Archives February 2025

Bangalore/Mangalore, February 2025:Superhuman Battleground delivered a night of intense combat as the Amateur MMA League 4 took center stage in Manipal, Karnataka, showcasing some of India’s finest up-and-coming fighters. The event, held at the Superhuman Gym, brought together 42 athletes across multiple weight divisions, each stepping into the cage with unrelenting determination. The energy in the arena was electric, with the audience witnessing a thrilling mix of knockouts, submissions, and tactical wars that left no doubt about the rising level of Indian MMA. The whole event was streamed live on YouTube and the whole event received over 1 million hits across all platforms.

Among the many battles that kept fight fans on the edge of their seats, Jiu-Jitsu gold medalist Angel Patil and Bhakti Katudia delivered a clash that instantly became a classic. Both fighters traded relentless offense and defensive mastery, pushing each other to the limit in a contest that rightfully earned the Fight of the Night honor. Bhakti Katudia emerged victorious, securing a unanimous decision win after three hard-fought rounds.

Parvez Khan, stepping into the cage with an impressive 11-2-0 record, proved to be too much for Nitish Kumar, who found himself overwhelmed by Khan’s precise striking and relentless pressure. In a dominant display, Khan secured a technical knockout victory just before the round ended, stopping Kumar at the 2:59 mark. Meanwhile, Mumbai’s Vikas Gupta faced Hyderabad’s seasoned fighter Sandeep Baghel, a veteran of 32 professional fights. Gupta dominated the first two rounds with calculated aggression and relentless ground control, but in a stunning turn of events, Vikas Gupta pulled off a dramatic submission in the final round, forcing Baghel to tap and sealing one of the most unexpected comebacks of the night.

The most electrifying moment came when Amit Cheeda backed up his pre-fight words with brutal precision. Having confidently promised a knockout victory, he delivered spectacularly, landing a ruthless front kick to the face of Muhammad Favas. The strike was both devastating and clinical, sending Favas crashing to the mat as Cheeda walked away with a statement victory.

SomeshKamra, Co-Founder of Superhuman Battleground, reflected on the success of the event, emphasizing its role in shaping the future of Indian MMA. “This league is setting the foundation for the next generation of Indian fighters. The level of talent we’re seeing here is remarkable, and with more opportunities like this, these athletes will be ready to compete on the global stage.”
As the event came to a close, the roadmap for Superhuman Battleground’s future became clear. The organization is set to expand the amateur league to multiple cities, giving even more fighters the chance to compete at an elite level. The next event is scheduled for May 2025, with a total of four amateur events planned for the year. By 2026, Superhuman Battleground will also introduce a professional league, further strengthening India’s position in the global MMA landscape.

India, February 28th, 2025: Somany Impresa Group (SIG), a diversified conglomerate with market-leading brands in packaging, sanitaryware, faucets, consumer appliances, and plastic pipes & fittings, is expanding its strategic vision with the launch of Tattva, its corporate venture capital (CVC) arm.

Tattva will invest in startups leveraging deep-tech in manufacturing, enterprise SaaS solutions, sustainability-driven clean technologies, next-generation e-commerce platforms, and disruptive product innovations. With a mission to empower innovative companies, Tattva will provide capital investment, strategic guidance, access to SIG’s extensive industry network, and operational expertise. By fostering a vibrant innovation ecosystem, SIG aims to accelerate its internal transformation, strengthen its market leadership, and create significant long-term value.

The name “Tattva,” derived from Sanskrit, means “essence” and “fundamental truth,” symbolizing SIG’s commitment to fostering impactful innovation rooted in strong fundamentals and long-term value creation.

“With a history of market leadership, SIG is committed to shaping the future by supporting the next wave of disruptive innovators. Tattva is our way of accelerating this journey, building an ecosystem where pioneering startups can leverage SIG’s scale, expertise, and industry network to create groundbreaking solutions,” said Mr. Sandip Somany, Chairman , Somany Impresa Group.

Shashvat Somany, Strategy Head, Somany Impresa Group, added, “The future of our industries lies in the ingenuity of today’s startups. Tattva is more than just an investment arm—it is our bridge to the next generation of ideas that will redefine manufacturing, consumer experiences, and sustainability. Through this initiative, we aim to collaborate with visionary entrepreneurs to drive meaningful impact across industries.”

Startups looking to collaborate with Tattva can reach out to us at cvc@agigreenpac.com, connect with us on LinkedIn SIG Tattva and stay tuned for our upcoming website launch. We actively seek partnerships with ventures that share our passion for innovation and are eager to scale with strategic support from SIG. The company’s commitment is further reinforced by partnerships with leading academic institutions such as IIT Bombay, IIT Madras, and IIM Bangalore, which are vital for identifying and supporting high-potential ventures.

Kochi , 28-02-2025: For Manoj, a 50-year-old from Angamaly, life changed in an instant. The last thing he remembers from the workplace accident was the sight of his own hand separating from his wrist, a memory he recalls with fear. “All I thought about was the aftermath. I felt like this was the end of my life,” recollected Manoj, about the unfortunate accident.

Manoj’s right hand was completely severed at the wrist by a sheet-cutting machine. Initially he was taken to a private hospital in Aluva but was quickly referred to Aster Medcity for advanced care. Within 45 minutes of the accident, Manoj was admitted to the emergency department, where a team of medical experts acted swiftly to save his hand and his life.

Despite significant blood loss and mental trauma, a multidisciplinary team worked tirelessly. After initial stabilization by the Emergency Department, the team led by Dr. Manoj Sanap, Senior Consultant – Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery started dissection of the amputated part. Anesthesia was administered under the guidance of Dr. Aril Abraham E, Senior Consultant – Critical Care & Pain Management.

The surgical journey began with bone fixation by Dr. Shyam Gopal V, Consultant – Orthopaedics. Following this, Dr. Manoj Sanap, along with Dr. Niranjana Suresh and Dr. Shruthi T. S, carried out a meticulous replantation procedure. Over the course of 10 hours, the team successfully reattached the severed hand, by doing microvascular surgery which involved repair of multiple arteries, veins and nerves.

“Accidents like these can happen unexpectedly, but recovery is possible if patients are taken to hospitals equipped to provide advanced care. The field of plastic surgery has evolved far beyond aesthetics, playing a key role in life-saving and reconstructive procedures like this,” said Dr. Manoj Sanap, Senior Consultant – Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery, Aster Medcity.

Within 14 days he was able to return home. Now, third month into intensive physiotherapy and regular reviews, he is regaining the functionality of the hand.

BANGALORE, India, February 28, 2025 — Whatfix, the global leader in Digital Adoption Platforms (DAP), today introduced ScreenSense, an innovative AI technology that powers the next generations of its product suite—DAP, Mirror, and Product Analytics. Built on a Computer Use model trained to understand and interact with graphical user interfaces (GUIs) like humans, ScreenSense applies enterprise business knowledge to enhance digital workflows, making tasks more efficient and intuitive.

ScreenSense leverages patented algorithms to create next-gen digital experiences that are more intuitive to the end-user and also evolve with technology changes. Its capabilities include advanced element and context detection, precise segmentation, behavioral intelligence, and inference generation.

“At the heart of the userization approach is ScreenSense, a next-generation suite of patented technologies, that fuels Whatfix’s products to empower organizations in accelerating digital adoption, enhancing user experiences, and delivering maximum ROI from their transformation efforts,” says Sharath Hari N, Vice President at Everest Group.

“ScreenSense is the core of our AI-driven digital adoption strategy. It leverages our patented innovations to simplify enterprise technology adoption,” said Khadim Batti, CEO and Co-Founder of Whatfix. “As AI reshapes how users and enterprises interact with software, ScreenSense is enabling Whatfix to ensure digital adoption is more intuitive, scalable, and impactful in helping businesses drive productivity and ROI from their technology investments.”

Gina Smith, Ph.D., Research Director at IDC, said, “The integration of agentic AI amplifies DAP capabilities… When thoughtfully administered, DAPs can accelerate AI adoption and ensure organizations can achieve (the) full value of their software investments.”

2024 Highlights of Whatfix’s Achievements:

A Year of Milestones and Growth

2024 was marked by significant milestones that underscore the unmatched innovation at Whatfix and the trust of its customers.

•  38% YoY revenue growth, with a 150% EBITDA improvement since 2022, reflecting strong market demand and financial discipline.
•  12 new Fortune 500 customers spanning industries such as BFSI, Manufacturing, Retail, and Technology.
•  111% Net Revenue Retention (NRR) for enterprises, demonstrating deeper integration and customer trust.

As noted by Morten Rye Christensen, Vice President, Infrastructure & Operations, Semler Gruppen, “Whatfix has been instrumental in improving user adoption, engagement, and productivity across our platforms. Their AI-driven solutions and user-centric design have created a seamless experience for our users. Our collaboration with Whatfix is making digital tools accessible and intuitive for everyone – We’re transforming how our teams and customers interact with technology. Rather than wrestling with complex systems, we’re prioritizing empowerment and adoption, enabling faster, smoother processes where anyone can jump in, learn, and get more done effortlessly.”

He added, “The new AI capabilities offer smart, context-sensitive support, further simplifying workflows and making digital experiences even more engaging. We believe that when technology is as simple and intuitive as it is powerful, everyone wins—and that’s exactly what our partnership with Whatfix is delivering. Whatfix’s innovative approach and commitment to user experience have made them an invaluable partner for us.”

Driving Innovation & Expanding Leadership
In 2024, Whatfix expanded its capabilities. It introduced new AI-powered features, DAP on OS, and Mobile SDK 2.0, further elevating business impact and efficiency.

● New Whatfix AI Capabilities: Whatfix introduced new AI-driven features across DAP, Mirror, and Product Analytics. “Ask Whatfix AI” – a GenAI-powered conversational analytics interface enables business users and citizen analysts to access engagement and usage insights using a simple chat interface. AI-powered sentiment analysis provides users with quicker and more actionable insights from user feedback surveys – an existing DAP feature.

•  Whatfix for AI Adoption: Whatfix is investing heavily in capabilities to enable its customers to improve their AI adoption. It empowers customers to drive AI co-pilot awareness and educate users about AI co-pilot adoption best practices within enterprises. By enabling IT stakeholders to track co-pilot usage, identify adoption challenges, and optimize AI implementation and rollout plans, it ensures that enterprises can accelerate the ROI of their AI investments.
•  DAP on OS: Launched as a desktop companion, DAP on OS streamlines employee communication with desktop alerts, simplifies learning across applications, and ensures quick access to information for seamless productivity in enterprises.
•  Mirror: In 2024, Mirror gained strong market traction as many of Whatfix’s existing and new customers—including several Fortune 500s across BFSI, Manufacturing, Retail, and Technology—chose it as their preferred application simulation environment.
•  Product Analytics: Whatfix was recognized as a Representative Vendor by Gartner for Product Analytics. As a top choice for enterprise analytics, 25% of its new customers were Global 2000 companies. New capabilities added by the product include the Adoption Health Dashboard, which enables CIOs and Digital Transformation teams to gain a comprehensive view of their tech stack’s adoption and usage.
•  DAP on Mobile: With the launch of Mobile SDK 2.0, Whatfix DAP Mobile empowers customers to resolve issues faster and deliver exceptional in-app experiences while reducing reliance on development teams for minor updates. Whatfix also gained its 6th patent for “Inspect Element Framework For Building Mobile DAP Content” from the US Patent Office.

Solidifying Category Leadership in Digital Adoption
In 2024, Whatfix cemented its category leadership with top industry accolades for AI-driven innovation, enterprise impact, and sustainability:

•  ISG Paragon Awards: Innovation Award winner with Sophos.
•  Gartner’s Voice of the Customer: The only Customer’s Choice vendor in DAP.
•  Forrester Wave (Q4 2024): Leader in AI/ML, analytics, and product architecture, earning the highest Strategy score.
•  IDC MarketScape: Worldwide DAP 2024: Leader, recognized for mobile, and desktop adoption, AI innovation, and personalization.
•  Everest Group: Leader & Star Performer for the fifth consecutive year.
•  Deloitte Fast 500: Top-ranked DAP for four years running.
•  EcoVadis: Bronze Medal, placing in the top 35% globally for sustainability.

Whatfix also received the 2025 G2 Best Software Awards as the Best Software Companies in India last week and was yet again recognized as a leader in Gartner’s Voice of the Customer in 2025 for DAP.

Whatfix continues to define the future of digital adoption, setting the industry benchmark for AI-powered transformation. The company is building a strong DAP community with its Whatfix University, which certified 5,500+ professionals as yet, upskilling the leaders of tomorrow.

Expanding Partnerships & Industry Reach
Whatfix strengthened its global ecosystem by adding 11 new partners, including Temenos, Deloitte (India), Capgemini, and Indra Consulting Philippines, expanding its network to 125+ partners across key industries. Strategic collaborations with GSIs like Deloitte, Wipro, and LTIMindtree, along with regional partners such as BIP, Genpact, and NNIT, further reinforced its position as a trusted enterprise partner.

Mumbai, 28 February 2025: Amazon MX Player, Amazon’s free video streaming service, recently released the much-awaited Part 2 of Ek Badnaam Aashram Season 3. As Baba Nirala’s grip on his empire begins to waver, tensions escalate and hidden motives come to light in ways no one saw coming. With power struggles, shocking revelations, and the return of key characters, the new chapter raises the stakes to a whole new level. If you’ve been following the journey so far, get ready for a nail-biting continuation that will leave you questioning the volatility of power. Here are five reasons why Ek Badnaam Aashram Season 3 Part 2 is a must-watch on Amazon MX Player:

• Bobby Deol Returns as an Even More Formidable Baba Nirala: Bobby Deol is back, and his return as Baba Nirala takes an even darker turn this season. The self-proclaimed godman – once untouchable – is now facing the consequences of his unchecked power. His empire is crumbling, his followers are questioning their faith, and his enemies are closing in. This season reveals the depths Baba Nirala is willing to go to in order to retain his control, making this twisted journey simply unmissable.
• Old Enemies, New Avatars: Pammi has come a long way — from being a devoted follower of Baba Nirala to a fierce warrior against the same forces she once appeased. This season, she is bolder, stronger, and determined to seek revenge. On the other hand, Bhopa Swami, who has always been the force operating in the shadows, is now more ruthless than ever, tightening his grip on the Aashram to ensure its survival. Their clash intensifies as both characters evolve in unexpected ways, setting off a thrilling face-off between revenge and control.
• Twists That Will Leave Your Jaws Dropped: If you thought you had the story of Ek Badnaam Aashram S3 Part 2 figured out, you may want to think again. Just when you assume a character has the upper hand, a new betrayal flips the game. With power plays, hidden agendas, and explosive confrontations, this season is packed with shocking twists that will keep you second-guessing every move.
• The Cast Brings More Intensity Than Ever: The stellar ensemble cast, including Bobby Deol, Aaditi Pohankar, Darshan Kumaar, Chandan Roy Sanyal, Vikram Kochhar, Tridha Choudhury, Anupriya Goenka, Rajeev Siddhartha, and Esha Gupta, delivers intense performances that elevate the tension and drama a notch higher. Each character is pushed to their limits, facing betrayals, unexpected alliances, and high-stakes battles that change their fates forever. As new conflicts arise and dynamics begin to shift, the same characters you thought you knew well may not be the same by the end of this season.
• Watch for free: Step into a world of power, faith, and betrayal with Ek Badnaam Aashram – Season 3 Part 2, for free, exclusively on Amazon MX Player. No subscription is required to watch this high-voltage crime thriller. Stream it now on Amazon MX Player, Prime Video, and Fire TV via the Amazon Shopping App and Play Store.

Federal Bank, one of India’s leading private sector banks, has unveiled a new term deposit product, Annuity Deposits, specifically designed for resident customers. This innovative product offers customers the opportunity to receive a stable income over a tenure ranging from 5 to 20 years. Customers can choose their preferred payout frequency – monthly, quarterly, half-yearly, or yearly. Each payout will include a portion of the principal along with the interest earned. The product was officially launched by Shalini Warrier, Executive Director, Federal Bank in the presence of senior executives Eqbal Manoj (Branch Banking Head, Federal Bank), P. V. Joy (Country Head of Deposits, Wealth & Banca, Federal Bank) and Damodaran C, (Chief Risk Officer, Federal Bank).

Commenting on the launch, Shalini Warrier, ED and Business Head at Federal Bank, expressed enthusiasm about the Annuity Deposits, stating “ The bank has launched yet another innovative product for its customers. The Annuity deposit product gives opportunity to customers to earn a stable income for a very long tenure up to 20 years which is unique in the banking industry. At Federal Bank, we are committed to providing more customer-centric products that enable them to save and generate wealth”.

The minimum investment amount required to open an annuity deposit is Rs. 15,00,000, with a maximum limit of Rs. 2,00,00,000. Additionally, customers have the flexibility to prematurely close their accounts should any emergency need arise. This product is particularly well-suited for customers seeking a guaranteed, pension-like income for longer periods.

Mumbai, February 28: Accounting professionals have an important role to play in supporting their organisations to achieve AI adoption and implementation, according to new research from leading global accountancy body, ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants).

According to the latest in the series of ACCA’s AI Monitor reports, Risk and responsibility, AI tools augment human capabilities while raising new questions about control, reliability and professional responsibility.

When it comes to classifying AI risks, a couple of immediate threats for many organisations relate to the significant amounts of investment being committed and either unrealistic expectations or poor judgement concerning the potential impact of integration.

While AI continues to promise huge potential, real value remains far more elusive and difficult to quantify.

ACCA believes success will come through combining traditional financial acumen with new forms of technological oversight to maintain the profession’s fundamental role as arbiters of trust and integrity. These capabilities don’t replace professional judgement, but underscore its importance.

Professional judgement and critical thinking will be fundamental to dealing with AI-generated insights. Demonstrating the application of professional expertise and documenting how decisions are made when using AI is important to support transparency and accountability.

Md. Sajid Khan, Director – India at ACCA said: ‘Safely introducing AI into how our organisations work and make decisions isn’t just about technology – it’s about redefining how we exercise things like professional judgement. As regulatory frameworks evolve and AI capabilities expand, success will depend on striking the right balance: leveraging AI’s analytical power while strengthening professional expertise.’

Alistair Brisbourne, head of technology research, ACCA, said: ‘Traditional concepts of materiality and professional scepticism are being reframed in the context of AI systems that can analyse entire datasets rather than samples during an audit, for example. This shift challenges accountants to think differently about risk assessment and the nature of professional evidence.’

While professionals don’t need to be technical experts, they need sufficient understanding to exercise appropriate judgement. Being an AI specialist in every application is impossible. Instead, the profession needs to develop consistent frameworks that ensure uniformity in language and practice across different projects and applications.

The report points out that accountants are uniquely positioned to harness AI’s potential while maintaining robust safeguards. But their role in AI risk management extends beyond traditional financial controls. Moving forward, their contribution must reflect a three-layered approach: data, architecture, and business impact.

28th February 2025: National Protein Day serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of protein in daily nutrition, especially in a country where 80% of Indians suffer from protein deficiency. As a brand committed to building a stronger India, Nutrela extended its flagship campaign, “India Ko Strong Banate Hain, Nutrela Khate Hain,” with an initiative to bring more smiles and empower our society with health and happiness.

Partnering with Robinhood Army, a volunteer-driven organization that provides nutrition to the underprivileged society by distributing fresh cooked food, Nutrela supported this noble deed and provided protein-rich meals to children in Delhi and Kolkata, ensuring that they receive the nourishment they need to grow strong and healthy.

This is only the beginning. With India’s high protein deficiency, Nutrela has been committed to spreading awareness and making high-protein food accessible through its range of 100% vegetarian protein-rich products through generations since the last 4 decades. This initiative reinforces its mission: to bring protein to every plate and a smile to every face.

“We believe that nutrition is the backbone of a strong and healthy India. Our partnership with Robinhood Army on National Protein Day is a step towards ensuring that protein-rich meals reach those who need them the most. Seeing the smiles on these children’s faces reinforces our commitment to spreading awareness about the importance of protein in daily diets. Together, we can build a stronger, healthier future for all.” – Team Nutrela

India, 27 February 2025: Vidyut, a full-stack electric vehicle (EV) ecosystem platform, has raised $2.5 million in funding from global fintech investor Flourish Ventures. The funding will fuel expansion of Vidyut’s Battery-as-a-Service offerings in both passenger and commercial EV segments. This investment reinforces Vidyut’s mission to accelerate India’s clean energy transition by making EV ownership accessible and affordable for SMBs.

 “With proven unit economics, strong 15% month-on-month growth, and long-term OEM partnerships, this investment will help us scale our innovative financing and lifecycle solutions across new vehicle segments,” said Xitij Kothi, Co-Founder, Vidyut. “Vidyut has solved one of EV financing’s biggest challenges – battery degradation risk. By analyzing real-time performance data across state of health, discharge patterns, and usage metrics, we accurately predict battery life and value. This data-driven approach enables us to offer usage-based financing that aligns with actual asset performance, making EVs both affordable and financially viable for businesses in a way traditional finance cannot replicate. We’re excited to partner with Flourish Ventures to make EVs accessible and profitable for businesses nationwide.”

 Founded in 2021 by ex-Swiggy and Bounce executives Xitij Kothi and Gaurav Srivastava, Vidyut revolutionized commercial EV financing. By unbundling batteries from EVs and offering them on a pay-per-km subscription basis, Vidyut reduced upfront 3W EV costs by 35-40%, making them significantly cheaper than ICE vehicles from day one.

“We at Flourish Ventures believe that finance will have a key role in enabling actions towards climate change. As the economy transitions to sustainable solutions like electric vehicles, access to credit will play a key role to adoption in India,” said Harsh Gupta, Principal, Flourish Ventures. “With its unique Battery-as-a-Service offering, Vidyut provides innovative financial solutions that help users reduce their upfront costs while addressing common concerns around battery life and replacement costs. We are continually impressed by the team and the growth they have demonstrated, and we look forward to their continued impact in accelerating the transition to climate-friendly solutions.”

 In 2023, Vidyut expanded its offering to include EV resale and lifecycle management solutions, a move that has seen rapid customer adoption and market traction. In Sep 2024, the company entered the passenger EV market through a partnership with JSW MG Motor India, marking India’s first BaaS model for four-wheelers that cuts upfront vehicle costs by 30%.

 With key industry partners like TATA Motors, JSW MG Motor India, Mahindra Last Mile Mobility, Piaggio, Euler Motors, and a strong distribution network across 30 cities, Vidyut has empowered micro-entrepreneurs and fleet operators to make the sustainable choice, while increasing their earnings by 10-15% through EV adoption.

 With its data-centric approach, Vidyut has in a short span of time also launched an EV resale platform for the three-wheeler commercial vehicle segment, which manages the entire process—from inspection and valuation to sale and RTO documentation. This new platform has streamlined the resale process for commercial EV owners and has helped customers realise upto 10-15% better than ICE counterparts in secondary markets.

Shri Baba Kalyani, Chairman and Managing Director, Bharat Forge Ltd., took a holy dip at the Triveni Sangam during the MahaKumbh in Prayagraj, along with his family. Mr. Kalyani paid heartfelt homage to his parents on the death anniversary of his mother. He also performed Tarpan, as per Hindu traditions in the memory of all the ancestors of the family.