Initiative Uses Behavioural Science To Encourage Bengaluru Metro Adoption

* LAUNCHED: STAMP Innovation Challenge invites applications to boost public transport usage in Electronic City.

The Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL), Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC), and the Electronics City Industries Association (ELCIA), in collaboration with Toyota Mobility Foundation (TMF) and WRI India today launched the “STAMP: Nudging Commuter Behaviour” — a pioneering initiative that leverages behavioural science and technology to encourage commuters to shift from personal vehicles to public transport.

PROJECT BACKGROUND

With the Namma Metro Yellow Line set to launch later in 2025, Electronic City — one of Bengaluru’s largest employment hubs — will be better connected to the city. This expansion will bring over one lakh jobs closer to the metro network, offering a faster and more sustainable alternative to private transport.  Recently introduced BMTC feeder buses, launched in collaboration with ELCIA and the Electronics City Industrial Township Authority (ELCITA), are providing first- and last-mile connectivity in the area.

The Station Access and Mobility Program (STAMP), led by TMF and WRI India, has been working to bridge the connectivity gap to taking public transport in Indian cities, by combining research with innovative pilots, from electric autorickshaws to a carpooling app. Launched in Bengaluru in 2017, STAMP has since expanded to six cities: Hyderabad, Kochi, Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, and Delhi, enabling over 50,000 last-mile metro trips and saving 240,000 passenger minutes. Using a four-step model, it identifies gaps and customizes solutions based on each city’s metro system.

A 2023 working paper by Toyota Mobility Foundation and WRI India titled, “Improving metro access in India: Evidence from three cities” shows that commuters tend to avoid the metro due to last-mile costs and wait times. They also show that high-income commuters (earning over ?60,000/month) rarely use metro services, preferring personal vehicles due to expensive last-mile options. Compared to cities like Nagpur and Delhi, Bengaluru commuters face higher last-mile costs, making metro accessibility a challenge. Behavioural science is emerging as a critical tool in urban mobility, enabling data-driven interventions that shift commuter habits and make public transport the preferred choice.

STAMP: Nudging Commuter Behaviour imbibes the learnings and successes of previous STAMP editions in Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kochi, and Mumbai, by focusing on a distinct segment of commuters: high-income individuals who are choice users of public transport. Previous versions of STAMP have revealed that the cost of last-mile connectivity for affluent commuters is higher in Bengaluru compared to cities like Nagpur and Delhi.

PROJECT OBJECTIVE

This program aims to address the barriers of last-mile accessibility and higher costs of travel by combining behavioral science principles with technology-driven solutions, to ensure a more efficient and sustainable urban transport system for all. The project strives to lower emissions, reduce congestion and increase the shift to sustainable transport for the commuters.

STAMP INNOVATION CHALLENGE

As part of this initiative, the Station Access and Mobility Program (STAMP) launched an innovation challenge, inviting startups, technology firms, and industry partners to develop scalable mobility solutions that encourage metro usage in Electronic City. Innovators from around the world are welcome to apply; however, they must collaborate with an Indian partner.

The overall theme of STAMP’s innovation challenge is to leverage behavioural science to enhance public transport for commuters in Electronic City.

The potential solutions should incorporate:

Gamification: Incentives for eco-friendly transport choices

Real-time Nudges: Prompts during peak transit times to encourage shared mobility and reduce congestion.

Inclusive Access: Behaviour-driven solutions enhancing last-mile access, affordability, safety, and convenience for diverse commuter needs.

Challenge period: April – June 2025

Selected teams will receive funding from a total implementation grant of USD 100,000 to further develop and pilot their solutions. The Challenge will also include a bootcamp with Ashoka University’s Centre for Social and Behaviour Change, offering behavioural science insights.

Finalists will receive support in the following three areas:

Enterprise: Business development and strategy, pilot design, government engagement tools and other technical support.

Exposure: Access to a wide network of domain experts, government and local authority representatives for feedback and advice.

Financial support: Shortlisted enterprises will be awarded with prize money for further development and piloting the innovation technology idea, product or services.

For more information on the application process, last date for applying and timeline for processing of application, please visit –  STAMP: Nudging Commuter Behaviour

REMARKS

“Toyota Mobility Foundation initiated the STAMP program with WRI India almost 10 years ago to encourage greater adoption of metro ridership across Indian cities. This is because we believe in enabling Mobility for All and the need for integrated multi modal mobility for sustainable decongestion. Over the years we have recognized that human centric data-driven solutions have the ability to foster long-term cultural shifts towards sustainable transport. This time we aim to work with local stakeholders, businesses, and innovators, to create behaviour changes that make public transportation more attractive and efficient for the residents of this city,” said Pras Ganesh, Executive Program Director, Toyota Mobility Foundation Asia.

“As Bengaluru's metro network expands with the upcoming Yellow Line, we anticipate significantly easing congestion by shifting thousands of vehicles off roads each hour. We invite companies in Electronic City to actively incentivize their employees to adopt public transportation. We encourage organizations to propose innovative solutions and challenges tailored to their specific needs. Together, we can enhance commuting experiences and tackle environmental and sustainability issues.” said Maheshwar Rao, IAS, Managing Director, Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited.

"BMTC operates a fleet of 6,800 buses and runs over 61,000 trips every day, helping more than 40 lakh people travel across Bengaluru. But adding more buses and routes isn’t enough. To get more people to choose public transport, we also need to change how they experience it. That means making it easier, safer, and more comfortable—through better design, clear information, and small nudges. With our growing electric bus fleet and feeder services, we’re working closely with the metro to make public transport the first choice of commute in Bengaluru," said GT Prabhakar Reddy, Chief Traffic Manager (Operation), BMTC.

"Electronic City has long been at the forefront of innovation, and improving mobility is a key part of our vision for a more sustainable and efficient urban ecosystem. By leveraging behavioural science and technology, STAMP: Nudging Commuter Behaviour will help identify gaps in mobility infrastructure and user patterns, democratize public transport, enhance utilization by commuters, reduce congestion - with the aim to improve last-mile connectivity for thousands of ELCIA's members employees and residents around Electronic City," a spokesperson of Electronics City Industries Association (ELCIA) said.

“India's rapid economic growth and urbanization are driving a significant increase in the movement of people and goods. This will escalate India’s energy consumption and emissions, with the transport sector already accounting for 12% of India's energy-related CO? emissions. A significant shift to efficient public transportation is critical to address these challenges, but infrastructure enhancement alone will not deliver the required results. At Toyota, as a mobility company, we believe that amongst the most impactful interventions will be to achieve meaningful behavioural change amongst citizens towards mobility. We are proud to support this project-bringing together behavioural science and technology to encourage widespread adoption of public transport and build a cleaner, more efficient urban mobility ecosystem.” said Vikram Gulati, Country Head and Executive Vice President – Corporate Affairs and Governance, Toyota Kirloskar Motor.

“To shift commuter behaviour at scale, we need to go beyond infrastructure and look at how people interact with public transport. Behavioural science is that next frontier. Through STAMP Nudge, we aim to enable targeted, data-driven solutions that make public transport and last-mile connectivity to public transport seamless, convenient, and the preferred choice for Electronic City's growing IT workforce.” said Pawan Mulukutla, Executive Director – Integrated Transport, Clean Air & Hydrogen, WRI India.

About Toyota Mobility Foundation

The Toyota Mobility Foundation (Chair Akio Toyoda) was established in August 2014 by the Toyota Motor Corporation (Toyota) to support the development of a more mobile society in which everyone can move freely. The Foundation underscores Toyota’s ongoing commitment to continuous improvement and respect for people. It utilizes Toyota’s expertise and technologies to support strong mobility systems while eliminating disparities in mobility. TMF works in partnership with universities, governments, non-profits, research institutions and other organizations, creating programs that are aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to address mobility issues around the world. 

Chair Akio Toyoda commented “TMF aims to create a truly mobile society that will help people live better lives no matter where they are.”

In the past, TMF has led a range of Challenges, including the global Mobility Unlimited Challenge, CATCH in Malaysia, InoveMob Challenge in Brazil and STAMP Challenge in India. You can find out more about TMF and how it is governed at toyotamobilityfoundation.org.   

About WRI India

WRI India, an independent charity legally registered as the India Resources Trust, provides objective information and practical proposals to foster environmentally sound and socially equitable development. Through research, analysis, and recommendations, WRI India puts ideas into action to build transformative solutions to protect the earth, promote livelihoods, and enhance human well-being. Know more: https://wri-india.org/

GE Aerospace Partners With Society of Women Engineers (SWE) In India For The WE Local Conference Held In Bengaluru

GE Aerospace partnered with Society of Women Engineers (SWE) in India for the WE Local conference held in Bengaluru from April 10-11 as a part of their focus on empowering women in STEM and developing engineering talent in India . The two-day event brought together over 1,000 early to mid-career women engineers, serving as a dynamic platform for networking, knowledge sharing, and career growth.

 GE Aerospace hosted two exclusive panel discussions—‘Towards More Sustainable Aviation: The Road to RISE’ with Milind Dhabade, Dr. Suma MN, and Megha Navalgund, and ‘AI in Aerospace: Shaping the Future of Flight’ with Arioli Arumugam, Sundar Krishnaswami, and Samhitha Poonacha. They also engaged with career fair attendees at its booth on day 2, re-affirming their commitment to innovation, engineering excellence, and advancing the future of flight.

Samsung Unveils Odyssey Gaming Monitors, First-Ever Glasses-Free 3D & 4K 240Hz OLED In India

* Samsung brings global-first innovations to India through the 2025 Odyssey line-up, featuring the revolutionary glasses-free Odyssey 3D, the industry-first 4K 240Hz Odyssey OLED G8, and the ultra-immersive curved Odyssey G9

* The Odyssey 3D offers a glasses-free 3D gaming experience with advanced eye-tracking technology and AI-powered video conversion, while the Odyssey OLED G8 boasts a 4K OLED display with a 240Hz refresh rate and VESA DisplayHDR™ TrueBlack 400 certification

* The Odyssey G9 delivers an unmatched ultra-wide experience with a 49” Dual QHD display, VESA DisplayHDR 600 certification, and multitasking features like Picture-by-Picture and Picture-in-Picture modes

Samsung, India's largest consumer electronics brand, today announced the availability of the 2025 line-up of Odyssey gaming monitors, which includes the revolutionary glasses-free Odyssey 3D, the industry-first 4K 240Hz Odyssey OLED G8, and the ultra-immersive curved Odyssey G9.

Designed to push immersion and performance, these monitors cater to gamers, content creators, and professionals demanding superior visual fidelity. The new 27” Odyssey 3D (G90XF model) is a game-changer for the Indian market with its ground-breaking Glasses-free 3D gaming experience.

Available in sizes of 27” and 32”, the Odyssey OLED G8 (G81SF model) sets a new industry benchmark as the world’s first 4K OLED monitor with a 240Hz refresh rate. The Odyssey G9 (G91F model) delivers an unmatched ultra-wide experience with a 49” Dual QHD display and a 1000R curved screen, wrapping high-quality visuals especially playing 32:9 or 21:9 games.

“At Samsung, we have remained committed to democratizing cutting-edge display technology, making world-class innovation accessible to Indian consumers. With the introduction of the innovative Odyssey 3D, Odyssey OLED G8, and Odyssey G9 monitors, we are not just bringing global firsts to India but also elevating the way gamers experience immersion, speed and visual excellence,” said Puneet Sethi, Vice President, Enterprise Business, Samsung India.

Odyssey 3D: India’s First Glasses-Free 3D Gaming Monitor

Featuring advanced eye-tracking technology and view mapping algorithms, it delivers high-definition, stunning 3D visuals that make games and video content more lifelike. The Reality Hub app detects the video content and offers a choice to run it in 3D.

Samsung is actively collaborating with major global game developers, including Nexon for The First Berserker: Khazan to optimize this next-gen 3D technology

Beyond gaming, the Odyssey 3D features AI-powered video conversion, transforming standard content into 3D infusing new energy to almost all content. With 165Hz refresh rate, 1ms response time, AMD FreeSync™ Support, Odyssey 3D ensures smooth, lag-free gameplay. Spatial Audio (built-in speakers) and the Edge Lighting feature further enhance gaming experience, bringing games out of the screen and into your world.

Odyssey OLED G8: Industry-First 4K 240Hz OLED Gaming Monitor

Powered by Quantum Dot technology, the Odyssey OLED G8 delivers enhanced colours, deep contrast, and superior viewing angles. VESA DisplayHDR™ TrueBlack 400 certification ensures near-infinite contrast, making vibrant colours pop even at typical brightness levels of 250 nits. Samsung’s proprietary OLED Safeguard+ and Dynamic Cooling System extend screen longevity that effectively cools down the screen temperature to prevent burn-in by applying the Pulsating Heat Pipe to monitor for the first time ever.

The glare-free technology, certified by Underwriters Laboratories (UL), makes the screen 56% less glossy for distraction-free gaming. With 240Hz refresh rate and 0.03ms response time, the Odyssey OLED G8 ensures a smoother viewing experience eliminating lag time and motion blur for exhilarating game-play with ultra-smooth action.

The Odyssey OLED G8 is designed to upgrade any gaming station with its slim metal body, Core Lighting+ and ergonomic stand.

Odyssey G9: Expanding the Ultrawide Gaming Revolution

Certified with VESA DisplayHDR 600 and HDR10+ GAMING, the Odyssey G9 enhances brightness, contrast, and colour range for vivid, dynamic visuals.

With 144Hz refresh rate, 1ms response time, and AMD FreeSync Premium, the Odyssey G9 ensures seamless gameplay free from tearing and stuttering.

Not just that, multitasking is made effortless with Picture-by-Picture and Picture-in-Picture modes, allowing users to view content from multiple sources simultaneously. The Auto Source Switch+ feature further streamlines the experience by instantly detecting and displaying connected devices.

Price and Offers

Model                                  Listing Price (INR)

Odyssey 3D G90XF                    127299

Odyssey G8 27" G81SF                91299

Odyssey G8 32" G81SF               118999

Odyssey G9 49" G91F                  94099

Customers can avail launch benefits of upto INR 10,000/-. The products are available on Samsung.com, leading online platforms and retailers across India.

Samsung Newsroom India Link: Samsung Unveils Odyssey Gaming Monitors, First-Ever Glasses-Free 3D & 4K 240Hz OLED in India – Samsung Newsroom India

About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

Samsung inspires the world and shapes the future with transformative ideas and technologies. The company is redefining the worlds of TVs, smartphones, wearable devices, tablets, home appliances, network systems, and memory, system LSI, foundry and LED solutions, and delivering a seamless connected experience through its SmartThings ecosystem and open collaboration with partners. For latest news on Samsung India, please visit Samsung India Newsroom at http://news.samsung.com/in. For Hindi, log on to Samsung Newsroom Bharat at https://news.samsung.com/bharat. You can also follow us on Twitter @SamsungNewsIN.  

Ensono Appoints Murali Inuguru As Vice President - Digital & Consulting Services, Global AMS & Transformation Practice Leader

* New Leadership Appointment Supports Ensono’s Commitment To Driving Digital Transformation And IT Modernization For Global Enterprises

Ensono, expert technology advisor, innovation partner and managed service provider, announces the appointment of Mr. Murali Inuguru as Vice President - Digital & Consulting Services, Global AMS & Transformation Practice Leader.

Having nearly two decades of experience in the IT industry, he brings his expertise from holding key roles in organizations such as Cognizant, Wipro and DXC Technology. Murali has experience that extends across cloud migration, legacy modernization and enterprise transformation (applications and infrastructure), with successful evidence of having delivered business effect results.

In this strategic role, Murali will establish and grow the global Mainframe Application Managed Services (AMS) & Transformation Practice to bring solutions to client challenges such as de-risking support of core legacy mainframe technologies, developing and supporting ongoing application knowledge for legacy environments, evolving monolithic architectures and improved speed to market with the transformative AMS offering.  In addition, Murali will lead the expansion of digital, modernization and consulting capabilities in our India global delivery center, enabling continued scale of Ensono’s digital transformation capabilities.  He will leverage his extensive experience in IT modernization and support services to drive business value for clients globally.

“Murali’s expertise and leadership in IT transformation align perfectly with Ensono’s vision to drive innovation and help clients seamlessly navigate their modernization journey,” said Veena Khandke, Managing Director – India Global Operations, Ensono. “His skills in assembling high-performing teams, driving revenue growth, and executing large-scale transformations will be invaluable as we grow our global AMS practice. With Murali joining us, we are reaffirming our focus on diversifying and expanding our AMS capabilities globally.”

By bringing Murali on board, Ensono reinforces its focus on delivering modern IT solutions that drive business success.

"I am thrilled to be a part of Ensono during this period of transformation and look forward to leading innovation in digital and consulting services," said Murali Inuguru, Vice President - Digital and Consulting Services, Global AMS & Transformation Practice, Ensono. "My priority will be to utilize Ensono's capabilities to drive IT modernization for our clients, improve service capabilities, and create a culture of ongoing innovation that supports Ensono's vision for growth and excellence."

“As Ensono continues to ensure we are positioned to Be What’s Next for our clients, supporting them now and along their transformation journeys, Murali’s experience will be invaluable to our growing and evolving portfolio, capabilities, and global reach.  We are excited to leverage his expertise as we continue to scale to meet our clients’ application modernization and optimization needs,” said Christine Kiefer, Senior Vice President, Digital and Consulting, Ensono.

About Ensono

Ensono is an expert technology advisor, innovation partner and managed service provider. As a relentless ally, we specialize in helping enterprise clients transform their organization, innovate new and disruptive technologies, and optimize their IT operations to achieve better business outcomes. Our dedicated team works across hybrid environments with services that span consulting, mainframe and application modernization, public cloud migration and cloud-native development. With certified experts in AWS, Azure and Google Cloud and recognized as Microsoft Datacenter Transformation Partner of the Year, Ensono has over 3,700 associates globally and is headquartered in greater Chicago.

For more information on Ensono’s services visit: https://www.ensono.com/ 

ArthAlpha Strengthens Leadership With The Appointment Of Kalpen Parekh As Board Observer & Kunal Bajaj As Board Advisor

ArthAlpha, a leading quantitative investment firm, has appointed Kalpen Parekh, MD & CEO of DSP Mutual Fund, as a Board Observer, and Kunal Bajaj, an industry veteran in investment management and financial markets, as a Board Advisor. These appointments reflect ArthAlpha’s commitment to leveraging top-tier industry expertise to drive innovation and strategic growth in quantitative finance.

Kalpen Parekh brings over two decades of experience in financial markets, having held leadership roles at ICICI, Birla Sun Life, IDFC, and DSP. As MD & CEO of DSP Mutual Fund, he has played a pivotal role in shaping long-term investment strategies and driving wealth creation. His deep understanding of market dynamics will enhance ArthAlpha’s ability to develop cutting-edge, data-driven investment solutions.

Kunal Bajaj, with over 20 years of experience across global financial institutions such as Jefferies, Credit Suisse, CLSA, Goldman Sachs (Japan) has an extensive background in capital markets, M&A, and strategic growth. As founder & CEO of Clearfunds—later acquired by MobiKwik—he built a disruptive wealth-tech platform that evolved into a diversified financial services powerhouse. His insights will be instrumental in refining ArthAlpha’s strategic direction and expansion efforts.

“We are delighted to welcome Kalpen Parekh and Kunal Bajaj to ArthAlpha. Their expertise in investment management and financial markets aligns with our vision of blending human ingenuity with technology-driven investing,” said Mr.Rohit Beri, CEO and CIO of ArthAlpha. “Their strategic insights will be invaluable as we push the boundaries of quantitative finance.”

Commenting on his appointment, Kalpen Parekh, MD and CEO of DSP Mutual Funds said, “ArthAlpha’s approach to integrating human intelligence with advanced quantitative methods is truly groundbreaking. I look forward to supporting their mission to build a transparent, data-driven investment framework.”

Kunal Bajaj added, “ArthAlpha is at the forefront of quantitative finance innovation. Their ability to merge AI-driven research with human expertise is impressive, and I am excited to contribute to their strategic growth and product innovation.”

With these strategic appointments, ArthAlpha is poised to accelerate its growth trajectory, strengthen its investment strategies, and set new benchmarks in AI-driven investing.

About ArthAlpha:

Founded in 2022 by Rohit Jha and Rohit Beri, ArthAlpha is a pioneering quantitative investment firm headquartered in Bengaluru. Its AI-powered Quant Research Platform streamlines the entire investment process, from data curation and strategy development to backtesting and portfolio management. With $2 million in seed funding led by DSP Asset Managers, ArthAlpha is on a mission to revolutionise quantitative finance by merging human expertise with advanced technology. 

TCS: Q4FY25: Muted; Macro Uncertainty To Weigh On Predictability

Information Technology   

Result Update       

April 11, 2025

ADD

CMP (Rs): 3,247 | TP (Rs): 3,500

TCS’s Q4FY25 operating performance was weaker than our estimate. Revenue declined 1.1% QoQ (-0.8% cc), slightly below our estimate due to some project deferrals amid elevated uncertainty in the later part of Q4. The management indicated that it expected over 1% growth in international markets in Q4, though it reported ~0.6% growth due to aforementioned factors. EBITM declined by 30bps to 24.2%, lower than estimate. In the absence of mega deals, deal TCV was impressive at USD12.2bn in Q4 (book-to-bill: ~1.6x). Considering the elevated macro and geopolitical uncertainty, the management changed its commentary on demand recovery, particularly on discretionary spending. TCS has seen instances of delays in decision-making and discretionary spend come under heightened scrutiny and pressure recently. We trim our estimates by 1.8-3%, factoring in the Q4 miss and tariff uncertainty. TCS is well positioned to benefit from its investments in AI and digital capabilities, along with scale and customer contextual knowledge over the medium term; however, macro uncertainties are likely to weigh on near-term growth predictability. We retain ADD while cutting our TP by ~10% to Rs3,500 at 23x Mar-27E EPS (25x earlier).

Results Summary

Revenue dipped 1.0% QoQ (-0.8% QoQ cc) to USD7.47bn. EBITM fell by 30bps QoQ to 24.2%, short of our estimate of 25.0%. Margin decline was due to tactical interventions (-100bps) driven by promotions wef Jan, strategic marketing, CSR and travel (-60bps), offset by currency gains (+40bps) and operating efficiencies. Among geographies, North America, UK, Continental Europe, and APAC saw growth of 0.1%, 0.2%, 1.9%, and 2.8% QoQ, respectively (in USD terms), while India saw a decline of 15.1% QoQ. Revenue decline in India is largely owing to ramp down in the BSNL deal, (initial contract expected to end in Q1). Headcount grew 0.1% QoQ to 607,979. Attrition inched up, to 13.3% from 13% in Q3FY25. The company has announced a final dividend of Rs30/sh. What we liked: Strong deal intake, BFSI resilience. What we did not like: EBITM miss.

Earnings Call KTAs

1) Softness in Q4 was partially due to some project deferrals and delayed decision making due to tariff uncertainty. 2) TCS announces appointment of Aarthi Subramanian as President and COO, and Mangesh Sathe as CSO with effect from 1-May-25. 3) BFS spending remains steady on the back of tech modernization, cost optimization, vendor consolidation, and regulatory initiatives, while softness persists in Insurance. 4) In LS&H, client-specific challenges called out earlier are largely behind. However, in healthcare, deals are taking longer to close, customers are moving cautiously and prioritizing critical business initiatives. 5) Consumer remains under pressure due to decline in sentiment, while Communications is facing industry-wide challenges. 6) Manufacturing remains affected due to uncertainty in the auto industry. 7) ERU has good opportunities and continues to perform well. 8) FY26 margins are expected to be better than in FY25 on the back of business mix, pyramid rationalization, improved productivity, and better utilization. 9) Wage hike for FY26 will be decided later, based on market environment.

India SME Forum Ties Up With Amazon India To Launch Seller Education Campaign To Further Government’s Vision

In association with the Ministry of MSME, Government of India, India SME Forum (ISF) has initiated a campaign in collaboration with Amazon to create awareness about the BIS related compliance for their members. Recent news reports have highlighted the need for seller education and awareness about BIS standards among sellers. Taking full responsibility, and in an effort to educate India's seller ecosystem about necessary standards and compliances, the Forum for Internet Retailers, Sellers & Traders (FIRST), the B2C division of India SME Forum, is initiating a campaign with Amazon India for capacity building of MSMEs. This includes a series of workshops, sectoral webinars, educational films, short videos, along with practical content and hands-on support through a helpline.

Vinod Kumar, President, India SME Forum stated, “Our aim is to enable small businesses to thrive with the right knowledge, tools, and transparency. We welcome the partnership by Amazon India to educate our members on the necessary formalities. These sessions are an opportunity to foster greater understanding between sellers, industry leaders and regulators.”

“We are committed to enable sellers on Amazon.in to provide compliant and safe products to the end-customers. We are happy to work with ISF to organize these sessions over the next few months for their members,” said Amit Nanda, Director, Selling Partner Services, Amazon India.

The sectoral webinar series will be held under Enterprise Matters, a platform focused on debates, discussions & deliberations on challenges and burning issues of MSMEs between the entrepreneurs and policy makers. Led by India SME Forum President Vinod Kumar, the session will bring together industry experts, sellers, and manufacturers to discuss the importance of BIS compliance and safety standards.

The discussion will cover best practices for staying compliant, key regulatory updates, and their role of sellers from a customer trust and safety perspective. The session will also explore ways to strengthen collaboration between sellers and regulators in India’s evolving digital commerce ecosystem. The webinar will be streamed live on the India SME Forum’s Facebook and YouTube channels, making it widely accessible to sellers, policy observers, and media audiences across the country.

About INDIA SME FORUM

India SME Forum (ISF) is the India’s largest not for profit, non-political, non-governmental & nontrade organization for Small and Medium Entrepreneurs, with over 98,200 MSMEs as paid members including 9400+ Women Entrepreneurs and over 12,36,000 MSMEs as subscribers, and with 19 State Chapters across the country. Our professional association & affiliation includes Ministry of MSME, Govt of India, FIDD RBI, UNIDO, UNCTAD, ITC Geneva, WUSME, INSME & WTO’s informal group for SMEs.

Kaya Expands Presence In Bengaluru With The Grand Launch Of Its Sarjapur Clinic – Elevating Innovation And Personalized Expertise

·         Inaugurated by Bengaluru’s Beloved Voice – Rapid Rashmi: A Celebration of Beauty & Cutting-Edge Dermatological Care!

Kaya, India’s leading brand in dermatological care, is thrilled to announce the opening of its 11th clinic in Bengaluru and the 78th clinic across India. Located in the vibrant Sarjapur area, the new clinic is equipped with five fully serviced rooms for a wide range of skin, hair, and body treatments, along with dedicated consultation and dermatologist rooms.

Kaya offers the most comprehensive bouquet of services designed to help consumers combat lifestyle, age, and geography-induced concerns. As India’s population progresses not only economically but socially, these services are conceived to address a wide range of issues, including anti-aging, acne solutions, pigmentation, hair care, and body contouring. For body contouring, Kaya provides non-invasive treatments like CoolSculpting. The clinic also offers innovative and effective hair care solutions, including PRP Therapy and AnteAGE, which promote enhanced hair growth and thickness, delivering visible results. Skin rejuvenation has become one of the most sought-after lifestyle-related services, with Kaya offering advanced treatments such as facials, chemical peels, Q-Switch laser treatments, and DermaFrac, all aimed at revitalizing the skin.

In addition to these services, Kaya is the first chain of clinics in India to introduce Autologous Exosomes (MCT) - an advanced treatment that uses the body’s own cells to promote hair regeneration. This breakthrough treatment is a game-changer for clients seeking non-invasive, scientifically backed solutions to rejuvenation and repair. Every treatment at Kaya is meticulously personalized by expert dermatologists, ensuring safe, effective, and tailored results.

Dr. Veena Praveen, Dermatologist and Head Medical Advisor (South) at Kaya Limited, stated, “In a city like Bengaluru, where people juggle busy schedules and face environmental challenges, maintaining healthy skin, hair, and body becomes a real struggle. Here, we are committed to understanding each person’s unique needs and crafting solutions that make a real difference. With world-class care, the latest technologies, and a team dedicated to listening and delivering, we ensure that every client experiences a true transformation.”

Rapid Rashmi, Guest of Honor, added, “Today, people are more informed about their skincare and haircare needs, and that’s where brands like Kaya come in. With over 20 years of experience, Kaya offers expert solutions that focus on delivering real, visible results. It’s not about following a new routine; it’s about achieving lasting improvements backed by years of trusted expertise.”

About Kaya Limited:

Kaya Ltd. is a leading chain of dermatology clinics providing personalized skin, hair, and body care solutions through over 75+ Kaya Clinics across India. 20+ years of enabling beautiful skin fueled by an intense curiosity to constantly evolve and mirror our audience’s mindsets. Kaya delivers flawless skin, hair, and body solutions that include services in the areas of Acne/Acne-scar Reduction, Brightening, Pigmentation, Anti-Aging, Laser Hair Reduction, etc., along with regular beauty enhancement services. Kaya has developed a range of more than 70+ products and 700+ services with the help of our expert dermatologists, ranging from daily essentials to specialized ones that work across skin and hair care problems. Kaya offers personalized solutions by 100+ expert dermatologists delivered through a synergistic combination of products and services backed by state-of-the-art technologies.

Mann+Hummel Cuts Costs And Boosts Efficiency With ELGi’s Compressed Air System - Saving Over $160,000 And 2 M kWh Annually

* The leading manufacturer of filtration systems for numerous industries replaced an aging system that was causing 20+ air-related downtime incidents per day, product damage, and hundreds of thousands of dollars in delays and wasted resources. 

Mann+Hummel, one of the global leaders in providing filtration systems, has successfully overhauled its compressed air system in partnership with Pattons Inc., USA, a subsidiary of Elgi Equipments Limited (BSE: 522074 | NSE: ELGIEQUIP). The new system, powered by ELGi’s advanced air compressors and dryers, has led to substantial cost savings, improved production efficiency, and enhanced product quality, transforming Mann+Hummel’s manufacturing operations.

Mann+Hummel serves numerous industries, that include automotive, agriculture, construction, data centers, energy, food and beverage, and many more. The company relied heavily on compressed air and clean water in its manufacturing processes, and an outdated and often faulty air compression system led to more than 20 air-related downtime incidents per day and 30 gallons of contaminated water per hour. This cost the company more than $160,000 each year, leading to delays, wasted resources, and increased supply chain backlogs.

“When an air system fails, it doesn’t just stop production — it causes ripples across the supply chain, delaying product shipments, increasing maintenance costs, and ultimately impacting customer operations,” said Steven Owens, Senior Manager, Manufacturing Engineering, Mann+Hummel.

Mann+Hummel partnered with Pattons to replace the system with ELGi air compressors and dryers. Pattons worked diligently to design a system that would uniquely cater to the company’s manufacturing plant. The implementation took 12 weeks, during which Pattons provided rental compressors, saving Mann+Hummel $500,000. It chose five ELGi EG-160 rotary screw air compressors — three fixed-speed to maintain a stable baseline air supply and two Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) to adjust output on demand and conserve energy. Three ELGi AR-2350 high-performance air dryers were installed to remove excess moisture, minimize equipment damage, and prevent pressure fluctuations. An Airmatics Smart Control System was implemented to automate compressor operation and optimize energy use, and Airmate Air Receiver wet and dry tanks were installed to normalize moisture levels.

The results were immediate.

“It was like we had a brand-new plant,” Steven said. “Before the upgrade, we were constantly reacting to air pressure drops, low flow rates, and moisture contamination. Every day, production would stall, maintenance teams would scramble to fix issues, and we were losing money with every minute of downtime. Once the new system came online, it was like flipping a switch — suddenly, everything just worked. For the first time in years, we had stable, reliable compressed air across the entire plant.”

The radically improved air compression system also improved Mann+Hummel’s product quality. Before the overhaul, up to 30 gallons of water was infiltrating the air system per hour, damaging seals, cylinders, and pneumatic tools, leading to misaligned and inconsistent product assembly. Filtration components go through compressed air-driven integrity tests, and fluctuating pressure led to false failures and undetected leaks. Products were failing quality standard checks and had to be remade or scrapped.

“We had clogged systems, defective filters, and increased quality complaints. Our products weren’t meeting the standards we needed,” Stevens explained. “After the upgrade, those issues disappeared. We finally had consistent air quality, and that translated into a more consistent, higher-quality product.”?

With manufacturing efficiencies and product quality improvements, the company was able to increase production and clear its backlogs. Coming out of COVID-19, Mann+Hummel had a severe backlog, with 6 million units behind schedule. After overhauling the air compression system, the company was able to steadily clear the decks.

“For a lot of customers, filtration products are mission critical. Delays can significantly affect automotive, industrial, and energy operations,” Stevens said. “Keeping our equipment running consistently was the key to clearing the backlog, and the air compression overhaul made it possible. It’s hard to overstate how big of a change this was — it didn’t just improve efficiency, it completely transformed how we operate.”

Pattons also helped Mann+Hummel take advantage of a rebate program offered by the regional energy utility, Duke Energy. It handled much of the work to verify and technically validate the new working system to ensure energy improvements were properly documented and verified. This included compressor performance, energy load reductions, and heat recovery analysis, among other tasks.

The process involved several meetings with Pattons, Mann+Hummel, and an outside engineering firm. After all the data collection and rebate negotiations, Mann+Hummel was awarded a $300,000 rebate from Duke Energy.

“We didn’t just take the easy route and accept the flat rebate. We really got into the details, making sure every bit of savings was captured. In the end, we squeezed everything we could out of this project, and it paid off,” said Trey Carter, Systems Specialist, Pattons.

About ELGi: Elgi Equipments Limited is a global air compressor manufacturer renowned for its extensive range of innovative and technologically advanced compressed air systems. Committed to maximizing customer productivity and minimizing ownership costs, ELGi offers customers a comprehensive range of compressed air solutions designed to enhance energy efficiency and power superior performance. The product offerings span oil-lubricated and oil-free rotary screw air compressors, oil-lubricated and oil-free reciprocating air compressors, centrifugal air compressors, dryers, filters, downstream accessories, and IOT solutions for 24x7 remote monitoring. With a portfolio of over 400 products, ELGi caters to a wide range of applications across industries. For more information about the organisation and its products, visit http://www.elgi.com.

About Pattons: Patton's Inc. (Pattons), a distributor of industrial compressed air systems and full-line service provider, was established in 1945 and is now owned and operated by ELGi North America. Pattons has seven branches across Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia, providing a full line of reciprocating, scroll, and rotary screw air compressors, vacuum systems, and air system accessories such as dryers, filters, piping, and condensate management systems. Pattons services include preventative maintenance programs, emergency breakdown services, and full system auditing capabilities. For more information visit www.pattonsinc.com 

Marriott International Signs Agreement With The Balwa Group To Debut Le Méridien In Mumbai

* Anticipated to debut in January 2029, Le Méridien Mumbai International Airport is set to be a hub for travellers to explore Mumbai in style

Marriott International, Inc. announced a signed agreement with The Balwa Group to introduce Le Méridien Hotels & Resorts to Mumbai, a dynamic metropolis where tradition and modernity intertwine. To support the growing demand for premium hospitality accommodations, Le Méridien Mumbai International Airport will invite travelers to savor the moment and connect with Mumbai’s kaleidoscope of creativity, culture and dynamic culinary scene through the brand’s timeless perspective on modern travel. Located at a convenient two kilometers from the Mumbai International Airport, the hotel is anticipated to open in January 2029.

“Le Méridien has always inspired travelers to explore the world in style and savor the good life through the lens of its creative-minded spirit, and what better city to continue this journey than in the lively, ever-evolving city of Mumbai”, said Ranju Alex, Regional Vice President, South Asia, Marriott International. “The brand’s mid-century design, captivating spaces and chic, signature programming will offer a distinct stay experience to world travelers visiting the city. This signing marks a strategic step in expanding Marriott International’s lifestyle portfolio across the region, and we are excited to once again collaborate with The Balwa Group, ensuring delivery of the highest standards of hospitality, in line with our values.”

“We are thrilled to continue our relationship with Marriott International through the signing of Le Méridien Mumbai International Airport said – Mr. Rafiq Balwa, Director and Vice President of The Balwa Group. This marks the third hotel collaboration between the two groups, following the success of Fairfield by Marriott Mumbai International Airport and the soon-to-open The Ballard – A Tribute Portfolio Hotel. This hotel will be a landmark in our portfolio – combining global design sensibilities with the cultural richness of Mumbai. Le Méridien, a brand known for unlocking the charm of each destination through curated experiences and timeless style, will bring a fresh perspective to Mumbai’s hospitality scene. As we continue to expand our hospitality footprint, we are committed to creating iconic destinations that offer exceptional experiences and reflect our unwavering passion for excellence.”

Anticipated to feature 161 contemporary guest rooms and suites, Le Méridien Mumbai International Airport will inspire travelers to explore Mumbai in style and enjoy experiences that enrichen and broaden horizons. Plans for the property include a specialty restaurant, a patisserie, and the brand's signature – Le Méridien Hub - a modern reinterpretation of the traditional hotel lobby that offers an array of opportunities for guests to gather, connect, and savor the moment, serving custom-brewed, barista-crafted coffee during the day and beverages in the evening at the signature Latitude/Longitude Bar.

Recreational facilities expect to feature a fitness center, an open-air swimming pool and a spa. Plans for the hotel also include a 1,357 sq meters of banquet space with expansive outdoor lawns and an open-air terrace, ideal for both large and intimate gatherings, as well as business meets.

Samsung To Outpace Industry Growth In AC Segment In India

* Samsung’s AC sales grew 2x year-on-year between January and March, 2025 on the back of 19 new AC models

* The new Bespoke AI WindFree AC models focus on intelligent cooling, energy efficiency, and connected living, and are designed for the evolving demands of Indian consumers

Samsung, India’s largest consumer electronics brand, today said that sales of its Air Conditioners grew 2x between January and March, 2025, outpacing the industry growth of 20-25%. The industry-leading growth helped Samsung secure 10% market share in the first quarter of the calendar year in India.

"Our AC business is growing at a robust pace. In the March quarter, we grew by 2X, which helped us secure 10% of the market, according to our internal estimates. We are confident that we are going to lead the growth in the industry, and with better growth we will have good market share as well," said Ghufran Alam, Vice President, Digital Appliances Business at Samsung.

Samsung expects broad-based growth across channels and regions, helped by a rise in disposable income, growing aspirations and increasing electrification in smaller cities and towns. Samsung has increased its distribution footprint by 40% and has partnered with leading financial institutions for providing zero-cost EMI for purchase of room-air conditioners.

“We have launched 19 new models this year with a clear focus on superior cooling, energy efficiency, durability, and future readiness. Our new Bespoke AI WindFree ACs learn consumer patterns and behavior - whether they are home, sleeping, or coming in from a hot day. Based on these patterns, the AC adjusts itself to deliver optimal comfort,” Alam added.

The Bespoke AI WindFree ACs come with AI Energy Mode that intelligently adjusts the cooling settings to save up to 30% energy. This addresses the top key buying factor for consumers while buying an air conditioner – the demand for energy-efficient appliances without compromising on comfort.

The AI Fast & Comfort Cooling feature ensures instant relief by rapidly reducing room temperature with maximum fan speed. Once the desired temperature is achieved, the system intelligently switches to WindFree Mode to maintain consistent cooling, ensuring a comfortable environment for activities like sleeping or entertaining guests.

The new Bespoke AI WindFree ACs start at INR 32990 and go all the way to INR 60990 for the most premium  model. Samsung ACs come with 5-year comprehensive warranty and consumers benefit from a strong service and installation network covering 19000+ PIN codes in the country.

About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.  

Samsung inspires the world and shapes the future with transformative ideas and technologies. The company is redefining the world of TVs, smartphones, wearable devices, tablets, digital appliances, network systems and memory, system LSI, foundry and LED solutions. For latest news on Samsung India, please visit Samsung India Newsroom at http://news.samsung.com/in. For Hindi, log on to Samsung Newsroom Bharat at https://news.samsung.com/bharat. You can also follow us on Twitter @SamsungNewsIN.

Atlassian Team '25: Atlassian Opens Up AI Teammate Rovo For All Customers

Collaboration software company Atlassian announced today that its enterprise AI solution, Rovo, will be available to all customers. Atlassian also announced the new Rovo Studio app, which lets users create custom AI-powered agents with low-code/no-code options. Company co-founder and CEO Mike Cannon-Brookes shared the news onstage during the company’s annual Team '25 conference in Anaheim, California.

Atlassian also unveiled new collections: curated sets of apps and agents designed to solve specific challenges for different types of teams. Teamwork Collection includes Jira, Confluence, and Loom as well as teamwork-focused AI agents. Strategy Collection helps business leaders assess how their teams' day-to-day work ladders up to larger company goals and strategic initiatives. Part of the Strategy Collection, Talent, is a new workforce planning app to help leaders make sure the right people are working on the most important priorities.

Rovo for all

Rovo, which was unveiled at last year’s Team gathering, is the first Atlassian solution developed in and for the AI era. It combines the apps Rovo Search, which surfaces the most useful information from across both Atlassian tools and third-party sources, and Rovo Chat, which distils tremendous amounts of company data into a tailored conversation, with Rovo Agents, out-of-the-box or custom-made AI teammates that can take action on a user's behalf, saving days of work and achieving better results.

Rovo has proven so effective for teams that Atlassian has moved to make it available to all Jira, Confluence, and Jira Service Management users as part of their subscriptions—starting with Premium and Enterprise, with Standard customers to follow.

“AI isn’t a nice-to-have anymore - it’s a must-have for teams that want to win. Over a million people use AI on the Atlassian platform each month, and that number’s growing fast," says Mike Cannon-Brookes, Co-Founder and CEO, Atlassian.

“When you have a great product, you want to get it into as many hands as possible - that’s what’s next for Rovo. We’re not just focused on the Fortune 500, we’re aiming to reach the Fortune 500,000 and beyond. AI has the power to unlock potential for every team, in every industry, everywhere. And we’re just getting started.”

As part of bringing Rovo to all Atlassian customers, the company is rolling out usage quotas of AI credits and Indexed Objects in all plans and collections. These quotas are designed thoughtfully so that all customers can experience Rovo's many benefits.

Leaning into the agentic AI revolution: Rovo Studio

Alongside Rovo Search, Chat and Agents, Atlassian also unveiled Rovo Studio. This new app is a one-stop-shop for:

Building custom AI-powered agents with low-code/no-code options

Tailoring processes and rules with automation

Modelling real-world objects with assets and schemas

Curating rich, interactive views of content with hubs

Developers will also be able to use Forge to create custom skills, build agents with code, or extend the user interface of their apps.

Rovo getting better every day

Rovo Search now has 50 connectors (and counting) across Atlassian and third-party tools like OneDrive, Gmail, or Notion, making context-switching, lost information and knowledge siloes a thing of the past. Atlassian has made deep investments in stronger capabilities for Rovo Chat, such as Deep Research (coming soon). Deep Research synthesises insights from organisational Teamwork Graph data and tailors them for each individual user. This allows users to rely on Rovo Chat for long-term strategic planning, big decisions, and understanding tradeoffs.

Additionally, Atlassian has added new out-of the-box agents for facilitating teamwork, supporting developers and improving company-wide service delivery. Teamwork Graph, a data intelligence layer that connects Atlassian with third-party data, powers each of these innovations; it understands how all work objects across an organisation—like teams, messages and goals—interconnect by mapping billions of data connections across over 10 billion data objects.

Introducing Teamwork and Strategy Collections

In an effort to assist organisations as they implement a unified System of Work—and work to partake in the human-AI collaboration of the future—Atlassian has released new Collections of apps and agents tailored to specific use cases.

Atlassian’s new Strategy Collection connects leaders to every part of their organisation and provides a clear view of the connection between strategy and execution, replete with real-time data showing whether teams are driving towards the highest-priority outcomes.

This specialised collection brings together three apps: Focus (now available to the general public), Talent (a brand new app) and Jira Align:

First introduced at Team '24 Europe, Focus transforms a static strategic plan into a living artifact where leaders can see in real time how the company is tracking against top priorities and key results. Focus provides a central hub for mapping and tracking goals, work, teams and funds related to strategic initiatives or priorities.

The new Talent app gives leaders an up-to-the-minute view of how resources are deployed to a Focus Area, and helps them ensure people are in the right place to support both short- and long-term goals. If a project is lacking a vital skill set, AI can help; leaders can use the Talent Finder agent to search for employees with skills matching project demands.

Align empowers enterprise-wide work planning from idea to delivery. It tells teams what they should work on next, which roadblocks and risks are appearing, and how work is translating into value. Existing Align customers will get access to the full Strategy Collection at no additional cost.

Teamwork Collection is designed to enable cross-functional collaboration and align technical and business teams towards a common goal.

Today’s teams are under immense pressure to deliver value at a faster clip; a staggering 89% of leaders believe their organization must move more rapidly than ever to keep up with competition. Unfortunately, work silos, ineffective AI and disconnected tools impede everyone’s progress.

Teamwork Collection is a curated selection of apps and powerful AI agents designed to give every team the resources collaborate effectively:

Jira helps all teams plan and track work.

Confluence provides a workspace for knowledge-sharing and collaboration.

Loom enables video communication for all teams to move work forward, both in and out of meetings.

Rovo agents, from the Brainstorm Facilitator to the Diagram Creator or Workflow Builder, supercharge workflows to improve, not just expedite, decision-making

Each app and agent contributes value on its own, but the magic happens when they’re used together. By leveraging their combined strengths, teams can use Jira, Confluence, Loom and Rovo agents to break down silos and foster a culture of teamwork that empowers everyone to contribute.

Bringing the Atlassian Cloud Platform to the most complex organisations

Atlassian’s continued investments in its infrastructure layer will soon enable even the most complex organizations to utilise the benefits and innovations available on the Atlassian Cloud Platform.

The Atlassian Isolated Cloud, launching in 2026, is a virtual private cloud solution made for enterprises with the most stringent requirements for handling highly sensitive data. Isolated Cloud will join Atlassian Government Cloud, which is built for US government teams and kicked off early access in February.

More information on all announcements can be found on the Atlassian blog. Live recordings of sessions from Atlassian Team '25 will be available to watch on demand soon.

About Atlassian

Atlassian unleashes the potential of every team. Our software development, service management and work management software helps teams organize, discuss, and complete shared work. The majority of the Fortune 500 and over 300,000 companies of all sizes worldwide - including NASA, BMW, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Infosys, Kotak Mahindra Bank, HCL, Wipro, Bajaj, Adani, Royal Enfield, TVS Motor, PhonePe - rely on our solutions to help their teams work better together and deliver quality results on time. Learn more about our products, including Jira, Confluence and Jira Service Management at https://atlassian.com. 

Mumbai Emerges As One Of APAC’s Most Competitive Data Centre Leasing Markets: Knight Frank

* Global Data Centre Market Projected 46% Increase In Capacity By 2027

Knight Frank in its latest report Global Data Centres Report, identified Mumbai as one of the most competitive leasing markets in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region. The city’s data centre ecosystem is being transformed by AWS, which is significantly scaling through large-scale colocation leases rather than self-builds. This strategic approach is accelerating Mumbai’s emergence as a regional data centre powerhouse.

Navi Mumbai’s 90 MW data centre has been developed specifically to support hyperscalers like AWS. This facility is designed with rapid scalability and high-density capacity, aligning perfectly with AWS’s growth needs. These large-scale colocation deals are driving the expansion of Mumbai’s availability zones (AZs). Currently, Mumbai has three AZs, but their footprint is growing with deployments spreading from Airoli and Juinagar to Panvel.

The report also highlights Chennai as another emerging data centre destination in India. The city is drawing attention due to its strategic coastal location, which offers robust connectivity and disaster resilience, making it attractive for hyperscalers and enterprise-grade operators looking for diversified infrastructure.

Globally, the data centre industry is expected to grow by 46% by 2027, adding 20,828 megawatts (MW) in capacity. This expansion could scale up to 177% by 2030, backed by a projected £229 billion in capital expenditure. This surge is driven by soaring demand for digital infrastructure to support AI, cloud computing, and enterprise digital transformation.

Shishir Baijal, Chairman & Managing Director, Knight Frank India, said "India’s data centre industry is experiencing unprecedented momentum, driven by rapid digitalisation, policy support, and a growing appetite for cloud-based services. Cities like Mumbai and Chennai are emerging as key anchors in the global data centre map, offering scalable infrastructure, power availability, and robust connectivity. As demand from hyperscalers and large enterprises intensifies, India is well-positioned to become a regional hub for digital infrastructure investment.”

Regional Growth Highlights:

• North America remains the dominant global market, with 11,638 MW in new capacity, reflecting a 54% growth rate and a staggering £128 billion in capital being deployed to support this expected growth. The region benefits from a combination of homegrown hyperscale dominance, increasing enterprise colocation demand, and strategic expansion into emerging secondary markets.

• Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA) is set to expand by 4,529 MW (44%), requiring a £49.8 billion investment. European markets are experiencing a shift towards secondary hubs such as Milan and Madrid, primarily driven by power constraints in core markets like Frankfurt and London.

• Asia-Pacific (APAC) is projected to grow by 4,174 MW (32%), with £45.9 billion in investments. Alongside established hubs like Tokyo and emerging locations such as Johor, Malaysia, Mumbai, and Chennai are witnessing increased interest, offering cost advantages, regulatory support, and growing colocation ecosystems.

Stephen Beard, Global Head of Data Centres at Knight Frank said, “The global data centre industry is undergoing rapid transformation, with hyperscaler and colocation providers prioritising markets that offer access to power, robust connectivity, and a favourable regulatory environment. We’re increasingly seeing sustainability considerations shaping investment strategies, with an increasing focus on renewable energy adoption and energy-efficient design. Real estate investors and developers are positioning themselves to capitalise on this demand, with an emphasis on acquiring strategically located land and securing long-term power agreements. As global capital races to capture the next wave of digital infrastructure growth, the competition for prime development sites, particularly in power-constrained locations, will intensify. Industry stakeholders must navigate regulatory complexities, power availability concerns, and sustainability requirements to remain competitive in this high-growth sector. Operators, investors, policymakers, and partners, each have a role to play in shaping this future. The task ahead is to build infrastructure that not only supports innovation but also safeguards sustainability, security, and equity.”

BLDEA College Of Engineering & Technology Vijayapura Wins TCS TechBytes State Finals 2025

* IT quiz conducted by Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) and BITES, evaluated students in emerging technologies

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) (BSE: 532540, NSE: TCS) and the Board for IT Education Standards (BITES) an autonomous body promoted by Government of Karnataka, announced the winners of the 16th edition of TCS TechBytes.

Winner: Ayman Patil –  BLDEA College of Engineering & Technology, Vijayapura

Runner-up:_Aditya Raj – IIIT, Dharwad

TCS presented a education scholarship worth Rs 85,000 to the winner, while the runner-up received Rs 50,000. All finalists were also awarded education scholarships of Rs 10,000 each. The prizes were distributed by Sunil Deshpande, Regional Head, TCS Bengaluru and Dr. D.N. Sujatha, Executive Director BITES. The program was also attended by Dr. Puttaraju, Academic Director BGS & SJB group and Dr. K V Mahendra Prashanth, Principal of SJB Institute of Technology.

Sunil Deshpande, Regional Head, TCS Bengaluru, said “TCS TechBytes is a great engine to explore diverse trends in the technology space. Our program embodies our commitment to develop a future ready talent pool so that they are equipped with relevant skills for their careers. Through such initiatives, we aim to help students sharpen their critical thinking, problem-solving, and quick decision-making skills. It also provides them with the opportunity to stay updated with the latest advancements in technology, which is essential in an ever-evolving industry.”

The quiz took place over five segments that tested students’ acumen in various technologies.

Prof S Sadagopan, Chairman, BITES, said, “TCS TechBytes builds a culture of excellence, which is vital in today’s competitive environment. This program not only enhances students' technical knowledge but also fosters a spirit of healthy competition that encourages them to strive for their best. By providing a platform where students from diverse backgrounds can come together and showcase their skills, TCS TechBytes instills values of teamwork, resilience, and fair play. We are proud to partner with TCS in this important initiative as it provides students across Karnataka a platform to expand their tech knowledge.”

Students from over 115 engineering colleges across Karnataka participated in the program this year. Six regional finals were conducted at Hubballi, Mangaluru, Mysuru, Bengaluru, Tumakuru and Kalaburagi. TCS TechBytes is a campus outreach program that strives to provide a better understanding of IT to students of all streams of engineering. The objective is to enhance the knowledge and awareness of students and enable them to compete in a technology intensive industry. 

MAHE Hosts FINENT 25: A Confluence Of Ideas, Innovation, And Finance

Manipal Academy of Higher Education hosted the second edition of FINENT 25, the annual flagship conclave of Manipal Institute of Technology (MIT), Manipal, on 4th April 2025.   Bringing together industry leaders, innovators, and academics, the event served as a vibrant platform to explore the idea of evolving intersections of finance, technology, and entrepreneurship. Organized by the Department of Humanities and Management, MIT Manipal, the conclave was held in collaboration with FIS Global, dlabs Hyderabad, and Young Indians, Mangalore.

The event was inaugurated by Mr. Madhav Nair, CEO – India, Bank of Bahrain and Kuwait, and Honorary Secretary of the Indian Bank Association, serving as Chief Guest.  An alumnus of MIT’s 1993 batch, Mr. Nair reflected on his journey from engineering to banking.  Drawing parallels between personal choices and broader economic shifts, he urged students to “catch the wave” of change — staying alert to trends, continuously upgrading their knowledge, and embracing responsible innovation in the fintech domain.

Mr. Ramkumar Narayanan, EVP, Technology & Services (India & Philippines), FIS Global, the Guest of Honor, spoke on entrepreneurship, technology, and finance as three forces that will define the future. He encouraged students to leverage these fields for innovation but to consider how they can be used for broader social impact.  Presiding over the session, Cdr (Dr.) Anil Rana, Director, MIT Manipal, highlighted the institution’s forward-looking initiatives in semiconductor technology, Healthtech, and fintech. He emphasized the importance of proactive skilling, urging students to tap into freely available certification opportunities that align with emerging industry demands.

Mr. Madhav Nair delivered a keynote address titled “Viksit Bharat – Role of the Banking Sector,” examining how the banking industry plays a vital role in India’s growth story. Mr. Ramkumar Narayanan spoke on “AI Opportunities in Fintech,” exploring how artificial intelligence can be harnessed to improve customer experiences and drive innovation in financial services. In his keynote, Mr. Upendra Namburi, ideator and Founder of ideaearth, explored “New Age Entrepreneurial Opportunities in Fintech,” providing insights into emerging business models and the skills needed to thrive in a digital economy.  In a lively fireside chat, Mr. Shiv Ram Krishna Pande, a 2011 MIT, Manipal alumnus and founding team member at BitSave, discussed the relevance and future of cryptocurrency in a session titled “Bitcoin Matters.” Another engaging segment, “Author’s Voice,” featured Dr. Varadharaju Janardhanan, VP – HR at Flipkart and author of two motivational books. He spoke about the entrepreneurial mindset, leadership, and innovation, drawing lessons from his own experience and writing.

The FINENT 25 conclave featured a significant panel discussion on "Building a Fintech Entrepreneurship Ecosystem in India," moderated by FIS Global's Senior VP Mr. Venu Madhav with experts from BlackRock, Green Light, ideaearth, Equifax, and SP Jain School of Global Management.  The panelists explored India's fintech landscape, startup challenges, and ecosystem development strategies.  The event concluded with a valedictory session emphasizing innovation and entrepreneurship, drawing inspiration from MAHE founder Dr. TMA Pai, with Dr. Varadharaju Janardhanan as Chief Guest and Mr. Venu Madhav as Guest of Honor, presided over by MIT Manipal's Joint Director Dr. Somashekara Bhat.  The conference was organized under Dr. Yogesh Pai P's, with Mr. Lidwin Kenneth Michael and Dr. Rajesh R Pai serving as convenors, supported by co-convenors Dr. Sumukh S Hungund and Dr. Raveendra Rao.

KIMS-Sunshine Hospital, Hyderabad Collaborates With Medtronic To Establish Specialized Center For Renal Denervation Therapy

KIMS-Sunshine Hospital, one of Hyderabad’s premier healthcare institutions has partnered with Medtronic, a global leader in medical technology to establish a specialized center for renal denervation therapy. Formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), this collaboration is dedicated to enhancing treatment options for patients with resistant and uncontrolled hypertension, ultimately improving their health outcomes.

Through this initiative, Medtronic will support the upskilling of medical personnel in the field of renal denervation therapy by conducting training programs and workshops. These efforts will ensure that healthcare professionals have access to the latest knowledge and techniques required for the effective management of hypertension. Additionally, Medtronic and KIMS-Sunshine Hospital will drive patient awareness programs, empowering patients, and caregivers with the necessary information to make informed decisions about their medical treatment for difficult to control blood pressure. By increasing awareness of renal denervation therapy, this initiative aims to provide patients with an alternative treatment option to better manage their condition.

Speaking on the collaboration Mandeep Singh Kumar, Managing Director and Vice President of Medtronic India said “At Medtronic, our commitment is to transform healthcare through a series of continuous innovation and effective collaborations. Our partnership with KIMS-Sunshine Hospital empowers medical professionals with advanced training and raises awareness about renal denervation therapy. In the battle against hypertension, together, we aim to improve patient care by providing effective solutions for managing resistant and uncontrolled hypertension. By leveraging our technology and fostering collaboration, we are dedicated to improving patient outcomes and fulfilling our Medtronic mission to alleviate pain, restore health, and extend life."

Dr. B. Bhaskar Rao, Chairman and Managing Director, KIMS Group of Hospitals commented, "Hypertension, particularly when resistant and uncontrolled with conventional treatment, remains one of the most critical health concerns of our time, posing serious risks to long-term patient wellbeing. Our strategic collaboration with Medtronic represents a transformative step toward broadening access to advanced, evidence-based therapies like renal denervation. This initiative goes beyond technology — it is about building a holistic ecosystem of care that empowers our clinicians with world-class training and equips our patients with the knowledge to make informed decisions. Together, we are not just addressing a medical condition; we are shaping the future of hypertension management by attempting to set a new standard in precision care and patient outcomes.”

Dr. A. V. Gurava Reddy, Managing Director, KIMS-Sunshine Hospital commented, “This collaboration is a significant leap forward in our commitment to delivering innovative, patient-centric care for patients with uncontrolled blood pressure. By integrating technology from Medtronic with our dedicated expertise, we are paving the way for a new era in hypertension management. Our goal is to not only improve clinical outcomes but also to empower our patients with effective, sustainable treatment options beyond pharmacotherapy. Together, we are endeavoring to set a benchmark for excellence in healthcare delivery.”

Dr. Sridhar Kasturi, Head of Department, Cardiology & Cardiothoracic Surgery, KIMS-Sunshine Hospital said “Renal denervation therapy offers a promising alternative for patients who struggle with uncontrolled blood pressure despite conventional and pharmacological treatments. By integrating advanced training and patient education technology, we are poised to offer more effective solutions and empower our patients with better management strategies for their condition. This initiative marks an important step forward in our comprehensive approach to healthcare."

The specialized blood pressure treatment center at KIMS-Sunshine Hospital will serve as a hub for the advanced renal denervation procedure, offering state-of-the-art care to patients suffering from uncontrolled or poorly controlled hypertension.

About KIMS Hospitals:

KIMS Hospitals is one of the largest corporate healthcare groups in India with hospitals in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Kerala providing multi-disciplinary integrated healthcare services, with a focus on tertiary and quaternary healthcare at an affordable cost. Our network of 18 hospitals and over 5500 beds is spread across Telangana (Secunderabad, Kondapur, Gachibowli, and Begumpet), Andhra Pradesh (Nellore, Rajahmundry, Srikakulam, Ongole, Vizag - 2 units, \Anantapur, Guntur and Kurnool), Maharashtra (Nagpur, Nashik and Sangli) and Kerala (Kannur and Kollam). Our new units, under construction, include 2 hospitals in Bangalore and one in Mumbai.  We offer a bouquet of comprehensive healthcare services across 25 specialties including cardiac sciences, oncology, neurosciences, gastric sciences, orthopaedics, organ transplantation, renal sciences, and mother & child care.

Agrifields DMCC Will Expand Into Korea, Introduce New Age Water Soluble Fertilizer Products In India By End FY'26: Amit Gupta

Agrifields DMCC, a leading fertilizer and phosphate manufacturing company headquartered in Dubai, today announced its plans to expand into newer markets by the end of FY'26.

Agrifields DMCC plans to expand its footprint into Korea which is driven by the growing demand for agricultural products and the need for sustainable and efficient farming practices. The company aims to leverage its expertise and experience in the agricultural industry to tap into the new market and increase its global footprint.

Speaking in detail about the plans, Mr Amit Gupta, Founder & CEO of Agrifields DMCC said, "The expansion into Korea is a strategic move for Agrifields DMCC, and we are excited about the opportunities that lie ahead. Our goal is to become an important player in the global agricultural industry, and we believe that this expansion will help us achieve that goal.”

"We are confident that our expertise and experience in the agricultural industry will enable us to succeed in new markets. We look forward to exploring new opportunities and building strong relationships with our partners and customers," added Mr. Gupta.

As part of its expansion plans, Agrifields DMCC will also introduce new age water soluble fertilizer products to the Indian market. These products are designed to promote sustainable agriculture practices, enhance crop yields, and improve soil health, harnessing the organic bio chain. 

"The new fertilizer products we are introducing in India are a testament to our commitment to innovation and sustainability. We believe these products will play a crucial role in promoting sustainable agriculture practices, enhancing food security in the region and growth in yields, which will directly improve farmer netbacks," said Mr. Gupta.

About Agrifields DMCC:

Agrifields DMCC is a leading fertilizer and phosphate manufacturing company headquartered in Dubai, providing innovative solutions and products to farmers and agricultural businesses in India and other countries. The company is committed to promoting sustainable agriculture practices and enhancing food security globally.

For more information, visit www.agrifields.com

MAHE Bengaluru To Host "Wavelength" Media Conclave On April 10-11, 2025

The Department of Liberal Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences (DLHS) at the Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Bengaluru Campus, will be hosting the first edition of Wavelength – a two-day Media Conclave that will bring together industry leaders, academic experts, and aspiring media professionals to engage in stimulating discussions, share insights, and explore the current landscape of the media world.

Wavelength promises to be an exciting and informative event for those looking to deepen their understanding of the contemporary media landscape. The conclave is structured around four core themes: Integrated Marketing Communication (IMC), Public Relations and Corporate Communication, Journalism, and Digital & Audio-Visual Production, thereby fostering a broader understanding of the real-time industry scenario.

The event will open with a keynote address from Dhanya Rajendran, Editor-in-Chief, The News Minute, setting the tone for two days of learning and navigating our way through the media industry. Each thematic panel will bring together a distinguished lineup of top industry professionals, renowned academics, and influential voices from across the communication spectrum. This will be followed the next day by a masterclass by Bejoy Nambiar, Filmmaker- Shaitaan(2011), Wazir, and others. The list of panellists includes Ayshwarya Sharma, Adyasha Roy Tomar, Nandita Lakshmanan, Tanay Sukumar, Meera Krishnan, and many other respected professionals across advertising, journalism, PR, and digital media

The media conclave Wavelength at MAHE, Bengaluru promises to be an exciting and informative event that will explore evolving trends across media, marketing, and storytelling. By exploring the intersections of Integrated Marketing Communication, Public Relations, Journalism, and Digital and Audio-Visual platforms, the conclave will provide a holistic view of the media and communication industries, preparing the next generation of media professionals to thrive in an ever-evolving digital world.

When – 10th – 11th April 2025

Where - MAHE Bengaluru, BSF Campus, Yelahanka, Bengaluru.

Sheeltron Digital Systems Collaborates With Seagate Technology To Offer Enterprise Data Storage Solutions In India

Sheeltron Digital Systems Pvt Ltd. (“Sheeltron Digital Systems” or the “Company”), an IT solution provider, today announced its collaboration with Seagate® Technology (“Seagate”), a leading innovator of mass-capacity data storage, to deliver Seagate’s cutting-edge enterprise data storage solutions to India.

With this agreement Sheeltron Digital Systems incorporates Seagate’s enterprise data storage solutions into its comprehensive suite of IT services and solutions, further enhancing its offerings to meet the growing storage demands of businesses in India.

With over 45 years of innovation, Seagate is a global leader in mass-capacity data storage solutions. Its enterprise data storage systems portfolio is uniquely designed to address the storage challenges businesses face in managing, accessing, and protecting their data. This includes Seagate’s Exos® CORVAULT™, a self-healing, high-performance, efficient, and durable multi-petabyte capacity block storage system.

Chandraprakash Parekh, Director of Sheeltron Digital Systems, said, “We are delighted to collaborate with Seagate, a leader in mass-capacity data storage, to offer advanced, scalable and secure storage solutions to our diverse customer base, including SMEs, public companies and government agencies in India, addressing the evolving market demands. This collaboration is not only a significant milestone for India’s enterprise landscape but also a key step in our journey to becoming a comprehensive IT solutions provider in the enterprise storage sector.”

Sameer Bhatia, Director of Asia Pacific Consumer Business Group and Country Manager for India & SAARC at Seagate, said: "We are excited to work with Sheeltron Digital System to bring Seagate’s enterprise data storage solutions to businesses across India. As India continues to embrace digital transformation and AI, Seagate is committed to delivering breakthrough technology that help businesses navigate the evolving data landscape. With Sheeltron Digital Systems’ local expertise and Seagate’s industry-leading solutions, we are confident that businesses in India will be well-positioned to navigate their evolving data challenges and achieve sustainable growth.”

About Sheeltron Digital Systems Pvt Ltd.

Sheeltron Digital Systems is a leading IT System Integrator and Solution Provider with 35+ years of presence in the Indian market and a team of 350+ employees spread across the nation. Headquartered in the “Silicon Valley of India”, Bengaluru Sheeltron has over 10 branches in India and a great pool of partnerships with international System Integrators and Vendors for our global customers. We provide expertise in the Enterprise IT hardware solutions i.e., servers, storage and networking systems and Managed IT services with clients mainly across CSP’s, Manufacturing, Healthcare, Fintech and many more…The main business verticals of Sheeltron include Stock and Sale of Enterprise IT hardware, E-waste management, Refurbishment of IT hardware including laptops and desktops and Rental of IT equipment.

Birla Fertility & IVF Mangalore Turns Multiple IVF Failures Into Success With Personalised Care

Birla Fertility & IVF Mangalore helped a couple from Kerala fulfil their dream of parenthood with twin babies after enduring years of emotional strain and multiple failed IVF cycles at various other clinics. Under the guidance of Dr. Gaurav Gujarathi, Senior Consultant & Centre Head at Birla Fertility & IVF Mangalore, a personalised treatment strategy based on an in-depth clinical evaluation of the couple’s condition was implemented.

The couple, aged 40 (wife) and 45 (husband), had been through a long and emotionally exhausting journey, facing several failed IVF attempts over the years, with each setback taking a toll on their mental and emotional well-being, leading them to disappointment, and a growing sense of hopelessness. Despite exploring various treatment options and visiting multiple clinics, they were unable to conceive after multiple IVF cycles using both self and donor eggs. The couple then turned to Birla Fertility & IVF Mangalore for a solution to their concerns.

At Birla Fertility & IVF Mangalore, a comprehensive assessment revealed that the female partner had a diminished ovarian reserve, while the male partner was diagnosed with reduced sperm motility, as well as abnormal sperm size and shape. Additionally, the female partner consistently showed a favourable endometrial lining during her natural cycles. Based on this, Dr. Gaurav Gujarathi recommended a modified natural cycle IVF, incorporating donor eggs and the husband’s sperm to best address the couple’s specific clinical profile.

Giving details of the case, Dr. Gaurav Gujarathi, Senior Consultant & Centre Head at Birla Fertility & IVF Mangalore, said, “This couple had endured the emotional toll of multiple IVF failures, we developed a tailored treatment plan that addressed both their medical and emotional needs. Given the wife’s low ovarian reserve and the husband’s sperm challenges, we opted for a modified natural cycle IVF to minimise the physical and emotional strain of medications, optimising their chances of pregnancy.”

“Additionally, we used Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy, which involves taking a concentrated form of the patient's own blood cells and applying it to the uterine lining. This makes the lining thicker and healthier, helping the embryo attach better. After that, we carefully placed two high-quality embryos into the wife’s uterus. This was an important step to give the embryos the best chance to grow and develop.” Dr. Gujarathi added.

After years of uncertainty and emotional hardship, the couple was overjoyed to learn that the treatment had been successful. The wife conceived and gave birth to healthy twins, marking a moment of immense relief and joy for a couple who had endured significant challenges throughout their journey.

At Birla Fertility & IVF, we believe in offering care that goes beyond just medical treatment. Our approach focuses on providing individualised care that addresses both the physical and emotional needs of our patients. We understand that each couple’s journey is unique, and through advanced medical techniques, cutting-edge technology, and compassionate support, we aim to help our patients navigate their path to parenthood. We are thrilled that this approach led to success for this couple, bringing them the joy they had longed for.

About Birla Fertility & IVF

Birla Fertility & IVF, a leader in fertility care, offers advanced treatment options in Mangalore.  As India’s fastest-growing IVF chain, we have 50 centers across 37 cities in 18 states. Our team of 120 fertility specialists has successfully performed over 120,000 IVF cycles, assisting 2.3 lakh patients achieve their parenthood dream.