All posts by K S Krishna

15th January 2025: Determined to spotlight road safety while exploring the vibrant diversity of India, entrepreneur Somit Makar has embarked on an ambitious 10,000+ km solo drive from Delhi to Kanyakumari and back via the Coromandel Coast. This two-month journey is a blend of advocacy and adventure, showcasing India’s breathtaking landscapes, rich history, and cultural tapestry.

The journey, which began on November 9, 2024, takes him across 11 states, covering 110 cities, 46 cities where he will stop over, like Varanasi, Kolkata, Bhubaneswar, Chennai, and Bengaluru before looping back through Hyderabad and Jabalpur. Driving a Grand Vitara 2023 mild hybrid model, Somit is on a mission to capture over 400 unique experiences, ranging from pristine beaches and lush forests to ancient temples and bustling village fairs. The entrepreneur is especially looking forward to relish 10 experiences namely Dev Deepavali at Varanasi, Sunset at Arichalmunai, Khajuraho Temple Carvings, Pristine Beaches of Puri, Stargazing at Gandikota, New Year’s Dawn Safari at Tadoba, Migratory Birds at Chilka Lake, Chilled out Pondishery Life, Gurudev’s Shantiniketan, and Alipiri Mettu Walk to Tirumala.

“I’ve always believed that every road tells a story, and this journey is about discovering India’s many tales while driving home the importance of safer roads,” says Somit. His expedition is supported by the Centre of Excellence for Road Safety (CoERS) at IIT Madras as the knowledge partner, and Allianz Partners provides roadside assistance, ensuring the drive is as smooth as it is inspiring.

The incredible diversity of India’s terrain and culture is a focal point of Somit’s journey. From the spiritual aura of Varanasi to the architectural wonders of Mahabalipuram, or lovely hill retreat of Araku Valley to the serene beaches of Rameswaram, every stop is an opportunity to delve deeper into the heart of the nation. “Exploring India’s lesser-known gems along the East Coast has been a revelation. These roads not only connect places but also connect us to the soul of the country. Also, India is well-connected now due to a reliable and evolving highways network,” he shares.

Somit’s passion for exploration is matched by his commitment to documenting and sharing his experiences. Through social media updates, he brings real-time insights from his journey, blending travel anecdotes with calls for responsible driving. His posts celebrate the resilience of people in remote areas, spotlight challenges faced on India’s roads and amplify stories of communities embracing safe practices.

This is not Somit’s first long-haul drive. Last year, he completed an 11,000-km solo expedition along the Malabar Coast, which deepened his appreciation for India’s varied landscapes and its evolving road infrastructure. “That journey taught me how much progress we’ve made and how much more we can achieve,” he reflects.

While advocating for road safety remains central to his mission, this drive is as much about inspiring wanderlust as it is about sparking change. By weaving through India’s scenic routes and heritage sites, Somit hopes to encourage others to explore the country while respecting its roads and environment.

India’s road safety challenges—claiming 1.35 million lives annually worldwide—are significant, but initiatives like Somit’s offer hope and inspiration. “The beauty of a journey like this is that it combines adventure with purpose. It’s not just about the miles; it’s about the memories and the message we carry forward,” he concludes.

As Somit continues his odyssey, he invites others to join him virtually and embrace the idea that travel is more than reaching a destination—it’s about the experiences along the way. With every mile he covers, Somit Makar reaffirms the power of one individual to spark a movement for change while celebrating the incredible tapestry of India.

Mumbai – Jasmine Modi, founder of Acushastra and a leading acupuncturist with over two decades of experience, is bringing her expertise to the forefront with the 4-Day Spring Detox Program at Acushastra Wellness Center in Andheri West. Certified by NADA India and known for her distinguished clientele, including celebrities and wellness enthusiasts, Ms. Jasmine Modi has crafted this program to align with the body’s natural detoxification rhythms during the seasonal transition from winter to spring, fostering holistic rejuvenation for the mind, body, and soul.

The objective of the Spring Detox Program is to enhance the body’s innate cleansing mechanisms while fostering physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Inspired by the seasonal rhythm of renewal, the program aims to help participants eliminate toxins, improve energy levels, and create space for growth and vitality in their lives.

The immersive 4-day detox program combines ancient acupuncture techniques, cupping therapy, and a carefully curated nutritional plan to offer a comprehensive approach to detoxification. Participants will benefit from therapies that stimulate blood flow, balance Qi, and reduce digestive strain, all while promoting a sense of deep relaxation and clarity.

Speaking about the program, Jasmine Modi said, “Detoxification is a deeply transformative process that goes beyond just physical cleansing. According to acupuncture principles, spring is the ideal season to detox, as it aligns with the body’s natural rhythm of releasing what is no longer needed after the hibernation phase of winter. This program is designed to optimize vital systems like the digestive, circulatory, and nervous systems, allowing them to function more efficiently throughout the year. It’s not just about physical renewal—it’s about creating clarity and balance for both the mind and body.”

Acies is pleased to announce that Kepler and Revolutio, it’s suite of credit risk applications, has been recognized as a Category Leader by Chartis Research in its 2024 Credit Portfolio Management Solutions Market Quadrants report. This recognition highlights Acies’ strong performance and leadership in delivering cutting-edge credit risk and credit portfolio management solutions tailored to meet the dynamic needs of financial institutions worldwide.

“Acies continues to expand by deploying its credit portfolio management solution across the banking verticals…” said Anish Shah, Research Director at Chartis Research. “This product expansion, supported by an appropriate technology infrastructure and services model, is reflected in Acies’ performance in our 2024 Credit Portfolio Management quadrant.”

Acies’ portfolio of credit risk solutions includes:

Kepler Early Warning System (EWS): Kepler EWS delivers automated credit indicators and triggers for a diverse set of credit portfolios (viz. retail, micro-finance, SME, corporate, etc.), as well as an integrated response center to bring together credit monitoring and origination teams. With no-code integrations for third-party data and the ability to configure custom indicators, Kepler EWS makes the identification and remediation of vulnerable credit fast and easy.

Kepler IFRS 9: Kepler IFRS 9 is a complete IFRS 9 automation platform, simultaneously addressing the requirements of risk management, finance, and regulatory reporting teams. The solution delivers all IFRS9 requirements, including pooling, PD/LGD modeling, cash flows, staging rules, ECL calculation and optimization, EIR calculation, IFRS9 accounting, and disclosures.

Kepler Credit Portfolio Management (CPM): Kepler CPM takes care of the conventional / GAAP provisioning requirement that continues today in multiple countries, over and above IFRS9-based provisioning. With user-defined rules, a high-speed data ingestion engine and on-demand dashboards & reports, Kepler CPM simplifies credit provisioning while complying with all regulatory requirements.

Revolutio: Revolutio is a fully no-code regulatory reporting platform designed to unify and streamline data management, model-building and advanced BI – all within a single technology layer. Revolutio automates workflows, incorporates integrated validation checks, centralizes data control, and offers customizable dashboards, addressing the reporting needs of finance, risk, and regulatory teams with precision and efficiency.

“We are thrilled to receive this recognition as a Category Leader in Credit Portfolio Management Solutions…” said Arindam Banerjee, Head of Business Development at Acies. “This acknowledgment reflects our commitment to developing high-impact, transformative solutions that empower financial institutions to manage credit risk effectively while meeting evolving market and regulatory demands. Our portfolio of solutions continues to demonstrate the value we bring to clients globally.”

“This recognition underscores our dedication to creating robust technology platforms that address the real-world challenges of credit risk management…” added Abhinava Bajpai, Head of Acies TechWorks. “From automating complex workflows to providing actionable insights, our solutions are designed to help clients achieve precision, speed, and scalability. We remain committed to driving innovation and enabling our clients to stay ahead in a dynamic financial ecosystem.”

Acies’ consistent innovation and dedication to delivering high-performance solutions position it as a trusted partner for financial institutions worldwide. Its comprehensive suite of platforms is designed to drive efficiency, compliance, and growth in a rapidly evolving financial landscape.

January 15, 2025 – BGauss, a lifestyle enhancing mobility solution, belonging to the promoters of RR Global, today announced it has raised INR 161 crore in a new funding round, comprising a mix of primary and secondary capital. The sole investor in this round is Bharat Value Fund (BVF), a prominent mid-market growth investment house. With this infusion of capital, BGauss aims to accelerate its growth strategy, expand its footprint in India and abroad, and bolster its in-house research and development for upcoming product launches.

BGauss plans to deploy the newly raised funds into capex, marketing, and broader expansion efforts, including the launch of two new electric two-wheeler products in the current year. The company is also ramping up its goal to rank among the top five players in the Indian electric vehicle (EV) segment. To support this ambition, BGauss will focus on increasing its dealership network from 120 to 500, while simultaneously aiming for 1,000+ touchpoints across the country. In parallel, the manufacturing capacity stands at 100,000 units per year, which the company intends to scale further as demand grows. This latest partnership highlights BVF’s confidence in the rapidly evolving EV market and BGauss’s potential to become a market leader.

The infusion marks BVF’s seventh overall investment and fourth in the consumer space within the last three months. Recent BVF investments include BumTum (Millennium Babycare Limited) in personal hygiene, Haldiram Bhujiawala Ltd. in snacks and savoury, and Aniket Metals Pvt. Ltd. in consumer durables.

Ms. Madhu Lunawat, CIO, Bharat Value Fund, said, “We are excited to partner with BGauss, spearheaded by the visionary and dynamic leader, Hemant Kabra. This investment reaffirms our commitment to empowering environmentally conscious businesses that drive positive change. As early advocates of sustainable mobility, we’ve been actively tracking and supporting eco-friendly initiatives since pre[1]pandemic times. With this transaction, both teams shall work together towards creating a greener tomorrow.”

Mr. Hemant Kabra, Founder and Managing Director, BGauss, said, “We are thrilled to welcome Bharat Value Fund as a strategic partner in our growth journey. Their proven track record in nurturing profitable, growth-stage companies aligns perfectly with our ambition. This funding will accelerate our mission to be among the top five EV two-wheeler players and bring cutting-edge, reliable electric scooters to the market. We look forward to expanding our dealer network, boosting manufacturing capacity, and delivering two exciting new products fully designed, engineered, and made for India.” Current investors continue to hold a significant stake in BGauss, reinforcing their faith in the company’s long-term vision.

Mr. Darshan Patel, an existing investor and Founder of Vini Cosmetics, added, “Our association with BGauss over the last two and a half years has been an incredible journey. We are excited for the future and wholeheartedly welcome Bharat Value Fund. We believe this new partnership will take BGauss to greater heights, strengthening its position in the EV industry.” Bolstered by a strong in-house tech team, BGauss continues to refine proprietary components, particularly in powertrain and battery technology. With 40,000+ customers to date and a 1.5% market share—ranking in the top seven electric two-wheeler brands in India—the company is primed for further growth. Looking ahead, BGauss is also making strides in export markets, targeting Europe and SAARC countries as its first international destinations.

Vegas Mall hosted an exuberant Lohri celebration, bringing together vibrant traditions, spirited performances, and a festive atmosphere. The event, attended by a large gathering, was a perfect blend of cultural richness and community bonding, making it an unforgettable evening for everyone. With its grand celebration, Vegas Mall reaffirmed its position as a hub for festive events in the capital.

The Lohri festivities at the mall featured a lively Bhangra performance that had the crowd grooving, accompanied by a high-energy Live DJ, Gathka performance and Dhol beats. Guests were enchanted by the soulful folk music

that echoed through the venue, while the traditional bonfire became a focal point of joy and togetherness. Families, friends, and shoppers came together to participate in the celebration, sharing festive sweets and reveling in the joyous spirit of Lohri. The vibrant décor and festive vibe created a perfect backdrop for the event, capturing the essence of this Punjabi harvest festival.

Speaking on the occasion, Ravinder Choudhary, Vice President, Vegas Mall, said, “Lohri is a celebration of harvest, gratitude, and community, and we are thrilled to have created an experience that brought people together to rejoice in the spirit of the festival. At Vegas Mall, we take pride in organizing such culturally immersive events, ensuring every visitor leaves with cherished memories.”

The Lohri celebration at Vegas Mall was not just an event but a testament to its commitment to creating joyful moments for the community. With its focus on blending tradition with modernity, the mall continues to be a preferred destination for cultural and festive gatherings, promising many more memorable experiences in the future.

January 15, 2025 – Snowflake, the AI Data Cloud company, today announced the launch of its One Million Minds + One Platform program with the goal of training and certifying more than 100,000 users on the Snowflake AI Data Cloud by 2027 at no cost for learners, and upskilling one million people on data and AI by 2029. Fueled by Snowflake’s $20 million investment, the One Million Minds + One Platform program will provide Snowflake-delivered training and certification courses to students and workers in high growth and emerging markets around the world. By delivering curriculum resources for workers and educators, as well as credits to use the Snowflake platform, Snowflake is unlocking AI upskilling for the next generation of business and technology users, empowering them to expand their skill sets to gain a competitive edge.

According to a 2024 Gallup poll, 22 percent of workers express concern that their jobs will become obsolete as a result of technology advancements like generative AI. The same study found that 72 percent of Fortune 500 CHROs foresee AI replacing some jobs within their organization in the next three years. In order to remain competitive in today’s rapidly evolving and highly competitive job market, workers must build and expand their skill set with the latest technologies to set themselves apart and deliver valuable expertise to the startups and enterprises of the future.

“To succeed in this digital age, every employee must be equipped with the skills that enable them to contribute in a data and AI-centric world,” said Sridhar Ramaswamy, CEO of Snowflake. “This requires that AI must not only be accessible for users at every skill level, but that users also have knowledge of how these applications work across the data lifecycle, as well as how to best engage with them. Through our investment, Snowflake is giving academic institutions and workers in regions around the world the tools and training to build successful careers as the technologists and founders of tomorrow.”

One Million Minds + One Platform seeks to address the needs of students and workers looking to both build, as well as expand their skill sets and become certified on the Snowflake AI Data Cloud platform. The program has two primary focuses:

Snowflake for Academia
To empower the next generation of AI, data, and application professionals, Snowflake is providing students with free access to Snowflake software, training materials, as well as industry leading data curriculum and training for educators. Today, the Snowflake for Academia program provides educators with enablement courses to get them certified on Snowflake and ready to teach in the classroom. Once certified, they receive teaching curriculum materials ranging from foundational courses to advanced self-paced tutorials, which include Academia Lab access for the entirety of the semester at no cost.

Within the next year, Snowflake intends to more than double the total enrollment of educators and academic institutions around the world who teach, train, and ultimately certify students on the Snowflake platform.

Vijayant Rai, Managing Director- India, Snowflake, said, “We are thrilled to bring the One Million Minds + One Platform program to India and power the second-largest developer community with the latest in data and AI, making them future-ready with in-demand skills. Our Academia program already provides training and access to lab environments and credits to hundreds of students and their educators in colleges and universities like KL University, Symbiosis International Deemed University, and D Y Patil College of Engineering, Akurdi, free of cost. We aim to grow the One Million Minds + One Platform program in the coming years by forging collaboration with more colleges, universities, public and private entities.”

Snowflake Training for High Growth and Emerging Markets

Snowflake will deliver new Snowflake Platform Trainings designed for individuals with limited experience using Snowflake and looking to accelerate their knowledge with the AI Data Cloud to workers and students across ASEAN, Canada, Germany, India, Korea, LATAM, Saudi Arabia, and more. Delivered by a Snowflake-certified instructor, the Snowflake Platform Training program is a step-by-step live and free introductory course to give users the hands-on experience and confidence to get started with their organization’s data transformation journey.

Snowflake-certified instructors will take program enlistees through the AI Data Cloud architecture, including data warehousing, data lakes, data engineering, AI/ML, data applications, and data sharing. Once completed, students can achieve certification by successfully completing the SnowPro Platform Associate Certification, available starting February 2025, to validate their newly acquired skills, including how to:

Setup and navigate the Snowflake user interface and Snowflake Notebooks
Create database, stages, and use compute resources
Load and leverage structured, semi-structured, and unstructured data
Understand Snowflake roles, and data access management
Understand and manage the Snowflake Account structure
Call the Snowflake Cortex LLM functions

The One Million Minds + One Platform program is only one part of Snowflake’s broader education and upskilling strategy. Snowflake University offers instructor-led, on-demand, self-directed courses that have helped hundreds of thousands of data professionals accelerate their data initiatives, whether they’re just getting started or driving advanced data projects.

Social Beat, a leading digital marketing agency in India, is proud to announce its win at the prestigious Google Agency Excellence Awards 2024 under the Creative Coverage category. This recognition underscores Social Beat’s innovative and data-driven approach to crafting impactful, creative digital campaigns.

The award-winning campaign, created for Fortune Kachi Ghani Mustard Oil, highlighted the brand’s trusted legacy and its connection to the cherished tradition of pickle-making. The campaign successfully blended cultural storytelling with advanced digital strategies, delivering exceptional results for the brand.

The campaign’s goal was to position Fortune Kachi Ghani Mustard Oil as the preferred choice for traditional pickle-making while celebrating its heritage.

Vikas Chawla, Co-founder of Social Beat, shared, “Winning the Google Agency Excellence Award in the Creative Coverage category is a moment of pride and validation for our team. This recognition reflects our ability to combine creativity with data-driven strategies, enabling brands like Fortune Foods to connect with audiences meaningfully and achieve outstanding results.”

Jignesh Shah, Head of Marketing at Fortune Foods, said, “Social Beat’s innovative campaign perfectly captured the heritage of Fortune Kachi Ghani Mustard Oil and its relevance in traditional Indian homes. Their creative approach resonated deeply with our audience and delivered exceptional results.”

The campaign’s creative execution and targeted approach delivered exceptional outcomes:

● 13+ million impressions and 6+ million reach on YouTube.

● 49% increase in keyword searches for Fortune Kachi Ghani Mustard Oil.

● 88,000+ clicks on campaign content.

This award reinforces Social Beat’s reputation as a leader in digital marketing, known for its ability to seamlessly blend creativity and performance to deliver campaigns that drive growth and impact.

Bengaluru, Jan 15 : In a significant milestone for Ayurvedic medicine, Amrit Noni has successfully completed human clinical trials for its flagship product, Amrith Noni Artho Plus. Conducted in collaboration with Nalanda Clinserve under the stringent guidelines of CTRI-Reg India, the trial underscores the brand’s commitment to providing high-quality, effective solutions to its customers.

Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, Dr. A.K. Srinivasamurthy, Managing Director of ValYou Products Ltd. , emphasized the pressing need for innovative treatments for arthritis, a condition affecting over 210 million people in India—15% of the population. Arthritis, which includes more than 100 types such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and gout, is more prevalent than cancer, AIDS, and diabetes. He noted, “Stress and unhealthy lifestyle changes have made arthritis a problem for the younger population as well. While there is no complete cure, we must focus on safer and more effective management strategies.”

For the past 15 years, Amrit Noni has been a trusted name in Ayurvedic medicine. The latest clinical trial, a double-blind and randomized study, validated the efficacy of Amrit Noni Ortho Plus in managing conditions like osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and gout.

Unique Formulation with Proven Results

Smt. Mangalambike, Managing Director of Om Shree Marketing Solutions Pvt. Ltd. , highlighted the advanced research and development behind the product. She stated, “Amrit Noni Ortho Plus, developed in collaboration with experienced Ayurvedic doctors and scientists, has emerged as India’s best-selling product for joint pain management. Over 30 lakh satisfied customers have found relief from knee pain, back pain, and hip pain with its unique and effective formula.”

The brand’s dedication to rigorous scientific research has previously yielded success. Earlier, it conducted a clinical trial for Amrit Noni D Plus and completed cell line studies on cancer cells with its product Canci-Care.

Clinical Trial Highlights

Dr. B.G. Varuni, Head of Clinical Research at Nalanda Clinserve, elaborated on the Varanasi-based human clinical trial. The study, involving 40 patients for each condition—osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and gout—was conducted over six months. Patients were divided into active and placebo groups and assessed at two-month intervals.

Key findings include:

1. Osteoarthritis: Significant improvements in pain, mobility, blood calcium, magnesium levels, and bone mineral density compared to the placebo group.

2. Rheumatoid Arthritis: Marked reduction in C-reactive protein (CRP), rheumatoid factor (RA factor), and ESR, with improvements in serum immunoglobulin levels and antinuclear antibody (ANA) levels.

3. Gout: Patients experienced reduced pain and inflammation, improved quality of life, and well-functioning kidneys and liver without side effects.

Speaking at the press conference, Ayurvedic experts Dr. Sandeep Benakal and Dr. Mahantaswamy Hiremath commended the breakthrough research.

Amrit Noni continues to set benchmarks in Ayurvedic healthcare by combining traditional wisdom with modern scientific validation.

13th January, 2025: JSW MG Motor India today announced its partnership with KMPL to offer a finance solution for its innovative Battery-As-A-Service (BaaS) ownership program to EV customers. With this partnership, KMPL becomes one of the first leading auto financers to support the BaaS concept and will help in furthering its reach to prospective customers.

BaaS is a flexible ownership program that significantly reduces the initial acquisition cost, ensuring an economical and hassle-free ownership experience. Launched in September 2024, BaaS has regenerated customer interests back to EVs, which has translated in the growth of EV sales. The growing consumer interest in this one-of-a-kind ownership model was a catalyst in KMPL joining the BaaS bandwagon and curate finance solutions for EV customers.

Speaking on the occasion, Gaurav Gupta, Chief Growth Officer, JSW MG Motor India said, “Our pursuit for innovation is relentless and we remain committed to create experiences that enhances consumer delight. With BaaS, we have created a disruption in the market and created a benchmark in the Electric Car industry. It remains our priority to enhance its reach through various finance partners, to enable rapid EV adoption. I welcome and thank the KMPL team for partnering with us to extend the BaaS concept to customers. KMPL’s vast network and connect with dealer partners will surely be an added advantage for an enhanced penetration of the unique BaaS concept, thereby boosting our EV sales.”

Sharing views on the partnership, Vyomesh Kapasi, Managing Director and CEO, Kotak Mahindra Prime Limited said “At KMPL, we are dedicated to driving innovation in vehicle financing. We are excited to partner with JSW MG Motor India on their pioneering BaaS EV ownership program. This collaboration aims to enhance the EV financing ecosystem in India by offering innovative and customer friendly finance products across various segments. We are confident that this partnership will further strengthen our finance offerings and support the adoption of electric vehicles.”

With BaaS, JSW MG Motor India has created a platform that provides the right momentum for rapid EV adoption, by splitting the battery cost from that of the body shell. This means that now customers can own an EV at an affordable price in India by opting for separate financing options for the body shell and the battery

KMPL has had business relationship for channel finance and retail finance with JSW MG Motor India since the carmaker’s inception in India in 2019.

January 13, 2025: Apeejay Kolkata Literary Festival hosted an intriguing and heartwarming final session titled Table Talk, where celebrated panelists Sunita Kohli, Usha Uthup, and Shaun Kenworthy took the stage with moderator Oindrilla Dutt to discuss food, culture, and the essence of culinary traditions. The occasion marked the unveiling of the book The India Cookbook – From the Tables of My Friends. All panelists officially unveiled the book at the Apeejay Kolkata Literary Festival. This cookbook is an account of how culture most intimately expresses itself—there are dishes for all occasions and for all seasons. There are recipes that can be used for dinner parties with friends as well as ones for relaxed family meals. It features familiar comfort foods like Pakora Karhi, Pongal, Butter Chicken, Dhansak, Vangi Bhaat, and others as well as unusual, special dishes such as Sat Saag, Nimona, Santula, Mutton ki Karhi, Fesenjan, Mohan Maas, Baked Crabs, Yakhni, and more.

Sunita Kohli, the author in discussion, shared an inspiring story of how the project was never part of her original plans. Initially, it was her mother’s idea—a cookbook that lay dormant until a publisher showed interest, provided Kohli co-authored it. The success of the first book naturally led to the second. Kohli remarked on the widespread nature of Indian food by saying, “Food is an intangible part of the heritage… India’s partition might have divided its people, but food, like art & ideas will travel across political boundaries.This book also captures how food travelled along the spice routes…” She highlighted how dishes such as Lucknow’s Shorba trace their origins to Turkish cuisine, traveling to India along the historic Spice Routes.

Legendary singer and cultural icon Usha Uthup added warmth to the discussion with her anecdotes about food. Despite being a vegetarian, Uthup is renowned for her non-vegetarian cooking, a skill she attributes to her husband’s aunt and the cherished cookbook gifted to her. Reflecting on her time living across India and experiencing diverse cultures, she said, “Food is all about love …Cooking connects me to the many people. I bake 106 cakes every year on Christmas” This is her way of sharing her love. Her insights highlighted the evolving yet deeply rooted culinary traditions of the country.

Celebrated chef Shaun Kenworthy provided a global perspective on Indian cuisine and its evolving identity. Dispelling the concept of fusion cuisine, Kenworthy remarked, “There’s no such thing as fusion food. It doesn’t exist in the world and never has existed. It’s just the natural progression of ingredients over time.” He cited the example of the potato, a foreign crop that seamlessly integrated into Bengali cuisine, particularly in the iconic Kolkata biryani. This prompted moderator Oindrilla Dutta to touch upon the legacy of Wajid Ali Shah, who added potatoes to biryani not out of frugality, as popular lore suggests. Instead, it was an exotic item from Portugal and prized ingredient at the time. “When I go back to the UK… I spend 10 days cooking biryani on request…Kolkata style biryani with the aloo and egg…Food is the most spoken language in the world. It shows how food transcends geography and becomes a universal language,” Kenworthy added, emphasizing the role of food in bridging cultures and fostering connections. Moderator Oindrilla Dutt connected the lines of how food brings out memories and connections.