Archives 2025

Chandigarh, February 15, 2025: Essencemediacom, has bagged the media mandate of Godrej Consumer Products Ltd (GCPL), one of India’s largest FMCG companies. Essencemediacom will handle the media strategy, planning, buying, and implementation for GCPL across traditional and digital media in the Indian market.

Essencemediacom won the mandate for GCPL following an intensive pitch spanning over 4 months. Starting in (April 2025), Essencemediacom will take over responsibilities from the current media agency, Madison World.

Harshdeep Chhabra, Head – Global Media, Godrej Consumer Products Ltd (GCPL), said, “Godrej Consumer Products Ltd is on a growth trajectory driven by expansion into newer categories and introduction of innovative brands while continuing to focus on achieving volume growth ahead of the industry. In line with our growth vision, we are delighted to have Essencemediacom as our new media agency partner. We are certain that their depth of experience in both traditional media and digital media will help us create a much bigger impact and help drive innovation across our product categories.”

He further added, “Madison World has been our trusted media partner for over 20 years and contributed immensely to the GCPL growth journey. We thank them for helping shape the direction our brands have taken over the years.”

Navin Khemka , CEO Essencemediacom South Asia, said, ” We are excited to be appointed the media partner for Godrej Consumer Products, one of the largest FMCG advertisers in the country today. We feel privileged to be part of their journey, bringing our expertise and depth in media planning, coupled with cutting edge technology for best in class media solutions. We are confident of leading GCPL in the future of their transformation journey, led by a combination of efficiency , effectiveness & innovation across media and consumer segments.”

Chandigarh, 15th February 2025 – Sintex BAPL a part of Welspun World, is India’s leading and trusted manufacturer of quality water storage solutions, has announced its partnership with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) as an Associate Sponsor of the Women’s Premier League 2025 (WPL), India’s biggest women’s T20 cricket league. This marks the second consecutive year of Sintex’s association with WPL, strengthening its efforts to foster equality, opportunity, and empowerment for women in sports.

Cricket in India is not just a sport, it is an emotion and a way of life. Since its inception, WPL has emerged as a powerful platform, celebrating the triumphs of women cricketers, and redefining the norms thereby transforming the cricketing culture in India. Similarly, Sintex believes in challenging popular norms in the water management category through innovation & excellence, thereby continuously serving its consumers with finest quality products. This makes Sintex and WPL association a natural choice. By extending its partnership, Sintex aims to champion inclusivity in sports, inspire aspiring female athletes, and promote the critical cause of water sustainability.

At its core, Sintex’s mission is to ensure access to clean and safe water for every Indian through its quality water management solutions. Water is essential for daily life—it nurtures health, drives progress, and empowers communities, making it a fundamental necessity for all. Just like water is essential to life, Sintex believes that sports is an integral part of living a healthy life. Through WPL 2025, Sintex aims to engage with a diverse audience, support women in sports, raise awareness about responsible water conservation, and promote environmental sustainability; creating a future where safe and accessible water is a reality for everyone.

Speaking on the association, Yashovardhan Agarwal, Managing Director, Welspun – BAPL said, “We are delighted to partner with Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025 as an Associate Sponsor for 2025. Over the years, WPL has become a game-changer for women’s cricket in India, providing a well-deserved platform for women to lead the charge. At Sintex, we believe in undertaking initiatives that drive real change, and through this association, our aim is to inspire, break barriers and enable more young women to pursue their dreams in the field of sports.”

Furthering its commitment to women’s empowerment, Sintex’s parent company, Welspun, spearheads the Super Sport Women Program (WSSW)—a pioneering initiative supporting female athletes from challenging backgrounds. WSSW aims to tackle key challenges such as limited access to resources, financial constraints, and societal barriers, ensuring that talented sportswomen receive the support they need to excel.

As part of its on-ground activations at the stadium, Sintex is introducing engaging and interactive experiences that blend the spirit of cricket with the importance of water conservation:

• “Kill the Microbes to Win the Game” – An interactive experience where participants eliminate microbes, mirroring how Sintex tanks ensure safe and hygienic water storage
• “Donate Water to Win in the Long Innings of Life” – A campaign encouraging fans to pledge water conservation and contribute towards tank donations for communities in need

For close to 50 years, Sintex has been India’s most trusted brand in water management solutions, offering innovative, superior, durable, and sustainable products that enhance everyday life. As part of its growth strategy, Sintex is now expanding its portfolio, diversifying into building materials segment while continuing its commitment to water sustainability through innovation.

Mandi, 15 February 2025: The PwC India Foundation, in partnership with SEEDS, has completed the reconstruction of the Kuklah Government Primary School in Mandi, Himachal Pradesh. This initiative represents a significant stride in rehabilitating communities impacted by the devastating flash floods of 2023.

The inauguration ceremony was a momentous occasion attended by Jaivir Singh, Vice Chairman, PwC India Foundation, along with Apoorv Devgan, Deputy Commissioner, Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, Vijay Gupta, District Deputy Director Education, Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, Dole Ram, Block Education Officer, Bali Chauki, Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, as well as local officials, educators, and community members. This project signifies not only a fresh start for the children but also embodies hope and resilience for the entire community. local officials, educators, and community members. This project signifies not only a fresh start for the children but also embodies hope and resilience for the entire community

“Our mission is deeply rooted in service of the nation,” says Jaivir Singh. “Reconstructing Kuklah Government Primary School is not just about rebuilding a structure, but about securing the future of young minds. Education is the cornerstone of resilience, and through this initiative, we aim to empower the next generation.”

In line with the PwC India Foundation’s vision to build sustainable and resilient communities, we continue to prioritize collaboration and embedded engagement to foster long-term support, making a meaningful difference where it matters most.

South Indian Bank has introduced a new product variant, ‘SIB Quick FD’ that allows customers to open Fixed Deposits (FDs) seamlessly using funds from their other bank accounts. This initiative enhances accessibility and convenience, enabling customers to invest in FDs digitally using UPI.

South Indian Bank continues to drive innovation and enhance customer experience by offering simplified and efficient digital banking solutions. With SIB Quick FD, FD booking has become more accessible and streamlined. Customers with valid KYC can now open fixed deposits effortlessly using UPI, making secure investments more convenient than ever.

Key Highlights:

• No Prior Relationship Required: Customers can open a fixed deposit without an existing savings account with South Indian Bank.
• Instant & Paperless Process: The entire FD booking process is entirely digital, ensuring a quick and hassle-free investment in just 5 minutes.
• Fund FD using UPI: Customers can fund their FDs using UPI, enhancing convenience.
• Minimal Documentation: Only PAN and UID details are required, streamlining the onboarding process.
• 24*7 Availability: FDs can be opened anytime, ensuring flexibility.
• Affordable Investment Entry: Fixed deposits start at just ₹1,000, making them accessible to a wider audience.
• Attractive Returns: Competitive interest rates with the flexibility of premature withdrawals.
• Secure & Insured: Deposits are covered under DICGC insurance up to ₹5 lakhs, ensuring peace of mind.

Commenting on receiving The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (Civil Division), N Chandrasekaran, Chairman, Tata Sons said, “I am deeply humbled by this prestigious recognition, for which I am grateful to His Majesty, King Charles.

I would like to express how proud we are at the Tata Group to maintain such a strong strategic relationship with the UK across the technology, consumer, hospitality, steel, chemicals, and automotive sectors. We are incredibly proud of our iconic British brands like Jaguar Land Rover and Tetley. We employ more than 70,000 people in the UK. We enjoy fruitful and world-class research and academic partnerships with great institutions in this country which include the University of Oxford, the London School of Economics, the University of Warwick, and the University of Swansea.

I would also like to express, on behalf of the Tata Group, my deep thanks to HM Government for their support for the Group. It is a strong and enduring relationship, and I look forward to strengthening our presence in the UK further. Thank you once again for paying me this great honor.”

Mumbai, February 15, 2025 – Honeywell (NASDAQ: HON) today announced the latest release of Honeywell Forge Production Intelligence, which seamlessly integrates performance monitoring with a new generative AI assistant to help operators and production managers automate tasks and troubleshoot problems.

By leveraging advanced generative AI models, the platform’s new Intelligent Assistant is designed to enhance user experience by allowing engineers, plant managers, and business leaders to access key insights through simple, natural language prompts. The tool will also enable industrials to visualize trends and troubleshoot production issues from Key Performance Indicator (KPI) deviation contributors and asset relationships.

“As the industry continues to wrestle with the loss of expertise through higher rates of attrition and the challenges of onboarding new talent, it is good to see the incorporation of generative AI copilots, like Honeywell’s Intelligent Assistant, that help to make it easier and faster for users of varying experience to get critical insights about the status of their production operations,” said ARC Advisory Group’s Director of Research, Mark Sen Gupta. “Such scalable and replicable solutions are invaluable for companies grappling in a fast-changing business environment.”

The cloud-native platform merges performance monitoring with advanced analytics, enabling rapid root cause analysis of production issues. With the addition of the Intelligent Assistant, users can now summarize deviations and overall insights quicker and more effectively. The capability not only enhances AI insights with greater explainability and usability but also supports closed-loop collaboration workflows with case management integration.

“Honeywell Forge Production Intelligence represents a significant step forward in making data-driven insights accessible to engineers and industrial business leaders globally,” said Pramesh Maheshwari, President of Honeywell Process Solutions. “We understand the challenges faced by our customers and believe that by leveraging generative AI, we can help assets work harder, people work smarter, and systems more efficient.”

Honeywell Forge Production Intelligence is part of Honeywell’s recently announced suite of AI-enabled solutions for industrials which also includes Experion Operations Assistant and Field Process Knowledge System.

All India, 15th February – Trident Group, a global conglomerate and a leading name in the home textiles industry, today announced ambitious plans at Bharat Tex 2025, targeting a threefold growth of its India business by 2027. This aggressive growth is fueled by an INR 1000 crore capital expenditure plan for FY25-26, focusing on sustainability, modernization, and asset enhancement across its home textiles, yarn, and energy businesses

 A cornerstone of the growth is the expansion of its domestic home textile brand, myTrident, into the luxury segment with the launch of LUXEHOME by myTrident. This exclusive new line caters to discerning customers who appreciate the finest craftsmanship and unparalleled quality in home textiles. The collection includes a curated selection of premium bedding and exquisitely crafted towels renowned for their superior softness, absorbency, and durability. With a price range of INR 4,000 to INR 40,000, LUXEHOME by myTrident offers a touch of refined elegance for the most discerning homes. This strategic move positions myTrident to capture a significant share of the burgeoning luxury home furnishings market in India.

 Padma Shri Dr. Rajinder Gupta, Chairman, Trident Group, shared his vision, stating, ‘At Trident, we are committed to shaping the future of the textile industry by integrating innovation and sustainability. Our growth is driven by our unwavering focus on modernization, value creation, and global expansion. Bharat Tex 2025 is a landmark event that highlights India’s immense potential as a textile powerhouse, and Trident is proud to contribute to this journey. By investing in advanced technology, sustainable practices, and market-driven solutions, we are not just strengthening our leadership position but also redefining the standards of excellence in the home textile industry.’

 Neha Gupta Bector, Chairperson, myTrident, highlighted the brand’s expansion and luxury market entry, saying, ‘LUXEHOME represents a transformational step for myTrident as we elevate our presence in the luxury home furnishings segment. By leveraging our heritage of craftsmanship and manufacturing excellence, we are bringing world-class luxury to discerning Indian customers. Our focus is on redefining home elegance with meticulously designed, high-quality products that cater to the aspirations of modern Indian homes. We’re thrilled to showcase this collection which aligns with Bharat Tex’s focus on a futuristic and responsible textile industry.’

 Commenting on myTrident’s growth plans, Rajneesh Bhatia, CEO of myTrident stated, ‘We are increasing our retail touch points from the current 7,000 to 10,000. This expansion will solidify our position as a leading home furnishings brand in India and broaden our footprint across the domestic market. To drive further growth, we’re focusing on key opportunities in HORECA and institutions, aiming to increase our market share in these sectors. Additionally, we’re exploring opportunities in corporate gifting, recognizing the immense potential in this sector. Speed and agility in serving the consumer remain a core focus for the brand, and thus we are collaborating with all major e-commerce and quick commerce portals.’

 Bharat Tex 2025 marked the debut of myTrident’s Spring Summer ’25 collection, which drew inspiration from India’s rich textile heritage. The collection took a journey through four eras – Puratan Yug , Veer Yug, Poorv Aaduhnik Yug, and Unnati Yug- blending traditional craftsmanship with modern techniques and innovative materials to create a forward-looking vision for the future of textiles.

Mumbai, 15th February 2025: Swan Defence and Heavy Industries Limited (“SDHI”), a key private player in commercial & defence shipbuilding, ship repairs, and heavy fabrication in India, has successfully completed the refit of the Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) SAJAG, an Offshore Patrol Vessel, ahead of schedule. This marks SDHI’s second consecutive early project completion, following the refit of the Indian Coast Guard’s fast patrol vessel, Raj Ratan. The successful delivery further reinforces SDHI’s expertise in managing complex ship repair operations with efficiency and precision. The dry docking and refit of ICGS SAJAG also represent a key milestone in the shipyard’s ongoing revival.

Commenting on the milestone, Vivek Merchant, Director, Swan Defence and Heavy Industries Limited, said, “The successful completion of ICGS SAJAG’s refit highlights our engineering precision, operational agility, and commitment to strengthening India’s maritime defence. As the industry experiences a pivotal shift with increased government investments in shipbuilding and defence infrastructure, SDHI is poised to play a crucial role in this evolution. Our expertise in executing complex overhauls positions us as a trusted partner in India’s shipbuilding ambitions. With a strategic focus on modernization and self-reliance, we are committed to expanding our capabilities beyond ship repairs and soon resuming full-scale shipbuilding operations to shape the future of the maritime sector.”

Originally scheduled from 15 November 2024 to 15 March 2025, the refit was completed ahead of schedule following a successful sea trial. Over three months, the vessel underwent extensive repairs and testing, carried out in collaboration with M/s Krasny Defence Technologies Ltd., the official repair partner. As part of this overhaul, SDHI provided end-to-end services, including berthing, dry docking, undocking, and other critical yard operations essential to its completion.

Mumbai, 15 February 2025: In an effort to accelerate the adoption of electric mobility, Godawari Electric Motors, manufacturers of innovative electric vehicles, today announced a strategic partnership with Shriram Finance Ltd. to provide exclusive financing solutions for customers across India. This collaboration aims to offer comprehensive financing options for Godawari Electric Motors’ entire range of electric 2-wheelers and 3-wheelers, including low-speed and high-speed electric vehicles (EV – L3 & L5), under the “Shriram Green Finance” initiative.

 Through this partnership, Shriram Finance Ltd. will serve as the preferred finance partner for Godawari Electric Motors, providing tailored financing solutions that will help customers make the transition to electric vehicles more affordable and accessible. The financing options will be available PAN India, ensuring that customers across the country can benefit from attractive loan offers with easy terms and low processing fees.

Mr. Hyder Khan, CEO, Godawari Electric Motors, said, “We are excited to announce this strategic collaboration with Shriram Finance Ltd. to bring convenient and flexible financing options to our customers. As part of our ongoing commitment to promoting sustainable e-mobility solutions, this partnership will make it easier for customers to own high-quality electric vehicles. With Shriram Finance as our preferred partner, we are confident that more people across India will be able to transition to eco-friendly mobility solutions.”

The financing solutions will include competitive interest rates, long loan tenures, and an easy application process, with Shriram Finance Ltd. offering Attractive finance options which will boost the EV Sales. These solutions will cater to customers looking to purchase Godawari Electric Motors’ electric two-wheelers, three-wheelers, and L3 and L5 category electric vehicles.

As India strives toward its vision of becoming a developed economy—Viksit Bharat—enhancing national productivity has never been more critical. The rapid evolution of technology and the dynamic nature of global markets demand a skilled workforce that can adapt, innovate, and drive competitiveness. Industry leaders emphasize that a strategic focus on skilling, upskilling, and leveraging technology is essential for sustained economic growth.

 Darshil Shah, Founder and Director, TreadBinary, “To truly boost national productivity, we must prioritize the strategic integration of technology and continuous learning. In today’s fast-evolving world, productivity isn’t just about working harder—it’s about working smarter. Technology has the power to save time, reduce effort, and enhance outcomes, but only when people know how to use it effectively. That’s why skilling and upskilling are essential. Training individuals in emerging technologies like AI and automation enables them to work more efficiently, make smarter decisions, and reduce inefficiencies—all of which drive competitiveness and productivity. By investing in learning and equipping people with technology-driven skills, we don’t just enhance productivity—we build a stronger, future-ready workforce.”

Kartik Narayan, CEO- Staffing, TeamLease, “On National Productivity Day, we understand that transforming India into a developed economy – Viksit Bharat – relies on high human capital. Investing in skill development and reskilling is not merely a business imperative, but a critical national priority for innovation, productivity, and competitiveness in the world.”

 The future of India’s economy depends on how effectively it can equip its workforce with the skills required to thrive in a digital-first world. By investing in learning and technological proficiency, the nation is not just enhancing productivity—it is laying the foundation for a resilient and future-ready workforce that will propel India toward its economic aspirations.