Archives February 2025

13-02-2025– Pocket FM, a leading audio entertainment platform, continues to stay ahead of the curve with its latest feature, Nomad Reel—a dynamic and engaging take on trending events. Designed to capture the essence of viral moments with a witty and insightful twist, Nomad Reel is making waves across digital platforms.

After renowned personalities like Veer Das shared their perspectives, Vineet Singh, VP of Branding and Communication at Pocket FM, has also penned his thoughts on the ongoing debate surrounding comedy, influence, and accountability. Call for responsibility, sparking meaningful conversations around the evolving role of comedians and content creators.

Pocket FM has creatively transformed this widely discussed moment into a sharp, humorous reel on its Instagram handle. The reel, crafted to resonate with audiences who enjoy pop culture and tech-driven drama, is quick, relatable, and perfectly suited for today’s fast-paced digital landscape.

Mumbai, 13th Feb: Mukand Limited, a leader in the specialty steel and heavy machinery industry, successfully hosted the 5th Edition of its annual Mukand Shahapur Road Race as part of its CSR initiative to promote sports and physical well-being among school students on 8th Feb in Shahapur, Thane. The annual race witnessed an overwhelming participation of over 900 students from 44 schools, making it a grand celebration of athleticism, determination, and community engagement.

The event kicked off in the early morning hours, with students arriving from various parts of Shahapur, bringing an air of excitement and energy. The race saw young athletes put their best foot forward, displaying immense perseverance and sportsmanship. Speaking to the Principal of the winning school, it was revealed that students had been practicing for the past 1.5-2 months, and their dedication truly paid off as they secured the top positions in both the male and female categories.

Post the thrilling race, the event transformed into a cultural extravaganza. The audience, including fellow students and esteemed guests, was enthralled by traditional dance performances, poetry recitations, and a soul-stirring speech by a Class 8 student on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, highlighting leadership lessons from his life. The students’ artistic expressions added a cultural dimension to the event, making it a truly memorable occasion.

Mr. Neeraj Kant, CEO of Mukand Limited, expressed his delight at the event’s success, stating:
“At Mukand Limited, we strongly believe in nurturing young talent and promoting a healthy lifestyle through sports. The Mukand Shahapur Road Race has become a much-anticipated event, inspiring students to embrace discipline, hard work, and teamwork. Seeing their enthusiasm and dedication reaffirms our commitment to creating opportunities that foster growth and development. Congratulations to all the participants, teachers, and the organizing team for making this event a resounding success.”

The event concluded with a prize distribution ceremony, recognizing the winners and appreciating the participation of all students. Mukand Limited remains dedicated to empowering communities and fostering young talent through various CSR initiatives, and the Mukand Shahapur Road Race continues to be a beacon of inspiration for future generations.

New Delhi (India), February 13, 2025: Birlasoft, a leading IT services and solutions provider, today reported its unaudited consolidated financial results for the third quarter ended December 31, 2024. Birlasoft is part of the $3 bn CK Birla Group, which has over 35,000 employees and operates 52 manufacturing facilities globally.

Mr. Angan Guha, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Birlasoft, said, “Our performance during the quarter under review demonstrates our ability to pursue deal closures, drive operational efficiencies, and generate consistently strong cash flows even in a seasonally weak quarter. Deal signings during the quarter at $226 million TCV have been the best during the current financial year. While higher than usual furloughs affected our revenue performance, we have been able to deliver a steady margin performance sequentially after absorbing much of the compensation increases rolled out for most of our employees during the quarter. We also continue to make investments aimed at enhancing our capabilities as well as partnerships, which we believe is key to creating a differentiated value proposition in the marketplace.”

“Our revenue during the quarter under review, which witnessed higher than usual furloughs, grew 1.5% year-on-year to Rs 13,627 million. Our EBITDA margin stood at 12.0% for the quarter, representing only a marginal sequential decline even after implementing a salary increase effective October 1st covering most of the organization, on the back of multiple operational efficiency initiatives that we have been driving and some exchange rate tailwind. We also maintained our robust track record of strong quarterly collections and cashflow generation, resulting in a 21.7% rise year-on-year in cash and cash equivalents to Rs 20,552 Mn. Our DSO at 53 days continues to be among the best in the industry. Our robust cash flow and balance sheet enable us to make the investments necessary for future growth,” said Ms. Kamini Shah, Chief Financial Officer, Birlasoft.

Key Financial highlights for Q3 FY25

In INR ₹

Revenue at ₹ 13,627 M, up 1.5% YoY
EBITDA at ₹ 1,634 M; EBITDA margin at 12.0%
PAT at ₹ 1,169 M translating to basic EPS (not annualized) of ₹4.20
Cash and cash equivalents increase 21.7% YoY to ₹20,552 M

In USD $

Revenue at $160.8 M, down 0.3% YoY
In constant currency terms, revenue down 0.1% YoY
EBITDA at $ 19.3 M; EBITDA margin at 12.0%

Other operating highlights

· Revenue performance during Q3FY25 was led BFSI among verticals and by Digital & Data among service lines.

o BFSI up 1.8% QoQ among verticals, while the others registered a sequential decline in a seasonally weak quarter

o Digital & Data up 2.4% QoQ.

o Revenue from Top 5 clients grew by 7.1% YoY.

· Signed deals of TCV $ 226 M during the quarter, up 66% QoQ, with new deal wins TCV of $ 64 M and renewals of $ 162 M.

· Active Client Count at 265 in Q3FY25 (up from 261 in Q2FY25, with the number of $5M+ clients rising from 24 in Q2FY25 to 27 in Q3FY25).

· Cash & Cash equivalents of $240.1 M at end of Q3FY25, up 8.2% QoQ from $221.8 M at end of Q2FY25. In rupee terms, cash and cash equivalents increased 10.6% QoQ to ₹20,552 M at the end of Q3FY25 from ₹18,587 M at the end of the preceding quarter.

· Q3FY25 DSO improves to 53 days from 58 days in Q2FY25, led by sustained strong collections.

· Workforce strength stood at 12,125 as on 31st December 2024 and attrition was 12.7% during Q3FY25.

Key deal wins for the quarter

· Expanded our Digital Flex pods across the US and India, enabling seamless technology integration for multiple wealth management products at one of the world’s largest custodian and securities services companies.

· Secured a multi-million-dollar, long-term agreement with a prominent global industrial manufacturing customer out of North America to enhance and scale their HRMS services.

· Renewal of multiyear ERP managed services with US based large global distributor.

· Strategically partnered with a leading manufacturing customer in the USA to advance their AI/ML roadmap.

Key deal wins for the quarter

· Signed a multi-year QA and RPA deal with an Insurance major and further consolidated our position as one of the largest IT service providers.

· Selected by a US-based large global Technology segment customer as a strategic build partner for ERP, Digital, Data, Testing, CRM, and middleware Integration related work.

· Partnered with a large US based hi-tech cloud technology company to expand their technology competency center out of India.

· Secured an engagement with US based large defense contractor and industrial corporation in Data & Analytics.

Awards & Recognitions

· Birlasoft identified as a “Disruptor” in the “Avasant Hybrid Enterprise Cloud Services 2024-2025 RadarView” Report

· Birlasoft identified as a “Leader” in the “Oil and Gas Industry- Services and Solutions 2024 ISG Provider Lens™ Study” – North America

· Birlasoft identified as a “Product Challenger; Market Challenger and Contender” in the “Manufacturing Industry Services and Solutions 2024 ISG Provider Lens™ Study” – EUR, North America

· Birlasoft recognized as a “Major Contender” in the “Quality Engineering Services for Mid-market Enterprises PEAK Matrix® Assessment 2024” by Everest

· Birlasoft recognized as a “Major Contender” in the “Quality Engineering (QE) Services for AI Applications and Systems PEAK Matrix® Assessment 2024” by Everest

· Birlasoft identified as a “Product Challenger” in the “Advanced Analytics and AI Services ISG Provider Lens” Study

· Birlasoft identified as a “Product Challenger” in the “Intelligent Automation Services and Solutions 2024 ISG Provider Lens™ Study”

· Birlasoft identified as a “Product Challenger” in the “Insurance Services 2024 ISG Provider Lens™ Study”

· Birlasoft ranked amongst India’s Top 50 Companies with Great Managers™ for 2024 by People Business.

National, 13th February 2025 – Vidysea, an AI-driven study abroad platform designed to empower students with personalized academic and career guidance, has secured a seed investment round of approximately $1 million. The round was led by Zee Learn Limited (ZLL) along with Aarvi Family LLP, with additional contributions from the company’s founders and other shareholders.

This seed funding round will help Vidysea strengthen its product, and expand its team to provide the highest quality services and support.

The funding will be instrumental in accelerating Vidysea’s mission to provide unbiased, data-driven insights that help students make well-informed academic and career choices during their further studies journey, particularly for international. The company, founded in September 2024 and headquartered in Noida, is building an advanced AI-powered product that simplifies and enhances the decision-making process for students worldwide who want to study further. Vidysea helps students discover and connect with the best institutions worldwide from K12 to college and graduate schools. Furthermore, Vidysea helps simplify the complicated process of admission, selection, and post-selection for the students.

“We believe in Vidysea’s vision of leveraging technology to bridge the gap between students and their ideal academic paths. The need for personalized career guidance has never been greater, and we see immense potential in what Vidysea is building. By leveraging technology to provide accurate, unbiased, and personalized recommendations, they are addressing a crucial gap in the industry. The platform provides clarity, and equips students with the knowledge they need to make informed choices.” — Manish Rastogi, CEO, ZLL

“Investing in the future of education is equivalent to investing in the future of society. Vidysea’s AI-driven approach ensures that students receive guidance that is transparent, unbiased, and aligned with their aspirations. We believe in their mission to empower students with the right tools and information, and we are proud to back their efforts. ” — Ravi Patel, Aarvi Family LLP

Speaking on the funding round, Karunn Kandoi, CEO and Founder of Vidysea, said, “This investment allows us to take a significant step toward our vision of revolutionizing student career guidance and navigating them through their further study goals. Not much has changed since I did my MBA till date, we are building a platform that simplifies students’ overwhelming choices and helps them throughout the process for them to get accepted into their dream school and program. Technology is evolving rapidly and can be leveraged and built to provide students with the right tools to navigate their choices effectively. Vidysea is committed to ensuring every student victory by receiving high-quality, reliable, data-driven guidance to unlock their potential.”

Speaking on the funding round, Sameer Upadhyay, CSRO and Founder of Vidysea said, “We are excited to be solving this large problem of the industry, helping students navigate through the challenges like admission, visa, settlement, etc. We thank ZLL and Aarvi Family LLP for believing in us and what we are building”

National, 13 February 2025: ITC Mangaldeep, India’s leading incense brand has been an integral part of Maha Kumbh 2025 with its various initiatives to bring the congregation closer to devotees. As part of its activities, ITC Mangaldeep has introduced a unique and innovative offering, Mangaldeep Jalbatti, an underwater incense stick designed to honor the sacred rivers while preserving their sanctity. The total number of jalbattis distributed has been increased to a whopping 100,000 from 10,000 after witnessing a huge demand among the devotees.

Crafted from alum (phitkari) powder, a traditional water purifier, Jalbatti dissolves in water upon contact, contributing positively to water quality. By incorporating Jalbatti into their offerings, devotees can now uphold their devotion while ensuring that the rivers remain as pure as their faith.

As the world’s largest spiritual congregation, Maha Kumbh 2025 in Prayagraj continues to stand as a proud testament to India’s deep-rooted spiritual traditions. Millions of devotees gather at the Triveni Sangam, the confluence of the sacred Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers, to partake in rituals such as ‘Ganga Aartis’, ‘Shahi Snaans’, and ‘Deep Daans’, all symbolizing their profound reverence for these ancient rivers. ITC Mangaldeep has been an integral part of this devotion, enhancing spiritual experience through various initiatives. Through this initiative, ITC Mangaldeep reinforces its commitment to enabling devotion and empowering devotees by blending tradition with meaningful impact. As millions take their holy dip at the Triveni Sangam, ‘Jalbatti’ serves as an emblem of devotion that not only honors but also safeguards the sacred waters.

At the iconic Mehboob Studios, a display at the Soulstrat Stage read, “The Blues Live Here,” and the 13th Edition of the Mahindra Blues Festival was a testament to that! Fans from across the country and beyond united to celebrate the resilient and joyful spirit of the genre. From the Grammy-winning artist Ruthie Foster to solid, young artists like Megan Murray, the attendees immersed themselves in these electrifying acts with the accompaniment of scrumptious food and soul-quenching beverages.

For the two-day extravaganza, the lineup featured Ruthie Foster, who regaled the attendees with her transcendental performances, blending blues, rock, and gospel on both days; Kanchan Daniel, for her second performance at the festival, blended blues, rock, and soul, exploring larger societal themes and personal experiences; and the Siliguri-based band, the John Blue Ensemble, won over the crowd at the Garden Stage, encapsulating the spirit of this year’s wider theme to spotlight young and upcoming artists.

The Australian blues artists, The Teskey Brothers, embodied the depth of the genre in their performance, underscoring the musical allure of harmonica; LA-based singer and songwriter, Megan Murray, serenaded the audience with originals and covers, peppering her performance with stories that personified resilience and manifestation; the Grammy-nominated artist, Robert Randolph, brought the infectious concoction of rock and blues with his signature steel pedal guitar, bringing down the house with his suave performance.

The showstopper for the two-day gala was the All-Star Jam, where the Nanhi Kali Choir joined generations of globally renowned Blues artists for a power-packed performance. As part of the ‘Blues in School’ initiative, Mahindra remains committed to preserving the blues legacy for future generations. This year’s edition focused on spotlighting the young talents, taking forward the baton of this rich legacy through a vibrant spectacle of the coming together of generations.

Check out the highlights of the 13th Edition of the Mahindra Blues Festival through this photo gallery, which captures the enthusiasm and the transcending power of music across generations and geographical boundaries.

Hyderabad, February 13, 2025 – Yummy Bee, India’s leading café chain dedicated to guilt-free indulgence, announces the availability of its exciting new Bento Cakes for Valentine’s Day. These delectable, single-serving cakes—crafted without refined flour (maida), gluten, or preservatives—are now available at Yummy Bee outlets across Hyderabad.

Customers can enjoy these delightful creations at Yummy Bee locations in Jubilee Hills, Kondapur, Kokapet, and Kukatpally, or pre-order online for convenient delivery. “We wanted to create a product that truly reflects the evolving tastes of our customers,” says Sandeep Jangala, Founder & CEO of Yummy Bee.

“With our Bento Cakes, we’re not only offering a delightful treat for Valentine’s Day but also reinforcing our commitment to quality ingredients and innovative, healthier alternatives. It’s about enjoying life’s special moments without compromise,” he further added.

The Bento Cakes are now available across all Yummy Bee outlets in Hyderabad. Customers can also place pre-orders via the brand’s website and select delivery platforms, ensuring easy access to this fresh take on a classic celebration treat.

Reflecting the growing demand for cleaner, thoughtfully prepared desserts, Yummy Bee’s Bento Cakes are crafted with a focus on health and wellness. Made without refined flour (maida), gluten, or preservatives, these single-serving treats cater to discerning palates that seek indulgence without guilt.

Mumbai, February 13th, 2025: Pulse Candy, one of the core brands of Dharampal Satyapal Group (DS Group), a multi-business corporation and a leading FMCG conglomerate, launched its Maha Kumbh campaign as an extension of its Pulse of India initiative. The campaign presents the story of this extraordinary gathering through an end-to-end generative AI-powered video.

The video highlights the significance of Maha Kumbh and traces the journey from its historical origins to its contemporary significance. The video, crafted by White Rivers Media, combines compelling narration with hyper-realistic and dynamic moving images, visualising the entire story of the Maha Kumbh and its rich history, drawing devotees seeking purification.

On the Maha Kumbh grounds, Pulse Candy offered an engaging on-ground experience. This included the likes of Sangam Kalash (jars) to collect sacred river water, bags to carry pooja (prayer) items and offerings, and Pulse-branded boats to ferry devotees to take a dip in the sacred waters. Additionally, interactive games provide entertainment.

Arvind Kumar, GM, Marketing DSFL, said, “For us, connecting with India’s cultural moments has always been about creating meaningful experiences, both on-ground and through innovative tech. Pulse Candy has always been a brand that understands the pulse of India—whether in its bold, tangy burst of flavour or in the way it engages with cultural touchpoints. This campaign is about making these sacred moments accessible and relatable to every Indian, ensuring that the spirit of Maha Kumbh can be experienced, both physically and virtually. DS Group is proud to promote India’s heritage by combining cutting-edge AI technology with deep-rooted traditions. This initiative helps those attending the Mahakumbh engage with cultural touchpoints that have already been implemented here.”

The campaign bridged generations and geographies, bringing Maha Kumbh’s divine spectacle to audiences nationwide through innovative storytelling, while physical touch points allowed devotees to take home a tangible connection to the event. Shrenik Gandhi, CEO of White Rivers Media, said, “India’s love for tradition and innovation coexists, just like Pulse Candy—a brand that blends nostalgia with a burst of unexpected flavour. Maha Kumbh embodies a similar essence, rooted in history yet constantly evolving with time. Using AI, we reimagined this divine gathering through a hyper-realistic narrative, ensuring that just like the lingering taste of Pulse, the story of Maha Kumbh stays with audiences long after they’ve experienced it.”

Mumbai, 13th February 2025: Amazon MGM Studios, along with Excel Entertainment and Tiger Baby, today unveiled the delightful and mesmerizing theatrical trailer of its highly anticipated Original movie, Superboys of Malegaon. Inspired by a true story, the film is set in Malegaon, a small town in Maharashtra, and chronicles the life of Nasir Shaikh, an amateur filmmaker who, along with his friends, revitalizes the town by transforming it into a hub of filmmaking passion. An Excel Entertainment and Tiger Baby production, Superboys of Malegaon is produced by Ritesh Sidhwani, Farhan Akhtar, Zoya Akhtar, and Reema Kagti. The movie is directed by Reema Kagti and written by Varun Grover. It features a highly talented ensemble cast, including Adarsh Gourav, Shashank Arora, Vineet Kumar Singh, Anuj Singh Duhan, Saqib Ayub, Pallav Singh, Manjiri Pupala, Muskkaan Jaferi and Riddhi Kumar. Superboys of Malegaon is set to premiere in theatres across India, the US, UK, UAE, Australia, and New Zealand on February 28.

The trailer of Superboys of Malegaon sweeps the viewers into a heartwarming journey of dreams, resilience, and cinematic magic. It introduces Nasir Shaikh, a dreamer from the small town of Malegaon, where movies provide an escape from the grind of daily life. Inspired by these movies, Nasir sets out to transform Malegaon into Bollywood, armed with bold ideas, out-of-the-box thinking, and a spirited group of friends. Together, they embark on a mission to create a movie for the people of Malegaon, made in Malegaon. The trailer captures laugh-out-loud auditions, ingenious filmmaking hacks, and a whirlwind of emotions and determination as they tackle the challenges life throws their way. Superboys of Malegaon is a moving and uplifting story of friendship, passion, and the power of dreaming big, proving that creativity knows no boundaries.

“Superboys of Malegaon, celebrated at TIFF and the BFI London Film Festival, is a shining example of the universal appeal of authentic Indian narratives”, said Nikhil Madhok, Head of Originals, Prime Video India. “Its theatrical release across India, the US, UK, UAE, Australia, and New Zealand marks a landmark moment as Amazon MGM’s first Indian original film to debut in cinemas globally. This exciting step reflects our commitment to delivering bold, diverse, and thought-provoking stories to audiences worldwide. We’re deeply grateful to our incredible collaborators, Excel Entertainment and Tiger Baby, for bringing this extraordinary journey to life, and we can’t wait to share this uplifting tale on the big screen!”

Ritesh Sidhwani, producer, of Excel Entertainment, shared, “Superboys of Malegaon is a celebration of dreams and resilience-universal emotions that everyone can relate to. We are excited to collaborate with Amazon MGM Studios to bring this inspiring story to theatres. We hope the film resonates deeply with the audience and touches millions of hearts. This story is a powerful reminder of the limitless potential of hope, creativity, and the human spirit.”

“As filmmakers, our goal has always been to create meaningful films that resonate not only with audiences in India but also with people around the world,” said Farhan Akhtar, producer, of Excel Entertainment. “Superboys of Malegaon is a heartwarming story that demonstrates how no dream is too big if you work hard enough to make it come true. We are thrilled to have collaborated with Amazon MGM Studios to bring this incredible project to life. From its journey through international film festivals and screenings to its upcoming theatrical release, Superboys of Malegaon celebrates the power of storytelling to unite people across the world.”

Zoya Akhtar, Producer, Tiger Baby, I am excited to collaborate with Excel Entertainment and Amazon MGM Studios to bring this inspirational story to life that celebrates the human need to create art no matter what the circumstances are and the love that Superboys has received at various global screenings just reaffirms how universal that feeling is.

Reema Kagti, Director and Producer, of Tiger Baby, commented, “Superboys of Malegaon is a story about the power of the underdog and the magic of cinema. The film is not just about the origins of Malegaon filmmaking; it’s about the dreams, the young filmmakers and their town built along the way. We are excited to bring this unique story to the big screen, one that is inspired by the incredible journey of people who created magic with limited resources, but endless dreams and determination.”

Superboys of Malegaon has garnered global acclaim, winning hearts and receiving widespread praise. At its world premiere during the 49th Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in September 2024, it earned a standing ovation from a packed auditorium, highlighting its emotional impact. It also captivated audiences at the 68th BFI London Film Festival and left a lasting impression at the 4th Red Sea Film Festival. Recently, it shone at the 36th Palm Springs International Film Festival, receiving a special mention in the Young Cineaste segment. With its compelling narrative, emotional depth, and powerful storytelling, this comedy-drama has left a lasting impact on fans and critics alike.

Hyderabad, 13 February 2025: In an exciting display of traditional kite fighting, Rainbow Kite Club Hyderabad and Hyderabad Deccan Kite Club showed amazing skills against the Bangalore International Kite Club in a two-day tournament held at Shankerpally Ground, Rangareddy District.

The tournament saw professional kite fighters engaging in intense battles using 6-cord Manjha made of cotton thread, staying true to the traditional art of kite flying. Speaking at the event, Bareilly Manjha Director Himalaya Shinghal, a strong advocate for safe kite flying, emphasized the dangers of nylon threads, which are widely used despite posing serious risks.

“These clubs are committed to preserving the true essence of kite flying while ensuring safety. Our mission is to encourage the younger generation to step outdoors, engage in this age-old tradition, and experience a world beyond digital screens,” said Singhal.

A Push for Eco-Friendly Kite Flying

The tournament also highlighted efforts to promote environmentally safe Manjha. Rainbow Kite Manjha Bareilly, a Bareilly-based business specializing in traditional cotton-based Bareilly Manjha under the brand RKM TALWAAR, played a key role in the event. The company actively opposes the use of Chinese, nylon, and plastic threads, which are known to be hazardous to humans, birds, and the environment.

While Himalaya Shinghal runs the business from Bareilly, his brother Aakash Shinghal, an IT professional based in Hyderabad, continues to fuel the passion for kite flying in the city, ensuring that the tradition remains alive for future generations. With tournaments like these, Hyderabad is witnessing a revival of competitive kite flying, bringing together enthusiasts who cherish the sport’s heritage while promoting safer and more sustainable practices.