Archives August 2025

By – Dr. POONAM TANDON, Chief Investment Officer IndiaFirst Life

“The MPC has kept the repo rates unchanged. The MPC has reduced the inflation numbers from 3.7% to 3.1%. The growth rate has been kept at 6.5% despite the uncertain global uncertainty. The policy stance is kept neutral. The MPC has appropriately used all the tools in the last 2 quarters to infuse liquidity and rate cuts and will see the effects of this move. The inflation forecast will be on the rise and will perhaps focus more on the core inflation. The 10-year G-sec rate has increased by 5 bps as the market has realised that the Governor may not give further rate cuts and also that we are in the last leg of the interest rates cutting cycle. Overall, the policy was very balanced and on expected lines. The Governor also announced T-Bill SIP for retail investors under the platform of RBI direct, which is a welcome step.”

06 August 2025, India: Calcom Vision Limited, a leading Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS) and Original Design Manufacturer (ODM), has entered business association with RR Kabel Limited to manufacture a wide range of LED lighting products including bulbs, battens, and downlighters.

The initial order, worth ₹1 crore, has already been successfully executed. As both companies deepen their collaboration, order volumes are expected to scale in the forthcoming quarters.

This collaboration underscores Calcom’s continued momentum in the LED segment and strengthens its position as a trusted manufacturing partner to prominent electrical brands. The company’s growing client base highlights its commitment to delivering high-quality, energy-efficient solutions tailored to industry needs.

Commenting on the new collaboration, Mr. Abhishek Malik, Executive Director, Calcom Vision Limited, said, “Associating with RR Kabel, a well-established name in the electrical sector, is an extension of our efforts to support high-demand brands with scalable, quality-led manufacturing. It aligns with our broader goal of enabling companies to meet rising market demand through reliable production support. At Calcom, we remain focused on strengthening our capabilities and building associations that drive shared growth and innovation.”

Calcom will manufacture these products at its advanced 30,000 sq. meter facility in Greater Noida, which is equipped with advanced infrastructure to handle large-scale volumes and custom product lines.

 Mr. Vineet Agrawal- Co-Founder of Jiraaf.

The RBI held the repo rate steady at 5.50% on August 6, maintaining a neutral stance with a hawkish tilt disappointing market hopes for a dovish signal. While the central bank revised headline inflation for FY26 down to 3.1% (from 3.7%), it also projected Q1FY27 inflation at 4.9%. With FY26 GDP growth unchanged at 6.5%, the policy pause could extend for 12–15 months, making any rate hike unlikely before 2027.

That said, markets are still pricing in a possible 25 bps cut in October, especially if the U.S. Fed begins its easing cycle in September and the impact of U.S. tariffs on Indian growth becomes clearer. A stable domestic rate environment, coupled with potential Fed cuts, could widen the India–U.S. yield spread, making Indian G-secs more attractive to FPIs.

For fixed-income investors, the setup remains constructive.”

August 6, 2025, New Delhi, India. Springwel Mattresses, one of India’s most trusted names in sleep innovation, is set to elevate the nation’s sleep experience once again with the launch of its all-new Springwel Sleep Accessories range on August 6, 2025. Backed by nearly three decades of expertise and trusted by over one crore families, Springwel’s latest offerings aim to deliver enhanced comfort and customisation across every layer of sleep, from pillows and comforters to travel-ready mattresses.

“For close to 30 years, we’ve helped people sleep better with quality mattresses designed using advanced research and real user feedback,” said Mayank Jha, CEO & Head – Digital Transformation, Springwel Mattresses. “Now, we’re proud to bring that same commitment to comfort into our new accessories collection, designed to support modern lifestyles, preferences, and spaces.”

At the heart of this launch are three innovative pillow designs, each offering a unique sleep experience. The Stack Pillow features a dual-sided design with pressure-relieving memory foam on one side and cool, breathable pinhole latex on the other, all in a single pillow with an adjustable foam insert to customise loft. The Plush Pillow provides cloud-soft comfort using hypoallergenic microfibre fill, complete with a side zip for personalised height and firmness. For those who seek flexibility night after night, the Flexi Pillow offers real-time adjustability using dual zippers and a soft microfibre core that adapts to various sleep positions.

The collection also introduces a lightweight, ultra-soft All-Season Comforter made with premium microfiber filling. Designed for year-round use, it features a dual-tone reversible design available in elegant shades like Sand Beige and Sage Green. Its breathable, hypoallergenic construction ensures cozy sleep without overheating, while the rectangluar box- stitch-lock fill keeps the insulation evenly distributed.

Expanding into mobility and compact living, Springwel has also launched two foldable mattresses tailored for travel and multifunctional use. The Foldable Travel Mattress, made with bamboo-charcoal quilted fabric and a high-density foam core, provides home-like comfort in a compact, moisture-wicking, and odour-resistant package ideal for road trips, extra guest bed, yoga retreats, or hostel beds. Meanwhile, the Tri-Fold Mattress combines durable support with portability and aesthetic appeal. Featuring a soft quilted cover, anti-skid base, and easy-carry handles, it’s designed for everything from extra sleeping space to floor lounging or meditation. Both options are machine-washable and built with space-saving lifestyles in mind.

Springwel has a strong focus on sustainability with their Global Recycled Standard certification for fabrics and Oeko-Tex Natural Latex Foams. All products are also thoughtfully crafted along with an aesthetic appeal, ergonomic design, and ease of maintenance. The line will be available starting August 6 through Springwel showrooms across India, the company’s official website (springwel.com), and leading e-commerce platforms.

Pune, 6th August 2025 : DoubleTree by Hilton Pune-Chinchwad invites guests to embark on an unforgettable culinary journey this Independence Week at 3 Spices. In a special regional showcase running from 11th to 14th August for dinner buffet and on 15th August for a celebratory lunch buffet, diners can experience beloved flavours drawn from all 28 states of India. From the From Kashmiri Gustaba to Hyderabad’s Mutton Biryani, Lucknow’s Adraki Lamb Chop to Uttarakhand’s Kafuli, each dish has been carefully curated to honour India’s rich tapestry of culinary heritage.

Bringing together dishes that tells unique stories, this special menu is designed to capture the true essence of India’s unity in diversity, transforming Independence Week into a feast for the senses. Guests can expect an extensive spread featuring authentic regional classics, prepared with fresh local ingredients and presented in a vibrant, celebratory setting that reflects the country’s festive spirit.

Khizer Khan, Hotel Manager, DoubleTree by Hilton Pune-Chinchwad, shared, “Food is a powerful connector, and through this celebration we want to offer guests the chance to rediscover the soul of India. Our chefs have poured immense passion into crafting a menu that represents the diverse culinary stories of our nation, and we look forward to creating memorable experiences with every bite.”

So gather your family and friends and head to 3 Spices at DoubleTree by Hilton Pune-Chinchwad this Independence Week to celebrate the flavours of India in true festive style.

• What: Independence Week Celebration
• Where: 3 Spices, DoubleTree by Hilton Pune-Chinchwad
• When: 11th to 14th August, 06:30pm to 11:00pm | 15th August, 12:30pm to 03:00pm

India – Aug 6, 2025: RN Valves and Faucets, a renowned and trusted name in the bath fittings industry, has launched its new product line—designed to set new benchmarks in both performance and aesthetics. Staying true to its mission of merging quality with style, RN Valves and Faucets has come up with the new product lines with the names Amara, Lagoon, and Love collections. Each of these ranges offers a unique blend of design, superior quality and innovative features, reaffirming the company’s commitment to excellence and innovation.

“Our new collections—Amara, Lagoon, and Love are an embodiment of RN Valves and Faucet’s ideology: superior quality, modern design, and accessible elegance. We believe that faucets are not just utility pieces, but vital elements that enhance the character and experience of a space,” mentioned Mr. Rajeev Jain, Director RN Valves and Faucets.

The Amara collection has been carefully crafted for the modern and trending interiors. These are available in three stylish colour combinations. It brings together state-of-the-art design and a user-friendly mechanism.  Every piece in the Amara range showcases distinctive design elements and incorporates the innovative Tik-Tok mechanism, delivering a unique blend of style and effortless operation. Parallelly, the Lagoon Collection features faucets offer seamless functionality and elegance. It takes versatility a notch above. Available in nine colour options, making it the ideal match for a variety of décor styles. The Love Collection is an excellent option for people who want to combine resilience with style. Each tap in the Love series, which comes in six eye-catching colour variations, is certified to function effectively in all climates and has undergone extensive testing for durability. These goods are resistant to UV radiation, hard water, and rust, and their modern designs raise the bar for aesthetics.

The Lagoon and Love collection focuses on providing a more robust design that is resistant to rust and everlasting colour, leaving you worry-free from the endless cycle of repairs and replacements. Whereas the Amara collection brings together resilience and aesthetics, making it suitable for everyday usage. Quality, design and aesthetics underscore each of the facets of the new product lines.

The new product range of RN Valves and Faucets ‘is an embodiment of its mission to provide reasonably priced luxury where classic style and performance coexist. These faucets are designed to cater to a wider segment of buyers. From quality builds to innovative designs and looks, these taps offer everyday dependability and also uplift the aesthetics of the space.

RN Valves and Faucets is continually working to introduce innovative products that bridge the gap between affordability and exclusivity. With these latest collections, the company once again raises the bar—ensuring each home and business is equipped with fixtures that boast ageless looks and lasting functionality.

GURUGRAM – August 06, 2025 – Between assignments, lectures, and keeping up with a busy social calendar both online and offline, college demands serious multitasking. Your smartphone and apps help, but the laptop you use can unlock an AI-powered upgrade to campus life.

A college laptop needs to go beyond just being a device; it should serve as a hub that connects seamlessly with all your existing gadgets. Compatibility with your smartphone and tablet is essential, allowing you to access notifications, send and receive texts, run mobile apps, and locate files no matter where they’re stored. A laptop that integrates into your digital ecosystem empowers you to stay organised and on track, whether you’re finishing a thesis or managing daily tasks.

Touchscreen functionality is another key consideration for students. With most of our devices already offering touch-based interactions, incorporating it into a laptop feels natural and intuitive. It simplifies multitasking and boosts productivity. You can annotate PDFs, highlight documents, and take handwritten notes directly on the screen. It also enhances the experience with AI tools that allow you to circle items to search for information instantly.

Battery life remains a top priority for students constantly on the move. A reliable laptop should last the entire day on a single charge, whether you’re at the library, in class, or studying with friends. Even if the battery dips low, a 30-minute super-fast charge can give you up to 35% power enough to get you through the next session.

The Galaxy Book5 Pro 16” emerges as the ultimate companion for college students. It effortlessly syncs with your other Galaxy devices, allowing seamless data management and better organisation. Its expansive touchscreen makes multitasking smooth, and the long-lasting battery keeps up with your schedule from morning to night.

Packed with powerful AI capabilities through its AI Boost neural processing unit (NPU) a specialised chip built solely for AI computing, the Galaxy Book5 Pro functions almost like a personal assistant. This smart processing power enhances your experience by learning from your habits and needs.

Storage Share, a feature introduced with One UI 7, allows your Galaxy smartphone or tablet to act as a wireless USB drive for the Galaxy Book5 Pro. Once connected, you can easily access files across your devices. For instance, lectures recorded on your phone can be transcribed or summarised on your laptop without hassle.

The device also features an anti-reflective AMOLED display with Dynamic AMOLED 2X technology, offering 3K resolution and a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate. The result is ultra-smooth scrolling, crystal-clear visuals, and a screen that adapts to brightness whether you’re working indoors or enjoying a sunny study session outside. With its touchscreen capability, features like AI Select make searching as simple as circling what you need on the screen.

Despite its powerful internals and up to 25 hours of battery life, the Galaxy Book5 Pro maintains a slim and lightweight design. This makes it easy to carry wherever your day takes you, from lecture halls and libraries to cafés and study groups, ensuring that productivity never weighs you down.

Porvorim, August 06, 2025: Outlining the Government’s strategic vision for artificial intelligence under the Goa AI Mission 2027, Hon’ble Minister for Information Technology, Electronics & Communications, Shri Rohan A. Khaunte shared a roadmap designed to position the state as a frontrunner in AI-led innovation across South Asia.

The Mission, led by Hon’ble Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant, is anchored on four foundational pillars: Skilling, Startups & Companies, Capital, and Government Policy & Infrastructure. These pillars aim to nurture an inclusive, innovation-driven AI ecosystem that benefits citizens, academia, and industry alike.

At the core of the initiative is the proposed Goa AI Mission Council, which will lead the drafting of a new AI Policy and guide the state’s long-term approach to impactful adoption and leadership in AI. “A Section 8 company has been proposed to give speed and wings to the Mission. This will also give the entire Mission a legal standing,” said Khaunte.

The Minister further stated,“We are in the process of setting up Centres of Excellence (CoEs) and AI Labs in the state. An Advisory Committee under the AI Mission Council will also be constituted to guide implementation and foster collaboration.”

He added that the introduction of the AI-powered chatbot is the first step toward integrating artificial intelligence into governance.

Having built a strong foothold in Rajasthan with landmark developments and expanding its footprint into the Delhi-NCR market, Bhumika Realty has announced its formal entry into eastern Uttar Pradesh, with a development pipeline led by high-quality real estate projects in Lucknow and Ayodhya. Backed by a robust portfolio of integrated townships and mixed-use developments under planning, this marks a key phase in the company’s ambition to establish a pan-North India presence across residential, commercial, retail, and hospitality verticals.

Supporting this strategic expansion, the company has appointed Amit Tewari as Head of Sales – Lucknow & Ayodhya, to drive market penetration and sales leadership across the region. Amit Tewari brings nearly two decades of experience in real estate strategy and sales, having held senior positions with DLF, Omaxe, Synergy Advisors, and Prominent Enterprises. His expertise spans revenue optimisation, market development, and channel ecosystem management across both developer and advisory landscapes.

Uddhav Poddar, Chairman and Managing Director, Bhumika Group, said: “Eastern Uttar Pradesh is witnessing a sharp rise in infrastructure investments and urban migration. We see this as a timely opportunity to bring our brand of responsible, design-led development to the region. Amit’s leadership will be critical in ensuring strong execution and market alignment.”

Siddharth Katyal, CEO, Bhumika Realty, added: “As we deepen our presence in high-potential markets, the ability to scale with agility becomes essential. Amit’s proven track record in building high-performance teams and navigating diverse market dynamics makes him a valuable addition to our leadership team.”

Amitav Sinha, President – Sales and CRM, Bhumika Realty, stated: “Our success in Rajasthan and expansion into Delhi-NCR have laid the foundation for our next leap. The UP-East market holds immense untapped potential, and with Amit’s leadership, we’re confident of building deep, long-term value for all stakeholders, accelerating this journey.”

Amit Tewari, Head of Sales – Lucknow & Ayodhya, commented: “Bhumika Realty’s integrated and customer-centric approach is well-positioned to shape the next chapter of growth in UP East. I look forward to enabling meaningful expansion in the region by delivering quality-driven, future-ready real estate solutions.”

With successful commercial and retail developments such as Urban Square Mall in Rajasthan, Bhumika Realty is now laying the groundwork for a broader northern expansion, beginning with Lucknow and Ayodhya, and with additional UP cities under evaluation.

NEW DELHI, 05 August 2025: FICCI today organized ‘PubliCon 2025’, the annual flagship conference on publishing with the theme- ‘Role of Publishers in Research & Innovation’.

As part of PubliCon 2025, the FICCI Publishing Awards 2025 were presented to outstanding contributions across the Indian publishing landscape. The awards spanned a wide range of categories, including Children’s Books (in English and Hindi, for readers below and above 10 years), Fiction and Non-Fiction (in both English and Hindi), and Business Books (covering Self-Help, Economics, Management, and Biography). Additional categories recognised excellence in Translation, Comic/Graphic Novels, and Design and Production, such as Best Cover Design, Best Overall Design, and Best Printed Book.

Addressing the gathering, Dr Ranjana Aggarwal, Outstanding Scientist, CSIR, Ministry of Science & Technology, Govt of India emphasized the importance of inclusive publishing—with a particular focus on Indian languages—and the integration of indigenous knowledge systems into mainstream academic and research discourse. She urged publishers to address critical challenges such as accessibility, affordability, and international visibility to foster greater knowledge equity.

Mr Neeraj Jain, Chair of the FICCI Publishing Committee and Managing Director, Scholastic India, set the tone for the day by calling for a more expansive and forward-looking view of publishing. He emphasized that publishing today goes beyond books — it plays a pivotal role in building a robust knowledge ecosystem that supports research, innovation, and national growth. Citing the effective collaboration during the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP), Mr Jain urged publishers to act not just as content providers but as equal stakeholders in India’s development story.

Ms Shilpy Kochhar, Head – Business Development & Communications at BIRAC, emphasised the need for stronger science communication to bridge the gap between innovation and society. Highlighting BIRAC’s support for over 12,000 biotech start-ups, she called on publishers to simplify complex research, promote multilingual content, and focus on real-world impact beyond academic metrics. She urged greater collaboration between publishers and innovation agencies to make science accessible, inclusive, and engaging for wider audiences.

Speaking during the panel discussion on ‘Challenges and Opportunities for STM Publishers’ at PubliCon 2025, Ms. Qudsia Ahmed, Head of Academic Publishing at Cambridge University Press, highlighted the need for publishers to bridge gaps in accessibility, affordability, and discoverability, particularly in the Global South.

Dr. Sugata Ghosh, Deputy Managing Director, SAGE South Asia, emphasised the need for stronger institutional and policy-level support to strengthen open access publishing in the region. He identified diamond open access—where neither authors nor readers pay—as the most viable and sustainable model for India, calling for collaborative efforts among stakeholders to make knowledge freely accessible.

Mr. Venkatesh Sarvasiddhi, MD of Springer Nature India, underscored the urgent need for a national open access policy to combat predatory publishing and enable a phased transition to OA. Highlighting limited research funding and lack of grant support for publishing, he advocated for regional pricing and a shift in library roles. He welcomed initiatives like One Nation One Subscription and noted that an OA policy is expected soon.

Mr. Madhvendra Narayan from the Indian National Science Academy noted that while technology has streamlined workflows and expanded global access through platforms like Springer, the fundamentals of publishing remain the same. He also pointed out the absence of clear national policy on emerging manuscript practices in India.

The event brought together key stakeholders from publishing, academia, research, and policy to discuss the evolving role of the publishing industry in strengthening India’s knowledge economy.

List of Winners