All posts by Neel Achary

New Delhi, May 16, 2025 In a bold and principled move reflecting national solidarity, Lovely Professional University (LPU) has become the first private university in India to terminate all Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with institutions in Türkiye and Azerbaijan. The university has formally ended six academic partnerships with institutions in Türkiye and Azerbaijan, citing recent geopolitical developments that it deems contrary to India’s national interest.

This unprecedented decision includes the immediate termination of student and faculty exchange programs, joint research projects, dual degree initiatives, and all other forms of academic collaboration with institutions from the two countries. The move comes in response to the pro-Pakistan stance of Türkiye and Azerbaijan during a recent period of heightened Indo-Pak tensions.

Announcing the decision, Dr. Ashok Kumar Mittal, Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) and Founder Chancellor of LPU, stated, “When our brave armed forces are risking their lives—whether in covert operations, air defence, or patrolling our borders—we, as an institution, cannot remain indifferent. Dr. Mittal remarked, “LPU’s mission has always been aligned with the growth and integrity of India, and we will never associate with any institution that undermines India’s sovereignty.”

While diplomacy is the domain of governments, LPU’s action sends a powerful message: the academic world, too, bears a moral responsibility. National security is not safeguarded solely at the borders—it must be defended in every classroom, boardroom, and international collaboration.

Gurugram, Haryana, 16^th May 2025 – Square Yards, India’s largest integrated real estate and mortgage platform, has announced its financial results for FY25, reporting a stellar revenue of INR 1,410 crore (USD 170 million) and EBITDA of INR 46 crore (USD 6 million) on the back of INR 316 crore (~ USD 38 million) gross profit. With these results, the company remains operating cash flow positive and continues its impressive growth trajectory, boasting a 4-year revenue CAGR of 51%.

Key FY25 Highlights:

• Revenue Growth: Square Yards reported a revenue of approximately INR 1,410 crore (~USD 170 million), marking a year-over-year growth of around 40% from INR 1,001 crore in FY24. The company facilitated over 186,000 transactions and achieved a Gross Transaction Value (GTV) of INR 59,093 crore (USD 7+ billion) in FY25.
• Operational Excellence: The FY25 demonstrated the potential of operational leverage in the business, with gross profit margins reaching 23%, a contribution margin of 13%, and EBITDA at 3%. Additionally, Square Yards had positive operating cash flow in FY25.
• Continued Growth Projection: With a consistent four-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 51%, Square Yards forecasts robust growth for FY26, targeting revenues of INR 2,000+ crore (USD 240+ million) and aiming for double-digit margins.

Tanuj Shori, Founder and CEO, Square Yards said  “We’ve built Square Yards as a well-diversified asset light platform to play India housing story. Today, we’re twice the size of the nearest Proptech player, three times larger than classified platforms, and seven times ahead of the closest brokerage. With over INR 1,400 crore in FY25 revenue, consistent double-digit EBITDA margins and a 51% CAGR over the last four years, we have established multi category leader with a unique combination of scale, economics and market leadership.  We forecast FY26 EBITDA to grow 4-5x while maintaining over 40% revenue growth. We’re targeting USD 240+ million in revenue and approximately USD 25 million in EBITDA. The operating leverage is clearly playing out, setting FY26 to be a landmark year for Square Yards.”

Q4 sees 32% YoY growth in revenue; showcases operating leverage

Q4 showed a glimpse of the operative leverage in the business with a strong margin profile across all levels. Both Gross Transaction Value (GTV) and Revenues for the quarter rose 32% YoY, while EBIDTA saw a 43% jump during the final quarter of the fiscal year. Annualized revenue (annualizing Q4) stands at ~INR 1,900 crore (~ USD 229 million) and historically Square Yards has consistently achieved its annualized Q4 numbers each year.

Fintech drives growth, PropTech leads in margins; India contribution ~80%

The real estate segment led profitability, delivering ~30% YoY revenue growth with 29% gross margins, aided by the company’s strong B2C positioning. The fintech vertical, which has scaled nearly 30 times over the past four years, continues to anchor growth. As the segment matures, improvement in margins is expected. Meanwhile, the digital products business maintained strong traction, supported by high gross margins of 47%, and is expected to continue delivering above-average growth. In terms of geographical split, India business contributed 83% of overall business while GCC countries contributed 11%.

Industry Leadership and Future Outlook

Square Yards, India’s largest well-diversified, asset-light platform in the housing ecosystem, continues to strengthen its position as a unique combination of scale, operating leverage, and category leadership. Backed by a full-stack, end-to-end solutions model, Square Yards’ integrated capabilities across the entire value chain provide significant value to both consumers and industry stakeholders. Its differentiated approach and robust business fundamentals are expected to drive accelerated and sustainable growth in the coming quarters.

Square Yards is coming on the back of a significant investment phase across the new businesses as well as capacity addition in core businesses. The company forecasts FY26 revenue to surpass USD 240+ million, with EBITDA expected to grow nearly five times to approximately USD 25 million. This outlook reflects continued momentum, with revenue growth projected to remain strong at upwards of 40%.

Noida; 16^th May 2025: Spectrum@Metro, one of Noida’s most vibrant retail and lifestyle hubs, welcomes the iconic coffeehouse chain Barista to its expanding family of premium offerings. Nestled on the ground floor of Phase 2, the new café promises to be more than just a coffee stop—it’s a space designed for moments, memories, and meaningful conversations.

Barista, known for its classic coffee blends and cosy ambience, aims to deliver a refined yet welcoming experience to coffee lovers, mall-goers, and professionals alike. With warm interiors and an inviting menu, the new outlet adds a contemporary edge to Spectrum@Metro’s mission of offering holistic, high-quality lifestyle experiences under one roof.

Speaking on the new addition, Ajendra Singh, Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Spectrum@Metro, said, “We are delighted to have Barista join our diverse mix of premium experiences at Spectrum@Metro. This café is not just a new hangout—it represents our continued commitment to creating engaging spaces for our visitors. From a mid-shopping coffee break to relaxed conversations over a hot brew, Barista adds that perfect pause to every visitor’s day.”

The new Barista café marks another step in the mall’s journey to curate meaningful spaces where community meets convenience. Shoppers can now pair their retail therapy with a signature brew—because great coffee moments are meant to be shared.

Some kitchen appliances are just functional. And then there are those that quietly uplift the entire cooking experience both in form and function. The NYG 784G Built-in Hob belongs to the latter category. It’s the kind of upgrade that doesn’t shout for attention but leaves a lasting impression every time you cook.

Crafted with 8mm thick premium matte grey tempered glass and beautifully rounded edges, it’s a piece that brings both elegance and strength to the countertop. The finish is subtle but stunning – frosted just enough to add depth, and designed to stay timeless even as trends change. This hob complements your kitchen instead of just sitting in it.

Now, let’s talk about firepower. The NYG 784G features four full brass high-efficiency burners, carefully arranged to suit everything from a quick chai boil to elaborate weekend meals. The configuration includes one big triple ring burner, a smaller triple ring for mid-size pans, and two dual ring burners that are perfect for multitasking. Whether you’re simmering a slow curry or searing vegetables on high heat, each flame responds with precision and consistency.

And it’s not only about the heat. It’s also about how safely that heat is delivered. The built-in full flame failure device is a feature you hope to never use, but it’s always there. If the flame ever goes out unexpectedly, gas supply is instantly cut off. It’s that quiet assurance you get while cooking with kids around or simply when life gets too busy. Handling the hob is effortless too. The metal knobs are designed with an ergonomic anti-slip grip that gives you complete control, even when your hands are wet or oily. You won’t find yourself second-guessing the flame intensity : just turn, feel the precision, and get cooking. Then there’s the pan support. Built with heavy-duty cast iron and featuring an integrated flame protector, it holds cookware of all shapes and weights with complete stability. From your smallest tadka pan to the heaviest pressure cooker – it’s got you covered. Beneath all that, a matte black drip tray ensures cleanup is just as easy as the cook itself.

Sized at 78 cm, this built-in hob slots seamlessly into any modern kitchen layout. But it ain’t merely about fitting in. Instead, it’s about standing out in the most understated way. The NYG 784G is for those who want their kitchen to be both beautiful and hardworking. And for those who believe that cooking, much like design, should feel effortless.

Mumbai, May 16, 2025: In a landmark step toward advancing holistic healthcare, the academic wing of the Maharashtra University of Health Sciences (MUHS), Nashik the country’s premier institution overseeing over 600 medical, dental, Ayurveda, and allied health institutions has officially partnered with Nihilent to explore clinical applications of Emoscape, the company’s innovative AI-based emotion detection platform. This collaboration marks a transformative moment in the Indian healthcare landscape, combining the ancient Indian concept of Navarasa (the nine emotions) with modern artificial intelligence to fundamentally reshape how emotional well-being is integrated into diagnosis, treatment, and patient care.

Emoscape leverages cutting-edge artificial intelligence technology to detect nine core emotions love, joy, compassion, anger, courage, fear, disgust, wonder, and calmness by capturing subtle upper-body movements (shoulder and above) in 3D. This breakthrough platform draws inspiration from Navarasa, the ancient emotional theory that has played a pivotal role in Indian performing arts for centuries. The integration of this ancient wisdom with modern AI allows for real-time emotion detection, providing unprecedented insights into a patient’s emotional state and opening new avenues for personalized care and treatment.

Lt Gen (Dr.) Madhuri Kanitkar, Vice Chancellor of MUHS, emphasized the profound impact of this collaboration on the future of healthcare in India: “You cannot separate the mind from the body. Healthcare must be holistic. This is not just research it’s a revolution. By combining the time-tested wisdom of Navarasa with state-of-the-art technology, we are opening new doors for understanding and addressing emotional well-being. Our students, researchers, and healthcare professionals will now have access to an advanced platform that can aid in diagnosing and treating emotional and psychological issues with greater accuracy and empathy.”

As one of the most renowned institutions in the country, MUHS has long been a leader in medical education and research. This collaboration with Nihilent positions the university at the forefront of healthcare innovation. The partnership will allow MUHS to explore clinical applications of Emoscape across a range of disciplines, including non-communicable diseases, pediatric and adolescent care, maternal mental health, pre-surgical counselling, psychiatric conditions and ensuring patient privacy. Through this initiative, MUHS aims to bring emotional diagnostics into mainstream healthcare, aligning with its commitment to delivering comprehensive, patient-centred care.

Sandeep Pendurkar, Business Director of Emoscape at Nihilent, highlighted the role of emotional AI in revolutionizing patient care: “For the first time, we’re offering a platform that brings together AI, clinical science, and cultural heritage to redefine healthcare. Emoscape’s ability to detect emotional states with precision is a game-changer. This partnership with MUHS is not just about technology it’s about creating a new framework for emotional well-being in medicine. By detecting and understanding emotions, we can provide more personalized and effective care, improving both patient outcomes and the overall healthcare experience.”

In addition to its clinical applications, the collaboration will facilitate hands-on student engagement through Nihilent’s Summer Internship Program, providing MUHS students with valuable exposure to the intersection of AI and healthcare. This initiative will empower the next generation of healthcare professionals with the skills and knowledge necessary to embrace technological advancements and innovate in their respective fields.

The partnership between MUHS and Nihilent also paves the way for India to become a global leader in emotion-AI-driven healthcare. With both organizations committed to generating empirical data through rigorous research, this collaboration aims to mainstream emotional diagnostics and usher in a new era of holistic, human-centred medicine that can be adopted globally.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between MUHS and Nihilent was signed in a formal ceremony attended by key figures from both institutions, including Lt Gen Dr. Madhuri Kanitkar (Retd), Hon’ble Vice Chancellor of MUHS; Dr. Milind Nikumbh, Hon’ble Pro Vice Chancellor of MUHS; Dr. Rajendra Bangal, Hon’ble Registrar of MUHS and Sandeep Rathod, Assistant Registrar at MUHS. From Nihilent, the signing ceremony was witnessed by Sandeep Pendurkar, Business Director of Emoscape, along with Saurabh Shaligram, Principal Data Scientist, and Sai Sanjana Chitturi, Associate Consultant.

• Free online masterclasses with expert counselling and personalised score evaluations
• Live interactive classes led by Duolingo-certified trainers
• Exclusive video lessons, practice tests, and study materials
• Flexible class timings to accommodate busy schedules

Commenting on the collaboration, Arnav Kumar, Founder, Leap, said: “We’re really excited to launch our comprehensive coaching for Duolingo English Test. This includes live classes with certified trainers, practice tests, exclusive study material, making top-tier preparation accessible to all students. With this test prep, we’ve built a solution that’s flexible, affordable, and designed for real outcomes. It’s one more step toward democratising access to world-class education.”

Tara Kapur, India Market Lead, Duolingo English Test, India, further added: “Given the high-stakes nature of the English proficiency exams, one of the most common things we hear from students is the need for additional test readiness material. Leap has done a tremendous job of scaling high-quality support for students across India and beyond. Given our commitment to access and reach, we are excited to see Leap build out material to help students feel more confident in their study abroad journeys.”

Mumbai, 16 May, 2025: Sony Entertainment Television proudly presents its upcoming historical drama, Chakravarti Samrat Prithviraj Chauhan, a powerful tale tracing the incredible journey of a young prince who rose to become one of India’s most celebrated and brave kings. This epic narrative dives deep into his early life, showcasing the challenges he faced and the strength, courage, wisdom, and bravery with which he overcame them. From his formative years to the defining battles of his reign, the show brings to life the inspiring story of a truly brave king whose legacy continues to echo through history.

Adding depth to this grand saga is renowned actor Ashutosh Rana, who will lend his iconic voice as Prithviraj Chauhan’s friend Chand Bardai. Known for his powerful screen presence and commanding voice as Prithviraj Chauhan’s closest friend, Rana will take viewers through this historic journey, helping them connect emotionally with the characters and the era. His narration promises to bring gravitas, authenticity, and a sense of timeless pride to the storytelling.

Sharing his thoughts on being part of the show, Ashutosh Rana shares, “It is a matter of immense pride and joy for me to lend my voice as the narrator for this magnificent historical saga. As a child, I grew up listening to stories about Prithviraj Chauhan tales of his unmatched bravery, wisdom, and spirit. Those stories left a deep impact on me, and to now be part of bringing that legend to life is truly special.” As an actor, I’ve always believed that voice holds great power. Through this narration, I aim to bring depth, dignity, and intensity to the story. The emotions I carry rooted in strength, passion, and respect, resonate closely with the spirit of this show.”

 ~Watch Chakravarti Samrat Prithviraj Chauhan starting 4^th June, every Monday to Friday at 7:30 PM, only on Sony Entertainment Television and Sony LIV~

New Delhi, 16 May 2025 Shangri-La Eros New Delhi unveils Mango Indulgence, an irresistible summer showcase at Mister Chai, the hotel’s elegant tea and street-style lounge, beginning 15th May 2025. This limited-edition experience evolves the season’s most beloved fruit into a symphony of indulgent delights, artfully crafted by Executive Chef Gagandeep Singh Sawhney and his culinary team.

Renowned for its contemporary finish on regional Indian flavours in a refined yet familiar setting, Mister Chai enriches the mango beyond nostalgia, serving it through an innovative collection of artisanal cakes, refined pastries, buttery viennoiserie, handcrafted confections, and vibrant beverages.

The journey commences with show-stopping cakes, perfect for gatherings and special moments. Highlights include the sun-kissed Mango Charlotte, the delicious Mango Chocolate Desire Cake, the tropical Mango Passion, and the delicately layered Mango Chiffon Cake. Heavenly variants such as the velvety Mango Burnt Cheesecake, the lush Mango Shortcake, and the classic Mango Baked Cheesecake promise decadence in every slice.

A curated array of pastries follows, each one a tribute to the mango in its most delightful forms. Guests can savour the silken Mango Temptation, the buttery Alphonso Mango Tart, and the airy Mango Mille-Feuille. The Mini Mango Gateaux, Coconut Mango, and Mango Éclair add playful charm, while the tropical Mango Trifle and house-made Mango Popsicle provide a refreshing tinge.

For those who prefer their opulence in smaller bites, the handcrafted bonbons offer a burst of flavour and artistry, featuring sophisticated pairings like Mango Basil and Mango Salted Caramel. Chocolate barks, ingrained with 70% single-origin chocolate, showcase layers of texture with dried mango, pistachio, crispy pearls, and tropical notes of mango passion. Macarons, intricately filled with Alphonso Mango and Mango Passion Caramel, pinnacle the sweet affair.

Mister Chai’s viennoiserie selection delivers flaky, golden perfection with tropical nuances. Guests can appreciate warm, buttery creations like the Mango Danish, Mango Cruffin, Mango Cinnamon Roll, and Mango Pain au Suisse. Signature bakes such as the Mango Escargot, Mango Crumble, Mango Coconut Crème Brûlée, and Mango Papilone present fine technique and irresistible flavour.

To complement the culinary spread, a refreshing beverage collection embodies the spirit of Indian summer with finesse. The Mango Indian Chaska is a fiery blend of ripe mango and bold Indian spices. Chilled jello-based coolers, including the Mango Mint Jello Cooler, Peach Mango Jello Iced Tea, and Passion Fruit Mango Jello Cooler, offer sparkling relief, while the Mango Spiced Pineapple Iced Tea and Tropical Blueberries Mango Cooler introduce unexpected yet harmonious notes. For a nourishing sip, the Mango Banana Smoothie pairs sun-ripened mango with creamy yoghurt.

Mango Indulgence at Mister Chai is more than a seasonal celebration – it’s a luxurious ode to India’s favourite fruit, presented with craft, care, and creativity in every detail.

New Delhi, 16^th May 2025: Eye-Q, a leading chain of super-speciality eye hospitals, in collaboration with NTPC (National Thermal Power Corporation), India’s largest integrated power producer, successfully concluded a high-impact CSR initiative at the NTPC Surat plant by organizing two free eye screening and cataract surgery camps. As part of NTPC’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) commitment to the communities around its operations, the initiative helped screen over 250 individuals from surrounding villages, of whom 100 patients underwent successful cataract removal surgeries by Eye-Q’s expert medical team.

A closing ceremony was held on 14 May 2025 to commemorate the successful completion of the initiative. During the event, Eye-Q distributed customized spectacles to all operated patients. The prescriptions were derived after detailed post-operative vision testing conducted on 8th and 9th May. The entire initiative—from screening to surgery to post-operative care—was provided completely free of cost, reaffirming both organizations’ commitment to healthcare equity and social impact.

Dr. Ajay Sharma, Founder and CMD of Eye-Q Eye Hospitals, said, “India faces a backlog of over 22 million blind eyes, representing nearly 12 million individuals, and shockingly, 80.1% of this blindness is caused by cataract—an entirely treatable condition. Our collaboration with NTPC has allowed us to address this burden at the grassroots level by restoring vision to 100 patients in Surat. At Eye-Q, we remain deeply committed to bridging this healthcare gap through accessible, quality eye care for all, especially for underserved communities.”

Dr. Samir Vankhawala, Regional Medical Director of Eye-Q Eye Hospitals, said, “At Eye-Q, we believe that access to eye care should not be a privilege but a basic right. We have a longstanding legacy of delivering quality eye care through free camps and outreach initiatives across underserved regions. This collaboration with NTPC has enabled us to expand that mission further, ensuring our combined efforts bring lasting impact to the communities we serve.”

S J David, Head of Plant at NTPC Hazira, added, “As part of our unwavering commitment to sustainable and inclusive development, this CSR collaboration with Eye-Q reflects NTPC’s dedication to improving the lives of communities in and around our project locations. Healthcare access is a priority area in our CSR strategy, and we are proud that this initiative has delivered tangible benefits to the people of Surat.”

Eye-Q has been a leader in corporate social responsibility (CSR) and outreach programs. The organization has conducted numerous free eye camps, door-to-door check-ups, and health awareness campaigns, impacting communities in need. Since its establishment in 2007, Eye-Q has conducted over 1 crore eye examinations and performed 6 lakh surgeries. Moving forward, the hospital chain aims to perform 80,000 surgeries and conduct 600,000 eye screenings by the end of 2025.

Mumbai, India — May 16, 2025 – UiPath, a leading enterprise automation and AI software company, announced that it is helping Cathay, the Hong Kong based premium travel lifestyle brand to drive positive changes and strengthen its position as a digital leader in customer experience, safety and operational efficiency, productivity, and compliance through AI-powered automation.

Cathay was named an UiPath AI25 Award Winner at UiPath FORWARD, UiPath flagship global AI and automation event in Las Vegas. The annual award program identifies the 25 most innovative UiPath customers using a combination of AI and automation as a strategic change enabler to accelerate bigger and bolder outcomes.

“We are honoured to be an AI25 Award Winner and are pleased to witness that our investment in AI and automation has turned into fruitful results,” said Aldric Chau, General Manager Digital, Cathay. “We continue to innovate through our close collaboration with UiPath to harness the full power of automation, AI and generative AI to ultimately deliver significant outcomes for our customers and to our internal operations. By leveraging AI and automation, we aim to maintain our digital leadership by prioritizing a strong customer-centric approach and continuously pursuing innovation.”

“AI-powered automation can help organizations streamline workflows and drive efficiencies, which has huge benefits such as enhanced customer and employee experiences, substantial cost savings, improved accuracy, and increased productivity to drive greater business value. It is particularly important for the aviation sector that needs to significantly scale up in order to satisfy the huge demand as travel resurges after the pandemic” said Richard Chen, Regional Vice President, Greater China at UiPath. “We are proud to enable the digital transformation journey at Cathay and look forward to working closely together to continue delivering the strongest outcomes for its employees and customers.”

Embracing AI-powered automation for efficiency and innovation

As part of its comprehensive digital transformation strategy, Cathay recognizes the power of AI and automation in realizing this vision. Cathay started adopting UiPath Platform back in 2018. Today, Cathay is a digital leader that employs UiPath automation solutions across more than 20 departments with over 160 bots to support employees’ day to day work. These solutions are essential for Cathay as they scale up during their rebuilding efforts following the challenging pandemic period. By leveraging tools such as UiPath Action Center, AI Center, and Document Understanding, Cathay is able to relieve employees of manual and repetitive tasks, allowing them to focus on more value-added activities. This not only enhances customer and employee satisfaction but also increases efficiency and drives significant operational improvements across its services.

Turning AI potential into tangible business outcomes

UiPath AI and automation is instrumental in helping Cathay address the challenges associated with the high-volume and high-intensity process across various business units.

By leveraging the capabilities of UiPath Document Understanding, Cathay trims document processing for repetitive and manual tasks, resulting in higher accuracy, faster processing times and increased process volume.

For example, Cathay is leveraging bots to automate its flight re-seat notification process for passengers. Today, with automation, the process is approximately 20 times faster than manual email notifications. It also enhances operational efficiency in back-office functions. Before automation, tax declaration preparation took employees around three weeks. With the introduction of automation, this timeframe cut down to just one to two days. Additionally, UiPath bolsters compliance through automated reporting for flight scheduling, which reduces human error and ensures adherence to regulatory requirements, saving Cathay 50% of the reporting time.

Cathay has also implemented its first Intelligent Document Processing (IDP) use case to handle invoices for the SAMEA region. Currently, over 72% of invoices are processed automatically, reducing processing time by four times. This advancement not only increases efficiency but also enables its team to focus on more strategic tasks, such as investing in vendor relationships and queries.

AI and automation are redefining what’s possible in business, and UiPath is playing a crucial role in positioning Cathay as a digital leader driving transformative change. Looking ahead, Cathay will continue to join forces with UiPath in exploring new opportunities in areas such as intelligent document processing and process mining. In doing so, it aims to empower its employees and advance the organization in a rapidly evolving digital landscape and achieve outcomes that were unimaginable before.