All posts by Neel Achary

National, August 25, 2025: Miraj Cinemas, India’s third-largest and one of the fastest-growing multiplex chains, has expanded its footprint in Rajasthan with the launch of Alwar’s largest luxury cinema at Urban Square Galleria Mall, Alwar Tijara Road near Telco Circle over the weekend. The four-screen property is set to redefine moviegoing in the city, emerging as its premier entertainment hub and lifestyle destination.

The multiplex has a total seating capacity of 606 across its four auditoriums, each designed to combine comfort with scale. Plush push-back seats are complemented by best-in-class recliners, giving audiences the perfect blend of luxury and relaxation. Audi 1 houses 140 seats, Audi 2 has 146, Audi 3 accommodates 138, while Audi 4, the largest, seats 182 guests. The design aesthetic of the new property reflects Miraj Cinemas’ signature approach of marrying modern luxury with cultural warmth. The auditoriums are styled with rich golden-beige tones, geometric wall patterns, and subtle ambient lighting that elevates the atmosphere without overpowering the movie-watching experience. Acoustic panelling and sleek lines give the halls a contemporary finish, while the patterned carpeting adds vibrancy and visual rhythm. Together, these design elements create a plush yet welcoming setting that feels both indulgent and familiar.

Speaking on the launch, Bhuvanesh Mendiratta, MD, Miraj Entertainment Ltd., said, “Rajasthan holds a special place in our growth journey, and the launch of Alwar reinforces our long-term commitment to this region. Urban Square Galleria Mall provides us with the perfect setting, a centrally located, easily accessible lifestyle hub that’s set to become the city’s go-to entertainment destination. Our strategy has always been to deliver premium, world-class experiences not just in metro cities but also in Tier 2 and Tier 3 markets, where audiences are equally passionate about cinema. We are excited to continue our journey of innovation and expansion, making Miraj Cinemas a preferred entertainment destination nationwide.”

Enhancing the ambience is cutting-edge movie technology, with Dolby 7.1 surround sound and 3D-enabled projection systems delivering powerful acoustics and crystal-clear visuals. Beyond the auditoriums, the experience extends into the lobby and concessions, where design takes centre stage. The signature Pop Corner concession area has been conceptualised like a modern café-meets-lounge, with elegant marble finishes, warm wooden accents, and mood lighting that make it as inviting as it is functional. To celebrate the launch, moviegoers can enjoy an inaugural Samosa Combo — pairing a classic samosa with a beverage — at a special discounted price of just ₹150, adding a flavourful note to their cinematic outing.

The launch comes on the heels of a proud recognition at the IMAX Big Cine Awards 2025, where Miraj Cinemas was honoured as the Best Multiplex Theatre of the Year for IMAX Wadala. This award reinforces the brand’s efforts to create world-class cinema destinations for audiences nationwide.

With the addition of Alwar, Miraj Cinemas now operates eight properties and 20 screens across Rajasthan, strengthening its presence in the state with cinemas in Jaipur, Ajmer, Sikar, Jodhpur, Nathdwara and Bharatpur. Nationally, the brand has expanded to 243 screens across 72 locations in 49 cities. A flagship venture of the Miraj Group, Miraj Cinemas is known for premium experiences, youth-focused innovations, and a strong presence in both metros and regional markets. Two new IMAX screens will soon join its portfolio, reinforcing its commitment to delivering world-class cinema nationwide. To book tickets or explore ongoing offers, visit the website or app of Miraj Cinemas and enjoy the convenience of online booking — anytime, anywhere.

New Delhi, 25^th August 2025: Anmol Industries Limited (Anmol), India’s leading packaged food companies, has announced that its extensive range of offerings will now also be available on the e-commerce portal Amazon. This is another important step in Anmol’s strategy to further establish itself as a key player in the rapidly expanding e-commerce space.

The announcement equally reinforces the company’s vision-first approach of making it easier for the consumers to get their hands on their favourite Anmol delights on digital platforms at the convenience of their fingertips and schedules. This growth comes on the heels of a series of new product launches that have diversified the portfolio of Anmol, reaffirming its dedication to changing tastes of consumers.

In view of Anmol’s flavourful and most popular offerings and the recent launch of a series of new products like Swiss Roll, a creamy soft delight for every age group, Dream Lite, the perfect guilt-free biscuit for health-conscious consumers, Romanzo, the indulgent chocolate-layered snack, Top Royale, a premium buttery cheese cracker and Anmol Humara Marie, one of the tastiest Marie Biscuits for the perfect tea time, the move to Amazon ensures these favourites are now just a click away for consumers across the country.

Speaking about the brand’s digital expansion and product availability on Amazon, Mr. Aman Choudhary,  Executive  Director – Marketing, Anmol Industries Limited said, “Our vision has been to be ahead of consumer requirements by merging accessibility with innovation. By making our products available on Amazon, we are not only broadening our reach but also deepening consumer connect with digital convenience. This move supports our recent marketing campaigns and new product offerings crafted to appeal to today’s changing lifestyle choices.”

Keeping with this vision, Anmol recently released a Rakhi Campaign that resonated on an emotional level with the consumers across the segments. The campaign that redefined conventional sibling roles presented a heartfelt tale on the screen. The advertisement featured a poignant role reversal – where a brother puts on a Rakhi to his sister, honouring her role not just as a sibling, but also as a parental figure, guide and guardian.

The storytelling of the campaign served as a gentle yet effective nudge away from rigid gender roles and embracing an emotional give-and-take within relationships. It reinforced Anmol’s focus on truthful narratives that are aligned with the values of today’s consumer and boosts its festive connect.

With its presence on Amazon, Anmol continues to have a union of innovation, ease of access and cultural relevance, cementing its position as a brand that transcends food to deliver experiences that matter.

National, 25 August 2025: Sonos (Nasdaq: SONO) has marked a significant moment in its India journey with the debut of Sonos Sound Suites – an intimate and immersive listening experience celebrating music that is as rich in culture as it is in sound. The inaugural event held at premium members’ club, Soho House, Mumbai was marked by a genre-defying live performance from Indian sitar maestro Purbayan Chatterjee and jazz pianist-composer Merlyn D’Souza. Blending classical Indian ragas with modern textures and bluesy undertones, the duo left a room full of cultural tastemakers and music connoisseurs spellbound with a soulful performance that weaved Indian classical traditions into the fabric of blues.

The sound leader is turning up the volume on India’s cultural renaissance with Sonos Sound Suites, where tradition meets innovation through the power of sound. Sonos Sound Suites is a reflection of India’s growing rediscovery of its musical roots, at a time when classical music is experiencing a powerful resurgence. 

Created as an India-first experience, Sonos Sound Suites places Sonos products in thoughtfully curated spaces, inviting influential voices, artists, and tastemakers to explore what great sound truly feels like. The Mumbai chapter was no exception.

“Indian classical music is steeped in emotion, texture, and nuance. When mixed with the blues, the resulting sound is soulful and captivating. The Sonos Sound Suites performance is our tribute to the transcendental qualities of music,” said Purbayan Chatterjee. “As a brand, Sonos truly champions the artist and its ethos of making listening out loud more immersive, intimate and true to the artist’s intent.”

Immersive listening sessions hosted by Sonos Sound Experience Engineer Harry Jones, showcased the breathtaking spatial audio immersion of Sonos Era 300  and how Sonos redefines home listening — not just as a playback device, but as an emotional medium that honours the artist’s intent. Drawing from both vintage recordings and modern classics, the session offered a rare chance to experience music with depth, dimensionality, and soul. Globally, Sonos works closely with a community of some of the most well regarded artists and creators – including the Sonos Soundboard, led by renowned producer Giles Martin – to fine-tune every product for studio-grade precision and emotional depth. 

“At Sonos, technology and innovation are essential – but the true essence of great sound lies in faithfully recreating the art and evoking emotion in the listener. Our deep engineering expertise combined with ongoing collaboration with a global community of creators – from producers and engineers to mixers across music and film – enables us to craft sound experiences that move beyond expectation. It’s this fusion of art and science that we’re proud to put at the forefront,” said Harry Jones.  

Rennie Addabbo, General Manager of Sonos APAC added: “With Sonos, we’re bringing the magic of immersive listening into every room of the home through simple, seamless multi-room control. This is how we see Sonos showing up in Indian homes: connecting listeners more deeply to the vibrant sonic traditions, people and content they love.”

As Sonos Sound Suites evolves in India, Sonos is drawing inspiration from cultural tastemakers with a collective of India’s most respected artists, storytellers and creatives. They will share their stories of how music shapes their spaces, creative rituals and communities, with members including acclaimed musicians Kavya Trehan and Avanti Nagral, vinyl archivist Nishant Mittal of Digging in India, visual artist Maroof Umar, entrepreneur Vedant Lamba, chef Harsh Dixit, and storyteller Aditi Mayer.

Bengaluru, 25 August 2025: Tata Motors, India’s largest commercial vehicle manufacturer and a global leader in mobility solutions, today introduced 10 new commercial vehicles in partnership with DIMO, its authorised distributor in Sri Lanka. This significant launch underscores Tata Motors’ commitment to provide advanced transport solutions and marks a major expansion of its presence in the country. It also commemorates 65-years of trusted partnership with DIMO — a collaboration rooted in shared growth and a relentless pursuit of customer excellence.

The newly launched commercial vehicles are engineered to meet a wide range of cargo and passenger mobility needs. Designed with purpose and precision, they offer smart, reliable, and performance-driven solutions tailored to the evolving needs of enterprises and transporters in Sri Lanka. These vehicles exemplify Tata Motors’ focus on delivering high-performance mobility solutions that are rigorously tested for durability across demanding terrains, while offering superior comfort and operational efficiency elevating every trip.

Unveiling the new line-up, Mr. Girish Wagh, Executive Director, Tata Motors, said, “With a rich legacy and deep understanding of the Sri Lankan market, we have introduced application-oriented vehicles to meet the country’s growing infrastructure, public transportation, and logistics needs. This enhanced portfolio delivers a compelling proposition of superior performance, reliability, and optimized total cost of ownership — empowering customers to achieve greater efficiency and profitability. Backed by DIMO’s enduring partnership of six and a half decades, we are confident that these advanced offerings will set new benchmarks and catalyze the next phase of progress in Sri Lanka’s growing mobility landscape.”

Alluding to the long-standing partnership with Tata Motors, Mr. Ranjith Pandithage, Chairman, DIMO, said, “For over 65 years, DIMO has proudly represented Tata Motors in Sri Lanka, introducing advanced commercial vehicles that continue to set new benchmarks in performance and reliability. This latest range embodies the future of transport — blending world-class engineering with solutions designed for our market’s evolving needs. Underpinned by DIMO’s unmatched after-sales expertise we ensure every vehicle delivers sustained performance and value throughout its lifecycle. Together with Tata Motors, we remain committed to driving sustainable growth and shaping a high-performance mobility ecosystem for the country.”

Key Highlights: Launch of Segment-Centric, Application focused Vehicles

 Cargo Mobility Solutions

• For agile, high-efficiency intra-city logistics and last-mile delivery: The Ultra range of trucks — including models T.7, T.9, T.12, T.14, and 1918.T — is built on Tata Motors’ next-generation smart truck platform, offering high fuel efficiency, enhanced performance, maneuverability, and operational productivity.
• For long-haul and heavy-duty transport operations: The Prima 5530.S and Signa 5530.S prime movers are equipped with advanced technologies that enhance fuel efficiency, elevate safety standards, and optimize fleet productivity — making them ideal for demanding logistics and infrastructure applications

Passenger Mobility Solutions

• For long distance, inter-city travel with enhanced passenger comfort: The LPO 1622 Magna bus is engineered to deliver superior performance and best-in-class total cost of ownership. It features advanced safety technologies such as Electronic Stability Control for a safe travel experience, and air suspension for a smooth ride across varied terrains, ensuring enhanced passenger comfort over long distances
• For efficient, convenient staff transport: The Ultra Prime LPO 8.6 and LPO 11.6 buses offer fuel-efficient performance with ergonomic seating for 34 and 40 passengers, respectively. Designed for high uptime and enhanced safety, these buses provide a reliable and cost-effective solution for daily employee mobility

Customer-Centric Services:

• 15 Strategically Located Service Centers: DIMO’s nationwide network ensures convenient access to genuine spare parts and timely maintenance support
• Extended Warranty Coverage: Select models come with extended warranty of up to 3 years or 300,000 km, offering both peace of mind as well as long-term value
• Comprehensive Annual Maintenance Contracts (AMC): Customised AMC packages designed to meet varied operational requirements, ensuring optimal vehicle performance and cost efficiency

Tata Motors’ commercial vehicles are sold in over 40 countries worldwide, with a portfolio that spans sub-       1-tonne mini-trucks to 60-tonne heavy-duty trucks and 9 to 71-seater passenger transport solutions. With over seven decades of experience in commercial mobility, the company continues to deliver on its promise of performance, durability, and total cost efficiency — built on a foundation of frugal engineering and global innovation.

Bengaluru, 25 August 2025: Bud Ecosystem, an innovation leader behind a hardware-agnostic generative AI software stack, has partnered with NxtGen, India’s sovereign cloud leader renowned for its secure, scalable, and cost-efficient infrastructure and a qualified cloud service provider for the India AI mission. The partnership entails bringing affordable, turnkey GenAI solutions to enterprises across the country.

The collaboration is specifically designed to overcome the twin barriers of high infrastructure costs and scarce in‑house AI expertise that have slowed generative AI adoption. As per the partnership MoU, NxtGen will collaborate with Bud to integrate its flagship AI Foundry into NxtGen’s cloud offerings, enabling customers to provision and manage GenAI workloads through a single, intuitive interface. This integration will allow end customers to avoid relying on a disparate collection of tools, such as performance optimization tools, model registries, compliance checkers, security controls, workflow orchestrators, and analytics dashboards, by delivering all these capabilities through one cohesive platform.

NxtGen recently announced “M,” a next-generation open AI platform designed to transform human intent into real-world outcomes through intelligent, agentic workflows. Positioned as India’s alternative to ChatGPT, “M” delivers sovereign, high-performance AI powered entirely by open systems and hosted on India’s most advanced AI infrastructure. The platform is powered by the Bud Stack. By simplifying the full lifecycle management of GenAI deployments, Bud AI Foundry ensures enterprises can easily adopt GenAI without vendor lock‑in or steep learning curves.

“Most organizations that lack on‑premises AI hardware have been forced to choose between the premium pricing of global cloud providers—often prohibitive for mid‑market players—and the complexity of building bespoke AI clusters in‑house. By combining Bud’s software, which is tuned for cost‑effective infrastructure utilization, with NxtGen’s competitively priced sovereign cloud services, the alliance offers a third way: a pay‑as‑you‑go GenAI environment featuring model‑as‑a‑service capabilities and outcome‑based pricing that undercuts the total cost of ownership on AWS, Azure, or GCP while delivering enterprise‑grade performance,” Linson Joseph, CSO, Bud Ecosystem, said.

Additionally, the joint solution integrates Bud’s hardware-agnostic inference stack for scalable LLM deployment, Bud’s pre-built agents that provide ready-to-use AI capabilities for common business tasks, and the Bud Jr Model Catalogue, which offers compact, efficient models optimized for enterprise and edge deployments.

Beyond software integration, the two companies are committing joint resources to the research and development of India‑focused language models and industry‑specific AI agents. Finance, healthcare, manufacturing, e‑commerce and other verticals will benefit from domain‑specialized SLMs and autonomous agents that understand local regulatory frameworks, linguistic nuances, and sector workflows. This R&D initiative underscores the partners’ shared vision of democratizing advanced AI, tailoring it to the unique needs of Indian businesses, and fostering domestic leadership in generative AI innovation.

Mumbai, 25  August 2025: International Sunny Cooking Oil has launched a moving Ganesh Chaturthi film that pays tribute to the many ways India welcomes ‘Bappa’ home. Titled “Letter to Bappa,” the three-minute film unfolds through the journey of a young girl traveling from city to village, experiencing the blissful emotions of Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations.

The narrative culminates in the child writing a heartfelt note to ‘Bappa’. This letter becomes the emotional anchor, embodying how every family, in its own way, expresses devotion and love. The film seamlessly ties back to Sunny Oil’s proposition of Life Aapki, Recipe Aapki., highlighting how every celebration comes alive around the joy of food. From family feasts to festive spreads, Sunny becomes part of the shared tables where moments turn into memories, adding its touch of taste and care to Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations.

Milind Pingle, CEO – Consumer Products Division at Frigorifico Allana Pvt. Ltd., the makers of Sunny Oil, said, “Ganesh Chaturthi is a festival that brings families together, and food is at the centre of every celebration. With our film, we wanted to capture that spirit — the laughter, the togetherness, and the joy of sharing a meal. At Sunny, we believe great taste and good health go hand in hand, and this film is our way of celebrating that harmony during the festive season.”

Dorothy Rebello, Co-founder, AlphaX, added:“This film is personal, inspired by moments with my daughter during Ganesh Chaturthi. The way children see Bappa with wonder and unfiltered love became the heart of the story. We wanted to capture that honesty so the film feels human, relatable, and rooted in everyday celebrations.”

International Sunny Cooking Oil is an integral part of any festive celebration from fond memories of preparing modaks to nostalgic festive recipes or creating fond memories and family bonds over meals. The film shows how the brand belongs at the heart of everyday life and celebrations, closing on its enduring promise of Life Aapki, Recipe Aapki.

Bengaluru, India, August 25, 2025 : As India’s healthcare digital revolution accelerates, Athma, the tech arm incubated under Narayana Health, today launched AIRA, a pioneering AI-powered solution designed to move AI tools from proof-of-concept to real-world clinical impact. AIRA, powered by Athma, is reimagining how clinicians interact with health records by synthesizing patient data into clear, intelligent timelines and enabling smarter, proactive care decisions. The announcement was also graced by chief guests Dr. Alexander Thomas, Former President of AHPI, and Dr. Lallu Joseph, Secretary General of CAHO, who highlighted the importance of such innovations in transforming healthcare.

Leveraging advanced artificial intelligence, AIRA reads through all patient records — digital or scanned — to instantly generate clinical timelines and smart tags, ensuring no critical detail is missed. Clinicians can capture information seamlessly through touch, natural speech, or even ambient listening during consultations, with documentation completed automatically in structured, accurate formats.

“The Intelligent Hospital is no longer a future concept; it’s happening now,” said Dr. Devi Shetty, Founder & Chairman of Narayana Health. “Life after the EMR means technology and clinicians work hand-in-hand, eliminating medical error and making healthcare safer for patients. We are moving beyond systems that simply store data — to ones that interpret, connect, and act on it. With AIRA, ambient intelligence and AI-driven automation are transforming mountains of data into clear insights and fragmented workflows into seamless, patient-focused care. This is the next chapter in intelligent healthcare.”

“AIRA exemplifies how AI can shift healthcare from reactive to proactive,” said Jagadeesh Ramasamy, Head of Products, Athma, “By leveraging predictive analytics and continuous monitoring, we’re enabling hospitals to prevent crises before they happen — shifting the focus from emergency response to early intervention. This rewires the entire healthcare system by empowering clinicians with timely intelligence — a critical step toward building smarter, future-ready hospitals”, he added.

India’s Healthcare Digital Revolution and AI’s Growing Impact

India’s healthcare sector is set to grow from USD 1.10 billion in 2022 to USD 5.15 billion by 2030. While as per recent industry reports, telemedicine, AI, and digital records drive this change, doctors still spend nearly 6 hours daily on electronic health records, often exceeding their patient-facing time — with 91% report working beyond office hours, contributing to burnout.

Athma: Shaping Smarter Hospitals and Empowering Doctors

Built on the rich clinical learnings of Narayana Health, Athma is creating the digital backbone for Smart Hospitals. Its innovative solutions have reduced documentation time by 40% and accelerated lab reports by up to 80%, freeing clinicians to focus on care. With AI-driven reports and auto-generated discharge summaries, Athma makes hospital workflows faster, structured, and more efficient. Additionally, it’s flagship mobile apps – Athma Care (for patients), Aadi (for doctors), Namah (for Nurses) and Aham (for admin) are transforming how every key stakeholder experiences healthcare, making Athma a true game-changer.

As part of this journey, Athma curated AIRA, an AI layer atop its EMR. AIRA automates documentation through natural language input, real-time listening, and clinical timelines, reducing burnout and boosting accuracy. Looking ahead, AIRA will drive real-time risk predictions and proactive alerts, integrate with wearables and external health records, and offer a unified 360° patient view across the continuum of care. These capabilities will help power the precision hospitals of the future, where technology doesn’t just support care — it anticipates needs, drives outcomes, and redefines patient journeys. Together, Athma and AIRA are shaping a future-ready, patient-centric healthcare ecosystem for India.

“Healthcare is undergoing a fundamental transformation — moving from intuition-based approaches to data-augmented, intelligent care,” said Dr. Emmanuel Rupert, MD & Group CEO, Narayana Health. “At Narayana Health, we have developed Athmaas as more than just an EMR platform; it is a foundational technology that integrates advanced AI to transform how clinical data is managed and utilized.
Through Athma, we are creating an intelligent healthcare ecosystem where data flows seamlessly to support proactive, personalized care. This empowers our clinicians with deeper insights, greater efficiency, and ultimately better outcomes for our patients. We believe Athma will not only transform care delivery within Narayana Health but also lead India’s journey toward a smarter, AI-driven healthcare future.”

The announcement also witnessed gatherings from key industry players across the healthcare sector, alongside engaging panel discussions. Experts from India and abroad shared insights on overcoming barriers in healthcare data utilization and building future-proof hospital technology stacks, highlighting how AI and digital tools are bridging gaps between data availability and actionable clinical decisions -a vital part of India’s broader healthcare digital transformation.

Guwahati, August 25, 2025 — After successful editions in Chennai, Mumbai, and Lucknow, East Zone Regional Abilympics 2025 was flagged off on 22nd August at Kalakshetra, Guwahati. This marks the final regional event in Phase 2 of the Abilympics skill competitions before the nationals in Delhi this November.

The event was inaugurated by Shri. Mukesh Chand Sahu Principal Secretary to the Govt. of Assam, Women and Child Development along with guest of honour Shri Bhaskar Jyoti Manta, Additional Secretary Cum Director Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of Assam. The inauguration was attended by Mr. Mrityunjay Bansal, Deputy Commissioner, Income Tax (Headquarters) of North East Region at Guwahati, Dr. Jitender Aggarwal Secretary General NAAI and Founder Sarthak Educational Trust, and Shri S.K. Gupta, Advisory Board Member, Sarthak Educational Trust alongwith Mr. Siddhartha Rastogi, Advisory Board Member, Sarthak Educational Trust.

Organized by the National Abilympic Association of India (NAAI) in collaboration with Sarthak Educational Trust, and supported by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), TPCDT, and IndusInd Bank and the East Zone Abilympics welcomed over 100+ Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) from Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Manipur, Nagaland, Tripura, Mizoram, Sikkim, West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Odisha. Participants competed across a wide range of vocational skills including Photography, Painting & Decoration, Crochet, Engineering Design, Hairdressing, Massage, and Bakery & Patisserie.

Shri. Mukesh Chand Sahu Principal Secretary Women and Child Development Assam Government shared “Disability as a subject has been evolving for years, and it will continue to do so. Each of us has abilities, none of us are complete — which is why the focus must be on creating opportunities, not discrimination. Identifying and nurturing talent from regional and local areas is a mammoth task, and Abilympics is doing it beautifully. It benefits the community at the grassroots and shines a light on hidden talent. My best wishes to all participants as they move ahead to the Nationals and Internationals.”

Shri. Bhaskar Jyoti Manta, Additional Secretary Cum Director Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of Assam added, ““In Assam, we are making strong efforts to launch initiatives for PwDs which will benefit them in the long run. From competitive exams to Paralympic sports, PwDs from Assam have already excelled on national and global stages. The upcoming National University for Disability Studies near Guwahati — the first of its kind in the Northeast — will further reflect the state government’s commitment to inclusive development and prepare skilled, market-ready candidates for the future.”

Alongside the competitions, a Regional Conference on Disability Inclusion and Skilling was held on Day 1 (August 22), featuring a dynamic lineup of panels and key speakers. Sessions focused on Assistive Tech Innovations, Policy & CSR Partnerships, Inclusive Workplaces, and PwD Changemaker Stories, while also highlighting the synergy between Abilympics and Non-Profits in strengthening the skills pipeline. Leaders from government, corporates, NGOs, and the disability sector took part in the 2 day event to co-create solutions for a more inclusive future.

Dr. Jitender Aggarwal, Secretary-General of NAAI and Founder & CEO of Sarthak Educational Trust, said, “The East Zone Abilympics marks the final leg of this phase for Divyangjan to showcase their skills, secure opportunities, and take one step closer to representing India on the world stage at Finland 2027. At Sarthak, our vision goes beyond skill-building — we are building futures. By 2027, we aim to empower 10 million PwDs and create over 2 lakh sustainable jobs.”

He further highlighted the local impact, “Our Guwahati center, launched in 2022, has already trained over 900 PwDs, with nearly 70% placed in corporates. Another 300 have been upskilled in digital literacy. From districts like Baksa, Barpeta, and Morigaon, we are now expanding across the Northeast to ensure no talent is left behind.”

Participants echoed this sentiment. Snigdha Rajbongshi, a hearing-impaired participant from Guwahati, shared, “I never imagined I’d get such a platform. Abilympics showed me that my crochet skills matter, and now I dream of reaching Nationals and one day representing India at Finland 2027.” Several others like here were not just there to win, but to represent a life of quiet resilience and extraordinary creativity in various work skills.

Paving the Road to Finland 2027

The winners from Guwahati will qualify for the National Abilympics in Delhi (November 2025), where Team India will be selected to compete at the 11th International Abilympics in Finland (2027) — the global “Work Skill Olympics” for Persons with Disabilities.

The East Zone Abilympics promises to be not just a competition, but a celebration of resilience, talent, and inclusion — reaffirming that disability is not inability.

Hyderabad, August 24, 2025… The “5K Curtain Raiser” of the 14th Edition of NMDC Hyderabad Marathon, powered by IDFC FIRST Bank, was held at the Sports Expo, Hitex, on Saturday morning with over 8,000 enthusiastic runners participating.

The run, organised by the Hyderabad Runners Society—India’s first institutionalised running group—was flagged off by Mr. Vinay Kumar, Director Technical, NMDC, and Mr. Shreepad Shende, Head Business Excellence, IDFC FIRST Bank, in the presence of Mr. Rajesh Vetcha, Race Director of the marathon and senior leadership from IDFC First Bank.

Mr Amitava Mukherjee, CMD, NMDC, in a message shared on the occasion, said, “The NMDC Hyderabad Marathon returns, bigger and better than ever! With 28,000 + participants from across India and abroad, we’re set to break more records in 2025. As we gear up for the NMDC Hyderabad Marathon 2025 – India’s second-largest, we’re running with a purpose. We combine expertise in mining with a passion for fitness. As the largest iron ore producer, we believe fitness is the bedrock of a strong nation. Join us, and together, let’s take every step towards a sustainable, healthier India.

Mr. Vinay Kumar, who spoke before flagging off the 5K Run, highlighted that an active lifestyle does not just help people live longer but also ensures a healthier, better quality of life. “Be it walking, gardening, dancing, running, or sports—regular movement profoundly improves life,” he said.

Mr. Shreepad Shende, Head Business Excellence, IDFC FIRST Bank, remarked: “It is truly inspiring to see so many enthusiastic participants turning out for the 5K run today. While today is about movement and participation, I encourage everyone to keep pushing their limits. Let this 5K be a stepping stone—come back next year stronger and take on the 10K challenge. Growth happens one stride at a time.”

Race Director Rajesh Vetcha noted that a record 28,000 registrations were received this year. He added, “We are committed to making the Hyderabad Marathon sustainable as part of ‘Athletics for a Better World.’ We have onboarded 29 NGOs, with their representatives, kids, and youth actively participating in today’s 5K run.”

Human Stories of Inspiration

Santhosh Medipally, a two-leg amputee and software professional with Accenture, who lost his legs in a train accident at Nellore 12 years ago, ran alongside his wife Dishitha, daughter Shiva Samikhsha, and son Eshan Patel. “I lost my legs, but not my confidence. My goal is to become a CEO,” Santhosh said, earning admiration from all. His wife Dishitha added, “I married him knowingly, because he is unique and inspiring.”

Gangadhar, President of Babul NGO, dressed as Superman to spread a strong environmental message: “Say No to Single-Use Plastics, Save the Planet.” His creative act with a serious cause inspired runners and onlookers alike.

Children from Amma Social Welfare Society displayed thought-provoking placards: “If you are tired of running, run with heart,” and “In running and learning, progress comes one step at a time.”

Several participants raised cyber safety and financial awareness messages, urging people not to click on unknown links and to maintain a good credit history.

IDFC FIRST Bank promoted safe banking through creative displays at the venue with messages like: “Small wins lead to big victories—just like our Zero Fee Banking.”; “A strong password ensures security. Share your winning selfie, not your OTP. “Running a race is rewarding—just like UPI transactions on our Credit Card.”; “Frequent training brings you closer to victory—monthly interest credits bring you closer to your financial goals.”

The Running Festival main event will be held on Sunday, August 24, 2025. The Full Marathon will be flagged off at 4:30 a.m. from People’s Plaza, Necklace Road, the Half Marathon at 5:30 a.m. from People’s Plaza, Necklace Road and the 10K Run – 7:00 a.m. from Hitex, Madhapur

A total of 28,000 runners, including 5,000 from 150+ Indian cities and 56 elite athletes from India, Kenya, and Ethiopia, will participate in the World Athletics Label Race.

India, 24 August 2025: The incorporation of Bondada Dynamics Private Limited marks a significant milestone in the strategic growth journey of Bondada Engineering Limited. This development represents a purposeful diversification and a forward-looking step towards the Company’s long-term vision of expanding its footprint across critical and high-potential sectors of national importance. The newly incorporated subsidiary will serve as a dedicated vehicle for the Company’s entry into the defence sector, an area of immense strategic relevance and opportunity.

With the Government of India’s continuing thrust on “Atmanirbhar Bharat” (self-reliance) and the “Make in India” initiative in the defence and aerospace domain, the Company firmly believes that the establishment of this subsidiary will enable it to actively participate in indigenisation, cutting-edge technology development, and highvalue engineering products and services in the defence sector.

Commenting on the launch, Dr Bondada Raghavendra Rao, Chairman & Managing Director Bondada Engineering Limited, said, “The incorporation of Bondada Dynamics is a defining step in our strategic journey. This initiative is not just about entering a new sector; it is about taking on a mission that aligns with our nation’s aspirations. India is at a crucial juncture where indigenisation and technological self-reliance are vital to our future. With Bondada Dynamics, we aim to contribute directly to building a stronger, self-reliant defence ecosystem. Our efforts will focus on developing indigenous capabilities, creating world-class technologies, and supporting the country’s security and strategic priorities while building sustainable value for future generations”.

Through Bondada Dynamics Private Limited, the Company aspires to:

Establish a strong presence in the domain of defence technologies, in the areas of design, development, manufacture and maintenance of defence platforms, equipment, systems, subsystems, assemblies and sub-assemblies.
Leverage its proven expertise in engineering, project execution, and innovation to deliver advanced solutions for the defence ecosystem.
Collaborate with key stakeholders, research institutions, academia and industry partners to create intellectual properties and develop manufacturing technologies, to make signification contribution toward fulfilling the nation’s strategic and security objectives.

Adding to this, Rear Admiral R. Sreenivas, VSM (Retd), Group Chief Executive Officer, Bondada Engineering Limited stated, “With Bondada’s proven engineering expertise and innovation-driven approach, Bondada Dynamics is poised to deliver cutting-edge technologies and solutions to the defence ecosystem. We are committed to fostering collaborations with industry, academia, and research institutions to strengthen indigenous capabilities and drive long-term value creation.”

This strategic move not only broadens the scope of operations of Bondada Engineering Limited but also reinforces the Company’s commitment to diversifying its business portfolio, creating new growth avenues, and aligning its corporate vision with the nation’s evolving industrial and strategic priorities.

The incorporation of the subsidiary is expected to open up vast opportunities for the Company and strengthen its positioning as a multi-domain player with the ability to serve both civilian and defence infrastructure needs.