Paragon Footwear Redefines In-Store Experience With Next-Gen Retail Format

Paragon Footwear, one of India’s leading footwear brands, today announced the launch of its next-generation retail store format with the opening of its first outlet at Ramamurthy Nagar, Bangalore. This marks a strategic step to strengthen its direct-to-consumer presence, enhance the in-store shopping experience, and capture the fast-growing Gen Z and young urban consumer segment.

The rollout, starting mid-December 2025, aligns with Paragon’s broader premiumisation and market expansion strategy, aimed at driving higher per-store revenue, enhancing brand equity, and deepening engagement with younger audiences.

The new stores are designed as lifestyle experience hubs, blending comfort, style, and community. This reflects Paragon’s shift from a legacy retail presence to a brand-led experiential ecosystem.

Key features include:

● 1,000+ sq. ft. store formats for better footfall management and immersive browsing

● Curated product showcases to drive higher discovery and conversion

● Youth-centric color palette and premium interiors designed for social media appeal

● Premium leather range crafted with emphasis on material quality, refined detailing, and elevated style expression

Speaking on the store opening, Nakhul Joseph, Executive Vice President – Retail, Franchise & Human Resources at Paragon Footwear, said, “We’re reimagining what a footwear store feels like — not just a place to shop, but a space that mirrors the energy, individuality, and creativity of today’s youth. Our new retail identity brings together the best of Paragon’s portfolio under one roof — from everyday comfort wear to trend-driven sneakers and premium leather styles under Carmicci. Designed to be fresh, inspiring, and easy to explore, these stores reflect our evolution as a brand that listens, adapts, and grows with its customers.”

Alongside Paragon’s core collections, the new retail format will spotlight its portfolio of brands from the House of Paragon — Eeken for bold, Gen Z styles, Stimulus for everyday comfort designed for Millennials, and Carmicci for premium leather footwear. Together, these brands address distinct consumer needs and style preferences across segments and price points.

This portfolio strategy is aimed at expanding Paragon’s share in the mid to premium-footwear category, while retaining its stronghold in the value segment. As a key strategic initiative, Paragon is driving its expansion through a franchise-led model, supported by a hybrid business framework that reduces partner risk through shared investments and operational support. The model is designed to uphold brand standards and customer experience, while enabling faster scale-up and sustainable market expansion.

The retail expansion comes at a time when Paragon’s outlets continue to gain strong traction, with Stimulus emerging as the top retail contributor at 28%, followed by Eeken at 22% and Carmicci at 12%, demonstrating growing demand across Gen Z fashion, everyday comfort, and premium leather footwear categories.

India’s footwear market is projected to reach $15 billion by 2028, fueled by rising urban consumption and a growing demand for affordable premium products. Paragon’s new retail model is designed as a strategic growth lever to capture this opportunity by accelerating direct-to-consumer revenue contribution, enhancing brand experience parity with global and digital-first competitors, driving higher per-store productivity through curated merchandising, and expanding its footprint in Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities with high-growth potential.

The first set of new-format stores will open across key metros and Tier 1 cities in mid-December 2025, with a wider expansion planned through 2026. These stores will blend physical and digital experiences, serving as a core pillar in Paragon’s omnichannel retail strategy.

About Paragon

Paragon was founded in 1975 and since then it has emerged as a marquee brand in the footwear industry, for its steadfast dedication to excellence, durability, and fashion. The brand offers a wide range of footwear products, including shoes, sandals, flip-flops, and slippers. Their product line caters to various age groups and demographics, from children to adults, making it a complete family brand. Paragon's products are accessible through a vast network of multi-brand stores, both online and offline, making quality footwear available to all. Paragon’s distribution network spans 12 strategically located depots across India, facilitating efficient supply chain management.

Young Innovators Emerge Victorious At Smart India Hackathon – “Hardware Edition Grand Finale At VNR VJIET”

~The winning teams received prize money of Rs 75000 each with the winning prototypes addressed critical challenges in energy, water, infrastructure and public safety~

The 8th edition of the Smart India Hackathon (SIH) 2025 – Hardware Edition successfully concluded at VNR Vignana Jyothi Institute of Engineering & Technology (VNR VJIET), Hyderabad, with a grand Valedictory Ceremony. Hosted as a Ministry of Education–designated Nodal Centre, the event brought together 25 finalist teams comprising 150 students from 22 premier institutions across 10 states, making it one of the most significant national student innovation gatherings of the year.

Organised by the Ministry of Education’s Innovation Cell (MIC) in collaboration with AICTE, SIH 2025 focused on developing technology-driven solutions to critical national challenges. At the VNR VJIET nodal centre, 10 teams – MACGYVER (Chengalapattu, Tamil Nadu), Team Jayastra (Bhimavaram, Andhra Pradesh), Circuit Sentinels (Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu), 818_Dhruva (Indore, Madhya Pradesh), CtrlAltDefeat.. (Bengaluru, Karnataka), Tech Mates 2025 (Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu), ECO GRID INNOVATORS (Bhimavaram, Andhra Pradesh), Team Innoventors (Jaipur, Rajasthan), AkashPankh (Pune, Maharashtra), and Sky Sentinels (Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu) were declared Joint Winners across five problem statements. Each winning team received a cash award of ₹75,000. The solutions addressed key areas such as river water quality monitoring, renewable energy integration, power distribution safety, UAV-based surveillance systems and smart infrastructure, demonstrating strong potential for scalability, patenting and real-world deployment.

Engineer Peeyush Gupta, Information Specialist, NMCG, Ministry of Jal Shakti said, “The solutions presented here by students have direct applicability on the ground, and the Ministry will explore collaboration with the winning teams to take these ideas forward. I do not want the students to let this journey end here.”

Dr. B Chennakesava Rao, Director, VNR Vignana Jyothi Institute of Engineering & Technology, said “Smart India Hackathon teaches students the true value of teamwork, time management and resilience under pressure. Hosting this national finale reflects our commitment to enabling young innovators to build solutions of real societal impact.”

The event received widespread appreciation for its scale, seamless execution and mentoring ecosystem, reinforcing VNR VJIET’s standing as a trusted national innovation host. The winning solutions are now expected to move into the post-hackathon development phase, with concerned ministries facilitating mentorship, refinement and potential pilot implementation. By successfully hosting the Hardware Edition Grand Finale, VNR VJIET reaffirmed its role in advancing youth-led innovation, entrepreneurship and nation-building.

Cleartrip Unpacked 2025 - A PeekABoo Into How India Flew, Stayed And Planned Chutti

Gen Z travellers grew by 650% — bussin’ spots were Dubai, Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok

UPI payments increased by 6% and Credit Cards by 8%; 66% bookings made on the phone

UP was the most visited State — stay searches grew significantly for Prayagraj (3x) and Bareilly (4x).

Vietnam emerged as the breakout international destination

Delhi & Bengaluru emerged as the top solo travel destinations.

Calmcation, Workation, Digital Detox and Adventure travel were some emerging trends

Two people booked stays almost a year in advance; the longest stay booked was for a month

3 lakh people booked flights between 3 & 4 AM

Cheapest flight @₹0, and cheapest hotel @₹48; costliest flight booked @4.3 lakhs and costliest stay @4.34lakhs

38 lakh flight bookings were made within 48 hours of departure

Cleartrip, a Flipkart company and one of India’s fastest-growing online travel platforms, today released Cleartrip Unpacked 2025* - A recap of ‘How India flew, stayed, and searched for chutti’ in 2025. The flavour of the year has been the multifold growth in ‘Gen Z travellers’, and ‘Value & Affordability’ as the hero offering, resonating with millions of Indians.

1. Flavour of the Year: Affordability, Value and GenZ!

Due to the convenience of UPI payments and partnerships with multiple banks, there was a ~6% increase in UPI transactions and an 8% increase in credit card payments.

Over 65% of the bookings were made for a wide range of budget and mid-range hotels on Cleartrip.

65% of all bookings were made on the phone on Cleartrip’s mobile app.

Gen Z travellers increased by 650% in 2025 They just vibed at multiple spots this year. Most ‘Bussin’ were Dubai, Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok - #GenZApproved!

2. A Dive into How India Travelled

Vietnam emerged as the breakout international destination of 2025, recording a 133% jump in traffic.

A major driver of international confidence was Cleartrip’s Visa Rejection Cover.

Traffic to Varanasi and the Andaman Islands grew by 20% on average,

Uttar Pradesh** was the most visited in 2025. Stay searches grew significantly for Prayagraj (3x) and Bareilly (4x).

Delhi and Bengaluru were the top two solo travel destinations this year — Delhi saw the highest movement to and from Himachal Pradesh, Jaipur and Agra. Similarly, Bengaluru saw Coorg, Ooty and Kodaikanal - Leisure, or IT/Tech parks? Or both!

Phuket, Kuala Lumpur, and Bangkok emerged as the most popular destinations of 2025.

2025 saw the emergence of mini trends:

When travellers preferred Calm over Kaam, they took a ‘Calmcation’ to Rishikesh, Coorg and Allepey.

Workaholics or working remotely? Goa, Pondicherry, and Darjeeling were the top ‘Workation’ spots.

Spiti, Andaman and Ladakh were the top choices for a ‘Digital Detox.’

All of India’s ‘Adventure Junkies’ flocked to Bir Billing, Lakshadweep and Auli this year.

Quirky, Unhinged Travellers and the Chaos they packed along the way

Someone booked 361 days in advance for a stay in Chikkamagaluru, Karnataka. Another booked a stay 350 days in advance in Ribandar, Goa.

3,00,000 people booked tickets between 3 AND 4AM. This is enough people to fill a 353 Airbus-380, the largest commercial plane in the world!

A traveller in Bengaluru stayed 30 days straight in one property. Another in Kolkata stayed for 29 days straight.

The cheapest flight booked on Cleartrip cost ₹0 (fully redeemed through offers and wallet credits). The cheapest stay was priced at ₹48. These people are now case studies!

A traveller spent ₹2,40,000 on a Delhi–Guwahati flight, and another shelled out ₹4,43,000 for a Paris–Mumbai flight.

The costliest hotel stay booked this year touched ₹4,41,000 in the Maldives. We think it’s a forgotten anniversary situation…

Someone spent ₹65,000 solely on excess baggage on a Ghaziabad–Bengaluru flight.

38,00,000 flight bookings were made within 48 hours of departure, signalling India’s growing comfort with impulsive, last-minute travel.

About Cleartrip:

Launched in July 2006, Cleartrip Pvt Ltd., a Flipkart company, has emerged as India’s fastest-growing online travel technology company. In April 2021, Flipkart acquired a majority stake in Cleartrip. Cleartrip recently emerged as the no. 2 OTA player as per a study by VIDEC. With an aggressive plan to emerge as a leading innovator in the industry, Cleartrip is on its way to building a differentiated value proposition for its customers looking for end-to-end travel solutions. With industry-first offerings including ClearChoice Plus and ClearChoice Max, Cleartrip has a clear vision to provide innovative solutions in the OTA segment. Combining intuitive products with a customer-centric approach and a wide selection of flights, hotels, and buses, Cleartrip brings a unique selling point to the market, offering its customers convenience, choice, competitive prices, and premium content.

Celebrating India’s Historic Triumph At ICC Women’s World Cup 2025

Photo Caption: Celebrating India’s historic triumph at the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025! The Champion team pictured with N. Chandrasekaran, Chairman, Tata Sons & Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Ltd.(TMPVL), Shailesh Chandra, MD & CEO, TMPVL, alongside the newly launched Tata Sierra—an icon reimagined. Tata Motors is presenting each team member a Tata Sierra of their choice.

ServiceNow Has Completed Its Acquisition Of AI Platform Moveworks

Combined strengths in agentic AI, intelligent workflows, and enterprise search deliver the world’s most advanced AI platform for work and create an AI-native front door for employee engagement

ServiceNow (NYSE: NOW), the AI control tower for business reinvention, today announced it has completed its acquisition of Moveworks. The acquisition advances ServiceNow’s vision to put AI to work for people, combining ServiceNow’s trusted agentic AI and intelligent workflows with Moveworks’ intuitive front-end AI assistant, enterprise search, and agentic Reasoning Engine. Together, the companies will expand the capabilities of the ServiceNow AI platform to redefine how employees engage with work, drive faster outcomes, scale AI adoption, and create AI experiences people love to use.

“Moveworks accelerates ServiceNow’s vision to put AI to work for people across every corner of every business,” said Amit Zavery, president, chief operating officer, and chief product officer at ServiceNow. “With two decades of workflow intelligence built into a single architecture, we’re powering the agentic AI operating system for the enterprise. Moveworks’ AI Assistant plus ServiceNow’s agentic platform will create an AI-native front door that turns conversations into completed work, allowing customers to resolve issues autonomously, trigger intelligent workflows, and get results – securely, responsibly, and at scale.”

“Moveworks was founded to make work effortless, building a powerful AI assistant platform that gets work done,” said Bhavin Shah, CEO of Moveworks. “By joining ServiceNow, we can now scale this agentic strategy for any organization by connecting our AI Assistant and enterprise search, powered by our Reasoning Engine, with ServiceNow’s trusted workflow automation and AI governance. Together, we’ll deliver secure, fast, end-to-end resolution for employees everywhere.”

Uniting employee experiences on a single intelligent platform

The ServiceNow AI Platform delivers natively integrated AI that automates work at scale with trust and transparency. With its seamless integration into ServiceNow, Moveworks brings a powerful complement: an intuitive front-end that lets employees ask, search, and take action naturally, wherever they work. Together, ServiceNow and Moveworks create intelligent experiences that connect every request with autonomous fulfillment – for employees, customers, developers, IT teams, and admins – breaking down silos, accelerating time to value, and driving productivity across the enterprise.

Agentic AI is already transforming work at scale for thousands of ServiceNow customers, accelerating response times and delivering measurable productivity gains. Inside ServiceNow itself, AI agents now resolve 90% of IT and 89% of customer support requests autonomously, cutting resolution times nearly sevenfold.

Moveworks deepens this foundation. ServiceNow is already one of Moveworks’ more than 100 technology integrations, and its front-end AI assistant, enterprise search, and agentic Reasoning Engine are trusted by leading global enterprises such as Siemens, Toyota, Unilever, and others. With 5.5 million employee users and approximately 250 mutual customers already using both technologies, ServiceNow and Moveworks are building on a proven approach to bring agentic AI to every employee that makes workflow across every corner of a business. Nearly 90% of Moveworks customers have deployed the technology to 100% of their employees, reflecting real, enterprise-wide adoption and usage.

Additionally, with hundreds of AI experts joining ServiceNow, Moveworks brings deep expertise that will further fuel innovation and accelerate ServiceNow’s ability to scale its AI roadmap. Overall, this acquisition strengthens the ServiceNow AI Platform with the ability to deliver even more transformational experiences that understand every employee request through prompts, connect to the right enterprise data, AI agent, or workflow, and further accelerate end-to-end digital workflows across IT, HR, and more – on one flexible, scalable platform.

About ServiceNow

ServiceNow (NYSE: NOW) is the AI control tower for business reinvention. The ServiceNow AI Platform integrates with any cloud, any model, and any data source to orchestrate how work flows across the enterprise. By unifying legacy systems, departmental tools, cloud applications, and AI agents, ServiceNow provides a single pane of glass that connects intelligence to execution across every corner of business. With more than 75 billion workflows running on the platform each year, ServiceNow helps organizations turn fragmented operations into coordinated, autonomous workflows that deliver measurable results. Learn how ServiceNow puts AI to work for people at www.servicenow.com.

Lam Research Announces Winners Of Annual Collegiate Challenge

The challenge, in its second year, attracted close to 7000 students from 474 colleges across 24 states in the country.

Lam Research Corp. (Nasdaq: LRCX) today announced the winners of its annual Lam Research Challenge 2025, one of India’s first exclusive systems engineering competitions in the semiconductor equipment manufacturing industry.

The first prize was awarded to Ashish Negi, Shivam Kumar Jha, Swayam Bansal, and Sai Tejaswi from Maharaja Agrasen Institute of Technology, while Anubhav Anand, Anumula Bharath Kumar, Daksh Sambhare, and Smit Kadu from Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati stood second, and Harshan J, Mohammed Rehan Tadpatri, Thareesh Prabakaran, and Thiruchalvan Thiyagarajan from National Institute of Technology, Calicut secured third place.

The challenge, in its second year, attracted close to 7000 students from 474 colleges across 24 states in the country, all of whom demonstrated a passion for tackling complex engineering problems using technology, innovation, and teamwork. The Lam Research Challenge is one of the country’s only systems engineering competitions that requires participants to integrate hardware, software, systems thinking, along with agility and project management skills to solve real world engineering problems for the semiconductor industry. Students from across the country participate for a chance to win a total of 10 lakh INR in cash prizes, and a select few are offered exclusive internships at Lam India.

“The Lam Research Challenge has evolved into more than a systems engineering competition. Through problem-solving and transformative learning, we strive to inspire the spirit of innovation and help foster future talent for the semiconductor industry. Congratulations to this year’s winners and all the bright students who made the competition a success,” said Rangesh Raghavan, corporate vice president and general manager, Lam Research India.

Part of the company’s broader initiative to build a pipeline of technical talent to address the needs of the growing semiconductor industry in India, the Lam Research Challenge gives students hands-on experience in systems engineering, bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world applications.

The Lam Research Challenge is the latest in a series of progressive developments from the company to support innovation, collaboration and a pipeline of engineering talent to meet the future needs of the semiconductor industry. Through the broad deployment of its Semiverse® Solutions courseware that offers a virtual nanofabrication environment, Lam aims to upskill engineers across Indian universities.

About Lam Research

Lam Research Corporation is a global supplier of innovative wafer fabrication equipment and services to the semiconductor industry. Lam’s equipment and services allow customers to build smaller and better performing devices. In fact, today nearly every advanced chip is built with Lam technology. We combine superior systems engineering, technology leadership, and a strong values-based culture, with an unwavering commitment to our customers. Lam Research (Nasdaq: LRCX) is a FORTUNE 500® company headquartered in Fremont, Calif., with operations around the globe. Learn more at www.lamresearch.com.

Dr Batra’s® Launches XODerma – India’s First Non-Injectable Exosome-Based Skin Rejuvenation Treatment

Dr Batra's®, a pioneer of modern homeopathy in India, has introduced Dr Batra’s® XODerma, a breakthrough in skin rejuvenation and the first treatment of its kind in India that brings together homeopathy and skin exosome technology for advanced anti-ageing and anti-pigmentation care. This non-injectable, non-invasive and painless treatment is designed to help people achieve ageless, spotless skin in a safe and comfortable way, with visible improvements in just three sessions.

Dr Batra’s® XODerma is powered by the science of exosomes, highly targeted biological messengers that work at a deep cellular level. These nano-sized particles penetrate into the deeper layers of the skin and activate natural repair and regeneration processes, helping deliver longer-lasting results rather than surface-level cosmetic improvement. By working at the cellular level, the treatment improves skin texture, tone, firmness and clarity over time.

Commenting on the launch, Dr. Akshay Batra, Trichologist, Fellowship in Homeopathic Cosmetology & Aesthetics and Managing Director, Dr Batra’s® Healthcare said, “At Dr Batra’s®, innovation that genuinely benefits patients is at the core of our work. After successfully introducing exosome-based hair treatments in India, we are delighted to bring XODerma, a globally recognised skin rejuvenation therapy to our patients. With rising skin concerns linked to pollution, stress, ageing, and demanding lifestyles, people today want treatments that are quick, effective, and above all, safe. XODerma delivers visible improvements in texture, tone, and firmness in just three sessions. By combining cutting-edge exosome science with our promise of natural, side-effect–free care, we aim to offer healthier, youthful, glowing skin in the most comfortable way possible.”

What makes XODerma unique is its integrative approach, where advanced exosome technology works alongside personalised homeopathy. While exosomes target skin repair from the outside, homeopathic medicines help address the root causes of pigmentation and skin ageing, including hormonal imbalance, nutritional deficiencies, stress and lifestyle-related skin issues. This dual-action approach supports both internal balance and external skin renewal for more sustainable and holistic results.

The treatment is enriched with a powerful blend of scientifically backed skin actives. Peptides help smooth fine lines and improve skin firmness, hyaluronic acid deeply hydrates and plumps the skin, PDRN stimulates collagen production and supports DNA repair, and adenosine accelerates skin renewal and improves overall skin quality. Together, these ingredients work to enhance radiance, reduce pigmentation, improve firmness and refine skin texture.

Each XODerma session begins with an AI-based skin analysis, where advanced technology assesses pigmentation, fine lines, pore size, texture and hydration levels. Based on this assessment, doctors create a personalised treatment plan tailored to each individual’s skin needs. The procedure then includes deep cleansing to prepare the skin, followed by micro-channel creation using a derma pen to enable precise, non-injectable delivery of exosomes and active ingredients into the deeper skin layers. Targeted exosome release ensures optimal absorption and effectiveness, while keeping the procedure comfortable and safe.

At the end of the treatment cycle, patients receive a detailed outcome report, generated through AI-based skin reassessment. This report provides a clear comparison of before-and-after skin health, highlighting reduction in pigmentation, improved skin tone, enhanced firmness and visible refinement of skin texture, offering transparency and scientific validation of results.

A ₹1.5 Crore Tribute To Loyalty” - Mourya Concepts Rewards 6 Senior Leaders With Mahindra BE.06 EVs For Outstanding Performance

In an unprecedented gesture of employee appreciation, Mourya Concepts has honoured six of its most dedicated senior leaders with brand-new Mahindra BE.06 electric cars, each valued at ₹25 lakh—a collective reward worth ₹1.5 crore. This milestone announcement reflects the company’s deep commitment to recognising loyalty, dedication, and leadership excellence.

Mourya Concepts, headquartered in Bengaluru, is a leading organisation specialising in real estate valuation and high-value assessment projects. The firm handles valuations for major Banks, NBFCs, Housing Finance Companies, Judicial Courts, and Income Tax Departments. They are experts in assessing the value of malls, star hotels, resorts, clubs, and large commercial establishments for determining Capital Values and for taxation purposes.

A Rapidly Expanding National & International Network

Mourya Concepts has become one of India’s fastest-growing valuation companies with 45 branches across India and an international presence in Dubai, in the name and style of KRA Global Real Estate Valuers. Mourya Concepts is a team of 330 professionals that operates across 7 states, including Karnataka, Maharashtra, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Delhi, Chandigarh, Haryana, Gujarat, with 24 centres in Karnataka alone.

Founded 20 years ago, Mourya Concepts has witnessed accelerated growth over the past eight years and now aims to expand to 100 branches within India and 100 global centres in the next five years.

Leadership Philosophy Inspired by Ratan Tata

Speaking at the announcement, Mr. Venugopal K V, Director of Mourya Concepts and Founder of KRA Global Real Estate Valuation Services LLC, stated that this extraordinary gesture draws inspiration from the leadership values of Shri Ratan Tata, known for honouring and uplifting employees who form the backbone of an organisation’s success.

Recognising the Pillars of the Organisation

The six senior leaders—each associated with the company for over five years and independently managing regions were recognised for their unwavering commitment and exceptional contribution:

Rohit Vaidya– CEO

Santosh Patil – Vice President

Tameezulla Khan – Vice President

Pramod Belgaonkar – Vice President

Yogesh Naik– Vice President

Akash Tambi – Vice President

The awardees represent key regional hubs such as Pune, Hubli, Belagavi, and Mysuru, demonstrating the organisation’s strong leadership base across India.

A Trusted Partner to India’s Leading Financial Institutions

Mourya Concepts continues to serve as a preferred valuation partner for several major banks and financial institutions, including IDBI Bank, Canara Bank, BOB, Union Bank, UCO Bank, IndusInd Bank, South Indian Bank, Muthoot Finance, Manappuram Finance, and other leading NBFCs.

Ceremonial Key Handover in Bengaluru

The official key handover ceremony was held on 14 December 2025 at the Mahindra Showroom on Kanakapura Road, Bengaluru, in the presence of senior management, distinguished guests, employees, and well-wishers.

Concluding the announcement, Mr. Venugopal K V said, “Our people are our greatest strength. Their loyalty and dedication have built the foundation on which Mourya Concepts stands today. This gesture is a heartfelt recognition of their invaluable contribution.”

GigaOm Radar Recognizes Hitachi Vantara As A Leader And Outperformer In Primary Storage For Second Consecutive Year

Industry recognition highlights Hitachi Vantara’s ability to drive innovation in primary storage, spotlighting elite cyber resilience and data protection capabilities, as well as unified management via VSP 360, AI enablement and cloud integration

Hitachi Vantara, the data storage, infrastructure and hybrid cloud management subsidiary of Hitachi, Ltd. (TSE: 6501), announced today that it has been recognized as a Leader and Outperformer in the latest GigaOm Radar report for Primary Storage for its Virtual Storage Platform One (VSP One) hybrid cloud data platform. This marks the second consecutive year that Hitachi Vantara has been recognized as a Leader and Outperformer for VSP One. The report evaluated 19 vendors and their capabilities to address the evolving demands of primary storage across traditional applications, hybrid cloud environments, AI/ML workloads and edge computing.

For more information about the GigaOm Radar for Primary Storage, visit: www.hitachivantara.com/en-us/gated-forms/gigaom-radar-for-primary-storage-2025.

The GigaOm Radar report for Primary Storage is a comprehensive evaluation of primary storage solutions, providing insights into the leading vendors and solutions. This year’s report takes on outsized importance as AI is not only driving rapid growth in data creation and straining storage systems but also enabling more advanced cyberattacks. Research has found that the number of reported AI-enabled cyberattacks has risen 47% globally in 2025, and 68% of cyber threat analysts reported that AI-generated phishing attempts are harder to detect in 2025 than ever before. As GigaOm notes, from a C-suite perspective, modernizing primary storage is no longer just an infrastructure refresh, it is a core business decision. The right platform mitigates significant risk by providing the last line of defense against cyberattacks with features like immutable snapshots and rapid recovery. It also acts as a catalyst for innovation, providing the scalable, low-latency performance needed for data-intensive analytics and AI model training.

Featured in the Innovation/Platform Play quadrant, VSP One was singled out for its robust performance, cloud integration and data protection capabilities, notably:

Ransomware Protection: Delivering robust, data storage-level defenses, including storage immutability, as well as 100% data availability and cyber resilience guarantees, VSP One enables clean data recovery in seconds for companies victimized by a ransomware attack. This provides customers with robust protection and faster, more reliable recovery capabilities compared to traditional backup methodologies.

Advanced API and Automation Tools: Built with a comprehensive API-first approach, VSP One enables full automation of management functions through the VSP 360 unified management solution. VSP 360 features AIOps-powered analytics and observability, as well as simple installation, guided workflows and mobile access.

Kubernetes Integration: Utilizing a suite of tools, Hitachi Vantara offers seamless integration with Kubernetes, allowing DevOps teams to manage storage as a native part of their application deployment process. This enables the full automation of persistent volume provisioning and data management tasks, accelerating cloud-native deployment.

“The primary storage market has rapidly evolved as organizations work to support a wide range of traditional and modern workloads,” said Whit Walters, field CTO at GigaOm. “Hitachi Vantara’s VSP One platform exemplifies this strategy by delivering a single, resilient platform that can span edge, core and cloud deployments to support workloads from traditional mainframe and business applications to modern, AI-driven use cases. At the same time, the company is maintaining an emphasis on innovation, with an aggressive roadmap focused on expanding data services, enhancing hybrid cloud integration and preparing for the future demands of AI-driven workloads.”

Meeting Enterprise Storage Demands

This year's GigaOm report reflects a new approach to vendor evaluation. While previous reports were separated for large enterprises and mid-size businesses, this year’s report consolidates those into a single, comprehensive evaluation, given that today’s solutions must be able to scale to meet a broad range of enterprise needs. The GigaOm report highlights how VSP One stands out for its strong data protection and its ability to support diverse workloads, including its efforts to provide its SDS offering across the AWS, Google Cloud and Microsoft Azure marketplaces.

“This recognition from GigaOm validates our efforts to build modern data infrastructure that delivers the performance, scalability and cybersecurity protection capabilities that the AI era demands," said Octavian Tanase, chief product officer at Hitachi Vantara. "Cyberattacks are a constantly evolving threat. By providing eight nines of availability, coupled with Hitachi’s Cyber Resilience Guarantee, we can offer near-zero data loss and rapid recovery, giving customers greater resilience in their IT operations."

With flexible licensing models, non-disruptive upgrades and a strong roadmap for innovation –including the recent launch of VSP One Block High End, a next-generation, all-flash NVMe block storage solution designed to address the demands of most mission-critical business and growing AI workloads – VSP One represents a forward-thinking data platform for enterprises prioritizing sustainability, cost efficiency and data security. And, as AI drives increased data growth, VSP One’s value is further enhanced by Hitachi EverFlex, a flexible consumption model that offers pay-as-you-go and subscription options for greater financial agility.

This latest placement adds to Hitachi Vantara’s growing lineup of industry-validated recognition for leadership in infrastructure, data management, security and sustainability. CRN recently named VSP One as the 2025 Storage Product of the Year in the Cloud-Storage category. The company also won the Sustainable Technology Award at the 2025 Global Tech and AI Awards for VSP One Block, based on its ability to deliver a 30% to 40% reduction in CO₂ emissions compared to traditional systems. VSP One was also recognized by ENERGY STAR®, which ranked the data platform as the top storage solution for performance in energy efficiency in its category.

For more information about Virtual Storage Platform One and its suite of solutions, visit https://www.hitachivantara.com/en-us/products/storage-platforms/data-platform.

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About Hitachi Vantara

Hitachi Vantara is transforming the way data fuels innovation. A wholly owned subsidiary of Hitachi Ltd., Hitachi Vantara provides the data foundation the world's leading innovators rely on. Through data storage, infrastructure systems, cloud management and digital expertise, the company helps customers build the foundation for sustainable business growth. To learn more, visit www.hitachivantara.com.

About Hitachi, Ltd.

Hitachi drives Social Innovation Business, creating a sustainable society through the use of data and technology. We solve customers' and society's challenges with Lumada solutions leveraging IT, OT (Operational Technology) and products. Hitachi operates under the 3 business sectors of “Digital Systems & Services” – supporting our customers’ digital transformation; “Green Energy & Mobility” – contributing to a decarbonized society through energy and railway systems, and “Connective Industries” – connecting products through digital technology to provide solutions in various industries. Driven by Digital, Green, and Innovation, we aim for growth through co-creation with our customers. The company’s revenues as 3 sectors for fiscal year 2023 (ended March 31, 2024) totaled 8,564.3 billion yen, with 573 consolidated subsidiaries and approximately 270,000 employees worldwide. For more information on Hitachi, please visit the company's website at https://www.hitachi.com.

HITACHI is a trademark or registered trademark of Hitachi, Ltd. All other trademarks, service marks, and company names are properties of their respective owners.

Ignite Your Senses At Feuer & Bier Grill At The Taj MG Road Bengaluru

7 Rivers at Taj MG Road, Bengaluru, presents Feuer & Bier Grill: The Art of Flame & Fermentation, an immersive dining experience that brings together refined German grill traditions and contemporary craft brewing. Running from 14th to 21st December 2025, the festival celebrates the elemental harmony of fire and beer through bold flavours and thoughtfully curated pairings.

Set against a warm, industrial-rustic backdrop, the à la carte menu features standout grill signatures such as Citrus-Hops Fish Steak with orange and dill emulsion, Mutton Feuer Saga with hops-infused jus, and Cologne Pork Meat Loaf, slow-cooked in bier and served with truffle potato mash. Complementing the grills is a selection of artisanal beer styles — from crisp Wit-Biers and Pilsners to robust Pale Ales and Fruit Biers — crafted to mirror the depth of smoke and char on the plate.

Designed as a sensorial fire-to-glass journey, Feuer & Bier Grill promises smoky indulgence, nuanced brewing, and understated luxury in every course.

Dates: December 14–21, 2025
Venue: 7 Rivers, Taj MG Road, Bengaluru
Timings: 12:00 PM – 12:45 AM
Pricing: À la carte
For reservations, please contact: +91 99589 61120 | g.gaurav@tajhotels.com

Ignite your senses this December with Feuer & Bier Grill — where flame, fermentation, and flavour come together in perfect balance.

Motorola Launches “motorola edge 70” In India – The Ultra-Thin Phone With Stunning Design, Three Versatile 50MP Cameras

Motorola, a global leader in mobile technology and innovation and India’s leading# AI smartphone brand unveiled its thinnest and most uncompromised smartphone with the launch of the “motorola edge 70”. Redefining ultra-slim engineering, the device features an incredibly sleek 5.99mm aircraft-grade aluminium design, while delivering a massive 5000mAh battery that gives up to 40 hours^ of battery life, with fast wired and wireless charging, the segment’s most advanced triple 50MP AI cameras with 4K 60FPS recording across all lenses. Taking performance and intelligence to the next level, the motorola edge 70 becomes the world’s first ultra-thin smartphone powered by the Snapdragon® 7 Gen 4 offering unmatched multi-platform AI freedom with moto ai 2.0, Copilot, Google Gemini, and Perplexity. It also boasts the segment’s brightest 6.7” Super HD AMOLED display with Pantone™ validation and delivers military-grade durability with IP68 + IP69 protection and MIL-STD-810H certification—making it a truly no-compromise ultra-slim phone in every dimension.

The motorola edge 70 sets a new industry benchmark with an ultra-slim 5.99mm profile and an ultra-light 159g build, making it India’s only ultra-thin smartphone of its kind—engineered to feel almost weightless without compromising strength. Crafted with brushed aircraft-grade aluminium, a premium metal frame, metal camera module, and accented camera rings, it debuts an all-new Edge-series design language inspired by consumer demand. The device comes in three Pantone™ curated colours, featuring premium textured finish that blend elegance, craftsmanship, and durability—without compromising performance.

Despite its slim form, the motorola edge 70 packs India’s only ultra-thin smartphone with a massive 5000mAh silicon-carbon battery—the biggest in the ultra-thin segment and larger than the global variant. Engineered for all-day performance, it delivers up to 40 hours^ of backup under standard use. The device supports 68W TurboPower™ fast charging, 15W wireless charging, and reverse charging, ensuring quick refuels and the ability to power other devices on the go. This India-exclusive enhancement brings no-compromise battery power to an ultra-slim design built for uninterrupted entertainment, photography, gaming, and productivity.

The motorola edge 70 is India’s Only Ultra-Thin phone with a 3× 50MP AI Pro-Grade Cameras, featuring Segment’s Only 50MP + 50MP rear + 50MP front cameras. The setup includes a 50MP OIS main camera with 2.0µm Ultra Pixel, All-Pixel Focus, and Pantone™ Validated 100% True Colours for flagship-level detail and lifelike tones. It also packs a versatile 50MP Ultra-Wide + Macro Vision camera and a 50MP Quad Pixel selfie camera. All three cameras support 4K 60FPS video recording—a capability exclusive to the India variant—with easy shift between cameras while shooting. Additionally, there is Dedicated 3-in-1 light sensor that uses real-time detection technology to read the room, automatically calibrating light sensitivity to ensure the best exposure and color while eliminating flickering.

Powered by motoAI, the camera system brings features like AI Video Enhancement, AI Action Shot, AI Adaptive Stabilization, AI Signature Style, and AI Group Shot, making every capture sharp, vivid, and effortless. With Google Photos AI tools such as Magic Eraser, Photo Unblur, and Magic Editor, along with Pantone SkinTone™ Validation, the edge 70 delivers professional-grade imaging with accurate skin tones, enhanced clarity, and true-to-life colours across all lighting conditions.

The motorola edge 70 delivers No-Compromise Durability with MIL-STD-810H military-grade toughness and the highest-rated IP68 + IP69 protection, offering superior resistance against dust, sand, high-pressure water jets, and submersion in up to 1.5m of fresh water for 30 minutes. It has been tested across extreme conditions—including shocks, vibrations, accidental drops up to 1.5m, high humidity, low-pressure altitudes, and temperature extremes ranging from -30°C to 60°C—while still maintaining its ultra-thin design. The device is further strengthened with Corning® Gorilla® Glass 7i, ensuring everyday durability without compromising style.

The motorola edge 70 delivers the best-in-class performance, powered by the Snapdragon® 7 Gen 4 Mobile Platform—India’s only ultra-thin smartphone with this chipset featuring co-pilot and Perplexity built-in. It brings a 27% faster CPU, 30% improved GPU, and a 65% boost in on-device AI performance, ensuring smoother app launches, richer graphics, and more intelligent AI-driven experiences. This ultra-thin phone also packs an advanced 4600mm² vapor chamber that improves cooling by 18%, while 8GB LPDDR5X RAM and 256GB UFS 3.1 storage enable ultra-fast multitasking and high-speed data access. With 16 5G bands, Wi-Fi 6E, and optimized GPU–CPU performance, the device delivers stable connectivity, responsive gaming (including 120FPS BGMI support), and seamless everyday performance.

The motorola edge 70 features a 6.7” Super HD 1.5K Extreme AMOLED display with Pantone™ Validated and Pantone™ SkinTone™ Validated accuracy for 100% true-to-life colours. It delivers segment-leading 4500 nits peak brightness, HDR10+, 100% DCI-P3, 10-bit colour depth, and a 120Hz refresh rate for ultra-smooth, cinematic visuals. The screen is enhanced with Smart Water Touch 3.0 for seamless use even with wet hands and protected by Corning® Gorilla® Glass 7i. Complementing this vivid display are Dolby Atmos-certified stereo speakers and Hi-Res Audio, offering an immersive multimedia experience.


The motorola edge 70 introduces moto ai 2.0, delivering next-level intelligence with instant access through a dedicated AI key. It brings Next Move contextual suggestions that understand what’s on your screen and offer the right actions in real time, along with creative tools like AI Image Studio, Sketch to Image, Style Sync, Text to Sticker, and avatar creation. Productivity is elevated with Catch Me Up 2.0, Pay Attention live transcriptions, AI Playlist Studio, Global Search, Auto Screenshot Blur, and seamless cross-device task flow via This On That. Features such as Remember This and Recall act as a smart memory vault, while Perplexity integration enables instant exploration, planning, and contextual recommendations. With the freedom to choose between motoAI, Copilot, Perplexity, and Google Gemini, users experience truly versatile, intelligent assistance.

Speaking on the launch, Mr. T.M. Narasimhan, Managing Director, Motorola India, said, “At Motorola, we continue to challenge conventional boundaries by bringing together purposeful innovation with a deep understanding of what consumers truly value. With the motorola edge 70, we are proud to introduce a device that reimagines what an ultra-slim smartphone can be—delivering an incredibly thin design without compromising on cameras, power, intelligence or durability. This launch marks a significant step forward in our journey to offer premium, design-first and AI-driven experiences that enable users to do more, express more, and elevate their everyday life with technology that is both beautifully crafted and profoundly capable.”

Running on Hello UI based on Android 16, the motorola edge 70 offers 3 OS upgrades and 4 years of security updates, backed by enhanced software experiences such as Moto Secure 5.0 with ThinkShield, Family Spaces, Moto Unplugged, and intelligent system optimisations. The device also features stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos and Hi-Res Audio and comes in eco-friendly packaging as part of Motorola’s sustainability commitment.

Motorola further elevates the user experience with Moto Premium Care, offering 24×7 WhatsApp support, free pickup and drop, a dedicated customer care line, and a free standby device during repairs, ensuring worry-free and seamless ownership for all edge customers.

Availability:

The motorola edge 70 will be available in a single 8GB RAM + 256GB storage variant and will come in three stunning Pantone™ curated color options — Bronze Green, Lily Pad, and Gadget Gray. All variants feature a refined, textile-inspired premium finish crafted on an aircraft-grade aluminum frame, enhancing both grip and sophistication.

Sales will start from 23rd December 2025 on Flipkart, Motorola.in, and at leading retail stores across India, at an effective launch price of INR 28,999*.

Launch Price:

8GB + 256GB: Rs. 29,999

Affordability Offer:

Bank Offer – Rs. 1,000 additional Bank Discount

Effective Price with Offer:

8GB + 256GB: Rs. 28,999*

To know more about the product visit:

Flipkart - https://www.flipkart.com/motorola-edge-70-2025-coming-soon-store

Motorola website - https://www.motorola.in/smartphones-moto-edge-70/p?skuId=608

NxtWave’s AI Bootcamp Scales AI Literacy among Grade 12 Students Across Tamil Nadu & Karnataka

~ Empowers Board Aspirants with AI tools to Improve Exam Preparedness

NxtWave Disruptive Technologies – India’s leading upskilling platform, has launched AI Bootcamp - a weekly AI buildathon series for Grade 12 students, aimed to encourage emerging AI talent among students in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. With enthusiastic participation from 20 districts in Tamil Nadu and 24 districts in Karnataka, the AI Bootcamp aims to equip board students with foundational AI skills at an early age in the rapidly evolving world of artificial intelligence and improve exam readiness.

This initiative is part of NxtWave’s partnership with the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) under which NxtWave launched SkillUp India 4.0, one of India’s large-scale tech upskilling missions. SkillUp India 4.0 aims to empower over 30 lakh students across the country with advanced capabilities in Industry 4.0 technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Full-Stack Development, while connecting them to the right career pathways and opportunities. As part of the series, students engaged in weekly challenges with themes such as AI Superhero for a Cause (AI poster creation), Gamify India’s Problems using Lovable AI, Create Your Own Startup Pitch Deck, and Revamp Famous Brand Logos. The projects demonstrated their ability to creatively apply AI to social, environmental, and technological challenges. Within just four weeks, the AI Bootcamp has seen significant impact, with over 2,000 registrations and 800+ project submissions from Bengaluru, Chennai as well as Tier 2 and 3 cities like Mysore, Kunigal, Udupi in Karnataka; Coimbatore, Madurai in Tamil Nadu. Students are working with tools such as ChatGPT, Google Gemini, Lovable, and Google AI Studio, building their own AI-driven projects.

In the weeks ahead, students will continue to advance through themes focused on learning smarter, building real-world solutions, and preparing for global opportunities. They will work on AI study planners, sustainable AI concepts, app and logo design, Netflix-analyser bots, personal chatbots and personalised AI portfolios—skills essential for navigating the rapidly evolving future of work.

Speaking about the initiative, Rahul Attuluri, CEO and Co-Founder of NxtWave, said: “India stands at a defining moment where early exposure to AI can shape the future of millions of young learners. A study by the World Economic Forum reports that AI literacy can improve learning outcomes by up to 10-30% among students, enhancing academic performance and equipping them with skills essential for the jobs of tomorrow. Through the AI Bootcamp and our SkillUp India 4.0 initiative with NSDC, we are ensuring that even students from Tier 2 and Tier 3 towns get access to world-class AI learning experiences. When students start building with AI at a young age, they gain the confidence, creativity and problem-solving mindset needed to thrive in the future workforce.”

The AI Bootcamp provides a platform for Grade 12 students to engage in high energy sessions focused on strategic study planning and the real-world application of AI. The initiative is designed to directly support 12th grade students in their board examination preparation by helping them use AI tools for revision, and improved time-management techniques. Students explore effective study strategies, foundational AI concepts, and problem-solving using technology every week, with weekly prizes up to ₹1 lakh awarded to top performers to encourage deeper participation and innovation.

NueGo Expands Network With Multiple New Routes Across South India

NueGo, India’s first electric intercity bus brand by GreenCell Mobility, proudly announces the launch of its all-electric bus service on the Bengaluru – Mangalore route. This new route strengthens the brand’s commitment to sustainable mass mobility and offers Guests a premium travel experience between two major cities of Southern India. The launch marks a key milestone for NueGo, connecting Bengaluru to Mangalore a route known for its scenic landscapes and long-distance road travel now made cleaner, quieter, and more comfortable with electric mobility.

NueGo’s electric buses are designed to deliver a seamless blend of safety, comfort, punctuality, and sustainability. With zero tailpipe emissions, every bus undergoes 25 rigorous safety checks, including mechanical and electrical inspections, ensuring reliability throughout long-haul journeys. With a range of over 250 kilometres on a single charge, the Bangalore–Mangalore service ensures smooth, eco-friendly travel for all Guests.

Commenting on the launch, Mr. Devndra Chawla, CEO & MD of GreenCell Mobility, said, “We are delighted to strengthen NueGo’s Southern network with the addition of new intercity route. This expansion aligns with our mission of transforming bus travel in India through sustainable, technology-enabled, and guest-centric mobility solutions. With our continued route development, enhanced safety features, and upgraded in-bus amenities, we are committed to offering guests an elevated travel experience while contributing to a greener, emission-free future.”

Strengthening its nationwide footprint, NueGo has launched multiple new routes across North and South India, reinforcing its position as the country’s fastest-growing electric intercity travel network. With this expansion, NueGo now serves 120+ cities, offering travellers greater access to safe, sustainable, and comfortable electric mobility.

NueGo’s electric buses are equipped with advanced features such as real-time geo-location tracking through the NueGo App, enhanced in-cabin comfort, and access to airport-like lounges in select cities—ensuring a smooth, premium and stress-free travel experience for every Guest.

NueGo also prioritizes women’s safety with several dedicated features, including a 24x7 helpline, a "Pink Seat" option available during ticket booking, and buses equipped with CCTV surveillance, GPS tracking, driver breath analyzer tests, and speed caps set at 80 km/hr.

Nasscom Foundation And Applied Materials India Collaborate To Bring Hands-On STEM Education To Karnataka Government Schools

Initiative brings hands-on STEM learning and digital access to students in seven schools, strengthening educational equity and empowering future innovators in tier-2 and tier-3 cities.

In a strategic initiative aimed at advancing equitable education and fostering innovation, Nasscom Foundation, in collaboration with Applied Materials India Private Limited, has established seven state-of-the-art STEM labs in Government Schools across Malur, Kolar district. This initiative is part of Applied Materials’ commitment to anchoring purpose at the core of its business strategy—aligning technology leadership with meaningful impact in local communities. By strengthening digital access and experiential learning for students in classes 8 to 12, the collaboration empowers both students and educators with hands-on exposure to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. Teachers will receive specialized training in modern STEM pedagogy, lab management, and digital tools, ensuring lasting improvements in teaching quality and student outcomes.

Jyoti Sharma, CEO, Nasscom Foundation said, “In India's rapidly evolving digital landscape, technology skills are becoming a gateway to opportunity. Yet, students from underserved communities often lack access to quality STEM learning. Our collaboration with Applied Materials India brings STEM learning directly into government school classrooms, allowing students to learn through experimentation, creativity, and discovery. By strengthening both student learning and teacher capability, we are nurturing a generation of confident learners and expanding access to quality education and opportunities for youth to explore the world of technology.”

Through this initiative, the newly established STEM labs will enable students to explore physics concepts, engineering principles, innovation and design thinking, robotics, programming and mathematics in a practical and engaging way. Each lab has been equipped with robotics kits, DIY experiment kits, table-top models, science and mathematics tools, and other learning materials that help students connect theoretical lessons with real-world applications.

Speaking at the inauguration of the STEM Lab in GJC Girls school, Avi Avula, President, Applied Materials India said, “India’s next decade of innovation will be built on strong foundations in STEM. At Applied Materials, we strive to align technology leadership with meaningful community impact. By expanding equitable, hands‑on science and engineering and strengthening teacher capabilities, we are helping students especially in tier‑2 and 3 communities to see themselves as future chip designers, materials scientists and problem‑solvers. This is how we widen access, build confidence, and cultivate the talent India needs to invent—not just make—for India and the world.’’

Implementation of the labs follows a structured approach—starting with a thorough assessment of each school’s infrastructure, followed by installation of STEM equipment and furnishings. Teachers undergo extensive capacity-building sessions, and students participate in workshops focused on innovation and design thinking. The program also features continuous monitoring and on-ground support, backed by an online system that tracks lab activities, progress, and learning outcomes.

The initiative is designed to significantly increase student participation in STEM activities and build stronger awareness around STEM career pathways. It aims to boost teacher confidence in delivering STEM curriculum, improve problem-solving abilities among students, and enable them to showcase their creativity through tangible projects. With access to tools like robotics kits and emerging technologies, students will be encouraged to think critically, innovate freely, and develop solutions to real-world challenges.

About Nasscom Foundation:

Established in 2001, Nasscom Foundation has been witness to the transformative power of technology for over two decades. Part of the Nasscom ecosystem, we are a neutral not-for-profit organization representing the Indian tech industry. We remain rooted to our core philosophy of TechForGood, where our efforts are focused on unlocking the power of technology by creating access and opportunity for those who need it the most. We work on helping people and institutions transform the way they tackle social and economic challenges through technology. We have five key areas of intervention – Digital Literacy, Skilling and Employability, Women Entrepreneurship, Scaling Social Innovation and Empowering NGO Ecosystem. Learn More: https://www.nasscomfoundation.org/

About Applied Materials

Applied Materials, Inc. is the leader in materials engineering solutions that are at the foundation of virtually every new semiconductor and advanced display in the world. The technology we create is essential to advancing AI and accelerating the commercialization of next-generation chips. At Applied, we push the boundaries of science and engineering to deliver material innovation that changes the world. Learn more at www.appliedmaterials.com.

Karnataka Emerges As One Of India’s Most Disciplined And Blue-Chip Heavy Crypto Markets: CoinSwitch Annual Report 2025

· Karnataka showed a strong preference for blue-chip and large-cap assets together accounting for over 61% with Bitcoin leading investments and XRP dominating trading.

· For full report, please visit this link: https://coinswitch.co/switch/crypto/up-leads-indias-crypto-boom-as-bharat-redefines-the-market-coinswitch-annual-report-2025/

CoinSwitch, India’s largest crypto trading platform, today released the 2025 edition of its flagship report, India’s Crypto Portfolio: How India Invests. Based on insights from over 2.5 crore users, the report highlights Karnataka’s position as one of India’s most methodical and risk-aware crypto markets, supported by Bengaluru’s strong technology ecosystem and early influence in digital finance.
Karnataka ranks among India’s top 10 crypto markets, contributing 7.9% of the country’s total invested value. Its growth reflects a mature investor base with strong conviction in long-term, high-liquidity digital assets. Younger investors continue to dominate activity in Karnataka, aligning with national demographic trends. The gender mix indicates a widening participation base, with women representing 29.0% of the state’s crypto investors and men accounting for 71.0%.

“2025 has been a year of clear maturation for India’s crypto market,” said Ashish Singhal, Co-founder, CoinSwitch. “We are seeing investors move beyond early excitement and make more informed, conviction-led decisions. While metros continue to drive strong interest, the broader story of adoption is unfolding across India’s non-metro geographies, which now account for over 75% of the country’s crypto activity. The same momentum is visible in the Indian equity markets, where non-metros continue to rise and are poised to deliver the next million investors.”

The state’s portfolio mix shows a disciplined, stability-focused approach: 30.1% in blue-chip assets, 31.2% in large caps, 17.6% in mid caps, and 21.2% in small caps. Bitcoin was the most-invested asset in Karnataka, while XRP led trading activity, underscoring a preference for established, high-conviction tokens.

Overall, the findings position Karnataka as one of India’s most balanced and strategy-driven crypto markets, supported by consistent participation and high-quality asset allocation.

Key Highlights:
● Bitcoin (BTC) regained its top position as the most-invested asset with an 8.1% allocation, surpassing Dogecoin (DOGE).
● Ripple (XRP) saw one of the biggest jumps in activity this year, becoming one of the most traded coins on the platform.
● The 26–35 age group contributes 45% of crypto investors in India.
● The 18–25 segment rises to 25.3%, showing stronger youth engagement.
● India’s crypto activity peaks late at night, with 10:00 PM to 11:00 PM being the busiest trading hour.
● January was one of the most active months for crypto investors.
● January 19th emerged as the busiest trading day of the year, driven by a BTC upswing earlier in the week

Moxy Hotels Debuts In Nepal’s Buzzing Heartbeat: Turning Up The Fun In Kathmandu, Country’s Cultural Core

A city that thrives on contrasts finds its perfect match in Moxy’s bold and spirited personality

Moxy Hotels, part of Marriott Bonvoy’s global portfolio of over 30 extraordinary hotel brands, today announced its debut in Nepal with the opening of Moxy Kathmandu. Kathmandu is a city that thrives on contrasts, blends ancient heritage with modern buzz, vibrant culture, creativity, youthful energy and deep-rooted spiritual calmness - making it the perfect playground for Moxy.

Marking a bold new chapter for hospitality in Nepal, Moxy Kathmandu is located in Durbarmarg, one of the city’s most dynamic business and entertainment districts. Tribhuvan International Airport is 15 minutes away, making it an ideal launchpad for modern explorers. Guests are within easy reach of the UNESCO-listed Durbar Square, the spiritual serenity of Swayambhunath Stupa (Monkey Temple), and the bustling markets of Thamel, known for its eclectic mix of art, music, food, and fashion.

Moxy Kathmandu also puts guests close to the city’s emerging contemporary scene, from art galleries and indie cafés to rooftop lounges and live music venues. Whether exploring centuries-old temples, hiking nearby trails, or diving into Kathmandu’s dynamic nightlife, the hotel serves as a perfect base for those looking to experience the city with curiosity and style. True to the Moxy brand, the hotel reimagines the traditional stay with a distinctive blend of local design, flexible social spaces, and an atmosphere built for connection. Perfectly aligned with the dynamic spirit of the city, Moxy Kathmandu invites the young and young at heart to discover the city in a way that’s anything but ordinary.

“Moxy’s bold, playful spirit is perfectly suited for a city like Kathmandu, where tradition meets vibrant modernity. As demand for experiences that are both unconventional and culturally connected increases, Moxy Kathmandu brings eclectic youthful energy to match the pace of the city. We are proud to introduce this lifestyle brand to Nepal - our first in the country and third in South Asia as we expand our portfolio in the region to attract travelers seeking style, energy, and authenticity”, said Kiran Andicot, Senior Vice President, South Asia, Marriott International.

The fun begins as soon as guests step through the doors and head straight into The Moxy Bar, the hotel’s unconventional check-in counter and center of activity, welcomed with a complimentary hand-crafted cocktail. The open lobby, adorned with modern artwork inspired by Nepali culture, is designed to encourage interaction and creativity, echoing the cultural fusion of Kathmandu. Guests can enjoy vibey music or engage with fellow travelers in communal spaces, creating moments that are both spontaneous and memorable. A playful recreation zone that lays the groundwork for a stay full of unexpected fun, tempts and indulges guests to a game of air hockey, or a nostalgic round of board games, while soaking in the vibrant, social atmosphere. Adding to the excitement is the signature Moxy Hookup, where guests are surprised with spontaneous perks such as a free drink, local snack delicacies, exclusive discounts, or fun gifts. With its flexible spaces, immersive design, and strong sense of community, Moxy Kathmandu redefines traditional hospitality with a lifestyle-driven experience that’s unmistakably Moxy.

The 101 guestrooms are cleverly designed to maximize space and allow guests the flexibility to adapt the room to their needs. Each room has a smart layout offering a perfect balance of comfort and functionality featuring plush bedding, walk-in showers, and 55-inch HD Smart TVs, in addition to modular furniture and smart features like motion-activated LED lights, open compartment layout and peg walls that offers design forward intuitive solutions to every guest. For those looking to stay active, the hotel also features a thoughtfully designed Fitness Center, built to keep up with the lively pace of its guests, whether it’s a quick cardio session or an intense workout.

Moxy Kathmandu turns dining into an experience, offering flavors that excite, spaces that inspire. On Level 11, LA HACIENDA – Barra y Cocina Latina invites guests on a flavorful journey through Latin America, curated by renowned Mexican Chef Martin Hernandez Lopez. With sweeping views of the Kathmandu Valley and a vibrant atmosphere, the space delivers more than just great food - it offers a sensory experience. The striking design and open kitchen concept, crafted by New York-based Mexican designer Pablo Castellanos, infuses the venue with a strong sense of storytelling and style. For those seeking a more relaxed setting, CARIÑO – Terraza Latina offers a breezy, open-air terrace perfect for sipping handcrafted cocktails while taking in the city skyline. Both venues are thoughtfully designed to resonate with international travelers and locals alike, bringing together striking flavors and a magnetic vibe that makes them standout lifestyle destinations in their own right.

“Kathmandu is a city full of character. It’s ancient yet modern, vibrant yet laid-back, always moving, always evolving. That’s what makes it the perfect match for Moxy. We’re bringing a hotel experience that’s bold, social, and full of personality, where guests don’t just stay, they plug into the city’s energy, and we can’t wait to see it come to life." said Subarna Thapa, Captain, Moxy Kathmandu.

For reservations and more information, visit: Moxy Kathmandu | Marriott Bonvoy

MAHE Bengaluru Successfully Hosts India's First Global Supercomputing Conference

Participation of over 2,500 delegates from institutions across the globe, including research scholars, postgraduate, and undergraduate students

187 exhibitors, including industry giants such as VVDN Technologies, Dell, HPE, Western Digital, Micron, and Kaynes

Manipal Institute of Technology (MIT), MAHE, Bengaluru, successfully hosted the five-day Supercomputing India 2025 (SCI2025) conference. The event marked India’s first global platform dedicated to High-Performance Computing (HPC), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Quantum Computing. It was organized by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India. The conference transformed the MAHE Bengaluru campus into a vibrant hub of technological innovation and international research collaboration. The inaugural day featured the formal unveiling of SCI2025 by Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, Hon’ble Minister (E&IT), Government of India, followed by intensive technical sessions and comprehensive tutorials.

A major highlight of SCI2025 was the launch of the Technology Expo, featuring 187 exhibitors, including industry leaders such as VVDN Technologies, Dell, HPE, Western Digital, Micron, and Kaynes, showcasing cutting-edge developments in high-performance computing, AI accelerators, and quantum–classical hybrid platforms. MIT Bengaluru made a strong impression through a dedicated stall showcasing its research in quantum computing and AR/VR technologies. The exhibit highlighted ongoing research initiatives, state-of-the-art facilities, and MIT’s expanding role in these rapidly evolving domains.

The Technology Expo provided students with valuable access to industry leaders, researchers, and innovators, offering candid insights into current challenges in HPC, AI, and Quantum Computing. More than an exhibition space, the expo evolved into a dynamic learning environment where students identified emerging research areas and explored pathways to address real-world challenges in these frontier technologies. The conference also featured plenary talks, technical sessions, paper presentations, and vibrant poster displays that sparked insightful discussions across the conference halls.

MIT Bengaluru also organized four specialized technical sessions that attracted significant attention. These sessions featured presentations on the Industrial Applications of Quantum Algorithms in Supply Chain, Finance, and Machine Learning by Mr. Saurabh Sharma, QC Consultant at MIT and CEO of Qomputing.ai; Rydberg Quantum Optics by Dr. Arup Bhowmick, Assistant Professor (Research), MIT; Autonomous Mobility by Dr. Sravani Vemulapalli and the Autonomous Mobility Team at MIT; and Quantum Computing and Virtual Reality: A New Interface for the Next Computing Revolution by Dr. Vishwas G. Kini, Assistant Professor, School of Computer Engineering, MIT.

Reflecting on the significance of hosting SCI2025, Prof. Madhu Veeraraghavan, Pro Vice Chancellor MAHE, Bengaluru, and Management, Law, Humanities and Social Sciences observed, “Hosting platforms like Supercomputing India 2025 reflects our commitment to positioning MAHE Bengaluru as a catalyst for future-ready research and innovation. By bringing together academia, industry, and government, we aim to support and create meaningful ecosystems where students and researchers are exposed to real-world challenges, cutting-edge technologies, and global collaborations. Such initiatives strengthen India’s capabilities in HPC, AI, and Quantum Computing, while empowering young minds to contribute to nationally and globally relevant technological advancements.”

Building on this vision, Dr. Iven Jose, Director, MIT, MAHE Bengaluru, added, “I would like to extend my special thanks to C-DAC and MeitY for entrusting MIT Bengaluru with the privilege of hosting such a prestigious event. SCI2025 has become a landmark platform for innovation, knowledge sharing, and collaboration in frontier technologies. I also congratulate all participants, delegates, volunteers, and organizing teams, whose dedication ensured the seamless execution of this large-scale event. We look forward to strengthening our role in India’s HPC and emerging technology ecosystem and contributing to initiatives that advance research, education, and industry partnerships.”

The success of SCI2025 underscores the growing synergy between academia, industry, and government in advancing India’s technological capabilities. It also demonstrates how collaborative platforms like SCI2025 can drive innovation and shape the future of technology in India.

KMC, Manipal, Anderson Diagnostics, Chennai Launch MAHE-Anderson Centre Of Excellence In Reproductive Genomics

Kasturba Medical College (KMC), Manipal, a constituent unit of Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), an Institution of Eminence Deemed to be University, in association with Anderson Diagnostics and Labs, Chennai, announced the launch of the MAHE–Anderson Centre of Excellence in Reproductive Genomics and the signing of an MoU to advance healthcare solutions, academic training, and innovative research in Reproductive genomics.

The Centre, a first-of-its-kind, state-of-the-art facility, will integrate and apply advanced Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) technologies to strengthen diagnostic capabilities and translational research in Reproductive genetics. It aims to provide comprehensive diagnostic services to hospitals under the MAHE umbrella as well as institutions across the coastal Karnataka region. In addition, the Centre will support research, innovation, and capacity-building initiatives in this emerging field.

Inaugurating the facility, Dr. Sharath K. Rao, Pro Vice Chancellor (Health Sciences), MAHE, said, “We are pleased to partner with Anderson Diagnostics and Labs, Chennai, one of the pioneers in delivering advanced diagnostic services across India and neighboring countries. This collaboration provides an excellent opportunity to expand access to cost-effective genomic solutions and strengthen healthcare delivery in coastal Karnataka.”

Exchanging the MoU, Dr. Suriyakumar G, Director & Radiologist, Anderson Diagnostics & Labs, stated: “Anderson Diagnostics is bringing over ten years of pioneering experience specifically in ‘Reproductive Genomics’ and high throughput testing to this collaboration. Our role is to establish the operational backbone — guaranteeing that the cutting-edge research originating from the MAHE-Anderson COE translates reliably and rapidly into actionable diagnostic reports for patients. We are committed to setting new benchmarks in standardized processes — ensuring that this joint venture can change the dynamics of the genomics diagnostics ecosystem, especially concerning complex prenatal scenarios.”

Dr. Shubhashree Uppangala, Coordinator of the Centre, emphasized its broader mission:
“The Centre aims to bridge the current knowledge gap related to genomic diagnostic solutions in reproductive health and to support the development of precision medicine and research in women’s health and reproduction.”

Launch of the MAHE–Anderson Centre of Excellence in Reproductive Genomics marks a significant advancement in India’s journey toward integrating precision medicine with women’s health and reproductive care. By combining MAHE’s strong academic and clinical foundation with Anderson Diagnostics’ decade-long expertise in reproductive genomics, the Centre is poised to pioneer transformative solutions that will redefine diagnostic accuracy and research depth in this rapidly evolving field. The collaboration underscores a shared commitment to making high-end genomic technologies more accessible, cost-effective, and clinically impactful for the wider medical community across coastal Karnataka and beyond. With its focus on advanced NGS-enabled diagnostics, standardized processes, and translational research, the Centre is uniquely positioned to bridge existing gaps in reproductive genetic testing and enhance patient outcomes in complex prenatal and fertility-related scenarios. Moreover, its emphasis on training, innovation, and interdisciplinary collaboration will nurture a new generation of skilled professionals equipped to lead future scientific breakthroughs. As a first-of-its-kind initiative, the MAHE–Anderson Centre stands as a testament to the power of strategic partnerships in elevating healthcare delivery, promoting scientific excellence, and driving meaningful societal impact through genomic medicine.

About Manipal Academy of Higher Education:

The Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) is an Institution of Eminence Deemed-to-be University. MAHE offers over 400 specializations across the Health Sciences (HS), Management, Law, Humanities & Social Sciences (MLHS), and Technology & Science (T&S) streams through its constituent units at campuses in Manipal, Mangalore, Bengaluru, Jamshedpur, and Dubai. With a remarkable track record in academics, state-of-the-art infrastructure, and significant contributions to research, MAHE has earned recognition and acclaim both nationally and internationally. In October 2020, the Ministry of Education, Government of India, awarded MAHE the prestigious Institution of Eminence status. Currently ranked 3rd in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF), MAHE is the preferred choice for students seeking a transformative learning experience and an enriching campus life, as well as for national & multi-national corporates looking for top talent.

Customers Queue For Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold As It Goes On Sale

The new Galaxy Z TriFold has received a strong response in Korea, where the smartphone went on sales today. The encouraging sales momentum reflects growing excitement for Samsung’s innovative Z TriFold, further expanding its leadership in new form factors for the mobile AI era.

With the introduction of Galaxy Z TriFold, the foldable device that redefines productivity and viewing experiences, Samsung continues to push the boundaries of smartphone innovation. When unfolded twice, the device reveals a 10-inch immersive Dynamic AMOLED 2X main display with vibrant colours and smooth visuals for work and entertainment.

The Galaxy Z TriFold has captivated consumers with its revolutionary design, offering an unprecedented 10-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X main display when unfolded twice. This expansive screen delivers vibrant colors and smooth visuals, making it ideal for both work and entertainment. The device’s ability to display up to three portrait-sized apps side-by-side enhances multitasking capabilities, catering to creative professionals, multitaskers, and productivity enthusiasts. A bright and smooth 6.5-inch outer display ensures powerful visuals even when the device is folded, while features like Vision Booster adapt colour and contrast for crisp visibility in any lighting condition.

A standout feature of the Galaxy Z TriFold is its integration of Galaxy AI, which transforms large-screen experiences into intuitive and productive workflows. Intelligent tools such as Photo Assist with Generative Edit and Sketch to Image empower users to create and refine content effortlessly. Additionally, Browsing Assist provides instant summaries and translations, streamlining web navigation.

The device also introduces Gemini Live, a multimodal AI feature that understands user interactions—visual, verbal, or contextual—to deliver precise and relevant answers. Combined with Samsung’s largest foldable screen and flexible multi-window capabilities, these AI-driven innovations position the Galaxy Z TriFold as the most versatile and powerful device in Samsung’s portfolio.

AJAX Engineering Leads With Innovative Concreting Solutions At EXCON 2025”

AJAX Engineering, India’s leading concreting solutions provider has launched UDAAN its newest compact, versatile and mobile concrete mixing solution at EXCON 2025. With UDAAN, AJAX is establishing a new category in the industry widening the pathway to mechanised concreting across India’s growing construction landscape.

At a time when mechanised concreting penetration in India remains comparatively low, UDAAN strengthens AJAX’s mission of deepening adoption among emerging contractors and local builders supporting the country’s broader infrastructure goals and the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.

Developed and manufactured in India, UDAAN features a 0.8 cu.m drum, compact design, high manoeuvrability and a CEV Stage V–compliant engine, making it well-suited for diverse site conditions and evolving regulatory requirements. UDAAN supports the transition from manual, labour-intensive practices to mechanised concreting addressing acute labour shortages and enabling smaller contractors to adopt efficient, repeatable and scalable mechanised workflow.

Speaking about the launch at Excon 2025, Mr. Shubhabrata Saha, MD & CEO at AJAX Engineering, said, “For more than three decades, AJAX has played a defining role in shaping India’s concreting ecosystem from pioneering SLCMs to introducing precision technologies like our patented Load-Cell. The need for safer, faster and more reliable concreting solutions has never been more critical. With UDAAN, we are deepening the reach of mechanised concreting into emerging markets, while continuing to strengthen our legacy of engineering excellence, service reliability and innovation.

Beyond UDAAN, AJAX showcased one of the most comprehensive product portfolios at EXCON this year. It included the company’s range of SLCMs, Patented Self-propelled Boom Pump, Batching Plants, Electric Concrete Pumps and India’s first indigenously developed 3D Concrete Printer capable of constructing a 350 sq. m structure in three days. The company also presented its indigenously developed Slip Form Paver, a flagship model recently exported to Russia and Africa, reinforcing its “Make in India, Made for the World” commitment.

AJAX also highlighted its industry-leading patented Load-Cell technology, which delivers highly accurate concrete measurement, a benchmark in ensuring quality and consistency across diverse applications. The company operates on the belief that quality is the backbone of reliability, customer confidence and long-term success. This principle is embedded across AJAX’s design, manufacturing, and servicing processes which is supported by strong systems and disciplined execution. We also work closely with our vendors to uphold the same standards ensuring every component meets expectations. This integrated approach enhances performance, minimizes failures and reinforces customer trust.

With Four advanced manufacturing facilities and plans to commission another, the company continues to invest heavily in R&D and new product development. These technology investments are matched by an equal focus on capability building through the AJAX School of Concrete, where operators and technicians are trained to handle modern machinery with precision. Thus, effectively bridging the skills gap and enabling projects to fully realise the benefits of advanced equipment.

AJAX’s strong after-sales and service ecosystem, supported by over 100 touchpoints, ensures customers benefit from dependable uptime and nation-wide parts availability. Its international footprint continues to grow, with distributors in 23 countries and products now reaching 45 global markets. With 33 years of engineering experience, AJAX is committed to advancing India’s concreting ecosystem through technology, skilling and site-ready solutions that contribute to safer, faster and more consistent construction outcomes.

About AJAX Engineering

AJAX is a renowned concreting equipment player, excelling in engineering expertise and exceptional after-sales support. Established in 1992, it has become the global leader in Self-Loading Concrete Mixers. Headquartered in Bangalore, AJAX operates state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities in Obadenahalli, Basethahalli and Gowribidanur with a widespread presence across 100+ touch points in India, AJAX ensures comprehensive sales and after-sales support. Its distribution network spans across Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Myanmar, Mozambique, Philippines, Kenya, Tunisia, UAE, Vietnam, Cambodia, Oman, Uganda, Russia, and Egypt. Adapting to customer needs, AJAX strives to be the most customer-centric organization, offering end-to-end solutions for Production, Transportation and Placement of concrete. Its product range includes Self-loading Concrete Mixers, Concrete Batching Plants, Transit Mixers, Stationary Pumps, Boom Pumps, Self-propelled Boom Pumps, and Slip-form Pavers. AJAX's strength lies in technology, blending engineering knowledge with effective customer relationship management for unparalleled customer value creation.