Archives 2025

Balancing cloud-led agility with infrastructure resilience

“As organisations prepare for 2026, enterprise technology is entering a period of accelerated evolution driven by cloud-first architectures, AI-powered automation, and the rapid build-out of digital public infrastructure. These shifts signal a clear move toward services-led transformation models that prioritise agility, resilience, and measurable business outcomes. At the same time, traditional IT infrastructure continues to play a foundational role, anchoring the stability and performance that large-scale digital environments demand. The year ahead will require technology partners to blend deep services expertise with robust infrastructure capabilities to support mission-critical, high-complexity programmes. Companies that can balance both dimensions will be best positioned to enable organisations as they navigate this next era of digital growth.”– Ajay Sawant, Chairman & Managing Director, Orient Technologies

AI scale meets rising security and resilience demands

“2025 highlighted both the promise of AI and the mounting pressures felt across sectors from security and cybersecurity to healthcare and beyond. Over the past year, organisations across industries accelerated their adoption of AI for automation, decision intelligence, and operational efficiency, even as they navigated increasingly sophisticated, persistent, and unpredictable threats and disruptions. This dual trajectory has reshaped expectations for 2026, where AI will continue to drive scale, speed, and innovation across every digital ecosystem. As an industry-agnostic solutions provider, we see this shift impacting all sectors alike: the need for continuous intelligence, resilient architectures, and adaptive, self-learning systems is no longer limited to one domain. The path ahead is a transition from fragmented, reactive approaches to integrated, AI-powered frameworks that uphold trust, reliability, and long-term digital growth.” – Tejesh Kodali, Group Chairman, Blue Cloud Softech Solutions Limited

Dec 18: Powerplay, India’s leading construction management platform, has achieved a major industry milestone with 40,000 construction companies now using its technology to streamline the on-site operations. This surge in adoption highlights a shifting mindset across India’s 700 billion construction sector, where digital tools are rapidly replacing slow, manual and paper-based project workflows.

Construction companies are increasingly embracing technology to enhance accountability and expedite project delivery, as the industry is projected to reach  1.4 trillion by 2030. The platform is gaining traction on the ground level, with more than 20,000 site engineers, contractors, and supervisors actively using it every day. They rely on it for smoother communication and making decisions much faster.

This push towards structured workflows closely mirrors recommendations outlined in a recent whitepaper by Khaitan & Co and SCL India, which calls for early detection of risks, real-time documentation, transparent communication and data-backed decision-making to reduce delay and disruption claims in construction projects. Legal and project advisory experts have increasingly pointed to poor documentation and ad-hoc processes as the root cause of disputes. These recommendations closely align with workflows already supported by Powerplay, helping projects adopt the paper’s suggested practices with greater ease.

For decades, construction teams across India were managing projects worth billions of dollars using nothing more than a pen and paper. Powerplay is completely changing that reality,” said Iesh Dixit, Co-Founder & CEO at Powerplay. “Reaching 40,000 companies on our platform is solid proof that even really fragmented markets, especially in the smaller, tier-2 and tier-3 cities are finally ready to build with discipline, transparency, and speed. This huge milestone reinforces our mission: to create the core operating system for how India builds its next trillion dollars of infrastructure”.

The platform’s standard operating procedure  framework has evolved from its experience working with over 40,000 construction companies across more than 85,000 projects. These learnings have been consolidated into a structured set of SOPs that function as a practical, ready-to-use playbook for construction teams. The platform currently offers over 50 SOP templates spanning key project stages, including planning, site execution, billing, quality control, and materials management. By providing standardised workflows, the SOP framework enables teams to establish more consistent and repeatable processes across projects. Internal usage data indicates that adoption of these SOPs has contributed to measurable operational improvements, including reductions in schedule overruns, lower material waste and rework, and improved managerial capacity across multiple sites.

A huge chunk of the platform’s growth is coming directly from India’s smaller cities  the tier-2 and tier-3 markets  which now make up nearly 40% of all active projects on the system. This  highlights the increasing demand for structured processes and reliable digital tools, even in regions that have historically struggled with disorganized workflows and poor visibility on the ground. By successfully tackling India’s unique construction challenges, everything from quickly changing labor teams to unpredictable site conditions, the company is effectively building a scalable operational blueprint for the entire industry.

IMI Kolkata to Host Prestigious 19th ISDSI-Global Conference on Digital Solutions for Zero Carbon Emissions and Sustainable Planet

IMI Kolkata a leading B-school and a part of the RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group, is hosting the 19th ISDSI-Global Conference from 26th to 29th December 2025, in collaboration with the Intercontinental Society for Data Sciences and Innovation-Global (ISDSI-G). It will bring together leading global academics, industry leaders, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and researchers to deliberate on the theme “Tech for Net Zero: Digital Solutions for a Sustainable Planet.”

The four-day conference will open with an Inaugural address by Mr. Harsh Agarwala (Executive Director, Ori-Plast) and Prof. Bhimaraya Metri (President- ISDSI-G & Director, IIM Nagpur). The keynote address will be given by Prof. Angappa Gunasekaran (Penn State Harrisburg, USA) and Prof. Ravi Jain, Secretory General- ISDSI-G & Director- IILM Delhi. The conference will be graced by the presence of the Guest of Honour – Dr. Vinay Ranjan (Coal India Ltd.) and the Chief Guest – Prof. Bharat Bhasker (Director, IIM Ahmedabad).

The conference will feature two flagship Director’s Panels, bringing together Directors and Deans from leading B-schools, including IIM Calcutta, IIM Lucknow, IIM Ranchi, IIM Sambalpur, IIM Amritsar, IIM Mumbai, IMT Ghaziabad, VGSoM – IIT Kharagpur, SPJIMR, FORE, IILM, Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics, and IMI Kolkata. Additional highlights will include a CEO Panel, a Start-up Panel, an International Accreditation Panel with EFMD, AACSB, and AMBA, a Publishing Panel with senior academics and journal editors, a panel with leading Women Entrepreneurs, and a panel on the Indian Knowledge System featuring scholars from IIM Bangalore, IIM Calcutta, XLRI, MDI Murshidabad, and IIM Tiruchirappalli.

Doctoral scholars and researchers will participate in masterclasses and workshops on publishing, digital research tools, R-based analytics, and meta-analysis. Additional sessions on the Masterclass of ESG and Theory of Constraints will add value to the conference.  Two spotlight sessions will be organized to augment the learning opportunities for the participants: one by the School of Design Thinking and another by the Director of IIM Sambalpur.

Presentations across specialized tracks will highlight emerging research in sustainability, digital behaviour, energy transitions, green HRM, and inclusive financial technologies. Research presentations will span topics such as blockchain-enabled agriculture, AI governance transparency, drone adoption, algorithmic bias, digital sweatshops, and machine-learning models for climate and healthcare applications. It will be followed by the ISDSI-G Investment Summit 2025, where over 60 start-up founders, shortlisted from 185 submissions, will pitch their ideas across multiple tracks. Further, Cultural events by the Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat team, the Director’s Welcome Dinner, and the Gala Dinner will enrich the participants’ experience through networking opportunities. The conference will culminate with the Valedictory Ceremony and Prize Distribution, graced by Prof. B. Mahadevan (Former Professor, IIM Bangalore).

With more than 60+ technical tracks having submissions from 26 countries, and all IIMs along with leading B Schools of India, high-level panels, workshops, masterclasses, and startup pitches, the ISDSI-Global Conference 2025 will serve as a powerful platform for advancing research, shaping policy discourse, and fostering innovation at the intersection of technology and sustainability.

Chitradurga, Karnataka Dec 18:- Empowering students with skills required to ace their examinations, Vedanta Sesa Goa  Iron Ore Karnataka  has launched the ‘Master Class to Achieve 100%’, at Shri. Nuthan High School, Siddapura. The initiative, under Sesa Goa’s Project ‘Vriddhi’ would empower 180 students from four schools  Shri. Anjaneya Swamy High School, Kadleguddu, Shri. Anjaneya Swamy High School, Manangi, Dr. B R Ambedkar High School & Shri. Nuthan High School, Siddapura, through ‘Special Classes’ conducted on all weekends starting on 13^th December 2025, for two months.

As part of the initiative Vedanta IOK is providing support through accomplished teachers who will be augmenting the preparations of the SSLC students through special classes.Students will also be mentored to overcome gaps in writing technique, time management, and tips on addressing questions as per board pattern. The event witnessed the presence of Raghavendra G., Chairman, Sri. Nuthan Education & Rural Development Society, along with Keerthi Kumar SB  Head Master, Manangi HS, Dr. Mahesh, Principal, Shri. Anjaneya Swamy High School, along with school faculty, students and Vedanta executives.

Marking the launch of the initiative, Shrishaila Gouda, CEO, Vedanta  Iron Ore Karnataka said;

“We are proud to partner the students of Chitradurga through the Master Class initiative under Project ‘Vriddhi’, we will be providing special classes to over 180 students and are inspired to help them achieve 100% pass percentage in the upcoming SSLC examinations.”

Dr. Mahesh, Principal, Shri. Anjaneya Swamy High School, Kadleguddu, said;

“The ‘Master Class to Achieve 100%’ initiative will prove extremely beneficial for increasing the overall pass percentage in the SSLC examinations. Vedanta IOK’s initiative will further enhance the self-confidence in students and contribute to their performance. The company has been regularly supporting students & we appreciate their initiative.”

Aishwarya R, a student of Shri. Anjaneya Swamy High School, Manangi, expressed her thoughts on the initiative, “I hail from a rural household in Chitradurga, and my parents strive very hard to make our ends meet. At times, I find it difficult to understand subjects such as Maths and Science. The special classes by Vedanta IOK are going to be extremely helpful for me.”

Vedanta IOK as part of Project ‘Vriddhi’ has been undertaking several projects aimed at promoting education among rural youth. Its ‘Back to School’ initiative provides study materials to students with 10000+ students benefitting so far , and the company also undertakes upgradation of school infrastructure such as sanitation blocks & science labs, and its Vedanta ‘Utkarsh’ Scholarships have so far benefitted over 500 students in rural Karnataka.

Bengaluru, Dec  18:  Anytime Fitness, the world’s largest and India’s fastest-growing 24×7 fitness franchise, has officially entered the Karnataka market with the launch of its first club in Bengaluru’s vibrant neighbourhood, J.P. Nagar. The expansion marks a significant milestone in the brand’s journey, reinforcing its commitment to making world-class fitness accessible to all Indians.

Expressing his delight at the Karnataka entry, Mr. Vikas Jain, Managing Director, Anytime Fitness India, said,

 “Bengaluru has always been a high-priority market for us. The city’s growing focus on wellness, corporate lifestyle demands and young demographic make it the perfect location for Anytime Fitness’ expansion. We are thrilled to partner with Ritik and Manisha, who truly embody the brand’s ethos of community-first fitness. This launch is the beginning of a much larger expansion plan for Karnataka.”

 On the grand opening, Mr. Ritik Nagar and Ms. Manisha Naaga, Franchise Owner of Anytime Fitness J.P. Nagar, Jointly said,

“Bringing Anytime Fitness to Bengaluru is not just a business milestone—it’s a personal mission to create a healthier, more active community. Our goal is to offer a safe, inclusive and motivating environment where people of all ages and fitness levels feel supported. With premium infrastructure and professional guidance, we aim to make fitness a sustainable part of everyday life for Bengaluru residents.”

The newly launched club is owned by franchise partners Mr. Ritik Nagar and Ms. Manisha Naaga, two passionate young entrepreneurs dedicated to raising the fitness standards in Bengaluru. The state-of-the-art facility brings Anytime Fitness’ global experience to the city, offering premium equipment, certified coaches, personalized training, and round-the-clock access.

The J.P. Nagar club features cutting-edge cardio and strength equipment, functional training zones, personal training, group sessions, and the brand’s globally trusted safety and hygiene protocols. Members gain the added advantage of access to any Anytime Fitness club worldwide, reflecting the brand’s commitment to convenience and community.

Since its India launch in 2013, Anytime Fitness has expanded to over 175 clubs nationwide. Beyond state-of-the-art facilities, the brand has nurtured a strong community culture through initiatives like FitCraft and Be Fit Fest, which bring together members, trainers, and fitness enthusiasts to celebrate active, healthier living. The brand continues to empower entrepreneurs while fostering wellness-driven communities. The new club in Science City, Ahmedabad, is another step toward the goal of reaching 500 clubs nationwide within five years.

Hyderabad, Dec 18: Final-year culinary students of Regency College of Culinary Arts and Hotel Management, Irramanzil, organized a Vintage-Themed French Gourmet Gala Lunch on 17th December 2025 at the Radiance Restaurant. The event featured an elegant seven-course pre-plated Table d’Hôte (TDH) menu, inspired by classical European cuisine and executed to professional fine-dining standards.

Such gourmet gala events form an integral part of the students’ academic journey, enabling them to conceptualize, plan, and execute large-scale culinary operations. Through these platforms, students develop expertise in menu engineering, artistic presentation, time management, and coordinated service – key competencies required in the global hospitality sector.

The gala presented an elaborate culinary spread, including over 50 varieties of charcuterie and cured meats, a refined cheese display, a visually distinctive Smörgåstårta (Scandinavian savoury cake), an artisan bread counter, and thoughtfully curated salads and hors d’oeuvres. The décor reflected a carefully designed thematic transition from vintage charm to contemporary elegance, symbolizing the seamless blend of tradition and modern gastronomy.

A signature highlight of the event was the Butter Swan Sculpture, intricately carved from 10 kilograms of butter, showcasing exceptional precision, creativity, and aesthetic sensibility. The sculpture exemplified the students’ technical mastery under the expert guidance of Chef Naga Manikanta.

The event was graced by distinguished guests:

·        Mr. Gareth Wynn Owen, British Deputy High Commission

·        Chef Naveen Nagaraj, Corporate Chef, Tatva & General Secretary, Telangana Chefs Association

·        Chef Rizwan Abdul Khader, Corporate Chef, Terrai & Executive Member, Telangana Chefs Association

Principal Mr. P. Ramesh Kumar Reddy appreciated the dedication and professionalism displayed by the final-year students in delivering a refined gourmet experience. He highlighted that the institution’s emphasis on industry-relevant exposure and experiential excellence plays a pivotal role in shaping confident, skilled, and career-ready hospitality professionals.

The Gourmet Gala affirmed Regency College’s strong commitment to culinary innovation, academic excellence, meaningful cultural exchange, and enhanced international career pathways for its students.

Dec 18:-The Indian Institute of Technology  Mandi successfully hosted the Applied Behavioural Sciences and Decision Making Conference   a prestigious two-day event that brought together leading researchers, academicians, and practitioners from India and across the globe. The conference focused on cutting-edge research in behavioural science, cognitive modelling, and decision-making.

Organised by Prof. Varun Dutt  and Prof. Sumitava Mukherjee  ABSDM 2025 served as a dynamic interdisciplinary platform to explore the cognitive, social, and technological dimensions of decision processes. The discussions highlighted the growing relevance of behavioural insights in addressing real-world challenges such as climate change, public policy, and emerging technologies. The conference was supported by the Tata Trusts Project (PI: Prof. K. V. Uday), whose sponsorship played a key role in its successful execution.

The conference was inaugurated by Prof. Laxmidhar Behera, Director, IIT Mandi, and featured a keynote address by Prof. Joachim Meyer, Celia and Marcos Maus Professor of Data Sciences at Tel Aviv University. The inaugural session also included remarks by Prof. Arnav Bhavsar, Chair of the Indian Knowledge System and Mental Health Applications (IKSMHA) Centre; Prof. Shubhajit Roy Chowdhury, Chair of the Centre for Human-Computer Interaction; and Prof. K. V. Uday, Chair of the Centre for Climate Change and Disaster Management at IIT Mandi.

In his address, Prof. Laxmidhar Behera emphasised the critical role of behavioural and decision-making research in shaping the future of artificial intelligence, education, and sustainability, underscoring its importance for responsible technological advancement.

Prof. Joachim Meyer’s keynote address offered valuable insights into the interface between humans and decision-support algorithms, particularly in high-stakes domains such as healthcare, defence, and transportation. His empirical findings and models highlighted pathways to improve trust, transparency, and effectiveness in algorithm-assisted decision-making.

ABSDM 2025 featured rich discussions on interdisciplinary and application-driven themes, including behavioural interventions for environmental sustainability, real-world applications of drift diffusion models, and human–AI interaction. More than 30 research papers and poster presentations showcased advances across areas such as climate decision-making, cognitive biases, organisational behaviour, and data-driven policy design. Interactive roundtable and open-house discussions further examined how behavioural science can inform public policy, climate action, and technology design.

The conference concluded with a General Body Meeting, where participants discussed the formation of a Society for Applied Behavioural Science and Decision Making, aimed at strengthening research collaboration, education, outreach, and planning for future editions of the conference.

ABSDM 2025 successfully fostered a multidisciplinary community working at the intersection of psychology, engineering, economics, and data science. With continued support from academic and research institutions, including IIT Mandi and Tata Trusts, the outlook for behavioural science and decision-making research in India remains strong.

As a complementary initiative, IIT Mandi also organised the 7th Winter School on Cognitive Modelling (WSCM 2025) under the aegis of the IKSMHA Centre, supported by grants from the Tata Trusts and the Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) Division, Ministry of Education. The winter school brought together experts and students from psychology, neuroscience, computer science, and engineering, providing a collaborative platform to explore recent advances in cognitive modelling and brain sciences.

Mumbai, Dec 18: SOTC Travel, a leading omnichannel Travel and Tourism Company inaugurated its new outlet in Howrah, expanding its network to 8 strategically located outlets in the State. Kolkata ranks among West Bengal’s key source markets, driven by a rising appetite for world-class travel experiences. Recognizing this strong potential, SOTC has expanded its footprint in the city to cater to evolving consumer preferences and reinforce its role as a trusted travel partner.

Located within the Kolkata metropolitan region, Howrah’s exceptional connectivity, expanding workforce, and rising urban affluence position it as a high-potential hub for retail growth, making it an ideal choice for SOTC’s continued expansion. The outlet is designed to meet the needs of both leisure and business travellers, offering a wide array of services, including domestic and international holidays such as Group Tours, Personalised Holidays and Cruises, along with value-added services like travel insurance, ensuring convenient, end-to-end experiences for today’s diverse travellers.

Kolkata/West Bengal Travel Trends:

●   destinations

o   Domestic & Indian Subcontinent: Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Andaman, Bhutan, Nepal & Sri Lanka

o   International: Europe, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, South Africa, Egypt & South America; Island locales: Maldives & Mauratius

o   Darshan portfolio (Spiritual tours) : Manasarovar & Chardham Yatra

o   Regional Products: Biswa Sera Darshan (বিশ্ব সেরা দর্শন), Sorbo Sera Europe, Anandayaka Europe & Apurbo France O Swiss

●    Unique preferences: strong interest for experiential travel such as luxury multi-destinations cruises, ice-breaker/polar cruises in Antarctica, Northern Lights in Scandinavia & Iceland, self-drive holidays and adventure experiences Ladakh and the North-East

●   customer segments: multi-generational families, honeymooners/couples, working professionals, millennials and GenZ

●    Average holiday duration: 4–6 days for domestic/short haul; 10–12 days for long haul

Rakesh Bawa, Senior Vice President & Head Holidays, SOTC Travel Limited, said,

“Opening our new outlet in Howrah marks an important milestone as we expand our eighth store in the West Bengal—one of our most influential markets in East India. The city continues to show strong and growing appetite for diverse travel experiences, and our increased presence allows us to serve customers with even greater convenience and personalization. Howrah’s connectivity, expanding residential hubs, and rising consumer aspirations make it a strategic addition to our network. We remain deeply committed to this region, and my team and I look forward to welcoming customers to our new store and helping them plan memorable, world-class holidays.”