Archives March 2025

NEW DELHI, INDIA (March 12, 2025) – Hiring intentions continue to increase heading into the second quarter of 2025, with employers reporting a Net Employment Outlook (NEO) of 43%, according to the latest ManpowerGroup Employment Outlook Survey. This represents an increase of 3 points compared to the previous quarter and 7 points since Q2 2024.

The survey, which collected data from over 3,000 employers across different regions of India, indicates a rising confidence in the region’s labor market as businesses seek to expand and invest in technology and talent to stay competitive.

“This year, the ManpowerGroup Employment Outlook Survey reflects a resilient and growing job market in India. Hiring sentiment has strengthened compared to the previous quarter, showcasing the confidence of Indian businesses in navigating an evolving economic landscape,” said Sandeep Gulati, Managing Director, ManpowerGroup India and Middle East. Technology, industrial, and financial sectors continue to lead the hiring momentum, with larger organizations driving workforce expansion – this growth is fueled by business expansion, digital transformation, and a strong commitment to upskilling.”

Mr. Gulati further added, “India’s labor market is at a pivotal moment- as the country cements its position as a global economic and technology hub, businesses are prioritizing talent strategies that balance agility with long-term growth. The surge in AI, automation, and digital adoption is creating a demand for specialized skills, making workforce planning a critical priority. The ability to attract, retain, and develop skilled professionals will be a key factor for sustained success. At ManpowerGroup, we remain committed to enabling organizations to build high-impact teams that drive innovation, resilience, and sustainable growth.”

Besides employment Outlooks, the India report also sheds light on the main reasons for staffing increases. 45% of employers in India report company expansion as the top reason for staffing increases, followed by tech advancements requiring more expertise (38%), and upskilling to stay competitive (35%)

KEY FINDINGS FROM THE Q2 SURVEY

· 55% of employers intend to hire, 12% foresee a decrease, 29% do not expect any change in their workforce, and 4% are unsure.

· Information Technology (55%), Industrial and Materials (48%), Health Care & Life Sciences (42%), Transport and Logistics & Automotive (40%) and Communication Services (38%) sectors report a growth in hiring intentions when compared to Q1 2025. Financial and Real Estate (43%), with the third highest Outlook (43%), is marginally down by 1 point while Energy & Utilities (32%) and Consumer Goods & Services (32%) see a decrease of 6 points and 8 points respectively compared to the previous quarter.

· Year-on-year, job markets have strengthened in all 4 regions. The West (47%) leads regional hiring intentions, followed by the North & East (44%), and the South (39%).

· Company expansion (45%) is cited as the top reason for staffing increases, while market changes (36%) was listed as the top reason for employers anticipating a staffing decrease in the second quarter

Guwahati, March 12, 2025: Recognizing the crucial role of Assam’s farmers in the milk revolution, the state government on March 9 announced the Assam Gaurav Award for Bharat Kalita, a dairy farmer and president of Kamdhenu Dugdha Utpadak Samabay Samiti of Nityananda in Bajali.

The dairy cooperative affiliated to West Assam Milk Producers’ Co-operative Union Ltd (WAMUL), which operates under the brand name Purabi Dairy, was mentioned as a pioneer in milk revolution by Assam chief minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma in his press briefing on Sunday evening.

“Acknowledging the role played by the farmers of Bajali in the milk revolution of the state, we are presenting the Assam Gaurav Award to Bharat Kalita for his pivotal role in this achievement. People in Bajali already recognise Kalita as Assam’s (Verghese) Kurien,” the chief minister said.

Last year, the Kamdhenu Dugdha Utpadak Samabay Samiti under WAMUL, won the prestigious National Gopal Ratna Award 2024 for Best Dairy Cooperative Society under the Special NER category. The award was given by the Central government.

The Kamdhenu Dugdha Utpadak Samabay Samiti at Nityanand started milk collection on August 1, 2007 with around 70 litres of milk. At present, the society provides around 4,500-7,000 litres of milk to Purabi Dairy.

Thanking the state government for this huge honour, Bharat Kalita, who is also a managing committee member of WAMUL said, “I feel honoured to be bestowed this prestigious award by the Government of Assam. This has been possible due to Purabi Dairy guided by NDDB which has been a driving force in Assam’s dairy revolution and of course all the dairy farmers. I am now confident that the milk revolution started under our brand Purabi will grow significantly.”

Dr. Meenesh Shah, Chairman NDDB, and Chairman WAMUL Management Committee, extended his best compliments to Kalita for this prestigious award.

Congratulating Kalita, Sameer Kumar Parida, Managing Director WAMUL, said: “Bharat Kalita’s dedication and leadership have significantly transformed the dairy sector in Bajali. His efforts have enhanced milk production while also empowering countless farmers, ensuring sustainable growth for the dairy industry. Kalita is also a management committee member of WAMUL thus contributing significantly to the development of the dairy cooperative through his valuable inputs.”

Commenting on his close association with Bharat Kalita, Satya Brata Bose, Managing Director NEDFL, said: “I have witnessed Bharat Kalita’s unwavering commitment to dairy farming over the years. His vision and hard work have strengthened cooperative dairy farming in the region, inspiring many to follow in his footsteps.”

On behalf of Purabi family, SB Bose also expressed his gratitude to the Government of Assam led by Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma for supporting cooperative dairying in a big way and acknowledging the role of dairy farmers like Bharat Kalita.

Greater Noida, 12th March 2025: Birla Institute of Management Technology (BIMTECH), a leading business school in India, successfully hosted the “Rural Immersion Program 2025 – Reflection Day”, bringing together students, faculty, industry leaders, government officials, and rural women.

 The reflection day was graced by the esteemed presence of Chief Guests Sri Manish Kumar Verma, District Magistrate, Gautam Budh Nagar, and Ms. Sita Srivastava, Income Tax Commissioner, along with industry leaders from HR and CSR domains. The event also witnessed a footfall of 40 rural women from various villages accompanied by the U-Turn4Nature team.

 Under the programme BIMTECH recently organized visits to 16 villages in collaboration with U-Turn4Nature, an NGO dedicated to sustainable rural development, women’s empowerment, and promoting eco-friendly practices. This transformative initiative provided a cohort of 534 students including international students, with an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding and first-hand exposure to rural life and its multifaceted challenges.

 A key highlight of the event was the recognition of three outstanding teams for their dedicated efforts in overcoming challenges and developing innovative, community-driven solutions for rural development. The first award was presented to Samauddinpur Group 9, followed by the second award to Kalonda Group 1, and the third award to Beel Akbarpur Group 13.

 Expressing her delight at this significant step, Dr. Prabina Rajib, Director, BIMTECH, shared, “Building on the success of previous editions, we’re truly excited to present our current batch with this unique opportunity. Over the years, our programme has successfully facilitated actionable recommendations, strengthened collaborations with rural development organizations, and positive community engagement. The programme aligns with the institute’s commitment to holistic education, blending academics with real-world applications.”

 The immersion program bridged the gap between academia, grassroots realities, and socio-economic conditions, as well as empowered students to become socially responsible leaders.

 During the tour, students focused on various critical aspects of rural lives through themes such as “Health & Nutrition”, “Education”, “Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH)”, “Agriculture & Livestock”, and “Livelihood & Entrepreneurship”. Identifying hurdles in these key areas helped to explore potential interventions that could contribute to long-term rural development.

 Post-culmination, the findings and recommendations of each participant will be shared with NGOs and policy experts, as well as presented at academic and industry forums to be considered for implementation. The observations and insights recorded will also be utilised for future research and curriculum development purposes. A reflection session is also scheduled with the village leaders, including the Sarpanch, Self-Help Group (SHG) members, women representatives, and others.

Mumbai, March 12, 2025: The Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) will host the International Council for Advertising Self-Regulation (ICAS) Global Summit—ICAS Global Dialogues 2025, from March 17 to 19, 2025, in Mumbai. This is the first time the summit will be held outside Europe and the US, reinforcing India’s growing role in global advertising conversations.

The by-invite-only event will bring together self-regulatory leaders from 16 countries as well as international advertising associations, regulators, and Indian industry leaders. The summit underscores ASCI’s contributions in shaping global thought on responsible advertising and evolving standards.

Besides sessions on pressing global advertising issues related to self-regulation, the three-day summit will include:

• The ICAS Global Self-Regulation Awards (17th March) celebrate the most creative, impactful, and innovative initiatives by SROs worldwide.
• Convening of the newly formed ICAS Think Tank. This will be followed by a compelling panel discussion, which is part of the inaugural ICAS Think Tank discussion. Besides ASCI, Hindustan Unilever, Marico, Cipla Health, and Kenvue are also founding members of this global think tank.
• An industry session ‘Tomorrow’s Regulation Today’ (18th March) that shines a light on emerging areas of consumer vulnerability and how advertising regulation can address them.
• ASCI Academy’s Global Adda (19th March) will see the release of two key pieces of research: ‘Manifest: Masculinities Beyond the Mask,’ the study of the representations of masculinity across media, and ‘AdNext: The AI Edition.’ exploring the intersection of AI and advertising. These will be followed by various expert conversations on these subjects. This event will bring together over 250 attendees, including global self-regulatory organisation (SRO) leaders, regulators, subject matter experts, industry leaders, marketing and compliance professionals, and academia.

 Some of the confirmed speakers include:

• Shri Abhishek Singh, Additional Secretary, The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY)
• Devdutt Pattanaik, Mythologist, Author and Speaker
• Michael Todd, Global Director, Industry Relations, Google
• Guy Parker, Chief Executive, UK Advertising Standards Authority & President, ICAS
• Mary K Engle, Executive VP-Policy, BBB National Programs, USA
• Mohan Jayaraman, Partner, Bain & Company
• Dipanjan Chaudhuri, Head of Industry Relations, Asia Pacific at Google
• Paromita Vohra, Filmmaker and Writer
• Kunal Guha, Director, Privacy (Chrome & Android), Google
• Shelly Kohli, Chief Legal & Compliance Officer, United Breweries Ltd.
• Ruchira Jaitly, CMO, Diageo India
• Anila Vinayak, CMI Director, Unilever
• Sameer Chugh, Chief Legal Officer, Games24x7
• Arvind Mohan, Founder & Managing Partner, Religious Brands

 The events have been supported by Diageo India, Hindustan Unilever Limited, Google, United Breweries, MakemyTrip, Games 24X7, Khaitan & Co., and Lexplosion.

Manisha Kapoor, CEO & Secretary General, ASCI, said: “Hosting the ICAS Global Summit in India is a proud milestone for ASCI and the Indian advertising industry. We look forward to collaborating with global experts and gaining insights that will help us navigate new complexities while strengthening consumer trust.”

Partha Sinha, Chairman, ASCI, added: “The timing of this summit is crucial as AI and other technologies rapidly reshape advertising. Bringing global perspectives together will help us collectively design forward-looking approaches that balance innovation with responsibility.”

New Delhi, March 12, 2025: OPPO India introduces the Sky-Blue variant of the OPPO Reno13 5G, a rugged smartphone designed to capture every vibrant moment this Holi. The device will be available for purchase starting 20th March at the OPPO e-store, mainline retail outlets and Flipkart.

The device—a blend of power and durability—packs advanced AI-powered cameras, the MediaTek Dimensity 8350 processor, 80W SUPERVOOCTM fast charging, along with certifications for IP66, IP68, and IP69 water and dust resistance.

Built to Last

The Sky-Blue Reno13 5G is engineered to handle water, dust, and colour with its aerospace-grade aluminium frame, Corning Gorilla Glass 7i body, and OPPO’s All-Round Armour architecture that offers superior shock resistance and long-lasting durability.

Its 6.59-inch 1.5K OLED Pro XDR display delivers crystal-clear visuals with a 1,200nits peak brightness for absolute legibility under the bright Holi sun and even in dim environments. Its 120Hz refresh rate promises smooth scrolling and gaming, while its 93.4% screen-to-body ratio allows for an almost borderless viewing experience.

Capture the Moment

Capture the festival like never before with the GenAI-powered camera system—a 50MP primary sensor, 8MP ultra-wide lens, and 2MP monochrome camera—offering dual 4K recording and AI-powered tools like AI Livephoto, AI Clarity, and AI Eraser 2.0 to preserve every vibrant Holi moment. Plus, with IP66, IP68, and IP69 certifications, your Reno13 is ready for stunning underwater photography, making it the perfect companion for all your colourful celebrations.

The custom MediaTek Dimensity 8350 on the device ensures up to 60% better peak performance and 55% greater power efficiency than the previous generation, while the 5600mAh battery with 80W SUPERVOOCTM Flash Charge delivers 17% charge in 5 minutes and a full charge in 47 minutes. For the first time, the Reno13 comes with a 12GB + 512GB storage.

India, 12th March 2025: Reinforcing its dedication to community development, Canon India marked four years of its adoption of Parivali Village, Bhiwandi, Maharashtra, the seventh village under its ‘Adopt a Village’ initiative. The celebrations were kicked off by Mr. Toshiaki Nomura, President & CEO, Canon India, who inaugurated the newly constructed rainwater harvesting facility & recharge pit to address the foreseeable issue of declining water levels in the regions of Maharashtra. Furthermore, these sustainable, cost-effective and eco-friendly solutions will meet the demands of water required by the school for toilet facilities, cleaning the school premises and ensuring watering of the plantation.

 With a larger aim of providing quality education, as a part of its 4Es policy, Canon India has facilitated enrolment of total 594 students through its focused initiatives at the Resource Centre and Computer Classes. Notably, the school was twice recognised by Maharashtra Chief Minister’s ‘My School, Beautiful School’ campaign for overall development. Further strengthening the local infrastructure, Canon has made significant contributions to the establishment of drinking water stations, construction of toilets for boys and girls, and setting-up of a functional library. Additionally, 354 students have benefitted from skill-based training programs aimed at improving employability and self-reliance. Through the establishment of the ‘Vision Centre,’ the facility has provided over 4174 community people with timely eye camps and check-ups. Subsequently, fostering efforts towards a healthy environment, a total of 1685 trees have been planted, and further with the support of the village residents has conducted regular cleanliness drives.

 Speaking on the four year journey with Parivali Village, Mr. Toshiaki Nomura, President & CEO, Canon India said, “At Canon, holistic development of the villages is at the core of our flagship project ‘Adopt a Village’, which is paramount for a self- sustained nation. The remarkable progress of Parivali Village over the past four years stands as a powerful reminder of the difference we can make through our collective efforts. By providing the village with essential resources and imparting critical skills, we have not only empowered a community but also deepened our commitment to sustainable progress. The positive changes witnessed in Parivali have deeply inspired me, and strengthened our resolve to shape a better future, fostering growth and ensuring brighter opportunities for them.”

 Along with ‘Adopt a Village’ project, the organization also launched the Skill Development and Livelihood programme last year in alignment with the Skill India mission. The project demonstrates Canon India’s commitment to contributing to Indian society by uplifting youth aged 18-25 years, living in urban slums by preparing them for seamless placement in customer-centric, grey-collar jobs, ensuring a pathway to stable and meaningful employment. As a significant impact, the program has enrolled 541 youth so far with 234 youth placed in jobs doubling their family income.

 Since the launch of the ‘Adopt a Village’ initiative in 2012, Canon India has been undertaking the overall development of villages across India for a certain period. The initiative has brought a widespread impact in the last decade through its 4Es CSR policy as well as infrastructural development, in the adopted villages. At present, Canon India has a total of 9 adopted villages which includes Nandrampur Bass in Haryana, Parivali in Maharashtra, Annadodi in Karnataka, and Kalyanpur in Kolkata.

Bengaluru, India and Chennai, India – March 12, 2025: Infosys Finacle, part of EdgeVerve Systems, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Infosys , today announced the successful migration of operations for Cholamandalam Investment and Finance Company Limited (Chola) to the Finacle Treasury solution. This is set to centralize treasury management on a unified web-based platform for Chola, one of India’s leading non-banking financial companies (NBFCs). This cloud-based transformation emphasizes Chola’s commitment to creating future-ready, digital-first treasury offerings that streamlines treasury operations, enhances automation, and effectively manages risks and compliance, while ensuring financial prudence and stability.

With Finacle Treasury, Chola now has end-to-end coverage for operations across the entire treasury lifecycle, managing various liabilities and investment portfolios. This includes a diverse range of borrowing and funding sources. Chola has also streamlined its fund transfer process, allowing for faster and more efficient management of loans, market borrowings, securitization, as well as interest and tax adjustments. Additionally, the company is enhancing operational effectiveness by automating interest processing, accounting for amendments, and payments processes. For instance, this transformation has reduced the processing time for coupon payout significantly.

Ravindra Kumar Kundu, Managing Director, Cholamandalam Investment and Finance Company Limited, said, “We at Chola are delighted to embrace Finacle’s next-generation Treasury solution. This marks a pivotal step in our treasury transformation journey. Managing the growing and diverse liability book including short- and long-term borrowings and the investment portfolio including government securities Liquidity Coverage Ratio (LCR) has been both a challenge and a priority. The Finacle Treasury platform equips us with the tools to address these challenges, improve operational efficiency, and enhance risk management, all while adhering to stringent regulatory frameworks. This transformation strengthens our ability to optimize funding strategies and scale treasury operations in alignment with our growth ambitions.”

Sajit Vijayakumar, Chief Business Officer and Global Head, Infosys Finacle, said, “We are delighted to partner with Chola in their mission to modernize treasury operations. The NBFC sector in India stands at a critical juncture, facing increasing compliance requirements and elevated funding costs. Our collaboration with Chola highlights our commitment to delivering a cloud-first multi-asset treasury solution that meet the current and future requirements of the industry. This collaboration further reinforces Finacle’s reputation as a trusted partner for NBFCs, empowering them to innovate, streamline, and scale their operations confidently.”

Mumbai, India/ Boston, USA – March 12, 2025

The Supreme Industries Ltd. (“Supreme”), India’s largest plastic pipe manufacturer, and the Building & Infrastructure (Wavin) business of Orbia Advance Corporation S.A.B. de CV (BMV: Orbia), a global leader in pipes and fittings, today announced the intention to enter into a long-term partnership agreement. Under the agreement, Supreme will acquire Orbia Wavin’s pipes and fittings business in India and will have exclusive access to Orbia Wavin’s leading water management technologies in India and SAARC countries. This strategic initiative will expand Supreme’s leadership position, extend Orbia’s customer reach through technology, and accelerate the robust growth of India’s building and infrastructure industry.

The terms of the partnership agreement include the transfer of Orbia Wavin’s manufacturing facilities in India to Supreme as well as offering exclusive licensing access of Orbia Wavin’s broad technology portfolio to Supreme, including leading edge solutions for water supply and sanitation, city scale water management, agriculture, rainwater collection and reuse, and stormwater management. With Supreme’s leading manufacturing footprint across India and extensive market reach through its committed distribution network of dealers and retailers across the country, the agreement provides the large-scale platform to deploy Orbia Wavin’s advanced technologies and strengthens Supreme’s leadership position for residential, commercial, industrial, and agricultural water infrastructure solutions across the high growth subcontinent.

Mr. M.P. Taparia, Managing Director of Supreme stated, “This partnership accelerates our growth trajectory and enables us to deliver exceptional value to our customers. Combining Orbia Wavin’s technologies for water management and our manufacturing and distribution strengths, we are poised to secure India’s water management needs with advanced solutions as India’s economy is projected to more than double over the next decade.”

“Our partnership with Supreme is a giant leap forward for sustainable water management in India,” added Mr. Sameer Bharadwaj, CEO of Orbia. “Supreme was a Wavin licensee for 25 years until 2017 and we are deeply honored to renew our partnership and massively scale it through innovation to meet India’s future needs. Supreme is fully committed to deploying Orbia Wavin’s advanced technologies for India’s growth through their ‘Make in India’ initiative. We see this agreement as a stepping stone for further collaborations with Orbia in the future.”

Bengaluru, March 12th, 2025 – Marking International Women’s Day 2025, Royal Brothers, in collaboration with MBSI (a Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. Japan, subsidiary), launched the 10th edition of their impactful “RB For Women” program. At Bengaluru’s Red Riders Go Karting Grounds, 100 women gained vital motorcycle riding skills, empowering them with newfound independence and access to diverse vehicles and opportunities.

In just three years, the “RB For Women” program has ignited a powerful wave of interest, attracting hundreds of women eager to master motorcycling. This surge in participation underscores the program’s effective design and comprehensive offerings. Participants receive professional training encompassing scooter and motorcycle operation, from foundational skills to advanced techniques, with a paramount emphasis on safety. Equipped with provided safety gear and access to a diverse fleet of practice motorcycles, women learn within a secure and controlled environment. Expert trainers deliver personalized instruction and unwavering support, ensuring each participant gains not only proficiency but also the crucial confidence to ride safely and independently.

Commenting at the event, Abhishek Chandrashekar, Co-Founder & CEO, RB said, “Celebrating the 10th edition of ‘RB For Women’ is a testament to our unwavering commitment to empowering women through accessible mobility. We extend our sincere gratitude to our valued partner, MBSI, ensuring our female riders have access to a wide range of trusted brands and safe vehicle. Looking forward, we’re determined to expand this program nationwide, enabling more women to experience the transformative freedom and confidence that motorcycling offers. Learning to ride is more than just a skill; it’s an empowering journey that fuels independence and ignites a sense of adventure. Our overarching vision is to provide 500 million Indians with accessible two-wheeler mobility, shifting the paradigm from ownership to access. We passionately encourage women across India to embrace the convenience and liberation of renting a scooter or motorcycle.”

Nakao Hiroshi: CEO and Managing Director, MBSI said “MBSI’s vision is to improve the quality of life of people across India, by providing easy access to sustainable mobility solutions. We are proud to co-sponsor ‘RB For Women’ with Royal Brothers, an initiative that aligns perfectly with our values and goals. ‘RB For Women’ empowers women with riding skills, breaks down barriers, fostering independence and equality. Our Women Empowerment Project, coupled with strategic collaborations like ‘RB For Women’ is dedicated to creating pathways for women to acquire two-wheeler riding skills, enabling them to secure sustainable employment opportunities across the country. By expanding our partnership with Royal Brothers to new cities, we aim to extend these empowering opportunities to women nationwide.”

Grisha Hasija: Project Head, MBSI’s Women Empowerment Project said “The success of ‘RB For Women’ is a testament to the power of collaboration, and MBSI is honored to be the key partner. Our longstanding relationship with Royal Brothers allows us to leverage their expertise and resources to empower women with riding skills and create sustainable employment opportunities. Through our ‘Women Empowerment Project,’ we are committed to expanding these opportunities across India in collaboration with our business partners. Looking forward, we aim to collaborate with a wider range of mobility companies, bringing our financial and strategic insights to drive transformative growth within India’s shared mobility sector.”

12th March 2025, Ahmedabad: Keystone Global Education, a venture of Shanti Educational Initiatives Ltd, offers unique pathway programs in collaboration with international universities, helping students pursue their dreams of studying abroad. The pathway program utilizes a hybrid educational model, providing Indian students with a supportive first year in a familiar environment before they transfer overseas.

Vishal Chiripal, Managing Director of Shanti Educational Initiatives Ltd, elaborated on Keystone Global Education pathway programs; Keystone Global Education signed three different Memorandum of Understanding (MOUs) with various universities to expand its course offerings. The first MOU is with the ISM University, Germany for exclusive rights in Gujarat for 4 post graduate programs.

Other MOU signed with PSB Academy, Singapore for diploma programs, which creates a Pathway to the Second year of UG or PG Courses of multiple UK, Australia and New Zealand Universities.

The third MOU is for the One Year Design Diploma program of Explorra Design Versity which will create Pathway to B.Des program of top ranked International Design Universities /Colleges like NABA- Italy, CoGC- Scotland, Red River College – Canada.