Archives 2025

National, 13 February 2025: ITC Mangaldeep, India’s leading incense brand has been an integral part of Maha Kumbh 2025 with its various initiatives to bring the congregation closer to devotees. As part of its activities, ITC Mangaldeep has introduced a unique and innovative offering, Mangaldeep Jalbatti, an underwater incense stick designed to honor the sacred rivers while preserving their sanctity. The total number of jalbattis distributed has been increased to a whopping 100,000 from 10,000 after witnessing a huge demand among the devotees.

Crafted from alum (phitkari) powder, a traditional water purifier, Jalbatti dissolves in water upon contact, contributing positively to water quality. By incorporating Jalbatti into their offerings, devotees can now uphold their devotion while ensuring that the rivers remain as pure as their faith.

As the world’s largest spiritual congregation, Maha Kumbh 2025 in Prayagraj continues to stand as a proud testament to India’s deep-rooted spiritual traditions. Millions of devotees gather at the Triveni Sangam, the confluence of the sacred Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers, to partake in rituals such as ‘Ganga Aartis’, ‘Shahi Snaans’, and ‘Deep Daans’, all symbolizing their profound reverence for these ancient rivers. ITC Mangaldeep has been an integral part of this devotion, enhancing spiritual experience through various initiatives. Through this initiative, ITC Mangaldeep reinforces its commitment to enabling devotion and empowering devotees by blending tradition with meaningful impact. As millions take their holy dip at the Triveni Sangam, ‘Jalbatti’ serves as an emblem of devotion that not only honors but also safeguards the sacred waters.

At the iconic Mehboob Studios, a display at the Soulstrat Stage read, “The Blues Live Here,” and the 13th Edition of the Mahindra Blues Festival was a testament to that! Fans from across the country and beyond united to celebrate the resilient and joyful spirit of the genre. From the Grammy-winning artist Ruthie Foster to solid, young artists like Megan Murray, the attendees immersed themselves in these electrifying acts with the accompaniment of scrumptious food and soul-quenching beverages.

For the two-day extravaganza, the lineup featured Ruthie Foster, who regaled the attendees with her transcendental performances, blending blues, rock, and gospel on both days; Kanchan Daniel, for her second performance at the festival, blended blues, rock, and soul, exploring larger societal themes and personal experiences; and the Siliguri-based band, the John Blue Ensemble, won over the crowd at the Garden Stage, encapsulating the spirit of this year’s wider theme to spotlight young and upcoming artists.

The Australian blues artists, The Teskey Brothers, embodied the depth of the genre in their performance, underscoring the musical allure of harmonica; LA-based singer and songwriter, Megan Murray, serenaded the audience with originals and covers, peppering her performance with stories that personified resilience and manifestation; the Grammy-nominated artist, Robert Randolph, brought the infectious concoction of rock and blues with his signature steel pedal guitar, bringing down the house with his suave performance.

The showstopper for the two-day gala was the All-Star Jam, where the Nanhi Kali Choir joined generations of globally renowned Blues artists for a power-packed performance. As part of the ‘Blues in School’ initiative, Mahindra remains committed to preserving the blues legacy for future generations. This year’s edition focused on spotlighting the young talents, taking forward the baton of this rich legacy through a vibrant spectacle of the coming together of generations.

Check out the highlights of the 13th Edition of the Mahindra Blues Festival through this photo gallery, which captures the enthusiasm and the transcending power of music across generations and geographical boundaries.

Hyderabad, February 13, 2025 – Yummy Bee, India’s leading café chain dedicated to guilt-free indulgence, announces the availability of its exciting new Bento Cakes for Valentine’s Day. These delectable, single-serving cakes—crafted without refined flour (maida), gluten, or preservatives—are now available at Yummy Bee outlets across Hyderabad.

Customers can enjoy these delightful creations at Yummy Bee locations in Jubilee Hills, Kondapur, Kokapet, and Kukatpally, or pre-order online for convenient delivery. “We wanted to create a product that truly reflects the evolving tastes of our customers,” says Sandeep Jangala, Founder & CEO of Yummy Bee.

“With our Bento Cakes, we’re not only offering a delightful treat for Valentine’s Day but also reinforcing our commitment to quality ingredients and innovative, healthier alternatives. It’s about enjoying life’s special moments without compromise,” he further added.

The Bento Cakes are now available across all Yummy Bee outlets in Hyderabad. Customers can also place pre-orders via the brand’s website and select delivery platforms, ensuring easy access to this fresh take on a classic celebration treat.

Reflecting the growing demand for cleaner, thoughtfully prepared desserts, Yummy Bee’s Bento Cakes are crafted with a focus on health and wellness. Made without refined flour (maida), gluten, or preservatives, these single-serving treats cater to discerning palates that seek indulgence without guilt.

Mumbai, February 13th, 2025: Pulse Candy, one of the core brands of Dharampal Satyapal Group (DS Group), a multi-business corporation and a leading FMCG conglomerate, launched its Maha Kumbh campaign as an extension of its Pulse of India initiative. The campaign presents the story of this extraordinary gathering through an end-to-end generative AI-powered video.

The video highlights the significance of Maha Kumbh and traces the journey from its historical origins to its contemporary significance. The video, crafted by White Rivers Media, combines compelling narration with hyper-realistic and dynamic moving images, visualising the entire story of the Maha Kumbh and its rich history, drawing devotees seeking purification.

On the Maha Kumbh grounds, Pulse Candy offered an engaging on-ground experience. This included the likes of Sangam Kalash (jars) to collect sacred river water, bags to carry pooja (prayer) items and offerings, and Pulse-branded boats to ferry devotees to take a dip in the sacred waters. Additionally, interactive games provide entertainment.

Arvind Kumar, GM, Marketing DSFL, said, “For us, connecting with India’s cultural moments has always been about creating meaningful experiences, both on-ground and through innovative tech. Pulse Candy has always been a brand that understands the pulse of India—whether in its bold, tangy burst of flavour or in the way it engages with cultural touchpoints. This campaign is about making these sacred moments accessible and relatable to every Indian, ensuring that the spirit of Maha Kumbh can be experienced, both physically and virtually. DS Group is proud to promote India’s heritage by combining cutting-edge AI technology with deep-rooted traditions. This initiative helps those attending the Mahakumbh engage with cultural touchpoints that have already been implemented here.”

The campaign bridged generations and geographies, bringing Maha Kumbh’s divine spectacle to audiences nationwide through innovative storytelling, while physical touch points allowed devotees to take home a tangible connection to the event. Shrenik Gandhi, CEO of White Rivers Media, said, “India’s love for tradition and innovation coexists, just like Pulse Candy—a brand that blends nostalgia with a burst of unexpected flavour. Maha Kumbh embodies a similar essence, rooted in history yet constantly evolving with time. Using AI, we reimagined this divine gathering through a hyper-realistic narrative, ensuring that just like the lingering taste of Pulse, the story of Maha Kumbh stays with audiences long after they’ve experienced it.”

Mumbai, 13th February 2025: Amazon MGM Studios, along with Excel Entertainment and Tiger Baby, today unveiled the delightful and mesmerizing theatrical trailer of its highly anticipated Original movie, Superboys of Malegaon. Inspired by a true story, the film is set in Malegaon, a small town in Maharashtra, and chronicles the life of Nasir Shaikh, an amateur filmmaker who, along with his friends, revitalizes the town by transforming it into a hub of filmmaking passion. An Excel Entertainment and Tiger Baby production, Superboys of Malegaon is produced by Ritesh Sidhwani, Farhan Akhtar, Zoya Akhtar, and Reema Kagti. The movie is directed by Reema Kagti and written by Varun Grover. It features a highly talented ensemble cast, including Adarsh Gourav, Shashank Arora, Vineet Kumar Singh, Anuj Singh Duhan, Saqib Ayub, Pallav Singh, Manjiri Pupala, Muskkaan Jaferi and Riddhi Kumar. Superboys of Malegaon is set to premiere in theatres across India, the US, UK, UAE, Australia, and New Zealand on February 28.

The trailer of Superboys of Malegaon sweeps the viewers into a heartwarming journey of dreams, resilience, and cinematic magic. It introduces Nasir Shaikh, a dreamer from the small town of Malegaon, where movies provide an escape from the grind of daily life. Inspired by these movies, Nasir sets out to transform Malegaon into Bollywood, armed with bold ideas, out-of-the-box thinking, and a spirited group of friends. Together, they embark on a mission to create a movie for the people of Malegaon, made in Malegaon. The trailer captures laugh-out-loud auditions, ingenious filmmaking hacks, and a whirlwind of emotions and determination as they tackle the challenges life throws their way. Superboys of Malegaon is a moving and uplifting story of friendship, passion, and the power of dreaming big, proving that creativity knows no boundaries.

“Superboys of Malegaon, celebrated at TIFF and the BFI London Film Festival, is a shining example of the universal appeal of authentic Indian narratives”, said Nikhil Madhok, Head of Originals, Prime Video India. “Its theatrical release across India, the US, UK, UAE, Australia, and New Zealand marks a landmark moment as Amazon MGM’s first Indian original film to debut in cinemas globally. This exciting step reflects our commitment to delivering bold, diverse, and thought-provoking stories to audiences worldwide. We’re deeply grateful to our incredible collaborators, Excel Entertainment and Tiger Baby, for bringing this extraordinary journey to life, and we can’t wait to share this uplifting tale on the big screen!”

Ritesh Sidhwani, producer, of Excel Entertainment, shared, “Superboys of Malegaon is a celebration of dreams and resilience-universal emotions that everyone can relate to. We are excited to collaborate with Amazon MGM Studios to bring this inspiring story to theatres. We hope the film resonates deeply with the audience and touches millions of hearts. This story is a powerful reminder of the limitless potential of hope, creativity, and the human spirit.”

“As filmmakers, our goal has always been to create meaningful films that resonate not only with audiences in India but also with people around the world,” said Farhan Akhtar, producer, of Excel Entertainment. “Superboys of Malegaon is a heartwarming story that demonstrates how no dream is too big if you work hard enough to make it come true. We are thrilled to have collaborated with Amazon MGM Studios to bring this incredible project to life. From its journey through international film festivals and screenings to its upcoming theatrical release, Superboys of Malegaon celebrates the power of storytelling to unite people across the world.”

Zoya Akhtar, Producer, Tiger Baby, I am excited to collaborate with Excel Entertainment and Amazon MGM Studios to bring this inspirational story to life that celebrates the human need to create art no matter what the circumstances are and the love that Superboys has received at various global screenings just reaffirms how universal that feeling is.

Reema Kagti, Director and Producer, of Tiger Baby, commented, “Superboys of Malegaon is a story about the power of the underdog and the magic of cinema. The film is not just about the origins of Malegaon filmmaking; it’s about the dreams, the young filmmakers and their town built along the way. We are excited to bring this unique story to the big screen, one that is inspired by the incredible journey of people who created magic with limited resources, but endless dreams and determination.”

Superboys of Malegaon has garnered global acclaim, winning hearts and receiving widespread praise. At its world premiere during the 49th Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in September 2024, it earned a standing ovation from a packed auditorium, highlighting its emotional impact. It also captivated audiences at the 68th BFI London Film Festival and left a lasting impression at the 4th Red Sea Film Festival. Recently, it shone at the 36th Palm Springs International Film Festival, receiving a special mention in the Young Cineaste segment. With its compelling narrative, emotional depth, and powerful storytelling, this comedy-drama has left a lasting impact on fans and critics alike.

Hyderabad, 13 February 2025: In an exciting display of traditional kite fighting, Rainbow Kite Club Hyderabad and Hyderabad Deccan Kite Club showed amazing skills against the Bangalore International Kite Club in a two-day tournament held at Shankerpally Ground, Rangareddy District.

The tournament saw professional kite fighters engaging in intense battles using 6-cord Manjha made of cotton thread, staying true to the traditional art of kite flying. Speaking at the event, Bareilly Manjha Director Himalaya Shinghal, a strong advocate for safe kite flying, emphasized the dangers of nylon threads, which are widely used despite posing serious risks.

“These clubs are committed to preserving the true essence of kite flying while ensuring safety. Our mission is to encourage the younger generation to step outdoors, engage in this age-old tradition, and experience a world beyond digital screens,” said Singhal.

A Push for Eco-Friendly Kite Flying

The tournament also highlighted efforts to promote environmentally safe Manjha. Rainbow Kite Manjha Bareilly, a Bareilly-based business specializing in traditional cotton-based Bareilly Manjha under the brand RKM TALWAAR, played a key role in the event. The company actively opposes the use of Chinese, nylon, and plastic threads, which are known to be hazardous to humans, birds, and the environment.

While Himalaya Shinghal runs the business from Bareilly, his brother Aakash Shinghal, an IT professional based in Hyderabad, continues to fuel the passion for kite flying in the city, ensuring that the tradition remains alive for future generations. With tournaments like these, Hyderabad is witnessing a revival of competitive kite flying, bringing together enthusiasts who cherish the sport’s heritage while promoting safer and more sustainable practices.

Surprise your loved one this Valentine’s Day with a timeless treasure from Herbelin’s Cap Camarat Collection. These luxurious timepieces serve as a heartfelt token of your enduring love. A Herbelin watch is more than just a gift; it’s a symbol of your commitment and a beautiful reminder of your special bond.

Introducing the first women’s watch in the Cap Camarat collection: the stunning CAP CAMARAT – QUARTZ – STEEL & ARCTIC BLUE 14545B25. This eye-catching timepiece boasts a sleek stainless steel design, showcasing a striking icy blue dial within its 33mm case. At just 7.10mm thick, it’s both sporty and stylish, making it the perfect Valentine’s Day gift for the special woman in your life.

The CAP CAMARAT 12245B25 is a refined watch for men. Its durable stainless steel case frames a 40.5mm arctic blue dial. A standout feature is its excellent nighttime visibility, thanks to luminous silver markers. This sophisticated timepiece makes a truly memorable gift, combining style and practicality in a way any gentleman will appreciate. The striking blue dial and robust design make it a perfect accessory for the modern man.

This Valentine’s Day, present your loved one with a luxurious Herbelin timepiece. Explore our exclusive collections and discover the perfect symbol of your affection.

Doctors who bring value with experience

Bengaluru 12, February 2025– Trsutwell Hospitals Bengaluru has added strength to two departments mainly paediatric & general medicine with two big names in the medical fraternity in its growth path for the year as the chairman had mentioned in his earlier media reach out. This initiative will give added fillip to the team in its overall delivery to the patients. The hospital has experienced added footfalls which is reassuring to the patients residing in the south Bengaluru the Hospital also gets many international patients largely due to few speciality areas which only they cater to.

Dr T Radhakrishna MBBS & MD is a seasoned Consultant Physician with over 30 years of experience. He has treated over 25,000 patients in his distinguished career. He has earned a reputation for his expertise, compassion, and dedication to the well-being of those he serves. Dr Radhakrishna completed his MBBS and MD (General Medicine), from the prestigious Bangalore Medical College. He believes in a holistic approach to medicine, emphasizing the importance of understanding each patient’s unique circumstances. He is dedicated to building strong, trusting relationships with his patients, ensuring they feel heard, respected, and actively involved in their healthcare decisions. His areas of expertise is Hypertension, Diabetes Mellitus Dr. T Chandra Sekhar MD (Ped), DCH: A Distinguished Senior Paediatrician with Over 30 Years of Experience.

In his journey as a child specialist, he has treated to over 30,000 patients earning a reputation for his expertise, compassion, and unwavering commitment to paediatric healthcare. Dr. T Chandra Sekhar completed his MBBS at Bellary Medical College, DCH from Mysore Medical College and MD (Pae) in Mysore Medical College. He believes in a holistic approach to paediatric care, emphasizing the importance of understanding each child’s unique circumstances. He has participated in several national and international paediatric conferences, presented papers and was associated with UNICEF and ICMR. His areas of expertise are child nutrition, wheezy child, and infectious diseases.

Sharing his thoughts Guruprasad B R Director Strategy said, “myself & our entire team are absolutely delighted with the inclusion of the two doctors who come with vast experience in their respective domains. I can assure you that we shall use their experience for the fullest benefit of our patients & give them much needed care & speedy treatment”.

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Feb. 12, 2025 — AMD (NASDAQ: AMD) today announced the signing of a Letter of Intent (LOI) with the Commissariat à l’énergieatomique et aux énergies alternatives (CEA) of France to collaborate on the advanced technologies, component, and system architectures that will shape the future of AI computing. The collaboration will leverage the strengths of both organizations to push the boundaries on energy-efficient systems needed to support the world’s most compute-intensive AI workloads in fields from energy to medicine.

Through this initiative, AMD and CEA will engage in a structured collaboration, focused on technological advancements in onnext next-generation AI compute infrastructure. AMD and CEA also are planning a symposium on the future of AI computing in 2025 that will convene European stakeholders and global technology providers, startups, supercomputing centers, universities, and policymakers to accelerate collaboration with state-of-the-art and emerging AI computing technologies.

“AI computing continues to drive innovation across industries, and international collaboration is critical to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible,” said Ralph Wittig, Corporate Fellow and head of research, at AMD. “Through this collaboration with CEA and leading French engineers, we aim to bring cutting-edge AI research closer to real-world applications by advancing system architectures that meet the demands of tomorrow’s AI workloads, while growing the joint research and development opportunities between the U.S. and France.”

“CEA is committed to driving innovation in AI computing by advancing next-generation technologies opening the road for disruptive architectures that balance performance and energy efficiency. Our collaboration with AMD represents a significant step toward fostering international cooperation in high-performance computing, bringing together world-class expertise to address the growing demands of AI workloads,” said Julie Galland, Director of the Technological Research division at CEA, “By combining CEA’s research leadership with AMD’s cutting-edge technology, we aim to develop breakthrough solutions that will shape the future of AI computing in Europe and beyond.”

This effort underscores AMD’s commitment to fostering international collaborations that accelerate AI innovation, making AI more inclusive and sustainable, and strengthening cooperation, in particular, between the United States and European research institutions.

Telangana-based SeedWorks International, a seed research and development company has filed its Draft Red Herring Prospectus (DRHP) with the capital markets regulator, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) to raise funds through an Initial Public Offering (IPO).

The IPO, with a face value of Rs 2, is entirely an Offer-for-Sale of up to 5,19,70,282 equity shares by the Promoter, Individual, and Investor Selling Shareholders. It includes a reservation for a subscription by eligible employees and a discount is being offered to eligible employees bidding in the employee reservation portion.

Offer for Sale consists of shareholders selling shares up to 3,99,17,145 equity shares by True North Fund V LLP, up to 1,09,27,044 equity shares by South Asia Growth Fund II Holdings LLC, up to 10,44,038 equity shares by Dr. Balalji Manmohan Nukal, and up to 82,055 equity shares by South Asia EBT Trust (through Orbis Trusteeship Services Private Limited).

The Offer is being made through the book-building process, wherein not more than 50% of the net offer is allocated to qualified institutional buyers, and not less than 15% and 35% of the net offer is assigned to non-institutional and retail individual bidders respectively.

SeedWorks International is a seed research and development company specializing in hybrid and OPV seeds for key crops like rice, cotton, pearl millet, mustard, vegetables, and fruits. It was the second-fastest-growing Indian seed company by revenue (FY21-FY24) with an 11.98% CAGR. In FY24, it ranked third in cotton seeds, fourth in hybrid rice, and fourth in pearl millet seeds by sales volume in India, according to the F&S Report mentioned in the DRHP.

The Company’s emphasis on product development to drive innovation in seeds, demonstrated by its industry-leading R&D investments, has over the years, led to the commercialization of product offerings with performance traits such as improved yield and disease tolerance, among others. Between FY21 and FY24, its market share in cotton seeds rose from 5.60% to 6.45%, while hybrid rice increased from 7.10% to 7.30%. It started commercializing the pearl millet segment in 2019, it quickly gained a 4.90% share by FY24. Beyond India, the company is the fourth-largest hybrid rice seed player in the Philippines (12% market share in CY23) and among the top four in Nepal (26%-29% in CY24). It is also expanding into Kenya, Malawi, Burkina Faso, and Nigeria, focusing on cotton and vegetable crops.

Strategic collaborations with global leaders like BASF and public sector institutions have strengthened its technological capabilities. It holds licenses for ‘Provisia’ and ‘Clearfield’ herbicide-tolerant rice technologies from BASF, supporting the development of HT hybrid rice in India and the Philippines. Backed by a rigorous quality assurance framework, the company conducts grow-out tests at six locations and operates a 7,500 sq. ft. quality control lab with advanced testing infrastructure. Its initiatives span pre-season (PSA), product differentiation (PDA), and off-season (OSA) activities, ensuring a continuous focus on seed quality and farmer engagement.

SeedWorks International’s revenue from operations increased from ₹488.31 crore in Fiscal 2023 to ₹522.69 crore in Fiscal 2024, primarily due to an increase in the sale of seeds.
For the six months ended September 30, 2024, revenue from operations stood at ₹407.50 crore, and Profit after tax stood at ₹70.25 crore.

Equirus Capital Private Limited, DAM Capital Advisors Limited, and SBI Capital Markets Limited are the book-running lead managers and KFin Technologies Limited is the registrar of the issue. The equity shares are proposed to be listed on the National Stock Exchange of India Limited and BSE Limited.