Archives 2025

9th September 2025, Milan, IT – For too long, our identities have been clipped and tamed by soulless systems and brittle binaries. As a harbinger self-expression, Ray-Ban has been redefining style outside the limits since 1937, finding deep resonance with those who long to break free from conventions that feel rigid or performative.

 On September 4th, Ray-Ban elaborated on its iconoclastic approach with the launch of a new campaign and animation, Ray-Ban.EXE, that blends the visual language of Korean webtoons with dystopian storytelling to call viewers to their own creative awakening.

Unveiled at the brand’s first-ever pop-up in Seongsu-dong, Seoul, Korea – a symbolic choice – the premiere brought together cultural trailblazers at the heart of a creative scene that is increasingly shaping global youth identity. The initiative marks more than just a creative milestone: it reflects Ray-Ban’s ambition to reposition itself as a brand in sync with Korea’s next generation – and, through their cultural influence, with Gen Z audiences worldwide.

Through its arresting graphic style, the film paints a picture of an austere future where the world is controlled by humanoid machines, programmed to eliminate any trace of individuality, memory or self-expression. The protagonist, EV11, is a robot tasked with destroying non-conforming objects; until one day, when he discovers a black briefcase containing a pair of Ray-Ban Clubmaster sunglasses. When he slides on the shades, something awakens inside of him. A memory, a spart of identity stirs within. Suddenly marked as deviant, EV11 escapes and re-emerges in the real world as a human named Kim. He finds himself in a facility filled with others still trapped in the simulation. Greeted by a group of likeminded rebels, they hand Kim another pair of glasses, this time to pass forward. He places the glasses on a sleeping girl, kickstarting the cycle of awakening again.
Far more than a mere accessory, Ray-Ban cements its status as a catalyst for identity and self-actualization – a tool to bring about the true connection we crave.

 Hyderabad, 9th September, 2025: Krishival Foods Limited has welcomed the reduction in the GST rate for nuts, dried fruits and ice cream as confirmed at the 56th GST Council meeting. The GST on products such as Brazil nuts, almonds, pistachios, and other dried fruits has been reduced from 12% to 5%, and on ice cream has been reduced from 18% to 5% effective September 22, 2025.

Commenting on the development, Sujit Bangar, Chairman, Krishival Foods, said, “The GST rate reduction is a transformative step for the packaged food sector. At Krishival Foods, we see this as a catalyst to accelerate category growth and strengthen India’s position as a fast-emerging market for premium nuts, dried fruits, and ice creams. We are committed to harnessing this momentum by expanding availability, innovating with new offerings, and ensuring that more consumers across India can access world-class products at affordable prices.”

 With upcoming festive season, this policy change move is expected to drive a stronger consumption across categories, particularly in packaged foods, making high-quality nuts, dried fruits, and ice cream more accessible to a wider segment of consumers.

Mumbai, Sep 9 2025: Huella, one of India’s fastest-growing independent adtech companies, today announced the appointment of Prabhvir Sahmey as Strategic Advisor.
An industry veteran of 25 years with deep expertise across digital, media, and adtech, Prabhvir has been instrumental in shaping the evolution of India’s advertising ecosystem. Prabhvir’s last assignment was as Senior Director, Ad Sales, with Samsung Ads.

Prabhvir’s appointment comes at a defining moment for Huella, as the company sharpens its narrative, strengthens its product portfolio, and prepares for its next phase of growth. He will be based out of Delhi/NCR.

Announcing the appointment, Prrincey Roy, Co-Founder & CEO, Huella, said: “Huella has always been about building something larger than a company; it’s about creating an ecosystem where creativity, technology, and credibility meet. Bringing Prabhvir on board is a deliberate step to ensure we have the right guidance to scale this vision. His experience will bring immense value not just to our external presence in the market, but also internally as we evolve our structure, ambition, and discipline. We’re excited to have him with us on this journey.”

Prabhvir Sahmey, Strategic Advisor, Huella, said: “I’m truly excited to be working closely with the transformational leadership team at Huella. Their clarity of vision and focus on building a future-ready adtech ecosystem are inspiring, and I look forward to contributing to this next phase of growth.”

Market Analysis by Felipe Barragán, Expert Research Strategist at Pepperstone

“The market opened with a clear “policy-pivot” tone. Friday’s weak payrolls cemented the view that the Fed’s next move will be a cut at the Sept. 16–17 meeting, with futures heavily skewed to 25 bps and a small tail for 50 bps. It appears the market is no longer asking if the Fed is going to cut, but the question is how big is the cut. The Fed now enters blackout with CPI and PPI still to come—prints that could either lock in those bets or unravel them. As a result, the index is trading off the path of policy, not earnings headlines.

Flows added fuel. The S&P 500 reshuffle put AppLovin, Robinhood and Emcor into the spotlight ahead of their Sept. 22 inclusion. That triggered passive-flow demand and a wave of forced buying.  So far it has been liquidity, not fundamentals, doing the talking. The effect spilled into ad-tech, payments and retail-trading, giving the day’s risk appetite an extra push.

AI remains the market’s north star. Broadcom’s upbeat outlook—anchored by custom AI silicon revenues—and reports of an OpenAI–Broadcom chip partnership reinforced the narrative that AI capex into 2026 is building, not fading. Investors continue to buy dips in the complex since as long as order books are growing, the AI trade stays alive.

But the air is thin. Valuations are stretched into data that can still surprise. July’s benign CPI was followed by a hotter PPI. This week’s prints will test whether disinflation is intact or slipping away. If CPI undershoots, the “insurance cut” story gains traction and multiples stay supported. If services inflation re-firms, the market’s extrapolation of multiple cuts into year-end will start to look a bit aggressive.

For now, flows, AI and easing hopes keep the S&P near highs. But with positioning long and conviction fragile, the tape is vulnerable to a single data shock or hawkish repricing that lifts real yields.

Bottom line: the rally rests on three legs—rate-cut conviction, AI’s still-credible earnings runway, and passive-flow catalysts. The first is the weakest. If CPI/PPI and Fed messaging validate the insurance cut narrative, dips stay shallow. If not, megacap leadership gets tested and valuations wobble.”

India – 9 September 2025: Emirates, the world’s largest international airline, has announced that its A380 services to New York JFK will all feature four cabin classes, including the award-winning Premium Economy cabin.

The direct flights EK201/202, which serve the daily Dubai/ New York JFK service, are scheduled to operate with Premium Economy from 1 December.

In addition, Emirates’ other daily services via Milan, operating as EK205/206, will feature the signature Premium Economy experience from 10 November. Customers travelling between Dubai and Milan will now have the freedom to select Premium Economy seats from two daily flights, including its other service on EK091/092.

The new upgrades to Emirates’ Dubai – New York service will complement flights EK203/204, which already serve customers daily with the Premium Economy cabin, promising exceptional levels of comfort on long-haul journeys.
Tickets in Premium Economy can be booked immediately on emirates.com, the Emirates App, or via both online and offline travel agents as well as at Emirates retail stores.

The re-configured A380 aircraft to operate as EK201/202 and EK205/206 will offer seats in First Class, Business Class, Premium Economy and Economy Class, providing expanded options for customers to choose from, whether travelling for business or leisure.

These additions will expand Emirates’ network of destinations offering Premium Economy on its fleet of A380s, B777s and A350 aircraft to 68 global points by March 2026, underscoring the airline’s commitment to investing in the very best customer experience in the sky and adding more premium cabin options, consistency and choice across geographies.

Emirates’ latest cabin features onboard the four-class A380 are available on key routes to Australasia and Asia including Sydney, Singapore, Osaka, Mumbai, Bangalore, and more.

On a four-class Emirates A380, the Premium Economy cabin is located at the front of the main deck with 56 seats laid out in a 2-4-2 configuration. Each seat offers generous pitch and width for working and relaxing, as well as customised features like in-seat charging points and a side cocktail table. The onboard experience is rounded off with meticulously selected in-flight amenities, a curated menu, and extensive beverage options, including the Chandon Vintage Brut 2016, a global exclusive to Emirates Premium Economy passengers.

BANGALORE, INDIA, September 8, 2025 – In a ceremony brimming with anticipation, Dr. Chenraj Roychand, Founder Chairman of JAIN Group and Chancellor, JAIN (Deemed-to-be University), today unveiled the prestigious new awards for the upcoming JAIN Entrepreneurial Festival Week (JEFW) 2025. The announcement sets a competitive and ambitious tone for the university-wide celebration of innovation, which will take place across all JAIN (Deemed-to-be University) campuses.

The ceremony introduced two coveted honours, each designed to recognise a distinct facet of entrepreneurial excellence:

The JAIN Founder’s Cup: The ultimate symbol of campus-wide entrepreneurial supremacy. This prestigious rolling trophy will be awarded to the campus demonstrating exceptional collective performance, participation, and innovation, crowning it as the university’s entrepreneurial powerhouse for the year.

The JAIN Maverick Award: An elite individual honour bestowed upon the most dominant student entrepreneur of the festival. This award celebrates the one student who, through exceptional skill, bold initiative, and creative energy, proves to be the most versatile and impactful innovator of the year.

The unveiling ceremony was a moment of great inspiration, as Dr. Chenraj Roychand addressed the students and staff, motivating them to embrace the challenges and opportunities of the festival. He reflected on the institution’s deep-rooted connection to enterprise.

“The very foundations of JAIN (Deemed-to-be University) were built on the bedrock of entrepreneurship,” stated Dr. Chenraj Roychand. “Since our earliest days, our goal has not just been to educate, but to empower our students to become creators, innovators, and leaders who build the future. These awards are not just trophies; they are a symbol of our unwavering commitment to that founding vision and a challenge to the next generation to dream bigger and build bolder.”

The JAIN Entrepreneurial Festival Week is a cornerstone initiative designed to embed an entrepreneurial mindset across all academic disciplines. The festival will feature a dynamic array of competitions, workshops, and talks, culminating in a grand finale at the annual CESA event.

Nayaz Ahmed, CEO of JAIN Launchpad and the driving force behind JEFW, highlighted the festival’s critical role in skill development for the modern era. “In today’s rapidly evolving world, entrepreneurship is no longer a niche career path; it is a fundamental 21st-century skill,” he commented. “The very essence of JEFW is to provide a dynamic ecosystem where we cultivate this skill, encouraging creativity, resilience, and a problem-solving mindset among the younger generation. The ‘JAIN Founder’s Cup’ and ‘ JAIN Maverick Award’ will serve as powerful motivators in this mission.”

With this announcement, the countdown to JEFW 2025 officially begins, as students and campuses gear up to compete for the ultimate recognition as the university’s entrepreneurial champions.

Worldline and Mypinpad Join Forces to Expand Access to Secure, Mobile-First Payments Across South Asia

Mumbai, 8 September 2025 : Worldline, a global leader in payment services, has partnered with Mypinpad, a global innovator in card acceptance and authentication software, to fast-track the adoption of secure, software-based payments across South Asia—where mobile-first solutions are essential for scale and inclusion.

By integrating Mypinpad’s PCI MPoC and scheme-certified SoftPOS solution, Worldline will enable contactless payments acceptance on Android devices—supporting Visa, Mastercard, and RuPay—without extra hardware. The solution is designed to scale across South Asia, targeting markets with high Android smartphone use but limited access to traditional payments infrastructure. The joint initiative aims to significantly expand SoftPOS adoption in the region by removing cost and complexity barriers for businesses of all sizes. It also sets the foundation for a broader roadmap of advanced use cases that leverage not only merchants’ but also consumers’ devices, including Tap to Add, Tap to Pay on Own Device and Tap to Verify, which allow consumers to securely provision cards, verify credentials, or pay—all through their own mobile devices.

Ramesh Narasimhan, Chief Executive Officer, Worldline India, said, “By integrating Mypinpad’s SoftPOS solution, we’re empowering merchants with a secure, cost-effective, and frictionless way to accept card payments directly on Android devices. This innovation not only boosts scalability but also reinforces our commitment to delivering future-ready digital payment solutions that align with evolving market needs and regulatory frameworks.”

Barry Levett, Chief Executive Officer, Mypinpad, said, “This collaboration builds on a long-standing relationship between our two companies and reflects a shared goal to expand financial inclusion and accelerate market access. Worldline’s brand, market access, and regulatory trust enable rapid rollout of our mobile-first technology in key markets where they already operate.”

By putting intuitive, secure, compliant, and affordable payment tools in the hands of merchants and consumers, Worldline and Mypinpad are helping shape a more inclusive, secure, and connected future of commerce.

Mandi, 8 September 2025 – The School of Management at IIT Mandi successfully concluded third edition of its flagship annual management conclave, AiXcelerate 3.0 at its campus. With the theme “Igniting Innovation and Leadership in the Digital Era.” The two-day conclave brought together industry leaders, academicians, and students to deliberate on how todays’ business practices are evolving with the increased adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) across industries. This conclave aimed to develop and nurture business leaders and managers providing impetus to the country’s innovation ecosystem and competitiveness in the data-driven world. The conclave proved to be especially enriching for students, offering them a unique opportunity to engage directly with industry leaders and policymakers.

The sessions focused on how key management functions such as marketing, human resource management, operations, strategic management, finance, and entrepreneurship are evolving in the era of digital transformation. The conclave featured a rich mix of panel discussions, mentoring sessions, student case competitions, and cultural performances, offering a well-rounded platform for dialogue, collaboration, and innovation. For students, it provided meaningful exposure to real-world applications of emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence, across core business domains including marketing analytics, financial decision-making, and strategic planning.

Prof. Laxmidhar Behera, Director, IIT Mandi, congratulated the School of Management on the successful organization of AiXcelerate 3.0 and encouraged continued progress and innovation in the field of management education.

Speaking at the valedictory session, Prof. Anjan Kumar Swain, Chairperson, School of Management, IIT Mandi, said, “AiXcelerate 3.0 showcased how AI is reshaping business strategies and underscored leaders’ responsibility to ensure transparency, trust, and inclusivity. These conversations will guide future leaders in adopting AI responsibly and building institutions that empower people, uplift communities, and enhance the nation’s global standing.”

The program featured ten renowned industry experts as speakers, who shared their insights on various themes. Notable participants included Shiv Kumar, Chief Data & Analytics Officer-L’Oréal India; Manish Purwar, Global IT Head, GE, HealthCare Lokesh Sharma, Strategic Account Director, Salesforce; Abhijit Shah, Chief Technology Officer, Nippon Life India Asset; Ram Srinivasan SVP, Global Practice Leader, Advisory Services Ascendion; Dr. Rishi Bhatnagar, Co-Founder India and Global CTO, AA2IT; Swapnil Tambi, Head of India AI Hub, BNY; Ritesh Agrawal, Group CFO, Powerica Ltd.; Nikhil Bhushan, CTO, Starbucks India; and Somjit Amrit, CEO iHUB and HCI Foundation, IIT Mandi.

Various key topics were addressed during the event highlighting how AI could prove to be highly impactful across these sectors in the future, including strategic leadership in the age of agentic AI, smart engagement, and the redefinition of marketing; the transformation of the financial sector through AI in banking, insurance and Fintech; and responsible AI focusing on building trust through ethics and governance. 

At IIT Mandi, SOM’s core mission is to develop a new generation of business leaders who are not only well-versed in traditional management principles but also highly proficient in leveraging technology for strategic advantage. The school achieves this through a curriculum that fuses management principles and knowledge with data science, AI, and other emerging technologies. The SOM regularly organizes events like AiXcelerate to take academic closer to the industry. These conclaves, seminars, and workshops are a cornerstone of the school’s outreach strategy. The school also hosts other key events like the HiBS (Himalayan Business Summit) and leadership talks, solidifying its reputation as a hub for progressive management thought and a key contributor to the professional development of its students.

New Delhi, India , September 08, 2025: Kustard Technologies today announced the appointment of Mr. Madhu Kiran Ganti as its CEO, marking the beginning of a new chapter in the company’s journey to build transformative, AI-powered solutions for scalable growth systems for EBG Group.

A seasoned entrepreneur with 14+ years across IT services, AI-driven marketing, product design, and large-scale program management, Madhu has led ventures at the intersection of technology and strategy. His core expertise spans performance marketing, predictive analytics, growth automation, CRO/funnel design, and full-stack digital execution.

Commenting on his appointment, Mr. Madhu Kiran Ganti, CEO, Kustard Technologies said: “We’re building Kustard to engineer outcomes, not just campaigns. By uniting AI, automation, and data-informed strategy, we’ll help brands scale faster and smarter. I’m excited to bring this approach to EBG Group’s portfolio as well as creating a single, performance-first system from awareness to retention.”

Madhu’s career includes leadership at Anantacore (AI-powered performance marketing), Xdart (D2C fashion), IQrushh (ed-tech gamification), Task 365 (Data Driven Strategies), Parikram IT Solutions (COO) and Arka Infoteck (CEO & Founder). He also served as War Room Head during the 2024 elections for Janasena Party, orchestrating data-led, digital-first outreach across 21 constituencies.

Under Madhu’s leadership, Kustard Technologies will focus on building AI-driven marketing ecosystems, automation platforms, and predictive analytics solutions that help enterprises and high-growth brands optimize spend, accelerate acquisition, and improve LTV through end-to-end orchestration. Industry observers note that with Madhu’s proven ability to blend technology and strategy with executional precision, Kustard Technologies is positioned to emerge as a serious player in India’s fast-evolving AI and digital innovation landscape.

New Delhi, 8th September 2025: Altos India, a subsidiary of Acer Inc., today announced the launch of its latest AI server, Altos BrainSphere™ R680 F7, designed to power the next wave of enterprise AI deployments across India. The new server will be officially available for shipment from September and is engineered to meet the surging demand from enterprises, government, education, and healthcare sectors for high-performance, scalable, and future-ready AI infrastructure.

The Altos BrainSphere™ R680 F7 supports up to 8 NVIDIA GPUs, including RTX PRO 6000 Blackwell Server Edition, H200 NVL, and L40S, along with 6th-generation Intel Xeon processors and DDR5 memory. Its flexible PCIe architecture allows seamless integration of diverse NVIDIA accelerated computing technologies, making it ideal for AI inference, AI model optimization, data analytics, industrial AI, virtualization, visual compute, as well as specialized applications such as AI medical imaging, smart security, and personalized recommendations. This makes it a powerful platform for rapidly building diversified AI workload environments.

The server can also be paired with Altos aiWorks, an AI computing platform that integrates hardware and software resources to simplify deployment, accelerate time-to-market, and support hybrid workload capabilities. Altos aiWorks now includes advanced functionalities such as model deployment, job scheduling, resource monitoring, inference process management, and comes preloaded with multiple mainstream AI frameworks and models. It also integrates NVIDIA AI Enterprise software, including NIM microservices, enabling enterprises to build scalable, visualized, open, and highly available AI environments tailored to their business needs.

“The Altos BrainSphere™ R680 F7 represents a significant milestone in our mission to bring future-ready AI solutions to Indian enterprises,” said Harish Kohli, President and Managing Director, Acer India. “As AI adoption accelerates across industries, organizations are seeking infrastructure that combines scalability, performance, and ease of deployment. With this launch, Altos India is well-positioned to empower businesses, government, and academia with computing solutions that will shape the next phase of India’s digital transformation.”

This launch further strengthens Altos India’s positioning as a trusted partner for enterprise computing, delivering solutions that align with the country’s growing focus on AI-driven innovation and digital-first growth.