Archives February 2025

Bengaluru, February 19: Stonehill International School’s Technofest, a two-day inter-school competition for students, came to a close with over 200 students from more than 25 schools participating in the event across six cities, including Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Chennai. The fest also served as an inclusive platform for students from diverse backgrounds to showcase their tech skills through events such as Hackathon, Makeathon, and Formula 1 RC car racing competitions.

Stonehill’s state-of-the-art design and tech labs were open to participants from government and private schools, including Oakridge International, Trio World Academy, Inventure Academy, The Gaudium School, Chaman Bhartiya School, Jain International Residential School, and Vijaybhoomi Singapore International School.

In the Makeathon, participants built products such as an automatic dog feeder, a gaming chair crafted entirely by hand tools, a tech dress with sensors, and smart shoes for the visually challenged. The Hackathon projects ranged from AI-based outfit prediction software and a stock market simulator to an epilepsy detection belt and a household chores planner. The newly introduced Formula 1 RC car racing event saw students designing and racing their cars on a track, creating a lot of excitement and enthusiasm among the participants and the spectators. It was a contest full of nail-biting moments as students cheered for their team, making it one of the highlights of the event.

Speaking about the event, Joe Lumsden, Head of School, Stonehill International School, stated, “It was a real pleasure to be able to open our campus up to students from such diverse backgrounds and experiences and watch them come up with such creative, innovative ideas for addressing real-world issues.”

The participants appreciated the fest for the infrastructure, learning experience, and inclusive environment. Yogeshwaran from Government Boys Higher Secondary School, Thiruporur, Tamil Nadu, whose team won the Makeathon senior category, said, “We were initially a bit intimidated to be amidst an international community, but the people at Stonehill made us feel at home. They encouraged and motivated us to perform in the contest. We are thankful for the opportunity.”

The purpose of Technofest is to motivate young people to develop inventive solutions for modern problems during a rigorous 24-hour timeframe.

The Entrepreneur AI Summit 2025 delivered its conclusion at Eros International Hotel located in Nehru Place New Delhi as the biggest AI summit in India organised by CEOITBOX. The event showcased more than 500 entrepreneurs representing various locations within India with additional attendance from business owners operating in Tier-1 and Tier-2 regions who participated to witness the increasing need for business-friendly AI solutions focused on small and medium enterprises (SMEs and MSMEs).

 The summit delivered an educational platform for SMEs and MSMEs to examine AI strategies which improved operational efficiency and led to increased profitability. The seminar assembled a team of accomplished business experts which features Sanjeev Jain, founder and managing director of CEOITBOX alongside Dr. Anil Gupta, owner of Okaya, who provided important knowledge about implementing AI solutions across different industries. Panelists at the event included Adesh Gupta from Liberty Shoes along with Rajesh Aggarwal from Insecticides India and Saurabh Mittal from Sujata Appliances. The panelists exchanged knowledge on practical AI implementations, budget-friendly solutions, and best practices for implementing AI systems within small and medium enterprises and MSME’s.

Sanjeev Jain, Founder & MD of CEOITBOX, highlighted “AI empowers all entrepreneurs to use this modern technology for greater operational effectiveness to reach a broader market scale. Utilization of AI technology reaches beyond corporate giants to benefit any business owner dedicated to productive work instead of labour-intensive work. Every business owner who seeks work efficiency improvement can use this technology. The main challenge exists in creating user-friendly and understandable AI systems. MSMEs acquire comfort with AI after understanding its ability to simplify operations including automated work and enhanced customer relationships and enhanced business decision-making. The summit demonstrates Indian SMEs and MSMEs acute interest in AI implementation for their business operations.”

 Guests obtained practical experience through interactive demonstrations of AI capabilities that featured advanced technology solutions including business automation, Automated Business process and systems, and alongside predictive analytics solutions. The summit emphasized Practical implementations over theoretical explanations, aiming to equip SME and MSME owners with specific strategies for implementing AI efficiency immediately after the event.

The summit concluded with the key takeaway that businesses need straightforward AI adoption strategies, as being a tech-savvy entrepreneur is not essential for implementation. The sessions provided targeted instruction on how AI can manage supply chains, create powerful customer interactions, and make accurate forecasts, enabling business owners to develop their own AI integration methods. Case studies of AI implementation in sales forecasting and manufacturing automation highlighted how MSMEs can leverage the tangible benefits of AI in their operations.

The gathering successfully united SME and MSME business owners with AI solution providers, in a productive networking environment. Business Networking, exhibition, all aimed at supporting future partnerships and growth through AI solutions. Attendees had the opportunity to learn actionable AI strategies to transform their businesses, discover insider tips on AI tools to solve their biggest challenges and explore revolutionary techniques to scale and dominate their industry with AI.

 The Entrepreneur AI Summit 2025 highlighted India’s ambition to become a leading hub for AI-driven SMEs and MSMEs, showcasing how AI will revolutionize business operations in the future. The overwhelming positive feedback during the summit suggests that Indian SMEs and MSMEs are ready to embrace AI, as it promises to drive sustainable growth. The event’s successful conclusion signals that new collaborations, along with ongoing AI adoption and sector innovation, will shape the future of the SME and MSME industry in the years to come.

Greater Noida West: VVIP Addresses, a premier residential project in Greater Noida West, hosted a highly successful Box Cricket Tournament at its state-of-the-art Box Cricket Stadium. The event, which was exclusively organized for the residents of the society, witnessed enthusiastic participation from various resident teams. Hundreds of people gathered to cheer the participants.

The tournament was attended by CMD, VVIP Group, Mr. Praveen Tyagi, Mr. Umesh Rathore (VP Sales & Marketing), and Mr. Piyush (POPL- Cricket Organising committee), along with representatives from Hit 95 FM and the company’s channel partners. The event also saw a significant audience turnout comprising family members and friends, who enthusiastically cheered their loved ones participating in the match.

Speaking on the occasion CMD, VVIP Group, Mr. Praveen Tyagi said, “We are thrilled to have hosted this successful event for our residents. The participant’s response was particularly exciting. At VVIP Addresses, we are committed to creating a vibrant community that encourages social interaction and a healthy lifestyle. We look forward to organizing more such tournaments in the future.”

The tournament was a huge success, with participants and attendees alike praising the organizers for their efforts. The event served as a wonderful opportunity for residents to bond and have fun while also showcasing the project’s excellent amenities.

VVIP Addresses is a premium residential project located in Greater Noida West, offering luxurious apartments and world-class amenities. With its focus on community building and resident engagement, the project has become a preferred choice for homebuyers in the region.

Nasreen Shaikh, former captain of the Indian women’s Kho Kho team and an Arjuna Awardee, has been honored with the prestigious BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year—Changemaker Award for her extraordinary contributions to the sport. The award was presented by Sudhanshu Mittal, President of the International Kho Kho Federation and Kho Kho Federation of India, at a grand ceremony in New Delhi on February 17, 2025.

Nasreen’s journey is one of passion, perseverance, and transformation—not just for herself but for an entire sport. Her leadership in Kho Kho, particularly in the wake of India’s triumph at the first-ever Kho Kho World Cup, has played a crucial role in elevating the sport globally. This recognition by the BBC underscores the growing momentum of indigenous sports and India’s emerging dominance in the international sporting arena.

She expressed deep gratitude for the award, saying:

 “Kho Kho is more than just a sport to me—it’s a passion that has shaped my life. This award is a recognition not just of my journey but of the hard work and dedication of every athlete striving to make a mark in Indian sports.”

With Kho Kho gaining international traction and aspirations for inclusion in future multi-sport events, Nasreen’s recognition is timely and significant. We believe her story would resonate with your readers/viewers, and we’d love to explore how we can collaborate on coverage.

Delhi, February 2025 – The highly anticipated ET NOW ET Global Business Summit 2025, Asia’s largest business summit, commenced at the iconic Taj Palace in Delhi. Day 1 set the stage for dynamic discussions on economic growth and global collaboration, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s keynote address offering a compelling vision for India’s future.

Under the theme “Evolve, Emerge, Expand,” PM Modi highlighted India’s growing global influence, sustainable economic progress, and the power of partnerships. He emphasized that 25 crore people have risen from poverty in the last decade, reinforcing India’s position as a key driver of global economic expansion. His speech underscored India’s commitment to innovation, entrepreneurship, and inclusive growth.

CA Manish Mishra, Founder, GenzCFO said “India’s economic momentum is a testament to its resilience and innovation. As we embrace digital transformation and sustainable growth, businesses must align with this vision to drive long-term prosperity.”

The summit, a premier platform for business leaders, policymakers, and innovators, will continue to feature high-profile discussions on the future of industries, digital transformation, and sustainable business practices. Global thought leaders are set to engage in insightful dialogues shaping the next decade of economic progress.

As ET Global Business Summit 2025 progresses, it promises to drive impactful conversations that will redefine India’s business landscape and strengthen its global standing.

Mumbai, February 18, 2025: Emkay Institutional Equities, a part of Emkay Global Financial Services Limited held a virtual media webinar on the outlook for the Indian equity markets. The research house expects near-term weakness and heightened volatility for Indian equities in Q1CY25. However, a gradual consumption recovery is anticipated in H2CY25, led by an improvement in employment trends, a revival in unsecured lending, and an uptick in welfare spending. Emkay Institutional Equities project Nifty to be at levels of 25,000 by December 2025, and FPI selling to subside by Q2CY25.

Key sector calls

Emkay Institutional Equities maintains an Overweight stance on Discretionary, Real Estate, and Healthcare, while remaining Neutral on Industrials, IT, and Energy. Financials, Staples, and Materials are designated as Underweight due to structural concerns and valuation pressures.

The firm anticipates discretionary consumption recovery within 2-3 quarters, underpinned by a rebound in IT hiring, better liquidity conditions, and an improvement in retail lending dynamics. Additionally, state-led women-centric welfare schemes and robust winter crop sowing are likely to bolster consumption trends.

Sectoral shifts include a downgrade of Energy and Technology to Neutral, an upgrade of Consumer Discretionary to Overweight, and continued Underweight positioning on Financials and Staples.

Top investment calls

The firm’s top investment ideas include Lupin, Zomato, Tata Motors, IndusInd Bank in large caps. Escorts, Paytm, Metropolis in midcaps, and Stovekraft, and Quess Corp in the small cap segment.

Capex growth

Following a 31% CAGR in capex growth between FY21-24, a slowdown to 10-13% is anticipated, primarily due to election-related spending constraints. However, a rebound in FY26 is expected as policy certainty returns. While capital-heavy sectors face challenges, green energy continues to be a bright spot.

FPI selling expected to subside

Despite persistent selling pressures, FPI activity is likely to stabilize post-1QCY25, with valuations having moderated and earnings forecasts bottoming out over the next 2-3m. A peak in the U.S. Dollar Index (DXY) should also ease rupee depreciation concerns and help stem FPI selling. The RBI’s liquidity injection could stimulate domestic equities and benefit the BFSI sector.

Corporate Earnings

The earnings downgrade cycle appears to be concluding, with consensus Nifty estimates for FY26 already adjusting downward by 3.9% since January 2025. The firm remains constructive on mid-teens earnings growth for FY26, driven by Financials, Metals, and Energy.

Commenting on the outlook, Nirav Sheth, CEO – Institutional Equities, Emkay Global Financial Services stated: “Markets tend to over-react and overextend on both, the upside and the downside. The bottoming process is usually volatile which we are currently witnessing. Our macros are solid, given the low and stable CAD, fiscal deficit under control, and a more accommodative monetary policy now. We estimate that the worst of the earnings downgrade cycle is behind us and expect a recovery in the second half of the fiscal – triggered by renewed government spending and tax relief led consumption spend. It is time to buy.”

Seshadri Sen, Head of Research and Strategist – Institutional Equities, Emkay Global Financial Services added “Despite short-term headwinds, the structural investment case for India remains intact. The shift in sectoral dynamics presents opportunities, particularly in Discretionary, Real Estate, and Healthcare, where we see strong growth potential.”

Maharashtra, India – February 18, 2025:

In India, reports indicate that only 25% of motorists fasten their seatbelts and as a result, 83% of casualties among car occupants are due to not wearing a seatbelt. Despite numerous awareness campaigns, seatbelt usage remains alarmingly low.

To support the importance of road safety, the Maharashtra Motor Vehicles Department (MMVD) has introduced an innovative initiative—The Buckle Hack—a creative design hack that turns every commercial vehicle into a seatbelt reminder. The initiative incorporates buckle-shaped stickers into the reflective tape on commercial vehicles, ensuring a constant visual cue to encourage every motorists on the road to buckle up.

Through this pioneering effort, MMVD aims to significantly impact road safety, inspiring citizens to adopt safe driving practices and reducing the risk of casualties.

Speaking about the idea, Mr. Bharat Kalaskar, Additional Commissioner, Motor Vehicles Dept., Govt. of Maharashtra, said, “People often forget to buckle up, and that is a big cause of casualties and fatalities. This is an all-important reminder of the importance of seat belts for our safety, and we want this initiative to reach every driver in the State of Maharashtra.”

The campaign is part of Road Safety Awareness Month and is currently an ongoing initiative, being rolled out across various cities in Maharashtra, including Mumbai. This simple creative improvisation, called ‘The Buckle Hack’ transforms a standard safety feature in commercial vehicles into a dynamic awareness tool, promoting responsible driving habits and saving lives.

February 18, 2025 – Zing, India’s leading youth entertainment channel, has launched ‘Udaan’, an initiative aimed at bringing forth real-life stories of courage, resilience, and achievement. With this, Zing ventures beyond its vibrant content offerings to tap into the motivational space, fostering a deeper connection with young audiences.

In a world flooded with content, ‘Udaan’ stands out by providing a platform for unsung heroes—individuals who have faced challenges head-on and emerged victorious. After carefully screening multiple profiles, Zing handpicked speakers whose stories deserved recognition, ensuring that every session leaves a lasting impact.

Speaking about the initiative, Mr.Pankaj Balhara, Business Head, Zing, said:

 “At Zing, we have always championed the power of storytelling through our marquee shows like Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya and Aye Zindagi, which have deeply connected with young audiences. With Udaan, we take a step further by bringing real, inspiring stories that resonate with the youth—stories of passion, struggle, and triumph. It’s our way of engaging with young minds beyond entertainment—by igniting purpose and ambition.”

The inaugural edition featured four remarkable speakers:
???? Babar Ali, known as the “Youngest Headmaster in The World” by BBC at the age of sixteen, inspired with his story of starting a free school at the age of nine and shed light on how education has the power to uplift entire communities.

???? Gaurav Dixit, an architect turned entrepreneur specializing in sustainable architecture and the Winner of the Global Housing Technology Challenge 2021, which was awarded by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his contributions to the field, emphasized the urgent need for sustainable architecture, urging the next generation to build responsibly.

???? Madhusudhan Naik, founder of the sustainability-focused enterprise Living Things, known for his awards like the MSINS Maharashtra Startup Week Award 2021 in the sustainability sector highlighted how sustainability and innovation can go hand in hand, encouraging young minds to take action.

???? Shubhada Dayal, founder of Brainologi, shed light on the importance of early education and how empowering families can create a lasting impact. She emphasized, “Education begins at home, and parents play a critical role in shaping young minds.

National, February 18, 2025: BITS Pilani, renowned for its dedication to fostering innovation has received a significant boost for its US $100 million Endowment Fund with a generous US $ 1 million contribution from distinguished alumnus Pankaj Patel (Batch of 1970-75), Founder and CEO of Nile, based in the Bay Area, USA. A seasoned technology leader and visionary entrepreneur, Patel has over 40 years of experience building and leading high-performance global engineering organizations, developing scalable products, and driving strategic innovation.

Patel’s strategic leadership has positioned Nile as a disruptive force in networking, fundamentally reimagining secure and seamless network connectivity. Prior to founding Nile, he held key roles as a partner and Chief Strategy Officer at JC2 Ventures and as a senior advisor to March Capital. Notably, Patel served as the Executive Vice President and Chief Development Officer at Cisco Systems, Inc., overseeing the company’s extensive $38 billion product and solution portfolio and leading 180 strategic acquisitions.

Speaking on his motivation behind the contribution, Patel said, “BITS Pilani laid the foundation for my journey in technology and leadership. Giving back to this incredible institution is my way of nurturing the next generation of thinkers and innovators.”

Apart from leading Nile, Patel serves on the board of several technology startups, providing strategic guidance and expertise. His passion for simplifying complex networking solutions and fostering innovation has solidified his position as a visionary leader in Silicon Valley.

Vice Chancellor of BITS Pilani, Professor V. Ramgopal Rao, said, “This contribution highlights the unwavering commitment of our alumni to the institute’s growth and development. Pankaj Patel’s support will help us create transformative educational experiences for generations to come.”

Professor Arya Kumar, Dean of Alumni Relations, said, “We are immensely proud of our alumni like Pankaj Patel, who continue to give back and strengthen the BITS Pilani legacy. His contribution will catalyze growth through academic excellence.”

This generous contribution marks a significant milestone in the institution’s journey towards becoming a global leader in education and innovation.

Mumbai – 18th February, 2025: The Association of Ayurvedic Practitioners has announced AAPCON 2025, its biannual Ayurvedic medical conference hosted by experts at an event in Mumbai last week. After celebrating its Silver Jubilee event in Hotel Taj Palace in 2018, the Association of Ayurvedic Practitioners announces its next landmark event AAPCON 2025.

Continuing Medical Education is an essential component of Continuous Professional Development, and AAP is committed to it.

AAP has been consistently working towards enhancing clinical skills of fellow practitioners and spreading awareness about Ayurveda among the masses at large. To achieve these goals; AAP organises its brand conference AAPCON every two years and most memorable event being AAPCON 2018; held at Hotel Taj Palace, Mumbai.

This year the event will be held at Taj Lands End Hotel, Bandra (Mumbai), from 05th – 07th April, 2025. This will be the 5th International and 14th National Ayurvedic Seminar to be held.

Speaking on AAPCON 2025, Dr. Nilesh Doshi, Founder President and Organizing Chairman of AAPCON said, “It gives me immense pleasure to announce the upcoming event this year. As always, we will host interesting workshops and seminars and invite people from international countries also. This year we will be adding a session on digital marketing and global opportunity for our peers.”

“I am thankful and grateful to the entire team and committee members for their unconditional support. We look forward to making AAPCON 2025 an exciting and grand event”, he further added.