Archives 2024

21 December 2024: UPES, a multidisciplinary university in Dehradun, has announced a collaboration with Amazon Web Services (AWS) India Private Limited and CloudThat, the latter serving as the academic training partner. This collaboration aims to equip students with cutting-edge cloud computing skills, leveraging AWS’s comprehensive learning ecosystem and CloudThat’s expertise in instructor-led training.

As part of the partnership, UPES will adopt a blended learning approach to train students in AWS cloud technologies. The curriculum integrates AWS Skill Builder, an innovative online learning platform, and instructor-led sessions by CloudThat. This initiative is designed to enable students to acquire both theoretical knowledge and practical experience, ensuring they are industry-ready. This collaboration will enable students to gain a competitive edge in the job market by equipping them with future-focused skills highly sought after in the tech-driven industry 4.0.

The AWS Skill Builder platform provides access to over 600 courses across 30+ technical domains and more than 1,000 lab experiences. Students can develop practical skills through AWS Builder Labs, AWS SimuLearn, and immersive simulations like AWS Cloud Quest and AWS Industry Quest. Additionally, AWS Jam offers real-world problem-solving in areas such as security, DevOps, AI/ML, and cloud migration, ensuring a comprehensive, hands-on learning experience.

Emphasizing the university’s focus on emerging technologies, Dr. Ram Sharma, Vice Chancellor, UPES, said: “This collaboration empowers our students with access to cutting-edge tools, immersive simulations, and practical learning experiences, ensuring they are well-prepared to excel in domains such as AI, ML, cybersecurity, and beyond. Our partnership with AWS and CloudThat reflects our vision of providing students with industry-relevant and hands-on training in cloud technologies.”

“We’re thrilled to enable 500 future-ready students from UPES through the AWS Skill Builder program. This is an excellent starting point for the students on their AWS learning journey. At AWS, we are committed to empowering young minds with emerging technologies such as cloud computing, generative AI, data analytics, and machine learning. By providing these students with hands-on experience and industry-relevant skills, we’re not only enabling them to build successful careers, but also contributing to India’s growing digital economy. This initiative aligns with our mission to bridge the cloud skills gap and foster innovation across the country,” said Amit Mehta, Head – Training and Certification, AWS India Private Limited.

“We are thrilled to partner with UPES to empower the next generation of talent with cutting-edge AWS Cloud skills. This collaboration will enable students to graduate as certified AWS experts, equipped with practical knowledge of the in-demand skills essential for today’s tech-driven industries. By fostering innovation and skill development, we are proud to contribute to India’s growth and its vision of becoming a $5 trillion economy. A heartfelt thank you to UPES for placing their trust in us and to AWS for their invaluable support in making this partnership a success!” said Bhavesh Goswami, Founder & CEO, CloudThat.

The collaboration by UPES with AWS and CloudThat is a step forward in empowering students with industry-relevant skills, enhancing their career prospects, and contributing to India’s growing cloud ecosystem.

21th December: ORRA Fine Jewellery, the Ultimate Diamond Destination, proudly announces the launch of a new exclusive collection – the MS Dhoni Signature Edition by Men of Platinum. This special range of jewellery pays homage to the unparalleled journey of Mahendra Singh Dhoni, the epitome of resilience and greatness, through finely crafted platinum pieces bringing alive his strength and endurance.

The collection features meticulously designed jewellery inspired by MS Dhoni’s remarkable journey. The limited-edition range includes the Platinum Momentum Bracelet that symbolizes his resilience, the Platinum Cube Fusion Bracelet with a striking dual-tone effect, the Platinum Harmony Chain, and the Platinum Grid Kada blending refined patterns with rose gold accents. Each piece reflects quiet determination, bold leadership, and authenticity like never before!

Crafted in platinum, a metal renowned for its enduring strength and pristine brilliance, this collection reflects the core values of MS Dhoni very well. What’s more is that each piece, from the collection, carries the legendary cricketer’s iconic signature, embodying the steadfast determination and unwavering composure that define his legacy.

Speaking about the launch, Mr Dipu Mehta, Managing Director of ORRA Fine Jewellery, said, “The MS Dhoni Signature Edition celebrates timeless values that the legendary cricketer has displayed throughout his career — resilience, strength, and authenticity. Just as platinum symbolizes rarity and durability, this collection pays tribute to his greatness. We are thrilled to partner with MS Dhoni to bring this iconic range to our customers.”

Expressing his thoughts on the collection, MS Dhoni said, “ORRA Fine Jewellery’s new limited-edition collection is a true reflection of my philosophy of remaining true to one’s values while navigating life’s challenges. The strength and purity of platinum resonate deeply with me. Each piece is a reminder of the greatness that lies within all of us, and I am really impressed with how the brand crafted these beautiful pieces with incorporated all my inputs and personal preferences.”

The MS Dhoni Signature Edition by Men of Platinum is now available at ORRA Fine Jewellery stores nationwide. So, discover the collection and celebrate the rare within you.

· To cater to the growing electric two and three-wheeler market in the national capital

· Building a robust EV ecosystem and creating opportunities for Delhi’s youth in e-mobility

Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited in the North & Northwest parts of Delhi, is a leading power utility supplying electricity to a populace of around 9 million in North Delhi has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with M/s Baaz Bikes (Electorq Technologies Private Limited), a battery swapping service provider, for augmenting and setting up of Electric Vehicle Battery Swapping Stations across North and Northwest Delhi. As per the agreement, Tata Power-DDL will allocate dedicated space to set up battery swapping stations. M/s Baaz Bikes (Electorq Technologies Private Limited) will be responsible for designing, procuring, installing, and maintaining these stations

The MoU was signed between Tata Power-DDL & M/s Baaz Bikes (Electorq Technologies Private Limited) in presence of senior officials from both the organizations including – Mr. Gajanan S. Kale, Chief Executive Officer, Tata Power-DDL, Ms. Kiran Gupta, Chief-Customer Experience, Commercial, Govt Affairs, EAC & Consumer Litigation, Tata Power-DDL, Mr. Rajesh Bahl, Chief-Operations & Safety, Tata Power-DDL, and Mr. Shubham Srivastava, Co-Founder of M/s Baaz Bikes, Mr. Abhishek Gupta, Director-Partnership & Policy, M/s Baaz Bikes.

By combining Tata Power-DDL’s infrastructure with M/s Baaz Bikes (Electorq Technologies Private Limited) advanced charging and battery-swapping technology, the partnership aims to promote commercial gig electric two-wheeler mobility in Delhi. This initiative will benefit gig workers and help formalize & boost the informal sector. The association is also expected to reduce power theft and improve remunerative opportunities for shared e-mobility.

Initially, Baaz Bikes will set up three Battery Swapping Stations in Tata Power-DDL grid substations at Rohini Grid -5, Rohini Grid-23 & Rohini Grid-28.

Commenting on this partnership, Mr. Gajanan S. Kale, Chief Executive Officer, Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited said, Tata Power-DDL is pleased to collaborate with Baaz Bikes to establish a robust network of EV charging and battery-swapping stations in Delhi. By leveraging our energy infrastructure expertise and Baaz Bikes’ advanced battery-swapping technology, this partnership is a step forward in accelerating electric two-wheeler adoption and advancing environmental sustainability. Together, we aim to contribute to cleaner air, reduced noise pollution, and meaningful socio-economic opportunities for Delhi’s youth, strengthening the gig economy and driving the city towards a greener future.”

December 21, 2024 – Specialty chemicals company LANXESS saw a significant earnings increase in the third quarter of 2024: EBITDA pre-exceptionals came in at EUR 173 million, up 45.4 percent from the prior-year quarter’s EUR 119 million. This was mainly due to higher volumes, increased capacity utilization and cost savings from the “FORWARD!” action plan.

“Despite the continuing rough sea and the challenging competitive environment for the chemical industry, we are staying on course. Our timely actions to address the global weakness in demand are paying off. Our plants are operating at higher capacity utilization and our “FORWARD!” action plan has significantly improved our cost situation. We are therefore maintaining our guidance for the full year – even though a broad-based recovery is not yet in sight,” said Matthias Zachert, Chairman of the Board of Management of LANXESS AG.

At EUR 1.598 billion, Group sales remained almost stable compared to the prior-year figure of EUR 1.601 billion. Volumes increased in almost all business units, while selling prices declined, in particular due to lower raw material and energy costs.
The EBITDA margin pre-exceptionals reached 10.8 percent in the third quarter, compared to 7.4 percent in the prior-year period. Net income amounted to EUR 1 million and was generated entirely from continuing operations. In the prior-year period, net income from continuing operations was minus EUR 131 million.

LANXESS reaffirms its guidance for the current fiscal year 2024 and continues to expect an increase in earnings of 10 to 20 percent compared to prior-year figure of EUR 512 million. For the fourth quarter, the company expects a subdued performance due to the normal seasonal nature of its business.

Sale of the Urethane Systems business
At the beginning of October, LANXESS signed an agreement to sell its Urethane Systems business to Japan’s UBE Corporation. The business is valued at EUR 460 million and LANXESS expects to receive proceeds of around EUR 500 million. Zachert said: “We also made strategic progress in this quarter. With the agreed sale of our Urethane Systems business unit we have divested our last polymer business and completed the transformation of our Group into a specialty chemicals company.” LANXESS plans to use the proceeds from the sale to reduce debt. The transaction remains subject to the approval of the relevant authorities. LANXESS expects the transaction to close in the first half of 2025.

Business performance in the segments
The Consumer Protection segment posted third-quarter sales of EUR 521 million, down 10.3 percent from EUR 581 million in the year-ago quarter. EBITDA pre-exceptionals came in at EUR 71 million, down 15.5 percent from EUR 84 million recorded in the prior-year period. Earnings were impacted in particular by continued very weak demand from agrochemical customers. By contrast, business with customers in the other industries was positive. The EBITDA margin pre-exceptionals was 13.6 percent, compared to 14.5 percent in the prior-year quarter.

In the third quarter, the Specialty Additives segment posted sales of EUR 550 million, on a par with the prior-year quarter (EUR 549 million). EBITDA pre-exceptionals rose 84.8 percent to EUR 61 million from EUR 33 million in the prior-year quarter. Higher capacity utilization and cost savings from the “FORWARD!” action plan had a positive impact on earnings. The EBITDA margin pre-exceptionals rose to 11.1 percent, against 6.0 percent in the previous year.

Sales in the Advanced Intermediates segment rose by 12.9 percent from EUR 403 million in the third quarter of 2023 to EUR 455 million in the third quarter of 2024. EBITDA pre-exceptionals reached EUR 68 million, up 126.7 percent from the prior-year figure of EUR 30 million. Earnings and margins benefited from higher capacity utilization due to volume growth and cost savings from the “FORWARD!” action plan. The EBITDA margin pre-exceptionals rose to 14.9 percent, from 7.4 percent in the prior-year period.

• The one lakh unit milestone was achieved with the rollout of the popular Isuzu D-MAX V-Cross from its Sri City Plant, Andhra Pradesh

The company has successfully doubled its vehicle production over the last two years

Bengaluru 21 December 2024,: Isuzu Motors India announced their milestone achievement of rolling out one lakh vehicles from its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility at Sri City, Andhra Pradesh. This remarkable achievement underscores Isuzu’s steadfast commitment to the Indian market and reflects its growing presence in the country’s automotive market. The one lakh vehicle milestone achievement was marked with the rollout of popular Isuzu D-MAX V-Cross model that has consistently garnered trust and recognition for its durability and reliability.

Dr. N. Yuvaraj, Secretary to Government, Industries Commerce & Food Processing Department, Andhra Pradesh was the chief guest of the event. The guests of honour were Dr. Ravindra Sannareddy, Founder & MD, Sri City along with Makoto Sado, Chairman, Sri City Japanese Company Group.

Isuzu Motors India began its operations in 2016 by setting up its manufacturing facility in Sri City. Bringing synergy in manufacturing operations, the company commenced its Phase-II operations in 2020 with the inauguration of the state-of-the-art Press Shop facility and engine assembly plant. Since then, more than 14,00,000 pressed parts have been rolled out from the facility.

Driven by the growing market demand, Isuzu Motors India has doubled its vehicle and engine production in the last two years, showcasing the company’s ability to adapt to evolving customer needs, while adhering to the same global levels of quality for which Isuzu is known for. Aligning with its long-term ‘Make in India’ strategy, Isuzu Motors India has strengthened its operations for the domestic market and has contributed towards expanding Isuzu’s footprint globally.

Sharing his thoughts, Mr. Rajesh Mittal, President & Managing Director, Isuzu Motor India, said, “At Isuzu Motors India, we take immense pride in our journey here in India. Over the years, the company has achieved significant milestones in both production and exports. One key highlight is that, around 22% of our production line workforce comprises talented women. This showcases our commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion. Additionally, 100% of our production workforce are diploma engineers and they make world-class vehicles adhering to the same global standards of Isuzu’s manufacturing and operational excellence. This has enabled us to become the leading exporter of commercial vehicles from India. As we continue to grow, we remain committed to provide products and services of the highest level of quality in India and in the overseas market.”

Commenting on the occasion, Mr. Toru Kishimoto, Deputy Managing Director of Isuzu Motors India, said “Achieving this milestone is a testament to the trust our customers place in delivering vehicles of reliable and versatile products of the highest quality that are made for India. This is a proud moment for us and it reflects our unwavering commitment to India, a market of immense potential and strategic importance to Isuzu. We remain focused on delivering value-driven, reliable, and innovative mobility solutions to the delight of our customers.”

In addition to ramping up production, Isuzu Motors India has significantly expanded its reach across the country this year. Going forward, the company is looking to increase its touch points for taking the brand much closer to its customers for a seamless ownership experience.

December 21, 2024 – NETSCOUT SYSTEMS, INC, a leading provider of performance management, cybersecurity, and DDoS attack protection solutions, today announced updates to its industry-leading Arbor Edge Defense (AED) and Arbor Enterprise Manager (AEM) products as part of its Adaptive DDoS Protection Solution to combat AI-enabled DDoS threats and protect critical IT infrastructure. NETSCOUT’s DDoS Threat Intelligence Report noted that application-layer and volumetric attacks have increased by over 43% and 30%, respectively. DDoS-for-hire services have also increased in number and sophistication, making attacks easier to launch. The Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) also recently released a cybersecurity advisory that validated the need for better controls to prevent and detect malicious activity, reinforcing enterprises’ need for protective solutions to minimize business risk.

“According to recent IDC research, IT environment complexity is often the top challenge to an organization’s mitigation efforts, especially as attackers continually modulate their attack vectors using AI to challenge defenses,” said Chris Rodriguez, Research Director, Security & Trust, IDC. “Organizations need to invest in proactive, adaptive measures to protect their environments like those provided by NETSCOUT’s Adaptive DDoS Protection solution. Reactive or static mitigation that lacks sophisticated intelligence creates unnecessary risk and opens the door for costly damage to business productivity and reputation.”

NETSCOUT employs artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) technology in its ATLAS Threat Intelligence Feed and in a unique set of capabilities for adaptive DDoS protection. The NETSCOUT ATLAS global threat intelligence system monitors over 550 Tbps of Internet traffic in real-time across over 500 ISPs and 2000-plus enterprise sites from over 100 countries. The AI/ML algorithms run in the ATLAS cloud infrastructure as part of a product-independent data collection and analysis pipeline that can be updated anytime without requiring product software or customer site updates.

AI/ML technology is also used in the latest AED and AEM releases to create a repeatable closed-loop DDoS attack analysis and mitigation process that automatically identifies changing attack vectors and provides recommendations specific to those attack vectors for attack mitigation, with the option to automatically apply those recommendations. NETSCOUT’s AI/ML-powered ATLAS Threat Intelligence and Adaptive DDoS Protection solution utilizing AED and AEM automates DDoS attack detection and protection workflows to reduce downtime costs and provide better protection for business-critical services whether they reside on-premises or live in the public cloud.

“Adaptive DDoS Protection provides customers with a sophisticated feature set designed to stop the ever-evolving threats to critical IT infrastructure, which has increased by 55% over the last four years,” said Scott Iekel-Johnson, AVP, DDoS and Threat Intelligence at NETSCOUT. “We’re continually adding new capabilities to our solution to help organizations protect assets anywhere, including on-premises, in a private data center, or a public cloud through a single solution.”

Additional enhancements include holistic management and visibility into blocking non-DDoS threats, a new appliance that supports up to 200 Gbps of DDoS attack mitigation capacity and high-performance decryption, and Virtual AED’s extended support for Microsoft Azure public cloud environments, in addition to AWS Cloud, for unified hybrid-cloud DDoS attack protection.

December 20, 2024: The 180th State Level Bankers’ Committee (SLBC) meeting for Tamil Nadu was successfully conducted by Indian Overseas Bank, the Convenor of SLBC Tamil Nadu, on December 19, 2024, in Chennai. Thiru Thangam Thennarasu, Hon’ble Minister for Finance and Human Resources Management, Government of Tamil Nadu (GoTN), graced the event as the Chief Guest.

Prominent dignitaries present included:

• Thiru.Dhanaraj T, Executive Director, Indian Overseas Bank, and Chairman, SLBC Tamil Nadu

• Thiru T. Udhayachandran, IAS, Principal Secretary, Department of Finance, GoTN

• Smt. Uma Sankar, Regional Director, Reserve Bank of India

• Thiru R. Anand, Chief General Manager, NABARD

• Secretaries and Department Heads of various GoTN departments

• Senior executives from RBI, NABARD, state government, and banks

• Collectors and Lead District Managers (LDMs) from all districts of Tamil Nadu

In his keynote address, the Hon’ble Finance Minister commended the banking fraternity for achieving an impressive 127.28% Credit Deposit (CD) Ratio as of September 30, 2024. He also highlighted the commendable progress in achieving 51.39% of the Annual Credit Plan (ACP) target for FY 2024-25 during the second quarter.

The Minister applauded the launch of innovative state government schemes in 2024, such as Kalaignar Kaivinai Thittam (KKT) and Kalaignarin Kanavu Illam, which reflect the state’s commitment to inclusive development. He noted that credit to women constitutes 20.09% of total advances and urged banks to enhance lending to Self-Help Groups (SHGs).

During the meeting, the Convenor of SLBC Tamil Nadu, Thiru Reyaz Ul Haque, General Manager, Indian Overseas Bank, presented key agenda items. Discussions centered on Priority Sector Lending, including Agriculture, MSMEs, Educational Loans, Housing Loans, and loans to women borrowers, weaker sections, minorities, and SC/STs.

The meeting also highlighted the Achievement of Rs. 4,15,623.46 crore under the Annual Credit Plan (ACP) for the quarter ended September 2024, representing 51.39% of the annual target of Rs. 8,08,744.58 crore for FY 2024-25.

The SLBC meeting serve as a platform for productive discussions to further the socio-economic growth of Tamil Nadu through focused financial inclusion and lending initiatives.

20th December 2024: The Appliances Business of Godrej Enterprises Group, partnered with the AICTE for the 7th edition of the Smart India Hackathon (SIH) 2024. The event was conducted at multiple institutions all over India, where 1,350 finalist teams presented their ideas to tackle 254 problem statements that covered diverse themes like sustainability and environment consciousness in industry practices, blockchain, smart automation and many more.

During a virtual ceremony, the Chief Guest, Hon’ble Minister of Education Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, inaugurated the event, and the Hon’ble Minister of State for Education, Dr. Sukanta Majumdar, graced the occasion as the Guest of Honour. Dr. Abhay Jere, Vice Chairman of AICTE and Chief Innovation Officer of the Innovation Cell, Ministry of Education, and Mr. Sant Ranjan, AVP and Head of Innovation (R&D) at the Appliances Business of Godrej Enterprises Group participated amongst other dignitaries.

With the increasing strain on global resources, finding innovative ways to conserve them has become crucial. Reports suggest that India’s demand for electricity for running household appliances is estimated to expand nine-fold by 2050. Thus, for SIH 2024, Godrej picked the theme – “Innovating for Sustainability: Driving Resource Conservation in Large Appliances” as a challenge for the students.

Speaking about the success of the event, Dr. Abhay Jere, Vice Chairman, AICTE, said, “SIH 2024 has been a testament to the power of innovation and collaboration in solving real-world challenges. Our partnership with Godrej exemplifies how collaboration between private enterprises and government institutions can accelerate innovation by bridging the gap between academic learning and practical application, while also addressing critical societal and environmental challenges.”

Congratulating the participants, Mr. Sant Ranjan, AVP and Head of Innovation (R&D) at Appliances Business of Godrej Enterprises Group, said, “At Godrej Enterprises Group, we have always believed in the power of innovation to drive positive change. Partnering with AICTE for SIH 2024 and mentoring the young participants has been a great experience. The innovative solutions from the students instil confidence that we are headed towards a more sustainable and greener future. My heartfelt congratulations to the winning teams.”

Smart India Hackathon 2024 reached 2,99,352 students from 2,600 higher education institutions. A total of 49,892 teams tackled 254 problem statements and the finale was broadcast live across 51 nodal centers, allowing audiences from all over the country to witness the creativity and ingenuity of India’s young innovators.

Team Refrirangers from the Institute of Management Studies Noida, Team Pure Rince from Gujarat Technological University Ahmedabad, and Team MECHSPACE from Knowledge Institute of Technology Tamil Nadu were recognized for their outstanding performance that stood out amongst the many brilliant, unique,e and diverse solutions presented from institutes all over India, to tackle the challenge of sustainability in appliances.

20 December – The Jaipur Literature Festival, known as the ‘greatest literary show on earth’, returns for its 18th edition from 30th January to 3rd February 2025 at Hotel Clarks Amer, Jaipur. Teamwork Arts, India’s pioneering curation company and Festival producer, revealed the first list of sessions for the 2025 programme, which will, once again, reinforce the transformative power of books and ideas.

With an ever-evolving legacy, the Festival is a crucial platform of local and global voices. The upcoming edition promises to foster dialogue, bridge divides, and spotlight diverse perspectives with a carefully curated lineup. With over 300 eminent speakers, this year’s Festival will feature debate, discourse and stories.

Among sessions that have been announced include:

Poor Economics for the Young
In their intriguing book, Poor Economics for Kids, Nobel Prize-winner Esther Duflo and renowned illustrator Cheyenne Olivier explain economic concepts to younger readers, encouraging them to open their minds and broaden their perspectives. Together, Duflo and Olivier discuss the early foundation of social awareness and empathy it seeks to establish.

Our City That Year
International Booker Prize-winner Geetanjali Shree allows glimpses of startling insight into the fragmented atmosphere and psyches of a society, of friends and individuals, marked by the divisiveness of communalism, in Hamara Shahar Us Baras, translated into Our City That Year by International Booker Prize-winning translator Daisy Rockwell. At this session, Shree speaks about how her novel tells the story of any city, any year, at a time when sectarian divides are globally on the rise.

David Hare: A Life in Theatre and Film
BAFTA-winning playwright David Hare, author of iconic works such as The Secret Rapture, The Absence of War, and Skylight, and celebrated as ‘the finest living British dramatist’, gives us insight into his creative process and the inspirations and moments that have shaped his career.

India’s First Diplomats
Nehruvian foreign policy and the first line of diplomats who walked the line between internal consolidation and external threat are explored in rich detail in journalist Kallol Bhattacharjee’s Nehru’s First Recruits: The Diplomats Who Built Independent India’s Foreign Policy. In this session, which explores how the diplomat becomes pivotal to the process of statecraft, Bhattacharjee will be in conversation with former High Commissioner of India to Pakistan TCA Raghavan, author and former diplomat Navtej Sarna, former assistant secretary-general at the UN Lakshmi Puri and former High Commissioner of India to Canada, Vikas Swarup.

Roman Year: A Memoir
Author, Distinguished Professor at CUNY, and winner of the Whiting Award, André Aciman has over 17 works of fiction and non-fiction to his name. Globally acclaimed for his tender depictions of love, loss, and adolescence in Call Me By Your Name, Aciman is well-known for his absorbing narratives and their unflinching explorations of emotion. In this session, bestselling author André Aciman recounts his journey through love, memory, and identity with novelist Shivani Sibal.

Kairos: The Heart Divided
Winner of the International Booker Prize 2024, Kairos: The Heart Divided by Jenny Erpenbeck, translated by Michael Hofmann, centres around a passionate but destructive love affair set against the backdrop of East Berlin in the 1980s. As the region crumbles, so does the relationship, revealing the complexities of power, betrayal, and the shifting loyalties of an era in flux. Erpenbeck and Hofmann explore the philosophical tensions of choice and fate, bringing together art and politics in this deeply reflective session.

The Personal Is Political: An Activist’s Memoir
Award-winning activist Aruna Roy’s powerful memoir, The Personal Is Political, captures her profound engagement with public service in India along with her personal journey through the decades. In this session, she discusses the pivotal moments from her life, including her leadership in passing the Right to Information Act, impelling the government to be transparent about their actions, her contribution to empowering local communities in Tilonia at the Social Work and Research centre.

Why We Die: The New Science of Ageing and the Quest for Immortality
Nobel laureate and structural biologist Venki Ramakrishnan’s new book, Why We Die, examines the human fascination and fear of death. Spanning across the frontiers of biology and scientific research, Ramakrishnan questions mortality and the transformation that takes place within human physiology. In conversation with Roger Highfield, Ramakrishnan evaluates the cheat code of human existence and the quest for immortality.

The Upside-Down World: Meetings with the Dutch Masters
Benjamin Moser’s The Upside-Down World is an ode to Dutch artists, taking readers on a twenty-year-journey of his time in Holland, that chronicles his arriving in the Netherlands as a young writer to his discovery of the creative masters who shaped the Dutch Golden Age of Art. Describing how he found solace and friends amongst long-gone artists, Moser will discuss the never-ending questions about the story of art, why we create, and why that matters.

Amol Palekar: The Viewfinder
In his memoir The Viewfinder, iconic actor-director Amol Palekar reflects on his life and career, offering a deeply personal look at Indian cinema and creativity. Joined by filmmaker Sandhya Gokhale, he shares candid stories and insights with Festival Producer and Managing Director, Teamwork Arts, Sanjoy K. Roy, taking readers and listeners on a journey through the evolution of storytelling, art, and performance in Indian cinema.

Two Sages: Gandhi and Tolstoy
Mahatma Gandhi and Leo Tolstoy were contemporaries and had a long friendship, exchanging letters despite never meeting in person. Gandhi was deeply influenced by Tolstoy’s The Kingdom of God is Within You. In this compelling session, their distinguished descendants, Gopalkrishna Gandhi and Daniil Tolstoy, reflect on the inheritance of ideas and the enduring legacies of the two iconic thinkers, exploring their relevance both in the past and present.

Deep Water: The World in the Ocean
A sweeping exploration of humanity’s intricate ties to the ocean, author James Bradley’s latest book, Deep Water, examines the role of the ocean as life’s cradle, a force of history, and a fragile lifeline. In conversation with Mridula Ramesh, the Australian Ambassador to India, Philip Green, and environmentalist Yuvan Aves, Bradley discusses this environmental urgency and the intertwined bond between humanity and planet earth.

Long and the Short
Is brevity the soul of wit? Is length essential for gravitas? What challenges and rewards do different writing forms present? Namita Gokhale – Co-director of the Jaipur Literature Festival and award-winning author – and Lucy Caldwell whose Openings: Thirteen Stories explores love, loss, and the human condition set against contemporary Ireland – discuss the contrasting worlds of long-form writing – epic sagas and weighty fiction – and the allure of short stories, flash fiction, and slim volumes.

Namita Gokhale, Festival Co-Director, remarked:

“The Jaipur Literature Festival 2025 is a dynamic mosaic of books and ideas , conversations and arguments, explorations and epiphanies. We interrogate the changing realities of our fractured world, and search for inspiration and belief in a better one. From Mystics and Madmen to Economics for the Young, from geopolitics to the ancient academia of Nalanda, from food in all its flavours, to mountain mammals, an unfolding voyage of discovery, with each day opening up new wonders and new vistas.”

William Dalrymple, Festival Co-Director, shared:

“The 2025 edition of the Jaipur Literature Festival encapsulates the spirit of our event—a celebration of diverse voices and powerful narratives that engage, challenge, and inspire audiences from around the world. We are thrilled to present a lineup that reflects the Festival’s essence of intellectual and cultural exchange.”

Sanjoy K. Roy, Managing Director of Teamwork Arts, said:

“The Jaipur Literature Festival continues to be a beacon of dialogue and storytelling, showcasing the profound impact of literature on understanding and empathy. Each edition reaffirms its role as a vibrant platform where ideas and voices come together to foster a shared sense of humanity.”

The 2025 edition of the Jaipur Literature Festival will also host a range of segments that run in parallel to it each year – the Jaipur BookMark (JBM) which will celebrate its 11th edition as a premier B2B platform for the publishing industry, bringing together publishers, authors, literary agents, and industry leaders; the Jaipur Music Stage that showcases electrifying performances by renowned Indian and international musicians; Heritage Evenings set against Jaipur’s historical backdrops; the Festival Buzzaar which offers diverse artisanal products to shop from; the Festival Bookshop which stocks books by Festival authors; and finally, an exclusive Friend of the Festival package that lets attendees savour a curated experience of the Festival.

As the world’s most beloved literary gathering, the Festival is known for its democratic non-aligned character, championing the freedom to express. Each year, it brings together voices that challenge the status quo, inspire innovation, and celebrate diversity, making it a beacon of intellectual and cultural exchange.

December 20th December, 2024 – Ergo Space made a bold statement at the recently held Acetech 2024, held at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi by captivating architects, interior designers, and industry leaders with its innovative ergonomic furniture solutions. The event became a vibrant platform to showcase Ergo Space’s commitment to reimagining workspaces with products that seamlessly blend design, comfort, and functionality.

The Ergo Space booth attracted thousands of visitors, including prominent architects, interior decorators, and corporate procurement professionals, all eager to experience the debut of the revolutionary Cozy Chair and Maybach Chair. These flagship products, featuring electric recliners, massage-enabled lumbar support, and luxurious finishes, set new standards for ergonomic design.

Mr. Prashant Garg, Managing Director, ErgoSpace, shared his thoughts on the successful showcase, “AceTech 2024 was a remarkable opportunity for us to demonstrate how innovative design can transform workplace environments. The response from the architectural and design community reaffirms our mission to deliver furniture solutions that elevate both aesthetics and well-being.”

Event Highlights

Product Launches: The unveiling of the Cozy Chair and Maybach Chair resonated with the design community, emphasising the importance of integrating advanced ergonomics into luxurious furniture.
Interactive Demonstrations: Attendees explored Ergo Space’s adaptable furniture portfolio, which showcased versatility for various workspace needs, from executive cabins to collaborative areas.
Collaborative Opportunities: The team engaged with leading architects, interior designers, and corporate decision-makers, fostering new partnerships and expanding its network in the design and architectural sectors.

ErgoSpace’s ISO-certified manufacturing infrastructure and unwavering commitment to quality have solidified its reputation as a leader in the industry. The overwhelming success at Acetech 2024 underscores the brand’s influence in shaping workplace solutions that cater to the evolving needs of modern environments