Archives February 2025

Mumbai, Feb 6, 2025: Women’s wellness and hygiene brand Nua has raised Rs 35 crore in a pre series C round led by Mirabilis Investment Trust. The round also saw participation from distinguished investors including Samir Singh, EVP – Asia, Colgate Palmolive & Former Chair of Unilever SE Asia, Shuchi Kothari, Head of DSP Family Office and SRF Limited. The funds raised will be strategically deployed towards retail expansion and new product introductions across key channels such as marketplaces, quick commerce and offline retail. The Company has raised $21.5 million so far (including the current round) from leading investors including Lightbox VC (One of the earliest backers of Nua), Kae Capital, renowned actress Deepika Padukone and former Global President of Unilever, Vindi Banga.

Ravi Ramachandran, CEO & Co-founder, Nua says, “The past 12 months have been exceptional for Nua. Not only have we turned profitable but we have also grown over 2.5x in revenue. We reached an important milestone by becoming profitable in Q2, crossed Rs. 100 Cr net revenue ARR in Q3 and are now on track to reach Rs. 150 Cr net revenue ARR in the next quarter. The capital raised in the current round will accelerate our journey to achieving the growth milestones we have set for ourselves.”

Nua’s focus is on building a superlative and holistic experience for women with safe and high-quality products, engaging content and strong community have helped it differentiate in a large and growing space. This success has been driven by word-of-mouth and incredible customer loyalty. The Company will continue investing in new products, content and emerging channels to accelerate this momentum over the next 6-8 quarters, he adds.

Over the last 12 months, the company has added new product segments with a focus on comfort and toxic-free positioning – Extra Long Night Pads, Disposable period panties, menstrual cups and post-partum products. Nua’s products are available on their website and on various ecommerce platforms such as Zepto, Amazon, Flipkart and others.

Commenting on the fund raise, Srinivas Seshadri, Head of Investments at Mirabilis Investment Trust., says, “We look forward to a great journey with Nua in reshaping the menstrual health landscape in our country. The team has demonstrated exceptional growth and a clear path to sustained profitability, while serving a greater purpose—normalizing conversations around menstrual health, offering holistic solutions and empowering women with better choices. Nua’s broad product portfolio and strong presence across channels position it very well to serve a growing tribe of women seeking exceptional performance, value and convenience.”

Ahead of the wedding of Jeet Adani, the younger son of billionaire industrialist Gautam Adani, the Adani family has announced ‘Mangal Seva’, a program to support newly married women with disabilities. To begin with, every year, 500 such women will be provided financial assistance of INR 10 lakh each.

At his home, just two days before his own wedding, Jeet Adani met 21 newly married divyang women and their husbands to launch this initiative. Jeet is set to tie the knot with Diva Shah on 7 February 2025 in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.

In line with his social philosophy Service is meditation, service is prayer, and service is the Supreme Divine, Gautam Adani took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his joy that his son Jeet and daughter-in-law Diva are starting the first chapter of their journey with a virtuous resolution. He said that Jeet and Diva have pledged to ‘Mangal Seva’ by providing financial assistance of Rs 10 lakh each to 500 newly married women with disabilities.

He added that through this sacred initiative, the lives of many disabled daughters and their families will be uplifted with happiness and dignity. He blessed Jeet and Diva to continue moving forward on this path of service.

Currently, Jeet Adani is Director of Adani Airport Holdings – India’s largest airport infrastructure company with eight airports in its management and development portfolio. Apart from the airports business, he oversees the Adani Group’s defence, petrochemicals and copper businesses. He is also in charge of the Group’s digital transformation.

Inspired by Dr Priti Adani, his mother, who evolved the Adani Foundation from a small rural project in Mundra, Gujarat, into a global force for change, Jeet is keenly interested in philanthropic initiatives, with a focus on supporting people with disabilities.

Hyderabad, February 6, 2025……Swami Mukundananda, the world-renowned spiritual guru addressed FICCI Ladies Organization Members on ‘Mind Management for a Peaceful Life” at AIG Hospital Auditorium in Gachibowli in the city on Wednesday.

Director and Surgical Gastroenterologist Dr .GV Rao of AIG Hospitals and many doctors and hospital staff were among the attendees.

Giving her opening remarks, Priya Gazdar, Chairperson of FLO Hyderabad said, in today’s world, where life moves at an unrelenting pace, our greatest challenge is not the external chaos but the inner turbulence it creates. Our thoughts, emotions, and reactions shape our reality, yet we rarely take the time to manage them consciously.

Speaking further she added that mind management helps us cultivate awareness, resilience, and clarity amid life’s inevitable ups and downs. A peaceful life is one where the mind remains steady, focused, and in harmony with our inner values.

Addressing the 200-strong audience, Swami Mukundananda, an authority on Mind Management said that the theme was extremely relevant to the present day lifestyle. All of us irrespective of our professions strive hard to enhance our competence. In that race, we compromise our inner peace, he said.

We get disturbed very easily because of the behaviour of the people around us without seeing the world from their perspective. Over the 78 years since our independence, our median income has increased by 700 per cent. Our comforts increased manifold. But our misery, troubles, unhappiness, crime rate, and divorce rate also increased several times. If you see traffic from the airport to this venue, it is no longer a Cyberabad, but it is a ‘Trafficabad (obviously he was referring to the traffic of the city and how chaotic it is yet times), he said.

The very definition or understanding of success itself is not right. We wrongly define our success as being ahead of others. Being ahead of peers is not true success, he said, but being the best version of ourselves is.

Extraneous things do not bring happiness. To be happy and have a peaceful mind, you need nothing from outside. All that matters is what is in you, Swami Mukundananda explained. Try to be yourself, don’t compare yourself with others. When you do your best at work, your brain produces Serotonin, a neurotransmitter. Serotonin is a chemical messenger that helps regulate many bodily functions.

The secret of happiness is not in having more. Swami Mukundananda gave a three-phrase mantra — Do Good, Be Good and Feel Good.

Your happiness is determined by what you have within you, that is your mind. “Conquer your mind, you will conquer the world” Adi Shankaracharya, the world-renowned spiritual leader once said. So, learn to conquer your mind, he added.

The Bhagavad Gita, the most respected ancient scripture says, your controlled mind is your best friend, he informed.

Recalling what a bariatrician once told him about solving Obesity issues, Swami Mukundananda said, Obesity can be solved if people are a little more tolerant of their hunger-pangs. Unwilling to bear even that little discomfort, they invite trouble. To achieve anything worthwhile in life you need to be self-disciplined, he said. So, grow muscle control, he stated.

Swami gave many examples of self-control and secrets for happiness in life.

90% of our subconscious mind impacts our behaviour. If you want to make your subconscious mind your friend, then you need to be mindful of your self-talk. Your self-talk is your belief. Your beliefs are directing your life. Vedas tell us to create good beliefs. How do you create beliefs he asked. You can do so based on sound knowledge. He gave many practical examples to highlight his point.

Mr. Pradeep Aggarwal, Founder & Chairman, Signature Global (India) Ltd.

“A potential repo rate cut by the RBI in its upcoming MPC meeting could be a pivotal move in shaping India’s economic momentum, particularly as the Union Budget 2025 is expected to drive consumption and investment. In the real estate sector, such a policy shift could lead to more affordable home loans, improving housing affordability and stimulating demand—especially in the mid and premium segments.

Moreover, the recent 50-basis-point reduction in the Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) has already injected significant liquidity into the banking system, setting the stage for improved credit flow. If complemented by a rate cut, this could accelerate capital deployment in infrastructure and urban development, further boosting real estate growth. Given India’s rapid urbanization and rising aspirations for homeownership, a proactive monetary policy can catalyze long-term economic resilience and sustained real estate expansion.”

National, 6th February 2025: Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu India LLP (Deloitte India) has announced the jury panel for the Enterprise Growth Awards 2025. This initiative recognises the contributions of exceptional family-owned businesses, unicorns and soonicorns across India. The awards celebrate companies demonstrating leadership, vision and growth while contributing to their communities and expanding beyond regional boundaries to achieve national impact.

The jury for the Enterprise Growth Awards 2025 includes S. D. Shibulal, Former Managing Director, Infosys, and the chairperson of the jury panel; Dr. Brinda Jaghirdar, Former Chief Economist of the State Bank of India and Independent Director; M. D. Ranganath, Chairman, Catamaran Ventures and Board Member of HDFC; and Manoj Kohli, Senior Advisor, Deloitte. These individuals will bring unparalleled expertise and insight to the awards, ensuring a robust and transparent evaluation process to celebrate exemplary businesses nationwide.

“The jury for the Enterprise Growth Awards 2025 has been meticulously curated to bring together some of the most accomplished leaders and visionaries from across industries. Each jury member brings a wealth of experience, deep industry knowledge and a nuanced understanding of the factors that drive business success in India. By drawing attention to businesses that have successfully evolved from local enterprises into national leaders, the jury ensures a comprehensive evaluation process highlighting transformation, leadership, and innovation. This exceptional panel reflects the high standards and credibility the awards aim to uphold, making it a true celebration of excellence in India’s private sector,” said K. R. Sekar, Partner and Leader – Deloitte Private, Deloitte India.

“The response to the inaugural Enterprise Growth Awards 2025 has been truly overwhelming, with companies from all over the nation enthusiastically coming forward to participate. This enthusiastic engagement underscores the awards’ mission to highlight exceptional entrepreneurial journeys, especially those beyond metropolitan hubs. Businesses see this as an opportunity to celebrate their growth stories and demonstrate how they have used local roots to achieve national prominence. We are proud to provide a platform that honours the spirit of the private sector and its remarkable contribution to growth and excellence,” said Dhiraj Bhandary, Partner, Deloitte India.

Kolkata, 6th February 2025: Two books authored by Prof. (Dr.) Rama Prosad Banerjee, Chairman & Director, Eastern Institute for Integrated Learning in Management, Kolkata (EIILM-Kolkata), titled “The VEDAS – Wisdom and Truth for Human Emergence” and Vedasnana: Satyarthir Brahmagyana Sadhan Vedapathae, launched on Wednesday, 5th February 2025, at the 48th International Kolkata Book Fair 2025 at SBI Auditorium, Boimela Prangan. These books provide an in-depth exploration of Vedic wisdom, its role in shaping civilisations and its continued relevance in modern science, technology and human transcendence.

The launch event was graced by esteemed dignitaries, including, Prof. (Dr.) Mark H. Taylor, PhD CPA, Director, Lynn Pippenger School of Accountancy, Muma College of Business, University of South Florida, USA, Past-President, American Accounting Association (AAA); Mr. Kusal Chowdhury, Trustee of Dakshineswar Kali Temple, Founder & Convenor, Lokmata Rani Rashmoni Foundation, Editor, Matrishakti Patrika; Ms. Rozann R. Taylor, eminent author, USA; Mr. Rupak Barua, Managing Director & CEO, Woodlands Multispeciality Hospital Ltd; Mr. Abir Chatterjee, Actor; Ms. Lucky Kulkarni, Director & Group Head-HR, Member of Management Board, Jeena & Company; Shri Tridib Kumar Chatterjee, President, Publishers & Booksellers Guild, 48th International Book Fair, 2025; Mr. S. K. Dutt, Head HR- GI Infotech (Macalvins Group- UK), Sr. Advisor- United Nations UNCTAD Empretec India; and Prof. (Dr.) Rama Prosad Banerjee, Chairman & Director, Eastern Institute for Integrated Learning in Management, Kolkata (EIILM-Kolkata).

The Vedas: Wisdom and Truth for Human Emergence published by Routledge presents the Vedas as the bedrock of human wisdom, shaping civilisations and influencing the evolution of science and technology. It provides insights into the Vedic origins of rational thinking and empirical analysis, showing how the ancient scriptures continue to inspire the modern world. The book serves as a guide to attaining spiritual enlightenment and intellectual liberation through the timeless knowledge of the Vedas.

Vedasnana: Satyarthir Brahmagyana Sadhan Vedapathae published by Dakshineswar Mandir Trust explores the fundamental truths of the Vedas from their origin, offering a path for human emergence through knowledge, wisdom and scientific advancement. It highlights the Vedic principles of Dharma (righteousness), Artha (prosperity), Kama (desires) and Moksha (liberation) as the foundation of life. The book illustrates how integrating Vedic wisdom with modern technological advancements can lead to a holistic and superior human civilisation.

Speaking at the launch event, Prof. (Dr.) Rama Prosad Banerjee, Chairman & Director, Eastern Institute for Integrated Learning in Management, Kolkata (EIILM-Kolkata), expressed, “The modern mind needs the taste of poise and bliss in the midst of the flow of works, thoughts and transactions of the world. Also a modern person can position herself/himself in the field of thoughts, activities and the creative functions one may undertake, requires a thorough realisation of the true self within. The spirit of Vedas attempts to sensitise the presence of this true self not only in the intrinsics of the persons but in the empirical works, transactions and overall living of the person transcending the barriers of time, space and personal identities.”

Bengaluru, February 6, 2025 — Wabtec Corporation announced today the winners of the company’s 2024-25 “Exceed 3.0 Campus Challenge” in India. In its third edition, the challenge provided these aspiring professionals an opportunity to showcase their creative capabilities and align them with the dynamic, complex realities of the railroad industry.

“The Exceed Campus Challenge provides an ideal biennial platform to cultivate tomorrow’s thinkers and doers,” said Dr. Sujatha Narayan, Senior Vice President and Regional Leader for Wabtec Corporation in India. “The winning teams demonstrated the innovative spirit, technical acumen, dedication, and passion necessary to succeed in the rail industry.”

The Exceed 3.0 winning team represented VIT (Vellore Institute of Technology), Bhopal, and showcased innovative concepts for ‘Decoding, Categorizing and Graphical Representation of Errors with their Frequency’. The first runner-up was from Gati Shakti Vishwavidyala, Vadodara who presented ‘Automated Train Scheduling and Routing’. The two-second runners-up were from Cummins College of Engineering for Women, Pune who proposed ‘Safe Siding of Trains’, and VIT (Vellore Institute of Technology), Chennai who proposed ‘Application of Computer Vision for Rail Infrastructure Inspection’.

These winners for the pan-India contest were among 150 teams and more than 500 students from 70 institutes. Of the 150 teams, eight qualified for a final round and presented projects to the leadership at Wabtec India Technology and Engineering Centre in Bangalore. The top 3 finalists won a total cash price of Rs.2.75 lakh.

“Our campus outreach program has been growing over the past years,” said Anup Kumar Pal, Senior Director of Human Resources for Wabtec Corporation India. “Every version of the Exceed Campus Challenge is an opportunity for prospective employees to learn about how Wabtec is solving Transportation problems in India and across the world. We like ideas that have a larger impact beyond the rail industry. “

Wabtec requested applications for the challenge in August 2024. The challenge was open to students in their first year of college through the final year of their Ph.D. The topics posed for this contest covered a diverse range of subjects, such as interdisciplinary innovations in mechanical and software engineering, explorations of cutting-edge technologies like robotics & advanced software development, and alternate fuels and associated safety aspects, artificial intelligence, cloud computing, condition monitoring, vision enhancement, hydrogen-powered locomotive, and braking performance.

Hyderabad, February 06, 2025…… Centific, a tech company extended skill development support to PURE Academy, an initiative of a city-based NGO PURE stands for People for Urban and Rural Education is engaged in skill development besides many other service activities. The company donated on Wednesday four Jute and four Sewing machines worth Rs 14 lakhs under its CSR Project for skill development of the underprivileged women in NBT Nagar on Road No 12 in Banjara Hills in the city.

Led by Ms Surya Prabha, VP, AICEO (Artificial Intelligence Centre of Excellence), and Reshmi, CSR Head, Emmanuel, Shyam Kumar and other colleagues from their office formally donated the machines in the presence of Pure NGO Volunteers, Ms Aruna Dara and others.

According to Ms Kalyani, the faculty at Pure Academy, about 40 women of NBTnagar who hail from underprivileged backgrounds are trained free of cost in Maggam Work, Dry Cleaning, Saree Rolling, Block Printing, MS Office Training, Graphic Designing (Canva), Saree Rolling, Candle Making and other skills required to be self-employed.

PURE is a volunteer-led organisation.

Giving details Ms Shyla Talluri, an NRI, founder and CEO, PURE, said that the NGO focuses on Education, Girl children, Shelter homes, Special Assistance, Indigenous populations, Livelihoods and Youth leadership. It works in India and the USA. It has made footprints in Uganda, Ethiopia, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Kenya, Barbados, St Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago.

Pure Academy is a Skill Development initiative of PURE.

Ms Swathi, and Ms Rajitha both homemakers learnt Dry Cleaning. Their spouses do small and errand jobs. Their income is insufficient to run homes. These women want to help their spouses financially to run their homes. Both plan to set up a dry cleaning unit from their respective houses.

Mumbai, 6th February 2025 – Angel One Limited, a leading FinTech player, has achieved a significant milestone by surpassing 30 million clients, underscoring its strong growth momentum. In January 2025, the company’s client base expanded to 30.13 million, reflecting an impressive 47.5% YoY increase. Its average client funding book surged to ₹41.99 billion, while Unique Mutual Fund SIPs grew to 765.80 thousand, marking a 57.7% YoY rise. Furthermore, the market share for overall equity turnover, based on option premium, expanded to 19.7%, marking a 192 bps YoY expansion. This exceptional growth solidifies Angel One’s leadership in the industry, powered by cutting-edge technology, a customer-first approach and an unwavering commitment to driving innovation in financial services.

With a sharp focus on Gen Z and Millennials, Angel One continues to evolve and meet the expectations of digitally savvy investors. Its Super App delivers seamless and intuitive investing experience, offering personalized recommendations, advanced trading tools and real-time market insights. The company has also launched industry first innovative features such as:

• Online DIS (Paperless Stock Transfers): Enabling secure and hassle-free transactions.
• Trailing Stop Loss : Enhances risk management by auto-adjusting stop-loss to lock in profits and limit losses as the market moves.
• Such innovations, combined with advanced technology, have fueled Angel One’s growth across Tier 2, Tier 3 and beyond cities.

Commenting on this significant milestone, Mr. Dinesh Thakkar, Chairman & Managing Director, Angel One Limited, said,” Surpassing 30 million clients is an incredible milestone that showcases our passion for innovation and our commitment to addressing the evolving needs of our clients. With a strong leadership team, we continuously integrate advanced solutions to deliver a seamless and user-friendly experience. Our cutting-edge technology enables us to offer personalized financial journeys, positioning us as leaders in the FinTech space. I would like to thank all our partners and users for being an essential part of our journey!

National, February 5, 2025: Continuing its re-release strategy, PVR INOX, India’s largest and most premium cinema chain, brings back one of the most celebrated Indian films of all time, Nayak: The Hero. Starring the legendary actors Sharmila Tagore and Uttam Kumar and directed by the iconic Satyajit Ray, this film remains as relevant today as it was upon its release. Nayak delves into the inner turmoil, vulnerability, and suppressed anxieties of a superstar who hides his struggles behind the mask of fame and adoration.

The story follows Arindam Mukherjee, a celebrated actor travelling by train to receive an award. On this journey, he encounters Aditi Sengupta, a sharp and determined journalist who interviews him about his life and career. Uttam Kumar delivers a nuanced performance as Arindam, embodying the complexities of a man grappling with his identity and moral dilemmas. Sharmila Tagore shines as Aditi, whose probing questions lead to revelations that unearth the superstar’s deeply buried insecurities.

Ray’s direction is nothing short of extraordinary, capturing the intricacies of human emotions with subtlety and depth. The train journey serves as a brilliant metaphor for the characters’ introspection and personal evolution, with Ray weaving in delicate symbolism to enhance the narrative. A timeless masterpiece, Nayak: The Hero continues to resonate with audiences, exploring themes of identity, societal expectations, and the price of fame with unmatched sensitivity and artistry.

The film will be re-released on February 21st in select cinemas.

Speaking about the re-release of Nayak: The Hero, Niharika Bijli, Lead Strategist at PVR INOX, said, “At PVR INOX, our goal goes beyond simply reintroducing popular titles. We aim to revive films that stand as landmarks in Indian cinema—films that have, over the years, defined the identity of Indian cinema on a global stage and shaped the way we perceive the art of storytelling. With this initiative, we aspire to introduce the younger generation to the brilliance of our cinematic greats while allowing those already familiar with these masterpieces to relive their magic on the big screen. For us, cinema is more than entertainment; it’s a vital part of our cultural heritage, and films like Nayak: The Hero have played a pivotal role in making it so.”

February promises to be an exhilarating month at PVR INOX as the re-release slate brings some of the most fun love stories back to the big screen. Fans can look forward to reliving the magic of films like Dil To Pagal Hai, Jab We Met, and Bachna Ae Haseeno in Hindi, alongside South Indian romantic films such as Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa, Minnale, Surya s/o Krishnan, Yeto Vellipoyindhi Manasu, Mr. and Mrs. Ramachari, and Premaalu, showcasing the rich diversity of Indian cinema.

February also marks the launch of the “Timeless Classics” series at PVR INOX’s premium cinemas. As part of this initiative, the month of love will feature cinematic masterpieces that have defined Indian romantic dramas. Audiences can enjoy Yash Chopra’s unforgettable Silsila and Chandni, Raj Kapoor’s beautifully restored Awara, and the newly restored version of Aradhana, starring Sharmila Tagore and Rajesh Khanna. These re-releases celebrate the enduring charm of love stories that have left an indelible mark on Indian cinema, offering audiences both young and old the chance to experience their magic on the big screen.