijri-New-Year">Hijri New Year</keyword>, also known as the <keyword id="1926173" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Islamic-new-year">Islamic New Year</keyword>, which started in 610 AD when <keyword id="6358086" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Prophet-Muhammad">Prophet Muhammad</keyword> migrated from Mecca to <keyword id="89362" type="CITY" weightage="80" keywordseo="Medina">Medina</keyword>. 
 With so many calendars around and so many regional New Year’s Days to celebrate, it’s time to soak in the traditional rituals once more, mostly observed during the months of <keyword id="368788" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Chaitra">Chaitra</keyword> and <keyword id="1998439" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Baishakh">Baishakh</keyword> (March-April). Here’s a quick look at the key events. 
 
 
 
<keyword id="4349969" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Navreh">Navreh</keyword> – Kashmir: Let us start with Navreh, the New Year’s Day in the <keyword id="911185" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Lunar-calendar">lunar calendar</keyword> and observed on the <keyword id="1998440" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Shukla-Pratipada">Shukla Pratipada</keyword> (first day of the waxing moon) in the month of Chaitra (March-April). It is the <keyword id="1998441" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Oldest-New-Year-celebration">oldest New Year celebration</keyword>, and finds mention in historical works such as Nilamat Purana, <keyword id="1998443" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Kalhana">Kalhana</keyword>’s <keyword id="1998442" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Rajtarangini">Rajtarangini</keyword> and Persian scholar <keyword id="1792427" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="80" keywordseo="Al-Biruni">Al-Biruni</keyword>’s writing. Each household prepares the ‘<keyword id="1998444" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Holi-thali">holi thali</keyword>’ with great care, containing food, flower and other essentials, and it is viewed at the dawn of Navreh while family members pray for <keyword id="6383453" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="Wealth">wealth</keyword>, knowledge and <keyword id="23119" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="100" keywordseo="good-luck">good luck</keyword>. From this day, <keyword id="1998445" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Nav-Durga-Puja">Nav Durga Puja</keyword> or <keyword id="31525" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Navratra">Navratra</keyword> also begins in Kashmir and continues for 9 days. 
 
<keyword id="1296432" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Chaitti">Chaitti</keyword> – <keyword id="6358126" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Himachal-Pradesh">Himachal Pradesh</keyword>: In this hill state, the New Year’s Day is celebrated on the first day of Chaitra according to the <keyword id="1998446" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Vikrami-calendar">Vikrami calendar</keyword> and festivals such as <keyword id="48284" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="navratri">Navratri</keyword> and <keyword id="1998448" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Ralli-Puja">Ralli Puja</keyword> are held throughout the month in honour of Goddess Durga/Bhagwati. The month-long Ralli Puja ends in the marriage of Lord Shiva and the goddess as spinsters seek blessings of the divine duo for a spouse like Lord Shiva. 
 
<keyword id="42862" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Ugadi">Ugadi</keyword> – <keyword id="37102" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Andhra-Pradesh">Andhra Pradesh</keyword> &amp; <keyword id="6354780" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="100" keywordseo="Karnataka">Karnataka</keyword>: It is celebrated on the same day as Navreh, in the month of Chaitra, and marks the beginning of the South Indian lunar year. People of these southern states believe that Lord Brahma began the creation of the universe on this auspicious day. Houses are decorated with mango leaves and <keyword id="202308" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Rangoli">rangoli</keyword> designs; Panchanga or the <keyword id="1998452" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Religious-almanac">religious almanac</keyword> is recited and puja offerings are made for a prosperous New Year. Ugadi <keyword id="758269" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="pachadi">pachadi</keyword>, the traditional dish of six flavours made of <keyword id="6441002" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="neem">neem</keyword>, <keyword id="137842" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="jaggery">jaggery</keyword> &amp; banana, salt, green chilli/pepper, tamarind juice and unripe mango, is also relished on this occasion to acknowledge six different aspects of life. 
 
<keyword id="608876" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Gudhi-Padva">Gudhi Padva</keyword> – <keyword id="13126" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Maharashtra">Maharashtra</keyword> &amp; <keyword id="826" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Goa">Goa</keyword>: Observed on the same day as Navreh and Ugadi (Chaitra Shukla Pratipada), the New Year festivities in these states celebrate the bounty of Nature. Houses are decked up with rangoli and colourful gudhi – a bright-hued, embellished silk banner tied to a decorated <keyword id="1808323" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="bamboo-pole">bamboo pole</keyword> and an upside down brass/silver pot fitted on the top. A day after Gudhi Padva, <keyword id="127745" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Cheti-Chand">Cheti Chand</keyword> or the <keyword id="610532" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Sindhi-New-Year">Sindhi New Year</keyword> is observed to celebrate the birth anniversary of <keyword id="1998458" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Ishtadeva-Uderolal">Ishtadeva Uderolal</keyword> or <keyword id="987886" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Jhulelal">Jhulelal</keyword>, the patron saint of the Sindhis. Lord Varuna, the water god, is also worshipped on this day, followed by <keyword id="6771793" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="feasting">feasting</keyword> and <keyword id="240265" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="devotional-music">devotional music</keyword>. 
 
Varuda Pirappu/Puthandu – <keyword id="20154" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="tamil-nadu">Tamil Nadu</keyword>: Held in mid-April, the <keyword id="6407830" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Tamil-New-Year">Tamil New Year</keyword>’s Day is celebrated on the first day of Chithirai, which is the first month of the traditional <keyword id="525554" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Tamil-calendar">Tamil calendar</keyword>. Just like Navreh, the day begins with <keyword id="1998464" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Auspicious-sighting">auspicious sighting</keyword> or <keyword id="1009356" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="kanni">Kanni</keyword>, as people <keyword id="1873" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Worship">worship</keyword> <keyword id="13726" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="rice">rice</keyword> &amp; farm products, <keyword id="119992" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="precious-metals">precious metals</keyword> and <keyword id="1246513" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="new-clothes">new clothes</keyword>. Ritualistic patterns called kolams are drawn; traditional lamps or kuthu vilakkus are lighted and placed in the centre, and brass bowls known as niraikudums are filled with water to usher in <keyword id="73094" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="prosperity">prosperity</keyword> and <keyword id="800742" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="fulfillment">fulfillment</keyword>. It is followed by the <keyword id="1998469" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Almanac-worship">almanac worship</keyword> called <keyword id="1998471" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Panchanga-Puja">Panchanga Puja</keyword>. And the festive meal features pachadi, fruits and payasam or dessert. 
 
<keyword id="345699" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Vishu">Vishu</keyword> – <keyword id="28504" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Kerala">Kerala</keyword>: Vishu is the <keyword id="1010370" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Malayalam-New-Year">Malayalam New Year</keyword>’s Day, observed in Kerala on the first day of the Malayalam month of Medam. As in other South Indian states, auspicious sighting and other rituals are observed as part of the celebration; <keyword id="51941" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="firecrackers">firecrackers</keyword> are burst and an elaborate <keyword id="1998461" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Festive-lunch">festive lunch</keyword> called <keyword id="1998473" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Sadya">sadya</keyword> is served. 
 
 
 
<keyword id="1334751" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Poila-Baishakh">Poila Baishakh</keyword> – <keyword id="6357783" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="West-Bengal">West Bengal</keyword>: The Bengali New Year’s Day is celebrated in the month of Baishakh (mostly on <keyword id="6364510" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="april">April</keyword> 14). Also known as <keyword id="989326" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Naba-Barsha">Naba Barsha</keyword>, <keyword id="27928" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Lord-Ganesha">Lord Ganesha</keyword> and <keyword id="462664" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="Goddess-Lakshmi">Goddess Lakshmi</keyword>, deities of wealth, are worshipped on this day while businesses open fresh ledgers known as <keyword id="1998474" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Haal-Khata">Haal Khata</keyword>. Feasting, festivities and <keyword id="6409104" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="cultural-programmes">cultural programmes</keyword> are the main attractions here. <keyword id="1998475" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Maithili-New-Year">Maithili New Year</keyword> <keyword id="1998426" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Juri-Sheetal">Juri Sheetal</keyword> is also celebrated on this day. 
 
<keyword id="1998425" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Maha-Vishuva-Sankranti">Maha Vishuva Sankranti</keyword> – <keyword id="6357961" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Odisha">Odisha</keyword>: In neighbouring Odisha, the New Year’s Day is also known as <keyword id="1998476" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Pana-Sankranit">Pana Sankranit</keyword> or <keyword id="1998424" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Jala-Sankranti">Jala Sankranti</keyword> or <keyword id="1998427" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Mesha-Sankranti">Mesha Sankranti</keyword> that marks the beginning of a year in the solar calendar. Traditionally held on the first day of Baishakh (mid-April), a sweet drink called <keyword id="1998477" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Pana">Pana</keyword> is made using fruits, card, milk, water and sugar/jaggery and bestowed as <keyword id="1998478" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Puja-offering">puja offering</keyword>. People also drink Pana and water is offered to all, even to birds and animals, for a month. Throughout this period, <keyword id="1998479" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Goddess-Hingula">Goddess Hingula</keyword> is worshipped for driving the evil away. Devotees often keep fast and perform penances as part of the rituals. 
 
Rongali/Bohag Bihu – <keyword id="6354915" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Assam">Assam</keyword>: Held in the month of Baishakh (mid-April), this weeklong colourful and vibrant festival not only marks the beginning of a year in the solar calendar, but also heralds the new agricultural season. As in all other states, pujas are offered to ensure a prosperous year ahead; <keyword id="974604" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="festive-food">festive food</keyword> such as pitha and laru is made and shared, and young people get together to choose their life partners. Fairs are held; games are played, and the traditional <keyword id="1998481" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Bihu-songs">Bihu songs</keyword> &amp; dances make it the perfect season for jollity and merriment. 
 
<keyword id="1998480" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Cheiraoba">Cheiraoba</keyword> – <keyword id="6359754" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Manipur">Manipur</keyword>: Moving further north-east, one gets to celebrate the Manipuri New Year Sajibu Cheiraoba in the month of April. Puja offerings, delicious food and festivities mark this occasion as well. In addition, locals climb the nearest hill tops, thus aspiring to rise to great heights in real life. 
 
Baisakhi/Vaisakhi – <keyword id="6354953" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Punjab">Punjab</keyword>: Traditionally a <keyword id="404010" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="harvest-festival">harvest festival</keyword>, the <keyword id="1011009" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Punjabi-New-Year">Punjabi New Year</keyword>’s Day is held on April 13/14 (the first day of the second month of the year, according to the Nanakshahi Calendar). It is a significant day for the <keyword id="81001" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Sikh-community">Sikh community</keyword> as well since they celebrate the day in honor of the 10th guru, <keyword id="138545" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Guru-Gobind-Singh">Guru Gobind Singh</keyword>, who did away with the <keyword id="6434481" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Caste-System">caste system</keyword>. Otherwise, fun, food and <keyword id="1998485" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Country-dances">country dances</keyword> like <keyword id="6920" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Bhangra">Bhangra</keyword> and <keyword id="465865" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="giddha">Giddha</keyword>, keeping time with the beats of dhols and drums, mark this occasion. 
 
<keyword id="585610" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Bestu-Varas">Bestu Varas</keyword> – <keyword id="6354766" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Gujarat">Gujarat</keyword>: In certain parts of northern and western India, Diwali heralds the New Year and Gujarat is one of them. Bestu Varas is held a day after the Festival of Lights, in the month of <keyword id="6376330" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Kartik">Kartik</keyword> (October-November) and houses are splendidly decked up with <keyword id="5823" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Flowers">flowers</keyword>, rangoli and torans (door hangings). Pujas are offered; New Year <keyword id="54214" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Fireworks">fireworks</keyword> are everywhere and gifts are generously exchanged. And one must not forget the festive food either, especially the delectable and traditional snacks of Gujarat such as <keyword id="107294" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="farsan">farsan</keyword>. 
 
Images: Wikipedia

New Year Festivities
Not Over Yet; Here Is How India
Celebrates

<ul><li><keyword id="265415" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="ZOHO">Zoho</keyword>, the Indian SaaS (Software as a Service) bootstrapped unicorn, is set to launch its own <keyword id="1472834" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="messaging-app">messaging app</keyword> called <keyword id="10573626" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Arattai">Arattai</keyword>, which in Tamil means chit-chat.</li><li>The launch of Arattai, which is set to be in a few weeks, comes when people are questioning <keyword id="790242" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="WhatsApp">WhatsApp</keyword>’s new privacy policies and have been switching to other messaging apps like Signal, Telegram. </li><li>Zoho’s founder Sridhar Vembu took to Twitter to talk about the app, which is currently being tested in a ‘friends and family version’. </li></ul>Zoho, the Indian SaaS (Software as a Service) bootstrapped unicorn, is set to launch its own messaging app called Arattai, which is Tamil for chit-chat. Zoho’s formal launch of Arattai, which is likely to be rolled out in a few weeks, comes when people are questioning WhatsApp’s new privacy policies and have been switching to other messaging apps like Signal, Telegram. Zoho’s founder Sridhar Vembu took to Twitter to talk about the app, which is currently being tested in a ‘friends and family version’. <div type="twitter" handle="svembu" handlename="Sridhar Vembu" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/942043639353446401/wOhvZTV3_normal.jpg" favoritecount="5096" retweetcount="869" status="Our Arattai team asked me to not talk about our instant messaging app yet but since it is already being talked abou… https://t.co/Ttl3itCHrX" createdat="1610300572000" id="1348324441487331330"></div> Already available on the Google Play Store, Arattai has a 4.6 rating, has over 10,000 installs, and the reviews already call it the “best replacement of WhatsApp”. At the beginning of 2021, WhatsApp rolled out a new update which centred around its privacy policy, where WhatsApp would now share data with Facebook. WhatsApp also said users won’t be able to use the messaging app unless they sign up along <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/apps/news/whatsapp-will-stop-working-if-you-do-not-agree-to-its-new-terms-and-privacy-policies/articleshow/80127866.cms">with the new rules.</a> The information that WhatsApp shares with other Facebook companies includes: <ul><li>Your account registration information.</li><li>Transaction data.</li><li>Information on how you interact with others.</li><li>Mobile device information.</li><li>Your IP address.</li></ul>And here’s where Zoho’s Arattai could play on the ‘Made in India’ as well as offer a safe card because it claims that the app will not share data without the user’s consent. Arattai focuses on privacy and says, “Customer privacy is our number one priority. Arattai makes sure that your data is private and is accessible only by you!”. Here are all the permissions that Arattai needs as mentioned on Google Play Store. <ul><li>Microphone - record audio</li><li>Device ID &amp; call information - read phone status and identity</li><li>Calendar - read calendar events plus confidential information, add or modify calendar events and send email to guests without owners' knowledge</li><li>Contacts - read your contacts, find accounts on the device, modify your contacts</li><li>Storage - read the contents of your USB storage, modify or delete the contents of your USB storage</li><li>Phone - directly call phone numbers, read phone status and identity</li><li>Identity - find accounts on the device</li><li>Photos/Media/Files - read the contents of your USB storage, modify or delete the contents of your USB storage</li><li>Location - approximate location (network-based), precise location (GPS and network-based)</li><li>Camera - take pictures and videos</li><li>Other - display unauthorized windows, receive data from Internet, read Google service configuration, view network connections, draw over other apps, access Bluetooth settings</li><li>prevent devices from sleeping, pair with Bluetooth devices, create accounts and set passwords, full network access, change your audio settings, read terms you added to the dictionary, control vibration, run at startup.</li></ul>Arattai also promises to be “free for a lifetime”. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/apps/news/whatsapp-will-stop-working-if-you-do-not-agree-to-its-new-terms-and-privacy-policies/articleshow/80127866.cms">WhatsApp will stop working if you do not agree to its new terms and privacy policies</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/startups/news/oyo-bags-a-7-4-million-cheque-as-pandemic-forces-ritesh-agarwal-to-reimagine-the-business/articleshow/80170847.cms">OYO bags a $7.4 million cheque as pandemic forces Ritesh Agarwal to reimagine the business</a>

Zoho plans to woo WhatsApp defectors with its own messaging app Arattai

<ul><li>An increase in <keyword id="46725" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="tea-prices" source="Orion">tea prices</keyword> following global supply issues is likely to offset the impact of increased wage rates.</li><li>However, prices of South India (grown in Kerala, Karnataka and <keyword id="20154" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="tamil-nadu" source="Orion">Tamil Nadu</keyword>) CTC teas remained lower.</li><li>Sri Lanka's economic crisis also contributes to the high price of ODX tea. </li></ul>An increase in tea prices following global supply issues is likely to offset the impact of increased wage rates in West Bengal and <keyword id="6354915" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="assam" source="Orion">Assam</keyword>, according to a report. The increase in wage rates in the current calendar year in North India (NI), Assam and West Bengal, in the current financial year is expected to be nullified by healthy realisations of teas, particularly producers who are focused on producing quality teas, <keyword id="6354972" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="icra" source="Orion">Icra</keyword> said in a report. In FY22, softening of realisation and increase in wage rates led to a decline in the operating margin (OPM) of players, it noted. “Notwithstanding the impact of higher wage rates, the financial performance of quality producers is likely to witness an improvement in FY23 on a year-on-year basis. Increase in prices of quality crush-tear-curl (CTC) and Orthodox (ODX) teas would enable the producers to absorb the higher cost of production due to the wage rate revision,” Icra Vice President and Sector Head, Corporate Sector Ratings, <keyword id="9062002" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="sujoy-saha" source="Orion">Sujoy Saha</keyword> said. The report stated that the ODX tea prices are ruling at an all-time high level on the back of a demand-supply mismatch in the international market due to production disruptions in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka, the largest exporter of ODX teas globally, witnessed disruptions in production due to the current economic crisis. The production loss in Sri Lanka is likely to continue for some more time, which would keep supply tight in the international market, thus supporting prices of Indian ODX teas, said the report. Prices of NI CTC tea are also up by 5 per cent y-on-y basis, primarily driven by the sharp rise in auction prices in August 2022. The uptrend in NI CTC prices is supported by lower-than-expected production, particularly of quality estate teas, in the current season and increasing demand for good quality teas, it noted. Price premium for top quality CTC tea is likely to sustain going forward, given the limited supply base of the same, it added. However, prices of South India (grown in Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu) CTC teas remained lower compared to the previous two fiscals due to sustained production levels from bought leaves in NI, a direct competitor of SI CTC teas in terms of quality. “With ODX prices expected to sustain at a significantly higher level on a y-on-y basis, some quality producers have increased ODX production. Consequently, production of quality CTC is likely to remain flattish, which will continue to support prices of such teas as well. An analysis of tea prices indicates that the price differential of NI CTC teas, manufactured by the top 50 estates over average auction prices, increased to 137 per kg in the first 8 months CY2022 from Rs 122 per kg in CY2021,” Icra Vice President and Co-Group Head, Corporate Sector Ratings, Kaushik Das said. Till May 2022, cumulative all-India production was up 16 per cent to 320 million kg on a y-on-y basis. However, crop loss in June and July 2022, due to unfavourable weather conditions and floods, led to a 2 per cent drop in the all-India production to 614 million kg in the first seven months of CY2022 on a y-on-y basis. Given that 54 per cent of the annual production typically takes place during the last five months of any calendar year, Icra expects the overall production in CY2022 to remain flat compared to last year, although the same would remain dependent on the cropping levels till October, after which production will start to fall. In CY2021, all-India production was up by 7 per cent to 1,343 million kg on a y-on-y basis, recovering from the lows of the pandemic-impacted CY2020 season. However, it still remained 3 per cent lower compared to the record crop of CY2019, the Icra report stated. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/news/tata-tigor-ev-vs-tata-tiago-ev-comparison-of-price-and-features/slidelist/94551771.cms">Tata Tigor EV vs Tiago EV - which one should you buy?</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/news/ev-battery-can-charge-in-three-minutes-a-harvard-backed-company-claimed/articleshow/94295446.cms">Harvard-backed company makes an EV battery that fully charges in three minutes</a>

Increase in tea prices to offset impact of wage rate hike in WB, Assam: ICRA

New Delhi, Feb 3 () Engineering and construction major Larsen &amp; Toubro on Monday said its joint venture with European defence major MBDA Missile Systems -- L&amp;T MBDA Missile Systems (LTMMSL), has set up a missile integration facility in Tamil Nadu.
 "LTMMSL has set up the assembly, 'inert' integration (without explosives) and testing facility for missile sub-systems and missile weapon launch systems spread across an area of 16,000 sq meter in a special economic zone at Coimbatore," Larsen &amp; Toubro (L&amp;T) said in a regulatory filing.
 'Inert' refers to systems integration process without explosive component of the missile systems being handled at the facility.
 Founded in 2017, LTMMSL has received a few export orders and the new facility shall start delivering weapon systems using test equipment such as missile launchers and airframe segments, including control actuation units, from calendar year 2020, the filing added.
 L&amp;T owns 51 per cent stake in the JV, while the rest 49 per cent is owned by the European partner.
 "L&amp;T MBDA Missile Systems has been working proactively to offer advanced missiles and missile systems to the Indian Armed Forces through domestic production. The creation of this new integration facility at Coimbatore is a first step in this direction. We are showcasing some of these next-gen offerings at the DEFEXP020 to be held at Lucknow," said J D Patil, Chairman L&amp;T MBDA Missile Systems.
 Pasquale Di Bartolomeo, Vice Chairman and Member of the Board L&amp;T MBDA Missile Systems, said: "With the technical and human capabilities offered by this site, India will be ideally placed to offer its armed forces and the export market the very latest generation of defence equipment technology." SID DRR

L&T MBDA Missile Systems sets up missile integration facility in Tamil Nadu

<ul><li>YouTube today released the year 2021’s top 10 most-watched ads in regional languages. </li><li>The annual regional ads leaderboard features ads across six languages – Marathi, Telugu, Bangla, Punjabi, Tamil, Kannada – and represents a mix of both national and regional marketers across industries. </li><li>This listing reinforces the increasing adoption of digital by brands to engage with this large and growing consumer base to unlock growth.</li></ul>YouTube today released the year 2021’s top 10 most-watched ads in regional languages. The annual regional ads leaderboard features ads across six languages – Marathi, Telugu, Bangla, Punjabi, Tamil, Kannada – and represents a mix of both national and regional marketers across industries. With nearly half of all India internet users preferring content exclusively in regional languages, YouTube is the number one platform for accessing videos in regional languages. This listing reinforces the increasing adoption of digital by brands to engage with this large and growing consumer base to unlock growth. <keyword id="2097999" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="sapna-chadha" source="Orion">Sapna Chadha</keyword>, VP, Marketing, India &amp; South East Asia, <keyword id="6355629" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="google" source="Orion">Google</keyword>, said, “With the rapid expansion of internet users over the past few years, YouTube is helping connect viewers to a diverse tapestry of helpful content. One of the hallmarks of this is the variety of languages users access content in. Today, an overwhelming 93 per cent of YouTube viewers prefer to watch content in an Indic language of their choice. Increasingly, brands are responding to the importance of their consumers’ language preferences and creating engaging advertising in these to enhance their connect. In prioritizing for language, businesses are thus not just creating customer delight but also achieving better business outcomes.” Describing the thinking behind the Bengali language ‘Live Life in Colour’ series for Sunlight, Nitish Bhalotia, GM Fabric Cleaning, <keyword id="44863" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="hul" source="Orion">HUL</keyword>, said, “With a legacy of over 125 years, Sunlight is an immensely loved brand in West Bengal, where almost 8 out of 10 households purchase it during the course of a year. With our new purpose – encouraging people to “Live Life in Colour – we decided to launch a series of YouTube-only music videos during the most important moments of the Bengali festive calendar. The first was the Jiboner Rong campaign during the Pujos in 2020, and its enormous success led us to launch Boishakhi Rongeen during Poila Boishakh (Bengali New Year). For both these films, we worked with well known and new talent from the Bengali film and creative industry and the content became viral in no time. More than the numbers, we received immense love from consumers who appreciated us capturing the essence and spirit of Bengal with visual storytelling, music, and colour. Not surprisingly, post these campaigns, there’s been a sequential improvement in sales growth, market share, and in the number of households buying Sunlight.” Speaking about their campaign, <keyword id="193324" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="vineet-sharma" source="Orion">Vineet Sharma</keyword>, Category Director-Mountain Dew® &amp; Sting®, <keyword id="110163" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="pepsico-india" source="Orion">PepsiCo India</keyword>, said, “With the increasing digitization and smartphone adoption, there is an appetite for regional content and that has given brands an opportunity to connect with their audience in their preferred language across different markets. With localized creative storytelling, we focused on creating a consumer connection with our regional audience and increase brand relevance in our core markets. Sting’s association with YouTube has helped us amplify messaging effectively and the success of Energy Bole Toh Sting campaign is reflective of the brand love and impactful consumer engagement through local storytelling.” YouTube’s Most-watched Regional Language ads in 2021 Mumbai Indians Aaplya Family Cha | Official Marathi TVC Brand: Mumbai Indians Language - Marathi Views: 661,156 <div type="Youtube" id="dkhw39Zm6MM" title="Mumbai Indians Aaplya Family Cha | Official Marathi TVC" thumbUrl="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/dkhw39Zm6MM/mqdefault.jpg"></div> Rapido Bike-Taxi | Smart Ho Toh Rapido | Guru at a Salon | Allu Arjun | Brand: Rapido Bike - Taxi Language - Telugu Views: 1,230,759 <div type="Youtube" id="YU7oOKj7cUQ" title="Rapido Bike-Taxi | Smart Ho Toh Rapido | Guru at a Salon | Allu Arjun | Telugu" thumbUrl="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/YU7oOKj7cUQ/mqdefault.jpg"></div> Sunlight Boishakhi Rongeen Brand - SVF Language - Bangla <div type="Youtube" id="TmEq0B_mGJk" title="Sunlight Boishakhi Rongeen(বৈশাখী রঙিন)|Dhrubo Banerjee |Ushashi |Alaknanda |Adrija |Amit-Ishan |SVF" thumbUrl="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/TmEq0B_mGJk/mqdefault.jpg"></div> Sting Brand - Sting Energy Drink India Language - Punjabi Views - 3,766,070 <div type="Youtube" id="MizPsSeozkQ" title="Sting TVC Punjabi 2021" thumbUrl="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/MizPsSeozkQ/mqdefault.jpg"></div> TUCKER MASALA Brand - Tucker Masala Language - Tamil Views - 1,066,181 <div type="Youtube" id="jF92rXEnn9c" title="TUCKER MASALA | டக்கர் மசாலா - TVC - Jingle" thumbUrl="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/jF92rXEnn9c/mqdefault.jpg"></div> Kasha astat hya bayka | Cottonking | Bhau beej Brnad - Cottonking Official Language - Marathi Views - 533,885 <div type="Youtube" id="2zW1z081xgQ" title="कशा असतात ह्या बायका | Kasha astat hya bayka | Cottonking | Bhau beej" thumbUrl="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/2zW1z081xgQ/mqdefault.jpg"></div> Prepare for JEE/NEET with Sri Chaitanya’s expert faculty on <keyword id="18635" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="amazon" source="Orion">Amazon</keyword> Academy Brand - Amazon Academy Language - Telugu Views - 559,015 <div type="Youtube" id="OHv9NtY_2dA" title="Prepare for JEE/NEET with Sri Chaitanya’s expert faculty on Amazon Academy (Telugu)" thumbUrl="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/OHv9NtY_2dA/mqdefault.jpg"></div> Circle of Life - A Pavement Dweller's Journey for Identity | Beyond Banking | Equitas Bank Brand - Equitas Small Finance Bank Language - Tamil Views - 328,147 <div type="Youtube" id="8-bp73VseoY" title="Circle of Life - A Pavement Dweller's Journey for Identity | Beyond Banking | Equitas Bank" thumbUrl="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/8-bp73VseoY/mqdefault.jpg"></div> What is the true Taste Of Success for Sonu Sood? Brand - Royal Green Language - Telugu Views - 511,551 <div type="Youtube" id="DGXZQ69WeaA" title="What is the true Taste Of Success for Sonu Sood? - Telugu" thumbUrl="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/DGXZQ69WeaA/mqdefault.jpg"></div> Ola Autovina Home Delivery! Brand - Ola Language - Kannada Views - 295,751 <div type="Youtube" id="42NdA4O4QKk" title="Ola Autovina Home Delivery! | Kannada Brand Film | ಓಲಾ ಆಟೋನ ಹೋಂ ಡೆಲಿವರಿ" thumbUrl="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/42NdA4O4QKk/mqdefault.jpg"></div>

Here are 2021’s most-watched regional language ads on YouTube

Mumbai, Jul 12 () German concreting and construction equipment maker Schwing Shetter is expecting 15 per cent decline in sales in India business this fiscal, mainly due to COVID-19 pandemic, a top company official has said. The company, which follows the calendar year for accounting, said the prolonged lockdown with no infrastructure activity in April-June quarter has negatively impacted the business in India as there was no demand for its equipment. "January and February 2020 were the best months for our business this fiscal as all actions taken by the government for awarding contracts and making payments had brought back customer confidence. "However since the beginning of March, we started feeling that the situation would be difficult due to the outbreak of COVID. But no one thought that India would also be affected to this extent that the entire economy would come to a standstill," Schwing Stetter India managing director VG Sakthikumar told . Incorporated in 1998, Schwing Stetter India, a 100 per cent subsidiary of Schwing GmBH, manufactures concrete batching plants, concrete mixers &amp; pumps, tower cranes, self-loading mixers and concrete recycling plants, among others. "2019 was sluggish as compared to 2018 mainly because of the global economic slowdown. Therefore, we were confident about the growth in 2020. However, since we lost almost three crucial months due to the COVID crisis, we are expecting a 15 per cent decline in revenues this year as against Rs 1,730 crore reported in 2019," he said. Sakthikumar further said that the company had managed to restart production at its facilities in Tamil Nadu, but since the demand had gone down, it was running at lower capacity utilisation. "Despite the relaxation of lockdown norms, infra project activities have not picked up due to the shortage of labourers. As a result, many contractors who had committed to buy the equipment earlier are either postponing their decisions or hiring them from vendors as they want to keep their costs low," he said. According to Sakthikumar, the revenues from the Indian subsidiary are nearly 5-6 per cent higher than the share of the parent company in Germany. He further said that the company had to postpone the launch of its new manufacturing facility in Tamil Nadu as the work had stopped due to the lockdown and shortage of labourers. "We were going to commence the operations some time in March but due to the lockdown and decline in demand, we had to postpone it. We are expecting to launch the facility by August," he added. The new unit, entailing an investment of Rs 350 crore spread over two phases, is a step towards strengthening Schwing Stetter's commitment to the Indian market and focus on meeting the emerging infrastructure boom in India and export potential in Asia and African markets, he said. "Over the years, Schwing Shetter India has emerged as a manufacturing and export hub of the German firm as we manufacture twice the number of products in India as compared to the German unit. While the Indian market was down, we managed to pick up decent orders in the international markets," Sakthikumar added. The company serves many countries across the markets such as ASEAN, South Asia, West Africa, East Africa, South Africa, few countries in the Middle East and Eastern Europe. He, however, noted that the demand scenario in India will improve by September as the government is committed to increase its spends on the infrastructure segment. PSK BAL BAL

COVID-19: Schwing Shetter expects 15 pc decline in sales this fiscal

England captain <keyword id="52739" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Eoin-Morgan">Eoin Morgan</keyword> has revealed that <keyword id="6084272" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="jofra-archer">Jofra Archer</keyword> is likely to pull out of the <keyword id="426178" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="upcoming">upcoming</keyword> three-match <keyword id="40478" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="ODI">ODI</keyword> series against India and the ensuing <keyword id="6354312" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="IPL">IPL</keyword> as the star pacer's elbow injury has worsened. The 25-year-old has aggravated his troublesome right elbow and Morgan said he's not sure of his participation in the ODI series, starting in Pune from March 23. "Not quite sure yet (about his availability for the ODIs). We're going to wait until tonight and tomorrow to see how Jofra has pulled up. He clearly had a progressive injury that has become worse and does need attention," Morgan said after the fifth and final T20I here on Saturday. With the IPL slated to begin from April 9, it's unlikely that the Rajasthan Royals pacer, who was adjudged the Most Valuable Player of the 2020 edition, would be available for at least the first half of the T20 extravaganza. "Most of our bowlers are normally carrying niggles, but certainly Jofra's situation has definitely got worse. So, like I mentioned, it does need attention. "I think it's rare when a bowler isn't managing pain, what they do is a tough job. If you ask any of them, are they ever pain-free, it's a pretty rare instance if they say 'yes'," he added. Having missed the final Test because of his troublesome elbow, Archer returned in the T20I series with a career-best 4/33 in the fourth game. England have a home Test series against New Zealand and India ahead of the T20 World Cup and then they travel Down Under for the Ashes. With a hectic calendar ahead, it's unlikely that they would rush Archer's recovery. England are yet to name their squad for the ODI series beginning on Tuesday. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/thelife/article/a-4-foot-tall-humanoid-robot-called-doozy-may-just-be-the-party-symbol-for-tamil-nadus-immk-but-it-can-do-much-more-than-that/articleshow/81605666.cms">A 4-foot-tall humanoid robot called Doozy may just be the party symbol for Tamil Nadu’s IMMK, but it can do much more than that</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/space/news/an-asteroid-twice-as-big-as-the-statue[%E2%80%A6]th-tonight-flying-at-100000-kmph/articleshow/81610030.cms">The biggest asteroid of 2021 is going to zoom past Earth tonight flying as fast as 100,000 kmph</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/future-retail-shares-take-a-massive-hit-as-it-loses-the-case-against-amazon-in-delhi-high-court/articleshow/81583165.cms">Future Retail shares take a massive hit as it loses the case against Amazon in Delhi High Court</a>

Jofra Archer likely to miss upcoming ODI series and IPL due to elbow injury

Taiwanese electronics and computer maker <keyword id="59513" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Acer">Acer</keyword> has been hit by a <keyword id="6465154" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="ransomware-attack">ransomware attack</keyword> where the hackers are demanding $50 million, the largest known <keyword id="64592" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="20" keywordseo="ransom">ransom</keyword> to date. According to Bleeping Computer, hackers have accessed Acer documents that include financial spreadsheets, bank balances and bank communications, reportedly compromising its network via a Microsoft Exchange server vulnerability that has grabbed headlines for the last few days. "The <keyword id="10966589" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="revil-group">REvil group</keyword> that carried out a ransomware attack on Travelex last year is believed to be behind the Acer breach as well," the report mentioned. The ransomware gang has announced on their data leak site that "they had breached Acer and shared some images of allegedly stolen files as proof". "In conversations between the victim and REvil, which started on March 14, the Acer representative showed shock at the massive $50 million demand," the report mentioned. Acer said in a statement they have "reported recent abnormal situations" to relevant authorities. "Companies like us are constantly under attack, and we have reported recent abnormal situations observed to the relevant law enforcement and data protection authorities in <keyword id="8669631" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="multiple-countries">multiple countries</keyword>," it said. Acer added that "there is an ongoing investigation and for the sake of security, we are unable to comment on details". REvil's $50 million demand is the largest known ransom to date, with the previous being the $30 million ransom from the Dairy Farm cyberattack, also by the <keyword id="10966591" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="same-hacking-group">same hacking group</keyword>. Meanwhile, reports have claimed that five different hacking groups (including China-backed hacking group called 'Hafnium') are exploiting vulnerabilities in the <keyword id="10966590" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="business-email-servers">business email servers</keyword> of Microsoft. Microsoft has already released an emergency patch for its Exchange Server product, the most popular mail server worldwide. All incoming and outgoing emails, calendar invitations and virtually anything accessed within Outlook goes through the Exchange server. A Check Point Research revealed last week that at least 32 Indian organisations have been attacked by hackers who exploited vulnerabilities in unpatched Microsoft business email servers, adding that the finance and banking institutions have been hit the most in the country. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/space/news/an-asteroid-twice-as-big-as-the-statue[%E2%80%A6]th-tonight-flying-at-100000-kmph/articleshow/81610030.cms">The biggest asteroid of 2021 is going to zoom past Earth tonight flying as fast as 100,000 kmph</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/thelife/article/a-4-foot-tall-humanoid-robot-called-doozy-may-just-be-the-party-symbol-for-tamil-nadus-immk-but-it-can-do-much-more-than-that/articleshow/81605666.cms">A 4-foot-tall humanoid robot called Doozy may just be the party symbol for Tamil Nadu’s IMMK, but it can do much more than that</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/easemytrip-ipo-listing-price-at-13-5-premium/articleshow/81581828.cms">EaseMyTrip lists at 13.5% premium – but gives up some of the listing gains soon after</a>

Computer maker Acer hit by ransomware attack demanding $50 million, largest ransom till date

By C Shyam Sundar Chennai, May 20 () The 'big three' of the tennis world won't lose much due to the suspension of professional tours since they have already created their own legacies but the real struggle is for lower-ranked players, including the Indians, says legendary Vijay Amritraj. The men's ATP Tour won't start before August and the WTA Tour is expected to resume not before July 20. Amritraj said the trio of Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Rafel Nadal, who have a tight grip over Grand Slam tournaments, won't feel any financial stress or the pressure of progress. "They won't be affected at all by loss of money or points. They are all chasing each other on number of Grand Slams as they have legacies already in place. They have all made history in their own way," Amritraj told in an e-mail interaction. The Indian tennis legend said the situation is tough for a large pool of players across the globe, specially the ones outside the top-100 bracket. "Everyone in the tennis world will be affected. Players in various ranking categories will be affected in their own way. The lesser players will really struggle to make a strong comeback when this virus is contained. And older players will have lost crucial time," he said. "The Indian players will also be affected exactly like the lower ranked players making it hard to get back in position of fitness, ranking points and cash on hand to get started quickly when it opens up." Amritraj, who is also President of Tamil Nadu Tennis Association (TNTA), said whenever tennis action resumes, the most likely scenario would be that fans won't be able to watch live action. "Tennis this year seems a bit distant though the US Open and the delayed French Open seem to still have a date in place. Will have to wait and see if it still happens. "Tennis could potentially return with no fans rest of this year. That's also tentative depending on each country's situation. Social distancing and the fact that players come from different countries makes our sport tougher to run," he said. On Wimbledon being cancelled this year owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, Amritraj, twice a quarterfinalist at the prestigious grass court tournament, said "it is a great disappointment". "It's such a major event on the sporting calendar worldwide. Eagerly look forward to 2021," Amritraj, a noted commentator and who has been associated with Wimbledon for five decades, said. To a question if the so-called pack of challengers which includes the likes of Australian Open finalist Dominic Thiem, Stefanos Tsitsipas and others were any closer to beating the 'Big Three', Amritraj said they were still some way behind. "All the challengers are still catching up. They are the best behind the top three and there are several others as well. But until they start winning the Grand Slam events and that too on a regular basis, which they will, we have to wait and see how the top three maintain their winning record especially as age is not on their side," he said. SS AT

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