Latest news with #Sheth
Time of India
a day ago
- Business
- Time of India
Panasonic in talks to buy controlling stake in focus
Panasonic is in talks to buy a controlling stake in business-to-business (B2B) light fittings maker Focus Lighting and Fixtures , in what would be its second acquisition in the electricals segment in India after nearly two decades, said people aware of the matter. The Sheth family, founding shareholders of Focus Group, owns 55% of the NSE-listed company. The remainder is with the public including individuals and bodies corporate. Panasonic is looking to acquire the promoters' entire shareholding in Focus Lighting, said the people cited above. A potential deal would trigger a mandatory open offer to the company's public shareholders for at least 26% stake as per Sebi guidelines, they said. The acquisition would cost Osaka-headquartered Panasonic about ₹526 crore, including the 26% open offer, based on Focus Lighting's current market capitalisation, as per ET's calculations. According to the people cited above, the negotiations are at an advanced stage, but the due diligence of Focus has brought to light issues which need to be addressed before inking the contract. A spokesperson for Panasonic's electric works business divisions (erstwhile Anchor) said the speculation "appears to be unfounded.' 'No such information has been shared, and to our knowledge, no such facts exist,' he said. Focus, which listed on NSE's small and medium enterprises (SME) board in 2017, did not respond to ET's queries. The company makes light fittings for commercial uses such as retail store facades and interiors. Its clientele includes Reliance Retail and DLF. The Indian B2B market for lighting products and fixtures is mostly unorganised with the presence of several small and local companies in the segment. Matsushita Electric , Panasonic's previous avatar, had acquired household name Anchor Electricals in 2007, getting a foothold in the business-to-customer (B2C) home electricals and light fitting segment. The electric works business, which includes LED lighting products, switches and wires, cables, smart home products and energy solutions is the largest revenue contributor for Panasonic in India, accounting for over half of Panasonic Life Solutions India Pvt Ltd sales, the flagship entity. The rest comes from AC, televisions, industrial and system solutions, lithium-ion battery trading, and smart factory solutions of SMT machines, robotic arms and welding machines. Panasonic's efforts to acquire control of Focus Group underscores its strategy to enhance its footprint in the B2B segment, its biggest revenue-generator globally.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Panasonic in talks to buy controlling stake in Focus Lighting and Fixtures
Panasonic may acquire a controlling stake in Focus Lighting and Fixtures. This would be Panasonic's second electricals acquisition in India. The deal involves buying the Sheth family's shares and a public offer. Negotiations are advanced, but due diligence has revealed issues. The acquisition could cost Panasonic ₹526 crore. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads New Delhi | Kolkata: Panasonic is in talks to buy a controlling stake in business-to-business (B2B) light fittings maker Focus Lighting and Fixtures , in what would be its second acquisition in the electricals segment in India after nearly two decades, said people aware of the Sheth family, founding shareholders of Focus Group, owns 55% of the NSE-listed company. The remainder is with the public including individuals and bodies is looking to acquire the promoters' entire shareholding in Focus Lighting, said the people cited above. A potential deal would trigger a mandatory open offer to the company's public shareholders for at least 26% stake as per Sebi guidelines, they acquisition would cost Osaka-headquartered Panasonic about ₹526 crore, including the 26% open offer, based on Focus Lighting's current market capitalisation, as per ET's to the people cited above, the negotiations are at an advanced stage, but the due diligence of Focus has brought to light issues which need to be addressed before inking the contract.A spokesperson for Panasonic's electric works business divisions (erstwhile Anchor) said the speculation "appears to be unfounded." "No such information has been shared, and to our knowledge, no such facts exist," he which listed on NSE's small and medium enterprises (SME) board in 2017, did not respond to ET's company makes light fittings for commercial uses such as retail store facades and interiors. Its clientele includes Reliance Retail and DLF The Indian B2B market for lighting products and fixtures is mostly unorganised with the presence of several small and local companies in the segment. Matsushita Electric , Panasonic's previous avatar, had acquired household name Anchor Electricals in 2007, getting a foothold in the business-to-customer (B2C) home electricals and light fitting electric works business, which includes LED lighting products, switches and wires, cables, smart home products and energy solutions is the largest revenue contributor for Panasonic in India, accounting for over half of Panasonic Life Solutions India Pvt Ltd sales, the flagship entity. The rest comes from AC, televisions, industrial and system solutions, lithium-ion battery trading, and smart factory solutions of SMT machines, robotic arms and welding efforts to acquire control of Focus Group underscores its strategy to enhance its footprint in the B2B segment, its biggest revenue-generator globally.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Gupshup raises $6O mn to fuel global expansion
Bengaluru: Conversational AI platform Gupshup raised over $60 million through a combination of equity and debt financing from Globespan Capital Partners and EvolutionX Debt Capital. "In terms of growth, there are two main areas: product and go-to-market. On the product side, we're investing heavily in AI-driven smart messaging. We launched a product called Conversation Cloud, which enables enterprises to build AI agents to interact with their customers. I can elaborate on that if you like. On the go-to-market side, we're expanding beyond India into the Middle East, Latin America, and Southeast Asia—regions that are showing high growth potential," said Beerud Sheth, founder and CEO of Gupshup. The funding will be used to boost sales growth, advance product innovation, and strengthen Gupshup's presence in key verticals worldwide. The company is seeing exceptional demand for its platform, driven by the global AI revolution. You Can Also Check: Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru Sheth said the messaging landscape changed dramatically over the years. "Initially, it was just SMS—basic notifications like 'your order is confirmed' or 'your flight is delayed.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Indonesia: New Container Houses (Prices May Surprise You) Container House | Search Ads Search Now Undo Then came WhatsApp, which was a bit more interactive with images and richer content. After that, chatbots emerged, but those were very rigid—mostly menu-based options, simple back-and-forth interactions." Now, with large language models (LLMs) and AI, we have fully conversational AI agents. Consumers can interact naturally, asking questions like, "What are my options for rebooking a flight?" or "Can I cancel?" It's like speaking to an airline agent, a bank manager, or a retail shopping assistant. This creates a richer, more engaging, and efficient experience," he added. Enterprises need tools to build and manage these AI agents, including campaign managers for alerts, personalisation engines, commerce integrations for payments, human escalation features, advertising system integrations, and analytics for continuous improvement. With 50,000 customers in 130 countries, the company's platform enables businesses to automate complex customer interactions while maintaining personalised, human-like conversations.
New York Post
21-07-2025
- Health
- New York Post
This summer fruit helps beat the heat while boosting heart health and brain health, experts claim
One summertime fruit doesn't just offer juicy sweetness – it can deliver a powerful hydration boost, support brain health and supply essential vitamins and antioxidants, experts say. One summertime fruit doesn't just offer juicy sweetness – it can deliver a powerful hydration boost, support brain health and supply essential vitamins and antioxidants, experts say. Peaches, which are about 89% water, outshine their stone-fruit counterparts like plums and nectarines in terms of hydration, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). They also pack in similar antioxidant benefits with fewer calories. Watermelon and cantaloupe top the charts for highest water content, but peaches follow closely behind, according to the USDA. Fruits that hydrate while also providing electrolytes can help the body better replace and retain fluids than water alone, research shows. The fuzzy fruits offer several electrolytes, plus many other nutrients. 'Peaches are rich in fiber, vitamin C and potassium,' Vandana Sheth, a Los Angeles-based registered dietitian nutritionist, told Fox News Digital. 'All of these nutrients help support digestion, heart health, and immunity.' 5 One summertime fruit doesn't just offer juicy sweetness – it can deliver a powerful hydration boost, support brain health and supply essential vitamins and antioxidants, experts say. A medium raw peach contains about 285 milligrams of potassium, an essential mineral and electrolyte that plays a critical role in nerve function, muscle contraction, fluid balance, heart health, and blood pressure management. That's more potassium than many popular electrolyte supplements and about 8.4% of the daily recommended intake for men and 11% recommended for women, according to the National Institutes of Health. Most U.S. residents consume too little potassium, which increases their risk of cardiovascular disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 5 Peaches offer several electrolytes, plus many other nutrients, according to reports. alter_photo – Peaches are also heart-healthy options thanks to their antioxidant content. They contain flavonoids, which help lower the risk of heart disease and support memory and cognition, and carotenoids, which can help fight inflammation and protect and restore skin. Early studies have indicated that the antioxidants can have potential anti-cancer effects, Sheth said. 5 'Peaches are rich in fiber, vitamin C and potassium,' Vandana Sheth (not pictured), a Los Angeles-based registered dietitian nutritionist, told Fox News Digital. LIGHTFIELD STUDIOS – The flavonoids and carotenoids also give peaches their distinct color. 'Peaches combine two groups of pigments that you don't often see together in other fruits and vegetables,' Mary Ann Lila, a distinguished professor in the Plants for Human Health Institute at North Carolina State University, told The New York Times. Raw peaches with their skin also provide about 4% of the recommended daily amount of vitamin A and 13% of the daily vitamin C needed, plus a few grams of fiber to aid digestion and gut health, Sheth said. 5 For those trying to limit sugar intake, pairing peaches – which contain up to 13 grams of natural sugar – with protein or healthy fats is key. Pavel Lysenko – 5 Raw peaches with their skin also provide about 4% of the recommended daily amount of vitamin A and 13% of the daily vitamin C needed, experts said. djoronimo – For those trying to limit sugar intake, pairing peaches – which contain up to 13 grams of natural sugar – with protein or healthy fats is key. This approach helps slow down sugar absorption and stabilizes blood sugar levels, added Sheth, who's also a certified diabetes care and education specialist. 'You can add chopped peaches to your morning toast with nut butter or into your cereal or yogurt bowl, blend it into a smoothie or try grilling peaches with a sprinkle of spice,' she recommended.
The Hindu
19-07-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
New National Medical Commission chairperson calls for affordable private medical education
Coordinated teamwork, a uniform licensing process for doctors across India, and improving the perception of the National Medical Commission (NMC) were among the priority areas for work for the statutory body, Abhijat Sheth, the newly appointed Chairperson of the Commission, told The Hindu in an exclusive interview. Dr. Seth's appointment comes amid controversies and a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into alleged corruption in the process of securing approvals for private medical colleges. Stating that he wouldn't be able to comment on the CBI probe into alleged bribery, Dr. Seth, however, said that the current trend of 'MBBS seat booking' costing many lakhs of rupees at several private medical colleges was a matter of concern. 'What exchange is taking place (between students and medical college authorities) is very difficult to confirm for the Commission. This is a matter for investigating agencies to probe,' he said, adding that the high cost of an MBBS programme, the basic medical undergraduate degree in India, in a private institution could be because quality in education doesn't come cheap. 'Most of us don't look at the cost incurred by the government sector to educate a doctor. When compared to that quality, (the cost of) private education seems expensive,' Dr. Sheth said. 'This is all a matter of perception. Yes, the perception is that the fee is very high…but I'm sure that we, as a team, will be able to, over time, see how best we can optimise this,' he said. The fee structure and cost must be controlled to a level that is comfortable to an average family, he added. 'We want the private medical institutes to survive, and we want that education is affordable,' he said. India has many well-developed government medical institutions with huge capacity for student intake, Dr. Sheth said. 'We must ensure that they are working at their full capacity. The Central government has brought in many initiatives to increase medical seats, and to ensure that their organisations are able to work at full capacity for this. Currently, we feel that we aren't using these institutes to their full capacity — this is an area we need to explore,' the NMC Chairperson said. In India, only 40% of the medical services sector — education, diagnostic services, and treatment — is with the government, Dr. Sheth said, speaking of the private sector's role in healthcare. 'So, (in) training doctors to use the latest and new technology, etc., we have to bring in the private sector. For this, we must work closely with them as partners in the healthcare ecosystem. The Commission is looking at greater collaboration and commitment from the private sector. This is a resource which we would like to engage and harness,' he said. 'They (private medical facilities) have huge learning resources with them. We are actively looking at how best to integrate them,' he added. Also read: Medical education in India is at a crossroads; here's a road map The immediate focus at the NMC would be to improve the quality of education, promote good governance, and make access to the NMC easy for students and doctors, the Chairperson of the regulatory body said. 'Also, all the unnecessary lengthy procedures and processes are to be minimised. This must be replaced with coordinated and sustained teamwork,' Dr. Sheth said.
