All posts by K S Krishna

January 17, 2025: The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) is excited to announce Sugee Group as the Title Sponsor for the 50th anniversary celebrations of the iconic Wankhede Stadium, scheduled for January 19. This partnership marks a significant milestone as both organizations come together to honor the rich legacy of one of cricket’s most revered venues.

Established in 1986, Sugee Group has evolved into one of Mumbai’s fastest-growing realty business groups, specializing in the redevelopment of residential projects that offer premium and luxury housing. With a portfolio of marquee projects in prime locations across the city, Sugee Group is committed to enhancing the urban landscape of Mumbai while providing exceptional living experiences.

The anniversary celebration will feature an impressive lineup of cricketing legends, including Sachin Tendulkar, Sunil Gavaskar, Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Ravi Shastri, Ajinkya Rahane, Dilip Vengsarkar, and Diana Edulji, who will come together to commemorate the historic significance of Wankhede Stadium.

“We are truly honoured to be the Title Sponsor for the 50th anniversary of the iconic Wankhede Stadium,” said Nishant Deshmukh, Founder and Managing Partner, Sugee Group. “Wankhede stadium is more than just a cricket ground; it is a conglomeration of memories, a symbol of sporting excellence, and an integral part of Mumbai’s rich cultural heritage. As one of the leading real estate developers in Mumbai, we are committed to supporting such initiatives that celebrate the spirit of sports, community, and shared legacy. This partnership with the MCA underscores our dedication to creating meaningful connections that inspire and bring people together. We are thrilled to be part of this historic celebration and look forward to sharing this landmark occasion with cricket enthusiasts across the nation.”

MCA President Shri Ajinkya Naik expressed his gratitude for Sugee Group’s support, stating, “Having Sugee Group as our Title Sponsor adds immense value to our celebrations. Their dedication to enhancing Mumbai’s landscape resonates with our mission to honor the legacy of Wankhede Stadium. Together, we aim to create an unforgettable experience for cricket enthusiasts and engage fans from all corners of the country.”

As the Title Sponsor, Sugee Group will play a pivotal role in the anniversary celebrations, ensuring that the event is a grand tribute to the history and significance of Wankhede Stadium.

This January, The Green Co-Op at Jio World Drive, Mumbai is set to charm with a special edition of its beloved weekend community market, marking four incredible years of celebrating homegrown talent and community spirit. From January 17th to 19th, join them under the open sky for an unforgettable experience, blending artisanal allure with modern take. Open to all, this milestone event will be a feast for the senses, running from 4 PM to 10 PM.

Known for its vibrant atmosphere, The Green Co-Op brings together a curated selection of homegrown labels offering everything from gourmet pantry staples and handcrafted treasures to organic skincare and one-of-a-kind finds. This anniversary edition takes the excitement a notch higher, combining creative retail stalls with immersive activities and surprises designed to delight every visitor.

Prepare to be mesmerized by a stunning experiential LED installation and picturesque photo opportunities that will light up your evening and your social media feed. Groove to the rhythm of live music performances as you explore stalls brimming with unique products and irresistible food and beverage offerings from talented home chefs and artisans.

Families and friends can express their creative side at the DIY activities and games, adding fun to the festivities. For those who love a little keepsake, the Charm Station is where you can create personalized mementos to mark this joyous occasion.

The Green Co-Op’s 4th Anniversary Edition is a carnival of community, creativity, and the shared happiness of discovering the incredible. Whether you’re looking for thoughtful buys, interactive fun, or simply an evening of soulful music and delectable bites, this event is your ultimate destination.

Come and be a part of this special milestone and honour four years of The Green Co-Op together, where every moment is crafted to inspire, indulge, and satisfy.

January 17, 2025 – The Mahindra Group is proud to announce the launch of “SOAR: Seamless Opportunity for Amazing Returnships,” a pioneering program designed to create full-time, meaningful career opportunities for women professionals who have taken a career break and are now ready to resume their corporate journeys. Unlike many industry programs that limit returning talent to short-term or part-time assignments, SOAR invests deeply in these professionals, providing them with roles aligned to their pre-break experience as well as an intensive framework of mentorship, training, and continued engagement.

Commenting on the initiative, Mr. Ruzbeh Irani, President – Group Human Resources, Mahindra Group, said, “Women returning to the workforce bring resilience, fresh perspectives, and invaluable experience. At Mahindra, we believe in nurturing this talent by offering not just a role, but a journey—one enriched with guidance, upskilling, and long-term growth opportunities. SOAR reflects our promise to ensure that every returning professional feels supported, valued, and empowered to reach new heights.”

Designed for women with at least five years of prior work experience and a career break of six months to three years, SOAR begins with a comprehensive induction at the Mahindra Leadership University (MLU). This onboarding process encourages networking, collaborative learning, and a shared sense of purpose among all participants. Each returning professional is then paired with both a “buddy” and a mentor, fostering critical support and advocacy during the transition back to work.

Alongside ongoing mentorship, the program offers flexible work arrangements such as job sharing or part-time engagements, allowing candidates to balance personal and professional commitments. Through periodic feedback loops, structured one-on-one check-ins, and leadership reviews, SOAR ensures that participants continually build upon their skill sets, rediscover their professional identity, and thrive over the long term.

The Mahindra Group, a multinational federation of companies operating in diverse industries, has long embraced its philosophy of “Rise”—empowering people to drive positive change. With SOAR, the Group extends this mission to women returning to work, believing that inclusive workplaces ultimately fuel resilience, innovation, and sustainable growth. By weaving developmental opportunities into a strong support network, SOAR sets a new benchmark for forward-thinking talent management, benefitting returning women professionals and the communities they serve.

17 January 2025: Udyamotsav-Fundraising Platform for Startups in Academic Institutions A day of witnessing the innovation occurring in different parts of the country, Udyamotsav, conducted on National Startup Day, was a vibrant event conducted at BMSCE, bringing together the creativity and innovation done by over 25 startups across 15 different AICTE approved institutions, to shine the spotlight on their talent and provide a platform for the future of startup culture.

The day began with the local inauguration ceremony presided by the principal of BMSCE, Bheemsha Arya and many other dignitaries. The entire auditorium, filled with enthusiastic students, innovators and faculty, was warmly welcomed by the Vice Principal of BMSCE, Dr. Ravi Kumar. The lamp was lit, invoking the blessings of the almighty, setting the stage for a successful event.

After the local inauguration, a central inauguration from was directly broadcasted from Amity University, Noida, which also connected the other AICTE institutions, creating a collaborative experience for all the participants throughout the country.

With over 20 startups ranging from various domains including Technology, Medical Sciences, Agriculture and many others, the investors showed immense interest in what these startups had created.

The startups were divided into 2 groups to facilitate the smooth functioning of the event. The investors were also allotted to the two groups based on their domain of interest.

A lunch break then ensued to provide the startups with the energy to continue their pitches. VIP lunches were provided to the investors, some of whom, were extremely involved in the pitches that they decided to have lunch while listening to the startups, to not break their flow.

As the break concluded and the pitches resumed, the investors saw some startups that not only had great ideas but were also operating in the market, proving the strength of their concepts. Some pitches showed great potential and impressed the investors so much that the investors showed explicit interest in their idea.

As the pitches concluded, a networking tea break began where investors and startups got to interact with one another, gaining meaningful insights into the world of business.

The students and faculty of BMSCE, forming the organizing committee of the event, made sure that the event was a smooth success. The volunteers, junior coordinators, and coordinators were ever helpful and made Udyamotsav the successful event it was meant to be.

17th January, 2025: Brigade Foundation, the CSR arm of Brigade Group, donated a sum of ₹50 Lakh Rupees towards Dr Rao’s NGO, Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre, Jeevan Dhara Foundation, and Cyte Care. – Humanist. The donations were announced after Dr Shiela Rao’s keynote address to graduating students from all three Brigade Schools. The event commenced with the invocation and lighting of the lamp, creating a serene ambience that set the stage for the evening.

The programme, ‘Passion with Compassion’, is the brainchild of our Founder, Mrs Githa Shankar. In keeping with this, Mrs Githa Shankar felicitated Dr Shiela Rao for her remarkable humanitarian efforts. Ms Shiela Rao, who has a Bachelor of Veterinary Sciences and received the ICAR scholarship in 1974, has positively impacted countless lives with her unwavering commitment to animal welfare. As the Honorary Secretary and Trustee of the Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre (WRRC) and the Co-founding Trustee of Compassion Unlimited Plus Action (CUPA), Ms Rao has been a pioneer in advocating for the humane treatment and care of animals, blending compassion with action.

Mrs Parthasarathy, Principal of The Brigade School @JP Nagar, delivered the welcome speech. She said, marks not just a milestone in the lives of our graduating students but also a celebration of Brigade Foundation’s enduring commitment to education and community development.

Mrs Githa Shankar, Founder of The Brigade Schools, addressed the graduating students. Mrs Shankar encourages our students to pursue their search for excellence in academics and other activities. At the same time, she believes it is essential to realise that one’s quality of life cannot improve if we do not help others.

The Junior School Choir from The Brigade School @ Mahadevapura presented the song “In This Together” – “I can hear the whole world singing together, I can hear the whole world say, ‘It’s now or never.’” These powerful lines resonated in the hearts and minds of our students. This song had a profound message about the urgency to protect our wildlife and environment. The lyrics inspired collective responsibility, reminding the students that working together can make a meaningful difference to our planet.

Dr Shiela Rao, the keynote speaker, spoke about the importance of animals and of being a compassionate human being. She stressed the collective responsibility of creating a more humane world: Dr. Suranjana Ganguly, a veterinarian BSc. BVMS MRCVS, from Glasgow University, spoke about her experiences working for an NGO.

Students at The Brigade School @ Malleswaram performed a beautiful dance sequence that combined Bharatanatyam, the elegance of Kathak, and the expressive beauty of Mohiniyattam and Kuchipudi. This captivating sequence celebrated the essence and spirit of Mother Earth and the life it nurtures.

In essence, the programme blended recognition of outstanding contributions, motivational addresses and artistic expressions, leaving a lasting impact on the audience.

17 January 2025 – Malaysia Airlines and Firefly have been appointed as official airline partners for the ASEAN Travel Exchange (TRAVEX). A key component of the ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) 2025, TRAVEX serves as a business platform connecting ASEAN buyers and sellers, showcasing a diverse range of destination products and services. The event is scheduled to take place from 15 to 18 January 2025 at the Persada Johor International Convention Centre, Malaysia.

As official airline partners, Malaysia Airlines and Firefly will offer seamless travel solutions for delegates attending ATF 2025 and TRAVEX, including buyers and media representatives. By offering extensive connectivity across domestic and international routes, both airlines will ensure convenient access to Johor, Malaysia – the host destination for this prestigious event. The collaboration underscores a commitment to promoting ASEAN as a unified travel destination while showcasing the service and hospitality that define the travel experience with Malaysia Airlines and Firefly. Malaysia Airlines will showcase the essence of ‘Malaysian Hospitality’, while Firefly will complement this effort by offering connectivity across domestic and regional destinations, supporting accessibility for the event.

Dersenish Aresandiran, Chief Commercial Officer of Airlines from Malaysia Aviation Group, said, “Malaysia Airlines and Firefly are honoured to be the official airline partners for TRAVEX 2025. This collaboration underscores a commitment to enhancing connectivity across ASEAN and beyond, ensuring seamless and efficient travel for delegates. By providing exceptional service and culturally immersive travel experiences, Malaysia Airlines continues to strengthen its role as the gateway to Malaysia and beyond for global travellers.”

“ATF 2025 serves as a vital platform for shaping a vibrant and sustainable future for ASEAN’s tourism industry,” said Datuk Manoharan Periasamy, Director General of Tourism Malaysia. “This forum offers an opportunity to showcase Southeast Asia’s breathtaking natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, and inspiring stories, captivating travellers from around the world. Malaysia is honoured to host this prestigious event, and with the support of Malaysia Airlines and Firefly, we aim to ensure seamless connectivity and exceptional experiences for all attendees.”

Organised by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia, ATF 2025, under the theme “UNITY IN MOTION: SHAPING ASEAN’S TOURISM TOMORROW,” aims to unite leaders from ASEAN nations to drive sustainable tourism and digital transformation across the region. As official airline partners for TRAVEX, Malaysia Airlines and Firefly are committed to supporting the forum’s vision of a thriving and sustainable ASEAN tourism industry. Both airlines will provide seamless travel solutions for delegates, including ministers of tourism, government representatives, corporate leaders, and media from across the region.

Additionally, to encourage travellers to rediscover the joy of exploration, immerse themselves in diverse cultures, and create unforgettable experiences, Malaysia Airlines recently launched its global “Time For” travel campaign happening from now until 22 January 2025, inviting travellers worldwide to make 2025 a year of memorable journeys.

17th January 2025: The much-anticipated launch of Urban Chronicles 4, the latest in Nita Bajoria’s acclaimed Urban Chronicles series, was successfully held at The Creative Arts, Kolkata. An esteemed gathering of literary figures and artists graced the event, making for an evening filled with insightful discussions, celebrations, and reflections on the evolving landscape of urban storytelling.

An exceptional lineup of luminaries who graced the launch event: Ms. Alokananda Roy, Dance Educationist and Choreographer, served as the Chief Guest and highlighted the importance of art in capturing the complexities of urban life; Mr. Harsho Mohan Chattoraj, Renowned Graphic Novelist, shared his insights on the evolving role of graphic novels in contemporary storytelling; Mr. Ramanjit Kaur, International award-winning Theatre Director and Artpreneur moderated the event through a thought-provoking discussion on the role of art in shaping public consciousness. The book launch was also attended by: Mr. Namit Bajoria, MD Kutchina (Husband of Author); Mr. Pranay Poddar, Honorary Consul (Republic of Kenya); Mr. Arunabha Karmakar, Painter; Mr. Siddhartha Sen, Author; Ms. Vidhi Beri, Health and Wellness Coach & many other eminent personalities.

Published by Kalamos and exclusively distributed by Westland Books, Urban Chronicles 4 consists of three poignant short stories in a captivating graphic novel format. The stories explore the complexities of urban life, delving deep into the human experience with a fresh perspective. Each narrative reflects modern societal themes, touching on identity, relationships, and the challenges of living in bustling urban environments.

The event kicked off with the unveiling of the book. The launch was followed by an engaging panel discussion that explored the intersection of graphic novels, literature, and urban culture. Nita Bajoria, the Kolkata-based author and graphic novelist, shared the inspiration and creative process behind Urban Chronicles 4. The panellists discussed the role of visual art in contemporary literature and how the graphic novel format is evolving as a powerful tool to reflect the world we live in.

India’s First Global Multicast News Hub – Live Times, proudly announces its strategic partnership with Aidem Ventures, a renowned media sales and marketing consulting company, appointing them as the Agency on Record for advertising sales. This collaboration represents a significant milestone in Live Times’ journey to excellence and impactful journalism.

Aidem, the largest independent media sales, marketing and consulting company in India, with its proven record in managing advertising sales for the country’s top news media brands for over two decades, is a welcome value addition to the brand. This strategic partnership with Live Times will see Aidem leveraging its innovative sales strategies in order to generate higher ROI for advertisers. With Adiem’s network, research, and technology to monetize assets, Live Times is set to expand and strengthen its revenue and market presence.

The partnership comes at a time when Live Times has started gaining recognition for its delivery of authentic news. By combining Aidem’s expertise with Live Times’ vision for truthful journalism, this collaboration is set to bring a disruption in the media news ecosystem.

Commenting on the partnership, Mr. Dilip Kumar Singh, Founder – Live Times, said, “Our partnership with Aidem in India, is in continuation of our quality driven partnership approach that we have forged with the best of the global tech giants and service providers. Our partnership with Aidem, a pioneer in media marketing, allows us to scale our advertising efforts and extend our reach to new horizons. Together, we are poised to set new benchmarks in the media industry and create greater value for advertisers and viewers alike.”

“We are thrilled to collaborate with Live Times, a channel that stands firmly on the principles of truth and fact-based journalism,” said Mr. Karan Gupta, Director of Aidem Ventures. “We are confident that its commitment to delivering credible and impactful news will resonate deeply with consumers and brands alike. We look forward to leveraging our expertise and working with the talented professionals at Live Times to ensure their content receives the recognition it deserves from the advertising fraternity, while staying true to its values of editorial excellence.”

By seamlessly integrating Aidem’s advertising sales expertise, Live Times is set to fortify its position as the most accurate and trustworthy news media house in the crowded news industry.

January 17, 2025: In today’s digital age, where portable devices are at the center of our lives, the need for faster and high-performance storage solutions have become a necessity. To keep up with storage needs, Western Digital has introduced its first and the world’s fastest microSD™ UHS-I Card in 2TB1 capacity from its award-winning SanDisk® brand. Whether it’s a weekend trip, or a professional gig, these cards are capable of meeting the demands of today’s intensive workflows, catering to enthusiasts, creators, and professionals alike.

“We aim to inspire people to create more and are committed to helping content creators transform ideas into stories without worrying about storage limitations. We are happy to introduce the world’s fastest 2TB1 microSD card; so, people around the world have more time to focus on capturing the moment, wherever their adventure takes them.” says, Khalid Wani, Senior Director Sales, India, Western Digital.

Built for today’s adventure and ready for tomorrow’s journey:

With up to 2TB1 of capacity, the new SanDisk Extreme PRO® microSDXC™ UHS-I Card is designed for modern creators offering massive capacity to capture for longer and store more. Whether you’re recording high-quality 4K UHD2 point-of-view video, capturing pristine high-resolution stills, or wanting to expand storage for your Android™ devices, laptops, or handheld gaming consoles, this microSD card delivers unparalleled performance. Now one can save precious moments with blazing fast read and write speeds up to 250MB/s3 and 150MB/s3 respectively when used with SanDisk® QuickFlow™5 microSD UHS-I Card USB-A Reader (sold separately). Further this card load apps quickly and enables smooth performance.

The SanDisk Extreme PRO microSD UHS-I card withstands extreme conditions and rough handling, despite constant use.4 Further, RescuePRO® Deluxe data recovery software8 effectively restore photos, videos, documents, and other types of files in a wide range of formats that have been accidentally deleted, corrupted, or lost due to formatting. Reclaim your digital life, easily. With a lifetime limited warranty9, this card is built to last and provide exceptional performance for years to come.

Key features:

Ideal for action cams, drones, Android devices, and handheld gaming devices. When used with an SD adapter: cameras, including Digital Single Lens Reflex (DSLR) and Mirrorless (MIL); camcorders; laptops; portable audio recorders.
Blazing fast speeds: Read speeds up to 250MB/s and write speeds up to 150MB/s3 when used with SanDisk QuickFlow5 microSD™ UHS-I Card USB-A Reader (sold separately).
Maximize with massive capacity: Capture for longer and store more with up to 2TB1 of storage that can hold up to 2,808 minutes of 4K UHD video2 recorded at 30 fps (641MB/minute).7
Recover what matters most: Recover and restore files with the RescuePRO Deluxe data recovery software, free, for two full years.8
Built to last, and last: Backed by a lifetime limited warranty9, SanDisk branded cards perform over the long haul.

Mumbai, January 17, 2025: In a strategic step toward expanding its global footprint and service offerings, One Point One Solutions Limited (OPO) today announced the signing of a term sheet to acquire US-based Healthcare Company in Revenue Cycle Management (RCM) for $45 million including earnouts. This potential acquisition aligns with One Point One’s strategy to become a global leader in business process management (BPM) and technology-driven solutions.

Through this potential acquisition, the combined entity plans to leverage cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning to optimize efficiency and innovation in service delivery. This complements One Point One’s strategy to broaden its worldwide delivery model, creating value for clients across industries such as healthcare, finance, and telecommunications.

Commenting on the acquisition, Mr. Akshay Chhabra, Chairman and Managing Director of One Point One Solutions Limited said, “The signing of this term sheet marks a significant step in our journey to redefine global outsourcing standards. The target company brings a wealth of expertise, with a talented workforce who are veterans in the healthcare industry having over 100+ years of combined experience will play a crucial role in driving our growth strategy.” The signing of term sheet is poised to strengthen One Point One’s capabilities to become a key player in the $410 billion global BPM market in healthcare vertical. OPO already has a widespread geographic presence, this acquisition will add nearshore delivery locations in Uruguay and the Dominican Republic, and offshore centers in the Philippines.

The completion of this acquisition is subject to due diligence, regulatory clearances, and the finalization of definitive agreements. The entire process of integration is expected to be achieved by Q3 2025.