Archives July 2025

OutSystems Unveils Agent Workbench to Accelerate Enterprise AI Innovation

Mumbai , July 17, 2025: OutSystems, a leading AI-powered low-code development platform, today announced the Early Access Program for OutSystems Agent Workbench. Agent Workbench enables enterprises to create and orchestrate intelligent agents for any use case—and across any department, workflow, or data—with enterprise-grade security and control. Delivered on OutSystems trusted platform, Agent Workbench makes it easier than ever for pragmatic leaders to innovate at speed and orchestrate human-AI collaboration.

“Organizations are excited by the promise of AI and agentic systems, but are struggling with endless pilots and ungoverned tool sprawl while the business impact stalls. Legacy systems, siloed data, fragmented AI tools, and complex AI development cycles are slowing progress,” said Woodson Martin, CEO of OutSystems. “We built Agent Workbench to make it possible to unlock custom agents as a true business enabler—not an experiment.”

With everything organizations need to create and scale enterprise-grade agents, OutSystems Agent Workbench simplifies the transformation of existing business applications, workflows, and tools into intelligent, agentic systems that can reason, plan, and act.

IT teams can embed agentic AI into enterprise-wide operations without disrupting current workflows or rearchitecting core systems—accelerating adoption and time to value. From connecting to custom AI models to creating and orchestrating agents that work across all enterprise applications and data, Agent Workbench makes AI a driver of enterprise innovation.

With Agent Workbench, organizations of any size can:

· Build and scale AI agents that work across the entire enterprise effortlessly and safely for real-time goal interpretation, option evaluation, and decision-making, while controlling tool sprawl through a single platform.

· Seamlessly integrate with custom AI models or leading third-party providers like Azure OpenAI and AWS Bedrock to centralize control over AI and data access, decrease cost, and enable multi-vendor utilization.

· Ground AI agents with a unified data fabric that connects to diverse enterprise data sources, such as existing OutSystems 11 data and actions, relational databases, data lakes, knowledge retrieval systems like Kendra and Azure AI Search, and even agent memory of past interactions, to ensure accurate and context-rich responses across workflows.

· Orchestrate multi-agent workflows where agents dynamically adjust process flows based on an understanding of all enterprise systems, with real-time context, reasoning, and decisions to tackle complex tasks—whether working in parallel, sequentially, or hierarchically. This enables collaborative task execution, escalation handling, and human intervention when necessary.

· Monitor agent performance enterprise-wide with real-time logging, error tracing, and built-in guardrails to ensure transparent, reliable decision-making. Gain full visibility into how AI agents operate at every step—making it easy to audit, troubleshoot behavior, and prevent hallucinations, while building trust through explainability and control.

Average Home Prices in Thane Up 46 Percentage in Last 3 Years, 2BHKs Dominate New Supply

Mumbai, 17th July 2025: Thane, once seen as a supporting suburb, now headlines the Mumbai Metropolitan Region residential real estate revolution, riding on rapid infrastructure upgrades, surging buyer interest, and a hot housing market. A report by ANAROCK titled ‘Thane: The Rising Star of MMR Real Estate’ highlights the city’s explosive housing price growth – a whopping 46% leap in average residential prices in just three years, from INR 13,550/sq. ft. in Q2 2022 to INR 19,800/sq. ft. in Q2 2025.

ayush puri

Aayush Puri, Head – ANAROCK Channel Partners (ACP) & ANACITY, points out that prices in Thane have rocketed up 60% since 2020, when the average was around INR 12,400 per sq. ft. “Thane is not just a hot residential destination – it has also played a key role in redefining the MMR housing landscape. “Thane’s steady capital values growth has largely been fuelled by infrastructure upgrades that have ignited homebuyer interest. Demand for under-construction homes outperforms ready-to-move-in units in 2025 so far, largely because the city offers luxury homes at relatively affordable prices in contrast to Mumbai’s prime markets.”

A total of 65,800 units were launched in Thane between FY 2020 to FY 2025, finds the report. Nearly 45% of the overall new supply in this period comprises of 2BHKs, followed by 42% of 1BHKs. 3BHKs comprise a 11% share, and 4BHKs just 2%.

“Affordability is a major keyword in Thane’s housing market,” says Aayush Puri. “We are seeing a strong market inclination towards smaller residential units. On that front, Thane is at least 78% more affordable than suburban Mumbai. For instance, a 2BHK home with an average carpet area of 650 sq. ft. costs about INR 1.25 Cr, while in Mumbai’s central suburbs it will cost around INR 2.11 Cr. In the western suburbs, it goes as high as INR 2.36 Cr – and this is just the BSP, not factoring in GST, registration, and other charges.”

Amid core Mumbai’s skyrocketing property values, Thane is increasingly becoming the destination of choice for homebuyers and investors seeking better value without compromising on quality. The report adds that Thane’s residential skyline currently boasts of 89 skyscrapers of 40+ floors, mirroring the land scarcity-driven vertical growth imperative of Mumbai City.

There have been some notable changes on the Thane real estate market, finds the report. Between COVID-struck FY 2020 and FY 2025, FY 2023 saw new housing supply there grow by almost 103% when compared to FY 2020, while absorption rose a dizzying 78% – to 19,600 units in FY 2024 from FY 2020. In Q1FY 2026, Thane saw approx. 3,130 residential units sold, while new supply stood at 2,910 units.

Garg Holidays hosted exclusive fam trip in goa featuring premium hotels, resorts & villas for top travel agents across India

New Delhi, 17th July 2025 — Garg Holidays Pvt. Ltd., a trusted name in B2B travel solutions, recently hosted an exclusive Familiarisation (FAM) trip in Goa to spotlight the region’s most premium hotels, resorts, and private villas. The curated multi-day experience was designed to provide leading travel agents from across India with first-hand exposure to Goa’s evolving luxury hospitality landscape—enhancing their product knowledge and enabling more personalized recommendations for their clientele.

The participating agents explored a diverse portfolio of high-end properties including Storii by ITCJW Marriott, VagatorMandrem Beach Resort by RadissonThe AstorTisya – Vilasa, VagatorTaj Holiday Village, CandolimGinger Goa, Candolim, and Tisya – Oryaan, Siolim. The itinerary combined immersive site inspections with hosted stays, curated dining experiences, cultural touchpoints, and beachside networking opportunities.

“Collaborations like this help elevate the narrative around Goa as a destination that blends heritage with high-end comfort,” said Arpit Bhola, Hotel Manager, Storii by ITC“It was refreshing to host agents who are genuinely invested in delivering curated luxury experiences.”

Pramod Kumar PatraDirector of Sales and Marketing, JW Marriott, Vagator, shared, “With the rise in boutique travel and bespoke stays, it’s essential that our trade partners experience properties firsthand. This initiative by Garg Holidays aligns perfectly with the need for authentic agent immersion.”

Adding to this, Mr. Miguel Rebello, General Manager, Mandrem Beach Resort by Radisson, said, “It was insightful to interact with travel sellers from diverse regions of India. Their perspectives help us understand evolving customer preferences—it’s a two-way learning that we truly value.”

Throughout the program, participating agents experienced Goa not only as a leisure destination but also as a high-potential market for luxury, wedding, wellness, and boutique experiential travel. The initiative fostered stronger connections between hotel partners and the travel trade community, with a strong emphasis on product knowledge, service differentiation, and client customization.

“We strongly believe that seeing is selling,” said Amit Garg, Managing Director, Garg Holidays Pvt. Ltd“Our Goa FAM trip was about empowering agents to move beyond standard packages and confidently offer curated, high-value travel experiences to their clients.”

With over 25 years of industry expertise, Garg Holidays has established itself as one of India’s leading B2B hotel consolidators, offering real-time inventory, exclusive rates, and a robust digital booking platform through Tytlees. The Goa FAM trip is part of the company’s ongoing commitment to support travel agents with hands-on destination knowledge and exposure to premium hospitality partners.

Kathak Dancer Shivani Varma Weaves Monsoon Magic at Hunar Gaatha Fashion Show

New Delhi, July 17, 2025: Renowned Kathak dancer Shivani Varma, known for her performances at major cultural events such as Lollapalooza (Mumbai), Mahakumbh (Prayagraj) and Jahan-e-Khusrau (New Delhi), delivered a spell-binding performance at Sawan ki Hunar Gaatha, a collaborative presentation by NGO Swadha and fashion label Asha Gautam, centred around the theme of Varsha Ritu. Her soulful appearance brought classical dance to the ramp, adding a lyrical layer of storytelling to the evening’s celebration of craft, culture, and womanhood.

Dancer

At this glittering event, Shivani Varma performed to Ae Ri Sakhi More Piya Ghar Aaye, a timeless composition by the iconic Sufi poet Amir Khusrau. In an inspired blend of classical movement and improvisational energy, she portrayed the emotional journey of Sawan, the rain-drenched yet yearning season, using Kathak to capture its moods of longing, celebration and union. The performance unfolded as a seamless extension of the evening’s monsoon-inspired theme, echoing the soulful notes of singer Vidya Shah, whose vocal prelude set the tone for the showcase.

Reflecting on the evening, Shivani Varma said, “The theme of Sawan deeply resonated with my artistic expression, allowing my performance to flow in seamless dialogue with the spirit of the show. I wove the fabric of the monsoon, with its pangs of separation and anticipation of union, into a spontaneous offering to the blissful Varsha ritu. It was also a tribute to the timeless Sufi poetry of Amir Khusrau and the evocative language of Kathak, which, to me, are a match made in heaven. I continue to explore this genre through a deeply intimate and ever-evolving journey.”

Sawan ki Hunar Gaatha was a fashion and cultural showcase by Asha Gautam in collaboration with Swadha, a women-led organisation committed to the welfare of the girl child. The event featured 68 handcrafted ensembles, a magnificent collection made with over 1,00,000 hours of artisanal mastery, and brought together luminaries from the world of fashion, philanthropy, and policy. From the intricate weaves of Paithani and Banarasi to the grandeur of Zardozi and Bandhani, the showcase reimagined Indian textile heritage through both classic and contemporary silhouettes. The evening culminated in a powerful walk by Swadha women in Asha Gautam creations, celebrating strength, identity, and the enduring power of Indian craft.

GreenLight Credentials steps into India’s education space

17th July, 2025: GreenLight Credentials, the global provider of digital credentialing solutions is entering India’s academic landscape with the introduction of ReadytoworkAI-an advanced platform designed to make students employment-ready.

GreenLight Credential’s entry into India’s education space comes at a pivotal time with multiple reports and studies highlighting the growing shortage of job-ready talent. According to the ManpowerGroup Global Talent Shortage Survey nearly four out of five employers reported difficulty in finding the skilled talent they needed in 2025.

ReadyToWork AI is the world’s leading AI-powered career readiness platform. Already trusted by over 70 academic institutions and having benefited more than 100,000 students worldwide, it is now poised to make a transformative impact on Indian education through its scalable and technology-driven approach to career readiness.

With ReadyToWork AI, students gain access to AI-driven interview simulations tailored to diverse industries, allowing real-world practice in a safe, constructive environment. Instant, actionable feedback through research-backed scoring rubrics, enabling continuous improvement.

It also comes with an AIpowered resume builder for creating professional, job-winning resumes in minutes. Versatile assessment tools for Vivas, coding tests, skill evaluations, and more, streamlining campus placement, employability programs, and industry collaboration.

By making professional development personalized, accessible, and data-driven, ReadyToWork AI empowers students to articulate their value, build confidence, and unlock new opportunities. At the same time, educators and counselors benefit from streamlined tools to support every learner’s career journey.

GreenLight Credentials has appointed EducationWorld, India’s premier education magazine, as its distribution and implementation partner in India.

“With ReadyToWork AI, we are not just introducing a platform—we are igniting a movement. This AI-powered leap aligns perfectly with EducationWorld’s vision of preparing India’s youth for the global stage. It’s time we turned our demographic dividend into a powerhouse of skilled, jobready talent the world can’t ignore.”Bhavin Shah, Director and CEO at EducationWorld

Several of India’s leading Universities have adopted ReadyToWork AI and see it as a vital tool to fuel India’s ambition to develop globally competitive talent and bridge the employability gap.

“In a rapidly changing world of work, ReadyToWork AI is a timely innovation. It balances AI-driven assessments with the human touch of faculty mentorship. At JGU, we see it as a vital tool to scale career readiness while preserving academic rigour and global relevance.”Dr. (Prof.) Raj Kumar, Vice Chancellor, O.P. Jindal Global University.

“ReadyToWork AI empowers students to discover their voice, pace their preparation, and embrace feedback constructively. In a school like Daly College, where holistic growth is key, it fits beautifully into our 21st-century learning journey.” —Ms. Gunmeet Bindra, Principal, The Daly College, Indore

“We are delighted with the rapid pace of adoption of ReadyToWork AI by leading academic institutions across India. Our platform aligns with the institution’s goal of equipping students with the requisite skills and the confidence to apply for and secure employment.”Manoj Kutty, CEO, GreenLight Credentials

Sheopal’s Launches i2 Immunity Increaser Drops – A Powerful Ayurvedic Formula to Naturally Boost Immunity

New Delhi, 17th July 2025 – Sheopal’s, a renowned name in Ayurvedic healthcare and personal wellness, has launched its newest offering – i2 Immunity Increaser Drops, an immunity booster formulated with a potent blend of traditional herbs. Enriched with Tulsi, Amla, Giloy, Ashwagandha, Kalonji, Clove, Green Tea, and other powerful botanicals, this formulation is designed to strengthen the immune system, enhance energy levels, and support respiratory and overall health.

The launch comes at a time when renewed concerns about rising COVID-19 cases have prompted individuals to seek preventive, natural immunity solutions. i2 Immunity Increaser Drops work by stimulating the body’s natural defence mechanisms, making it easier to fight off infections and stay resilient. The herbs used in the formulation are packed with antioxidants and nutrients that support detoxification, reduce oxidative stress, and promote vitality. Tulsi and Clove help clear the respiratory tract, while Giloy and Amla assist in purifying the blood and removing toxins. Ashwagandha acts as an adaptogen, helping the body manage stress, improve stamina, and maintain immune balance. Kalonji and Clove offer antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory benefits, providing protection from seasonal illnesses.

This product is especially beneficial for those who experience frequent infections, unexplained fatigue, poor digestion, or low energy levels. With just two drops twice a day in water or tea, the i2 Immunity Increaser Drops can be easily incorporated into a daily wellness routine. It is advised that these drops be used on their own and not mixed with other immunity-boosting medicines. Though suitable for all age groups, individuals with underlying conditions or pregnant women should consult their healthcare providers before use.

Speaking about the launch, Mr. Mool Meena, Founder & CEO, Sheopals, said, “Amidst changing seasons and renewed viral threats like the recent spike in COVID cases, today’s lifestyle, stress, and environment challenge our immune systems more than ever. With i2 Immunity Increaser Drops, we’re offering a simple yet powerful Ayurvedic solution for those who want to take charge of their health naturally. This launch reflects our continued dedication to delivering time-tested herbal remedies that fit today’s wellness needs.”

Made with all-natural ingredients and no harmful additives, i2 Immunity Increaser Drops are safe for daily use and offer a long-term approach to immunity building and holistic wellness. Whether you’re looking to protect yourself from frequent colds, improve lung function, or simply feel more energetic every day, this immunity booster provides a trusted herbal solution backed by Ayurveda.

Sheopal’s is a leading Ayurvedic brand in India, offering a wide range of wellness and personal care solutions. Rooted in the principles of Ayurveda, the brand is known for delivering natural, effective, and safe products that help people live healthier lives, naturally.

Parkobot raises RS 2.09 Cr in seed round led by Inflection Point Ventures

Kolkata, 17th July 2025 – Parkobot the world’s first “Airbnb for parking” powered by IoT smart Parking Space Barrier has raised INR 2.09 Crores in seed round led by Inflection Point Ventures, one of India’s largest angel investing platforms. The round also saw participation from HNIs. The funds will be utilized to expand infrastructure, reach additional markets, strengthen backend and increase product portfolio.

Since its founding, Parkobot has made its mark as the world’s first startup to launch an “Airbnb for private parking” which makes it an innovative platform powered by an IoT-enabled parking space barrier. With a mission to redefine urban mobility and space utilization, Parkobot has made it possible for its owners to monetize unused private parking spaces on an hourly basis, which in turn provides real-time, location-based booking through a smart, integrated mobile app.

The strength of this platform is its completely in-house tech stack, horizontally and vertically scalable IoT devices, and smart automation features generating efficiencies to enhance parking and generate revenues.

Mitesh Shah, Co-Founder, IPV says, “Urban parking is a huge challenge facing today’s cities. Poor planning and lack of proper parking spaces lead to encroachment on roads, illegal parking and congestion. However, Parkobot is driving the change by bringing in technology and smart parking systems that provide real-time availability of parking spaces and making underutilized private parking spaces available to the public.” 

Parkobot operates in a rapidly growing market, with a global Total Addressable Market (TAM) of $114 billion and an Indian TAM of $9.5 billion, expanding at a CAGR of 6.5%. Currently in stealth mode, the startup has already deployed high-traffic parking spots at key locations, laying the groundwork for scale.

Founder of Parkobot, Amrit Choudhury says, “Parkobot envisions decongesting India’s streets by utilizing underutilized private parking spaces, transforming them into revenue-generating assets via our IoT-enabled Parkobot barrier & app. Our goal is to create cleaner skies, less traffic congestion, and seamless urban mobility for all.” 

With over 20,000 monthly bookings, Parkobot leverages its proprietary Parking Management System (PMS), featuring smart boom barriers and exclusive pre-booking to boost parking revenue and reduce manual intervention. With no direct global competitors in IoT-enabled parking monetization, Parkobot is uniquely positioned to convert underutilized parking spaces into smart, revenue-generating assets.

RackBank announces M.I.T.R.A. Hiring Program for Skilled Armed Forces Veterans

Mumbai, July 17 2025: RackBank® India’s leading provider of premium, carbon-neutral datacenter infrastructure, cloud computing, and AI services, announced the rollout of their army veteran recruitment program – Mission for Intelligence, Technology, Resilience & AI (M.I.T.R.A). The program aims to offer a meaningful second career for ex-service members in India by channeling their operational expertise and leadership values into India’s rapidly expanding data center and AI ecosystem.

As part of the M.I.T.R.A program, RackBank® will actively recruit and integrate veterans who have served across a wide range of roles within the armed forces. This includes individuals with backgrounds as IT Specialists, Strategic Operations Coordinators, Logistics Commanders, and Cybersecurity Analysts. These roles are highly valued for their discipline, technical expertise, and strategic thinking, all of which align closely with the needs of India’s rapidly growing data center and AI sectors.

Veterans are being considered for a wide range of roles that align with their skills and experience, including: Datacentre Operations Managers, Cybersecurity Analysts, AI Infrastructure Support Specialists, Network and Surveillance Command Specialists, Logistics and Operations Coordinators & Compliance and Risk Officers, particularly those with a defense background. These opportunities include a mix of full-time and contractual positions, tailored to both the functional requirements of the organization and the preferences of the veterans. Contractual roles will typically be offered for a period of 12 to 18 months, with the potential for transition into full-time positions based on individual performance and alignment with organizational needs.

Speaking on the initiative, Narendra Sen, Founder & CEO, RackBank® said, “The M.I.T.R.A. initiative is inspired by the need for disciplined, mission-ready professionals in critical infrastructure domains such as AI, cybersecurity, and data centers. It reflects our belief that nation-building extends beyond business. Veterans bring strategic thinking under pressure, operational discipline, leadership, a security-first mindset, and technical expertise in communications and intelligence systems. These qualities are deeply aligned with our core values of integrity, resilience, and nation-first innovation. Through this program, we aim to strengthen India’s digital infrastructure while providing meaningful opportunities for those who have served the nation to contribute to its technological future.”

Adding to this, Anand Dhruv, Head of Human Resources at  RackBank®, shared, “M.I.T.R.A is not just a hiring initiative, it’s a commitment to inclusive growth. Veterans have already demonstrated excellence in service of the nation; now, we’re proud to offer a platform where their skills and leadership can continue to shine. We’ve designed a structured onboarding pathway, including a specialized Tech Readiness Bootcamp, to ensure a smooth transition from service to civilian tech roles. As we scale, we see veterans playing a pivotal role in shaping RackBank’s culture of accountability, precision, and innovation.”

Bangalore gets its very first “Paradise Kebab fest”

Bangalore, 17th July 2025 : Paradise Food Court – The biggest food chain serving authentic and delectable Hyderabadi cuisine with seven decades of legacy is bringing to Bangalore a new kebab treat through the “Paradise Kebab Festival”. The one-of-its-kind kebab fest beginning on 16 July in Bangalore will bring a variety of kebabs from different states of India as a one-stop kebab destination at Paradise. The kebabs will be available at all Paradise outlets across at the city as dine-in or take-aways and can also be ordered online on food deliveries portals. Known for serving foods authentic to the royal kitchens of Hyderabad, Paradise is bringing the unique fest to one of the most cosmopolitan cities in India. Foodies and kebab fans can now relish in the most popular kebabs of India right in Bangalore.

paradise festival

From Zafrani Kalmi Kebab from J&K to Reshmi Malai kebab from Madhya Pradesh, to Salem Chicken Tikka Kebab from Tamil Nadu; you name it you have it the kebab fest. The list does not stop here. Bhuna Chicken Tikka Kebab from Uttar Pradesh to Nilgiri Chicken Tikka Kebab are also on the menu. The vegetarian options include the best of Maharashtra’s Thecha Paneer Tikka Kebab and Rajasthan’s Mathania Paneer Tikka Kebab.
Paradise ensures maintaining the authentic taste and flavours prepared under the most hygienic conditions and their standard safety protocols.

Mr. Robinder Singh, COO – Paradise Food Court Pvt. Ltd. said, “At Paradise, we have maintained seven decades of authenticity and reliability. The committed team and staff at Paradise ensures that foods is prepared in the most hygienic way aligned with the quality control.”

“We are very meticulous with the quality of the ingredients used and the cooking procedure while ensuring that the taste is true to the Hyderabadi cuisine. When it comes to a festival like this where we bring delicacies from every part of the country, we are all the more meticulous to dish out the best,” said Mr. Swatantra Gautam – Vice President, Culinary, Paradise Food Court Pvt. Ltd.

The food chain has acquired its place in the Limca Book of Records for ‘Most Biryanis Served In A Year’. In 2017, Paradise catered over 70 lakh servings of biryani and in 2018 the numbers crossed over 90 lakh. Paradise also won the ‘Restaurant Serving The Best Biryani’ award at the Asia Food Congress and Golden Spoon Award at the India Food Forum in 2018. Through the years they have won several accolades and laurels from Telangana State Hotels Associations, GHMC, Times Food Award, Pride of Telangana and Lifetime Achievement Award to name a few.

Rosalía Joins New Balance Family as the Latest Global Ambassador

India– July 17, 2025 – Today, Grammy award-winning musician Rosalía officially joins the New Balance family of ambassadors and athletes, bringing her craft as a singer, songwriter, and producer, alongside her dynamic fashion sense to the brand’s roster. Rosalía’s purposeful and bold presence connects movement, music, and style with her work, creating culture across the globe.

“Rosalia reflects the celebration of independence that the New Balance brand has represented since 1906. We are honored to welcome her into our family with the goal of personifying her creativity, unique individuality, and courage to defy convention. Rosalia is much more than a globally renowned cultural icon. She doesn’t follow trends, she creates them. Together, we will rewrite the rules through a coauthored strategy focusing on product and storytelling – being atypical is what unites us,” says Chris Davis, Brand President and Chief Marketing Officer at New Balance.

To kick off the ambassadorship, New Balance will launch a bold five-part campaign starring Rosalía. Shot with cinematic intensity, the campaign unfolds like chapters of a film—each moment capturing a new layer of her journey as she steps into this role with confidence and purpose. It begins at New Balance headquarters in Boston, where Rosalía sets off on a cross- city mission. From driving to New York, to delivering a mysterious package, the narrative builds with striking visuals and layered symbolism. The package—revealed to be a custom painting of a New Balance x Rosalía logo—signals a powerful artistic union. Through each chapter, Rosalía makes it clear she is unafraid to break barriers and share her unique vision for what’s to come between her and the global athletic brand. 

The campaign includes Rosalía debuting the New Balance 204L, the latest Lifestyle model that combines the worlds of sleek, low-profile retro runners with premium, all-over suede and heavily overlayed 2000’s tech. The 204L will release globally in July through New Balance channels. 

“My love for fashion and design has only grown over the years. I’ve always been a fan of New Balance, and that’s why working with the brand is especially exciting for me. I love how New Balance has brought sport and culture closer together in recent years and I couldn’t be more excited and grateful to be an ambassador,” says Rosalía. 

Rolling out today, the campaign was produced by creative agency American Haiku and directed by Alex Prager with lighting by cinematographer Robert Elswit (Magnolia, There Will Be Blood, Ripley).