Archives 2025

Delhi, February 2025 – The highly anticipated ET NOW ET Global Business Summit 2025, Asia’s largest business summit, commenced at the iconic Taj Palace in Delhi. Day 1 set the stage for dynamic discussions on economic growth and global collaboration, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s keynote address offering a compelling vision for India’s future.

Under the theme “Evolve, Emerge, Expand,” PM Modi highlighted India’s growing global influence, sustainable economic progress, and the power of partnerships. He emphasized that 25 crore people have risen from poverty in the last decade, reinforcing India’s position as a key driver of global economic expansion. His speech underscored India’s commitment to innovation, entrepreneurship, and inclusive growth.

CA Manish Mishra, Founder, GenzCFO said “India’s economic momentum is a testament to its resilience and innovation. As we embrace digital transformation and sustainable growth, businesses must align with this vision to drive long-term prosperity.”

The summit, a premier platform for business leaders, policymakers, and innovators, will continue to feature high-profile discussions on the future of industries, digital transformation, and sustainable business practices. Global thought leaders are set to engage in insightful dialogues shaping the next decade of economic progress.

As ET Global Business Summit 2025 progresses, it promises to drive impactful conversations that will redefine India’s business landscape and strengthen its global standing.

Mumbai, February 18, 2025: Emkay Institutional Equities, a part of Emkay Global Financial Services Limited held a virtual media webinar on the outlook for the Indian equity markets. The research house expects near-term weakness and heightened volatility for Indian equities in Q1CY25. However, a gradual consumption recovery is anticipated in H2CY25, led by an improvement in employment trends, a revival in unsecured lending, and an uptick in welfare spending. Emkay Institutional Equities project Nifty to be at levels of 25,000 by December 2025, and FPI selling to subside by Q2CY25.

Key sector calls

Emkay Institutional Equities maintains an Overweight stance on Discretionary, Real Estate, and Healthcare, while remaining Neutral on Industrials, IT, and Energy. Financials, Staples, and Materials are designated as Underweight due to structural concerns and valuation pressures.

The firm anticipates discretionary consumption recovery within 2-3 quarters, underpinned by a rebound in IT hiring, better liquidity conditions, and an improvement in retail lending dynamics. Additionally, state-led women-centric welfare schemes and robust winter crop sowing are likely to bolster consumption trends.

Sectoral shifts include a downgrade of Energy and Technology to Neutral, an upgrade of Consumer Discretionary to Overweight, and continued Underweight positioning on Financials and Staples.

Top investment calls

The firm’s top investment ideas include Lupin, Zomato, Tata Motors, IndusInd Bank in large caps. Escorts, Paytm, Metropolis in midcaps, and Stovekraft, and Quess Corp in the small cap segment.

Capex growth

Following a 31% CAGR in capex growth between FY21-24, a slowdown to 10-13% is anticipated, primarily due to election-related spending constraints. However, a rebound in FY26 is expected as policy certainty returns. While capital-heavy sectors face challenges, green energy continues to be a bright spot.

FPI selling expected to subside

Despite persistent selling pressures, FPI activity is likely to stabilize post-1QCY25, with valuations having moderated and earnings forecasts bottoming out over the next 2-3m. A peak in the U.S. Dollar Index (DXY) should also ease rupee depreciation concerns and help stem FPI selling. The RBI’s liquidity injection could stimulate domestic equities and benefit the BFSI sector.

Corporate Earnings

The earnings downgrade cycle appears to be concluding, with consensus Nifty estimates for FY26 already adjusting downward by 3.9% since January 2025. The firm remains constructive on mid-teens earnings growth for FY26, driven by Financials, Metals, and Energy.

Commenting on the outlook, Nirav Sheth, CEO – Institutional Equities, Emkay Global Financial Services stated: “Markets tend to over-react and overextend on both, the upside and the downside. The bottoming process is usually volatile which we are currently witnessing. Our macros are solid, given the low and stable CAD, fiscal deficit under control, and a more accommodative monetary policy now. We estimate that the worst of the earnings downgrade cycle is behind us and expect a recovery in the second half of the fiscal – triggered by renewed government spending and tax relief led consumption spend. It is time to buy.”

Seshadri Sen, Head of Research and Strategist – Institutional Equities, Emkay Global Financial Services added “Despite short-term headwinds, the structural investment case for India remains intact. The shift in sectoral dynamics presents opportunities, particularly in Discretionary, Real Estate, and Healthcare, where we see strong growth potential.”

Maharashtra, India – February 18, 2025:

In India, reports indicate that only 25% of motorists fasten their seatbelts and as a result, 83% of casualties among car occupants are due to not wearing a seatbelt. Despite numerous awareness campaigns, seatbelt usage remains alarmingly low.

To support the importance of road safety, the Maharashtra Motor Vehicles Department (MMVD) has introduced an innovative initiative—The Buckle Hack—a creative design hack that turns every commercial vehicle into a seatbelt reminder. The initiative incorporates buckle-shaped stickers into the reflective tape on commercial vehicles, ensuring a constant visual cue to encourage every motorists on the road to buckle up.

Through this pioneering effort, MMVD aims to significantly impact road safety, inspiring citizens to adopt safe driving practices and reducing the risk of casualties.

Speaking about the idea, Mr. Bharat Kalaskar, Additional Commissioner, Motor Vehicles Dept., Govt. of Maharashtra, said, “People often forget to buckle up, and that is a big cause of casualties and fatalities. This is an all-important reminder of the importance of seat belts for our safety, and we want this initiative to reach every driver in the State of Maharashtra.”

The campaign is part of Road Safety Awareness Month and is currently an ongoing initiative, being rolled out across various cities in Maharashtra, including Mumbai. This simple creative improvisation, called ‘The Buckle Hack’ transforms a standard safety feature in commercial vehicles into a dynamic awareness tool, promoting responsible driving habits and saving lives.

February 18, 2025 – Zing, India’s leading youth entertainment channel, has launched ‘Udaan’, an initiative aimed at bringing forth real-life stories of courage, resilience, and achievement. With this, Zing ventures beyond its vibrant content offerings to tap into the motivational space, fostering a deeper connection with young audiences.

In a world flooded with content, ‘Udaan’ stands out by providing a platform for unsung heroes—individuals who have faced challenges head-on and emerged victorious. After carefully screening multiple profiles, Zing handpicked speakers whose stories deserved recognition, ensuring that every session leaves a lasting impact.

Speaking about the initiative, Mr.Pankaj Balhara, Business Head, Zing, said:

 “At Zing, we have always championed the power of storytelling through our marquee shows like Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya and Aye Zindagi, which have deeply connected with young audiences. With Udaan, we take a step further by bringing real, inspiring stories that resonate with the youth—stories of passion, struggle, and triumph. It’s our way of engaging with young minds beyond entertainment—by igniting purpose and ambition.”

The inaugural edition featured four remarkable speakers:
???? Babar Ali, known as the “Youngest Headmaster in The World” by BBC at the age of sixteen, inspired with his story of starting a free school at the age of nine and shed light on how education has the power to uplift entire communities.

???? Gaurav Dixit, an architect turned entrepreneur specializing in sustainable architecture and the Winner of the Global Housing Technology Challenge 2021, which was awarded by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his contributions to the field, emphasized the urgent need for sustainable architecture, urging the next generation to build responsibly.

???? Madhusudhan Naik, founder of the sustainability-focused enterprise Living Things, known for his awards like the MSINS Maharashtra Startup Week Award 2021 in the sustainability sector highlighted how sustainability and innovation can go hand in hand, encouraging young minds to take action.

???? Shubhada Dayal, founder of Brainologi, shed light on the importance of early education and how empowering families can create a lasting impact. She emphasized, “Education begins at home, and parents play a critical role in shaping young minds.

National, February 18, 2025: BITS Pilani, renowned for its dedication to fostering innovation has received a significant boost for its US $100 million Endowment Fund with a generous US $ 1 million contribution from distinguished alumnus Pankaj Patel (Batch of 1970-75), Founder and CEO of Nile, based in the Bay Area, USA. A seasoned technology leader and visionary entrepreneur, Patel has over 40 years of experience building and leading high-performance global engineering organizations, developing scalable products, and driving strategic innovation.

Patel’s strategic leadership has positioned Nile as a disruptive force in networking, fundamentally reimagining secure and seamless network connectivity. Prior to founding Nile, he held key roles as a partner and Chief Strategy Officer at JC2 Ventures and as a senior advisor to March Capital. Notably, Patel served as the Executive Vice President and Chief Development Officer at Cisco Systems, Inc., overseeing the company’s extensive $38 billion product and solution portfolio and leading 180 strategic acquisitions.

Speaking on his motivation behind the contribution, Patel said, “BITS Pilani laid the foundation for my journey in technology and leadership. Giving back to this incredible institution is my way of nurturing the next generation of thinkers and innovators.”

Apart from leading Nile, Patel serves on the board of several technology startups, providing strategic guidance and expertise. His passion for simplifying complex networking solutions and fostering innovation has solidified his position as a visionary leader in Silicon Valley.

Vice Chancellor of BITS Pilani, Professor V. Ramgopal Rao, said, “This contribution highlights the unwavering commitment of our alumni to the institute’s growth and development. Pankaj Patel’s support will help us create transformative educational experiences for generations to come.”

Professor Arya Kumar, Dean of Alumni Relations, said, “We are immensely proud of our alumni like Pankaj Patel, who continue to give back and strengthen the BITS Pilani legacy. His contribution will catalyze growth through academic excellence.”

This generous contribution marks a significant milestone in the institution’s journey towards becoming a global leader in education and innovation.

Mumbai – 18th February, 2025: The Association of Ayurvedic Practitioners has announced AAPCON 2025, its biannual Ayurvedic medical conference hosted by experts at an event in Mumbai last week. After celebrating its Silver Jubilee event in Hotel Taj Palace in 2018, the Association of Ayurvedic Practitioners announces its next landmark event AAPCON 2025.

Continuing Medical Education is an essential component of Continuous Professional Development, and AAP is committed to it.

AAP has been consistently working towards enhancing clinical skills of fellow practitioners and spreading awareness about Ayurveda among the masses at large. To achieve these goals; AAP organises its brand conference AAPCON every two years and most memorable event being AAPCON 2018; held at Hotel Taj Palace, Mumbai.

This year the event will be held at Taj Lands End Hotel, Bandra (Mumbai), from 05th – 07th April, 2025. This will be the 5th International and 14th National Ayurvedic Seminar to be held.

Speaking on AAPCON 2025, Dr. Nilesh Doshi, Founder President and Organizing Chairman of AAPCON said, “It gives me immense pleasure to announce the upcoming event this year. As always, we will host interesting workshops and seminars and invite people from international countries also. This year we will be adding a session on digital marketing and global opportunity for our peers.”

“I am thankful and grateful to the entire team and committee members for their unconditional support. We look forward to making AAPCON 2025 an exciting and grand event”, he further added.

New Delhi, February 18, 2025: Latin Quarters, India’s premier women’s western wear brand, today unveiled its new exclusive store with a grand opening atNexus Mall, K P H B Phase 9, 2nd Floor, Kukatpally, Hyderabad, Telangana 500085. The grand launch was graced by guest of honor and renowned Bollywood actress, Tejaswi Madivada, known for her appearance in Bigg Boss 2 and her role in the movie Ice Break’.

This new store marks a significant milestone in Latin Quarters’ expansion journey, strengthening its presence in Hyderabad with its third store in the city, following successful outlets at Sarath City and Punjagutta. With a presence in 400+ locations nationwide, Latin Quarters’ new store is now open to the larger public in the region to access all the latest fashions.

Staying true to its ethos of celebrating individuality and style, Latin Quarters introduces the #CommittedtoBeYOU campaign with this launch. In the spirit of the ‘month of love’, the brand champions self-love, encouraging women to embrace their unique fashion identities. This store will be a gateway to discovering personal styles, offering a curated shopping experience with the latest trends and silhouettes.

Saurabh Jhingan, Director & Co-Founder of Latin Quarters, expressed his excitement, stating, “We are delighted to open our doors at Nexus Hyderabad Mall as we continue to expand our footprint in India. Hyderabad has long been a city of vibrant fashion and diverse cultural influences. With our new concept #CommittedtoBeYOU, we want every woman to feel confident, empowered, and stylish in her way. The launch of our ‘New Now SS’25’ collection further elevates this mission by offering a fresh take on seasonal fashion trends.”

Coinciding with the store launch, Latin Quarters also unveiled its latest ‘New Now SS’25’ collection–an ode to the effortless elegance and vibrant energy of the season starting with a range. From chic summer dresses to structured formal wear and trendy separates, the range is crafted to reflect contemporary global styles with a touch of Indian sensibilities.
Spanning an impressive retail space, the Hyderabad store is meticulously designed to offer an immersive shopping experience. Featuring modern aesthetics, well-lit interiors, and interactive fashion zones, the store promises to be a go-to destination for trend-conscious shoppers.

New Delhi, February 2025– Be Good Tribe is excited to announce the return of its flagship wellness festival, Be Good #ForYou – Chapter 4, set to take place on March 1, 2025, at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, India Gate, New Delhi. This much-anticipated event continues to build on its legacy of promoting holistic well-being, mindfulness, and sustainability, bringing together some of the most renowned wellness experts, artists, and thought leaders from across the globe.

 A Holistic Experience for the Mind, Body, and Soul Since its inception, Be Good Tribe has been a beacon for individuals striving to cultivate a balanced and conscious lifestyle. The fourth chapter of this transformative festival is set to offer an immersive and enriching experience, blending the power of music, wellness practices, and thought-provoking discussions to inspire and empower attendees.

 What to Expect at Be Good #ForYou – Chapter 4:
● Live Musical Performances: The festival will feature a diverse lineup of musical performances, including the internationally acclaimed American artist, Nahko Bear, renowned for a fusion of styles often called world music or worldbeat. Their lyrics present a message of social and environmental consciousness. Also performing is upcoming Indie artist and composer Pulkit Jain, and the electrifying Parikrama

Mega & Friends, a twelve-member ensemble celebrating multi-generational musical collaborations.
● Expert-Led Wellness Workshops: Attendees can participate in a variety of curated wellness sessions hosted by FindYourFit, designed to rejuvenate and heal.
Highlights include:
○ Artistic Yoga with celebrated yogi Bharat Thakur
○ Sacred Stretch with esteemed wellness expert Mini Shastri
○ Jah Moves with movement specialist Arpita Dutta
○ Acupressure Techniques with Geet Taneja
○ Guided Meditation with the insightful Puneeta Roy
● Pet-Friendly Zone with PetFed: Experience the joy and therapeutic benefits of animal companionship in a specially curated pet-friendly space, ensuring relaxation and happiness for all attendees.
● Engaging Panel Discussions: The festival will host four engaging panel discussions from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM, featuring distinguished spiritual leaders, psychologists, and wellness experts who will explore mental health, mindfulness, and holistic living themes. These insightful conversations aim to foster self-awareness, healing, and transformative growth. Highlights include:
○ Cross-Generational Discussion: Curated and moderated by Priti Srivastava and Radhika Verma from Dayarani
○ Keynote Address: Delivered by Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati Ji
○ Celebrity Panel:
○ Conversation with Nakho: Moderated by Yamini Singh
○ Q &A Session followed by the live performances

A Message from Be Good Tribe

 “Be Good #ForYou is more than just a festival—it’s a movement towards conscious living, self-care, and collective well-being. Our vision this year is to expand our offerings, ensuring an even more diverse and enriching experience. We want every attendee to leave feeling inspired, rejuvenated, and empowered to embrace a more mindful way of life,” said Poonam Lal, Spokesperson for Be Good Tribe.

Mumbai, India, [18th February 2025] – Network People Services Technology Ltd. (NSE: NPST), a leading fintech company, providing digital banking and payments technology solutions, today announced its financial results for the third quarter of fiscal year 2025, highlighting strong year-on-year growth in revenue for the first nine months of the year. The company posted a 78.53% increase in nine-month revenue, reaffirming its long-term growth strategy.

Consolidated Performance Highlights 9M and Q3 FY 2025

NPST’s nine-month revenue reached ₹152.46 crore, up from ₹85.40 crore in the same period last year. The growth reflects NPST’s continued investment in expanding its core payment platform and venturing into new verticals such as Offline Payments (QR and SoundBox), RegTech, and Instant Credit on UPI as a part of its strategy to strengthen and diversify its portfolio.

The net profit for the period surged to ₹38.91 crore, a significant increase from ₹16.69 crore in FY 2024, a 133.08% increase

The EBITDA for the nine months stood at ₹55.71 crore, compared to INR ₹28.40 crore in the same period last year, an increase of 96.2%.

For the quarter ending December 2024, NPST posted revenue of ₹23.23 crore, compared to ₹32.08 crore in the corresponding quarter of the previous year. The company maintained a positive EBITDA of ₹8.21 crore and a net profit (PAT) of ₹5.14 crore, driven by effective cost management and strong operational efficiency.

Deepak Chand Thakur, Co-Founder and CEO of NPST, said, “NPST’s Q3 performance highlights the impact of our strategic investments. While these have affected short-term revenue, they have reinforced our long-term foundation. Our nine-month results demonstrate solid growth, and our continued focus on high-potential areas like Offline Payments, RegTech and Instant Credit on UPI will position us for sustained expansion, providing a competitive advantage in the evolving fintech landscape.”

Commenting on the company’s financial performance, Ashish Aggarwal, Co-Founder and Joint Managing Director of NPST, said, “NPST’s consolidated nine-month performance remains resilient, driven by financial discipline, operational efficiency, and strategic investments in product expansion. These investments are key to deepening customer relationships, securing a stronger foothold in the fintech sector, and driving sustained value creation for our stakeholders.”

Other Business Highlights

• Launched Instant Credit on UPI: NPST launched a UPI Instant Credit Line for one of India’s largest banks, marking an entry into embedded lending.
• RegTech Pilot: The company successfully piloted an AI-driven Risk Intelligence Decisioning Platform to counter fraud and enhance the security of payment ecosystems for acquirers
• Offline Payments: Secured incremental orders for Qynx (QR and SoundBox) and expanded its customer base for the product.
• Strategic Partnership: NPST partnered with a leading payments bank to optimize payout services and improve transaction flows.
• Industry Recognition: The company was awarded ‘Company of the Year 2024’ by Frost & Sullivan for its innovations in payments technology.

Mumbai, Feb 2025: Practus, a leading business consulting firm, proudly announces its fourth consecutive certification as a Great Place to Work. This recognition reaffirms the company’s unwavering commitment to fostering a workplace culture where employees thrive, collaborate, and drive innovation.

Achieving this recognition for the fourth year in a row reflects Practus’ dedication to building an environment that empowers talent, encourages professional growth, and nurtures a strong sense of purpose – consolidating its reputation as a top employer in the consulting industry.

Deepak Narayanan, Founder & CEO of Practus, shared his thoughts on this recognition, stating, “Being recognized as a Great Place to Work for four consecutive years underscores the strength of our people-first culture. At Practice, we believe that our success is deeply tied to the well-being and growth of our team. This milestone reaffirms our commitment to creating an environment where the team feel valued, inspired, and driven to make an impact.”

Aditi Nair, Chief People Officer at Practus, added, “Securing this recognition for four years in a row reflects our commitment to build a workplace where every individual thrives. It is a testament to the collaborative spirit and dedication of our team as they align with our vision to build a great workplace for all.”

The practice continues to prioritize a people-centric culture through initiatives that promote professional development, work-life integration, and open communication. With progressive policies and a culture of collaboration, the company has created an environment where innovation flourishes, the team feels empowered, and long-term success is built together.