All posts by Neel Achary

Kolkata, October 10th 2025: Hi-Tech Animation Studios is proud to announce the global premiere of its highly anticipated animated series – Kurukshetra, debuting on Netflix on October 10, 2025.

This milestone marks a major achievement for the Kolkata-based studio, reflecting years of innovation, artistic excellence, and collaborative effort. The upcoming show underscores Hi-Tech Animation’s mission to bring compelling Indian stories to international audiences through world-class animation and storytelling.

Kurukshetra brings one of India’s greatest epics to a global audience on Netflix, reimagined in a fresh, dynamic format for a new generation. On Netflix, the series will stream in 190 countries, dubbed in multiple Indian and key global languages. It will also feature subtitles in 34 languages and include a Hindi Audio Description track for visually impaired viewers.

Hi-Tech Animation also expressed heartfelt thanks to Tipping Point, the digital content arm of Star Studio18 for their unwavering creative support and collaboration.

With this international release, Hi-Tech Animation continues to elevate Kolkata’s status as a growing hub for high-quality animation, VFX, and digital content creation on the global stage.

Pune(S.N),10th october 2025: Titan, in collaboration with the heritage watch retailer C.T. Pundole & Sons, hosted two remarkable back-to-back experiential events that celebrated the brand’s spirit of innovation, artistry, and design excellence.

The first event, held on 5th October, unveiled Titan’s latest collections Glimmers of Raga by Titan and Stellar 3.0 of Titan in a captivating evening that blended elegance, drama, and technology. Guests were treated to a mesmerizing theatrical showcase and a stunning light-and-sound experience that beautifully narrated the stories behind the two collections. The event reflected the very essence of these timepieces — bold, graceful, and timeless.

Speaking at the launch, Cawas Pundole, Owner of C.T. Pundole & Sons said, “We are thrilled to introduce Raga Glimmers and Titan Stellar to our patrons. These collections truly represent the evolution of style and substance, and we look forward to seeing our customers embrace them.”

Continuing the creative celebration, Titan and C.T. Pundole & Sons hosted another exclusive event on 7th October for the unveiling of Ultra Slim by Edge an artistic ode to minimalism and modern craftsmanship. Known for its ultra-thin silhouette and refined design, the Edge collection was presented through an immersive, art-inspired in-store experience.

Guests experienced a thoughtfully curated showcase of artistic installations that reflected the core philosophy of Edge where sophistication seamlessly meets simplicity. Among those in attendance were interior designer and influencer Ppalak Shah, who shared her perspective on Edge as a form of wearable art, and Chief Guest & Serial entrepreneur Bharat Daga, who appreciated the collection’s emphasis on understated design and its reflection of Titan’s creative innovation.

Jaikishen Mehta, Head – Sales (Premium), Watches & Wearables, Titan Company Ltd., also addressed the gathering and stated, “Edge represents Titan’s continued commitment to design-led innovation. We’re proud to bring this collection to life through artistic storytelling that resonates with today’s modern watch owner.”

These twin events not only showcased Titan’s diverse design language — from the glamorous allure of Raga Glimmers to the cosmic inspired Stellar and the minimalist sophistication of Edge — but also reaffirmed the enduring partnership between Titan and C.T. Pundole & Sons, a name synonymous with trust, heritage, and excellence in Pune’s watch retail landscape. Together, they continue to craft experiences that transcend time, celebrating the art of watchmaking and the elegance of human expression.

Global Fintech Fest 2025,Mumbai, India 10 October 2025: Comviva, a global leader in digital transformation solutions, specializing in customer experience management, data monetization, and digital financial services, today announced a remarkable milestone of processing over USD 1 billion in a day through it’s fintech platforms at the sidelines of Global Fintech Fest 2025 in Mumbai. Comviva reported, processing over 7.5 billion transactions,  with total value of transactions crossing USD 400 billion annually, a value surpassing the GDP of Finland.

According to the GSMA Mobile Money Report 2024, Comviva commands an impressive 24% share of the global mobile money market, reaffirming its position as one of the world’s most trusted and widely deployed digital financial platforms.

Built for the next era of digital payments, Comviva’s fintech platforms deliver AI-led, cloud-native digital payments experience – which is secure, scalable, and frictionless across a wide financial ecosystem. The fintech capabilities of Comviva include Payment orchestration, tokenization, mobile wallets, QR codes, and USSD-based payments, which converge to deliver seamless and real-time transactions for individuals, businesses, and governments—from everyday retail payments to large-scale social and government disbursements.

Speaking on the milestone, Srinivas Nidugondi, EVP and Chief Operating Officer, FinTech solutions at Comviva, said, “This achievement underscores Comviva’s unwavering commitment to enabling inclusive, intelligent, and secure financial experiences at scale. At Comviva, we are not just processing payments—we are driving economic growth, fostering financial inclusion, and helping transform how billions of people engage with digital finance globally.”

With 80+ deployments across more than 55+ countries, Comviva continues to redefine digital payments by ensuring agility, reliability, compliance, and rapid deployment in an ever-evolving digital economy. Trusted by large digital merchants, E-commerce players, telecom operators, financial institutions, and FinTechs, Comviva is shaping the future of payments with AI-driven innovation and user-centric design.

India, 10th october 2025: For Indian travellers, Southeast Asia continues to be a region filled with possibilities. Whether it is the pristine beaches of Thailand, the ancient temples of Cambodia or the island charm of the Philippines, each destination offers something unforgettable. Now, thanks to Malaysia Airlines and its sister airline under the Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG), Firefly, travellers can combine two holidays in a single, seamless journey, without the long layovers or complex connections that once made multi-country travel a challenge.

Malaysia Airlines currently operates direct flights from ten Indian cities—Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kochi, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Amritsar and Trivandrum into Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA Terminal 1). From there, Firefly connects you to exciting regional destinations such as Krabi, Siem Reap and Cebu. With both airlines operating under MAG, Indian travellers can benefit from smooth transits through a single terminal, with checked-through baggage and coordinated schedules. This means less time waiting and more time discovering.

Krabi, Thailand A Coastal Escape of Cliffs and Calm

Krabi is one of Thailand’s most scenic beach destinations. Known for its dramatic limestone cliffs and turquoise waters, it offers the perfect combination of relaxation and outdoor adventure. Railay Beach is a favourite for sunseekers and climbers alike, while island-hopping to Phi Phi or Hong Island adds variety to the stay. Inland, Krabi’s hot springs, jungle trails and the climb to Tiger Cave Temple offer alternative experiences away from the coast. It is the kind of destination that invites slow mornings, spontaneous exploration and long evenings by the sea.

Siem Reap, Cambodia – Temples, Culture and Timeless Heritage

Siem Reap offers a completely different pace, drawing travellers into the historic heart of Cambodia. As the gateway to the Angkor temple complex, it delivers one of the world’s most iconic cultural experiences. From the early morning light at Angkor Wat to the intricate carvings of Bayon and the tree-root-covered ruins of Ta Prohm, the scale and mystery of the site are humbling. The town itself has its own quiet charm—bike-friendly lanes, bustling markets, riverside restaurants, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere that makes every visitor feel at home.

Cebu, Philippines – Island Adventure with a Cultural Heart

In the Philippines, Cebu combines island landscapes with a touch of city life and history. Spanish colonial landmarks like Magellan’s Cross sit alongside modern cafés and bustling waterfronts. Beyond the city, travellers can swim with whale sharks in Oslob, explore waterfalls in Badian, or dive off the reefs of Mactan and Malapascua. With its mix of experiences, from deep-sea adventures to heritage walks, Cebu is ideal for travellers who enjoy variety and spontaneity during their holidays.

Bonus Stop: Discover Malaysia on the Way

What makes this journey even more rewarding is the chance to add a bonus side trip with Malaysia Airlines at zero fare, where you pay only the taxes. With Kuala Lumpur serving as your transit hub, it’s easy to extend your holiday by a few days and explore Malaysia deeper. Whether it’s the beautiful beaches and scenic cable car rides in Langkawi, the colonial charm and renowned cuisine of Penang, or the family-friendly attractions and shopping of Johor Bahru, each destination offers a unique experience. 

Adding to the appeal, Malaysia has recently made it easier than ever for Indian travellers by allowing visa-free entry for Indian passport holders. 

With one trip, you can now explore multiple destinations across Southeast Asia,  made possible by Malaysia Airlines and Firefly.  For Indian travellers, this marks a new era of connected journeys. With visa-free access to Malaysia and direct departures from ten Indian cities, the path to Southeast Asia’s hidden gems has never been clearer. Two holidays in one is no longer a travel secret it is simply the smarter way to explore.

India, October 10, 2025: Thousands of companies are racing to build AI agents, but many struggle to make them truly useful in daily workflows. The key lies in context, and the richest context comes from conversations. Yet, conversational data—an organization’s most valuable knowledge—has long remained trapped in unstructured chats and messages. Slack, the work operating system for the agentic enterprise, is unlocking that potential.

Today, Slack announces the next evolution of its platform, empowering partners and developers to securely connect AI with the rich corpus of customer-owned conversational data. With new tools like the Real-Time Search (RTS) API, Model Context Protocol (MCP) server, and enhanced developer resources including prebuilt Block Kit Tables, Slack enables developers to build secure, flexible, and context-aware AI agents. These agents move beyond generic responses to deliver personalized, high-accuracy assistance—unlocking new levels of productivity and collaboration.

Leading innovators including Anthropic, Google, Perplexity, Writer, Dropbox, Notion, Cognition Labs, Vercel, and Cursor are already building on Slack to deliver intelligent, agent-based experiences that live natively within the platform—bringing AI directly into the flow of work.

Slack: The Natural Home for Modern AI Apps and Agents

Enterprises today face fragmentation—with over 200,000 SaaS tools and an average of 1,000 apps per organization, employees lose productivity through endless switching and duplication. By embedding AI-powered applications directly in Slack, developers help companies unify workflows and turn Slack into the 2% of IT budget that maximizes returns on the other 98%.

Key benefits include:

• Unlocking Unstructured Data: Securely tap into Slack’s collective knowledge to enrich AI, saving teams an average of 97 minutes per week.

• Accelerating Decisions: By combining app data (like Salesforce or Workday) with Slack conversations, companies achieve 37% faster decisions and 36% quicker customer responses.

• Boosting Productivity: Seamless integration eliminates context switching, enabling AI to amplify team efficiency and output.

• Driving Adoption: With 1.7 million apps used weekly in Slack, developers overcome the adoption barrier—95% of users say Slack-integrated tools make their apps more valuable.

• Ensuring Security: Slack’s enterprise-grade compliance and granular permissions keep data safe while powering intelligent collaboration.

Salesforce Executive Perspective

“India is home to one of the world’s most vibrant developer ecosystems. With these new Slack capabilities, partners can securely build deeply context-aware AI agents that make work more intelligent, collaborative, and productive. We’re excited to see how our ecosystem leverages these innovations to accelerate business outcomes.”Rahul Sharma, Vice President – Sales, Salesforce India

A Deeper Look: Powering Trusted, Context-Aware AI

Slack’s platform redefines how users and AI interact, positioning agents as trusted companions.

• RTS API: Offers real-time, permission-based access to conversational data—unlocking collective intelligence securely, without data replication.

• MCP Server: Simplifies and standardizes how AI models and agents connect to Slack data, enabling contextual, permission-aware interactions.

Together, these technologies enable developers to build smarter, more reliable AI agents that can securely search, analyze, and act on Slack data—reducing hallucinations and improving trust.

New Developer Innovations

• Slack Work Objects: Create dynamic, rich app previews within conversations, allowing users to take actions (e.g., mark tasks complete) without leaving Slack.

• Agentic Developer Tools: Updated CLI for Bolt apps, AI best practices, and prebuilt UI components simplify the build process.

• Slack Marketplace: Central hub for secure, discoverable apps and agents—uniting human-AI collaboration within a trusted ecosystem.

With these advancements, Slack cements its position as the foundation for the agentic enterprise where human collaboration meets intelligent automation to transform how the world works.

-Imperial College London has partnered with Science Gallery Bengaluru (SGB) – a cutting-edge hub for innovation, research and public engagement

10th October 2025: A partnership between Science Gallery Bengaluru (SGB) and Imperial will drive the exchange of talent and knowledge between the UK and India, with the development of new facilities, a joint fellowship programme, and public engagement activities.

The announcement was made as Imperial’s President Professor Hugh Brady joins a UK delegation led by the British Prime Minister, who is making his first official visit to India, alongside Dr Jahnavi Phalkey, Founding Director at Science Gallery Bengaluru. Through this new partnership, the two organisations plan to co-develop cutting-edge open research facilities on-site at SGB, boost UK-India and global talent exchange through a joint Fellowship, and explore public engagement, research and education collaborations based on shared expertise and facilities. By joining forces, the two organisations will train the innovators of the future and cultivate the next generation of talent.

The new partnership between SGB and Imperial sees a commitment to grow the international impact of the Science Gallery’s Public Lab Complex and co-develop a new portfolio of initiatives spanning innovation and discovery challenges, science and technology fellowships, and public engagement.

Professor Hugh Brady, President of Imperial, said: “This exciting partnership is a launchpad for UK-India innovation and scientific collaboration. Imperial’s innovation and incubation expertise will create a unique lab and convening space with Science Gallery Bengaluru where cutting-edge solutions to global issues will be discovered, designed and delivered. “

“Our participation in the Prime Minister’s first India visit signals the role Imperial plays in strengthening UK-India partnerships, following the launch of our Imperial Global India hub earlier this year. By joining forces across continents, we are deepening research and innovation collaboration between the two countries, and building bridges that will empower the next generation of scientists, thinkers, leaders and changemakers.”

Dr Jahnavi Phalkey, Founding Director at Science Gallery Bengaluru said: “We are delighted to be partnering with Imperial College London to co-develop our Public Lab Complex. This is an important step in creating shared spaces where inquiry, creativity, and learning thrive across borders. We are excited about what we can build together.”

”Together we want to drive locally rooted and globally relevant innovation through community-engaged science that encourages researchers to draw in diverse perspectives and influences to shape and inspire their ideas. This will equip the next generation of innovators and scientific leaders to translate their research into real-world impactful applications and bring us closer to solving shared global challenges.”

The Public Lab Complex is partially and generously supported at present by Tata Trusts, TTK Prestige, and the Samagata Foundation. Rohini Nilekani, Chairperson of Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies and a SGB Board Member, said: “As a founding patron of Science Gallery Bengaluru, I’m heartened by this partnership with Imperial College London. “It brings together shared values of curiosity, creativity, and public engagement in science. Bengaluru has always been a city that embraces new ideas, and this collaboration will further empower young people to explore, question, and co-create solutions for our collective future.”

Shared Imperial and SGB future ambitions

This commitment was marked by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding by Amanda Wolthuizen, Vice-President (Strategic Engagement) at Imperial and Dr Jahnavi Phalkey, Founding Director at the Science Gallery Bengaluru.

Amanda Wolthuizen, Vice-President (Strategic Engagement) of Imperial said: “We are especially pleased to strengthen our relationship with Science Gallery Bengaluru following the official launch of Imperial Global India that convened hundreds of researchers, entrepreneurs, industry leaders, policymakers, educators, and alumni in this beautiful and fitting scientific exhibition space in May 2025.”  “Imperial Global India represents our commitment to co-creating partnerships within India’s dynamic science and technology ecosystem. It is the latest addition to our international network that spans San Francisco, Singapore and Accra. With this initiative in Bengaluru, we are moving forward in our ambition to co-develop programmes that foster impactful two-way exchanges of ideas, talent and innovation between the UK and India.”

UK Science Minister Lord Vallance said: “Science is international by definition. We can aim higher and go further when we work together. This is especially true for the UK and India, where deep links in areas like life sciences are bolstered by our deepening trade relationship, and our unique historical and cultural bonds – all of which are being highlighted by the Prime Minister’s landmark trade mission to India, this week.”

“Imperial deepening its ties with Bengaluru will enable its international community of students, researchers and innovators to work with their India-based counterparts, on efforts that could drive growth, unlock investment, and deliver breakthroughs from health to energy, and beyond. It also boosts a formidable global network the University is building, across the world.”

Imperial’s reputation for cutting edge convergence science research, combined with Science Gallery Bengaluru’s dynamic public engagement expertise and platforms, will power programmes and spaces where early-career researchers and emerging innovators can experiment, collaborate, and connect across boundaries.

Proposed joint initiatives being explored include:

Diversifying and expanding the Science Gallery Bengaluru’s Public Lab Complex with five existing areas: the Nature Lab, the Materials Lab, the Food Lab, the New Media Lab, and the Theory Lab. Activities will be supported through accompanying research spaces already constructed within Science Gallery Bengaluru such as a dark room, tissue culture room, and microscopy.

Co-developing programmes that create a bridge between the Science Gallery Bengaluru’s Public Lab Complex and the WestTech London innovation ecosystem and Imperial Schools of Convergence Science.

A reciprocal Fellowship and Apprenticeship programme where a cohort of talented individuals from India, the UK and across the world, from different disciplines, will work on creative approaches to develop open-ended experiments and problem solving that expand the horizons of science and technology.
Co-creating an annual programme of public and community engagement events that align with Science Gallery Bengaluru’s ‘Late Labs’ and ‘Science with Society’ initiatives.

Connecting London and Bengaluru ecosystems

This knowledge bridge between the WestTech London innovation ecosystem, which currently houses 1,000 frontier innovation businesses who turned over £9 billion in 2023, and Bengaluru, home to over 400 industrial R&D units, will give fellows the opportunity to develop their skills in two of the world’s most vibrant environments for innovators, including the Advanced Hackspace (pictured).

Three new board members bring expertise in law, workforce development and nonprofit leadership.

(St. Louis, Mo., October 9, 2025) Child Care Aware of Missouri (CCAMO) recently announced the appointment of Ruth Binger, Sarah Kirschner, and Megan Price to its board of directors. Board members are eligible to serve up to three consecutive three-year terms.

Ruth Binger is President and Principal Attorney at Danna McKitrick, P.C., a mid-sized law firm, where she has served as a partner for 30 years. As a private practice attorney, she brings deep expertise in legal strategy, business management, and organizational leadership. Binger has been a board member of the Associated Industries of Missouri (AIM) for 23 years and facilitates multiple peer advisory boards for independent business owners.

Sarah Kirschner recently served as Executive Director of Central Reform Congregation. She brings knowledge of the nonprofit sector and of CCAMO when she previously served as a board member and Board Chair in 2009. Additional prior experience includes leadership positions as Vice President of Human Resources and Vice President of Operations at technology startups, where she oversaw management training, compensation strategy, and recruiting. Kirschner also contributes her time to the community as secretary for MERS/Goodwill and as a board member for the National Council of Jewish Women.

Megan Price is Executive Director of the Missouri Works Initiative, a nonprofit sponsored and supported by the Missouri AFL-CIO. She leads five Apprenticeship Ready Programs that have successfully placed more than 400 individuals into sustainable careers in the skilled trades through Registered Apprenticeships. Price previously served as Chief of Staff in the Missouri State Senate.

“We are thrilled to welcome Ruth, Sarah, and Megan to our board,” said Robin Phillips, CEO of Child Care Aware of Missouri. “Each of them brings a wealth of talent and experience that will strengthen our mission to ensure all Missouri families have access to safe, affordable, and high-quality child care.”

Founded in 1999, CCAMO is a statewide nonprofit that focuses on a comprehensive early childhood education experience through impactful programs and partnerships. The organization’s services include workforce development, child care business supports, advocacy and policy work, and its new Child Care Keeps Missouri Working, a regional campaign offering concierge solutions to businesses undergoing employee recruitment and retention challenges due to the overwhelming shortage of quality child care options. For more information, call (314) 535-1458 or visit www.mochildcareaware.org.

India, 9th october 2025:This festive season, immerse yourself in luxury and elegance with an exclusive, limited-time offer at ITC Royal Bengal and ITC Sonar, perfect for your holiday. Situated in the heart of Kolkata, the magnificent ITC Royal Bengal, a LEED Platinum-certified marvel, pays tribute to the region’s rich heritage. Meanwhile, ITC Sonar, nestled among lush gardens and serene water bodies adorned with water lilies, showcases artful minimalist architecture and holds both LEED Platinum and LEED Zero Water certifications.

Together, these luxurious destinations offer 693 rooms, suites, and serviced residences, 14 exquisite dining options, 22 event and meeting spaces, and 2 wellness centres, making them truly one-of-a-kind. Club ITC members can enjoy up to 30% savings, while non-members receive up to 20% discounts on flexible rates, including breakfast and offerings in holistic wellness and fine dining. This special is valid until 31st October 2025, ensuring a seamless blend of luxury and comfort throughout your stay.

Pune, 9th October 2025: Shoppers Stop, India’s premium fashion, beauty, and gifting destination, elevated the festive spirit with the grand unveiling of its Diwali Collection at its Phoenix Mall of Millennium, Store in Wakad, Pune. The launch turned into a celebration of style and togetherness with Tejasswi Prakash, one of television’s most loved actress, joining customers for an exclusive meet & greet.

The festive store was transformed into a hub of colour, lights, and excitement, perfectly capturing the joy of Diwali. From stunning festive wear to statement accessories, dazzling jewellery, and beauty essentials, the new Diwali Collection is designed to make every celebration shine.

Kavindra Mishra, Customer Care Associate, Managing Director & CEO at Shoppers Stop, said, Shoppers Stop has always been the ultimate shopping and gifting destination for our customers. This year’s Diwali Collection has been curated with care to bring together premium brands, festive fashion, and thoughtful gifting options for the entire family. We are delighted that actor Tejasswi Prakash unveiled the collection at our Wakad store, adding sparkle to the festive celebrations and making the launch even more special for our customers in Pune and across India.”

Speaking about the launch, Tejasswi Prakash said: “Diwali is my favourite festival because it’s all about lights, laughter, and love. The Shoppers Stop Diwali Collection is exactly what you need to celebrate in style, and their ‘Gifts of Love’ collection makes finding the perfect gift for your loved ones effortless. It’s elegant, trendy, and has something for every occasion. I loved meeting fans and sharing this festive moment with them. It truly felt like a Diwali celebration inside the store!”

The event was full of festive cheer, fans had the chance to interact with Tejasswi. She explored the new collection, shared her favourite picks, and encouraged everyone to embrace their festive style. With over 500+ premium brands and 120,000+ styles, Shoppers Stop ensures that customers can find everything they need under one roof  from ethnic wear and accessories to home décor and fragrances — making it the ultimate destination for festive shopping.