All posts by Neel Achary

India Aug. 20, 2025 : Hitachi Vantara, the data storage, infrastructure and hybrid cloud management subsidiary of Hitachi, Ltd. announced the availability of Virtual Storage Platform One Software-Defined Storage (VSP One SDS) in the Microsoft Azure Marketplace, an online store that provides applications and services for use on Azure. Hitachi Vantara customers can now take advantage of the productive and trusted Azure cloud platform, with streamlined deployment and management. The update gives enterprises the ability to manage and protect data across Azure and on-premises systems, with built-in provisioning, compression and replication capabilities that can reduce operational complexity and help control cloud costs.

This expansion comes as organizations face mounting pressure to do more with less. According to IDC*, 82% of cloud buyers said their cloud requires modernization, with challenges such as skills gaps, staffing shortages and the complexity of managing hybrid and multicloud environments. That inefficiency, combined with the rapid growth of data and limited visibility across hybrid environments, has led to billions of dollars in unnecessary spending and a growing push for automation, governance and tighter cost control.

To help address these challenges, VSP One SDS now offers support for Azure, enabling users to provision, manage and protect storage through a single control plane, powered by Hitachi Vantara’s VSP 360 unified management software solution. This centralized management layer simplifies operations across on-premises and cloud environments without the need to retool or rewrite applications. Built-in thin provisioning and enterprise-grade compression can help reduce cloud storage costs by up to 40%, while two-way asynchronous replication supports disaster recovery, improves uptime and speeds recovery during outages. These capabilities allow teams to migrate, test and scale workloads across environments without disruption, enabling faster DevOps cycles, more agile infrastructure planning and more resilient business continuity. The platform also delivers always-on availability and high performance at scale, backed by a long-standing track record of trust.

“Enterprises are under pressure to modernize infrastructure without disrupting what already works,” said Octavian Tanase, chief product officer, Hitachi Vantara. “By bringing VSP One to Microsoft Azure, we’re helping Azure customers extend the value of their existing investments while introducing new levels of resiliency, efficiency and simplicity. Our partner ecosystem plays a critical role in enabling that flexibility by helping organizations move at their own pace while keeping costs and complexity in check.”

The addition of Azure support also gives Hitachi Vantara customers and partners greater flexibility and choice when planning and deploying hybrid cloud environments. With Azure cloud integration as a consistent foundation, organizations can enhance protection, improve operational efficiency and maximize the value of existing Hitachi Vantara storage. This seamless connectivity supports a more agile, resilient approach to hybrid IT, backed by trusted partners who can provide the expertise and support needed to simplify implementation and scale at pace.

“Microsoft Azure Marketplace welcomes Hitachi Vantara’s VSP One, which joins a cloud marketplace landscape offering flexibility and economic value while transacting tens of billions of dollars a year in revenues,” said Jake Zborowski, general manager, Microsoft Azure Platform at Microsoft Corp. “Thanks to Azure Marketplace and partners like Hitachi Vantara, customers can do more with less by increasing efficiency, buying confidently and spending smarter.”

The broader VSP One platform serves as a unified foundation for block, file and object storage across on-premises systems and the cloud. This gives organizations a consistent experience wherever data resides, helping reduce silos, improve visibility and simplify operations in hybrid environments. VSP One is engineered for continuous availability, with a target of 99.999% uptime to help minimize downtime and reduce the need for redundant infrastructure. That level of reliability supports native data movement between environments and enables business continuity without the burden of re-architecture or duplication.

These advancements are part of a strategy to unify data operations and simplify management across hybrid and distributed environments through the VSP One platform. It builds on prior support for block and object storage and the launch of VSP 360, which adds centralized automation, visibility and control to help organizations manage data more consistently across cloud and on-premises systems.

The Azure Marketplace is an online market for buying and selling cloud solutions certified to run on Azure. The Azure Marketplace helps connect companies seeking innovative, cloud-based solutions with partners who have developed solutions that are ready to use.

Additional Resources

1. Data Sheet: Top 10 Reasons Why: Hybrid-Cloud-Ready Software-Defined Storage for Distributed Block Applications
2. Buyer’s Guide: Buyer’s Guide to Hitachi Vantara Virtual Storage Platform One SDS
3. Press Release: Hitachi Vantara Announces Virtual Storage Platform One’s Availability on Google Cloud Marketplace to Strengthen Hybrid Cloud Data Management
4. Press Release: Hitachi Vantara Unveils New Virtual Storage Platform One Capabilities to Enable Stronger Cyber Resilience, Performance and Sustainability
5. Press Release: Hitachi Vantara Launches Virtual Storage Platform 360, a New Data Management Software Solution that Delivers a Simplified, Streamlined Experience
6. Blog: The VSP One Data Platform Meets its Data Management Counterpart: Introducing VSP 360
7. Blog: Growing Our Platform, to Help You Grow Your Business

1.  Employment for Veterans:

• Full-time employment for Ex-Servicemen in their native districts or nearby towns, offering a stable income
• Structured career progression with opportunities to advance into Area Manager roles.

2. Role of Ex-Servicemen:

• Serve as trusted community ambassadors, ensuring local trust and continuity of supply.
• Coordinate with Rapido’s city operations teams for migration, training, and deployment of driver partners.
• Maintain databases and manage outreach and conversion processes.

3. Nationwide Deployment:

• Focus on high-potential districts such as Gorakhpur, Varanasi, Patna, Jabalpur, Amritsar, Nashik, and select towns in the Northeast, among others.

New Delhi, 20 August 2025: India’s homegrown leader in premium beauty and grooming, SINH Salon, celebrates a remarkable seven-year journey of redefining the art of luxury self-care. Founded in 2018 under the prestigious RSPL Group, SINH has evolved from a singular vision into a multi-location destination, renowned for its creativity, uniqueness, and meticulous craftsmanship, underpinned by an unwavering commitment to excellence.

From its very first salon in Kanpur to sophisticated spaces in Gurugram’s Golf Course Road and Delhi’s iconic Khan Market, SINH has transcended the idea of a traditional salon. Each location is designed as an experiential sanctuary- where class and creativity come together to transform simple services into magnificent experiences. Every visit is a statement of distinctive style, with transformative hair makeovers, precision styling and restorative spa rituals, each executed with fine attention to detail that inspires genuine amazement.

A jewel in its crown is The Hermit Room- an exclusive private salon suite offering the pinnacle of personalised luxury and freedom. Thoughtfully designed for privacy and comfort, it features curated refreshments, gourmet snacks, streaming entertainment and bespoke beauty services. More than a treatment space, The Hermit Room reflects SINH’s philosophy of creating complete escapes from the everyday- where pampering meets peace in perfect harmony and each moment is infused with passion for the craft.

Reflecting on the brand’s milestone, Santosh Kumar, General Manager, Contiluxi International Private Limited, said, “Seven years ago, we set out to reimagine what a premium self-care destination could be. SINH Salon redefines luxury beauty through radical exclusivity, serving visionary entrepreneurs, cultural luminaries and the sophisticated aspirational elite who see excellence as non-negotiable. The Hermit Room is our masterpiece- a private atelier where discretion is absolute and artistry uncompromised. SINH Salon is a deliberate choice, ensuring every interaction remains extraordinary..”

Looking ahead, SINH Salon is poised to expand its presence while setting new benchmarks for India’s high-end beauty industry. Guided by its core pillars of creativity, uniqueness, craftsmanship, class, freedom and passion, the brand remains committed to crafting experiences that go beyond aesthetics- offering every guest a lasting sense of indulgence, confidence and connection.

Hyderabad, August 20, 2025: HDFC Bank, India’s leading private sector bank, today announced that it has invested in CoRover, a leading conversational AI company. CoRover has created BharatGPT — a pioneering, sovereign, and enterprise-grade Large Language Model (LLM).

CoRover, which has a user base of 1 billion and is trusted by over 25,000 enterprises and developers, develops conversational AI agents, AI Assistants (VideoBot, VoiceBot, ChatBot), and Telephony AI solutions. These solutions are powered by BharatGPT, a multilingual, multimodal, and domain-adaptable LLM built entirely in India, for India.

Arup Rakshit, Group Head Treasury, HDFC Bank said, “Development of BharatGPT, which enables exchange of information in multiple Indian languages for a diverse country like India, set apart CoRover for us. We value the expertise of CoRover, catering to the unique vernacular requirements. We are privileged to play a meaningful role in the IndiaAI Startups Global Accelerator Programme through CoRover.”

Ankush Sabharwal, Founder & CEO of CoRover said, “We are honoured to have the trust and support of HDFC Bank, along with other investors, as we expand the reach and impact of BharatGPT. This partnership signals a shared commitment to building AI that is sovereign, secure, inclusive, and capable of scaling across India’s most critical sectors.”

 CoRover acknowledges the pivotal role of the Government policy push and initiatives like IndiaAI Mission, for presenting opportunities like the IndiaAI Startups Global, a prestigious international acceleration programme in partnership with Station F, Paris and HEC Paris.

CoRover’s proprietary platform enables enterprises to rapidly deploy intelligent conversational AI agents across voice, video, and chat integrated with BharatGPT’s deep language understanding, dialectal diversity, and contextual accuracy. The company’s recent launch of BharatGPT Mini allows AI to function on low-end devices and without internet connectivity (Telephony AI), dramatically expanding accessibility in infrastructure-limited environments.

20 August, 2025, Delhi NCR – Ultratech Texture Paints Pvt. Ltd. (UTTPL), established in 2007, has announced a calculated collaboration with Mas Paints, an esteemed Italian brand with manufacturing facilities in the UAE, to introduce their premium natural lime and cement-based finishes for both exterior and interior applications in India.

Mas Paints is globally recognized for producing some of the finest lime-based plasters for a wide range of surfaces, distinguished by their near-zero emissions and eco-conscious manufacturing processes. With decades of expertise, the brand has set benchmarks in sustainability, durability, and aesthetic excellence. Driven by its founding philosophy, UTTPL remains committed to offering architects, designers, and end users specialized texture coatings made entirely from natural materials. This partnership underscores UTTPL’s mission to merge timeless craftsmanship with sustainable innovation, delivering finishes that are not only visually stunning but also environmentally responsible.

With this alliance, UTTPL strengthens its position as a leader in specialized natural texture coatings, offering Indian architects and specifiers the opportunity to work with products that meet global standards of design and environmental care.

New Delhi, 20 August, 2025: PRIME Rural marked a historic milestone with the inauguration of the first-ever RuralPreneur 2025, officiated by Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma. This landmark event celebrated and empowered rural entrepreneurs from across Meghalaya. During his address, the Honourable Chief Minister announced the expansion of doorstep incubation support to all 52 blocks of the state under the PRIME Rural program. Financial support of up to ₹18 crore was pledged to provide rural entrepreneurs with Selco-built environmentally friendly facilities, solar energy solutions, and essential machinery to scale operations and enhance productivity in the coming month, reaching to more than 172 beneficiaries. An initial allocation of more than ₹3.4 crore in funds was disbursed to support rural entrepreneurs statewide.

Held at the Shillong State Central Library, the event brought together over 250 rural entrepreneurs from every district, showcasing the vibrant potential and creativity thriving in Meghalaya’s rural economy. Dignitaries in attendance included Shri Sampath Kumar, IAS, Principal Secretary; Dr. Vijay Kumar D, IAS, Commissioner & Secretary; Smti. Saloni Verma, IAS, Executive Director, Meghalaya Basin Management Agency; Shri. Swapnil Tembe, IAS, Secretary, Meghalaya and Dr. Harish Hande, CEO, SELCO Foundation, where the official catalogue book of PRIME Rural was also launched.

Speaking at the inauguration of RuralPreneur, Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma said, “At the heart of RuralPreneur 2025 lies the belief that transformation begins with a change in mindset. We must encourage our people, especially our youth, to embrace innovation, take risks, and see challenges as opportunities. Entrepreneurship thrives when individuals are willing to step beyond their comfort zones, but it also needs a strong system of support to sustain and guide them.”

In Meghalaya, we recognize that even the smallest details matter when building enterprises. Attention to micro aspects—whether in planning, execution, or delivery—makes the difference between good and great. Yet, no entrepreneur succeeds alone. True progress happens when we work as a team, share ideas, and uplift one another with passion and commitment.

 He further elaborated “The Prime Rural initiative is designed to play a crucial role in helping our entrepreneurs move forward with confidence. By nurturing talent, building networks, and developing skills, we are creating an ecosystem where rural entrepreneurs can flourish and compete on larger platforms. RuralPreneur is not just a celebration—it is a movement of growth and resilience. Together, with the right mindset, unwavering dedication, and collective spirit, Meghalaya’s entrepreneurs will pave the way for inclusive development and prosperity.”

 Speaking at RuralPreneur inauguration Dr. Vijay Kumar D, IAS, Commissioner and Secretary said “In Meghalaya, we are witnessing a remarkable journey of rural entrepreneurship, powered by a strong and evolving support system. Through initiatives like PRIME Rural, incubation, mentorship, and access to markets, we are creating an ecosystem where ideas from rural areas can grow into impactful enterprises. The energy, creativity, and resilience of our entrepreneurs are inspiring, and with the right guidance and resources, they are scaling new heights. What we see today is just the beginning—Meghalaya is steadily becoming a hub where rural entrepreneurs can thrive, contribute to the economy, and create opportunities for their communities.”

Smti. Saloni Verma, IAS, Executive Director, Meghalaya Basin Management Agency, said, “The launch of RuralPreneur marks a historic step for Meghalaya as we expand PRIME Rural to all 52 blocks.

 This initiative ensures doorstep incubation and consistent support for rural innovators, enabling them to access knowledge, markets, and technologies that can transform their livelihoods.”

She added, “RuralPreneur is designed to bridge the gap between rural talent and mainstream markets, fostering economic inclusion and job creation. Our focus is not only to nurture rural enterprises but also to create a sustainable ecosystem where they can thrive.”

Smti. Minha Riyaz Khan, Programme Lead, PRIME Rural, said, “As a lead of the PRIME Rural programme, it gives me immense pride and gratitude. Over the past year, we’ve had the unique privilege of working alongside an incredibly diverse group of entrepreneurs, fessociates and associates across 12 blocks in Meghalaya. PRIME Rural programme has been more than just a professional commitment—it has been a deeply personal and transformative experience. The fellowship enabled us to co-create solutions that are locally relevant and sustainable. What ties it all together is the belief that development is most impactful when it is inclusive, participatory, and rooted in local context.”

RuralPreneur 2025 featured a diverse array of stalls, product displays, and networking sessions, enabling rural innovators to connect with markets, investors, and mentors. Entrepreneurs showcased traditional crafts, agri-products, food innovations, and sustainable solutions, reflecting Meghalaya’s unique cultural and natural wealth.

This event sets the stage for Meghalaya to emerge as a model state for rural entrepreneurship in India, with PRIME Rural’s expansion poised to transform the state’s entrepreneurial landscape in the years to come.

Mumbai, August 19, 2025 – Vi (Vodafone Idea) today announced a strategic collaboration with IBM to help streamline operations, improve service reliability, enhance the customer experience, and accelerate the seamless delivery of digital initiatives, using artificial intelligence (AI) and the implementation of a unified DevOps execution model fuelled by automation.

Key to the effort is a newly established AI Innovation Hub, designed to continuously modernize Vi’s IT and business processes. The Hub aims to bring together experts from Vi and IBM Consulting to co-create cutting-edge AI solutions, automation tools, and digital accelerators powered by IBM’s industry-leading AI capabilities. The AI Innovation Hub will work closely with the unified DevOps team to find effective avenues of infusing AI into the development and operations function of Vi.

“Our collaboration with IBM marks a pivotal milestone in Vi’s digital journey. It reflects our commitment to AI-led innovation and our ambition to drive accelerated growth through intelligent decision-making and automation. The AI Innovation Hub will play a critical role in modernizing our operations and expediting our go-to-market execution of critical business initiatives through faster software development cycles, setting new benchmarks for the telecom industry,” said Jagbir Singh, Chief Technology Officer, Vodafone Idea Limited.

 Working alongside IBM Consulting’s AI and DevOps experts, Vi aims to deliver smarter digital experiences, enhance IT agility, and unlock new revenue opportunities. The organization’s AI-enabled unified DevOps implementation will tap into IBM’s global partner ecosystem, accelerators, and deep industry knowledge to support continuous innovation while helping strengthen Vi’s long-term digital resilience.

“India’s telecom sector stands at the crossroads of surging data consumption, rapid digital transformation, and large-scale 5G deployments. In this dynamic landscape, our collaboration with Vi allows IBM to serve as a strategic enabler to help modernize the organization’s IT ecosystem, enhance operational efficiencies, and fast-track their digital transformation. Vi’s AI Innovation Hub is a testament to the power of co-creation, where IBM consultants can provide best practices and support efforts to build a future-ready digital foundation powered by AI and automation,” said Juhi McClelland, Managing Partner, IBM Consulting, IBM Asia Pacific.

“Vi and IBM have had a rich, collaborative association going strong for more than 17 years. Our recent collaboration with Vi marks a significant step in redefining how AI and automation can transform telecom operations at scale. With the AI Innovation Hub and unified DevOps execution, we’re bringing together the best of IBM’s global expertise to help Vi deliver superior customer experiences, drive innovation, and strengthen digital resilience for the future,” said Rishi Aurora, Managing Partner, IBM Consulting India & South Asia.

 With AI at the core of its transformation, Vi is driving faster time-to-market through unified DevOps implementation. By tapping IBM’s expertise in AI and digital transformation, the company is unlocking new growth opportunities and establishing a more resilient IT ecosystem. These collaborative efforts will help enable the design and adoption of rapid and seamless digital experiences, underscoring the power of AI in enhancing customer-centric service delivery.

New Delhi, 19 August – GAIL (India) Limited proudly marks 41 years of outstanding contribution to India’s energy sector. Since its inception, GAIL has been at the forefront of the nation’s energy evolution, driving innovation, infrastructure development, and sustainability in the natural gas industry.

Over the past four decades, GAIL has laid the foundation for India’s energy security by building the nation’s first natural gas pipeline network, facilitating reliable and efficient fuel supply across the country. The company has also been a key pioneer in advancing green energy solutions, including spearheading India’s green hydrogen initiatives, demonstrating its commitment to clean fuels and environmental stewardship.

In FY 2024–25, GAIL (India) Limited achieved record financial performance, expanded natural gas infrastructure, and diversified its energy portfolio. Key advances in LNG, petrochemicals, and city gas boosted resilience, while progress in biogas, digitalisation, and ESG underscored its clean energy focus. Governance excellence and stakeholder trust reaffirm GAIL’s commitment to energy security, sustainability, and long-term value creation.

With over 5,000 employees, GAIL is focused on achieving Net Zero emissions by 2035, aligning with national climate goals. Now in its 41st  year, GAIL remains committed to driving innovation, sustainability, and energy security, powering India’s progress well into the future.

As GAIL completes 41 transformative years, it reaffirms its mission to energise the country through innovation, resilience, and environmental responsibility, continuing to power India’s progress for decades to come.

New Delhi, August 19, 2025 — Experion Developers, a leading residential real estate company in India, and the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI), the global authority for advancing health in buildings, organizations and communities, announced today that three of Experion’s flagship residential complexes have achieved the precertified WELL Residence designation awarded through IWBI’s WELL for residential program. This precertification for nearly 1,000 residences marks a major milestone of Experion’s progress in delivering healthier and more resilient homes in India.

By achieving WELL for residential precertification for Elements in Sector 45, Noida, The Trillion in Sector 48, Gurugram, and One42 in Sector 42, Gurugram, Experion Developers became the first real estate developer in India to receive this prestigious precertification for residential, reinforcing its leadership in creating future-forward living experiences. This milestone signifies Experion’s championship in designing homes that are not only aesthetically appealing but also scientifically aligned with global standards on buildings advancing health and well-being. Upon construction completion and passing third-party verification of the WELL strategies implemented, a precertified WELL for residential project will achieve certified WELL Residence status.

“Receiving WELL for residential precertification is a proud moment for us,” said Mr. B K Malagi, Vice Chairman, Experion Developers. “This recognition by the global WELL program reinforces our commitment to building homes that go beyond aesthetics and luxury to truly support the well-being of our residents. It reflects our belief that homes should be places of comfort, health, and vitality.”

The WELL for residential program is a globally recognized evidence-based, third-party verified framework developed to transform the way homes are designed, built and maintained to support resident health and well-being. It evaluates how design, operations, and behaviours within the home can enhance human health. It covers critical aspects like indoor air and water quality, natural lighting, access to fitness and green spaces, and overall strategies promoting mental and emotional well-being.

“As global demand for healthier, more resilient homes continues to grow, creating spaces that actively support well-being has never been more important,” said Prateek Khanna, IWBI Chief Operating Officer. “We applaud Experion’s leadership in putting resident health first and setting a strong example for healthier homes in India.”

As a leading developer in India, Experion prioritizes wellness not as a trend, but as a foundational design principle. Each pre-certified residence integrates WELL features that support healthier lifestyles including:

• Advanced indoor air quality solutions: Limiting exposure to construction pollution by implementing dust and moisture management strategies, along with installing mechanical exhaust systems, electric vehicle charging infrastructure, and enforcing a smoking ban;

• Water Systems and water quality: Water systems designed  with use of certified plumbing materials and regular monitoring and system maintenance; building water treatment devices are maintained for water quality;
• Fire safety measures: homes are located in low-risk fire zones and include automatic sprinkler systems;
• Emergency backup power: all homes are equipped with backup power systems in case of emergencies;
• Thermal comfort: outdoor spaces include materials and vegetation to help reduce solar heat absorption;
• Resident wellness guide: An in-home guidebook that educates residents on the health benefits of their built environment and offers practical guides to live better every day;

Experion Elements, The Trillion, and One42 are designed with a strong emphasis on environmental and human health. These projects feature generous green spaces, abundant natural daylight, active lifestyle zones, and an overall infrastructure that promotes physical activity, restfulness, and emotional balance.

At a time when homebuyers are increasingly prioritizing health, safety, and sustainability, Experion Developers is setting a new benchmark in the Indian real estate sector. With this precertification, the company is not only on the path to full WELL Residence status for its projects, but also leading the charge toward responsible, human-centric development.

This achievement reaffirms Experion’s vision of transforming India’s residential landscape by designing homes that empower residents to live well physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Launched in 2024, the WELL for residential program seeks to provide a solution that helps transform the global residential market and ensure that everyone, no matter their background, has access to a home that enhances their health and enables them to make healthier decisions. It is part of IWBI’s WELL ecosystem that comprises WELL Certification under the WELL Building Standard, a library of building and organizational strategies focused on health, the WELL Health-Safety Rating, WELL Performance Rating, WELL Equity Rating, WELL Coworking Rating and certification under the WELL Community Standard. WELL’s holistic, evidence-based approach has provided a roadmap for organizations to promote human and social capital performance and enhance their ESG strategy. As a result, thousands of organizations including nearly 30% of Global and Fortune 500 companies across nearly 140 countries have adopted WELL strategies in nearly 100,000 commercial and residential locations totalling nearly six billion square feet of space.

Noida, August 19, 2025: Pranshi Infra Advisor Pvt. Ltd. successfully celebrated India’s 79th Independence Day with grandeur on August 15, 2025, at The Eliot Hotel & Banquet, Hazipur, Sector 104, Noida. The event brought together some of the country’s most renowned real estate developers and industry leaders to honor the spirit of freedom and progress.

The celebration saw the enthusiastic participation of leading developers including Group 108, NBCC, M3M, Global Bith, GYGY, Godrej Properties, ACE, Sobha, and Uniworld. Together with Pranshi Infra Advisor Pvt. Ltd., they joined hands to commemorate India’s Independence and reflect on the role of the real estate sector in building a stronger nation.

Speaking on the occasion, Pratap Singh Ahlawat, Managing Director, Pranshi Infra Advisor Pvt. Ltd said, “Independence Day is a reminder of the sacrifices that built our nation and the responsibility we carry to shape its future. At Pranshi, we believe that the real estate industry is not only about creating structures but also about building communities and strengthening the backbone of the country’s growth. This celebration was our way of honoring that responsibility with our partners in progress.”

The event concluded on a high note with participants expressing pride in being part of an occasion that blended patriotism, industry growth, and collective aspirations for the nation’s future.