Archives May 2025

Mumbai, Maharashtra, India Group 108 emerged as a standout exhibitor at PRC 2025, held on May 7– 8 at the Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai. The event brought together key players from India’s retail sector, and Group 108 made a lasting impression with its dual showcase of Grandthum and ONE FNG, attracting notable attention from retailers, investors, and industry professionals.

Group 108 highlights Grandthum and ONE FNG at PRC 2025, drawing strong retail interest

The two-day event enabled Group 108 to highlight the retail strength of its developments. Grandthum, the centerpiece of the brand’s presentation, impressed attendees with its thoughtfully designed high-street retail zones, vibrant shopping corridors, and integrated entertainment experiences. Its layout and scale were particularly well-received by retail chains and franchise leaders looking for dynamic, footfall-rich environments.

The company also used the platform to further expand its leasing relationships. Across the event, Group 108 connected with prominent brand representatives, onboarding several names and building momentum within its retail leasing portfolio. Grandthum’s offering resonated strongly with both domestic and global brands, reaffirming its position as an emerging retail destination in North India.

ONE FNG, while known for its forward-thinking office infrastructure, also showcased its retail component, featuring curated spaces for premium dining and boutique outlets. This aspect added a valuable layer to its profile, demonstrating how retail remains a thoughtful inclusion within a business-first environment.

“PRC 2025 gave us the right exposure to engage directly with the retail industry’s decision-makers,” said Mr. Sanchit Bhutani, Managing Director of Group 108. “We’re pleased with the feedback received, the conversations initiated, and the new additions to our brand network.”

The event concluded with heightened interest in Group 108’s projects, particularly among retailers seeking new-age commercial locations with architectural appeal and consumer engagement potential. The interactions and partnerships formed at PRC 2025 are expected to accelerate leasing activity across both Grandthum and ONE FNG in the coming months.

Vijay Bolloju, Director for R&D, iVP Semiconductor

“Innovation is not reserved for experienced professionals alone! An inquisitive mind of a student or a fresher can be just as innovative. An innovation need not be a paradigm shift—it can be a simple idea that makes life easier for someone or makes something more efficient. Great ideas can emerge at any time, from anyone, anywhere. It is the responsibility of schools and mentors to nurture these ideas, encouraging them to be explored and developed.

A startup can serve as a launch pad where ideas are transformed into real-world products or services. Frugal innovation, in particular, offers a sustainable way to turn creative thinking into impactful outcomes. They also provide young people with a hands-on environment to learn the many dimensions of entrepreneurship. Involvement in early-stage ventures equips them with the skills and mindset to thrive—either as founders or as integral contributors to larger enterprises.

Beginning the entrepreneurial journey early in one’s career can be highly advantageous. Young minds are often free from entrenched biases and possess a natural appetite for risk. To truly harness this potential, collaboration between industry and academia is essential—empowering the next generation to pursue entrepreneurship as a viable and impactful career path.

India currently faces ecosystem gaps across nearly in every industry. Startups and MSMEs are uniquely positioned to address these challenges. Young innovators should feel encouraged to step forward and take on this responsibility—knowing that both industry and academia stand ready to support their efforts.”

Dominic Pereira, VP, Product Management, Automation Anywhere

“India is emerging as a global leader in technology-driven workforce transformation, driven by national initiatives that upskill talent in AI, digital technologies, and automation. GCCs continue to lead in adopting and deploying AI and automation across industries like financial services, healthcare, manufacturing, and energy sectors. 

Automation Anywhere supports this momentum by offering accessible automation tools and comprehensive hands-on training programs. Automation Anywhere University has facilitated the completion of over 3.5 million courses globally, reflecting our commitment to equipping users with essential skills and knowledge in the field of automation. With the rise of Agentic Process Automation, we are entering a new era where digital agents autonomously initiate and execute complex business processes – reshaping how work is done. This enables organizations to scale efficiently while unlocking deeper human-machine collaboration. 

Our efforts align with India’s skilling missions, such as the Skill India Digital Hub and the IndiaAI initiative, contributing to a digitally empowered workforce. On this National Technology Day, we celebrate India’s commitment to inclusive, tech-led progress and reaffirm our dedication to supporting this journey through innovation and collaboration.”

Noopur Julka, Senior Director, UST

“Early exposure to an innovation-driven environment can transform how young minds approach problem-solving. Only when students are introduced to the possibilities of technology, their ideas grow into impactful solutions. For instance, a student exposed to coding early on might go from designing simple apps to building tools that address real-world challenges like climate change or healthcare inefficiencies. This early nurturing of creativity helps them see technology not as a mere tool but as a platform for positive change.

 But how do we expect young people to become problem-solvers if we train them to avoid mistakes? True innovation thrives only when we are unafraid to take risks. It flourishes in freedom, in trial and error, and in the willingness to fail. They must learn that setbacks are stepping stones to success, and schools play a vital role in fostering this resilience and adaptability.

 Educational institutions, adapting to changing times, must shift from valuing perfect answers to rewarding bold and innovative solutions. They are essential in this process, acting like a laboratory where failure isn’t a dead-end, but part of the scientific process.  This shift doesn’t take million-dollar labs or advanced tech. It requires giving students the space to care, to try, and develop a genuine curiosity for learning. Because real growth begins with failure, preparing them to embrace challenges and innovate fearlessly in the entrepreneurial world.”

Rahul Jain, Head of AI Centre of Excellence, Fidelity International

“We are at the forefront of one of the biggest technological revolutions. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the transformative tool that offers us the opportunity to enhance our customer experience, simplify operational processes, improve business outcomes — all while simultaneously boosting employee productivity. By adopting AI, we are not merely addressing challenges; we are turning them into opportunities. India holds a unique position in this transformation — not only due to its vast pool of skilled and trainable talent, but also because of the sheer scale of opportunity across its industries. 

At Fidelity International, we are already ahead in leveraging the potential of AI to accelerate the delivery of our strategy. Our ‘Responsible AI Framework’ ensures that our use of AI is conducted in an ethical, secure, and scalable way. Our ‘AI Adoption and Success Programme’ is already paying dividends and positively impacting our client experience.”

By- Mrs. Seema Vakharia, COO – Xpedeon

“As a mother of two girls, and in my role as COO and founder, I’ve come to deeply appreciate the quiet, persistent strength it takes to balance a career, a home, and the emotional needs of everyone in between. I know firsthand the invisible load that so many women carry—and this Mother’s Day, I honour every woman who rises to meet those challenges, day after day. To all the mothers navigating work, caregiving, and everything in between—you are superwomen in your own way. Today, let’s not just celebrate you, but truly see you.”

 By–Karun Tadepalli, CEO and Co-founder, byteXL

“On National Technology Day, we celebrate the spirit of innovation that continues to drive India’s transformation. From the launch of BharatGPT, propelling India’s AI development, to becoming a global hub for digital payments and startups, our progress reflects both vision and execution. At byteXL, we are proud to contribute to this journey by equipping students with industry-relevant skills and imparting real-world experiences, thereby enhancing their employability. We remain steadfast in our commitment to empowering the next generation of tech leaders to thrive in and shape India’s growing tech ecosystem.” 

Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India In a major boost to the development trajectory of Kerala’s capital district, the state is set to welcome Golden Palace, a world-class international convention centre, opening on May 18 at Dhanuvahchapuram — strategically located between Thiruvananthapuram city, Vizhinjam port, and Tamil Nadu. Spread across 15 acres, the Golden Palace is going to become South India’s largest and most advanced convention facility, according to Chairman Anvar Sadath.

Mumbai, Maharashtra,India,TataClassEdge Limited (TCE), an innovative EdTech organisation within the prestigious TATA Company, has announced a strategic educational collaboration with Samsidh Group of Schools, which operates under the aegis of AZVASA and is recognised as a leader in providing value-driven, holistic education.The collaboration represents a significant advancement for both organisations in their shared mission to transform educational experiences for students across India.

From L-R – Mr. Govindrajan, Mr. Vasa Srinivasa Rao, Mr. K.R.S. Jamwal and Mr. Tarun Bhojwani

Strategic Vision

Tata ClassEdge Limited, drawing on the Tata Group’s century-long tradition of nation-building through innovation and integrity, views the collaboration as an opportunity to amplify its impact in the educational sector.

“The Tata ClassEdge collaboration with the Samsidh Group of Schools marks a significant milestone in our commitment to transforming education through innovation and excellence. By bringing together Tata ClassEdge’s academic solutions with Samsidh’s proven foundation in character development and values-based education, we are creating a powerful ecosystem that combines the best of tradition and technology.This collaboration is about more than digital transformation – it’s about empowering the next generation with the knowledge, skills, and values they need to lead in an increasingly complex world,” said Mr. K.R.S. Jamwal, Executive Director, Tata Industries Limited, and Chairman, Tata ClassEdge Limited.

For Samsidh Group of Schools, this initiative reinforces its ongoing journey to nurture compassionate, mindful, and future-ready learners through a strong foundation of academic excellence, character development, and 21st-century skills.

“Our vision has always been to shape character and ignite young minds. Collaborating with Tata ClassEdge strengthens this vision by integrating global best practices and technology-driven learning environments, while staying rooted in the values we hold dear,” said Mr. Vasa Srinivasa Rao, Founder Chairman, Samsidh Group of Schools.

A Holistic Approach to Education

By blending TCE’s advanced academic solution and innovative pedagogical practices with Samsidh’s established model of value-based education, the collaboration aims to build an ecosystem that fosters compassionate, mindful, and future-ready learners.The collaboration will be realised through the following focus areas:

• Technology-Enhanced Classroom Experiences: Integrating world-class digital tools and innovative teaching methodologies.
• Character & Leadership Building: Strengthening programs for ethical leadership development and community engagement.
• Expanded Educational Networks: Providing students access to both TCE’s extensive academic ecosystem and Samsidh’s holistic learning environment.
• Future Skills Development: Fostering critical thinking, creativity, compassion, and collaboration through a joint commitment.
• All Samsidh schools will benefit from this collaboration, including their upcoming franchise network of Samsidh Public Schools.

Executive Insights and Future Outlook

According to Mr.Tarun Bhojwani, Director, Tata ClassEdge Limited,“Tata ClassEdge isn’t just expanding its reach; it’s continuously innovating to transform education. With Samsidh,our goal is to become a trusted, end-to-end partner for schools in their digital transformation journey by co-creating tailored learning experiences, building teacher capacity, and embedding technology meaningfully into everyday teaching and learning.”

Adding to this vision, Ms. Indu Sannoo, CEO of Samsidh Group of Schools, emphasised the larger purpose of the partnership. “We believe that education is not just about academic outcomes but about developing responsible global citizens. With Tata ClassEdge, we are taking a bold step toward delivering on this belief with renewed energy and excellence.”

The collaboration sets a promising precedent for school ecosystems across the country-where technology, character, and creativity converge to prepare the next generation for an ever-changing world.

New Delhi, Delhi, India,Bonne Foi 65, one of East of Kailash’s most vibrant dining and entertainment venues, is set to come alive with soulful rhythms and spiritual melodies as acclaimed Sufi singer “Heer Walia“ performs “live this Saturday evening“.

Sufi Sensation Heer Walia to Perform Live at Bonne Foi 65 This Saturday

Known for her magnetic stage presence and mesmerizing voice, Heer Walia has captured the hearts of music lovers across the country with her heartfelt renditions of Sufi classics and contemporary fusion. From the poetic verses of Bulleh Shah to reinterpretations of timeless folk tunes, her performance promises an unforgettable musical journey.

“We’re thrilled to host Heer Walia at Bonne Foi 65,” said the restaurant’s event manager. “Our rooftop ambiance, gourmet menu, and signature cocktails are the perfect setting for a night of soul-stirring music and celebration.”

Event Highlights:

• Live Sufi Performance by Heer Walia* 
• Date: Saturday
• Time:* 11:00 PM onwards 
• Venue: Bonne Foi 65, East of Kailash, New Delhi 

Guests are invited to experience an evening that blends fine dining, elegant rooftop views, and the deeply spiritual essence of Sufi music. The restaurant’s diverse menu—featuring Indian, Mediterranean, and Continental cuisines—will be available throughout the evening, along with curated drinks and desserts.

Whether you’re a die-hard fan of Sufi music or simply looking for a magical night out in Delhi, this performance is not to be missed.

National, India, May 10, 2025: BenQ, a global innovator in display technology solutions, today announced the India debut of its most advanced home cinema projectors to date—the W5850 and W4100i—at the Smart Home Expo 2025 in Mumbai. These new additions mark a significant leap forward in Solid-State Illumination (SSI) and cinematic fidelity, underscoring BenQ’s leadership in transforming how Indian consumers experience movies, entertainment, and immersive content at home.

With the W Series, BenQ is not just delivering products—it is shaping a new standard in home entertainment, fusing professional-grade visual precision with intuitive, user-centric design. At a time when home theatres are becoming cultural hubs for storytelling and shared experiences, BenQ’s innovations address the evolving aspirations of cinephiles, creators, and design-led AV integrators.

Future-Proofing Home Entertainment

The W5850, purpose-built for theatre-scale viewing, brings unprecedented scale and clarity to home setups—delivering a 200-inch image with ultra-precise colour and contrast tuned for premium darkroom environments. With a digital four-way lens shift, 1.6x motorized zoom, and a powerful 2600-lumen blue core laser, the W5850 projects a massive 180-inch screen from just 4 meters away.

Meanwhile, the W4100i reimagines everyday entertainment with 3200 AL of high brightness, 4LED light sources & Built-in Android TV. It optimizes visual performance in real-time—adapting intelligently to content and ambient conditions with its AI Cinema Mode

Both models are equipped with BenQ’s CinematicColor™ (100% DCI-P3) and HDR-PRO™ technologies, raising the bar for colour precision, contrast detail, and HDR format compatibility (including HDR10+ and HLG). Dolby Atmos pass-through, eARC, and 17.9ms low latency to enhance the holistic AV experience across genres—from high-octane action movies and gaming to nuanced cinematic storytelling.

A Vision Beyond Hardware

Speaking on the launch, Rajeev Singh, Managing Director – BenQ India & South Asia, stated:

“With the W5850 and W4100i, we’re enabling the next chapter of cinematic expression in Indian homes. Whether it is a dedicated home theatre or a curated living room setup, the audience today demands more authenticity and immersion from their content experiences and BenQ’s commitment is clear: to make commercial-grade cinema technology accessible, seamless, and future-ready. Our leadership lies in offering a complete ecosystem—from design-led install flexibility to calibrated color accuracy—built for how people consume and create content today.”

National, May 10, 2025: redBus, the world’s largest online bus ticketing platform, has unveiled its new Mother’s Day Ad Campaign – ‘Make New Memories with Maa’ with a touching short film that explores the emotional distance that builds over time and the simple joy of bridging it with a trip. This Mother’s Day, redBus urges India’s busy youth to pause, take that journey with their mothers, whether it’s to reconnect or create new memories. The campaign recognizes the unique bond of children with mothers and encourages them to celebrate this day by filling the empty frames of life with memories that truly matter.

At the heart of the film is the story of a single mother, a retired lady who lives alone in the family home in Delhi. Her two grown-up children, Rohan and Sneha, return just before Mother’s Day and stumble upon an old photo from a trip they had taken with her years ago. What begins as a search for a forgotten photograph turns into a deeper realization: they haven’t taken a proper trip with their mother in over a decade.

Moved by this, they decide to recreate those lost moments. They book tickets for a holiday getaway on the redBus app and give their mother an empty photo frame titled “Our perfect trip with Maa” a symbolic gesture to begin filling it with new memories.

Set against the backdrop of growing up and growing apart, the film beautifully captures the quiet strength of a single mother who has held her family together over the years. It highlights how travel becomes a powerful medium to reconnect, heal, and rediscover joy, especially for families where time and distance have created emotional gaps.

Set in a warm, lived-in home in Delhi, the film follows two adult siblings, Sneha, a calm and composed startup founder from Bangalore, and Rohan, a slightly goofy corporate employee from Mumbai, who return home ahead of Mother’s Day. Their mother, a resilient single parent and retired government employee, still lives in their childhood home, surrounded by memories and mementoes of years spent raising them alone.

What begins as a light-hearted hunt for an old photograph soon evolves into a bittersweet rediscovery of their shared past. As they sift through drawers and dusty corners, they uncover a treasured photo from a childhood holiday trip to the mountains, their first snowfall with their mother. The image triggers a sudden realisation: they haven’t travelled with her since.

In a moment of clarity and care, they decide to give her a new memory. They present her with a wrapped photo frame inscribed with “Our Perfect Trip with Maa” and three bus tickets to the same location, booked via the redBus app. It’s a heartfelt tribute to the woman who raised them on her own, and a chance to give her something she’s rarely asked for: time, attention, and shared joy.

The film concludes with the family boarding a bus, laughing and reconnecting, recreating the same photo years later, but with renewed warmth. It’s a quiet reminder that the love of a mother, especially one who’s done it all alone, deserves to be celebrated with more than just words.

Through themes of love, time, gratitude, and second chances, the film resonates with all those who’ve been raised by strong, selfless mothers. It’s a call to action for a generation caught in the rush of life: to slow down, go back, and make room for those who made us who we are today.

Pallavi Chopra, CMO, redBus said, “Mother’s Day has always been an emotionally significant moment for families across India. With this film, we wanted to go beyond the usual greetings and explore the very relatable theme of missing out on shared moments with our mothers as we grow older. Whether it’s the bond shared with a mother of a large household or the unique strength of single mothers, we wanted to highlight the importance of reconnecting. Travel has a way of bringing people closer, and redBus is proud to be a small part of these precious reunions and road memories.”

Mumbai, May 10th, 2025 In continuation with its commitment towards ‘Digital Transformation’ and introducing customer centric digital initiatives, Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) today unveiled online facility for “Premium payment through WhatsApp bot”.

This feature was launched at the hands of Shri Siddhartha Mohanty, CEO & MD in the presence of Managing Directors, Shri M. Jagannath, Shri Tablesh Pandey, Shri Sat Pal Bhanoo and Shri R. Doraiswamy and other Senior Officials of the Corporation on 9th May, 2025.

This option will provide LIC customers one more alternate option to pay Premium online. Registered Customer portal users can use WhatsApp number 8976862090 to find out the policies which are due for payment and directly make the payment through UPI/Net banking/Cards within the WhatsApp bot. The full Customer journey of identifying policies due for premium till payment and receipt generation happens within the WhatsApp bot.

Speaking on this occasion, Shri Siddhartha Mohanty, CEO & MD, LIC of India, said that this option will provide ease of operations for LIC’s Customers and will be a handy tool to pay LIC premiums from anywhere, anytime through the fast growing medium of WhatsApp. This option will help to enhance efficiency and productivity ensuring better services to LIC’s customers.

LIC’s customer portal has over 2.2 crore registered policyholders, with over 3 lakh customers logging in every day for availing various online services.