SMFG India Credit has made history by achieving a Guinness World Record for the ‘Largest Cattle Welfare Lesson (Multiple Venues)’ with 517 participants across 6 venues in India. This milestone was accomplished as part of the company’s 7th edition of Pashu Vikas Day (PVD), the largest one-day cattle care camps across the country. These camps were simultaneouslyheld in 500 locations across 16 states, benefiting around 1,90,000 beneficiaries (1,50,000 cattle and 40,000 cattle owners).

In India, approximately 65-70% of the rural population relies on agriculture or agriculture-related activities for their livelihood. Hence, cattle and livestock play a crucial role in their livelihood generation activities and financial wellbeing. Recognizing this unbreakable bond, SMFG India Credit celebrated the 7th edition of Pashu Vikas Day under the theme ‘Mera Pashu Mera Parivar,’ reinforcing the importance of livestock in the lives of these rural families.

The annual PVD event also saw active participation of more than 6,000 employees, reinforcing the company’s commitment to rural welfare.

Mr. Shantanu Mitra, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of SMFG India Credit, said, “At SMFG India Credit, we remain steadfast in our commitment to championing social initiatives that create a meaningful impact. With a strong Pan-India presence of 1000+ branches, our primary focus is on Tier-2+ locations, with nearly 90% of our branches strategically positioned in these regions. In fact, over the last two years, we have added around 300 branches, all located in Tier-2+ geographies. Our goal is to drive financial inclusion by providing the right products and financial solutions, enabling us to serve communities at every stage of their life cycle.

I would also like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to each of our dedicated employees for their outstanding commitment and hard work in achieving the Guinness World Record for the Largest Cattle Welfare Lesson across multiple venues. It is truly heartening to see that this year’s Pashu Vikas Day not only surpassed expectations in cattle care, but also introduced specialized knowledge sessions across multiple venues in India, which earned us the Guinness World Record.”

Mr. Swaminathan Subramanian, Chief Operating Officer of SMFG India Credit, said, “The recognition received from Guinness World Records for holding largest cattle welfare lesson across multiple venues is a proud and defining moment for each and every one at SMFG India Credit.  As a company, we have etched our name in the history books on an international level, and it gives us the belief to continue working towards uplifting the communities we serve at large through innovative and sustainable socio-economic initiatives. Setting a world record on Guinness World Records also reaffirms our dedication to rural welfare and motivates us to continue empowering communities by providing financial access through our financial solutions across their life-cycle.”

Building on its rich legacy of achieving world records, Pashu Vikas Day has previously been recognized by the World Records Union, Limca Book of Records, Best of India Records and World Book of Records for hosting the largest cattle care camps organised in a single day.

About SMFG India Credit Co. Ltd. (Formerly Fullerton India Credit Co. Ltd.)

SMFG India Credit Co. Ltd. (Formerly Fullerton India Credit Co. Ltd.), a leading NBFC – Investment and Credit Company (NBFC-ICC) registered with the Reserve Bank of India and a wholly owned subsidiary of SMFG, has been operating in India since 2007. Together with its subsidiary, SMFG India Home Finance Co. Ltd. (Formerly Fullerton India Home Finance Co. Ltd.) also known as SMFG Grihashakti, the company has established a pan-India presence, across 670+ towns and 70,000+ villages through 1000 branches and 25,000+ employees offering lending products to underserved & unserved retail and small business borrowers. By doing so, it has introduced people to formal credit. SMFG India Credit along with SMFG Grihashakti offers a comprehensive range of lending solutions, including SME financing, commercial vehicle and two-wheeler loans, home loans, home improvement loans, loans against property and shares, personal loans, and rural livelihood advancement loans etc.

About Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group (SMFG)

SMFG is one of the largest global banking and financial service groups, offering a diverse range of financial services including commercial banking, leasing, securities and consumer finance and is headquartered in Japan. SMFG is listed on the Tokyo and New York (via ADR) Stock Exchanges and has a market capitalization of approximately US$93.5 billion (as of 31^th December 2024). SMFG is one of the global systemically important banks (G-SIBs) and has high credit ratings of A1 by Moody’s Investors Service and A- by Standard & Poor’s.

 Director General of National Gallery of Modern Art, Dr. Sanjeev Kishor Goutam, was the chief guest at KCCI exhibition booth, appreciated the art work by Korean artists and interacted with artist Kim Deok-han 

The India Art Fair opened today with success.  Director General of National Gallery of Modern Art, Dr. Sanjeev Kishor Goutam, was the chief guest at KCCI exhibition booth at the Art Fair during the opening. He closely appreciated the art work by Korean artists and interacted with artist Kim Deok-han.  Sharing attached the Press Release for your kind consideration.

K-Art special exhibition booth features works by veteran Orientalist artist Kim Keun-joong; Korean painter and paper work artist Lee Gil-woo; and Kim Deok-han, an artist of the new generation who is a master of lacquer works. Artist KIM DEOK HAN will be available in person at the Art Fair. The other 02 artist are available for media interaction via mail .

PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI), in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India; Gujarat Tourism; Madhya Pradesh Tourism; and Uttar Pradesh Tourism, is set to host the 7^th edition of Global Film Tourism Conclave (GFTC) on 14 February 2025 from 10 am to 5 pm at Radisson Blu Mumbai International Airport.

Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat*, Hon’ble Minister of Tourism and Culture, Government of India has been invited as the Chief Guest to inaugurate the conclave.

A keynote address by Mr. Sabbas Joseph, Co-Founder of Wizcraft Group, will highlight the impact of large-scale film events like the International Indian Film Academy Awards (IIFA) on tourism, showcasing how film-induced tourism benefits host cities and countries.

Another keynote session titled ‘Evolving Landscape of Films and Tourism’ exploring the growing synergy between films and tourism over the decades, will feature Mr. Shibasish Sarkar, President, Producers Guild of India and Group CEO, Reliance Entertainment Studios.

Key sessions will include ‘Shoot to Bill, Tourist Dollars’, moderated by Ms. Reema Lokesh, Founder and Editor, Reemarkabl.com, featuring Mr. Prithul Kumar, Joint Secretary (Broadcasting II) and MD, National Film Development Corporation, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Government of India; Ms. Lohita Sujith, Sr. Director – Copyright & Digital Economy, Motion Picture Association India Office; Mr. Sunil Doshi, CEO, Alliance Media & Entertainment; Mr. Himanshu Patil, Director, Kesari Tours; and Mr. Amrit Mann, Director, Mann Tours India. The session will discuss India’s increasing appeal for international film productions, particularly since the introduction of a 30% incentive for foreign film productions, which has led to a 25% increase in film shootings in India over the past two years.

A special segment on ‘Filming in Madhya Pradesh & Gujarat’ will focus on how these states are emerging as prime filming destinations, offering insights from tourism board representatives and industry experts. Reports from state tourism departments indicate that Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat have recorded a 40% rise in film productions, leading to substantial tourism revenue and employment generation.

Another key session, ‘Availing Government Incentives for Shooting in India’, will be presented by Ms. Shruti Rajkumar, Vice President (I&B Desk), India Cine Hub, providing insights on policies and financial incentives available for filmmakers.

The session ‘Cinematic ROI: Unveiling the Economics of Film Tourism’ will be moderated by Mr. Utpal Acharya, CEO, Content Engineers, with panelists including Mr. Aliaksandr Matsukou, Consul General of the Republic of Belarus in Mumbai; Ms. Malvika Khatri, Head – Films, Roy Kapur Films; Mr. Madhav Roy Kapur, Executive Producer, Dharma Productions; and Mr. Jaiprakash Rengarajan, CEO & Founder, All Around Globe. This discussion will analyze how film tourism generates billions in revenue worldwide and what strategies India can adopt to capture a larger share of this growing market.

According to a report by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), global film tourism contributes an estimated $88 billion annually to the world economy, with locations featured in popular films seeing a 30-50% increase in tourist visits.

With an impressive lineup of speakers and industry experts to foster collaborations between the film and tourism sectors, this conclave aims to explore how cinema can drive tourism growth and enhance destination branding.

GFTC 2025 is being held under the guidance of Mr. Anil Parashar, Chairman – Tourism Committee, PHDCCI and Executive Director, Interglobe Technology Quotient and Mr. Rajan Sehgal, Co-Chair – Tourism Committee, PHDCCI and Founder & Advisor, Teleporters Travel Solutions.