Archives May 2025

New Delhi, May 27, 2025: Yuvraj and Yashraj Bhardwaj, the visionary twin entrepreneurs who earned global recognition with their first company Petonic Infotech at the age of 17 and groundbreaking research with bajra and pumpkin purifiers, are now launching Petonic AI. It is an AI-powered platform that redefines strategic consulting with real-time, data-driven insights with a process-oriented approach at 10x the speed and 1/10th the cost of traditional consulting. The platform leverages proprietary NLP and predictive analytics that can transform unstructured data into actionable strategies.

The global consulting market, valued at $900 billion in 2024, is projected to grow at a 6.8% CAGR through 2030, with AI consulting alone reaching $130 billion by 2030 at a 42% CAGR. With India’s $50 billion segment growing at a 12.3% CAGR, the Bhardwaj brothers identified a critical opportunity in the space where traditional consulting is often too expensive, slow, and inconsistent for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs).

AI can overcome manual processes that take weeks, prohibitive fees for SMBs, and human bias causing 30% strategy variance. Petonic AI slashes costs by 90%, accelerates insights by 10x, and democratizes access to high-quality consulting for businesses of all sizes. It addresses critical industry gaps such as high costs, slow delivery, and inconsistent strategies.

In 2024-2025, Petonic AI will introduce three AI-powered solutions. One to automate trade compliance and policy analysis for government and logistics, another to assess cybersecurity risks for mid-market enterprises, and a third to optimize workforce planning and talent retention. From streamlining financial modeling to accelerating ESG compliance, these tools enable agile navigation of complex challenges. Targeting high-growth sectors like retail & e-commerce, sustainability & ESG, and manufacturing & Industry 4.0, Petonic AI aligns with market trends such as India’s ONDC and UPI-driven digitization and the quadrupling of ESG consulting demand by 2027. It offers services like process optimization, innovation management, and AI adoption roadmaps.

Yuvraj Bhardwaj, Co-Founder at Petonic AI, said, “We envision empowering businesses with AI-driven strategies that are fast, affordable, and precise. Petonic AI eliminates the barriers of traditional consulting, enabling SMBs and enterprises alike to thrive in a dynamic market. By leveraging cutting-edge NLP and predictive analytics, we’re not just solving problems but redefining how consulting drives value across retail, sustainability, and manufacturing, positioning India as a global leader in innovation.”

To establish early traction, Petonic AI will launch in the coming quarter, alongside pilot programs with 3-5 enterprise clients and partnerships with startup accelerators and SaaS platforms, targeting $1.5M in pilot revenue within 12 months.

Yashraj Bhardwaj, Co-Founder at Petonic AI, added, “Petonic AI is built to disrupt a stagnant industry by delivering results, not just reports. Our platform’s real-time insights and cost efficiency empower clients to act swiftly and decisively. From ESG compliance to Industry 4.0 transformations, we’re harnessing AI to create sustainable impact. Our journey from purifiers to global consulting reflects our commitment to solving real-world challenges with technology and vision.”

Looking ahead, Petonic AI aims to scale globally, starting with India and Southeast Asia in 2025, followed by North America and Europe in 2026. With a vision to rival the Big Four, the Bhardwaj brothers are building a legacy of sustainable, scalable solutions. Petonic AI is set to lead the charge in redefining consulting for the data-driven era.

Calcutta: The Indian Institute of Management Calcutta (IIM Calcutta), in collaboration with TimesPro, has announced the launch of the 31st batch of its flagship Executive Programme in Business Management (EPBM). The 12-month blended learning programme enables experienced professionals to transition from operational roles to strategic leadership by combining contemporary business theory with real-world application.

The EPBM equips learners with the ability to analyse complex business models within economic, regulatory and socio-political contexts. It challenges learners to question conventional assumptions, adopt innovative thinking and cultivate a forward-looking mindset. The programme aims to develop critical thinking, agile leadership and strategic decision-making while enhancing the skills required to manage teams, optimise resources and lead organisational transformation.

As industries across the globe continue to undergo rapid transformation, the need for versatile, well-rounded leaders has become increasingly evident. The World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2023 highlights analytical thinking, leadership and adaptability among the top skills that will define employability in the next five years. Simultaneously, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects robust growth in management roles between now and 2033, emphasising the relevance and urgency of leadership-focused programmes like the EPBM.

Speaking at the announcement, Professor Megha Sharma, Programme Director, IIM Calcutta said, “At IIM Calcutta, our goal has always been to nurture leadership that is future-ready and rooted in deep strategic understanding. The Executive Programme in Business Management reflects this vision. It enables professionals to move beyond their current domains and build the capabilities needed to succeed in a rapidly changing business environment.”

Professor Ritu Mehta, Programme Director, IIM Calcutta added, “In today’s volatile and competitive environment, the ability to pivot with agility and lead with clarity has become paramount. We are proud to offer a programme that not only addresses these industry imperatives but also empowers professionals with future-focused capabilities to lead with impact and drive business transformation.”

The EPBM empowers learners to build a multidisciplinary understanding of contemporary business frameworks and includes a robust exploration of foundational and advanced subjects such as financial and marketing management, strategic decision-making, people management in digital workplaces, digital transformation, business analytics, design thinking and innovation. A highlight of the programme is the capstone project, where learners collaborate on solving real-world business problems and apply the theories and frameworks learned during the course. Guided by faculty mentors, this project helps consolidate the learning experience and instil practical decision-making abilities.

Widely regarded as one of the most prestigious executive education offerings from IIM Calcutta, the EPBM provides a uniquely crafted curriculum that blends academic rigour with real-world application. The programme is delivered through TimesPro’s Direct-to-Device learning platform and includes two five-day immersive campus modules at the IIM Calcutta campus, which are designed to facilitate deeper peer learning, faculty interaction and professional networking. Applicants are expected to hold a recognised bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 50% marks, along with at least five years of full-time work experience after graduation. 

Ahmedabad, 27 May 2025: Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII) Ahmedabad, announces the launch of its 48th National Summer Camp on Entrepreneurial Adventures for Youth and Children. Scheduled from 01 June 2025 to 10 June 2025, it is organised at the campus of EDII in Ahmedabad. 

Tailored for youth aged between 16 and 22 years, it is a 10-day residential summer camp designed to shape and develop entrepreneurial skills and competencies, of the children and youth. The 48th National Summer Camp will help foster participants with creativity, problem solving, leadership, goal setting skills, etc. through activities and interaction with successful entrepreneurs. The curriculum of the summer camp will allow students to improve their entrepreneurial skills ranging from finance to communication to design thinking. 

Pankaj Bharti, Camp Leader, EDII, said, “Our summer camp is designed to unlock potential of ambitious youth by nurturing entrepreneurial traits and life skills in a vibrant, interactive setting. The 48th camp will continue our tradition of empowering youth to take charge of their future with confidence and clarity.”

Chennai, India, 27 May, 2025: India is facing the highest payroll staff shortage in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, with 75% of businesses reporting that their payroll services are affected by a lack of payroll professionals, according to the report “Potential of Pay 2025”. This survey, conducted by ADP, a leading global technology company specialising in human capital management (HCM) solutions, also indicates that 93% of businesses in India are looking to expand their payroll teams, highlighting a growing talent gap.

Rahul Goyal

The survey, which polled senior payroll leaders at multinational companies with over 1,000 employees, identifies key pain points:

• Data quality and integrity are also a key concern for payroll professionals, with 48% of respondents looking to improve this in the next 2-3 years.
• 38% of businesses cite a lack of automated processes as the most common cause of payroll inaccuracies.
• Nearly half (45%) of organisations partner with global payroll providers when entering new markets to ensure compliance and efficiency.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is central to overcoming these challenges. Over one in three (35%) Indian businesses identify AI adoption as the primary enabler for payroll innovation over the next two to three years – the highest in APAC – while 68% are integrating AI to streamline workflows and reduce reliance on manual processes.

“Payroll transformation is now a business imperative,” said Rahul Goyal, Managing Director, ADP India and Southeast Asia. “With rising compliance requirements and talent shortages, investing in AI-driven automation and strategic partnerships with global payroll partners are critical. These solutions not only enhance payroll accuracy and efficiency but also elevate employee experience and operational resilience.”

Mumbai, May 27, 2025: Taking a fresh approach that questions long-standing dairy practices, Pride of Cows— truly single-origin, farm-owned milk brand—has launched a provocative new campaign that asks a powerful, thought-provoking question: “What’s the source of your milk?”

At a time when discerning consumers are demanding more transparency about what they consume, this campaign urges people to pause and question the origins of the milk they bring home. It goes beyond marketing—urging the industry to be more open about where milk really comes from.

Through this initiative, Pride of Cows puts traceability at the heart of its communication. The campaign brings attention to the brand’s most powerful differentiator—milk produce 100% from its own Pride of Cows farm near Pune, where over 5,000 cows are nurtured with global-best practices and utmost care. This farm-to-home model ensures complete control over the production process, offering unmatched purity, hygiene, and consistency.

Commenting on the campaign, Akshali Shah, Executive Director of Parag Milk Foods Ltd., said, “Through this initiative, we’re inviting consumers to pause and think about something they often take for granted—the source of their milk. It’s a simple yet powerful question that aligns with Pride of Cows’ long-standing promise of quality and transparency. As a brand, we’ve always believed that trust is built not just on taste, but on knowing where your food comes from. This campaign is our way of turning that belief into a wider conversation.”

“What’s the Source of Your Milk?” is a full-fledged 360-degree campaign, strategically rolled out across high-visibility platforms to spark mass consumer engagement. Premium print ads across national publications are designed to make readers stop and reflect on their daily dairy choices. On the digital front, a mix of snackable video content, storytelling, and interactive formats on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and programmatic platforms decode the meaning and benefits of single-origin milk.

In a market dominated by brands that procure milk from fragmented third-party sources, Pride of Cows stands apart by owning and operating its own state-of-the-art dairy farm. Every cow is fed a scientifically balanced diet, milking is done via automated and contactless systems, and the product is delivered directly to consumers through a robust cold-chain network—eliminating any ambiguity or human touchpoints in the process.

Mumbai: May 27, 2025 – 2.Oh!, a science-first hair company, whose products are crafted in Italy and created for India, is now bringing #HappyHairDays to all Nykaa customers!

2.Oh!’s range of products is for the fashion-forward who love to experiment with their looks with semi-permanent hair colors that come in shades of vivids, pastels and signature browns. The brand’s DIY hair lightening kit that preps the hair for an at-home hair color session will also be available on Nykaa.

For those who want to protect and hydrate their hair with products crafted from well-researched, top-quality ingredients, the Leave-In Conditioner and Hair Repair Serum in Crème are perfect.

“We’ve seen overwhelming feedback for our products from all the channels we are present in currently! We’re thrilled to finally have our range on Nykaa, one of India’s leading beauty platforms. Each product of ours is thoughtfully and scientifically formulated, using the best ingredients that work wonders for Indian hair and our specific climate needs. We look forward to sharing many more #HappyHairDays with the Nykaa family,” says Ritu Vijayvergiya, Co-founder, 2.Oh.

Customers looking to strengthen and rebuild their roots will love the Reconstruction Shampoo and Mask. The 3-in-1 Hairspray offers volume, shine and protection all in one spritz while the blue-violet pigments in the Anti-Yellow Shampoo neutralise yellow undertones and brassiness of highlighted and bleached hair, also thoroughly cleaning grey hair. The Clear Gloss is that magic potion for a mirror-like shine in a jiffy making one party ready at short notice.

India, 27^th May 2025: Channelplay Limited, a leader in retail execution and visual merchandising, has launched TrainGram, a revolutionary training content experience that mirrors the fast, fun, and intuitive world of Instagram Stories, keeping the Gen-Z workforce in mind.

Embedded directly into the 1Channel SFA application, TrainGram brings training to the fingertips of frontline teams with content that’s:

• Visual: Like your favourite Insta stories, but smarter
• Bite-Sized: Learn what you need, when you need it—no fluff
• Interactive: Built-in quizzes keep users engaged and test retention on the go
• Rewarding: Complete a module, ace the quiz, and get certified—all in one seamless flow

Today’s Gen-Z learners are digital natives. They crave speed, autonomy, and recognition. TrainGram combines the best of microlearning and gamification in a way that feels less like work and more like scrolling your favorite feed, except every tap brings you closer to real skills and professional growth. Designed with empathy, fueled by technology, and built with Gen-Z in mind, TrainGram turns training into a story worth watching and finishing.

Suhas Misra

“We knew traditional training wasn’t cutting it anymore,” said Suhas Misra, Co-Founder & Co-CEO at Channelplay. “So we asked ourselves: what if training was as addictive as social media? That’s how TrainGram was born.”

With TrainGram, companies can now:

• Deploy content instantly across teams, brands, and geographies
• Track learning progress and certification rates in real-time
• Enhance field readiness with dynamic training flows

India – May 27, 2025: JSW One Platforms Ltd., India’s leading tech-driven B2B commerce platform for construction and manufacturing materials, reported a significant scale-up in FY’25, achieving a gross merchandise value (GMV) of ₹12,567 crores, a 2.4x times over FY’24. The company continues to deepen its presence across MSMEs, reinforcing its ambition to become India’s most respected technology company.

JSW One expanded its registered user base to over 84,000 MSMEs pan India, anchoring growth through an integrated ecosystem of supply chain services, credit facilitation, and private brands. The platform enabled approximately ₹3,800 crores in credit disbursement through banking and NBFC partners, supported by a robust fintech layer. It also scaled its Just-in-Time (JIT) delivery network via service centres across the country to improve fulfilment reliability. In FY’25 alone, JSW One facilitated the purchase of ~2 million tonnes of steel, making it India’s largest steel-selling platform. 

“JSW One is a new operating layer for India’s manufacturing and construction economy, integrating supply, credit, and digital intelligence so MSMEs can focus on building the country’s future,” said Gaurav Sachdeva, Joint Managing Director & CEO, JSW One Platforms. 

As India’s B2B marketplace heads towards increased digital adoption, JSW One Platforms is positioned to lead the transformation of how micro, small and mid-sized manufacturers and contractors source critical materials. The platform offers predictable pricing, verified logistics, and credit-backed procurement, mitigating long-standing issues around quality and procurement transparency. 

Bengaluru, May 27, 2025 – As the warmth of summer descends upon Bengaluru, The Leela Bhartiya City Bengaluru, Hotel Conventions Residences, is set to unveil its exquisite new ice cream menu, commencing on 25th May, 2025. This captivating menu showcases an array of artisanal soft serves, crema gelatos, and sorbetto, masterfully blending traditional Italian techniques with the vibrant palate of locally-sourced Indian flavours. 

Inspired by the sun-kissed summers of Italy, this carefully curated menu brings together the artisanal spirit of Italian gelatos and the vibrant flavours of India. The result is a unique fusion of traditional techniques and local ingredients, presented by The Leela Bhartiya City Bengaluru, Hotel Conventions Residences, to delight the senses of India’s most adventurous food connoisseurs.

The new ice cream menu presents a curated and diverse lineup of unique and refreshing flavours, conceived to delight discerning palates. The menu features the Coconut Banana Caramel, a gluten-free and dairy-free option, masterfully infused with caramel banana flavour, coconut, and palm jaggery. The Java Plum Mint with Black Salt delivers a bracing flavour profile featuring Himalayan black salt and black plum puree, while the Cream Cheese with Sour Cherries unites this innovative ice cream with handcrafted sour cherry compote. For aficionados of chocolate, selections include Choco Brownie Fudge and Gianduja Dark Hazelnut Composite Chocolate. The Mango Lemon Grass with Vodka offers a unique blend of Alphonso mango puree infused with lemongrass vodka. Enhance your indulgence with a curated selection of exquisite accompaniments: a French Butter Croissant Split, a Crispy Croffle crowned with ice cream, or a classic Waffle Cone adorned with ice cream.

The Leela Bhartiya City Bengaluru, Hotel Conventions Residences, invites you to indulge in this exquisite new menu, a serene escape that harmoniously balances refreshment and delight, allowing you to pause, unwind, and savour the essence of the season.

Mumbai, India | 27th May 2025 — Caitlyn India Private Limited (CIPL) today announced a ₹400 crore investment to set up a 50,000 tonnes per annum (TPA) integrated phosphoric acid plant in India. The facility will be located in a port-accessible industrial zone, with the company currently evaluating options in southern India. The project will require approximately 30 to 50 acres of land.

The plant will use hemihydrate–dihydrate (HH-DH) technology, enabling high-purity phosphoric acid production and cleaner gypsum by-products. It will also include a captive sulphuric acid unit to support cost-effective and efficient operations. CIPL aims to commission the plant by FY 2027.

Initially, phosphoric acid output will be supplied to Indian fertiliser manufacturers. The company also plans to use a portion of the production captively, once it sets up its own NPK fertiliser facility in the future.

“India’s phosphoric acid market is expanding rapidly, but domestic supply continues to lag behind demand,” said Agnivesh Agarwal, Director, CIPL. “This investment reflects our commitment to support the country’s fertiliser sector with high-quality, locally produced inputs, while also building a globally competitive, sustainable manufacturing facility.”

India’s phosphoric acid demand is expected to grow from 4,948 KTPA in 2018 to 8,773 KTPA by 2030, driven by increased fertiliser usage and agricultural productivity goals. However, the country continues to rely heavily on imports. The market, valued at USD 2.62 billion in 2024, is projected to reach USD 4.91 billion by 2033, at a CAGR of 6.7 percent.

CIPL plans to source its primary raw material, rock phosphate, from countries including Morocco, Jordan and Egypt. The company is exploring long-term contracts to ensure stable supply and pricing.

This investment aligns with national efforts to enhance fertiliser self-sufficiency and reduce import dependence. According to IBEF, the Indian fertiliser industry is expected to grow to ₹1.38 lakh crore (USD 16.58 billion) by 2032. In FY24, fertiliser production reached 45.2 million tonnes, supported by government policies promoting balanced nutrient use, modernisation, and innovations such as nano-liquid fertilisers.

CIPL’s project is expected to create direct and indirect employment during the construction and operational phases, while strengthening the agri-input manufacturing ecosystem in India.