All posts by Sujata Achary

“The Union Budget 2025 is pivotal for India’s education and skilling landscape. Although digital education has made significant progress in the past few years, this year’s real challenge will be bridging the education-skilling-employability gap.

The current digital infrastructure needs to be more robust and accessible. It would be a game-changer if targeted tax breaks and incentivised collaborations between EdTech platforms and educational institutions became part of this budget. This could help create scalable, job-focused skilling programs for in-demand roles across industries. Furthermore, access to skilling for economically disadvantaged students deserves attention. I hope the Government will announce interest-free loans and reduce GST rates on education and skilling initiatives to ensure that learning becomes more accessible to those who need it most.” – Anil Nagar, Founder & CEO, Adda247

“As we prepare for the upcoming union budget, it’s crucial to present strategic recommendations to bolster the Indian real estate sector. The introduction of a single window clearance system has already improved approval processes, reducing project timelines and costs. To further enhance the sector, we propose several key measures:

FDI Regulation Adjustments: Review FDI norms to attract domestic and foreign investments, enhancing developer liquidity.

Revising Input Tax Credits: Establish a favorable input tax credit regime to ease financial burdens on developers.

Streamlined GST: Adjust GST for under-construction properties to promote growth in commercial real estate.

Targeted Rental Housing Strategies: Improve rental housing availability to address urban challenges.

Public-Private Partnerships: Invest in infrastructure to enhance connectivity in tier-2 cities.

By implementing these recommendations, we can drive sustainable growth in the Indian economy.”

Chandigarh, 22 January 2025: Season 3 of the DP World ILT20 has kicked off spectacularly, delivering a thrilling start that has left cricket fans around the world on the edge of their seats. Renowned cricketing superstars like Kieron Pollard, Tim Southee, Sunil Narine, Sam Curran, Andre Russell, Nicholas Pooran, and many others have already begun to light up the tournament with their exceptional skills and electrifying performances. Season 3 of DP World ILT20 is broadcast live on ZEE’s 15 linear TV channels, OTT platform ZEE5, and its syndicate partners’ TV and digital networks.

Speaking to Harbhajan Singh, Ashish Sehgal, Chief Growth Officer – Digital & Broadcast Revenue at Zee Entertainment Enterprises, expressed ambitious goals for the league, stating: “Season 2 was a landmark achievement where we set a benchmark, reaching 220 million viewers. For Season 3, our goal is to make it even bigger and better, and we truly believe it’s happening—right from the very first match.”

Speaking about ZEE’s legacy of creating engaging content, he added: “At ZEE, nurturing and fostering new talents is in our DNA, as demonstrated by properties like Sa Re Ga Ma Pa and other successful ones. Season 3 is already showing massive potential, and we’re aiming to nurture this 3-year-old property into a HUGE success. In just three years since its inception, the tournament has seen tremendous growth, and we are confident it will continue to reach new milestones in the future.”

Harbhajan Singh, a veteran of the game with over 711-international wickets across formats in his illustrious 18-year career, has been an integral part of the ILT20 since its inception. The 44-year-old also featured in the eminent commentary panel across both seasons. On the other hand, Shoaib Akhtar, who has 444 international wickets for Pakistan, has also joined the ILT20 for the second season of the competition and will continue in his role as ambassador.

Cricket fans can watch this action-packed tournament on ZEE’s most widely distributed and viewed 15 linear TV channels: &Pictures SD, &Pictures HD, Zee Cinema HD, Zee Anmol Cinema 2, Zee Action, Zee Biskope, Zee Zest SD, Zee Cinemalu HD, Zee Telugu HD, Zee Thirai, Zee Tamil HD, Zee Kannada HD, Zee Zest HD, &Flix SD and &Flix HD.

The third season of the DP World ILT20 will run from 11 January to 9 February 2025. All 34 matches will be played across three venues – Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah. The truly international league’s six franchise teams include Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, Desert Vipers, Dubai Capitals, Gulf Giants, MI Emirates and Sharjah Warriorz.

Chandigarh, 22 January 2025: Jupiter International Limited, a leading manufacturer of photovoltaic solar cells and provider of solar power solutions, has secured an order worth over ₹3 crore from the West Bengal Khadi & Village Industries Board (WBKVIB). The project involves the supply, installation, and maintenance of rooftop grid-connected Solar PV power plants across 23 locations in West Bengal.

With a cumulative capacity of approximately 0.5 MW, the project is set to be completed within 365 days from the commencement date. This initiative is expected to significantly enhance energy efficiency, reduce operational costs, and contribute to the state’s efforts to lower carbon emissions.

This project reinforces Jupiter International’s commitment to providing sustainable energy solutions and advancing India’s renewable energy goals. By focusing on rooftop solar installations, the company continues to drive the transition to cleaner energy and strengthen its position as a leader in the solar sector.

Chandigarh, 22 January 2025: Tata Power Renewable Energy Limited (TPREL), a leading player in India’s renewable energy sector and a subsidiary of Tata Power, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Odisha Renewable Energy Development Agency Limited (OREDA Limited), the state’s nodal agency for renewable energy, to accelerate rooftop solar adoption among residential customers. This partnership reflects a shared commitment to expanding Odisha’s renewable energy footprint by implementing the Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar Yojana (PMSGY).

Tata Power, one of India’s largest integrated power companies, manages power distribution in Odisha through its four DISCOMs in partnership with the State Government. The scheme will be implemented through the DISCOMs which will play a pivotal role in bringing solar energy to households.

The MoU was signed by Shri Saidutta Biplab Keshari Pradhan, CEO, OREDA Limited, and Dr Praveer Sinha, CEO&MD, Tata Power in the presence of the Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister of Odisha, Shri K.V. Singh Deo and Shri Manoj Ahuja, IAS, Chief Secretary, Government of Odisha.

This collaboration aims to accelerate solar energy adoption through enhanced public awareness and seamless implementation of accessible and affordable solar energy solutions across Odisha. TPREL, which will be listed as one of its preferred solar partners by OREDA, will play a pivotal role in this adoption by ensuring reliable and hassle-free solar solutions with lifetime care. The company along with OREDA and its financial/banking partners will lead targeted awareness drives at high-footfall locations such as airports, malls and railway stations. To strengthen community engagement, the company will also develop educational materials on renewable energy benefits, conduct sessions for local vendors, and foster local technical expertise by training rooftop installation and maintenance staff.

Public education will remain a central pillar, supported by the creation and dissemination of Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials to emphasize the advantages of renewable energy and energy efficiency.

Odisha is pioneering the solar revolution as the state with the highest solar subsidies in the country which significantly reduces the financial burden on the consumer and enables easy adoption.

Dr. Praveer Sinha, CEO & MD, Tata Power, said, “This collaboration with OREDA underscores Tata Power’s enduring commitment to the state and its people. We are proud to support the PM Surya Ghar Yojana and are aligned with the state government’s vision of mainstreaming solar power.”

OREDA Limited will collaborate with TPREL on the promotion of public awareness campaigns on various platforms, provide guidance to government agencies, and conduct regular reviews to ensure the initiative’s success. The initiative will begin by focusing on key cities—Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Puri, Paradip, Berhampur, Sambalpur, Balasore and Rourkela and gradually expand state-wide.

Shri Saidutta Biplab Keshari Pradhan, Chief Executive Officer, OREDA Limited added, “Odisha is blessed with vast solar energy potential that must be harnessed effectively to meet the state’s growing energy demands sustainably. Our partnership with Tata Power is a significant step in the same direction. With Tata Power’s expertise and OREDA’s resources, we will accelerate the adoption of renewable energy, empowering consumers and contributing meaningfully to the state’s energy goals.”

Over the past few years, Tata Power has played a pivotal role in transforming Odisha’s energy landscape by managing power distribution operations across all four DISCOMs—TPCODL, TPWODL, TPSODL, and TPNODL—under a public-private partnership model.

With a strong commitment to renewable energy adoption through advanced technology and collaborations with state and central agencies, the company is fostering a sustainable energy ecosystem aligned with India’s net-zero goals.

Chandigarh, January 22, 2025: Infrastructure company PNC Infratech has received in-principle approvals from NHAI to transfer 100% stake held by it in two subsidiaries (SPVs) for the Bundelkhand and Khajuraho road projects to the KKR-backed Highways Infrastructure Trust.

With this, the PNC-KKR deal is on track for closure by 31st March 2025 as PNC Infratech is in the process of fulfilling the conditions precedents (CPs) for the transaction. One of the major CPs under the deal included a change in control approvals from the highway authorities and no objection certificates from the lenders to the projects, according to a person aware of the development.

PNC has now obtained a change in control approval from NHAI for 8 of the assets, and the approvals for 2 more assets are expected by January 2025, NOCs have also been obtained almost from all the lenders, said the person quoted above.

Till January 20, PNC has secured approvals from the NHAI for the following eight highway assets, as per its stock exchange filings between November and January:

The Company shall be able to close the deal for 10 of the 12 assets by the close of this financial year, comprising ~85% of the total deal value. The deal for the remaining 2 assets will be completed by H1FY26, said the person quoted above.

The divestment is aligned with the Company’s strategic objective of recycling the capital invested in operating road assets to leverage the ambitious growth vision that the Government of India has outlined for this sector.

PNC Infratech Limited and PNC Infra Holdings Limited a wholly-owned subsidiary of PNC Infratech Limited had executed definitive agreements on January 15, 2024, with the KKR-backed Highways Infrastructure Trust (HIT). It involves divestment of 12 of the PNC’s road assets, comprising 11 National Highway (NH) Hybrid Annuity mode (HAM) assets and 1 State Highway BOT Toll asset with approximately 3,800 Lane Kms in the states of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka and Rajasthan.

National, 22 January 2025: Third Wave Coffee, a coffee-first QSR brand, has appointed Akshat Arora as its new Marketing Director. With over a decade of experience in marketing and brand strategy, Akshat brings a proven track record of driving growth, strengthening brand equity, and creating meaningful consumer connections. His addition to the leadership team is poised to drive innovation, enhance customer engagement, and accelerate the brand’s growth in India’s dynamic specialty coffee sector.

In his new role, Akshat will spearhead initiatives to enhance brand resonance, expand digital outreach, build consumer engagement through offline and online channels, and strengthen the brand’s competitive edge in an increasingly dynamic market. His appointment comes at an exciting juncture as Third Wave Coffee celebrates the milestone of opening its 125th cafe and continues its expansion across India, reinforcing its leadership in the specialty coffee sector.

Sharing his views on how this appointment strengthens the brand’s leadership team, Rajat Luthra, CEO, of Third Wave Coffee, said, “We are delighted to welcome Akshat to the Third Wave Coffee family. His extensive experience and innovative approach to business strategies make him an invaluable addition to our team. Given the opportune stage, the brand is at, we look forward to partnering with him as we embark on the next phase of our journey. We are confident that Akshat’s leadership will elevate our marketing strategies and deepen our connection with coffee enthusiasts nationwide.”

Akshat Arora, Marketing Director, Third Wave Coffee, added, “Third Wave Coffee has already defined India’s coffee culture with its specialty coffee offerings and customer-first approach. I am excited to join this remarkable journey and contribute to the brand’s next phase of growth. My focus would be on creating a deeper preference for the brand and driving brand love as we continue to innovate and grow. Together with the team, I am committed to strengthening the brand’s legacy of transforming how India experiences coffee”.

Before joining Third Wave Coffee, Akshat had contributed to the growth of several other renowned brands like Tim Hortons, Bisleri and Jaguar Land Rover. With more than 14 years of experience he has successfully navigated competitive markets across various sectors. With over 125 outlets across 10 cities and plans to grow further, Third Wave Coffee remains committed to leading India’s specialty coffee market by prioritizing quality, consistency, and community engagement.

Mumbai, January 22, 2025– Ravin Group, one of India’s fastest-growing business groups and a leader in sustainability and green initiatives in India, celebrated its remarkable 75th anniversary with an inspiring and colorful evening that brought together industry leaders, policymakers, Bollywood celebrities, and business magnates. The event, themed “Taking a Sustainable India to the World,” highlighted Ravin Group’s commitment to environmental sustainability, innovation, and reliability. It also recognized the company’s legacy in shaping India’s infrastructure and its dedication to creating a greener future.

At the grand event held at the Jio Convention Center, Mr. Ajay Devgn was introduced as the brand ambassador for the World Environment Day 2025 campaign. He unveiled the campaign poster. The initiative is focused on combating plastic pollution, promoting sustainability, raising environmental awareness, and propelling India’s growth on the global stage.

Bollywood actor and businessman, Mr. Vivek Oberoi specially flew from Dubai to attend the remarkable event and introduced Pujya Shri Brahmavihari Swami, a spiritual leader and motivational speaker who leads international relations for the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha and the visionary behind the creation of the Temple in Abu Dhabi.

Celebrating Sustainability and Innovation, the event’s theme, “Taking a Sustainable India to the World,” was a reflection of Ravin Group’s long-standing commitment to creating a greener and more sustainable India while showcasing its role in the nation’s infrastructure development.

Ms. Pankaja Munde, Hon’ble Cabinet Minister for Animal Husbandry, Environment, and Climate Change, expressed her strong support for the initiative, emphasizing that the ministry would back efforts aimed at building a sustainable future.

Mr. Vijay Karia, Chairman and Managing Director at Ravin Group of Companies, concluded, “At Ravin Group, we are proud to be part of India’s growth story, with sustainability, reliability, and innovation at the core of everything we do. We are excited to continue this journey and contribute to the global push for environmental responsibility, all while propelling India’s economic progress.”

During the event, Bollywood actor and businessman Vivek Oberoi lent his support, saying, “This is a critical initiative, and it is heartening to see industry leaders come together for a common cause—ensuring that the future of our country and our planet is in safe hands.”

Mr. Ajay Devgn expressed his excitement about the initiative, saying, “It is an immense pleasure to be the flag-bearer for a greener tomorrow. I am grateful for this opportunity. Small changes can make a big difference, and I am committed to helping drive this vision forward.”

Dignitaries and Industry Leaders: The event was attended by key political figures including , Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan, Governor of Maharashtra, Shri Ashish Shelar, Minister for Information Technology of Maharashtra, Ms. Pankaja Munde, Cabinet Minister for Animal Husbandry, Environment, and Climate Change, Raghunath Anant Mashelkar, Indian chemical engineer and Shri Anurag Thakur, Member of Lok Sabha, and Ravi Kishan, Member of the Lok Sabha marking a significant milestone for Ravin Group’s sustainability mission.

Global Business Leaders: Notable business leaders, including Shri Ashish Chauhan, MD & CEO of NSE India, and Shri Nadir Godrej, Chairman & MD of Godrej Industries, were present, showing strong support for Ravin Group’s vision of sustainability and growth.

Bollywood Stars Shine: Bollywood icons like Ajay Devgn, Malaika Arora, Playback Singers Shaan, Sonu Nigam, Gulshan Grover, actor and film producer and Jackie Shroff, actor and producer, added glamour to the evening, highlighting the growing role of celebrities in supporting environmental initiatives.

Ravin Group’s 75-year legacy is marked by contributions to landmark infrastructure projects like Maha Metro Aqua Line, Mumbai Metro, and Hyderabad Metro. The company has pioneered innovations, such as introducing XLPE cables at PVC prices, and has been a staunch supporter of India’s renewable energy movement. Under Mr. Karia’s leadership, Ravin has become a global brand known for its dedication to sustainability and innovation.

During the event, Ravin Group presented sustainability awards to several distinguished individuals, including HH Brahmavihari Swami, Dr. Mashelkar. Other notable awardees included Shri Suresh Kotak, Shri Ashish Chauhan, Shri Ritesh Agarwal, Shri Manhar Udhas, Shri Vivek Oberoi, Shri Arnab Goswami, Shri Gulzar Saheb, Shri Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar, Shri Nadir Godrej, Shri Prasoon Joshi, Shri Sonu Nigam, Shri Vikas Khanna, and the late Rohit Patel was awarded posthumously.

The event also celebrated India’s transformative journey, from humble beginnings to becoming the world’s fifth-largest economy, highlighting the nation’s progress in manufacturing, infrastructure, and renewable energy. Initiatives like “Make in India,” “Atmanirbhar Bharat,” and “Gati Shakti” have fueled this transformation, positioning India as a global leader in sustainability and economic growth.

January 22, 2025; National: Bangalore-based Generative AI startup NeuralGarage has qualified as one of the 5 finalists at SXSW Pitch 2025. NeuralGarage’s proprietary and patent-filed technology ‘VisualDub’ competes under the ‘Entertainment, Media, Sports & Content’ category alongside other global start-ups. ‘VisualDub’ addresses the issue of visual dissonance in dubbed content by syncing the lips and jaws of actors with that of the dubbed audio to create a seamless viewing experience for audiences by retaining the original resolution of the content. ‘VisualDub’ is built for Films, Streaming Platforms, Broadcast Networks and Advertising. Currently, in its 17th year, SXSW Pitch turns the spotlight on the global start-up ecosystem’s most exciting, innovative, and cutting-edge technology for industry experts, VCs, and high-profile angel investors.

VisualDub boasts of strong use cases across a diverse range of content spanning theatrical films, content on streaming platforms, linear TV, and digital. The proprietary technology has been used by some of the biggest global brands for their ad films to create visually native and authentic content in every language without incurring additional production costs in those languages.

Speaking on this milestone moment, Mandar Natekar, NeuralGarage’s Co-Founder and CEO said, “SXSW is the biggest global platform that brings to the forefront emerging technologies for the global media and entertainment industry. We are delighted to be selected among the top 5 tech startups globally that will pitch in front of some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry. VisualDub is production-ready and has been built keeping in mind the exacting standards that the entertainment and media industry needs for adoption. Generative AI will rapidly change the way content is created, distributed, and consumed, and with VisualDub we are poised to drive this change from the front. We can’t wait to showcase the full spectrum of our technology at SXSW 25 in their pitch event.”

VisualDub is a product of IIT Kanpur alumni Subhabrata Debnath, Subhashish Saha, Anjan Banerjee, and media and entertainment veteran Mandar Natekar.

SXSW Pitch takes place in Austin, Texas, USA on March 8 and 9, 2025 and receives participation from Hollywood and global investors. Jim Breyer, Breyer Capital will host SXSW Pitch to a live audience of expert judges, including industry leaders such as Esther Dyson of Wellville, Arlan Hamilton of Backstage Capital, Dave Rose of Gust, Artur Gushiken of Softbank, Jessica Robinson of Assembly Ventures, Brian Dixon of Kapor Capital, Becky Center of Indiegogo, Monique Idlett-Mosley of Reign Ventures, Mohanjit Jolly of Iron Pillar Capital, and more.

Mumbai, January 22, 2025: Meta and the Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA) today unveiled a joint whitepaper and playbook highlighting the changing consumer behavior and preferences in the automotive segment driven by digital adoption. With digital influencing consumer behavior and powering the growth of the sector, the findings and recommendations from the whitepaper can unleash the digital transformation of auto OEMs and dealerships across India.

In 2023, Meta and FADA launched ‘Move with Meta’, an upskilling and enablement program to upskill more than 3000 auto dealers across the country. The initiative aimed to help them build a social presence and digitize their customer outreach and lead generation using the Meta Platforms.

Since its launch, the program has delivered exceptional results, driving a 3X growth in dealer digitization and successfully upskilling 6,000+ dealers through the hyperlocal program, surpassing the initial commitment of 3,000 dealers. More than 3000 auto dealers had been upskilled before the start of the program, which takes the total number of auto dealers that have been upskilled to 10,000.

The program resulted in improving leads and sales for auto dealers with a 32% improvement in lead generation efficiency reported by dealers. In addition, the program has directly impacted sales for leading auto OEMs across the country.

C S Vigneshwar, President, Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA) said, “At FADA, our vision is to empower dealers nationwide with the right digital tools and insights to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving market. Through our partnership with Meta, we’ve not only exceeded our commitment of upskilling 3,000 dealers—surpassing 6,000—but we’ve also seen a 3X increase in digitization and a marked 32% improvement in lead generation efficiency. This whitepaper underscores the potential of AI, Reels, and messaging platforms such as WhatsApp to strengthen customer relationships and drive growth. We look forward to scaling this collaboration further, bridging the digital gap in automotive retail, ensuring that dealers across India are future-ready, and remain agile in these dynamic times.”

Saugato Bhowmik, Director, Auto, CPG, and D2C for Meta in India said, “Our platforms and products are well positioned to enable rapid and efficient digital customer acquisition and engagement for auto dealers in a hyperlocal manner. Over the last two years we’ve upskilled nearly 10,000 dealers along with FADA to digitize their outreach and experiences through our unique hyperlocal solutions and key products ranging from Reels and AI to messaging. We’re thrilled to deepen our partnership with FADA and take on the ambitious target of upskilling 5000 more dealers in the next 2 years. This program has not only benefitted thousands of auto dealers but also proven to drive strong sales results for leading OEMs.”

Auto OEMs have reported strong sales and lead generation impact because of the program.

Virat Khullar, Group Head, Marketing, Hyundai Motor India Limited said “We’re excited to see outstanding business results through our partnership with Meta and OnlineSales on the Hyperlocal program. Together, we’ve developed a custom model that efficiently onboarded over 600 dealers in record time. In H2 ’24, Meta’s hyperlocal program drove a remarkable 37% growth in sales compared to H1, while delivering 29% reduction in Cost per Retail. As we move forward, we’re eager to scale this partnership further, leveraging cutting-edge AI and messaging solutions to unlock even greater opportunities.”

Manjari Upadhye, Chief Marketing Officer, Auto, Mahindra and Mahindra Limited said “Our partnership with Meta has helped amplify the impact of our passenger vehicle launches. Mahindra has leveraged the best and latest in technology to drive launch impact through Meta’s family of Apps. Some of the key activations include leveraging WhatsApp for Thar ROXX launch, using Partnership ads for driving consideration for XUV 700 (Intent went up +3.3 pts) and the Auto Industry’s first chat-based car configurator on Messenger and Instagram Direct for XUV 3XO, which saw 29% increase in conversation volumes. Our collaboration with Meta has driven significant impact, leading to bookings and sales, and setting new benchmarks in the industry.”

Looking ahead, Meta and FADA aim to further scale the program by upskilling 5,000 additional dealers over the next two years, reinforcing their commitment to driving innovation and efficiency in the automotive sector. FADA currently represents 15,000 auto dealers across the country.

• Key Insights from the Auto Playbook 2025
• Source: New Automobile Buyers Consumer Journey Study by Kantar Profiles. Meta-commissioned online survey with respondents aged 18-64, India, 2023.
• Meta’s influence in driving discovery & evaluation, powered by AI: 72% of new automotive buyers who were surveyed in this research discovered the brand on the Meta family of apps. Further, 69% stated that the Meta family of apps played a role in their purchase decision.
• WhatsApp Leads Buyer-Dealer Communication: Among new automobile buyers, 48% used WhatsApp to directly connect with dealerships for vehicle availability inquiries, making it the most preferred communication channel. Moreover, 47% expressed interest in receiving service reminders via messaging platforms.
• Advantage+ Placements Revolutionizing Advertising: To improve cost per lead and lead volume by Meta for their Hyperlocal dealer campaigns, Hyundai India, used AI-powered Advantage+ Placements to place their dealer ads across all Meta surfaces. They saw 18% an increase in Lead Volume and 34% decrease in Cost Per Lead.
• Reels and Creator Content Drive Purchase Decisions: 72% of automotive buyers find creator content on Instagram Reels helpful for vehicle evaluation, with 41% regularly engaging with vehicle-related Reels. By partnering with creators, dealers can build authenticity and amplify their reach.