Archives June 2025

Mumbai, June 06, 2025: Aakash Educational Services Limited (AESL), the national leader in test preparatory services, is proud to announce that one of its outstanding students, Aarav Gupta, has been selected to represent India at the prestigious 66th International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) 2025, to be held from July 10 to July 20, 2025, at the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia.

Aarav Gupta

Aarav is among the top six students from across India chosen to participate in the final stage of the Mathematical Olympiad, organized by the host country under the guidance of the IMO Board. This achievement is an exemplification of Aarav’s problem-solving capabilities, perseverance, and passion for mathematics.

Mr. Deepak Mehrotra, Managing Director & CEO, Aakash Educational Services Limited, congratulated Aarav and said, “We are immensely proud of Aarav’s selection to represent India at the IMO 2025. Aarav exemplifies AESL’s dedication to nurturing future problem solvers and thinkers who are capable of competing on global platforms. His dedication and pursuit of mathematical excellence inspire not just his peers, but the entire academic community. We wish him and Team India the very best as they prepare to make the nation proud.”

IMO is the world’s most prestigious international mathematics competition for high school students. Since its inception, the Olympiad has grown from a seven-nation contest to a global event with participation from over a hundred countries each year. It brings together the most brilliant young minds from around the world and represents the pinnacle of academic excellence in mathematics.

Kolkata, June 6,  2025: In commemoration of World Environment Day and in alignment with Tata Sustainability Month, mjunction services limited, India’s largest B2B e-commerce company and a joint venture between Tata Steel and SAIL, has launched a comprehensive month-long campaign dedicated to environmental stewardship. Anchored in the theme “People. Planet. Purpose.”, the initiative reflects mjunction’s enduring commitment to sustainability, responsible corporate citizenship, and community-led change. The campaign was flagged off with a plantation drive at Ramkrishna Mission Ashrama, Narendrapur, where 500 fruit-bearing trees were planted by about 25 mjunction volunteers, marking a strong start to the green movement.

Throughout June 2025, mjunction employees and their families will actively participate in a range of activities aimed at encouraging sustainable living, promoting biodiversity, and nurturing grassroots engagement in environmental conservation. The programme commenced with plantation drives across locations such as Narendrapur (June 5–10), where employees contributed to urban greening efforts by planting saplings. This will be followed by orchard maintenance at Binpur (June 14–15), reinforcing the company’s long-standing commitment to reviving barren lands and creating productive green spaces. Simultaneously, mjunction employees will undertake eco audits at home, identifying opportunities for energy and water conservation in their daily lives.

Later in the month, a community cleaning drive (June 23–24) will mobilise volunteers to promote hygiene, cleanliness, and a stronger sense of civic responsibility. Employees and their families will also take part in a biodiversity walk and bird-watching session (June 29), designed to deepen appreciation for local ecosystems and encourage environmental mindfulness. An on-campus Green Marketplace (June 27) will showcase sustainable, eco-friendly products, encouraging conscious consumerism within the workforce. The campaign will culminate with an e-waste awareness and collection drive (June 30), which aims to educate participants about the environmental impact of electronic waste and promote responsible disposal practices.

This concerted effort is part of mjunction’s broader vision of building a greener and more inclusive future. By integrating sustainability into its business practices and extending it to the communities it works with, mjunction seeks to create long-term environmental value. The company believes that collective action, led by both individuals and institutions, holds the key to climate resilience. Through these initiatives, mjunction not only strengthens its internal culture of environmental responsibility but also inspires sustainable transformation in the wider ecosystem.

Over the years, mjunction has consistently advanced its green mission. It has planted over one lakh mangrove saplings across 95 acres in the Sundarbans, significantly enhancing coastal biodiversity and fortifying vulnerable ecosystems against climate threats. In partnership with local communities, the company has rejuvenated over 50 acres of barren land through orchard development. Additionally, mjunction has empowered rural populations through sustainable farming education and agri-entrepreneurship programmes, particularly in Purulia and Bankura, where tribal youth have been supported in reviving traditional livelihoods such as lac cultivation.

Speaking on the occasion, a spokesperson from mjunction said, “Sustainability is at the core of everything we do. Through these month-long engagements, we aim to nurture a culture of environmental responsibility within our organisation and across the communities we serve. Our vision is to build a greener tomorrow, together.”

In a country where investing often feels risky, complex, and out of reach – “StockGro decided to challenge the status quo,” says Ajay Lakhotia, Founder and CEO of StockGro. “The Red Envelope campaign was rooted in a powerful truth – that many Indians believe wealth creation is reserved for insiders. We wanted to shatter that myth by showing that the tools, insights, and expert guidance to succeed in the markets aren’t exclusive anymore – they’re accessible to all, right here on StockGro.” 

Chandigarh, June 06, 2025: NSE Sustainability Ratings and Analytics Ltd announces the launch of its ESG ratings for listed companies, marking a significant milestone in advancing sustainable business practices in India. NSE Sustainability focuses on assessing Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) performance, providing stakeholders with vital information to make informed decisions.

NSE Sustainability received its certificate of registration from the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) to operate as a Category I ESG Rating Provider (ERP). As a wholly owned subsidiary of NSE Indices Limited which in turn is a wholly owned subsidiary of National Stock Exchange of India Limited (NSE), NSE Sustainability embodies the principles of transparency and actionable insights.

Shri Ashishkumar Chauhan, MD and CEO, NSE, said “NSE Sustainability’s mission is to provide stakeholders including investors, businesses, regulators and the public with accurate, comprehensive and unbiased evaluations of corporate sustainability practices.”

The ESG ratings are derived from a thorough evaluation of company practices, policies, and disclosures across relevant sectors and industries. NSE Sustainability employs a transparent, data-driven, and materiality-based ESG ratings methodology aligned with both national and international standards and best practices. By integrating a wide array of parameters, NSE Sustainability ensures its ESG ratings reflect a balanced and objective perspective, free from biases related to size, scale, or industry.

Shri Aniruddha Chatterjee, CEO, NSE Indices, said “The launch of ESG ratings by NSE Sustainability Ratings and Analytics Ltd underscores our commitment to innovation in sustainable finance and we believe that our ESG ratings, data and analytics will set a benchmark in advancing ESG practices across industries.”

Chandigarh, June 06, 2025: Larsen & Toubro (L&T) has announced a Rs 500 crore ESG bond issuance deal, becoming the first Indian corporate to do so under the Securities and Exchange Board of India’s (SEBI) newly introduced ESG and sustainability-linked bond framework. HSBC is acting as the sole lead arranger in this transaction.

The issuance is compliant with SEBI’s regulatory framework announced on Thursday (5 June), which is designed to promote transparency, accountability, and alignment with international ESG standards. The framework outlines key requirements for issuers, including the disclosure of sustainability objectives, mandatory external assessments such as Second-Party Opinions (SPOs), and post-issuance reporting. It also mandates clear Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and targets to measure ESG outcomes, crucial steps in supporting India’s Net-Zero and climate-resilient growth agenda.

As part of the ESG Bond deal, L&T is committed to environmental targets, including a decrease in intensity of fresh water withdrawal and emissions of greenhouse gases. These initiatives are in line with the company’s long-term sustainability goals of achieving water neutrality by 2035 and carbon neutrality by 2040.

“We take pride in leading the transition to sustainable finance under SEBI’s new ESG framework,” said a senior spokesperson from L&T. “This bond issuance reinforces our steadfast commitment to sustainable development and responsible business practices while aligning our finances with environmental targets.”

“We are pleased to partner with L&T on the first INR Sustainability Linked Bond under SEBI’s guidelines, reinforcing our commitment to supporting the Clean Energy Transition in India. We look forward to partnering with corporates across sectors looking to navigate the paths toward their sustainability goals”, said HSBC India.

By Dr. Anish Shah, Group CEO & MD, Mahindra Group

“We welcome the Reserve Bank of India’s decision to reduce policy rates at a time when the Indian economy is poised for its next phase of growth. This move demonstrates the RBI’s confidence in the macroeconomic fundamentals and its proactive approach to supporting sustainable expansion. The rate cut will serve as a positive catalyst for consumption and investment, particularly in interest-sensitive sectors such as automobiles, housing, and MSMEs. It will also ease borrowing costs, improve liquidity, and further strengthen the momentum behind India’s infrastructure and manufacturing push.”

Mumbai, India- 06 June, 2025: What happens when life takes unexpected turns, dreams hit a pause, and friendships are stretched to their limits? Amazon MX Player, Amazon’s free video streaming service, recently released its youth-centric drama Lafangey – Sapne, Dosti, Duniya, which dives deep into this very chaos. Set against the vibrant yet stifling backdrop of a lower-middle-class colony in Noida, Lafangey follows three childhood friends — Chaitanya, Rohan, and Kamlesh — as they stumble, fall, and fight their way through the complexities of adulthood. Here’s why this emotionally charged, no-filter drama deserves a place on your binge list:

• A slice of reality you rarely see on screen: Forget glossy skylines as Lafangeyshines a light on the messy, lived-in streets and cramped homes where ambition battles limitations. From job prep, financial pressure, to chasing something bigger, this is the India where most young adults hustle, hope, and continue to dream. It’s unvarnished and grounded, yet quietly resilient.
• Friendship that grows with you— And hurts too: The camaraderie betweenChaitanya, Rohan, and Kamlesh isn’t flawless — it’s raw, evolving, and painfully real. The show captures how friendships shift as adult responsibilities creep in, featuring moments of support, jealousy, confusion, loyalty, and rediscovered warmth. — all at once sometimes. If you’ve ever had a friendship that changed as you grew older, you’ll feel this one.
• Imperfect characters with deeply relatable arcs:Every character in Lafangey brings a storm within Chaitanya’s moral dilemmas, Rohan’s inner tug-of-war between love and self-worth, and Kamlesh’s struggle between passion and pressure, masking his fears with charm and humour— these stories feel lived-in, not scripted. They are not heroes or rebels, they are all relatable people trying to make sense out of life.
• A cast that hits the right note: Led by Anud Singh Dhaka, Gagan Arora, and Harsh Beniwal in the lead, along with Barkha Singh and Saloni Gaur— the cast delivers performances that are truly grounded and emotive. Their chemistry doesn’t scream “scripted,” their arguments are too familiar, and their journey of navigating life’s harsh realities is just like in real life.
• Watch For Free: No subscriptions. No trials. No hidden fees. Lafangeyis now available for free on Amazon MX Player, the Amazon Shopping App, Fire TV, and Prime Video. Whether you’re on your commute, lounging at home, or sneaking in an episode on your lunch break, this perfect binge-worthy series is just a tap away.

Get ready to immerse yourself in this heartfelt drama about dreams, friendship, and growing up when the world offers no shortcuts. Lafangey – Sapne, Dosti, Duniya is now available to stream exclusively on Amazon MX Player, accessible on the Amazon Shopping App, Prime Video, Fire TV, and Connected TVs.

India, 6th June 2025 – Globally recognized Uk based kirtan musician and bhakti yoga teacher Radhika Das is set to embark on a historic nine-city tour across India this November, presenting ‘Silence In Sound.’ This series of immersive mantra meditation experiences, produced by EVA Live in partnership with Scope Entertainment, seeks to provide accessible pathways to inner stillness and foster collective experiences through emotive mantra singing, guided meditation and nuanced shared storytelling.

For over two decades, Radhika has been weaving Sanskrit mantras into profound meditative experiences that bridge Indian traditions with contemporary influencers. His unique approach has captivated hearts globally with over 50 million streams, with stadium gatherings across Europe, America and Australia routinely drawing thousands into states of deep communion. Now, he returns to the spiritual homeland that first inspired his journey.

From intimate yoga gatherings and Bhakti communities in London, New York, Los Angeles and Berlin, to global festivals such as Bhakti Fest, Wanderlust, Medicine Festival, World Yoga Festival, Soul Circus and playing at venues such as The British Museum, Union Chapel, Carreau du Temple, Theatre im Dephli and SOUK, Radhika Das passionately shares the healing power of Kirtan. Through his efforts, he hopes to inspire others to embrace this timeless practice as a means of finding solace, connection and abundance in the midst of life’s challenges.

Radhika Das shares, “India holds the original blueprint for what I’ve been sharing across the world. To finally bring these gatherings to the very soil where these sacred sounds were first uttered thousands of years ago feels like completing a sacred pilgrimage. The Indian soul already knows these vibrations – my role is simply to create a space where people can remember what their ancestors never forgot. I’m profoundly moved to finally share this journey with the land that has been my greatest teacher.”

The nine-city odyssey which travels to New Delhi, Jaipur, Chandigarh, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Pune, Indore, Bengaluru and Mumbai will create temporary temples of sound in carefully selected venues, each chosen for their unique acoustic properties and capacity to hold sacred space.

Accompanied by a diverse ensemble, Radhika Das will introduce audiences to the uplifting power of kirtan, emphasizing its ability to bridge cultural and social divides and offering a transformative path to enhance spiritual well-being and build a strong connection with the divine whilst ensuring the restoration of spirituality in a distracted world.

The performances, enhanced by state-of-the-art acoustics and a blend of instruments—from the traditional harmonium and mridanga to the modern saxophone and bass guitar—will create a vivacious atmosphere. Interspersed between musical sessions, Radhika Das will share personal stories and spiritual lessons, providing the audience with valuable insights.

Each carefully curated two-hour gathering will guide participants through accessible call-and-response mantra singing (no prior experience necessary), interwoven with guided meditation and Radhika’s soul-touching storytelling, revealing the practical wisdom of ancient Vedic teachings.

Deepak Chaudhary, Founder, EVA Live, envisions the tour as a catalyst for spiritual reawakening in India, offering an accessible alternative to traditional practices. He adds on further, “This tour represents the culmination of a dream that began when I first experienced Radhika Das’s work in Amsterdam in 2022.What I witnessed was nothing short of alchemical – thousands of people from different backgrounds dissolving into a unified field of consciousness through sound. India is experiencing a profound spiritual reawakening, yet many seek alternatives to rigid traditional frameworks. Radhika Das offers that perfect bridge – deeply authentic yet completely accessible. When you witness an entire auditorium fall into pin-drop silence together after chanting, something inside you remembers a truth that transcends all religious boundaries. We’re not just producing events – we’re creating vessels for transformation.”

Ajay Bansal, Founder & CEO, Scope Entertainment, views this collaboration as a heartfelt extension of his passion for fostering deeper connections through music, mantra and meditation. Reflecting on this partnership, he shares, “For me, this is not just about creating events; it’s about nurturing a family that shares a deep bond through sound and spirituality. Our work in music and meditation has always been driven by the intention to bring people closer to their true selves, and this tour is a natural extension of that vision. When I connected with Radhika Das’s work, I saw how sound dissolves barriers and unites audiences in deep resonance. In India’s vibrant spiritual scene, we aim to create genuine, inclusive experiences that go beyond entertainment—transforming hearts and inviting everyone into presence and unity”

Mumbai, 6^th of June, 2025 – Banks in India must urgently initiate a strategic privacy transformation to comply with the Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDPA) 2023 and the draft DPDP Rules, 2025, warns a new Protiviti report released today. The regulatory and operational impact of the Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDPA) will be far-reaching, the report notes, adding that the banks must re-engineer their critical functions according to privacy-by-design principles to comply with India’s most comprehensive data protection law to date.

Titled “Navigating DPDPA in Banking: Compliance, Impact, and AI-Powered Strategies for Futureproofing”, the Protiviti report was unveiled today at the 4th IBA CISO Summit 2025 hosted by Indian Banks’ Association. The report notes that banks are likely to be classified as Significant Data Fiduciaries (SDFs) under the DPDPA due to the scale and sensitivity of data they handle. This designation will subject them to enhanced obligations, including data protection impact assessments (DPIAs), algorithmic transparency, performing Data audits and mandatory appointment of a Data Protection Officer (DPO).

Rather than treat compliance as a one-time project, the report urges banks to adopt a risk-based, adaptive operating model that keeps pace with evolving threats, technology shifts, and regulatory expectations. Further, the report encourages to iintegrate AI wherever applicable to maximize efficiency and optimize processes.

Building on Protiviti’s State of Data Privacy in India – Survey Report—where the banking sector was the most represented—the findings had revealed that 52% of organizations had experienced a privacy breach in the past five years, yet only 42% had a fully defined privacy program. Alarmingly, just 24% felt prepared to manage privacy concerns related to emerging technologies. While 68% of banking and financial services organizations had defined privacy processes, reliance on IT teams remained high, often in the absence of dedicated privacy office. 

The latest report, released at the 4th IBA CISO Summit 2025, reinforces the urgent need for stronger governance, cross-functional accountability, and AI-powered technology-driven privacy journey within the banking ecosystem. The paper emphasizes that customer trust, regulatory alignment, and digital innovation must go hand-in-hand.

Key Highlights from the Report 

• Sector-Specific Insights: Tailored guidance for banks on how DPDPA intersects with RBI and SEBI regulations, ensuring a harmonized compliance approach.
• Unique Privacy Risks: A deep dive into banking specific risks related to algorithmic profiling, third-party data sharing, and consent management.
• Operational Playbook: Practical strategies for integrating privacy by design, managing consent, and automating compliance across core banking functions—from KYC to fraud detection.
• Technology and AI as an Enabler: Exploration of privacy-enhancing technologies (PETs), AI powered use cases, and scalable automation to futureproof privacy programs.

Future-Ready Roadmap: A blueprint for establishing Data Protection Offices, conducting DPIAs, and embedding privacy into enterprise risk management.

“The DPDPA marks a new era of accountability for banks. Embedding strong governance, leveraging privacy-enhancing technologies, and aligning with regulatory expectations will be key to sustainable compliance” – Sandeep Gupta, Managing Director, Protiviti Member Firm for India.

“In banking, trust is the currency—and compliance with the DPDPA is no longer just a regulatory mandate, it’s a strategic necessity. By harnessing AI and Privacy Enhancing Technologies to embed privacy by design into the digital infrastructure, we will not only be protecting personal data but strengthening the very trust that powers every customer relationship” – Vaibhav Koul, Managing Director, Protiviti Member Firm for India. 

Drawing from sector-specific case studies, regulatory analysis, and forward-looking strategies, the report offers a structured playbook for banks preparing to comply with India’s most comprehensive data protection law to date.

It maps out critical banking functions, including digital onboarding, AML, and risk analytics, and explains how each must be re-engineered in line with privacy-by-design principles. Common threads include the need for explicit, granular consent from data principals, transparent privacy notices at every touchpoint, limits on data processing for secondary or commercial purposes, and cross-border safeguards for data transfers.

It further outlines three key operational imperatives, starting with the adoption of privacy-enhancing technologies (PETs) and AI for data discovery, classification, encryption, and consent management and Data subject access management automation. The second imperative for banks is establishment of a centralized Data Privacy Office (DPO) to coordinate privacy governance across business, IT, legal, and risk. Finally, banks must invest in role-based privacy training, internal audits, and real-time compliance metrics to ensure enterprise-wide alignment.

The report also notes that the DPDPA will intersect or overlap with sectoral regulations issued by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), creating multiple layers of accountability. For example, data retention obligations under RBI must now be reconciled with DPDPA’s “data minimization” and “storage limitation” principles. Similarly, breach reporting requirements will need to cater to both financial regulators and the newly formed Data Protection Board of India.

New Delhi, 6 June, 2025 – GAIL (India) Limited, India’s leading natural gas company, marked World Environment Day with a series of vibrant and meaningful people engagement activities under the theme “Enabling a Better Environment”. Events were organized at GAIL’s offices across Delhi and NCR, as well as at the GAIL-branded Delhi Metro station at Bhikaji Cama Place, with the objective of spreading awareness and inspiring collective action for environmental sustainability.

The celebrations were inaugurated by Shri Sandeep Kumar Gupta, Chairman and Managing Director, GAIL (India) Limited, who emphasized the importance of individual and collective responsibility in protecting and nurturing our environment.

A variety of engaging activities such as On-the-Spot Quiz, Spin the Wheel – Set the Target, a Signature Wall, and Selfie Points drew enthusiastic participation from employees, commuters, and visitors alike. These activities aimed to educate and motivate people to adopt greener habits in their daily lives. Shri Rakesh Kumar Jain, Director (Finance); Shri Deepak Gupta, Director (Projects); Shri Ayush Gupta, Director (Human Resources); Shri Sanjay Kumar, Director (Marketing); Shri Rajeev Kumar Singhal, Director (Business Development); and Shri Rajnesh Singh, Chief Vigilance Officer along with employees in Delhi NCR participated in the event.

In a special initiative to instill the habit of nurturing nature, Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Kits were distributed to all participants at GAIL Delhi-NCR offices. Additionally, commuters at the GAIL Bhikaji Cama metro station received free seasonal plant seeds, reinforcing GAIL’s commitment to a greener, cleaner environment.

The event at GAIL Bhikaji Cama metro station, strategically located at a high footfall public transit point, aimed to reach a wider audience with messages focused on environmental cleanliness, green practices, and anti-littering awareness.

GAIL also strongly advocated against littering and urged all citizens to adopt eco-friendly practices while commuting and in daily life.

Speaking at the event, Shri Sandeep Kumar Gupta said, “It is extremely important for our generation to protect the environment because this will ensure a safe environment for the next generation. I urge everyone to do all possible in their own domain to protect the environment.”

Through its innovative engagement strategies and green initiatives, GAIL continues to lead by example in its mission to build a more sustainable future for generations to come.