Archives July 2025

July 7, 2025: Every actor deserves to be recognized for the stories they bring to life — and at the Mid-Day Showbiz Icons Awards 2025, three exceptional performers were celebrated for their remarkable contributions to screen. Riddhi Dogra, Amol Parashar, and Priyanka Chahar Choudhary were honoured for performances that moved audiences and earned critical acclaim.

Riddhi Dogra won the title of Best Actor – Female (Critics) for her impactful role in The Sabarmati Report. As senior anchor Manika Rajpurohit, Riddhi delivered a performance that was restrained, powerful, and deeply emotional. Sharing her appreciation on Instagram, she wrote: Thank you for the honor. Thank you for the encouragement. Thank you for the recognition. Thank you team for the faith.” She credited Ektaa R Kapoor, Shobha Kapoor, and the teams at Balaji Telefilms and ALT Balaji Motion Pictures for their unwavering support.

Released in November 2024, The Sabarmati Report — based on the 2002 Godhra train incident — sparked national conversation. While initially met with mixed reviews, the film gained momentum through word-of-mouth and Riddhi’s performance was consistently highlighted for its grace and conviction.

Amol Parashar was named Iconic Breakthrough Star of the Year for his performance in Kull and Gram Chikitsalaya. His portrayal of Abhimanyu Raisinggh in Kull: The Legacy of the Raisingghs was layered and compelling, earning him praise across both critics and viewers. Taking to social media, Amol celebrated with the words: “We have a co-passenger in the lift tonight!”

Kull, which premiered on JioHotstar in May 2025, is a gripping family thriller directed by Sahir Raza and created by Ektaa and Shobha Kapoor. The series has been applauded for its storytelling, visual richness, and ensemble cast, with Amol’s role standing out as a breakout performance.

Priyanka Chahar Choudhary was honoured as the Outstanding Performer of the Year for her standout act in Dus June Ki Raat. Her portrayal of Puppy was refreshing, quirky, and heartfelt — quickly becoming a fan favourite. The crime drama, which streamed on JioHotstar, was created by Ektaa Kapoor and directed by Tabrez Khan. Sharing her gratitude, Priyanka posted: “Thank you for the honor @middayindia. And thank you to the incredible team of Dus June Ki Raat – this recognition belongs to all of us!”

Dus June Ki Raat, created by Ektaa Kapoor and directed by Tabrez Khan, premiered on JioHotstar and quickly found a loyal fanbase. Starring alongside Tusshar Kapoor, Priyanka’s performance brought a unique charm to the screen, making Puppy one of the most memorable characters of the series.

All three winning performances — from The Sabarmati Report, Kull, and Dus June Ki Raat — are backed by Balaji, a trailblazer in Indian entertainment known for pushing the envelope with bold storytelling and impactful characters. These recognitions not only celebrate talent but also reaffirm Balaji’s commitment to content that resonates with today’s audiences.

Bangalore, July 1, 2025: Myntra has achieved a major milestone with over 1 million shopper-creators now part of its Ultimate Glam Clan (UGC) program. Marking a 40% month-on-month growth, the program has clocked an impressive 4.5 billion post views since inception. Empowering everyday shoppers to become content creators, the Ultimate Glam Clan program is redefining how users engage with fashion and lifestyle on the platform. As shoppers increasingly turn to authentic, peer-led inspiration, with UGC, Myntra is building a scaled content flywheel — where everyday shoppers become creators, driving discovery and shaping fashion choices for fellow shoppers in a truly democratic and relatable way.

Myntra’s Ultimate Glam Clan is designed as a discovery-first feature, prioritizing inspiration and engagement. With over 1 million static and video posts now live on the platform, the program is gaining significant traction. More than 16% of Myntra’s Monthly Active Users actively engage with Ultimate Glam Clan as part of their browsing journey. Notably, 20% of these creators are contributing content regularly, and the platform has recently witnessed a remarkable 100% month-on-month growth in active creator participation.

At the heart of the Ultimate Glam Clan lies Myntra’s seamless integration of authentic content with commerce (shoppable content), driving stronger engagement and conversions. Orders placed through the content-led journey witness a 28% higher conversion rate compared to non-content pathways on the platform. Every UGC post is paired with a product tray, allowing customers to instantly explore and shop relevant style recommendations, bridging the gap between discovery and purchase decision-making in real time, on the same platform. The top categories for posts include apparel (67%), beauty and personal care (14%) followed by accessories and footwear.

Speaking on the milestone, Sunder Balasubramanian, CMO, Myntra, said, “At the heart of our strategy lies a strong commitment to authenticity, discovery through community voices, and long-term creator engagement. As the creator economy evolves, Myntra is focused on enabling everyday users to become credible and influential style advocates on the platform. At the same time, our Ultimate Glam Clan program is empowering consumers to make more informed, confident purchase decisions by surfacing relatable, real-world content that complements traditional catalogue browsing. By investing in tools, visibility, and monetization, Myntra is not only rewarding creators meaningfully for their contributions but also redefining how fashion is discovered and experienced by millions of shoppers.”

Myntra’s Ultimate Glam Clan aims to democratise the creator landscape as there is no need to have a big follower base. The creator cohort in the program is highly diverse, with 67% of the creators hailing from non-metro regions, reflecting the growing aspirations of Tier 2 and Tier 3 users. Notably, Gen Z is leading this creator revolution, accounting for 64% of these signups, a testament to the program’s strong resonance with the next generation of trendsetters. The creators also have the chance to further monetize their content and earn up to 25k every month

Myntra’s industry leading technology plays a key role in distributing creator content throughout the user journey. It helps customers discover relatable looks from real users while evaluating products. Creators also receive detailed content performance metrics, including views, reach, engagement, and revenue, which help them refine their content strategy and move up the program’s monetization tiers. Myntra will also roll out enhanced creation tools, including in-app video editing, music overlays, and a more seamless content upload experience. These additions aim to simplify and elevate content creation on the platform.

The Ultimate Glam Clan marks a major step towards Myntra to drive inspiration-led shopping, one that thrives on engagement, co-creation, and community-building. The initiative is not only elevating the shopping experience but also fostering a new era of creators and users who are inspired by style and empowered by technology.

On July 9th and 10th, Across invites you to a special edition of The High Table – a 9-course dining experience titled “Thamel Edition.” This intimate, one-of-a-kind event brings stories, spice, and soul together through Himalayan plates reimagined with reverence and finesse. Expect fiddlehead ferns and wild-foraged mushrooms, soupy buffalo momos, heirloom lentils, aged yak cheese, and hand-ground Timur and Yerma – all sourced directly from the Himalayan foothills and reinterpreted with Mumbai’s palate in mind.

This edition of The High Table is more than a dinner – it’s a personal invitation from Chef Viraf and Prakriti to share in their Himalayan homecoming. With just a few seats around the table, each guest becomes part of a story told through taste, texture, and tradition. The couple brings memories and meals to life with thoughtful intention, it’s a celebration of slowness, seasonality, and soulful eating – crafted for those who crave not just a meal, but meaning. Your seat awaits, if you’re open to a journey on a plate.

The experience is personal. It’s where flavors whisper tales from Prakriti’s home in the hills and where Chef Viraf’s culinary craftsmanship translates those tales for the urban table.

Across is now open for bookings for this exclusive event.

For more information:

Instagram Link: https://www.instagram.com/across.bombay/

Website Link: https://acrossbombay.com

Pricing: Starting from 4,500/-

Dates: 9th & 10th July 2025

Address: 5, Hari Chambers, 58/64, Shahid Bhagat Singh Rd, Kala Ghoda, Fort, Mumbai
Contact: +91 75061 28945

New Delhi, July 1, 2025 — Esri India Technologies Pvt. Ltd., a leader in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), today announced the opening of a GIS & AI Competency Center at a new facility in Noida. Esri India will invest more than INR 150 crores over the next 5 years. This strategic investment aims to foster the broader adoption of AI in GIS applications. Building on Esri India’s leadership in the GIS domain, the new center will serve as a dynamic catalyst for the company’s focus on GeoAI offerings and empowering customers to enhance their GIS and GeoAI capabilities.

As part of this investment, Esri India will expand its team of AI specialists, data scientists, GIS experts, and industry domain professionals. This growing pool of specialized talent will focus on developing advanced AI-powered geospatial solutions that address increasingly complex challenges faced by GIS users.

Agendra Kumar, Managing Director, Esri India, said, “The convergence of AI and geospatial intelligence is defining novel innovations in GIS applications. On one hand, Esri’s GIS technology is evolving faster than ever before, with numerous new functionalities and configurable applications. On the other hand, innovations in AI are emerging at a very fast pace. The speed of change is so high that without strategic investments, it will not be possible to lead the transformative use of AI in GIS applications. The engineers at this new GIS and AI Competency Centre will focus on the integration of AI into spatial analysis, enabling customers to extract richer insights from complex geospatial data, automate routine processes, and make faster, more informed decisions.”

As data volumes explode and new challenges emerge, the ability to quickly extract actionable insights has become critical. AI is playing a transformative role in this new landscape, enabling organizations to process vast amounts of data, identify patterns, predict trends, and automate decision-making at a scale that was previously impossible.

Esri India has successfully supported GIS applications with AI in land management, asset management, object identification from imagery, video analytics, etc., for its users in India.

Esri India is also strengthening its partnerships with academic institutions and research organizations to build local AI talent and foster innovation in GeoAI. The company intends to release AI-ready datasets, train models with Indian data, and build competency to support the growing demand for AI-powered GIS applications.

Ahmedabad, July 1, 2025 — Marking a major milestone in India’s green energy journey, Oswal Energies Ltd. has received the first 1 MW electrolyser stack from Greenzo Energy India Ltd., signalling the operational launch of its ambitious ₹320 crore Green Hydrogen program.

This inaugural delivery initiates a 20 MW Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) deployment designed to supply clean hydrogen to the chemical and fertiliser industries. The project will commission plants ranging in capacity from 0.5 MW to 5 MW over the next 12–18 months, leveraging Greenzo’s advanced indigenous electrolyser technology.

Mr. Ratan Bokadia, Managing Director of Oswal Energies, highlighted the significance of the milestone: “This electrolyser delivery is more than a shipment—it’s the foundation of a national energy transformation. Our vision blends sustainability with self-reliance, and through this partnership with Greenzo, we’re empowering industries with low-carbon solutions.”

The collaboration underscores Greenzo Energy’s expanding role as a key enabler of India’s green hydrogen ambitions. With an order book exceeding ₹1800 crore, the company supplies high-efficiency electrolyser systems to clients across India and the Middle East.

Mr. Sandeep Agarwal, Managing Director of Greenzo Energy, commented: “Our dispatch to Oswal Energies highlights the growing strength of India’s green manufacturing ecosystem. We are proud to support India’s energy goals with cost-effective, locally made hydrogen solutions.”

The alliance between Oswal Energies and Greenzo Energy represents a compelling convergence of advanced manufacturing and EPC expertise, positioning India as an emerging global hub for green hydrogen production.

Greenzo Energy India Ltd. is a pioneering clean-tech company committed to accelerating India’s transition to a sustainable, green hydrogen-powered future. As one of the country’s leading manufacturers of electrolysers and integrated hydrogen systems, Greenzo Energy focuses on indigenous innovation, scalable solutions, and cost-efficient green hydrogen production. The company offers turnkey solutions including Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) models and collaborates with leading industries in chemical, refinery, and mobility sectors to deploy next-generation hydrogen infrastructure. Greenzo’s vision is to establish India as a global hub for green hydrogen technology.

Oswal Energies Limited, established in January 2013 and headquartered in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, is a leading Engineering, Procurement & Construction (EPC) company with a sharp focus on the oil, gas, and clean energy sectors . Born from a modest fabrication setup, Oswal has since evolved into a trusted full‑spectrum EPC partner—delivering turnkey solutions from concept to commissioning in upstream, midstream, and downstream hydrocarbon facilities, as well as clean‑energy systems like green hydrogen, carbon capture, and compressed biogas.

With a diverse portfolio spanning surface facilities, gas processing plants, early production facilities, dehydration units, pipelines, process skids, and heavy-engineering modules, Oswal Energies has successfully executed over 250 projects across brownfield and greenfield sites, earning praise for quality, safety, and on‑time delivery. Operating across Asia, Europe, and Africa, it services major clients including Shell, ExxonMobil, ONGC, Linde, and Cairn Oil & Gas.

INDIA, July, 01, 2025: Juniper Networks, a leader in secure, AI-native networks, has announced that in the 2025 Magic Quadrant for Enterprise Wired and Wireless LAN Infrastructure, for the fourth consecutive time, Gartner Inc. has positioned it furthest in “Completeness of Vision” and highest for “Ability to Execute”. In this latest Magic Quadrant, Gartner has also named Juniper a Leader for the fifth consecutive time.

Completeness of Vision is evaluated on criteria such as market understanding, marketing and sales strategy, offering (product) strategy, innovation etc. Ability to Execute criteria includes product or service, market responsiveness/record, marketing execution, etc.

As Gartner explains, “A Gartner Magic Quadrant is a culmination of research in a specific market, giving you a wide-angle view of the relative positions of the market’s competitors. By applying a graphical treatment and a uniform set of evaluation criteria, a Magic Quadrant helps you quickly ascertain how well technology providers are executing their stated visions and how well they are performing against Gartner’s market view. A Magic Quadrant provides a graphical competitive positioning of four types of technology providers, in markets where growth is high and provider differentiation is distinct”.

“AI for networking operations (AIOps) has become the strategic focus for enterprises to prepare their wired and wireless infrastructure for the future,” said Sudheer Matta, SVP, Campus & Branch, Juniper Networks. “With over a decade of AI innovation under our belt, Juniper delivers holistic, self-driving networking solutions featuring digital experience twins with agentic AI and Large Experience Models (LEMs) that deliver exceptional user experiences and simplified IT operations. We believe that being named a Leader by Gartner for the fifth time in a row underscores the advantages of our true AI-native platform with self-driving operations and provides validation for any enterprise looking for a wired/wireless infrastructure that is purpose-built for the modern AI era.”

The company believes continued customer traction for its Mist AI-native networking platform and the Marvis® AI engine has been the defining factor in accelerating sales momentum in the enterprise sector with orders for Mist and other products attached to the Mist cloud growing more than 40 percent year-over-year in Q1 2025.

“As one of the world’s largest grocery retailers with over 7,000 stores worldwide, the ALDI SOUTH Group continuously explores new ways to streamline operations, enhance in-store experiences, and offer customers high-quality products at unbeatable prices. To support this objective, Juniper provides ALDI with a campus network which supports secure, reliable connectivity across supply chain operations, point-of-sale systems, and digital in-store experiences. ALDI selected Juniper for their next-generation network transformation, AI-native, cloud-native architecture. The EX4000 access switch is tailor-made for distributed retail enterprise deployments, Mist’s cloud-scale NAC simplifies secure access at massive scale, and Juniper’s Wi-Fi 6E delivers seamless wireless performance focused on user experience — all driven by the Mist platform.”

Jens Radeck, IT Manager, ALDI International Services SE & Co. oHG

We feel amplifying the impact of its strategy to extend Marvis AI across the Mist AI-native networking platform, Juniper was also recently recognized as a Leader in the 2025 Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for Data Center Switching, published on March 31, 2025.

Gartner Disclaimer

Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for Enterprise Wired and Wireless LAN Infrastructure, Mike Leibovitz, Christian Canales, Nauman Raja, Tim Zimmerman, June 25, 2025 and Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for Data Center Switching, Andrew Lerner, Simon Richard, et al, March 31, 2025

Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in its research publications and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors with the highest ratings or other designation. Gartner research publications consist of the opinions of Gartner’s Research & Advisory organization and should not be construed as statements of fact. Gartner disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.

GARTNER is a registered trademark and service mark of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and internationally, and MAGIC QUADRANT is a registered trademark of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates and are used herein with permission. All rights reserved. Juniper Networks is recognized as Juniper Networks in the 2025 Magic Quadrant for Enterprise Wired and Wireless LAN Infrastructure report.

1st July, 2025 – Truflo by Hindware, the fastest-growing brand in the plastic pipes and fittings segment, today announced the inauguration of its new state-of-the-art manufacturing plant in Roorkee, Uttarakhand. With this development, trial production at the plant is officially underway. As the company’s third plant, this strategic expansion marks a key milestone designed to strengthen Truflo’s long-term growth trajectory and meet India’s rising demand for high-quality plastic piping solutions. The plant was inaugurated by Mr. Sandip Somany, Chairman, Somany Impresa Group, and Mr. Shashvat Somany, Strategy Head, Somany Impresa Group.

Backed by an investment of ~₹170 crore, the new Roorkee plant is built to support an initial production capacity of 12,500 tonnes per annum (TPA). The plant’s strategic location is set to significantly enhance the company’s manufacturing footprint and distribution efficiency across the North and West regions in India. With the opening of this new plant, the company’s total annual production capacity, including the existing Sangareddy plant, will reach 80,500 TPA, strengthening its overall manufacturing capability and operational reach.

The new plant will manufacture a comprehensive range of CPVC, UPVC, and SWR, PVC pipes & fittings and overhead water storage tanks. Beyond its production capabilities, the new facility is also poised to be a contributor to the local economy and will generate up to 200 direct and indirect jobs in the region.

Commenting on the inauguration, Mr. Sandip Somany, Chairman, Somany Impresa Group said, “I am proud to see our vision for expanded capacity progressing with the start of trial production at our Roorkee plant. Achieving this significant expansion within seven years of setting up our first plant in Sangareddy is a testament to our team’s dedication and spirit. This new facility significantly enhances our capacity, reinforcing our commitment to delivering superior quality products and solidifying Truflo’s leadership as the fastest-growing brand in the Indian plastic pipes and fittings market.”

Mr. Rajesh Pajnoo, CEO, Truflo by Hindware Limited added, “The start of trial production at the Roorkee plant marks a significant step in strengthening our manufacturing and distribution capabilities. This strategic expansion will play a key role in deepening our market penetration in North and West India, ensuring that our expansive piping solutions are readily available to meet diverse customer needs.”

Truflo by Hindware’s network of 320+ distributors and 30,000+ dealers ensure widespread product availability nationwide. Complementing this, the company fosters strong market connections and brand recall through strategic engagement with the plumbing community, including training forums and a database of over 100,000 plumbers.

Banquet 18, a Bangalore-based luxury catering company, won Silver at the WOW Awards Asia 2025 in the F&B Innovations – Concept Design and Execution – Weddings category for their new immersive concept, The Global Gourmet Getaway, created especially for a wedding celebration in Bangalore.

It is a landmark moment not only for Banquet 18 but for the city of Bangalore as well. This is the first time a bespoke catering brand from South India has made it to the national winners’ list in this category.   This is especially significant for a brand to win this within a decade of its inception, signifying the innovation in luxury F&B that Banquet 18 brings to the table.

Banquet 18’s victory is more than just a win. It indicates a change in the events space, where creativity, narrative and intentioned delivery are now beginning to coexist with tradition. It is a moment that honours fresh innovations and ideas coming to the forefront of Indian hospitality across newer cities.

The award was declared at the 16th edition of WOW Awards Asia, which took place in Mumbai, recently. With a record 3,000+ entries, 350+ winners, and 110+ members of the jury, the current edition saw over 5,000 industry experts from around India and the world come together. Organised by EVENTFAQS Media in partnership with EEMA and certified by Ernst & Young, the WOW Awards are widely known as India’s most credible award stage for excellence in events and experiences.

Banquet 18’s award-winning idea was a basic yet potent notion — food can be more than food. It can be memory, meaning and magic. Every course was designed around a place near and dear to their hearts or an experience they’d shared, presented with visual narrative and emotional depth. The event was designed and delivered from the ground up by Banquet 18’s in-house team, from menu creation to presentation and service.

Established in 2015 as part of Flavours’ Culinary Solutions in Bangalore, Banquet 18 has executed more than 2,000 events in the nation. The company became popular for bespoke culinary styling, international menu innovation and emotionally resonant food experiences, all driven by a belief that food not only ought to be great-tasting but also personal. From luxury weddings to curated social gatherings, industry launches and others, their portfolio is vast.

This award is very precious to our whole team,” exclaimed Tanya Quadros, Banquet 18’s Founder. “To be noticed on a platform like WOW, in a segment which always had a legacy named and to be doing this as a young brand based out of Bangalore, is very important to us.”. We’ve built Banquet 18 with the belief that food is about more than flavour; it’s about connection, memory, and emotion. This win is not just for our team, it’s for every client who believed in us, and for a city that’s ready to shine in the national events space.”

Banquet 18’s path has been marked by precision and a love for producing something that exceeds expectations. In an environment usually controlled by custom, the company has been creating its own path with an emphasis on new ideas, impeccable execution and food that has a narrative.

The Silver Award at WOW Awards Asia 2025 is not just a celebration of Banquet 18’s innovation, but a sign of a changing industry, one where food is seen not as a backdrop, but as a central character in the way we celebrate.

Mumbai, July 1, 2025 : Škoda Auto India is keeping its foot on the accelerator as it celebrates its 25th anniversary in India and 130th year globally. With 36,194 units sold in the first half of 2025, Škoda Auto has achieved its highest half-yearly sales in its 25-year history in India.

Commenting on the achievement, Ashish Gupta, Brand Director, Škoda Auto India, said, “Our landmark half-yearly sales reflect the strong acceptance of Škoda products and services by customers in India. Our customers love to explore the world around them every day. With the addition of the Kylaq in our portfolio, we now enable their journeys even more through an ‘SUV For Everyone’, as well as our sedan offering. Our aim is to get ‘closer’ to our customers in India with our accessible products, services, and touchpoints across the country. This achievement encourages us to stay focused on being relevant through timely product actions, offer unique value to our customers by differentiating our product and service offerings, and to continue building trust with an unmatched ownership experience.”

Setting sales records

With sales of 36,194 units in H1 2025, Škoda Auto India is now among the top seven automotive brands in India. This is a jump of four positions from its rankings in 2024. Furthermore, it surpasses Škoda Auto India’s previous best half-yearly sales in 2022 of 28,899 units.

SUVs For Everyone & Building the Sedan Legacy

Škoda Auto India began 2025 with the launch of the Kylaq, its first sub-4m SUV and a new entry point for customers into the Škoda family, that is helping the brand go deeper in Tier 1 markets and expand further in Tier 2 and 3 cities. This was followed by the introduction of the all-new, second-generation Kodiaq luxury 4×4. Along with the Kushaq, Škoda Auto India now offers a wide range of SUVs suited to the differing mobility needs of customers across the country. Škoda Auto India continues to build on its sedan legacy with the Slavia sedan and a global icon soon to be introduced in India. Škoda Auto India also offers the most advanced range of automatics and direct injection turbocharged engines across its entire portfolio, enabling a convenient, comfortable, safe and enjoyable mobility experience for customers.

Closer to customers

From 120 touchpoints in 2021, Škoda Auto India has expanded its network to over 295 touchpoints till date. The company remains steadfast in its goal of achieving 350 touchpoints by the end of 2025, reinforcing its commitment to providing a seamless customer experience across India.

To ensure peace of mind during ownership, Škoda Auto India provides class leading standard warranty on all its products, along with a wide range of extended warranty and maintenance packages for customers to choose from. Furthermore, the Škoda Supercare maintenance package is now complimentary with every Škoda car for a period of one year. With this, a Škoda owner’s first expense for routine service is only at the end of the second year of ownership or 30,000 kms, whichever is earlier.

National, July 1, 2025 − Shell Lubricants has successfully completed the acquisition of a 100% equity interest in Raj Petro Specialities Pvt. Ltd. from the Brenntag Group.

The acquisition of Raj Petro Specialities supports Shell Lubricants as it strives to grow its portfolio and customer base in India, which is one of its key growth markets. The transaction strengthens Shell Lubricants’ presence in the market by supplying customers in the power transmission, personal care and pharmaceutical sectors, as well as helping to realise new synergies and economies of scale across the lubricants value chain.

“The addition of Raj Petro Specialities will help maximise value for Shell through a complementary product portfolio and increased scale of business, positioning Shell Lubricants for further growth in line with our unwavering focus on performance, discipline, and simplification”, said Jason Wong, Shell’s Executive Vice President for Global Lubricants.