Archives 2025

Hyderabad, 7th February 2025: Department of Science and Technology’s MATH (Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence Technology Hub) that is one of India’s leading AI and ML startup incubators, successfully hosted the AI Healthcare Summit 2025 in Hyderabad. India’s healthcare landscape is on the brink of an AI revolution, as a defining moment of the summit was the showcase of breakthrough AI-powered healthcare solutions. Seventeen cutting-edge technologies promise to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and accessibility in healthcare delivery, addressing critical gaps in diagnostics, patient engagement, and medical decision-making.

Themed “Redefining Healthcare with AI,” the summit brought together leading government officials, top healthcare corporates, and AI-driven startups to showcase innovations in preventive care, precision medicine, and remote healthcare solutions. A total of 17 AI-driven startups participated in VC Pitch Games 2.0, a high-stakes showdown where they pitched groundbreaking solutions in diagnostics, robotic-assisted surgeries, and AI-powered patient engagement tools to a panel of India’s leading investors and healthcare giants.

Startups featured:

1. CerboTech Education: Brain-computer interface (BrainHat) for real-time neurofeedback to boost focus and mental wellness
2. ONI: AI-driven prenatal care combining lifestyle guidance (nutrition, mental health) and automated workflows.
3. Velectron Labs: Wearable device to monitor addiction patterns and support recovery.
4. VaidhyaMegha: Cloud/AI tools for hospitals to streamline diagnostics and patient management.
5. Augsidius: AI assistant (AstraAI) for doctors, with 20,000+ disease profiles and guidelines.
6. SETV: AI layer for hospitals + app (Medona) for symptom checks and doctor referrals.
7. Donation: AI tools for at-home oral scans and dental clinic management.
8. Aarogya ID: AI platform to automate health insurance claims for hospitals.
9. ViviSTAR Biologics: AI tool for early brain tumor detection using spectral analysis.
10. Carewell360: Phygital platform offering discreet, on-demand gynecology consultations and wellness services for women in non-metro areas.
11. Kode Blue: Ambulance-to-hospital system for real-time patient data sharing.
12. Apex Cura: SaaS platform for hospital operations (queues, records, dialysis tracking).
13. Metaloga: VR therapy (RelVersiv) for chronic pain relief.
14. Salubrity Health: Nutrition platform for personalized dietary plans and wellness.
15. Cliniv Health Tech LLP – AI-powered remote patient monitoring for proactive healthcare.
16. Signel Biomedical – Wearable biosensors for real-time vital sign tracking.
17. EH Note – Blockchain-based medical data security and interoperability.

Investor panel: Hyderabad Angels, Venture Catalysts, Inflection Point Ventures, Speciale Invest, Guptaji Invests, Powerscale Ventures, Anthill Ventures, and Dr. Gowda’s Dental.

Corporate giants in attendance: Apollo Hospitals, Global Hospitals, Medtronic, Johnson & Johnson, LV Prasad Eye Institute, Capsico Health, Sanofi, Map My Genome, IIIT Hyderabad, IKP, and more.

Metaloga (Founder: Sunil Golla), Augsidius (Founder: Dr. Akhila), and SetV (Founder: Mr. Vaibhav Ram) emerged victorious, impressing the jury with their innovative approaches and potential to revolutionize healthcare decision making.

During the second half of summit two AI-powered healthcare solutions were showcased—Augsidius AI & Manage My Startup. These cutting-edge technologies promise to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and accessibility in healthcare delivery, addressing critical gaps in diagnostics, patient engagement, and medical decision-making.

• Augsidius AI’s is an AI clinician assistant designed to aid doctors in clinical decision making. Built on our proprietary knowledge base of 20000+ diseases, Astra offers clinical pathways & guidelines that are adaptive to the patient notes and actionable to ease out the process. It also has various tools like AI medical search, clinical calculators and medical library to become a handy pocket tool to doctors.
• Manage My Startup is an AI driven platform empowers Founders to succeed from Concept to IPO for their Entrepreneurial journey. The Platform empowers to build, sustain, and grow a vibrant startup innovation ecosystem ensuring long-term economic growth and global competitiveness. Meanwhile,

The summit also featured powerful discussions on AI adoption in healthcare, regulatory pathways, and the future of AI-driven medical breakthroughs. Sessions included:

• “The Path to AI Adoption in Healthcare” – Addressing challenges and opportunities for AI integration in mainstream healthcare.
• “Unveiling Diverse AI Applications in Healthcare” – Exploring AI’s potential in drug discovery, medical imaging, and remote patient monitoring.
• A fireside chat with Padma Shri awardee Dr. Gopala Krishna Gokhale, Mr. Sujit Jagirdar, CEO, T-HUB & Dr. Kancherla Ravindranath, Chairman & MD, Global Hospital who spoke about the future of healthcare.

Speaking about MATH’s mission, Rahul Paith, CEO of MATH, stated: “The AI Healthcare Summit 2025 has successfully created a platform that unites visionaries, startups, and industry leaders. We are committed to fostering an ecosystem where AI-driven healthcare innovations can scale and significantly improve patient outcomes. By bridging the gap between technology and medicine, we aim to accelerate AI adoption, enhance diagnostic precision, and make healthcare more accessible for all.”

Sri. Jayesh Ranjan, Spl. Chief Secretary, Dept. Of Information Technology Electronics and Communications (ITE&C); Dept. of Industries and Commerce stated: “Telangana has been at the forefront of AI adoption, particularly in the healthcare and life sciences sector. Since 2019, we have been focused on building a robust AI ecosystem, and in 2020, we became the first state to launch an AI framework. To advance AI-driven healthcare, we are developing a Health Data Exchange for secure medical data access and collaborating with CDAP to provide subsidized compute infrastructure for AI startups. As Hyderabad emerges as India’s data center hub, we are engaging hyperscalers to enhance AI-enabled healthcare solutions. The Telangana government remains committed to fostering a thriving AI ecosystem that empowers startups and enterprises alike in transforming healthcare through technology. AI Healthcare Summit 2025 is a key step in this journey, serving as a catalyst for meaningful collaborations that will shape the future of AI-driven healthcare.”

February 7, 2025, Mumbai: In response to the surge in courier scams across India, Federal Express Corporation (“FedEx”), the world’s largest express transportation company, has collaborated with local police, Cyber Security Cells, and United Way Mumbai, to launch a nationwide Cybersecurity Awareness and Training Program.

“In 2024, India reported losses over INR 1.7 billion in cyber frauds. As cybercrime continues to escalate, raising awareness is our best defense,” said Nitin Navneet Tatiwala, vice president of Marketing, Customer Experience, and Air Network, Middle East, Indian Subcontinent, and Africa (MEISA), FedEx. “With this initiative, we aim to empower communities with the knowledge and tools they need to protect themselves and to foster an informed and secure digital environment throughout the nation.”

This proactive initiative aims to educate and empower over 10,000 individuals, with a focus on senior citizens, women, and adolescents, by promoting safe online practices and equipping them with the skills to recognize and prevent cyber threats such as phishing, identity theft, digital payment scams, and social media fraud. As part of this comprehensive program, specialized training will also be provided to local law enforcement personnel, enabling them to better address and combat cybercrime, ultimately contributing to a safer and more secure digital ecosystem for all.

“At United Way Mumbai, we believe that collaborative action is key to driving meaningful societal change. This partnership with FedEx, local police, Cyber Security Cells, NGOs, Colleges and communities reflects our shared commitment to equipping individuals with the tools and knowledge to navigate the digital world safely. Together, we aim to build a resilient and empowered community, fostering a safer digital ecosystem for all.” – George Aikara, CEO, United Way Mumbai.

New Delhi, 6 February 2025 – Exicom, one of India’s leading EV charging and critical power solutions providers has announced its financial results for the quarter ended December 31, 2024. Driven by Tritium acquisition, consolidated revenues grew 28% QoQ to ~INR 197 crore but continued to trail on YoY basis. Gross margins experienced a slight dip of 2.8% compared to the previous quarter, primarily due to a shift in the Critical Power customer mix and the depreciation of the rupee against the USD.

Expanding Infrastructure and Sales Momentum in EVSE Business

Following a temporary industry slowdown in the first half of FY25, Exicom’s EVSE business bounced back strongly this quarter. The company’s YoY #units and sales in India grew by ~77% and ~38% respectively, significantly outpacing the industry’s ~23% growth in four-wheeler EV #unit sales. Exicom’s consolidated EVSE revenue grew by an impressive ~120% YoY on the back of sales momentum in the US and Europe.

The market outlook remains strong, as evidenced by the unveiling of 26 new EV models at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo in Jan 2025. Additionally, the industry is shifting towards high-power, ultra-fast charging, an area where Exicom is well-positioned to lead with its newly launched Harmony Boost solution. This cutting-edge system integrates smart energy storage and management with high-power public charging, delivering a consistent 400kWh fast-charging experience per plug.

The company strengthened its market presence in the DC segment and secured two major deals with leading Charge Point Operators along with two strong partnerships with ChargeZone and Mufin Green Infra to accelerate the deployment of high-power charging stations across India.

Exicom also achieved record-breaking home (AC) charger sales, further strengthening its leadership in the sector. Exicom’s total installed EV charger base has now surpassed 1.73 lakh units worldwide.

Exicom’s global expansion strategy, bolstered by its recent acquisition of Tritium, started to show early momentum. While the acquisition’s fixed cost weighed on the company’s consolidated financials, strategic efforts on operations and customer centricity yielded promising results with ~INR 44 crore ($5.1 Mn) in revenues during Tritium’s first quarter post-acquisition. Exicom also established a regional hub in the UK to cater to the European market through the Tritium brand of fast EV chargers.

Critical Power Business Secures Major Wins

A cyclical slowdown driven by consolidation and deferred capex in the telecom infrastructure segment led to a short-term decline in the Critical Power business revenues and margins in the current quarter. With the telecom infrastructure segment CAGR pegged at 8-10% over the next 3 years, the company expressed confidence in the business’s growth trajectory. Early signs of recovery were visible in a recently secured landmark order worth ~INR 1680 crore, for supplying DC power and energy storage solutions for the BharatNet project over the next 3 years.

Scaling Up for the Future

Following its highly successful IPO in March 2024, Exicom is executing an ambitious growth strategy by expanding production capacity and enhancing distribution channels. Its upcoming state-of-the-art EVSE manufacturing and R&D facility in Hyderabad will enable the company to scale production to 3X of the current annual capacity and develop globally benchmarked EV charging solutions tailored for India.

Commenting on Exicom’s growth trajectory, Anant Nahata, Managing Director, Exicom, said: “The world today needs both fast build of digital communication infrastructure and radical energy transition towards green mobility. Both of our core businesses – Critical Power and EV Charging are addressing these key shifts with a strong focus on R&D and technology innovation. Our partnerships with leading infrastructure players for power management and energy storage solutions are providing the much-needed energy stability for digital networks which are core to India’s success on digital infrastructure. At the same time, our high quality and reliable charging solutions are helping accelerate EV adoption in India and across the world. As we move forward, we will be keenly focused on scaling our global ambitions for the EVSE business and work towards becoming one of the top 5 DC fast charging players in the key markets of North America and Europe.”

India, February 6, 2025 – The School of Health Sciences and Technology (SOHST) at UPES, a multi-disciplinary university in India, announced a strategic first-of-its-kind partnership with the Medical University of the Americas (MUA). This collaboration marks a significant milestone in advancing medical education opportunities for aspiring doctors in India.

Under this partnership with MUA, UPES will offer an accelerated pathway into medical education with admissions to the prestigious 5-Year BSc/MD undergraduate program (1+2+2 years), with applications commencing in February 2025 for August 2025 intake. The program consists of one year at UPES, followed by two years of pre-clinical education at MUA’s campus on St. Kitts, Nevis Island, and two years of clinical rotations in affiliated hospitals in the U.S.

In the first year, students will be enrolled at the School of Health Sciences and Technology (SOHST) at UPES, in the Pre-Medical Certificate Program. Upon successful completion of the first year, they will earn around 47 credits which can be transferred for progression to the MUA. Contingent on clearing all assessments and meeting MUA’s eligibility criteria, students will receive a USD 50,000 scholarship, distributed over 13 semesters at MUA. This special inaugural scholarship is available exclusively to students who complete the Pre-Medical Certificate at UPES. This fully residential, highly rigorous program will uphold the highest global standards of academic excellence, which require students to maintain a minimum 3 on a scale of 4 GPA to progress to MUA in the second year. The next 2 years of the program will cover the foundations of medical school education. Delivered at the MUA academic campus on the island of Nevis, students will study Basic Sciences over 5 semesters. Students then travel to the U.S. to complete five semesters of clinical rotations at teaching hospitals, clinics and medical centres that are affiliated with MUA.

Founded over two-and-a-half decades ago, MUA is dedicated to providing high-quality medical education with a focus on small, interactive classes, individualised support, and a curriculum aligned with U.S. and Canadian medical schools. MUA is accredited by the Accreditation Commission on Colleges of Medicine (ACCM) which is recognized by the World Federation of Medical Education (WFME). MUA also prepares its graduates to appear for USMLE®. The university has graduated over 1,800 doctors, many of whom are practicing medicine across the U.S., Canada, and other parts of the world. MUA graduates secure positions across various medical specialties in the U.S. and Canada, with a 98% residency placement rate (2020-2024), which means that after completing medical school, graduates successfully obtain hands-on training in hospitals to specialise in their chosen field of medicine, an essential step towards becoming a licensed doctor.

This partnership and others like it are essential currently, as the global demand for qualified doctors continues to rise, with a projected shortage of over 10 million physicians by 2030. India currently has one doctor for every 1,511 people, falling short of the World Health Organization’s recommended ratio of 1:1000. Similarly, the United States faces an anticipated deficit of nearly 124,000 physicians by 2034 and Canada, a shortfall of nearly 78,000 physicians and general practitioners by 2031. The MUA-UPES partnership addresses this critical gap by offering students a structured, internationally recognized pathway to becoming global medical professional.

Speaking on the dire global need for doctors and medical professionals, Dr. Padma Venkat, Dean, School of Health Sciences and Technology (SOHST), UPES, stated: “The demand for medical education in India far exceeds the available seats, leaving many academically bright students without opportunities to pursue their dream of becoming doctors. More than 2.3 million students appear for NEET annually to compete for just 91,900 MBBS seats, with an overall acceptance rate of less than 4%. As a result, more than 50,000 Indian students seek medical education abroad each year. Through this partnership with the MUA, the School of Health Sciences and Technology, UPES will create opportunities by offering a world-class alternative for talented students. This partnership will give them access to high-quality medical education, global exposure, and a structured pathway to practice internationally while addressing the critical need for doctors in India.”

Diana Mockute, Chief Partnerships Officer, MUA, added: “We are delighted to partner with UPES to extend MUA’s internationally acclaimed Pre-Medical program to Indian students. This initiative reflects our shared vision of empowering the next generation of doctors and enhancing medical education accessibility while preparing students for successful careers in the global healthcare industry.”

New Delhi, February 6: Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute and Research Centre (RGCIRC), a leading institution in cancer care and research organized a special vaccination camp in association with Children Unbound Foundation and Salcomp to mark World Cancer Day 2025. As part of the event, 150 girls aged 15–20 years were administered free doses of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, ensuring protection against high-risk HPV types that are known to cause cervical cancer.

The initiative aimed to promote HPV vaccination as a primary preventive measure against cervical cancer.

Speaking about the initiative, Indu Aggarwal, Head of Department, Preventive Oncology, RGCIRC, said, “While many cancers, including cervical cancer, are preventable, the challenge lies in raising awareness and improving access to care. Through the ongoing vaccination drive, we aim to reach the young population, offering hope and prevention to curb the rising cancer burden in India.”

The vaccination drive kicked off with a symbolic lamp-lighting ceremony marking the beginning of a day focused on raising awareness and promoting preventive health measures. Following the lamp-lighting ceremony, an awareness skit/play was performed, emphasizing the importance of HPV vaccination in preventing cervical cancer and educating the audience about the significance of early prevention and health screenings.

Dr. Shashi Rakheja, Senior Consultant, Preventive Oncology, RGCIRC emphasized, ” Vaccinating at a young age is crucial as it provides immunity before exposure to high-risk HPV strains, significantly lowering the risk of cervical cancer. The WHO aims to have 90% of girls vaccinated by their 15th birthday by 2030. It’s crucial that we raise awareness, educate communities, and promote screening and vaccination to protect future generations from this preventable cancer.”

National, February 06th, 2025: Lava International Limited, the Indian smartphone manufacturer successfully concluded its #MyBharatWithLAVA campaign, garnering 57K engagement on Instagram. The two-day campaign started on the eve of Republic Day 2025 and marked an industry-first initiative, celebrating India’s rich cultural diversity, ethnicity, and creativity through a digital parade. By collaborating with popular content creators from across the country, the campaign brought to life the patriotic spirit and unique storytelling, while celebrating India’s secular ethos of Unity in Diversity.

The campaign, which took over social media, ignited patriotic pride and reached close to 4 million social natives, driving an impressive engagement of 57K and 632K impressions in collaboration with prominent creators in the likes of Satya Saggar, Narendra Raj and Priyansh.

Sharing his views on the campaign, Mr. Puravansh Maitreya, Head of Marketing, at Lava International Limited said “At Lava, we believe in the power of diversity and unity that makes India truly special. With #MyBharatWithLAVA, we set out to celebrate the vibrant cultural identities of each state while fostering a deep sense of national pride. Seeing the overwhelming response and the incredible engagement from across the country has been truly inspiring. This campaign became more than just a tribute to India’s rich heritage—it evolved into a movement where people proudly showcased their regional traditions. This 76th Republic Day, we invited everyone to unite in celebrating the essence of our great nation, because when we come together, Bharat shines brighter!”

The campaign, which kicked off with a high-impact Instagram grid post on January 26th, 2025, brought together eight regional influencers who represented different states, each sharing their unique cultural stories through 20-second short videos. The list included familiar names such as Satya Saggar from Mumbai, Narendra Raj from Delhi, Priyansh from Bhopal, Akshay from Lucknow, Mohammad Abbass from Kashmir, Ashwin K C from Kerala, Krishan Nagi from Assam, and Rinku Bisht from Gujarat.

In the second leg, Lava encouraged user participation by inviting people to share their cultural pride, with the best entries being featured as ‘State Stars’ on Lava’s social media platforms. The initiative successfully strengthened community bonds, with users actively contributing stories, photos, and videos that reflected their regional traditions.

With creative support from Social Panga, the campaign successfully delivered content that resonated deeply with audiences across digital platforms, driving exceptional engagement and connection.

Mumbai, India | 6th Feb 2025 | EKA Mobility, a leader in sustainable mobility solutions, and KPIT Technologies, a global leader in building mobility technology solutions for a cleaner, smarter, and safer world, have entered into an MOU to develop and integrate cutting-edge electric powertrain technology components. This collaboration aims to set new benchmarks for efficiency, performance, and sustainability in India’s electric commercial vehicle (e-CV) industry.

The MoU will focus on developing advanced electric powertrain systems, such as Traction motors, Controllers, Vehicle Control Units, and Battery Management Systems, tailored for EKA’s extensive range of electric buses and commercial vehicles. The MOU will leverage KPITs three decades of work in mobility and an extensive lineup of indigenously developed electric powertrain technologies. These innovations will enable EKA Mobility to deliver superior energy efficiency, reduced total cost of ownership (TCO), and an unmatched driving experience for its customers.

Speaking on the partnership, Dr. Sudhir Mehta, Founder & Chairman of EKA Mobility and Pinnacle Industries Limited, said, “We are delighted to partner with KPIT Technologies, a pioneer in mobility technology with over three decades of legacy. This collaboration underscores our commitment to redefining mobility by delivering cutting-edge, sustainable, and efficient electric vehicles to our customers. By leveraging KPIT’s expertise in electric powertrain technologies, we aim to accelerate India’s transition to zero-emission commercial vehicles.”

“World over, consumers are looking for clean and safe mobility solutions that meet their everyday needs. KPIT’s electric powertrain solutions offer high efficiency and are highly cost-competitive. We are pleased to collaborate with EKA, which is building a wide range of BHARAT-centric trucks, buses, and logistics fleets. Together, we will develop EV mobility solutions for country-specific use cases, promoting wide adoption”, said, Mr. Kishor Patil, CEO, of KPIT Technologies.

As Valentine’s Day approaches on February 14th, anticipation is rising for those hoping to spend romantic time with their loved ones to celebrate. Besides exchanging Valentine’s Day gifts like chocolates and perfumes, why not plan a trip with your partner if you’re looking to create special memories? For the wanderlust-struck romantics out there, the world’s most stunning flower festivals offer the perfect opportunity to keep the spirit of Valentine’s alive every season. According to Skyscanner’s Travel Trends 2025 report, garden lovers are blooming like never before, with a whopping 90% of Indians sharing that they enjoy visiting gardens while on holiday.

Whether it’s cherry blossoms, sunflower fields, or lavender meadows, these breathtaking spots are ready to set the stage for your ultimate love story. And here’s the kicker: with Skyscanner’s tools like ‘Price Alerts’ and ‘Whole Month,’ your flower-filled fantasy doesn’t have to break the bank. So, pack your bags, charge your camera, and get ready to let your love bloom all year round.

Skyscanner’s Travel and Destinations Expert, Mohit Joshi, says “Flower festivals offer a romantic and picturesque landscape for those celebrating love, so it is not a surprise to see this coming up as a trend for Indian travellers. Our insights show that more people are seeing the importance of creating core memories collectively, so what better way to do so than travel? A key tip to visiting such highly anticipated festivals, is to plan in advance as much as possible. It helps to get in before the crowd comes in, so do some research around when the flowers come to bloom, and try to visit at the start of it or near the end of the season. Another tip would be to have some flexibility to fly in a few days before your original travel date, because often that flexibility will allow you to find a better deal. Use the Skyscanner Month tool to have a bird’s eye view on when is the cheapest to fly to your destination.”

• The Tulip Festival in Srinagar – A Rainbow You Can Walk Through
  When to Go: Late March to mid-April

Spring in Srinagar hits different, especially when the Tulip Festival turns the city into a technicolor dream. Picture fields bursting with tulips in every shade of red, yellow, and purple—it’s like nature’s love letter to you! And while you’re there, don’t miss a shikara ride on Dal Lake. Float across the tranquil waters, snap Insta-perfect shots, and soak in the snow-capped mountain vibes. Romantic getaway = sorted!

• Yeouido Spring Flower Festival – Seoul’s Most Beautiful Season of Love
  When to Go: April 6–15, 2025

Japan’s cherry blossoms are iconic, but Seoul’s are equally breathtaking! The Yeouido Spring Flower Festival is like stepping straight into a K-drama scene—cherry blossoms lining the Han River, creating the perfect dreamy backdrop for you and your bae. Stroll along Yunjung-ro Road to admire stunning flower installations or hop on an Eland Cruise for unique views of the blossoms. And you won’t be the only one – Skyscanner has observed 40% increase in YoY search for flights to Seoul during cherry blossoms season in March.

To make your adventure more affordable, you can mix & match your airlines and airports! You don’t have to stick to round-trip flights; flying out with one airline and back with another, or using different airports for your departure and return, can save you quite a bit of money. Here are some of the best deals for flying to Seoul:

• International Flower Festival in Gangtok, Sikkim
  When to Go: April and May

Sikkim isn’t just about Himalayan views and monasteries. The International Flower Festival in Gangtok is a riot of colour, with over 1000 species of flowers on display. The vibe is festive and the flowers? Absolutely Instagrammable. Take a selfie with the dazzling array of flowers, and don’t forget to capture the beautiful mountain backdrop. Throw in a little Sikkimese traditional dress for that extra pop! Here are some great deals:

• Flower Carpet in Brussels, Belgium – A Colourful Explosion of Love
  When to Go: Mid-August

Brussels isn’t just about its iconic chocolates and waffles; it’s also home to the stunning Flower Carpet festival. For one weekend every two years, the Grand-Place is transformed into a colorful tapestry made entirely of begonias. It’s an art form that literally takes your breath away. While you’re there, dive into the quirky vibes of the Atomium, explore the funky streets, or get lost in surreal art at the Magritte Museum. Check out these great deals, to make your romantic getaway extra special by enjoying both the flowers and everything else this vibrant city has to offer:

• Shillong’s Cherry Blossom Festival – The Pink Paradise, You Never Knew You Needed
  When to Go: Mid-November

With over half (56%) of travellers buzzing to witness cherry blossoms in 2025, Shillong’s Cherry Blossom Festival is one of the top destinations to consider. Imagine walking through a forest of soft pink petals falling like confetti—this is India’s answer to Japan’s Sakura, with a laid-back mountain twist. Last year’s addition of a Japanese village brought even more cultural flair, blending local charm with international vibes.

It’s no surprise Shillong is one of the most popular destinations for Indian travellers in 2025, according to Skyscanner’s Travel Trends 2025 report. So, when you’re not soaking in the pink magic, go explore Elephant Falls, Ward’s Lake, and dive deeper into the Japanese charm with a tour of Lady Hydari Park, all just an hour from Shillong Airport.

• The Valley of Flowers National Park – Nature’s Love Story in Uttarakhand
  When to Go: Early October

The Valley of Flowers is a real-life fairytale. This UNESCO World Heritage Site features wildflowers against a backdrop of snow-capped peaks. Between June and October, the valley comes alive with a vibrant tapestry of flowers, including the rare Himalayan blue poppy, Brahma Kamal, and orchids – perfect for nature lovers looking to reconnect with the planet (and each other!). Interestingly, Skyscanner has noted a 21% YoY rise in searches for flights to Dehradun in October and a 28% increase in searches during the month as compared to September. Here are some incredible deals to help you explore this paradise:

Skyscanner makes it easy to find flights to some of the most breathtaking horticultural destinations worldwide. When it comes to accommodations, don’t just settle for the first hotel that pops up. Use Skyscanner’s interactive map to explore nearby options and you might just find a better stay just a street away. With Skyscanner’s hotel search, you can also uncover unique accommodations close to nature, such as treehouses or eco-lodges set amidst lush botanical landscapes.

New Delhi, February 6, 2025 – Crowne Plaza Today New Delhi Okhla is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Vinay Dahiya as Security Manager. With over nine years of expertise in security management, risk assessment, fire & life safety, and asset protection, Vinay brings a sharp strategic vision and a proactive approach to safety and risk mitigation.

His career spans leadership roles at DoubleTree by Hilton Gurgaon, JLL (Jones Lang LaSalle), The Westin Gurgaon, and Crowne Plaza Jaipur Tonk Road. This marks Vinay’s second tenure with IHG, having previously played a key role in strengthening security operations at Crowne Plaza Today New Delhi Okhla itself.

To deepen his expertise in security and risk management, Vinay has pursued several professional certifications. He holds the Certified Security Professional (CSP) credential, along with a Post Graduate Diploma in Disaster Management (PGDDM) and a Post Graduate Diploma in Security Intelligence Management (PGDSIM). These qualifications have equipped him with advanced knowledge in handling security threats, crisis response, and intelligence-based risk mitigation strategies.

Recognized for his proactive leadership and crisis management skills, Vinay has successfully handled high-profile security operations, including VIP movements, large-scale event security, and emergency response planning. His ability to implement robust security frameworks while ensuring a seamless guest experience makes him a valuable asset to the team.

Ritesh Sharma, General Manager, Crowne Plaza Today New Delhi Okhla, commented on the appointment:
“Security in hospitality is not just about vigilance—it’s about foresight, adaptability, and instilling confidence in every guest and team member. Vinay’s extensive experience, combined with his deep understanding of evolving security challenges, makes him the right leader to drive our safety initiatives forward.”

Expressing his enthusiasm, Vinay Dahiya said:
“I am excited to take on this role at Crowne Plaza Today New Delhi Okhla. Security is at the core of exceptional hospitality, and I look forward to working closely with the team to uphold the highest standards of safety and operational excellence.”

Beyond his professional expertise, Vinay is passionate about fitness, cars, and travel.

Working with children always brings a different kind of joy, and actress Brinda Dahal, who plays Vaishnavi in Chatti Maiyya Ki Bitiya on Sun Neo, is experiencing just that! After the show’s leap, two adorable child artists, Tiyanshika and Kiyara, joined the cast, and Brinda has already formed a beautiful connection with them.

Brinda shares her beautiful connection with these little stars, “I love spending time with kids, and on the set of Chatti Maiyya Ki Bitiya, I have formed a beautiful bond with the two little girls in our show Tiyanshika (Radha) and Kiyara (Shree). They are adorable, full of energy, and so talented! I naturally connect with children, and it’s been a joy to work with them. We’ve also made some fun trending reels together, which have been a blast! Their enthusiasm and innocence bring so much positivity to the set, making every moment even more special.”

The Chatti Maiyya Ki Bitiya actress further expresses how impressed she is with their talent and dedication, “What amazes me the most is how quickly they grasp everything. Whether it’s dialogues or scenes, they catch on so fast, and their confidence is truly inspiring. Watching them perform with so much ease and dedication at such a young age is heartwarming. They remind me that learning can be fun and that passion has no age.”

Chatti Maiyya Ki Bitiya, airing on Sun Neo at 7 PM, follows Vaishnavi, an orphan who draws strength and comfort from her unshakable faith in Chatti Maiyya, who acts as a motherly figure in her life. The show features a talented ensemble cast, including Sneha Wagh, Sara Khan, Jaya Bhattacharya, Brinda Dahal, and Ashish Dixit.