Booking.com partners with two leading Indian universities to disburse scholarships to support and advance the prospects of women in STEM Careers

Booking.com will provide financial support to female undergraduate and postgraduate students attending Thapar Institute of Engineering & Technology and the Indian Institute of Science in India

Mumbai, 01 May 2019 – Booking.com, one of the world’s largest digital travel e-commerce companies, today announced new scholarship initiatives with two leading universities in India to help bridge the gender divide within the tech sector. Introduced to provide female students with necessary funding to advance their education in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math), scholarships will be granted to 12 undergraduate and postgraduate women studying subjects that include computer and information science, engineering, technology and mathematics. The grants will equal €170,000 (INR 1.3cr) across the two university agreements.

In India, Booking.com will support undergraduate students at the Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology in Patiala and postgraduate students at the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore. All the scholarships will start in the 2019-20 academic year. Booking.com first introduced scholarships in 2017 for students at Oxford University in the UK and Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands, and as part of its concentrated efforts towards propelling the women in the technology industry across the globe,  the company this year extended this initiative to  two new countries - India and the US. In the US, Booking.com scholarships will be awarded to undergraduate students at Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia, and postgraduate students at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York.

Commenting on the partnership, Ritu Mehrotra, Country Manager, India, Sri Lanka and Maldives at Booking.com said, ”Technology is one of the key contributors to the country’s socio-economic development. While advances are being made to bridge the social divide and provide equal opportunities to women, there still remains an under-representation of women in the technology sector. The prime objective of this initiative is to provide women with a strong foundation, give them the necessary training, skills development and mentorship at an early stage of their careers to encourage their journey in the technology space. Our partnership with these universities, which combine academic excellence in STEM with strong support for women across this field, demonstrates our ongoing commitment to promote diversity in the industry.”

Dr. Prakash Gopalan, Director of Thapar Institute of Engineering & Technology (TIET), Patiala, said, “We are delighted that Booking.com has initiated this unique scholarship for our female undergraduate students. Supporting more young women to study STEM subjects is a key priority at TIET, which has a rich history of encouraging women in engineering. These scholarships will play an important role in furthering this ambition and we look forward to building a lasting, successful partnership with Booking.com.”

Professor. Anurag Kumar, Director, Indian Institute of Science (IISc) welcomed the scholarships by saying: "We are extremely grateful to Booking.com for providing scholarships for female students to pursue master degrees in engineering fields at the Indian Institute of Science. We are keen on increasing the number of female students in the Institute, and we welcome Booking.com's support in helping us realize this goal. We look forward to a fruitful, long-term partnership with Booking.com."

About Women in Tech:

Booking.com annually commissions a study independently, with approximately 6,898 respondents (from the UK, USA, France, Brazil, The Netherlands, Germany, China, Australia, India and Spain). Respondents complete an online survey, answering questions pertaining to the technology industry and their experience in the industry further outlining the efforts they want companies to undertake to create a level playing field for all. Respondents include high school and undergraduate students entering the field, early career and experienced technology professionals and those returning to the sector.

Key findings from the India research study 3 released in March:

·         75%  (highest globally) of women feel that gender diversity is a top priority for the industry

·         Only 26% of women feel that their company does not prioritize gender diversity enough versus the global average of 54%

·         However a significant number of female re- entrants to tech in India view taking a career break as detrimental to their individual progression (83%), compared to the global average of 63%

·         While a high share (88%, global highest) say their company helped them update their technical or other skills following a return, closer to nine in ten (87%) believe that the industry needs to actively do more to support their re - entry to the field

About Booking.com:

Established in 1996 in Amsterdam, Booking.com B.V. has grown from a small Dutch start-up to one of the largest travel e-commerce companies in the world. Part of Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: BKNG), Booking.com now employs more than 17,500 employees in 200+ offices in 70 countries worldwide.

With a mission to empower people to experience the world, Booking.com invests in digital technology that helps take the friction out of travel. At Booking.com, we connect travellers with the world’s largest selection of incredible places to stay, including everything from apartments, vacation homes, and family-run B&Bs to 5-star luxury resorts, tree houses and even igloos. The Booking.com website and mobile apps are available in 43 languages, offer over 28 million total reported listings, including more than 5.7 million listings of homes, apartments and other unique places to stay, and covers more than 147,000 destinations in 229 countries and territories worldwide.

Each day, more than 1.5 million room nights are reserved on our platform. So whether traveling for business or leisure, customers can instantly book their ideal place to stay quickly and easily with Booking.com, without booking fees and backed up by our promise to price match. Via our customer experience team, customers can reach Booking.com 24/7 for assistance and support in over 43 languages, any time of the day or night.

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Shoppers Stop posts EBITDA growth of 22.1% in FYQ4 19 & Sales Growth of 4.7%

Highlights of Q4FY19

·         Revenue from Operations: Rs.791.1 Crs

·         Like-to-like growth at 3.7%

·         EBIDTA stood at Rs.64.4 Crs growth of 22.1%.

·         PBT (excluding exceptional items#) stood at Rs.16.4 Crs.

·         1,34,187 members added to First Citizen Loyalty Program

·         Stores added in the quarter: 1 Shoppers Stop store, 2 M.A.C store & 1 Clinique store

Highlights of FY19

·         Revenue from Operations touches Rs. 3481.3 Crs.

·         Like-to-like growth of 3.9%

·         EBIDTA stood at Rs.271.2  Crs, a growth of 19.1% over FY18

·         PBT (excluding exceptional item#) at Rs.123.7  Crs a growth of 55% over FY18

·         Total stores added during the year: 2 Shoppers Stop stores, 7 M.A.C stores, 3 Clinique stores

and 3 Bobbi Brown stores

Total Retail area – 4.25 Million. Sq. ft.

Total First Citizens members – 6.06 Million

Exceptional item – Mark to market on the investments made in FRL

Mumbai, April 30, 2019: Shoppers Stop Ltd. (NSE: SHOPERSTOP | BSE: 532638), reported sales of INR 791.1 Crs in Q4 FY19, up by (6.9%) Y-o-Y, excluding impact of AS115 and GST, the sales growth is 4.7%. EBIDTA for the quarter is INR 64.4 Crs, up by 22.1%. The Company posted Profit after Tax of INR 11.5 Crs in Q4 FY19 [excluding mark to market on the investments made in Future Retail Ltd. (FRL)], but includes higher depreciation owing to one store closure, one store relocation and re-evaluating the life of the assets in line with lease period aggregating to Rs.18.69 Crs.

For FY19, the company reported sales of INR 3481.3 Crs.; again, excluding the impact of AS115 and GST, the growth is 6%. The EBITDA for FY19 stood at INR 271.2 Crs, up by 19.1% Y-o-Y. The company posted Profit after Tax of INR 78.8 Crs in FY19, (excluding mark to market of investments in FRL) up by 578.7%. During the course of year, the company provided one-off depreciation for Rs.32.53 Crs, due to one store closure, one store re-location, upgrading stores and re-evaluating the life of the assets in line with the lease period.

Commenting on the financial performance of the company, Mr. Rajiv Suri, Customer Care Associate, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, Shoppers Stop Ltd. said, “Last year has been a pivotal year in Shoppers Stop which makes the Company embark on positive growth and results. We reviewed every aspect of our business and worked aggressively towards strengthening our strategic pillars of First Citizen Members, Personal Shoppers, Exclusive Brands and Beauty. We have made key investments in the new leadership team and are aiming for sustainable and industry leading growth in the years ahead. The keystones of fashion, personalization and convenience remain at our core. Our commitment to doing what is in the best interest of our customers, associates and shareholders remains our focus.”

Shoppers Stop and its specialty retail footprint:

Format	No. of stores as on March 31, 2019
Shoppers Stop	83
HomeStop	12
MAC	58
Clinique	33
Estee Lauder	8
Bobbi Brown	14
Smash Box	2
Crossword*	83
Total	293

*includes franchisee stores

About Shoppers Stop Limited:

Shoppers Stop Ltd., is a leading fashion and beauty destination with over 27 years of retail experience in India. The Brand offers over 400+ finest international, national and exclusive brands spreads a across multiple categories including apparel, cosmetics, fragrances, artificial and fine jewelry, footwear, personal accessories such as watches, sunglasses, handbags, wallets and belts, kids wear, toys, home decor and much more under one roof.

Shoppers Stop has been the pioneer of modern retailing and has an Omni-presence a across offline and online retailing. Currently, it has a footprint of 83 large stores spread across 39 cities in the country along with an e-commerce website, and mobile application. Shoppers Stop also operates 12 HomeStop and 115 specialty beauty stores along with 83 Crossword Bookstores Ltd (a subsidiary of SSL) in more than 4.3 million sq. ft. (excluding Crossword franchisee stores) area in the country. Visit us at https://corporate.shoppersstop.com

Northern Region to Dominate India Furniture Market till 2024

Rising middle class population, changing lifestyle and rapid urbanization to fuel India furniture market through 2024

According to TechSci Research report, “India Furniture Market By Supply, By Sector Type, By Type, By Product Type, By Point of Sale, By Raw Material Type, Competition, Forecast & Opportunities, 2024”, furniture market in India is projected to reach $ 31.6 billion by 2024, on the back of growing brand consciousness and increasing expenditure on furniture goods among millennials. Moreover, easy availability of furniture in various regions through the online platform is expected to boost sales of domestic furniture products across the country.Growing wooden industry and rapid urbanization are some of the other factors anticipated to positively influence India furniture market during forecast period. 

Browse 12 market data Tables and 45Figures spread through 110Pages and an in-depth TOC on

"India Furniture Market"

https://www.techsciresearch.com/report/india-furniture-market/3981.html

Home furniture category accounted for majority of the country’s furniture market in 2018 and is likley to maintain its dominating position in coming years, backed by growing demand for multi-functional furniture with various features such as maximum storage facility, stylish design and innovative space saving designs.In terms of material, wood accounts for the largest market share, owing to the aesthetic appearance and convenient maintenance of wood. Moreover, easy raw material availability is expected to enable the category to continue dominating the furniture market.Northern part of the country captured nearly one-third of the market in 2018, on account of rapid urbanization and growing corporate sector in the region.

Download Sample Report @https://www.techsciresearch.com/sample-report.aspx?cid=3981

Customers can also request for 10% free customization on this report.

“Booming hospitality sector, easy availability of flexible loans, increasing number of household units and shifting consumer preferences towards modern furniture rather than traditional furniture are some of the major factors that would drive the market. Moreover, the latest trend of Do It Yourself is expected to have a positive impact on furniture market in India over the course of next five years.”, saidMr. Karan Chechi, Research Director with TechSci Research, a research based global management consulting firm.

According to TechSci Research report“India Furniture Market By Supply, By Sector Type, By Type, By Product Type, By Point of Sale, By Raw Material Type, Competition, Forecast & Opportunities, 2024”has evaluated the future growth potential of India furnituremarket and provides statistics and information on market size, structure and future market growth. The report intends to provide cutting-edge market intelligence and help decision makers take sound investment decisions. Besides, the report also identifies and analyzes the emerging trends along with essential drivers, challenges and opportunities in India furnituremarket.

About TechSci Research

TechSci Research is a leading global market research firm publishing premium market research reports. Serving 700 global clients with more than 600 premium market research studies, TechSci Research is serving clients across 11 different industrial verticals. TechSci Research specializes in researchbased consulting assignments in high growth and emerging markets, leading technologies and niche applications. Our workforce of more than 100 fulltime Analysts and Consultants employing innovative research solutions and tracking global and country specific high growth markets helps TechSci clients to lead rather than follow market trends.

Actor Gavie Chahal starer 'Yeh Hai India’s trailer launch

Yeh Hai India is an upcoming Hindi film planned to be released on 24^th May 2019. The film is directed by Lom Harsh and will highlight Gavie Chahal, Deana Uppal and Ashutosh Kaushik as lead actors. Other famous performing artists who have been in the film “Yeh Hai India” are Antara Banerjee, Mohan Agashe, Karamveer Chudary and Mohan Joshi.

The trailer shows outstanding representation of Taj Mahal, India Gate and Red Fort with a voice over saying that ‘It’s not a Joke to run the world’s biggest democracy. You simply think how this country is running.’ It’s almost clear that the film ‘Yeh Hai India’ will portray our nation in another light.

The producer of film Sandeep Choudhary produces it below the banner of DLB Films Pvt. Ltd. The movie catches the story of 26 year old NRI, who comes to India with orthodox views about the nation and how his observation changes. The patriotic film, Yeh Hai India today launches its first trailer out and furthermore declared that the movie will be released on 24^th May 2019.

After watching the trailer you must definitely feel true the saying of director Lomharsh who stated that, “Yeh Hai India is not only a movie, it is a journey. There are components in this movie that will touch the heart of each Indian. By this movie we are not attempting to build up any nation to be lesser or greater to the other, we are simply drawing out the genuine truths. I am sure individuals from different backgrounds will have the capacity to relate with the movie and value it.”

Yeh Hai India is a movie distinctively in view of the perceptions made by the writer during his travel to a few nations. On a more extensive point of view, it covers the views and ideas of individuals about India. The film fundamentally touches the issues confronted by our country and the perplexity the nation needs to experience to defeat them. The film is distributed by Reet Films.

UiPath Raises $568 Million Series D Funding Round

Mumbai, The leading robotic process automation (RPA) company, UiPath is blazing a path to an “automation first” era, closing its Series D investment round raising $568 million at a post-money valuation of $7 Billion, led by Coatue and joined by Dragoneer, Wellington, Sands Capital, and funds and accounts advised by T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. Accel, who led the Series A and B rounds, and CapitalG and Sequoia who led the Series C round, all participated in this round, as did other existing investors, including IVP and Madrona Venture Group. At the $7 Billion valuation, UiPath is one of the fastest growing and highest-valued AI enterprise software companies worldwide.

UiPath closed its Series A funding in April 2017, and since then has expanded on its most important milestones: Cultivated the world’s largest Community in RPA, now exceeding more than 400,000 users worldwide across 200 countries. Expanded its worldwide customer base to 8 of the top 10 Fortune 500 Global, and over 50 percent of the top 50 Fortune 500 Global. Delivered six releases of the UiPath Enterprise RPA platform with defense grade security, launched UiPath Go!, integrated AI by adding new capabilities like AI Computer Vision, and created an open and extensible architecture that has made UiPath the platform of choice for third-party RPA and AI development. Increased annual recurring revenue (ARR) from $8 million to over $200 million; and Grew its employee base to over 2,500, a 16x increase during the period.

“We are at the tipping point. Business leaders everywhere are augmenting their workforces with software robots, rapidly accelerating the digital transformation of their entire business and freeing employees to spend time on more impactful work,” said Daniel Dines, UiPath co-founder and CEO. “UiPath is leading this workforce revolution, driven by our core determination to democratize RPA and deliver on our vision of a robot helping every person. I am humbled by the amazing support our customers, partners and investors give us every day, inspiring us to work harder to evolve RPA as the platform that not only unlocks the true potential of AI, but also other emerging technologies. We are just getting started.”

Outlining the huge potential for RPA and the prospect of making India the base for automation talent globally, Raghu Subramanian, President and CEO of UiPath India says, “The opportunities for UiPath in a diverse country like India are massive, ranging from sectors like IT to BFSI and healthcare to government. More than that, India is in a prime position to become an RPA powerhouse, because of the rapid adoption of RPA and AI and the growing talent pool. We are committed to investing in India to realize our global vision of ‘A Robot for Every Person’ and create a talent base of over 500,000 automation-trained professionals,” he added.

Bollywood portal comes up with calendar to honour Vinod Khanna

As a tribute to legendary actor Vinod Khanna, the Indian Film Information (Bollywood Portal) by Bohra Bros has come up with a calendar in his honour. The calendar features one of the rarest pictures and poster of the late actor’s career. This tradition goes five years back and last year, veteran actor Shashi Kapoor was featured. In fact, actor Rishi Kapoor even took on to Twitter and thanked the team for their great effort.

 The first copy of the calendar has been gifted to Vinod’s son Akshay Khanna. Apart from Indian Film Information and Bohra Bros, filmmaker Anurag Kashyap has supported the initiative.

Businessofcinema.com on Twitter

Businessofcinema.com on Twitter “Rare pictures of Shashi Kapoor that are part of calendar launched by Sunil Bohra and Anurag Kashyap. @anuragkas...

Kishore Kumar, Lata Mangeshkar feature in new Bollywood calendar 

Kishore Kumar, Lata Mangeshkar feature in new Bollywood calendar Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap on Monday launched India Film Informations tenth edition film calendar for the year 2017.

A New Year calendar with film posters of yesteryear

A New Year calendar with film posters of yesteryear A 2015 calendar exhibiting posters of some of the first Indian films is to be launched by filmmaker Anurag Kashyap.