New Delhi, July 2013: Fortune India?s 2013 list of Most Admired Companies is a toast to all of India Inc., which is heroically striving against all odds.

This year, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has topped the list, becoming India?s most admired company (ranked No. 5 last year).

The previous year?s winner, Tata Steel, slips to No. 7. Hindustan Unilever retains its No. 2 position followed by ITC (previously at No. 7). Infosys shares the No. 3 position with ITC. This year, ICICI Bank makes its debut in the top 10.

An interesting fact is that this year, two public sector companies?State Bank of India and ONGC?are in the top 10. Last year, there were no PSUs in the top 10 list.

The Fortune India ranking of India?s Most Admired Companies was done in partnership with Hay Group India. Companies are rated on the parameters of corporate governance, endurance, performance, quality, financial soundness, innovativeness, leadership, talent management, social responsibility, and global business. Apart from the overall rankings, there are sector specific rankings, covering 16 key industries.

This year, companies were also ranked based on unprompted endorsements by peers. This ranking threw up some surprises and, in many cases, differed from the overall rankings. According to its peers, Hindustan Lever is ranked No. 1, followed by TCS. Infosys stayed on at No. 3 in peer endorsements as well.

The sector rankings, where respondents from the same industry rank companies, throw up some interesting observations. Companies that have been ranked on top score the highest on two parameters?product quality and financial soundness. Of the 16 companies that have topped their respective categories, 12 have topped the ?product/service quality? attribute and ?financial soundness? attribute. Then comes ?innovation? with 11 of the 16 topping, followed by endurance, leadership, talent management, corporate social responsibility, and global business footprint with 10. Then comes corporate governance at nine, and performance at eight.

D.N. Mukerjea, Editor, Fortune India, said ?In my interactions with many new entrepreneurs and CEOs, I have come to the conclusion that nobody today starts or runs a business just to get rich. They do it because they feel they can make a difference, and the ultimate prize they seek is the admiration of their peers. Our ranking of India?s Most Admired Companies, done in partnership with the Hay Group, rests on that central idea. Admiration is a composite of traits and, therefore, hard to earn.?

Sending her congratulations to the winners, Anita Mazumdar, National Advertising Director, Fortune India, said: ?In bad times, when everyone tries so hard to overcome the odds, every company deserves to be a winner. The ranking features corporations who are true value creators and continue to rule because of good practices.?

Congratulating the winners, Gaurav Lahiri, Managing Director, Hay Group India, said: ?Hay Group India is excited to roll out the second edition of India?s Most Admired Companies in partnership with Fortune India. This year, 2 criteria in particular, Leadership and Creating Shareholder Value, separate the ?Top 10? from the remaining winners, with Talent Management coming in a close third. Therefore, in today?s uncertain business environment, it is more important than ever for organizations to continue to create shareholder value through good leadership and talent management practices.?

Methodology:
The India?s Most Admired Companies was conducted in two phases. In Phase-I 493 companies were shortlisted from 16 industries based on multiple factors such as revenue, market share etc. Each company was then ranked within its industry by a peer group comprising of executives from that industry. A total of 552 respondents participated in Phase-I.

A shortlist of 75 companies- industry leaders derived in Phase-I- was then created based on the industry rankings. In Phase-II, the 75 companies shortlisted were ranked, across industries, by each other, overall as well as across the selection criteria. A total of 108 respondents participated in Phase-II. The overall ranking of India?s Most Admired Companies was thus obtained.

Hay Group is a global management consulting firm that works with leaders to transform strategy into reality.Hay Group partners with Fortune globally, using a similar methodology, to develop the World?s Most Admired Companies. This is the second edition of this study- India?s Most Admired Companies.

The top 20 companies in Fortune India?s Most Admired Companies for 2013 are:

Surat, 12 July 2013: The World?s diamond capital today witnessed some more sparkle with INOX launching its multiplex at VR Surat. With the launch of this multiplex in the city, INOX is now open to guests with 8 screens and 1795 seats. INOX additionally brings in its signature recliner lounge INSIGNIA to Surat which will cater to its guests for a luxury movie viewing experience.

Mr. Alok Tandon, CEO, INOX Leisure Ltd. said, ?It?s our privilege to launch INOX in this beautiful city of Surat. Our aim is to revolutionize the movie watching experience in the city with modern comforts, high end 2K DCI compliant digital projectors to screen both 2D and 3D movies, clear uncompressed sound and bright, crystal clear image.?

Mr. Anupam Yog, Marketing Director, Virtuous Retail, said, ?We welcome INOX brand debut in the city at VR Surat, south Gujarat?s only integrated community centre and lifestyle destination. INOX patrons will enjoy the twin delights of watching films as well as unique outdoor -indoor experiences at VR Surat?s ?Festival Park?, ?Magdalla Plaza?, ?I Love Dumas Square?, ?Streat?, ?The Runway? and ?Center Court?. Sprawling across 6 lakh sq. feet with huge parking space for over 500 cars, VR Surat provides the perfect setting for an enjoyable outing for patrons who can also choose from over 75+ brands, many of which will be debuting in Surat and Gujarat.?

INOX at VR Surat will screen a mix of Hindi, English and Gujarati movies besides movies in other Indian languages, all under one roof. REFUEL, the in-house brand of theatre food, will serve an extended menu of flavoured popcorn, hot and cold snacks, beverages and a variety of combo meals. Guests at INSIGNIA lounge which has a screen with 56 luxury recliners will enjoy gourmet food with personalized service and hospitality. Staff trained in Ushering, Box Office, Concessions and Housekeeping will ensure an overall comfortable and pleasant experience. In addition to these facilities, a high standard of hygiene and security within the multiplex coupled with world-class comfort will provide an unparalleled movie viewing experience.

The movies showcased in the opening week are Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, Lootera, Ghanchakkar, Raanjhnaa, Fukrey, Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani (Hindi) and Despicable Me 2 (3D), World War Z (3D), Man of Steel (3D) The Heat (English).

Mumbai, July 10, 2013: Yash Raj Films (YRF) joins hands with Karol Bagh Saree House (KBSH) to create India?s first Bollywood inspired fashion label called Diva?ni? Where fashion romances Bollywood. India?s leading Production House, YRF along with KBSH, aim to serenade the splendour of Indian cinema through aspirational fashion. The brand is a reflection of the rich legacy and heritage associated with both these esteemed names, which celebrates the glitz, glamour, and drama that reverberates from the age-old union of fashion and cinema.

The objective behind the inception of Diva?ni is to create a brand that is infused with the spirit of Bollywood amalgamated with a glamour quotient that fashion adds to it. Taking ode from the rich Indian traditions and keeping them alive in the form of Diva?ni?s exquisite ensembles, YRF & KBSH together present an experience-consume journey for the Indian and International audiences. The brand strives to make women feel like a diva, who traditionally have been the epitome of pure elegance, grace and beauty. Diva?ni reflects the way Mr. Yash Chopra envisioned his heroines and brought out the best in every woman he worked with.

Inspired from Yash Chopra?s vision and portrayal of the diva in every woman, the first collection to be launched will be a fitting tribute to the man, who in many ways helped define Bollywood fashion.

Rohit Sobti, YRF?s Vice President, Licensing & Merchandising said, ?YRF has been looking to participate in a meaningful way in the apparel category, in order to bring the trends of Bollywood and YRF closer to the consumers. As an industry, we have been setting fashion trends for our fans worldwide over the last 100 years. Development of the brand Diva?ni is a most significant effort by any Film Studio in the world and KBSH is an ideal associate in helping us achieve our goal. With KBSH?s long-standing expertise in creating high quality designs, and always at the forefront of changing fashions over the years, we are sure that they will bring the requisite skill sets for this venture to succeed.?

Commenting on the association, Ms Sanya Dhir, Brand Director, KBSH said, ?Coming with a vast understanding of the ethnic fashion industry, and with an experience of over 50 years, we at KBSH understand what a woman wants in her ensemble. In a country like India where women of all age groups are so highly inspired by Indian cinema, we strive to give our audiences a brand that will bring them a step closer to living their Bollywood dream. We are very happy that India?s premier studio YRF shares our vision and has joined hands with us in this very exciting endeavour. Over the last several decades, YRF has pioneered and mastered the presentation of fashion in their iconic films, and have been creating ?divas? forever. We are sure the association with YRF will bring alive our dream of celebrating the diva in every woman. The design team behind Diva?ni strives to create ensembles that celebrate the emotion in motion, offering the customer an experience to be as stylish and feel as beautiful as a Diva.?

These two brands, coming under this association, will soon be disclosing more details. House of KBSH is an ethnic wear brand-serving generations since 1947. Recognised for its traditional values and contemporary approach to fashion and styling, the brand is committed to adding elegance and romance to the six yards of canvas. Juxtaposing this classy element is the symphony of dance, drama and romance brought in by YRF in this enterprise. Accredited to be India?s largest production company with aninnate passion for entertainment, YRF strives to applaud the inner diva in every woman with the launch of Diva?ni.

MUMBAI: The channel distributes barfi to citizens across India on the eve of the film?s telecast

Barfi.jpgThis one is aimed at just putting a smile on your face! With India?s No. 1 Hindi movie channel, Zee Cinema, all set to telecast the multiple award-winning and Academy Award-nominated blockbuster of the year 2012 ?Barfi!? on Sunday, 14th July at 9 PM, the channel has plans to spread the sweetness one associates with the film amongst the audiences across India!

By way of an innovative marketing initiative, on 12th, 13th and 14th July, Zee Cinema will have their ?volunteers of sweetness? (read young men on bicycles dressed as Ranbir?s iconic character from the film) distribute barfi to the common man across Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Pune, Nagpur, Lucknow, Kanpur & Indore. Taking audience engagement one step further, the channel will have ?Barfi!? masks distributed to school students, with volunteers getting them to try the famous ?Barfi!? dance step or say ?Barfi? like Ranbir Kapoor did in the film. The core thought behind the initiative is to spread the masti and magic associated with movies, something Zee Cinema, as a channel, has always stood for!

Akash Chawla, Head-Marketing, National Channels, ZEEL said, ?This is a feel-good initiative for a feel-good film. With a film like ?Barfi!? that warms your heart, our idea is to spread its sweetness amongst our audience. Along with a mass media campaign, we felt a campaign that directly engages with our viewers and puts a smile on their faces would work best!?

?Barfi!? is an Indian romantic comedy-drama film directed, written and co-produced by Anurag Basu. Set in the 1970s, the film depicts the story of Murphy "Barfi" Johnson (a mute and deaf man from Darjeeling) and his relationship with two women, Shruti and Jhilmil (who is autistic). The film stars Ranbir Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra, and Ileana D?Cruz in the lead roles. Barfi! opened worldwide to wide critical acclaim. The film was also a major box-office success, becoming one of the highest-grossing Bollywood films of 2012 in India and overseas. The film was selected as India?s official entry for the Best Foreign Language Film nomination for the 85th Academy Awards. Barfi won several awards and nominations at various award ceremonies across India. Stay tuned to ?Barfi!? on Sunday, 14th July at 9 PM, only on Zee Cinema.

New Delhi, July 11, 2013 ? EnglishEdge, the leading provider of technology based English language learning solutions in India, today announced that it has received the ?Most Innovative New Learning Hardware or Software Products? at ?Global e-Learning Award 2013? conducted by World Education Congress. This prestigious award was given by World Education Congress on June 28, 2013 which is endorsed by prominent industry thought leaders.

The Global E-Learning Awards recognizes excellence in e-learning focusing on the Best and Innovative use of the existing or new Technologies to enhance Learning. It aims to recognize the Best of the Best and is organized for a professional cause comprising Awards in various Fields like Training Company of the Year Award , Innovative Learning Technology, Blended Technology Award, Content Development Award and many more ensuring that the best efforts made in the Educational practice is acknowledged and celebrated. Mr. Vivek Agarwal, CEO, EnglishEdge states that this award underlines the efforts that we have made in creating world class eLearning product with the use of technology we look forward to continuing our journey and to achieving even larger impact.

The World Education Congress brought several Global Personalities in Education and Academies under one roof exploring how education can help to develop mental, emotional and physical skills along with personal excellence, psychological and social well being, in today?s challenging world.