Archives May 2025

Industry stakeholders reflect on the steady rise of esports as a mainstream sport, as it takes center stage as a demonstration event at KIYG 2025 from May 6 to 7

For the first time in the history of the Khelo India Youth Games (KIYG), esports will be stepping into the spotlight as a demonstration event. Scheduled to be held in Bihar from May 4 to 14, KIYG 2025 will host its esports competitions from May 6 to 7 at the Patliputra Sports Complex, featuring popular titles such as Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI), Street Fighter 6, Chess, and eFootball on both mobile and console.

Featuring titles that span mobile, console, and strategy-based formats like chess, the esports lineup at KIYG 2025 reflects a deliberate effort to cater to diverse gaming audiences. This move also signals a broader national recognition of esports as a legitimate sporting pursuit, on par with traditional disciplines, a direction that India has been moving toward with increased pace.

While BGMI remains the most popular esports title in India, Chess stands out as a particularly noteworthy addition to KIYG 2025. Once considered a purely traditional sport, Chess has increasingly found a home in the esports world, most recently as part of the Esports World Cup (EWC) 2025, which boasts a prize pool of $1.5 million (INR 12.6 crore) for the title. NODWIN Gaming, a leader in South Asia’s esports and gaming ecosystem, has been one of the pioneers of this shift in India. In 2021, the company organised the Chess Super League, featuring national and international stars and also hosted Chess tournaments at DreamHack India 2024 across rapid and blitz formats.

“The inclusion of titles like BGMI, Street Fighter 6, Chess, and eFootball in the Khelo India Youth Games 2025 signals a big step forward for grassroots esports in India,” says Akshat Rathee, Co-founder and Managing Director of NODWIN Gaming. “It’s encouraging to see esports standing shoulder to shoulder with traditional sports, and the addition of Chess – bridging classical and digital strategy shows how in tune this initiative is with global trends. But this isn’t just about tournaments. It’s about creating real opportunities to discover talent from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, places that have been overlooked for too long, thus building the foundation for a future where Indian gamers don’t just participate, they dominate on the world stage.”

Further underscoring the growing stature of Indian Chess in esports, S8UL, a global force in esports and gaming content, has signed Grandmasters Aravindh Chithambaram and Nihal Sarin to compete at the EWC 2025. In addition to Chess, S8UL will also field players in Street Fighter 6, as well as EAFC25, Call of Duty Warzone, Tekken 8, and Apex Legends at the prestigious tournament.

Animesh Agarwal, Co-founder and CEO of S8UL believes that the inclusion of titles like Street Fighter 6, Chess, and eFootball console in KIYG 2025 reflects a thoughtful push to diversify beyond mobile gaming and build a more well-rounded competitive ecosystem. “It is especially encouraging to see Street Fighter 6 and Chess recognised through a government-led initiative, at a time when S8UL will be representing India in these very titles at the upcoming Esports World Cup. This development is crucial for identifying and nurturing talent across a range of platforms and genres from the grassroots level. Such proactive support from the authorities is a strong indicator of the growing legitimacy of esports in India and a positive sign for the industry’s future,” he adds.

The roots of esports entering the mainstream have already been visible across various states. Before its inclusion in KIYG 2025, the state of Bihar actively embraced the esports movement by organising the Bihar State Esports Open Championship and the Bihar Inter School and College Esports Championship over the past year. States like Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Nagaland have also taken proactive steps to support and formalise grassroots esports programs.

Mikhail Bhuta, Co-Founder & Tech Lead, Dirtcube Interactive LLP remarked, “Including esports in the Khelo India Youth Games is a practical step toward building a grassroots ecosystem for new-age sports. We believe that through this program, we’ll soon see national esports heroes rise from across the country and bolster India’s representation on the global stage. With this being the inaugural season, we envision having Made-in-India esports-based games be part of KIYG’s future seasons.”

With S8UL participating in Chess and Street Fighter at the EWC 2025, India has already been making waves on the international stage in eFootball, with Pavan Kampelli winning the bronze medal at the 2024 Asian Esports Games in Bangkok.

Esports will be an official medal sport at the 2026 Asian Games, and the first-ever Olympic Esports Games is scheduled to debut in 2027. These developments mark a global shift toward legitimising esports within mainstream sporting culture.

KIYG 2025 featuring esports will help identify, nurture, and empower gaming talent from the ground up. With both state and national bodies supporting the push, the future of Indian esports looks brighter than ever.

New Delhi, May 5, 2025: Microfinance Industry Network (MFIN) today launched “ASCEND – The Education and Advancement program in microfinance” Programme, an online initiative to build professional capability, promote responsible lending, and enhance customer protection in India’s microfinance sector. Designed for field officers, branch managers, and aspiring professionals, the programme aims to equip participants with essential knowledge in financial inclusion, regulatory compliance, credit appraisal, customer engagement, ethics, and digital transformation.

The Certification Programme was launched by Dr Alok Misra, CEO & Director, MFIN along with Dr Nirupam Mehrotra, Director, Bankers Institute of Rural Development (BIRD) & Mr Ramamurthy Krishnan, President & CEO, NSEIT. Mr Manoj Kumar Nambiar, Chairman, MFIN, Managing Director, Arohan Financial Services Limited and Mr Vineet Chattree, Vice-Chairman, MFIN & Managing Director, Svatantra Microfin Pvt Ltd and Mr Gyan Mohan, Director and CEO, Adi Chitragupta Finance Ltd were also present at the launch.

In collaboration with the Bankers Institute of Rural Development (BIRD) and supported by NSEIT’s secure digital infrastructure, the Certification Programme provides comprehensive, industry-relevant training for frontline officers and managers, preparing them to champion financial inclusion and client protection across the microfinance sector.

Speaking at the launch, Dr Alok Misra, CEO & Director, MFIN said: “Field officers are the backbone of the microfinance industry, connecting underserved communities to formal financial services. This certification program is a step towards recognizing their pivotal role, while providing them with guidance, knowledge, and ethical frameworks to serve clients better and foster responsible finance.”

The programme combines self-paced online modules with recorded expert sessions and live doubt-clearing interactions, offering a flexible and engaging learning experience. Participants engage with carefully curated content that includes case studies, regulatory updates, and practical insights tailored to the evolving landscape of rural development and banking. A robust assessment framework, featuring a comprehensive multiple-choice question bank aligned with key learning modules, ensures thorough evaluation. Certification is awarded upon successful completion of the assessments, with options for and extended learning support to help candidates achieve proficiency.

Key highlights of the program:

• Online, self-paced learning format with access to downloadable content, recorded and live doubt clearing sessions
• Content covering microfinance operations, regulations, technology integration, and client protection
• Proctored online assessments with industry-recognized certification jointly issued by MFIN and BIRD
• Designed to build conceptual clarity, operational excellence, and ethical standards

This certification is part of MFIN’s broader capacity-building mandate to promote professionalism, enhance operational effectiveness, and drive a culture of client-centric, inclusive financial services across India’s microfinance ecosystem.

For more information on the Loan Officers Certification Program and enrollment details, visit MFIN’s website.

Mumbai, May 05, 2025: In a significant move towards business diversification and value-added service expansion, NLB Services, a global technology and digital talent solutions provider, today launched BrandPipal – a full-service marketing and employer branding firm designed to bridge the gap by delivering purposeful storytelling, data-fueled marketing and campaigns driven by strategy. This marks NLB Services’ foray beyond its talent and workforce solutions into the high-growth Martech and branding ecosystem, driven by the evolving needs of its global clientele.

With an ambitious growth target of 20x in the next 5 years, BrandPipal is positioned as a next-gen marketing partner that seamlessly integrates creativity, technology, and data to deliver results-driven high-impact campaigns. BrandPipal will operate as a standalone business unit offering integrated marketing services across Global Capability Centers (GCC), B2B enterprises, D2C brands and Technology Start-Ups amongst others. The business will cater to sector-specific needs, including Go-to-Marketing strategy, employer branding, performance marketing, online reputation management, influencer marketing, and creative and visual design solutions. BrandPipal has already secured a diverse portfolio of clients spanning AI startups, global system integrators, publishing and travel – signaling strong market reception and future-ready momentum.

Led by Co-founder Ashima Kakar, who also serves as Head of Marketing at NLB Services, BrandPipal is backed by a core team of over 75 seasoned marketing professionals – with plans to significantly scale its capabilities over the coming years. The team brings deep expertise across Martech platforms, AI maturity, data and analytics, creative storytelling and strategic design.

The launch of BrandPipal comes at a pivotal moment when the branding landscape is undergoing a major shift, driven by digital disruption and changing audience expectations. With over 1,800 Global Capability Centers (GCCs) currently operational in India and an estimated 400 more expected over the next five years, the need for differentiated employer branding and digital-first marketing has intensified. As an organization deeply rooted in talent solutions, NLB Services has been supporting clients in crafting employer branding, especially during market entry or expansion phases. BrandPipal builds on this legacy by offering data-driven, technology-enabled branding solutions leveraging AI, tailored for both local and global organizations. The firm is focused on onboarding high-impact clients within its first year, reinforcing its vision of driving business transformation through the intersection of brand, technology, and data.

Speaking on the occasion, Sachin Alug, Chief Executive Officer, NLB Services, said, “The launch of BrandPipal is a reflection of our long-term vision to evolve as a full-spectrum business solutions partner. As GenAI and automation reshape the business landscape, there’s a growing need to combine data-backed decision-making with creative storytelling. BrandPipal will enable our clients to lead with purpose, differentiate meaningfully, and build scalable, authentic brands.”

“This is truly a big moment for us. We’re focused on working with companies with purpose, to deliver strategic campaigns and data-driven solutions with real impact. Today, marketing is one of the critical domains with the onus of blending the right amount of technology and human prowess. At BrandPipal, our mission is to leverage this blend from our years of industry experience and help companies tell their true story, gain new markets, attract the right talent, build profitably and help create engaged workplaces where people want to stay and grow,” says Ashima Kakar, Co-founder, BrandPipal.

Bengaluru, May 5th 2025: Bengaluru’s dining landscape welcomes a serene new address with the opening of Barnhouse at Essensai067, Kannamangala. Designed as a tranquil escape from the city’s pace, Barnhouse offers a globally inspired, vegetarian culinary experience where seasonality, nutrition, and conscious indulgence take centre stage.

Nestled within a sustainably designed space, Barnhouse effortlessly blends earthy elegance with modern comfort. The architecture celebrates natural materials — from stone sourced from a quarry in Pondicherry and Red Agra sandstone to handcrafted woodwork — creating an organic, resort-like setting that’s free of air-conditioning, relying instead on passive cooling, open ventilation, and natural light.

At the heart of Barnhouse is a globally inspired, vegetarian menu that celebrates seasonality, nutrition, and craftsmanship. Guests can savour an eclectic selection of dishes — from hand-rolled Spinach and Ricotta Ravioli and Butternut Squash Massaman Bao to Middle Eastern Mezze Platters and pearl barley risottos — each thoughtfully created with fresh, pesticide-free produce from the restaurant’s in-house hydroponics system.

“Barnhouse is more than a restaurant — it’s a mindful retreat where every dish, every ingredient, and every detail is designed to nourish, comfort, and reconnect,” said Haresh Mipuri and Ratna Saluja, Founders of Barnhouse. “We wanted to create a space where conscious indulgence meets global culinary craftsmanship, offering our guests not just a meal, but a meaningful, immersive experience.”

Designed to be inclusive and family-friendly, Barnhouse welcomes guests of all ages — including children and pets — with thoughtful details like weekend culinary activities for kids and versatile dining spaces ideal for long, leisurely lunches or intimate evening dinners.

New Delhi, May 05, 2025: realme, the most popular smartphone brand among Indian youth, announced the upcoming launch of the 2025 Flagship Killer: realme GT7, the latest addition to its high-end smartphone lineup. With this bold new entry, realme is signaling the next evolution of its performance-first GT series, packed with technological breakthroughs that push the boundaries of mobile innovation.

Since its inception, realme has remained true to its brand spirit of “Make it real,” devoted to empowering young users around the world with tech experiences that exceed expectations. Following the successful release of the GT6 series last year, realme is now more ambitious than ever in establishing its presence in the premium smartphone segment.

At the recently concluded MWC 2025, the brand unveiled a bold three-year growth strategy aimed at doubling its global user base while cementing its position in the high-end market. This forward-looking roadmap reflects realme’s confidence in driving sustainable growth through meaningful innovation and a user-first mindset.

The all-new GT7 is a major step forward for the GT lineup, fusing peak performance with next-gen AI capabilities to offer a truly flagship-grade experience. While full specifications remain under wraps, the GT7 is expected to deliver standout upgrades across performance, battery life, design, and imaging, creating real excitement among users and the tech community alike.

In a first-of-its-kind move, realme partnered with Krafton to co-test and integrate the industry’s first-ever 6-hour stable 120FPS gaming experience, a feat never before achieved on mobile. This breakthrough will debut on the GT7, positioning it as a true gaming powerhouse and setting a new benchmark for extended mobile gameplay.

Teased ahead of the BGIS 2025 Finals, the GT7 has already stirred buzz across the gaming world, and will serve as the official smartphone partner for BMPS 2025, reaffirming realme’s commitment to cutting-edge performance and immersive user experiences.

realme is gearing up to announce the official launch details of the GT7 soon. For the latest updates, global audiences are encouraged to stay connected via realme’s official website and social media platforms.

New Delhi, May 05, 2025: In a significant move towards business diversification and value-added service expansion, NLB Services, a global technology and digital talent solutions provider, today launched BrandPipal – a full-service marketing and employer branding firm designed to bridge the gap by delivering purposeful storytelling, data-fueled marketing and campaigns driven by strategy. This marks NLB Services’ foray beyond its talent and workforce solutions into the high-growth Martech and branding ecosystem, driven by the evolving needs of its global clientele.

With an ambitious growth target of 20x in the next 5 years, BrandPipal is positioned as a next-gen marketing partner that seamlessly integrates creativity, technology, and data to deliver results-driven high-impact campaigns. BrandPipal will operate as a standalone business unit offering integrated marketing services across Global Capability Centers (GCC), B2B enterprises, D2C brands and Technology Start-Ups amongst others. The business will cater to sector-specific needs, including Go-to-Marketing strategy, employer branding, performance marketing, online reputation management, influencer marketing, and creative and visual design solutions. BrandPipal has already secured a diverse portfolio of clients spanning AI startups, global system integrators, publishing and travel – signaling strong market reception and future-ready momentum.

Led by Co-founder Ashima Kakar, who also serves as Head of Marketing at NLB Services, BrandPipal is backed by a core team of over 75 seasoned marketing professionals – with plans to significantly scale its capabilities over the coming years. The team brings deep expertise across Martech platforms, AI maturity, data and analytics, creative storytelling and strategic design.

The launch of BrandPipal comes at a pivotal moment when the branding landscape is undergoing a major shift, driven by digital disruption and changing audience expectations. With over 1,800 Global Capability Centers (GCCs) currently operational in India and an estimated 400 more expected over the next five years, the need for differentiated employer branding and digital-first marketing has intensified. As an organization deeply rooted in talent solutions, NLB Services has been supporting clients in crafting employer branding, especially during market entry or expansion phases. BrandPipal builds on this legacy by offering data-driven, technology-enabled branding solutions leveraging AI, tailored for both local and global organizations. The firm is focused on onboarding high-impact clients within its first year, reinforcing its vision of driving business transformation through the intersection of brand, technology, and data.

Speaking on the occasion, Sachin Alug, Chief Executive Officer, NLB Services, said, “The launch of BrandPipal is a reflection of our long-term vision to evolve as a full-spectrum business solutions partner. As GenAI and automation reshape the business landscape, there’s a growing need to combine data-backed decision-making with creative storytelling. BrandPipal will enable our clients to lead with purpose, differentiate meaningfully, and build scalable, authentic brands.”

“This is truly a big moment for us. We’re focused on working with companies with purpose, to deliver strategic campaigns and data-driven solutions with real impact. Today, marketing is one of the critical domains with the onus of blending the right amount of technology and human prowess. At BrandPipal, our mission is to leverage this blend from our years of industry experience and help companies tell their true story, gain new markets, attract the right talent, build profitably and help create engaged workplaces where people want to stay and grow,” says Ashima Kakar, Co-founder, BrandPipal.

Bengaluru, May 5th, 2025: Under 25, India’s Largest Youth Media Network, has announced the launch of its newest feature on their app : Leaderboard. Based on the insight that today’s students are motivated by challenge, recognition, and real incentives, Leaderboard introduces a gamified system of XP, levels, missions, and cash prizes—all designed to enable the youth to earn and learn while having fun.

Campaign is launched with arcade-style visuals inspired by games like mario, Minecraft etc, seasonal rankings and weekly rewards drops, Leaderboard transforms the Under 25 app into a digital playground where students can climb ranks by completing missions, engaging with content and inviting friends. The highest performers are rewarded with real cash incentives, along with access to biggest brands in India through coupons of well-established brands as a reward, exclusive in-app badges, in-app clout and community recognition.

Leaderboard builds on this success by offering students a more dynamic way to track their growth and be recognised for it — from earning XP for daily actions to unlocking badges as they progress. Students can also unlock a special OG status by being among the first 1,000 consistent users, earning them exclusive in-app markers that signal loyalty and achievement.

“At Under 25, we are constantly asking ourselves what gets Gen Z truly excited. The Leaderboard is our answer to that — it taps into their love for progress, visibility, and recognition. It gives Gen Z a new way to show up, stand out, and level up. Every action inside the app, from flipping cards and submitting missions to interacting with content, earns XP, helping users rise on a dynamic, seasonal leaderboard,” said Jeel Gandhi, CEO, Under 25. “It’s more than just rankings — it’s about making users feel, seen, and celebrated.”

With a mission to empower young people, Under 25 is redefining what it means to be young and ambitious in India. The platform connects individuals across the country, encouraging them to dream big, take action and build meaningful lives— all while having fun along the way. Leadership is a defining moment in Under 25’s journey, as it continues to scale its platform and community impact.

New Delhi, May 05, 2025: Fateh Education hosted the second edition of its flagship inter-school quiz, Quest to Conquer 2025, on Wednesday at Kamani Auditorium, Delhi, drawing participation from over 1100 students, 275 teams, and 100+ schools across the region. Following the success of the inaugural edition in 2024, which welcomed 78 schools and 218 teams, this year’s event has significantly scaled up, establishing itself as the largest school quiz competition in Delhi NCR in the past ten years.

Designed to be both intellectually stimulating and engaging, Quest to Conquer 2025 brought together some of the brightest young minds for a day filled with learning, interaction, and camaraderie.

Speaking about the event, Mr. Suneet Singh Kochar, CEO, Fateh Education said, “Quest to Conquer is not just about winning; it’s about sparking curiosity and confidence among young minds. The scale and energy at this year’s event were a clear reflection of students’ growing enthusiasm for learning beyond classrooms.”

“Born from the belief that education should inspire curiosity and confidence, Quest to Conquer is more than just a quiz for us. It aims to encourage students to go beyond textbooks, challenge norms, and embrace learning with enthusiasm. It is a platform designed to nurture critical thinking, communication, and collaboration. ” said Ms. Binti Kochar, Director & Co-Founder at Fateh Education.

Delhi Public School, Sector 45, Gurugram emerged as the winner, with DPS Mathura Road and Sunbeam School, Mughalsarai taking the first and second runner-up spots, respectively.

Endorsing the quiz and its impact on the development of young minds, one of the leading educators, Ms. Aditi Misra, Director, Delhi Public School, Sector 45, Gurugram, said, “ It is important for schools to encourage quizzing and general knowledge activities because, for me as an educator, quizzing brings together all the four essential 21st-century skills. The message I want to give students is—enter the real world. It’s not just about competition; it’s also about coming together and learning together.”

With plans to further expand the initiative, Fateh Education continues to reinforce its commitment to nurturing holistic, globally aware learners through innovative educational experiences.

Every mother has a world of her own—bold, layered, and unforgettable. This Mother’s Day, move beyond ordinary and gift her, a bottle of poetry from Fonzie Folksy, a luxury fragrance house where every scent tells a story and celebrates character, confidence, and individuality!

Fonzie Folksy’s enchanting blend of notes captures the essence of cherished memories and new beginnings, making it the perfect gift to celebrate the heart of your family. Let her unwrap a scent that lingers as beautifully as her love—timeless and comforting.

Fonzie Folksy offers four uniquely crafted perfumes and each fragrance has its own fanbase. The Gallerie – a burst of floral powdery notes with crisp citrus settling at woody & spice base for that inhibited showcase of your Mom’s essence, O’live It – a sweet blooming floral concoction for a redolent tango of vivacity or simply joie de vivre, Evenfall – a unique & strong aroma with a hint of Oud to exude a timeless style and Runway bows – a spicy tribute to floral elegance with a woody twist for that warmth & classicism. Buy one, two or all four of these as their meticulously crafted distinct fragrances offer a scent for every mood and occasion.

Crafted with premium ingredients, the brand resonates with freshness, sophistication and longevity – that’s everything your mom would look for!

This Mother’s Day, let Fonzie Folksy be your way of saying “thank you” for everything she does.