Archives January 2025

Some actors bring magic to a show with their compelling performances, and Manraj Singh Sarma is all set to do just that in Sun Neo’s popular series Saajha Sindoor. Taking on the role of Rudra, Manraj is both thrilled and grateful for the opportunity. With his talent and energy, he’s ready to light up the screen and captivate viewers.

Manraj shared, “I’m truly happy and excited about this role. It’s extra special because it came my way at the start of the new year. Everything happened so quickly—I auditioned, and within three to four days, I was finalized. Rudra is a calm, decent, introverted, and positive character, which is a bit different from me since I’m a mix of introvert and extrovert in real life. My biggest challenge will be working on my patience, which I’m actively learning. I’m really looking forward to stepping into Rudra’s shoes and entertaining the audience!”

Manraj also teased his entry into the show, hinting at intriguing twists and turns. “I can’t reveal much about my character right now, but one thing is certain—my presence will shake things up. Viewers can expect a love triangle that’s bound to heighten the drama.”

Reflecting on his start to the new year, the actor added, “2025 has begun on a great note for me. My aim is to keep entertaining my fans while taking on projects I truly value. I’m focused on giving my best and making my family proud through my work.”

Saajha Sindoor, airing on Sun Neo, is a heartfelt family drama that delves into the marital journey of Phooli (Stuti Vinkle) and Gagan (Sahil Uppal). The show features a stellar ensemble cast, including Sangita Ghosh and Nassir Khan. Catch Saajha Sindoor every Monday to Saturday at 8 PM on Sun Neo.

January 09, 2025: The Federation of Telangana Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FTCCI) organized an awareness program on the Telangana MSME Policy 2024 for the benefit of its members in particular and other MSMEs in general.

On the occasion, Dr Malsur, Director of Industries, Government of Telangana unveiled the poster of the 6th Edition of FTCCI HR Awards meant to be given to MSMEs and large companies.

Speaking Dr.G.Malsur who was the chief guest said ‘the industries department is the facilitator and not the regulator’. So, you can freely approach us.

MSME is the most important sector among all industry sectors. It contributes significantly in the economic and social development of the country by fostering entrepreneurship and generating large employment. The Government also knows. Realising its potential, it launched the Talanaga state’s first ever MSME Policy in the month of September. It is a progressive policy. Most policies remain on paper and in the form of booklets. What is the most important thing is its implementation. The policy’s value can be realised only when it is fully implemented, he stated.

The pending incentive to industries since 2016 is Rs 4,250 crores. The government is planning to release pending dues very soon. The maximum share out of the incentives released will be earmarked for MSMEs, Dr G Malsur announced

MSME generates a lot of employment with less investment. Hence, they need to be encouraged, he said. Micro companies starting and ending being micro only. They need to be scaled up, he emphasized.

Our team of officers have worked on the guidelines which will help MSMEs avail facilities in the policy. The guidelines will be made available very soon, he shared

Speaking about land required to set up MSME units, he said the prices are skyrocketing and have become unaffordable. The high cost of land acquisition has become a barrier to entry for entrepreneurs. The Telangana government is looking to address this issue by coming out with exclusive parks in the districts. It will also bridge the gap between urban and rural. The land identification for such parks is being worked out now. It is our endeavour to see that all the 119 constituencies in the state will have such parks. These efforts will yield fruits in the next couple of years, Dr G Malsur said.

Speaking further he stated that existing MSMEs also need to be helped. We plan to identify export-oriented units and hand hold them in terms of training and overseas market access. Also, MSMEs which are into import substitute products will also be identified and helped. Full details of these will be made available to FTCCI who in turn will disseminate, he told the 150 plus audience. Dr G Malsur also said that long pending issues of FTCCI such as one time power settlement etc and other issues will also be looked into and will be addressed at the earliest.

Madhukar Babu, Joint Director (Planning), Commissionerate of Industries, Government of Telangana explained the policy in detail. Though we had an industrial policy before, this is the first time ever we have a policy catering exclusively to the MSMEs sector, he said.

The focus of the MSME Policy has been Entrepreneurship, Employment, and Economy, he said. The seed for the MSME Policy was sown in FTCCI sometime ago, he said. 15 MSME representative bodies gave 115 suggestions that went into policy making. Telangana has 2.6 million MSMEs of which one million are UDYAM registered, stated Madhukar Babu.

He later answered questions raised by the attendees and clarified some doubts.

Welcoming the gathering Mr. Suresh Kumar Singhal, President of FTCCI said VIKASITH BHARATH a vision for India’s development by the year 2047. It is the Indian government’s vision to transform India into a developed nation by the year 2047, the Centenary of its independence.

I am glad to note that the Government of Telangana too gave priority to the MSME sector with the objectives that are aligning with the overall vision of making India $ 30 trillion economy.

The MSMEs are employment generators as they use less capital and more labour. Hence, encouraging them is the only way out, Suresh Singhal said.

Srinivas Garimella, Chair, IDC (Industrial Development Committee) in his opening remarks said the government’s commitment to achieving a 100% increase in MSME contribution to the GSDP and a 15% year-on-year growth of registered MSMEs demonstrates its resolve to foster an environment of innovation, equitable growth, and technological advancement.

6th Edition of HR Awards is meant to celebrate the people-centric HR practices implemented by organizations that stood as examples to others for their pro-employee and pro-human resource growth-oriented practices said Mr. Meela Sanjay, the Chairman of the HR Committee

Las Vegas, USA, January 8, 2025. Combining technology and emotion, Continental is presenting the “Emotional Cockpit” for the first time at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) from January 7 to 10, 2025, in Las Vegas, USA. The concept merges multiple vehicle display solutions to form an integrated unit: aesthetically innovative, function-driven and individually customizable. A central element is a 1.30-meter-long, four-centimeter-high E Ink Prism display that spans the entire width of the dashboard.

The novel application of Prism ePaper, known from e-readers, visually enhances the vehicle interior and enables countless opportunities of personalization in the form of unique patterns, colors, and combinations. E Ink displays can also be used to display information relevant to driving such as the remaining range. Continental has teamed up with E Ink, a pioneer and market leader in the field of ePaper technology, to bring this elegant display technology to the automotive interior.

The focus of Continental’s “Emotional Cockpit” and its display technology with E Ink is the user experience. “Personalization and emotionality are decisive success factors for vehicles of the future,” explains Pavel Prouza, Head of the User Experience (UX) business area at Continental. “Generation Z, for example, represents a new generation of customers who want to express their individuality and showcase their personality, especially through digital media. With our ‘Emotional Cockpit’ and the adaptation of energy-saving e-reader technology, we are offering innovative options to personalize the vehicle cockpit in line with new customer expectations.”

Innovative Application: Lightweight Decor Display with Almost No Power Consumption for the Automotive World
Unlike conventional backlit display solutions, the display in the “Emotional Cockpit” shown at CES only consumes power for a brief moment when switching from one image to the next – an important advantage for electric vehicles where energy efficiency is crucial for the driving range. E Ink displays – also called ePaper due to their proximity to eReader technology – reflect light like real paper. This means they do not need to be illuminated by light sources placed behind the screen like conventional displays. They can display images, graphics or text elements permanently without a power supply. When the vehicle is parked, for example, the content that has been selected remains visible – as if it were printed on the screen. The first generation of this new technology still features a black and gray colorway, which creates a striking, minimalist aesthetic in an otherwise colorful world. In the future, however, color variants will also be possible. Another advantage of ePaper displays is that they are lightweight and durable – making them ideal for applications in vehicles.

“The technology from E Ink offers unique personalization and customization possibilities in the automotive sector, as it is very thin, durable and consumes minimal power. Together with Continental, we are bringing innovative technology into the car of tomorrow,” explains Dr. F.Y. Gan, President of E Ink.

E Ink Display Technology Is Perfectly Suited for Use in Vehicle Exteriors
Another application for the novel display technology in the automotive sector is being exhibited at CES. Continental is presenting technological innovations for external interaction between car and driver even before getting into the vehicle. The intelligent demonstration vehicle – known as the “Intelligent Vehicle Experience Demo Car” – uses an E Ink display mounted on the outside of the B-pillar, which can be individually configured and designed with personally selected content. For electric vehicles, this display can also indicate the current charge level, meaning you no longer have to unlock the vehicle to see your current range – a real benefit before setting out on a journey or during the charging process.

Continental at CES 2025
Continental presents its latest technologies in a private exhibition at Central Plaza opposite the Las Vegas Convention Center from Tuesday, January 7, to Friday, January 10. The technology company has numerous solutions that highlight mobility innovations from the road to the cloud.

January 09 2025 : TiE Hyderabad is in discussions with AIG Hospitals to formalize their collaboration through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This partnership aims to provide a robust platform for healthcare startups to scale and thrive through mentorship, funding, and strategic support state TiE in a press note issued in the city today.

AIG Hospitals hosted the “AI in Healthcare” Conference at its premises, showcasing innovation and advancements in the healthcare domain.

As part of their AI Accelerator Program, AIG Hospitals evaluated over 50 startups and shortlisted 6 promising startups who had pitched at the event.

In a significant move to support healthcare innovation, TiE Hyderabad has selected one of these startups named Turocrates AI to mentor and nurture through its network of charter members.

Also TiE Hyderabad will explore investing in the chosen startup will also receive via the TiE Angel Network, reinforcing TiE Hyderabad’s commitment to fostering entrepreneurial growth.

January 09, 2025: Surmandal which has been in the service of music for the past fifty-five years organized “Triveni-Music & Dance Festival Season 2 recently at Ravindra Bharathi. Ustad Shahid Parvez performed in Hyderabad after a very long gap and there was a lot of traction for this show.

Mrs Shailaja Ramaiyer IAS inagurated the event. The audience stood in silence for 2 minutes as mark of respect for the demise of Ustad Zakir Hussain.

TRIVENI– Season 2 Festival featured a Kathak recital by Smt Mukti Shri Mukku. Akshay Kulkarni on Tabla; Krushna Salunke on Pakhawaj; Suranjan Khandolkar Vocal, Yashwant Thitte on Harmonium and Anvi Shri Anvi Shri Padhant were accompanying artists.

Mukti Shri , the Kathak dancer began her performance by a number of Invocating to Lord Ram – Ram Vandana

That was followed by Taal Pancham Sawari – 15 beat cycle, a Taal only experts would perform.

She concluded her performance with two compositions in Raag Abhogi Sapne mein aaye Shaam (you came in my dreams Krishna); Laaj Rakho Mori (Please Take Care of my dignity) And Taal Ektaal (12 beats) Mukti depicted Raadha and Meera

Mukti Shri performing on Taal Pancham Sawari and Ektaal reflected her and teams’ command on Taal

That was followed by a Jugalbandi by the renowned Ustad Shahid Parvez Ji on the Sitar with Vid Shashank Subramaniam on the flute. Shri Ojas Adhiya accompanied them on Tabla and Shri Satish Patri on Mridungam. Telangana Tourism and Canara Bank helped in sponsoring the festival.

Three compositions were rendered in Raag Charukeshi set to Taal Rupa,Addha and Teen Taal Followed with Bhatyali dhun Concluded with Raag Bhairavi

Ustad Shahid Parvez (Sitar) and Master Shashank (Carnatic Flute) were on Jugalbandi

His renditions were Raag Kirwani Alap, Jod, Jhala followed by Gat in Taal Roopak and Aadha Teentaal. It was concluded by Taniyavartanam (percussion duet)

Padma Shri Ustad Shahid Parvez Khan is a well-known sitar maestro from the Imdadkhani gharana enthralled hall full of audience.

He represents the seventh generation of the Etawah Gharana as its primary exponent. Ustad Shahid Parvez Khan has performed in all major musical festivals in India and abroad including the Festival of India held in the US, Europe, USSR, Canada, Africa, Middle-East and Australia. He is considered as the synonym for the sitar. A leading exponent of the Etawah gharana, which produced legends like Imdad Khan, Enayat Khan, and Vilayat Khan, Shahid Parvez is known for his rendition”.

Mukti Shri, a Kathak dancer and teacher based in Hyderabad, says dance is her worship. My dance is my offering to God, she adds. She has performed at venues like the prestigious Barbican Centre, South Bank Centre, the UK Kathak Festival, and Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan. She has also performed at the International Paleo Festival in Nyon, Switzerland; the World Percussion Festival in Istanbul, Turkey; Toulouse, France; Hamburg, Germany; and Vasantotsav in Pune, India.

Triveni was conceptualized by Shri Mohan Hemmadi to pay tribute to the Legends Bharat Ratna Pandit Ravi Shankar Ji, Ustad Allah Rakha Khan Saab and Smt M.S.Subbulakshmi Ji. The festival now is being organized in loving memory of the late Smt Anuradha Hemmadi Ji and late Shri Mohan Hemmadi Ji, the founder President of Surmandal and now being presided by his son Siddharth Hemmadi

9th January 2025: Tenali Double Horse Group, the house of authentic and premium quality culinary essentials, announced its participation in the prestigious INDUSFOOD 2025, one of the largest food processing and export-focused trade expos, held at the India Exposition Mart, Delhi, from 8th to 10th January 2025. This premier event has brought together food processing organizations from 20 countries, with 1,800+ exhibitors and over 5,000+ international buyers visiting the expo to explore global food innovations and partnerships.

Speaking at the event, CMD of Tenali Double Horse Group, Shri Mohan Shyam Prasad, highlighted the significance of this platform in promoting the quality and traditional values of rural food to a global audience. “INDUSFOOD provides us an exceptional opportunity to introduce the world to the richness of Indian rural food culture, showcasing our commitment to quality, tradition, and health. This event is a milestone in our ongoing journey of taking rural excellence to global markets,” he remarked.

The Tenali Double Horse Group has been a proud participant in INDUSFOOD for the past two years, leveraging this international platform to present its diverse range of products that resonate with health-conscious consumers and food enthusiasts worldwide. Shri Mohan Shyam Prasad added, “At Tenali, we believe in creating products that are made for the world. Our vision is to blend tradition with innovation, bringing the taste and nutritional value of rural foods to international tables.”

Tenali Double Horse Group invites all attendees to visit their stall to experience the essence of India’s rural food heritage and explore a wide range of high-quality, health-oriented products.

9th January 2025: SMART Bazaar is proud to introduce Women’s Wednesday, a special mid-week initiative dedicated to celebrating women and enhancing their shopping experience.

Launched on January 8th, the campaign kicked off with a special inaugural event featuring renowned actress Darshana Banik. The event brought together women from local households for an intimate discussion on self-love, turning passions into businesses, and the importance of independence. The occasion was filled with fun games, creating a vibrant and empowering atmosphere for the women attendees.

Every Wednesday, SMART Bazaar invites women to make the store their go-to destination, a vibrant hub – their favorite hangout spot – where they can enjoy a variety of in-store activities, expert lifestyle consultations, and a welcoming, relaxing atmosphere.

In addition to these engaging experiences, there will be exclusive, women-centric promotions on a range of products, including personal care, fashion, beauty, and more.

9th January 2025: On December 14, 2024, Lectrix, the e-mobility arm of the SAR Group, wrote history by achieving a monumental feat: delivering 114,985 meals in just 8 hours using a fleet of Lectrix electric vehicles, including their latest scooter model, NDuro. This groundbreaking initiative, titled “1 Lakh Meals on Lectrix Wheels,” was not just about numbers—it was a testament to the power of sustainable action to solve pressing global challenges.

In collaboration with social purpose organizations including Navodyam (an SDMC Trust initiative), the Robin Hood Army, and The Akshay Patra Foundation, Lectrix showcased how technology and sustainability can work together to solve real-world social problems. This event earned a prestigious place in the Asia Book of Records and India Book of Records for the most meals delivered via electric vehicles in 8 hours.

From 10 AM to 6 PM, the capital city witnessed an extraordinary operation powered by Lectrix’s vehicles. Speaking about the initiative, Pritesh Talwar, President of EV Business, Lectrix, shared:
“At Lectrix, we believe innovation should not only drive progress but also serve humanity and the planet. This initiative was about more than breaking records; it was about demonstrating how green technology can create meaningful change. By delivering over 1 Lakh meals using electric vehicles, we proved that sustainability isn’t just a goal—it’s the future. We tested how, in the future, we could roll out EVs in a pandemic or emergency scenario and reach more than a lakh people in just a few hours in a sustainable way. We invite the world to join us in embracing this vision for a greener and more equitable tomorrow.”

The operation began at Akshay Patra’s four kitchens, where thousands of meals were prepared and dispatched to 11 strategically identified hubs across Delhi. From these hubs, hundreds of Lectrix scooters, including NDuro, our recently launched electric scooter and e-loaders, sprang into action, delivering nutritious meals to 106 communities across the city. With NDuro’s 42 litres of boot space, the electric scooter was able to carry a substantial load of meals while maintaining an impressive speed and range. Nduro’s ample storage capacity proved crucial to the success of this initiative. Additionally, 500 volunteers, including Lectrix team members and the Robin Hood Army’s Robins, executed this massive operation seamlessly.

Lectrix’s initiative goes beyond numbers. It is a bold statement of the company’s vision to lead the electric mobility industry by example. By seamlessly blending cutting-edge technology with social purpose, Lectrix has redefined what’s possible in the E2W space. Through this initiative, Lectrix has firmly positioned itself as not just a player in the EV market but as a leader that can drive real change.

The campaign served as a call to action for industries, governments, and communities to embrace sustainable solutions that address pressing global challenges. Lectrix’s successful operation is proof that sustainable, electric mobility can be a key player in solving not just urban challenges but also global crises.

Saviynt, a leading provider of cloud-native identity and governance platform solutions, today highlighted its commitment to advancing digital transformation for customers in India by offering dedicated tenants on AWS and Azure. Saviynt is empowering businesses to navigate a rapidly evolving threat landscape with tailored identity security solutions designed to meet their unique security and compliance needs.

As organizations accelerate their digital transformation, the need for stringent cybersecurity and regulatory compliance has become paramount. Saviynt’s dedicated tenants address these critical challenges by providing Indian enterprises, and global organizations operating in the region, with the tools to secure their critical assets. This solution ensures full compliance with local data protection regulations while offering unmatched scalability, flexibility, and performance.

“India is a strategic market for Saviynt, and we are proud to play a pivotal role in helping our customers strengthen their cybersecurity infrastructure,” said Dan Mountstephen, senior vice president, APJ at Saviynt. “Our dedicated tenants on AWS and Azure allow organizations to address their unique security challenges while streamlining operations and ensuring adherence to compliance mandates.”

Saviynt’s Identity Cloud enables businesses to achieve transformative benefits, including operational efficiency, enhanced compliance, and faster onboarding processes. According to a Forrester Consulting study, organizations deploying Saviynt’s Identity Cloud have realized a 240% return on investment (ROI) and $34.4 million in benefits over three years.

Key Benefits of Saviynt’s Dedicated Tenants:

Enhanced Security and Compliance: Isolated environments on AWS and Azure ensure data residency and compliance with local and global regulations, reducing risks associated with security breaches and non-compliance.

Improved Performance: Dedicated infrastructure delivers faster access to applications and ensures seamless scalability for growing workloads.

Operational Efficiency: Automation capabilities streamline processes such as application access and user provisioning, significantly reducing manual workloads and operational costs.

Accelerated Onboarding: With Saviynt’s platform, businesses achieve a 90% reduction in onboarding time for employees and contractors, driving productivity and cost savings.

“Saviynt is committed to empowering Indian enterprises to thrive in an increasingly digital-first world,” said Sapna Nair, general manager, India at Saviynt. “As India leads the charge in digital innovation and with the implementation of acts like the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, we are focused on empowering organizations to safeguard their most critical assets—identity data. By leveraging our dedicated tenants, organizations can focus on growth and innovation, knowing their identity security is in expert hands.”

With its cutting-edge identity security solutions, Saviynt continues to play a critical role in strengthening India’s cybersecurity infrastructure and fostering economic growth. Its commitment to enhancing resilience and efficiency reaffirms its role as a trusted partner for enterprises navigating today’s complex threat environment.

8th January 2025 – LyfeIndex, the world’s first digital platform focused on preserving family legacies, has been honoured with the prestigious “Most Emerging Startup of the Year” award at the House of Commons in the United Kingdom. This remarkable recognition underscores the company’s innovative approach to ensuring that each story is important and remains eternal.

The award was presented by MP Virendra Sharma, Member of Parliament, United Kingdom, in a ceremony celebrating innovation and impactful contributions to society. Lyfeindex’s groundbreaking efforts in memorializing lives digitally have resonated globally, offering solace and connection to families while immortalizing the stories of their loved ones.

“We are deeply humbled and honoured to receive this award,” said Mr. Manoj Sawarup, Founder and Innovator at Lyfeindex. “This recognition is a testament to the power of digital memorials. At Lyfeindex, we believe that each story is important, and it is our mission to preserve these legacies for generations to come. We dedicate this award to our team, our supporters, and most importantly, the memorials of those who inspire us every day.”

LyfeIndex helps families preserve cherished memories through over 15,000 interactive digital tributes. With 10,000+ users across the globe, the platform captures biographies, photos, and milestones that celebrate the lives of loved ones. Beyond creating memorials, LyfeIndex honors unsung heroes, providing a space for their stories to be told and remembered. The platform also supports last rites for all religions, fostering dignity and inclusion and ensuring every individual is celebrated with respect and compassion.

By transcending geographical and cultural boundaries, LyfeIndex has established itself as a unique platform that bridges technology and empathy, creating a timeless repository of human connection.

The recognition at the House of Commons marks a significant milestone in LyfeIndex’s journey. It reflects the increasing importance of digital solutions in fostering emotional connections and providing enduring tributes to loved ones. The company’s work highlights the role of technology in creating meaningful impacts on personal and societal levels.

LyfeIndex extends heartfelt gratitude to its supporters, partners, and users who have believed in its mission. With this accolade, the company is more committed than ever to expanding its services, enhancing user experiences, and ensuring that each story finds its rightful place in history.