Archives 2025

New Delhi, 28th August 2025: M1xchange, India’s leading RBI-licensed Trade Receivables Discounting System (TReDS) platform, announced its partnership with Tata AIG General Insurance Company Limited, to introduce Trade Credit Insurance (TCI) on its platform. With this, M1xchange becomes the first TReDS platform in India to integrate an insurance partner into its ecosystem. This partnership establishes the insurer as the fourth stakeholder in the TReDS ecosystem, joining MSMEs, buyers and financiers.

The inclusion of Trade Credit Insurance (TCI) on the M1xchange platform is set to significantly boost confidence among banks and financiers. By mitigating credit risk, the offering will unlock greater liquidity on the platform, empowering MSMEs with vital working capital to drive their growth. The integration is also expected to attract more corporates, who will benefit from enhanced financing limits, thereby strengthening the overall supply chain finance ecosystem.

As part of this collaboration, insurance coverage will be customised to the credit profile of each buyer and seamlessly embedded within the M1xchange platform. With integrated claim processing, stakeholders can expect a smooth and transparent experience. This innovation simplifies access to secure financing for MSMEs while reinforcing the resilience and inclusivity of the wider supply chain finance framework.

Sundeep Mohindru, Promoter & Director, M1xchange, said, “ The partnership with Tata AIG marks a significant step in expanding the scope of TReDS. By adding Trade Credit Insurance as the fourth participant on our platform, we are enabling financiers to take larger exposures and creating more opportunities for MSMEs to access timely working capital. This will also expand the risk-taking ability of the platform, while encouraging wider participation from financiers and corporates. Our goal is to build a stronger and more liquid trade finance ecosystem, empowering India’s 6.3 crore MSMEs to grow and compete effectively.”

Deepak Kumar, Senior Executive Vice President, TATA AIG General Insurance Company Limited, said “We are pleased to collaborate with M1xchange to bring Trade Credit Insurance to the TReDS ecosystem. This partnership will provide financiers with an added layer of risk protection while ensuring MSMEs can access working capital with greater confidence. Together, we aim to mitigate payment risks, enhance the flow of trade credit in the economy, and support the growth of MSMEs through secure and reliable financial solutions.”

Additionally, M1xchange is the first to expand the scope of TReDS with its innovative Small-to-small financing initiative. This initiative has successfully brought tier 2 and tier 3 MSMEs into the formal credit system, enabling them to benefit from early payments without collateral at competitive rates.

Chennai (India), August 28, 2025: SRM Institute of Science and Technology (SRMIST) marked a major milestone today, hosting the second convocation for faculty members who have successfully completed a comprehensive three-day Faculty Development Program conducted by School of Design Thinking (SoDT). This event is a cornerstone in SRMIST’s mission to embed a culture of Design Thinking across all its campuses, enabling faculty and students to grow as innovative thinkers for tomorrow’s world.

The Faculty Development Program initiative was led by the School of Design Thinking. Since signing a Memorandum of Understanding in 2019, the School of Design Thinking has been a strategic partner and catalyst for this transformation at SRMIST, delivering structured workshops, hands-on problem-solving sessions, and practical tools to make design thinking a foundational practice in classrooms. SoDT’s vision aligns with SRMIST’s purpose of nurturing a new generation of leaders who are empathetic, creative, and solution-focused. The School of Design Thinking has conducted the Faculty Development Program for 14 batches of faculty members across its Kattankulathur, Trichy, NCR and Vadapalani campuses.

Faculty members of SRMIST who have successfully completed a comprehensive three-day Faculty Development Program conducted by School of Design Thinking (SoDT) receiving the certificate, at Design The Thinking ® Faculty Development Program Convocation 2025 at SRMIST in Chennai on Monday, August 25, 2025.

SRMIST has been at the forefront in championing Design Thinking, not simply as a set of skills, but as an institutional culture. The University’s ongoing drive ensures that Design Thinking reaches all students, faculty members, and departments. From engineering and technology to entrepreneurship and innovation, SRMIST has set a benchmark for interdisciplinary creativity.

This year, 110 faculty members from all major engineering departments received their certificates. They join a distinguished cohort of 165 faculty alumni from the first convocation event, making a total of 275 SRMIST faculty trained in Design Thinking since the inception of the program in 2019. Combined, they have undergone an intensive 42 person days of training and over 450 person hours of active learning, equipping them to transform education and foster innovative mindsets in over 20,000 students to date.

The event also witnessed the renewal of the Memorandum of Understanding between SRMIST, School of Design Thinking and Intellect Design Arena for the next five years.

Speaking during the occasion, Prof. C. Muthamizhchelvan, Vice Chancellor, SRMIST, expressed, “We, at SRMIST, are at the forefront of many strategic initiatives with the government, industry and other entities. Through and beyond academics, we work on trying to solve larger problems that beset our nation and society. I firmly believe that Design Thinking, as a human-centric approach to solving real-world problems, is a catalyst in aiding our approach to work on societal issues. I am glad that through the School of Design Thinking, we have been able to enhance the capabilities of our Faculty and make a lasting impact in the lives of the students.”

Dr. Shantanu Patil, Director, DEI, SRMIST, shared his thoughts, “Design Thinking drives deep differentiation in one’s approach to design new solutions or to solve societal problems across multiple domains. I am pleased that SRMIST and DEI have partnered with the School of Design Thinking to bring about change in the thinking of our

students through the certified faculties. We are well on our way in a mission that is on par with global academic standards when it comes to scale in mindset transformation.”

The Chief Guest for the event, Mr. Ramanan SV, CEO-India & South Asia, Intellect Design Arena Ltd., delivered the Keynote address and shared his insights, “The transformation at SRMIST demonstrates the powerful impact of focusing on mind space. Fostering the right mindset is essential for true innovation and growth. Through Design Thinking, institutions can move beyond traditional boundaries, connect, and find outside-the-box solutions that drive excellence. It is not just about processes or infrastructure, but about cultivating internal flexibility and openness to new ideas. I am delighted to see SRMIST lead this journey, setting a new benchmark for academic innovation.”

Ms. Manju Jain, Director and Co-founder, School of Design Thinking (SoDT), in her Special Address commented, “Design Thinking has immense potential in creating a positive impact between teachers and students, especially in the arena of teaching and learning. At the School of Design Thinking, we have evolved a new approach to bring Design Thinking as pedagogy in order to bring about mindset change in faculties and students at the fundamental level. I am very happy that the senior faculties at SRMIST have adopted this strength of Design Thinking, beyond a mere course, to explore the innate potential of the students and to create engaging learning experiences.”

Bengaluru, August 28, 2025 – United Way Bengaluru (UWBe), in collaboration with its CSR partners, commemorated World Lake Day with an engaging and educational event at Kannamangala Lake, Bengaluru. The celebration brought together corporates to highlight the importance of urban lakes and their crucial role in sustaining the ecological and social fabric of the city. World Lake Day is a reminder that lakes are not just water bodies; they are life-sustaining ecosystems, community hubs, and cultural landmarks.

The event covered a guided lake walk and a bird-watching session, allowing people to appreciate the biodiversity supported by the lake ecosystem. As part of the immersive experience, attendees engaged in hands-on water testing activities to understand the health of the lake, learning about water quality indicators and how pollution impacts aquatic life. Interactive ‘Learn and Play’ sessions were organized to make environmental education fun and accessible.

Corporates also had the opportunity to explore the lake’s ecosystem, understand the threats it faces, and discuss ways to preserve such water bodies. They also gained hands-on experience in measuring water clarity, helping them understand the physical indicators of water health. It also revealed that the oxygen levels in the lake were within a healthy and appropriate range, indicating relatively stable aquatic conditions. The event concluded with a collaborative reflection session, emphasizing the importance of partnerships and community action in lake conservation efforts.

United Way Bengaluru continues to drive lake conservation initiatives under its flagship program ‘Wake the Lake’, empowering citizens and corporates alike to become stewards of their local water bodies.

Crowne Plaza Today New Delhi Okhla is delighted to announce the appointment of Mr. Rajashekar P as the new Director of Revenue.

With an extensive career spanning over a decade in revenue management, Mr. Rajashekar brings a wealth of expertise from leading hospitality brands including Park Hyatt, Hilton, Accor, Radisson Blu, and Le Meridien. Throughout his career, he has successfully driven strategic revenue initiatives, system integrations, and business growth across diverse markets.

A results-driven leader, he has consistently delivered exceptional performance in MPI, ARI, and RGI metrics, alongside spearheading system transitions like Hyatt PRO and EMMA. His proven ability to optimize demand generation and enhance financial outcomes makes him a strong addition to the leadership team.

At Crowne Plaza Today New Delhi Okhla, Mr. Rajashekar will be instrumental in shaping revenue strategies, forecasting, and maximizing yield opportunities to further strengthen the hotel’s market positioning.

Sharing his views on the appointment, Mr. Ritesh Sharma, General Manager, Crowne Plaza Today New Delhi Okhla, said:
“We are delighted to welcome Mr. Rajashekar to our leadership team. His extensive expertise and proven track record in revenue management will play a pivotal role in driving our growth strategy and further positioning Crowne Plaza Okhla as a market leader in the region.”

The hotel team warmly welcomes him and looks forward to achieving new milestones under his guidance.

In today’s fast-paced world, the kitchen has evolved into more than just a place for cooking, it’s a space where style, convenience, and technology converge. With this in mind, Hafele introduces Valeriya, the new Semi-Integrated Built-In Dishwasher that redefines effortless cleaning while enhancing kitchen aesthetics.

True to its name, which means “strong and healthy”, Hafele’s Valeriya delivers robust performance for every dishwashing need. Equipped with 15 place settings and 3 spacious baskets, it accommodates everything from delicate glassware to heavy-duty cookware like kadhais, pressure cookers, saucepans, and woks, making it the perfect choice for families of all sizes.

At the heart of Hafele’s Valeriya Dishwasher lies a powerful Brushless DC (BLDC) motor that ensures whisper-quiet, energy-efficient operation, ideal for use at any time of day or night. Its Hygiene programme combined with UV light technology guarantees germ-free, safe-to-use utensils with every wash.

The Semi-Integrated Built-In design offers a seamless fit into your kitchen, while the capacitive touch control panel, LED display, and dark grey painted baskets elevate the overall look with a touch of understated luxury.

With Valeriya, Hafele blends cutting-edge technology, sleek design, and thoughtful features to create a dishwashing experience that’s as beautiful as it is powerful.

Established as a wholly owned subsidiary of Hafele Global network, Hafele India has been operating in India since 2003. An authority in the field of architectural hardware, furniture and kitchen fittings and accessories, the company also has a strong presence in synergized product categories like Home Appliances, Interior and Furniture Lighting, Sanitary Solutions, and Surfaces positioning itself as a complete solution provider for interior solutions in India and South Asia. Hafele India has a strong nation-wide presence through its offices and design showrooms spread across the country. The showrooms function as a one-stop-shop for all home interior and improvement needs – from providing in-depth technical advice to kitchen and wardrobe designing services through a team of experts.

By – Shailesh Sheth, Chairman and Managing Director of Kris Flexipacks

As India strides toward becoming a $5 trillion economy, the packaging industry has emerged as a silent but powerful enabler of this transformation. Often seen as a support function, packaging today plays a strategic role in driving consumption, enabling exports, generating employment, and pushing sustainability goals.

A Growth Engine Across Sectors

From food and pharmaceuticals to electronics and e-commerce, packaging touches every sector. It ensures product protection, hygiene, and appeal, all critical in a consumption-driven economy. India’s packaging industry is growing at 12% annually, projected to reach USD 204 billion by 2025 -a fourfold jump from 2019.

With rising demand from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, this growth is no longer limited to urban centers. The boom in online retail and last-mile delivery has further accelerated the need for innovative packaging.

Job Creation and Skill Upskilling

The sector employs over 5 million people and is increasingly embracing technology. Automation, digital printing, and smart packaging are creating new job profiles — from packaging designers to sustainability analysts.

Institutes like the Indian Institute of Packaging are training a new generation of professionals who understand the interplay between material science, consumer behavior, and environmental regulations.

Boosting India’s Export Edge

Packaging is a vital component of India’s global trade aspirations. Good packaging enhances shelf appeal, prevents damage, and meets international compliance standards. Sectors like pharma, food processing, FMCG, and handicrafts rely heavily on high-quality packaging to compete in foreign markets.

Better packaging directly translates to fewer losses, longer shelf life, and improved brand image all of which make Indian products more export-ready.

What Lies Ahead

The packaging sector is evolving from a cost center to a strategic differentiator. With initiatives like Make in India, PLI schemes, and a focus on MSMEs, the ecosystem is poised for long-term impact.
However, challenges remain especially around recycling infrastructure, regulatory clarity, and consumer behavior change. A collaborative approach involving industry, policymakers, and academia will be essential to scale impact and ensure inclusive growth.

Chennai, August 28, 2025 – Techno Digital, the digital infrastructure arm of Techno Electric & Engineering Company Limited (TEECL), today announced the inauguration of its 36MW data center at SIPCOT IT Park, Siruseri, Chennai. This next-gen facility is part of Techno Digital’s $1 billion investment commitment towards building future-ready, sustainable digital infrastructure across the country.

Spanning over 200,000 sq. ft., this state-of-the-art 36 MW datacentre delivers a hosting capacity of about 2,400 high-density racks and is designed to support flexible power densities from 10 kW to 50 kW per rack and beyond, making it one of India’s most advanced AI-ready infrastructures. Strategically located in the heart of Chennai’s IT corridor, the facility is designed to provide resilience against climate risks and offers seamless connectivity to multiple cable landing stations and domestic networks that anchor India’s internet backbone. The facility’s design integrates:

• On-site 110 kV GIS Substation with dual power feeds from independent substations, connected via underground cable paths for reliability and weatherproof operation.
• Powering customers’ critical IT load within server hall via state-of-the-art UPS systems, tested and certified with NVIDIA’s latest GB200 series.
• Efficient Cooling Architecture featuring centrifugal water-cooled chillers and adiabatic cooling towers thus enabling best-in-class operational PUE and helping reduce water consumption by 75%.

 “Our Chennai AI-ready hyperscale data center is a significant milestone in our commitment to accelerating the Digital India vision and advancing India’s self-reliance initiative. This launch goes beyond infrastructure; it represents a strategic investment in building a future-ready digital ecosystem,” said, Ankit Saraiya, Director & CEO, Techno Digital. “Chennai stands out as a top destination for hyperscale data centers, due to its robust infrastructure, progressive business policies, and vibrant talent pool. This, coupled with our strong credentials in power infrastructure, strategically positions us as a partner of choice for enterprises looking to modernize, scale, embrace sustainability and future-proof their digital operations.”

India’s burgeoning digital economy demands a comprehensive focus on building a robust digital infrastructure. With the rise in data consumption, rapid cloud adoption, and advancements in AI and 5G rollout, data centers are the strategic pillars that deliver scalable, secure, and efficient solutions to meet this demand. Additionally, as sustainability is becoming a key factor in India’s growth trajectory, optimizing energy-efficient resources for modern hyperscale and edge data centers is of utmost importance.

 “We are thrilled to announce the launch of our AI-ready hyperscale data center in Chennai, a facility that exemplifies progressive technology, precision engineering, and purposeful innovation, built at the intersection of tradition and technology,” said Amit Agrawal, President, Techno Digital. “Today’s digital-native enterprises demand hyper-availability, seamless scalability, robust security, and operational resilience all while advancing their sustainability goals. We are confident that the strategically located facility on India’s southern coast in Chennai, further augmented by our network of interconnected Edge data centers, is well poised to shape the country’s digital infrastructure with sustainable, AI-driven, and cloud-optimized offerings.”

Padam Prakash Gupta, Managing Director, TEECL, added, “With this strategic expansion, Techno Electric reaffirms its commitment to building a high-quality, benchmark digital infrastructure platform. The Chennai Data Center facility is a testament to the group’s EPC leadership and financial discipline, ensuring superior returns and long-term value creation for all stakeholders.”

The facility sets a new benchmark for sustainable digital infrastructure by deliberately allocating 25% of the total site area to green spaces a first in the region. It incorporates adiabatic cooling towers and an energy-efficient exterior that reduce water consumption and minimize heat gain. Additionally, facility is equipped with advanced water treatment, recycling, and storage systems to ensure responsible usage and reuse of water. The design aligns with a Rated 3+ reliability standard and is confirmed for USGBC Gold certification for its environmental performance.

New Delhi, August 28, 2025 – realme, the most popular smartphone brand among Indian youth, today unveiled its latest innovation, today marked its 7th anniversary with the unveiling of two groundbreaking innovations: the 15000mAh Ultra-High-Density Battery and the realme Chill Fan Phone. These advancements, inspired by the everyday challenges of young users across markets, are designed to eliminate two of the biggest smartphone concerns—battery anxiety and overheating.

15000mAh Ultra-High-Density Battery

The 15000mAh battery concept is a leap in smartphone power technology. Built with 100% full silicon anode technology, it achieves an industry-first 1200 Wh/L energy density, delivering unmatched endurance. For users, this translates into up to four days of usage on a single charge, 18 hours of continuous video recording for creators, and 53 hours of uninterrupted video playback for entertainment lovers.

From long commutes and travel to non-stop streaming and marathon gaming, this battery ensures users stay powered without constant recharging.

realme Chill Fan Phone

The realme Chill Fan Phone introduces a first-of-its-kind miniature internal fan with thermoelectric cooling (TEC) technology, previously seen only in external cooling setups. By integrating this advanced system directly into the smartphone, realme makes high-performance cooling accessible to users everywhere.

The innovation reduces core device temperature by up to 6°C, ensuring smooth performance for 20+ popular high-graphic titles such as Genshin Impact and Honkai: Star Rail, even at high frame rates. For gamers and heavy users, this translates to sustained, uninterrupted performance.

realme has built its identity by listening to the aspirations of Indian youth—whether it is their love for gaming, content creation, or non-stop streaming. Both these innovations address everyday frustrations like mid-game battery drains and heating during long usage. By solving these challenges, realme strengthens its commitment to being the coolest smartphone brand in India—one that blends performance with lifestyle.

India has been central to realme’s journey since its inception, serving as both a key market and an inspiration hub for innovation. As the brand enters its eighth year, it reaffirms its promise to democratize cutting-edge technology and empower millions of young Indians to “play hard, last longer, and live boldly.”

New Delhi / Bangalore, August 28, 2025: SBI Card, India’s largest pure-play credit card issuer, and Flipkart, India’s homegrown e-commerce marketplace, jointly announced the launch of ‘Flipkart SBI Credit Card’. This one-of-its-kind co-branded credit card got launched in the presence of Mr. Challa Sreenivasulu Setty, Chairman, State Bank of India (SBI) and Mr. Ashwini Kumar Tewari, Managing Director, SBI. The Flipkart SBI Card has been meticulously designed with curated cashback benefits to offer a rewarding shopping experience for discerning customers on the majority of their purchases. The launch reflects SBI Card and Flipkart’s ongoing efforts to empower shoppers with greater value, flexibility, and access to formal credit while enhancing their overall shopping journey. Customers can seamlessly apply for the credit card digitally via the Flipkart App, and SBI Card SPRINT by visiting the SBI Card website SBI Card.com.

With the Flipkart SBI Card, customers can earn 7.5% cashback on spends made on Myntra and 5% cashback on spends made on Flipkart, Shopsy, and Cleartrip. Customers can utilise the rewarding value proposition to make purchases across a broad range of products and services across the Flipkart ecosystem, including mobiles, electronics,  grocery, fashion, furniture, appliances, home furnishings, travel bookings, and more. Moreover, customers can earn 4% cashback on select brands like Zomato, Uber, Netmeds, and PVR, and 1% unlimited cashback on all other eligible spends. The Flipkart SBI Card comes with an auto-credit of cashback facility, which allows automatic credit of entitled cashback to the SBI Card account within two days of statement generation, ensuring a hassle-free experience.

Salila Pande, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, SBI Card, said, “At SBI Card, we continuously strive towards delivering best-in-class products that align with the evolving needs and aspirations of our customers. Launch of the Flipkart SBI Card in partnership with Flipkart is one more step in this direction. With the rapid growth of e-commerce in India, customers are increasingly seeking seamless and rewarding experiences in every purchase. Flipkart SBI Card has been thoughtfully designed to provide a rewarding and seamless payment experience.”

 Kalyan Krishnamurthy, Chief Executive Officer, Flipkart Group, said, “At Flipkart, we have always placed the customer at the centre of everything we do. Our focus has been on creating shared value for the wider ecosystem. Over the years, we have introduced several innovative financial offerings. This co-branded credit card, in partnership with SBI Card, is another important step in that journey. It reflects our commitment to democratizing and expanding access to formal credit in India. With solutions designed to deliver maximum value, we aim to empower millions of households across Bharat to fulfil their aspirations with confidence.”

 The joining and annual renewal fee of the Flipkart SBI Card is ₹500 plus applicable taxes. Upon successful application, cardholders can avail welcome benefits worth ₹1,250. Additionally, they will be able to enjoy a renewal fee reversal of ₹500 on reaching the milestone of ₹3,50,000 annual spends during the card membership year. The credit card also offers a 1% fuel surcharge waiver in a statement cycle. The contactless card is available on Mastercard as well as VISA payment platforms.

To mark the launch, Flipkart and SBI Card are introducing a limited-period launch offer*, giving applicants the chance to win 10 Samsung Galaxy Smartwatches and 100 Ambrane wireless power banks every day upon successful completion of the card application process on the Flipkart app.

Gurugram, August 28, 2025: FUJIFILM India announced the opening of its new 56,000 sq. ft. facility in Gurugram, marking a significant step in its long-term growth and investment strategy in India. The new facility features 350 workstations along with product experience zones for Electronic Imaging Devices (EID), instax™, and Multifunction Printing products, enabling customers and partners to experience Fujifilm’s latest innovations, first-hand. The facility will also serve as an integrated service hub for EID, Optical Devices, and instax™ products, along with hosting a dedicated contact centre for the Medical Systems Division, which will strengthen customer service and turnaround time.

Strategically located in DLF Cyber City, the new facility of FUJIFILM India is located at Building No. 5, Tower-A, 8th Floor, DLF Cyber City, Gurugram, Haryana. Equipped with advanced infrastructure and access to modern public transport systems, the facility will support FUJIFILM India’s expanding portfolio across the 4 business segments it operates in India: healthcare, imaging, electronics, and business innovation.

Speaking on the launch, Mr. Koji Wada, Managing Director, FUJIFILM India, said, “At FUJIFILM India, we are committed to delivering innovative products and solutions that embody our Group purpose of ‘Giving Our World More Smiles.’ By blending diverse ideas, unique capabilities, and extraordinary people, we aim to create solutions that bring joy and smiles to the world. India is one of the most important growth markets, and this facility represents our continued investment in its potential. By combining innovation with service excellence and creating an environment where our teams can thrive, we are positioning FUJIFILM India to deliver even greater value to our customers and partners.”

Mr. Navneet Ahluwalia, Head, Human Resources & Administration, FUJIFILM India, added, “With the new office located at the DLF Cybercity, we wanted to create more than just an office space. This facility reflects our vision for a workplace that inspires, connects, and supports our employees. The modern ambience, collaborative zones, and integrated technology are all designed to make it easier for our people to deliver their best work while enjoying a seamless work environment.”

With this expansion, FUJIFILM India continues to scale its operational capabilities, integrate services across divisions, and reinforce its position as a trusted partner delivering innovative solutions in a wide range of business segments to its customers nationwide.