All posts by Neel Achary

Bangalore, Feb 27: SK Finance Limited, one of India’s leading Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs), today announced a strategic partnership with ICICI Prudential Life Insurance Company Limited. This collaboration will offer group credit protection insurance solutions to customers of SK Finance, enabling them with the necessary financial protection.

 SK Finance with its strong presence across rural and semi-urban geographies, will offer customer centric credit life insurance solutions to over 9.3 lakh customers and enable them to provide financial security to their families.

This alliance will encourage responsible borrowing and provide better financial protection, especially in underserved communities by offering simple and seamless loan insurance. Credit life products equip customers to better manage risk and ensure the family’s financial plan is not disrupted.

Commenting on the collaboration, Mr. Upendra Prabhu, Chief of Distribution – Credit Life & Protection, ICICI Prudential Life Insurance Company Limited said,

“We are happy to partner with SK Finance, a leading NBFC in the country. Distribution is key to enhancing penetration and achieving the ‘Insurance for All’ objective. This collaboration aligns with our Company’s focus on improving accessibility to life insurance while supporting customers’ long-term financial protection needs.

Both organisations have been built on the ethos of customer centricity and aim to deliver greater value to customers. Importantly, a credit life product ensures that, in case of an eventuality, customers leave behind an asset for their families and not a liability in the form of an outstanding loan.”

On the strategic partnership, Mr. Yash Setia, Whole Time Director, SK Finance Limited, commented,

 “Our mission extends beyond providing credit. We aim to make our customers financially resilient and protect their families from financial disruption as well as loan liabilities. A significant milestone in that direction, this partnership with ICICI Prudential Life Insurance aligns with our broader vision under our insurance vertical, SK Bima, to deliver integrated credit and risk protection solutions for Naya Bharat.”

The collaboration reflects the shared commitment of both organisations to simplify life insurance and promote long-term financial wellbeing for its customers.

New Delhi, Feb 27: Realme continues to strengthen its connect with the young generation, emerging as the Most Popular Smartphone Brand Among Youth driven by high user satisfaction and advocacy strength among Gen Z and Millennials, according to the CMR Consumer Insight Survey 2026 for realme. The study reflects how today’s youth seek powerful performance, reliable battery life, and design that mirrors their identity.

The survey across eight cities, highlights how deeply smartphones are embedded in the lives of the youth. With 74% spending over four hours daily on their devices, performance and reliability have become non-negotiable. Camera quality (86%) and battery life with fast charging (79%) emerged as the most important factors influencing purchase decisions.

realme leads overall customer satisfaction among key smartphone brands and recorded the highest Net Promoter Score (NPS) of 81, reflecting strong advocacy and recommendation intent. The study also reinforces realme’s strong youth association, with consumers identifying the brand as both youthful and performance-driven.

Upgrade intent remains strong, with over half of young users planning to upgrade within the next year, largely driven by design and camera improvements. Peer recommendations and online reviews continue to play a decisive role in shaping purchase choices.

Commenting on the findings, Francis Wong, Chief Marketing Officer, realme India said,

“The CMR survey recognising realme as the Most Popular Smartphone Brand Among Youth, driven by high user satisfaction and advocacy, validates the strong trust young consumers place in us. It reflects their confidence in our overall performance, innovation, camera reliability and user experience. We are encouraged to see realme strongly associated with youthfulness and trust, reinforcing our deep connect with the youth as we continue to deliver meaningful innovation.”

“Today’s always-on Gen Z consumers increasingly view smartphones as an extension of their personality and lifestyle, evaluating them on how seamlessly these devices integrate into their daily digital routines. As smartphone usage intensifies, design aesthetics, reliability, battery life, and imaging capabilities are emerging as baseline expectations rather than differentiators. Smartphone brands that consistently deliver a strong ownership experience are more likely to build long-term advocacy among young users. realme’s popularity among youth reflects its resonance with these evolving expectations,”added Prabhu Ram, VP – Industry Research Group, CMR.

Beyond smartphones, the study highlights realme’s growing presence in the TWS category, where it records strong satisfaction levels, particularly around design, battery life and sound quality. The findings further underscore the importance of ownership experience, with youth engagement, seamless purchase journeys and responsive after-sales support playing a key role in strengthening loyalty.

As young consumers increasingly prioritise performance, reliability and design-led innovation, realme remains committed to delivering meaningful technology experiences that align with their evolving digital lifestyles.

New Delhi, Feb 27:TravClan has released the India Outbound Travel Index 2025, a comprehensive analysis of outbound travel patterns based on real booking behaviour across its nationwide travel agent network. The report analyses data from approximately 2,47,000 international passengers, representing over ₹500 crore in booking value across 170+ international destinations, and identifies five structural shifts shaping how Indians travel abroad.

A defining insight from the Index shows that non-metro cities now contribute 63% of India’s outbound travellers, positioning non-metro India as the largest source of international travel demand. This reflects a fundamental shift in market composition, with outbound growth increasingly anchored in emerging cities alongside traditional metro hubs.

Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Kochi, Amritsar, and Pune are now among India’s fastest-growing outbound markets, driven by rising incomes and expanding regional connectivity. This momentum reflects sustained demand formation, supported by rising income levels, expanding passport access, and improving regional air connectivity.

Commenting on the findings, Arun Bagaria, Founder and CEO, TravClan, said, “The center of gravity for India’s outbound travel has shifted. Travel Businesses cannot build strategies just around Delhi and Mumbai anymore as we see consistent growth from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, driven by travellers who are digitally confident and decisive. Airlines, destinations, and travel brands need to embrace the next phase of outbound growth that will be built around these emerging markets.”

Destination preferences are also evolving. Indian travellers are increasingly selecting markets that combine strong air access, competitive pricing, and diverse experiences. Vietnam has emerged as the fastest-growing destination, gaining 4.01 percentage points in market share, alongside strong hotel booking growth in Egypt, Japan, the Philippines, and Georgia.

Travel planning cycles continue to compress. Over 42% of outbound trips are booked within seven days of departure, while 21.9% are planned over a month in advance, reflecting high digital confidence and predictable, price-responsive behaviour, particularly on short-haul and high-frequency routes.

Affordable air connectivity remains central to outbound expansion. Low-cost carriers account for nearly 70% of bookings on key leisure routes such as the Maldives and Thailand. At the same time, travellers are extending average stays across several destinations, signalling deeper engagement and experience-led travel.

The India Outbound Travel Index 2025 shows that the next phase of outbound growth will be shaped by localised source markets, faster booking cycles, and differentiated travel intent. For industry stakeholders, long-term relevance will depend on how effectively strategies align with these structural shifts.

Mumbai, Feb 27: Mumbai is all set to level up as Padel 360, the city’s first fully indoor, air-conditioned premium padel and pickleball facility, launches the inaugural Padel 360 League from 27th February to 1st March 2026 at its Worli venue. In association with Bayside Sports, the league promises three days of fast-paced rallies, strategic team play, and high-intensity competitive action.

Built around a dynamic ownership-led format, the Padel 360 League will showcase six competitive teams, each assembled through a high-stakes auction featuring elite Icon Players. The tournament will follow a Round Robin + Knockout format, with over 60 matches packed into one electrifying weekend.

The league features a strong mix of national and competitive circuit players, including Aryan Goveas, Adil Kalyanpur, Rahul Motwani, and Krishiv Patel, among others, adding depth, experience, and intensity to the competition. Bringing together entrepreneurial leadership and sporting talent, the six teams promise a compelling on-court lineup. The Emgee Strikers will be spearheaded by Vikram Shah, while the Hebbar Vedanta Warriors feature Aryan Goveas at the forefront. Chaitanya Shah anchors the AICL Aces, as Krishiv headlines the Nuke Knockouts. Rahul Motwani joins the Foo Falcons, and Adil Kalyanpur leads the Bandeja Brigade, creating a balanced and dynamic roster across the league.

Beyond the on-court matchups, the league introduces a professionally structured sporting experience, featuring official team jersey reveals, live match streaming, match recordings, detailed performance analytics, and player insights, alongside curated food and beverage experiences and strong on-ground branding, blending competitive intensity with elevated presentation.

With a total prize pool of INR 5.5 lakhs, along with additional prizes, the Padel 360 League aims to establish itself as a premium city-level sporting property that brings together players, owners, partners, and spectators under one roof.

Set against the backdrop of Padel 360’s world-class indoor courts and vibrant sporting community, the league marks an important milestone in Mumbai’s rapidly growing padel movement.

Delhi, Feb 27:Women in Cloud today announced the expansion of its university-focused Cyber Resilience Centers of Excellence and industry-ready certification initiatives across North-East India in collaboration with Veeam Software at the Bharat Cyber Suraksha – North-East Cyber Resilience and AI Transformation Summit.

The Summit marked the regional flag-off of the Main Hoon Saksham Campaign, inviting students to build foundational data security skills and become part of India’s national digital workforce movement. Participating students complete structured learning pathways in Data Security Posture Management fundamentals and gain visibility to employers committed to hiring certified talent.

This expansion in North-East is part of the Saksham Bharat Initiative under the national “Main Hoon Saksham” movement, launched to build certified, industry-ready talent in Artificial Intelligence, Cloud, and Cybersecurity. Through collaboration with Veeam Software and regional ecosystem partners, Women in Cloud is advancing structured certification pathways, faculty enablement programs, and hands-on cyber resilience labs designed to strengthen the DevSecOps talent ecosystem and digital readiness across universities.

As digital adoption accelerates across governance, education, and enterprise sectors in the region, the demand for industry-recognized cybersecurity and AI talent has become urgent. Women in Cloud is working closely with academic institutions to embed industry-aligned curricula, DevSecOps training, ransomware protection capabilities, and resilience frameworks into university ecosystems. The objective is to transform campuses into workforce acceleration hubs that directly contribute to Viksit Bharat’s goals of digital sovereignty, resilience, and economic growth.

In parallel, Women in Cloud introduced the Saksham Partner Pledge, inviting enterprises, cloud providers, data center operators, and technology companies to activate hiring pipelines, sponsor certifications, and collaborate with universities to strengthen India’s cyber-ready workforce. The pledge creates a direct bridge between certified talent and real employment opportunities, ensuring workforce readiness aligns with industry expansion.

“India’s digital acceleration must be matched with inclusive cyber resilience and AI readiness at the grassroots,” said Chaitra Vedullapalli, Co-founder and President, Women in Cloud. “Universities are the backbone of digital trust and innovation. By collaborating across government, academia, industry, and digital infrastructure partners, we are building scalable cyber and AI talent pipelines aligned with real-world enterprise needs. The North-East holds

immense untapped potential to emerge as a powerful innovation and talent hub. Through Bharat Cyber Suraksha and Main Hoon Saksham, we are enabling access to global skilling frameworks, structured resilience models, and AI-powered security capabilities.”

The initiative complements Veeam’s efforts to establish Cyber Resilience Centers of Excellence with leading institutions including Assam Science and Technology University, Assam Don Bosco University, and Assam University. These Centers will serve as regional hubs for industry certification, faculty training, applied resilience frameworks, and enterprise collaboration.

Sandeep Bhambure, Vice President and Managing Director, India and SAARC, Veeam Software, said,

“India’s digital expansion is rapidly extending beyond metropolitan cities, and the North-East represents a critical frontier for secure and AI-led growth. As digital services scale across governance, education, and enterprise ecosystems, cyber resilience must become foundational. Recent Ministry of Home Affairs data reports over 47,000 cyber incidents across the eight North-Eastern states, highlighting the urgency of region-specific resilience frameworks. By launching the North-East Cyber Resilience Report, partnering with leading universities, and flagging off Main Hoon Saksham, we are combining structured resilience frameworks such as the Veeam Data Resiliency Maturity Model, skilling, and awareness to help institutions become cyber-ready, AI-ready, and future-ready. A Cyber-Surakshit North-East is integral to building a truly Viksit and digitally sovereign Bharat.”

Women in Cloud and Veeam India are now inviting universities across North-East and rest of the India to apply to establish Cyber Resilience Centers of Excellence under the Saksham and Sakshar Bharat Initiative. Institutions commit to structured investment, executive sponsorship, faculty engagement, and measurable certification outcomes aligned with the national goal of certifying one million professionals by 2030.

Enterprises, cloud providers, data centers, and technology infrastructure companies are also invited to collaborate through the Saksham Partner Pledge to strengthen hiring pipelines and align workforce development with India’s expanding digital infrastructure ecosystem.

India’s digital future depends on resilient institutions, activated employers, and prepared individuals. Through public-private collaboration, Women in Cloud and Veeam are strengthening the foundation for a secure, inclusive, and AI-ready India.

Mumbai, Feb 27: Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI), one of India’s leading two-wheeler manufacturers, has achieved a significant milestone by recording 5 million cumulative sales of Activa in Maharashtra. This landmark accomplishment has been reached over a span of 25 years, reflecting sustained customer trust and the brand’s strong foothold in one of India’s most dynamic two-wheeler markets.

The achievement is driven by consistent demand across key cities including Pune, Mumbai, Thane, Nagpur, and Navi Mumbai. These urban centres continue to shape mobility trends where two-wheelers serve as a practical and dependable mode of daily transportation. Activa’s success in Maharashtra is supported by a robust network of over 700 sales and service touchpoints across the state, ensuring accessible ownership, reliable after-sales support, and long-term customer confidence.

Commenting on the milestone, Mr. Mutsuo Usui, Director – Sales & Marketing, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India, said:

“Crossing 5 million Activa sales in Maharashtra reflects the deep trust customers have placed in the brand over the past 25 years. Maharashtra remains one of the most dynamic markets and this achievement highlights how dependable mobility continues to shape everyday commuting. Our focus remains on strengthening customer experience, expanding reach, and ensuring Activa continues to meet the evolving expectations of riders across the state.”

Activa’s strong resale value, extensive service network, and reputation for reliability have contributed significantly to its continued popularity. Customers regard the scooter as a practical long-term investment that balances performance, fuel efficiency, and ownership convenience. Its adaptability for both urban and semi-urban usage further enhances its appeal across age groups.

Over the years, Honda Activa has continuously evolved with technological upgrades and enhanced riding comfort, maintaining its position as a preferred family scooter. The introduction of the ACTIVA e: marked HMSI’s entry into the electric mobility segment, offering customers expanded choices while retaining the brand’s core promise of comfort and performance.

Beyond Activa, HMSI’s scooter portfolio includes Dio (110cc, 125cc and 125-X), while its motorcycle lineup spans multiple segments — 100–110cc (Shine 100, Shine 100 DX & Livo), 125cc (Shine 125, SP125 & CB125 Hornet), 160cc (Unicorn & SP160) and 180–200cc (Hornet 2.0 & NX200). The company has also expanded into the EV space with ACTIVA e: and QC1 electric scooters.

HMSI’s premium motorcycle retail formats — BigWing Topline (200cc–1800cc) and BigWing (200cc–500cc) — further strengthen its nationwide presence, offering a comprehensive portfolio ranging from the CB350 series to flagship models such as the Gold Wing Tour.

With a strong dealer and service network across India, HMSI continues to enhance accessibility and customer experience, reinforcing Activa’s legacy as a trusted mobility partner for millions.

Rome, Italy | Feb 27– Cindy McCain, Executive Director of the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), informed her global teams and the organization’s Executive Board, that she is planning to step down from her role in three months’ time to focus on her health.

 Executive Director McCain, who suffered a mild stroke in October 2025, returned in early January to the organization’s headquarters in Rome, Italy to resume her duties. She wasted no time assuming the many responsibilities of leading the world’s frontline agency tackling a multitude of hunger crises across the globe, but found the demands of the job were outpacing her recovery.

 “With a heavy heart, I am announcing my intention to step down as the Executive Director of the World Food Programme,” said McCain. “Serving this incredible organization has been the honor of a lifetime.

 “I’ve seen firsthand WFP’s ability to save lives in the most dangerous, destitute, and remote locations of the world, where people need us the most. Time and time again, I have seen the WFP team show up where no one else can, no matter the odds. I had truly hoped I could finish out my term, but my health has not recovered to a level that allows me to fully serve the enormous demands of this job. This is one of the most difficult decisions I have ever had to make. 

 “Over the past three years, we have delivered life-saving and life-changing assistance for millions of the world’s most vulnerable people – and this unwavering commitment will be more important than ever in the years to come. To our donors, partners and our global WFP team: thank you for everything you have done and continue to do. I will remain WFP’s biggest champion and continue to be an unwavering voice for those struggling with hunger everywhere.”

 Executive Director McCain assumed the role of WFP Executive Director on April 5, 2023. During her tenure she has driven several unprecedented changes to reform and scale the organization’s abilities including overhauling its global structure, streamlining its operations and processes, scaling innovative digital technologies, and diversifying its public and private partnership efforts. 

Mumbai, Feb 27 : This Holi, The Park Navi Mumbai is turning up the celebration quotient by hosting two distinct and high-energy experiences simultaneously on 3 March from 10 AM onwards, offering the city a choice between a large-scale colour festival and an exclusive poolside bash.

The highlight of the day is the much-anticipated Boom Colour Festival – Holi Party, celebrating seven successful years of vibrant festivities. Conceptualised in association with Boom Entertainment, the event has evolved into one of the city’s most premium Holi gatherings. Designed for those who want to celebrate in grand festival style, the experience promises top DJs, immersive colour play, large-format production, and curated food and beverage offerings all set against the backdrop of luxury hospitality.

Running alongside is the Aqua Holi Bash – Balam Pichkari Edition, an exclusive couples-only celebration crafted for guests seeking a more intimate yet equally dynamic setting. Hosted by the poolside, this edition blends vibrant music, premium ambience, and curated hospitality to create a stylish and sophisticated Holi experience. With controlled entry and a refined guest profile, the bash caters to those who prefer exclusivity while still embracing the festive spirit.

By offering two distinct formats under one roof, The Park Navi Mumbai continues to position itself as a trendsetter in experiential hospitality maintaining it’s brand ethos of Anything but Ordinary. Whether guests choose the high-energy festival atmosphere or the upscale poolside celebration, 3 March promises to be one of Navi Mumbai’s most anticipated Holi events.

Bengaluru, Feb 27: ATEN Advance, the leading provider of KVM, AV/IT connectivity, and management solutions, will participate in Automation India South 2026, scheduled to take place from March 12 to 14, 2026, at the Chennai Trade Center. Visitors can experience ATEN’s latest innovations at Booth No: C-40.

At the expo, ATEN will demonstrate cutting-edge solutions designed to meet the evolving needs of control rooms, industrial automation environments, enterprise IT operations, and mission-critical applications.

Key Product Highlights at the ATEN Booth

One of the main attractions at ATEN’s booth will be the VW1608 Video Wall Processor, a powerful and flexible solution designed for modern control room environments. The VW1608 enables seamless management of multiple video sources and displays, delivering high-resolution visuals with real-time performance. It is ideal for applications such as monitoring centers, smart factories, transportation hubs, and security operations where situational awareness is critical.

ATEN will also showcase the KE8980MR KVM Extender, engineered to deliver high-performance remote access with low latency and uncompromised video quality. This solution allows operators to control systems securely from remote locations, making it particularly suitable for industrial automation, broadcast environments, and centralized IT control rooms.

Another key highlight is the KG0032 KVM over IP Switch, which enables scalable, IP-based KVM deployments across distributed networks. Designed for flexibility and secure access, the KG0032 allows organizations to manage multiple systems over standard IP infrastructure, simplifying operations while enhancing control and efficiency.

The KG0032 will be demonstrated in combination with the KA8585 Console Unit, which provides a streamlined user interface and centralized access to multiple servers and systems. Together, these solutions enable seamless, secure, and efficient management of complex IT and automation environments.

Driving Automation and Smart Infrastructure

ATEN’s participation in Automation India South underscores its commitment to supporting India’s growing focus on automation, smart infrastructure, and digital transformation. By integrating professional AV and advanced KVM technologies, ATEN helps organizations improve operational efficiency, enhance decision-making, and ensure reliable system control in demanding environments.

Visit ATEN at Automation India South 2026

Visitors, system integrators, consultants, and enterprise decision-makers are invited to visit ATEN at Booth C-40 to experience live demonstrations and interact with ATEN experts to understand how these solutions can address real-world automation and control challenges.

Feb, 27: On the occasion of World Protein Day, Optimum Nutrition, the world’s 1 sports nutrition brand, today unveiled Project Protein Thali 2026, the next phase of its consumer awareness campaign focused on making every day Indian meals more protein-inclusive. As part of the initiative, the brand also announced the launch of Gold Standard Unflavoured Whey, its additive-free whey protein offering, developed to meet the growing demand for versatile and ingredient-transparent nutrition solutions.

As awareness around nutrition and fitness continues to rise in India, protein is increasingly being recognised as an essential macronutrient for muscle health, recovery, and overall wellbeing. However, a significant gap still exists between daily protein requirements and actual intake. Simultaneously, consumer preferences are evolving toward simpler, cleaner supplements with minimal ingredients, particularly among users who want to avoid artificial flavours and sweeteners or are looking for more versatile ways to incorporate protein into everyday diets.

Building on the ideology to make every home cooked meal protein rich, Project Protein Thali 2026 initiative aims to demonstrate how small changes in meal composition can significantly improve protein intake by making protein the hero of the plate. The initiative also expands the role of protein beyond post-workout consumption, positioning high-quality unflavoured whey as a convenient ingredient that can be added to regular foods such as rotis, dals, smoothies, and snacks to create more balanced meals.

Complementing the campaign, the newly launched Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey now Unflavoured with whey protein isolate as 1 ingredient, offering high quality protein that supports muscle recovery and performance. Crafted around a clean-label philosophy, it contains zero artificial flavours, zero added sweeteners, zero colors, and no additives, addressing growing consumer demand for cleaner ingredients and simplicity. Its neutral taste allows consumers to customize flavour easily while blending seamlessly into shakes, coffee, oats, and both sweet and savory everyday recipes, making protein easy to incorporate beyond the post workout routine.

Commenting on the campaign and new product launch, Sumit Mathur, CEO of Glanbia India said,

“Protein awareness in India is clearly on the rise, with more people recognising its role in supporting performance, recovery, and overall health. At the same time, we are witnessing a growing preference for cleaner, simpler nutrition solutions. With Project Protein Thali, our goal is to demonstrate how small, practical changes can make everyday meals more protein-inclusive. The launch of Gold Standard Unflavoured Whey further strengthens this commitment by offering a versatile option that can be easily incorporated into daily diets. As the world’s 1 sports nutrition brand, we remain focused on delivering trusted, high-quality nutrition that fits seamlessly into modern lifestyles.”

With Project Protein Thali 2026 and the launch of Gold Standard 100% Whey – Unflavoured, Optimum Nutrition continues to advance its mission of making high-quality protein more accessible and relevant to Indian consumers. By combining practical nutrition education with clean, trusted products, the brand aims to inspire individuals to make small yet impactful changes to their daily meals, reinforcing protein as an essential part of everyday nutrition and active lifestyles.