Archives 2025

Bengaluru, Dec 09: Alive, India’s first experience tech startup built around real-world experiences, has announced the launch of the ‘Alive Experience Festival’ a month-long celebration designed to inspire urban Indians to explore more, feel more, and live beyond the monotony of daily life.

At a time when urban Indians are increasingly seeking meaning, connection, and balance outside of work, the festival brings together curated adventures, workshops, cultural outings, and wellness activities across Bengaluru, Goa, Hyderabad, Delhi & Mumbai.

Rather than focusing on concerts or nightlife, the Alive Experience Festival spotlights the everyday joy of trying something new from art to food, from outdoor experiences to mindful escapes.

“People aren’t just looking for entertainment anymore; they’re looking for ways to feel, explore, and reconnect,” said Alive’s founder Vivek Kumar. “The idea behind the festival is to create a cultural moment that encourages people to step out, discover their own cities, and build small rituals of joy into their lives.”

Over the past year, Alive has built a network of 135+ curated experiences and has grown 90x signalling the rapid rise of India’s experience economy. The festival acts as a catalyst to expand this movement by making experiences more accessible and by rewarding consumers for experimenting.

The month-long festival introduces three consumer-friendly propositions designed to nudge people to plan more consciously:

• Happy Days: Special weekday pricing on all experiences, encouraging people to reclaim their weekdays with after-work or mid-day micro-adventures.

• Chance to Win 10 Free Experiences: Each booking during the festival enters users into a draw to win a year’s worth of experiences across categories like adventure, sports, arts, food and wellness.

• Trip to Goa: Festival participants also stand a chance to win a free trip for two, an invitation to choose memories over material things.

While these offers serve as added incentives, the larger intent is behavioural: to shift how people think about leisure. The experience festival aims to normalise planning experiences with the same ease as browsing screens or dining out and to create a community of people who prioritise real-world living over passive consumption.

Alive believes this shift is already underway, especially among young professionals, and hopes the Festival becomes an annual cultural marker, signalling the start of a December where discovery, spontaneity and shared moments take centre stage.

Kolkata, Dec 09 : In India’s rapidly evolving mobility landscape, Mihup is emerging as a category leader with Mihup AVA, its multilingual, accent-agnostic in-car voice assistant. With capabilities that shine even inside noisy cabins and among mixed-language speakers using regional dialects, AVA Auto enables natural, hands-free control of navigation, entertainment, communication, and cabin settings. Thanks to its offline support and deep personalization, the assistant brings voice AI directly into vehicles, making driving safer and more intuitive for Indian users.Already deployed in over one million vehicles nationwide, AVA powers voice experiences for multiple leading automakers, including Tata Motors. Its advanced features, multi-intent dialogue, voice biometrics and mood-based wellness support position it far ahead of generic global assistants.

Beyond automotive, Mihup’s technology is powering India’s digital transformation by making AI inclusive, accessible and linguistically representative. Its voice models support multiple Indian languages, enabling millions of users especially from non-English-speaking regions to engage with technology more confidently. With over a billion processed voice interactions, strong data security certifications and deep partnerships across mobility and enterprise sectors – Mihup is accelerating India’s vision of human-centric, locally trained AI solutions.

“Indians don’t just speak one language or in one accent. said

“Tapan Barman, Co-founder & CEO of Mihup. Speaking on the future of in-car AI, he also added “Our mission is to make technology adapt to people, not the other way around. With AVA, we’ve built a voice assistant that understands India’s linguistic diversity and driving environment, delivering a natural and reliable experience every time.” With over a billion processed voice interactions, robust data security certifications and strong automotive partnerships, Mihup is shaping the next phase of human–machine communication in India’s mobility ecosystem.”

JioHotstar announces The 50, a never-seen-before reality spectacle produced by Banijay Asia that marks the platform’s next big leap in disruptive entertainment. In a powerful moment during the Bigg Boss 19 Grand Finale, the Tiger symbolically passes the baton to the Lion signalling the arrival of a new ruler, a new world, and a new era of reality TV. The 50 brings 50 players into a grand, unpredictable Mahal where there are no rules, all is fair, and every twist hits 50 times harder. Designed to transform how India experiences reality television, this is the game where khelne walo ke liye bhi aur dekhne walo ke liye bhi, poori baazi palatne wali hai. With strategy, alliances, mind games, betrayals and 50X drama, The 50 promises a reality experience jaisa na kabhi kisi ne socha, na kabhi kisi ne dekha.

Stay tuned to know more — The 50, coming soon only on JioHotstar.

Bhubaneswar, Dec 09: iServeU, a leading payment infrastructure company in the Asia-Pacific region, is creating a new benchmark for high-value technology careers in Odisha. While thousands of young engineers from Odisha migrate annually to metropolitan cities like Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Pune for employment, iServeU has established a unique model—building world-class FinTech capabilities from Bhubaneswar and providing abundant local employment opportunities.

Odisha has over 276 engineering colleges, producing thousands of graduates every year. Despite this, the 18–35-year-old youth segment and nearly 33% of the workforce remain disconnected from local employment opportunities. According to the Centre for Migration and Inclusive Development, around 1.7 million Odia workers migrate to other states every year. High-value financial technology jobs are largely concentrated in metropolitan cities, a perception that has long fueled this outflow.

In this context, iServeU, established in Bhubaneswar in 2016, decided to trust local talent rather than relocating elsewhere. The company provides deep training in complex domains such as payment switches, card management, EMV protocols, ISO 8583 standards, and embedded banking systems. Over the years, iServeU has trained more than 1,000 payment technology engineers and built payment infrastructure for over 20 banks and 250 enterprises in India and abroad.

“We have never accepted the notion that world-class financial technology can only be built in India’s metropolitan cities,” said Debiprasad Shadangy, Founder & CEO, iServeU. “Odisha has excellent engineering talent. Given the right opportunities and training, they can successfully build complex and high-responsibility financial systems.”

iServeU’s success not only demonstrates technological advancement but also highlights the potential for knowledge-driven employment growth in Odisha. It proves that innovation can emerge from Tier-2 cities, harness local talent, and contribute significantly to the national economy.

Mumbai,  Dec 9: Experian, a global data and technology company, has released its latest Credit Insights  Unsecured Loans, September 2025, offering a detailed overview of India’s evolving unsecured lending landscape, covering personal loans, credit cards, two-wheeler loans, and consumer durable loans. The report highlights sustained growth in unsecured credit demand, supported by stable portfolio performance and improvements in early-stage delinquencies across key products.

Key Trends:

• Strong Loan Sourcing: Q2 FY26 saw robust new loan originations, driven by higher ticket sizes, greater participation from NBFCs, and improved borrower repayment behaviour.

• Maturing Credit Environment: Lenders are adopting refined underwriting practices while consumers demonstrate healthier credit discipline.

• Digital Adoption & Inclusion: Growth in mid- and high-ticket loans, adoption of digital lending, and increased access in semi-urban and Tier 3/4 markets reflect a shift toward structured, transparent borrowing.

Manish Jain, Country Managing Director, Experian India, said;
“We are witnessing a meaningful shift in India’s unsecured lending space. Demand is rising, ticket sizes are increasing, and repayment behaviour is improving. Early-stage delinquency reductions indicate that both lenders and consumers are making informed, responsible choices, signaling progress toward a mature credit ecosystem.”

He added: “Experian’s insights provide a data-led view of these trends, helping financial institutions assess risk, expand access responsibly, and foster transparency, inclusion, and compliance.”

Key Highlights by Product Segment:

Personal Loans:

• AUM reached Rs. 15.9 lakh crore, up 13% YoY.

• Strong YoY growth in fresh sourcing across private banks, public banks, and NBFCs.

• NBFCs expanded share, especially in small-ticket loans (<Rs. 1 lakh).

• Average ticket sizes increased, and early-stage delinquencies improved.

Credit Cards:

• AUM rose to Rs. 3.4 lakh crore, up 9% YoY.

• Fresh sanctioned limits grew 13% QoQ, recovering after prior declines.

• Top four players dominate, with AUM share increasing from 70% to 72%.

• Average credit limits grew, while net 90+ delinquencies fell from 2.0% to 1.8% YoY.

Two-Wheeler Loans:

• AUM reached Rs. 1.8 lakh crore, up 18% YoY.

• New loan sanction amounts grew 9% YoY in Q2 FY26.

• NBFCs hold strong market share, with higher sourcing from NTC customers.

• Higher-ticket loans (Rs. 1–2 lakh) gained share; net 30+ delinquency declined from 6.2% to 5.4%.

Consumer Durable Loans:

• AUM rose to Rs. 1 lakh crore, up 16% YoY.

• Fresh loan sourcing grew 22% YoY, fastest among unsecured products.

• NBFCs dominate due to strong retail penetration; loans below Rs. 20,000 account for ~65% of volume.

• Portfolio delinquency improved, with declines in both Net 30+ and Net 90+ rates.

The Experian Credit Insights  Unsecured Loans report equips lenders with a comprehensive, data-driven view of consumer credit behaviour and emerging risks, enabling better decision-making, improved portfolio performance, and responsible credit growth. Experian remains committed to financial inclusion and a transparent, efficient, and resilient credit ecosystem in India.

New Delhi, Dec 9: Hansa Research, a leading consumer insights firm in India, has launched its nationwide Motor Insurance CuES 2025, deepening its footprint in the insurance sector. Building on its extensive studies in life and health insurance, the report focuses on 2-wheeler and 4-wheeler motor insurance segments, capturing real consumer experiences and preferences. Feedback was gathered from over 3,700 consumers across 12 leading motor insurance brands, ranking insurers based on customer experience.

Praveen Nijhara, CEO, Hansa Research, said;

“Motor Insurance CuES equips the industry with data-backed insights on evolving consumer expectations. As value, trust, and service quality become non-negotiable, insurers must deliver transparent, frictionless, and personalised experiences. Our report highlights actionable insights to help insurers close experience gaps and strengthen competitiveness.”

Key Findings;

• Net Promoter Score (NPS): Overall NPS for motor insurance in India is 59%, with 4W at 61% and 2W at 55%.

• Top Performers: Private insurers lead the sector, with HDFC Ergo topping both segments with a 71% NPS, followed by Acko General (65%), Tata AIG (62%), and Royal Sundaram (62%). Public sector insurers lag significantly in customer experience scores.

• Consumer Priorities: Reputation, trust, competitive pricing, transparency, strong 24/7 customer support, seamless claims, and value-added services are decisive factors influencing purchase and renewal decisions.

• Generational Shifts: Younger millennials prioritise 24×7 support and service benefits but show lower brand loyalty. They are quick to switch insurers after poor experiences, highlighting the importance of consistently fast, proactive, and responsive service.

• Claim Experience Drives Awareness: Consumers who have experienced a claim tend to purchase additional coverage and add-ons.

Emerging Trends;

1. Digital Adoption: Online purchase and renewal are strongest among metro residents and consumers below 45 years. Digital channels and aggregators play a key role in shaping insurer selection.

2. Switching Propensity: Higher among 4W owners, younger millennials, and metro consumers, reflecting greater awareness, demand, and willingness to shift.

3. Price Sensitivity: Price remains the primary driver of switching, followed by service quality. Among 4W switchers, 37% cited price as the main reason.

4. Cashless Solutions: Increasing adoption of cashless claims through network-garage tie-ups, especially among 4W owners and higher socio-economic groups. Non-cashless claims still exist, with 44% citing garage network limitations.

5. Value-Enhancing Add-Ons:Consumers prefer add-ons like Zero Depreciation, Roadside Assistance (RSA), Engine Protect, and No Claim Bonus Protection. RSA, in particular, reflects demand for convenience-led services such as on-the-spot repairs, towing, and emergency support, particularly in metro areas.

Piyali Chatterjee, Executive Vice President, CX, Hansa Research, said, “Consumers today are informed and selective, actively evaluating insurers during renewals. Competitive offerings, consistent service delivery, and convenience-led solutions are essential for insurers to retain and attract customers.”

The Motor Insurance CuES 2025 highlights the evolving landscape of India’s motor insurance market, emphasising digital adoption, value-driven offerings, and service excellence as key determinants of consumer choice in 2025.

Rotary Club of Hyderabad Deccan (RI District 3150) conducts the 9th edition of the Annual Golf for Charity,  Fundraising Tournament on 7th December 2025

Hyderabad: Dec 09:  Rotary is a global network of 1.4 million neighbours, friends, leaders, and problem-solvers who see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.

Solving real problems takes real commitment and vision. For more than 110 years, Rotary’s people of action have used their passion, energy, and intelligence to take action on sustainable projects. From literacy and peace to water and health, we are always working to better our world, and we stay committed to the end.

The Rotary Club of Hyderabad Deccan (RCHD) is part of the global network of Rotary International, was chartered in 1988, and has more than 75 members from various vocations. RCHD has a proud tradition of fellowship and friendship, service and contribution to the Rotary Foundation. The Rotary Club of Hyderabad Deccan conducts charity events to raise funds to complete many community service projects. This fundraiser Golf for charity tournament, is being conducted to raise funds to strengthen Eye Care Services and Advanced Surgical Equipment at the Eye Centre at Ramdevrao Hospital, Hyderabad.

Speaking on the occasion, the President of Rotary Deccan, Anu Khendry said,

“This year is our 9th edition of the ‘Rotary Golf for Charity Tournament’. We have received wonderful support from over 120 charitably inclined golfers as well as sponsors. This generosity of our sponsors through donations and substantial commitments from their CSR funds will be directed to Rotary Deccan’s service activities, principally to strengthening eye care services and providing advanced surgical equipment at the eye care centre at the charitable Ramdevrao Hospital, Kukatpally, Hyderabad. We thank the sponsors and look forward to their continued support in the efforts of the Rotary Club of Hyderabad Deccan in making sustainable changes to the lives of those in need.”

She added a special word of thanks to the sponsors, VST Industries Ltd, Solitaire Global Schools, Shodhana Group, Synthochem Labs, PE Tarang, Cache Properties, Cache Peripherals, Surana Group, Relaxwell Mattresses, Shree TMT, Hrudaya Foundation and Swordfish Integrated Advertising.

Hyderabad, Dec 09: Atirath Holdings India Ltd., entered into a significant agreement with the Government of Telangana, in the presence of Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, today. The agreement was formalized during the Global Telangana Rising Summit 2025, marking a major milestone in the state’s renewable energy mission.

The MoU was signed by the Chairman of Atirath Holdings, Lt. R. Balakrishnan with the Special Chief Secretary to the Government, Industries & Commerce, Information Technology, Electronics & Communications Department, Government of Telangana. Speaking to media persons after the signing, Chairman Lt. Balakrishnan expressed his delight and termed the collaboration with the Telangana government as “a momentous step towards a sustainable energy future in Telangana.”

He announced that Atirath Holdings India Ltd., would invest Rs. 4,000 crore in the Compressed Bio-Gas (CBG) sector by establishing 25 plants, each with a 20 tonnes-per-day(TPD) capacity, across various parts of Telangana. The project is expected to create over 9,000 direct and indirect employment opportunities, benefiting youth and farmers alike.

Chairman Balakrishnan congratulated Atirath Group and appreciated the efforts of the entire Atirath family for “leading the project from the front and ensuring its successful materialization.” He further revealed that the groundbreaking ceremony for the first CBG plant in Telangana will take place in the month of January in Yadadri Bhuvanagiri district, with subsequent plants to follow. The entire project is expected to become operational within 15 months.

He said that Compressed Bio-Gas (CBG), also known as bio-CNG, is a renewable and clean fuel derived from organic material through anaerobic digestion and purification, with Methane content exceeding 98%, its properties closely resemble conventional Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), making it an ideal substitute for use in automotive, industrial and commercial applications. This landmark investment underscores Telangana’s growing prominence as a hub for green energy and sustainable development, reinforcing the state’s commitment to clean energy initiatives and environmental responsibility.

Mr. Balakrishnan added that, with the global shift towards carbon neutrality, and with the initiative from the Government of Telangana by its Renewable Energy Policy, the company, supported by a team of NRI investors and experienced technocrats have come forward to put up this investment in these CBG projects, which is the focus area for the state Government in the current period. Thus, Atirath Holdings is spearheading a major shift in Telangana’s renewable energy with its innovative Bio-Compressed Gas (CBG) project, converting Napier grass into an eco-friendly fuel alternative.

Atirath Holdings India Ltd is a proud entrant in the space of Renewable energy, with its focus on the Bio CNG projects in the country. The company has already signed an MoU with the Government of Andhra Pradesh, in the presence of the Hon’ble Chief Minister of AP, Shri. Nara Chandra Babu Naidu, on the 14^th Nov 2025 during the 30^th CII Partnership Summit 2025, with a commitment to invest Rs. 4000 Crores in AP by setting up 25 plants of 20 TPD capacity CBG plants. The Ground breaking ceremony of the first project was already done on the 26^th Nov 2025 at Gundlasamudram, near Podili in Prakasam district and the works on the project have commenced.

Hyderabad, Dec 09: Aion-Tech Solutions Ltd. (BSE: 531439 | NSE: GOLDTECH, formerly Goldstone Technologies Limited), a publicly listed business intelligence and IT services company, has announced the appointment of Mr Chanakya Bellam Radha Krishna to its Board of Directors. This strategic addition brings extensive expertise in capital markets, enterprise strategy, fundraising, and global expansion, further strengthening the company’s leadership. With more than two decades of experience spanning high-growth enterprises, listed companies, start-ups, and leading PE/VC institutions, his induction underscores AION-Tech’s commitment to enhanced governance, accelerated growth, and long-term value creation.

Over the course of his career, he has led buy-side and sell-side advisory mandates, raised growth capital for SMEs and technology-driven start-ups, and supported Indian companies in expanding into Southeast Asia and other international markets.

Welcoming Chanakya Bellam to the Board, Venkat Raghunand, Executive Director, AION-Tech Solutions, said,

“We are delighted to welcome Chanakya to the leadership team. His deep experience across capital markets, strategic advisory, and global growth will be invaluable as we strengthen our position and prepare for the next phase of expansion. His strategic acumen and leadership approach align perfectly with our long-term vision.”

He began his professional journey at Unicon, where he established and led the High-Net-Worth Individual (HNI) trading desk, and later founded Fortune Finderz Capital Advisory, a boutique investment banking firm focused on capital raising, strategic investments, and institutional partnerships. He has also served on the boards of listed and unlisted companies in India and overseas, contributing to corporate governance, strategic oversight, and long-term value creation.

Reflecting on his induction to the Board, Chanakya said,

“I am honoured to be inducted into the Board of AION-Tech Solutions at such a defining moment in its growth journey. I look forward to working closely with the Board and leadership team to support strategic expansion, build impactful partnerships, and create sustained value for shareholders and stakeholders.”

In his role at AION-Tech Solutions, Chanakya will oversee the company’s strategy, vision, fundraising, strategic partnerships, and global growth initiatives. Leveraging his extensive experience and strong relationships across private equity and venture capital ecosystems, he will help strengthen the company’s market position and accelerate its next phase of expansion.

The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts unveils ‘Mirrors of Hope’, a signature festive initiative that brings the traditional artistry of Lippan work into a contemporary expression of Indian luxury across select Palace hotels. Installed as handcrafted Lippan Art Christmas Trees, the initiative marks a meaningful convergence of festive celebration, cultural storytelling and purpose-driven design.

‘Mirrors of Hope’ reflects The Leela’s ongoing commitment to sustainability, mindful luxury, women and community empowerment, and the preservation of India’s art and cultural heritage. Rooted in the brand’s philosophy of elevating guest experiences through immersive, culturally anchored narratives, this initiative transforms festive décor into a purposeful expression of heritage, impact and beauty.

Handcrafted in collaboration with women artisans supported by the Karigar Foundation, the Lippan Art Christmas Trees are now installed at The Leela Palace New Delhi, The Leela Palace Jaipur, The Leela Palace Bengaluru and The Leela Palace Udaipur.

Lippan art, the symbolic mud and mirror craft historically practised by women in the Kutch region, is known for motifs that embody joy, prosperity and reflection. For The Leela, artisans have created striking modular tree structures using sustainable materials, adorned with hand moulded clay patterns, mirror inlays and traditional geometric forms that reimagine the visual language of Lippan art for the festive season. Designed for circularity, each installation has been crafted for reuse and will be upcycled after the season into gifting pieces, ornaments, coasters and other keepsakes. Together, these elements create a cohesive expression of heritage, craft and conscious design.

Anjali Mehra, Executive Vice President – Brand and Communications, The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts, said, “Mirrors of Hope brings together everything we stand for as a brand. Lippan art has a quiet power that transforms simple materials into something luminous, and that spirit of transformation sits at the heart of this activation. It is not only about celebrating a beautiful craft but also about creating a moment of connection to heritage, to the women who shape this art and to the idea that joy can create impact. Through this initiative, we hope guests experience a festive season that is both meaningful and unmistakably The Leela.” 

Priyanka Rajgadkar, Associate Vice President -ESG, The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts, added: “This initiative is far more than festive decor. It is a purposeful expression of our commitment to mindful luxury where craft and impact coexist. By placing women artisans and circular craftsmanship at the centre of our celebrations, we are transforming a seasonal moment into one of meaning. True luxury is not only experienced. It uplifts, empowers and leaves a positive imprint.”

Guests are invited to participate by sharing photographs of the installations using #MirrorsOfHope and #LeelaEmpowersHer. These posts will translate into support for women artisans through Threads of Tradition, the brand’s CSR programme focused on craft-based upskilling, design innovation and livelihood enhancement, creating a direct link between celebration and impact.

In addition to Mirrors of Hope, several hotels across the portfolio are also showcasing sustainability led festive trees and décor that reinforce the brand’s commitment to conscious luxury.

– The Leela Ambience Convention Hotel Delhi has created an 11- foot tree crafted from repurposed wooden flooring and a dramatic façade installation built using reclaimed conduit pipes.

– The Leela Kovalam, A Raviz Hotel has unveiled a 15- foot tree made from repurposed coconut husk, celebrating coastal craft and sustainability.

– The Leela Ambience Gurugram Hotel & Residences has introduced ‘A Tree That Tells a Story’, a celebration shaped by sustainable materials, handcrafted ornaments by local artisans and a community centred tree lighting ceremony.

These installations broaden the festive canvas, highlighting how sustainability, craftsmanship and cultural expression continue to shape celebrations across The Leela.

The Lippan Art Christmas Trees are on display across select Palaces of The Leela, inviting guests to experience a festive season shaped by heritage, craft and purpose driven luxury.